Report: Wisconsin seat belt usage at record high; still below U.S. average

February 5, 2015, 3:09 pm

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Seat belt usage in Wisconsin is at an all-time high -- but it's still lower than the national average.

The Appleton Post-Crescent said about 85 percent of drivers and passengers followed the law and buckled up last year. That figure comes from DOT surveys -- and it's an increase of more than 2.5 percent from previous year.

However, Wisconsin's 85 percent rate is still two points below the nation as a whole. The DOT's David Pabst says Wisconsin ranks 35th among the 50 states in seat belt usage.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

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Former teacher's aide plead guilty to sex with student

February 5, 2015, 3:23 pm

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A former Oshkosh middle school teacher's aide has agreed to a plea deal for having sex with a student.

Lindsey Quednow pled guilty Thursday to repeated sexual assault of the same child and child enticement. Three other charges were dismissed Thursday.

According to prosecutors, Quednow met the boy while working at Merrill Middle School in 2012. Both the 14-year-old and Quednow told authorities their relationship turned sexual last year.

After starting work together at an Oshkosh restaurant, they sent naked pictures of themselves to each other, according to the criminal complaint. Quednow and the alleged victim then began having a sexual relationship in mid-July at Quednow's home.

They met at her Oshkosh home 4 or 5 times through the rest of the summer to have sex.

2 safety violations at Grand Chute Denny's where boy fell into grease trap

February 6, 2015, 7:51 am

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GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - State inspectors found two safety violations at an Appleton area diner where a three-year-old boy fell into a grease trap.

Officials said the youngster jumped on the trap's lid and fell in last month, outside a Denny's Restaurant in Grand Chute. The boy's father pulled him out, and he was not seriously hurt.

The state Safety and Professional Services Department inspected the receptacle, and found that lids were not fastened properly -- and two bolts were not there.

FOX 11 says the state is giving the restaurant a chance to correct the problems before facing a possible citation and fine.

Denny's was told to fasten the lid properly, and label it as a grease trap.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

De Pere company pleads guilty to money laundering, illegal gambling

February 6, 2015, 7:53 am

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CLEVELAND, OH (WTAQ) - A De Pere company and its owner have pleaded guilty to illegally selling 23,000 video slot machines and parts to businesses in Ohio.

8 Line Supply and its 34-year-old president Erin Nelson were convicted Thursday of 8 charges that included misdemeanor gambling, money laundering, and possessing criminal tools. Nelson is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

State and county prosecutors in Cleveland said the company sold $2.7 million worth of slot machines and components since 2008 to bars, restaurants, and other places.

Eight tavern owners in northeast Ohio also pleaded guilty to gambling charges, which resulted from an investigation that included the U.S. Secret Service.

State investigator Greg Croft said the conviction proves that the machines cannot be disguised as skill games that would be legal in Ohio.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

UPDATE: Road back open after trailer tips over on W. Mason St. roundabout

February 6, 2015, 9:07 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police says a semi trailer tipped over in a busy roundabout on the city's west side Friday morning.

It happened on West Mason Street, near the off-ramp to southbound U.S. Highway 41 around 9:30 a.m. 

It forced the closure of the westbound lanes of Mason Street for much of the day. The Green Bay P.D. said the road reopened to traffic just after 3 p.m.

 

Howard-Suamico school district launches ambitious fund raising campaign

February 6, 2015, 10:32 am

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Suamico, WI (WTAQ) -  The gloves are off as the Howard-Suamico School District announces the launch of a new, year long, campaign to raise $3.5 million. 

It's called the “Upward Together: Howard-Suamico Education Campaign”.  Greg Klimek is the campaign's co-chair.  He's a graduate from the district, and his kids are students there now.

The district says the money will be used to enrich student experiences, expand faculty and staff learning opportunities and improve facilities. 

Jean Nolle is on the campaign cabinet.  She says the money raised will not only help her three kids get a better education....but be good for the entire community.

The campaign follows last spring's successful $13.4 million referendum for the Howard-Suamico School District. 

More than $1 million for this effort has already been raised.

DNA evidence link Jake Sizemore to stabbing incident

February 6, 2015, 2:57 pm

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A man arrested in connection with several robberies near the UW-Oshkosh campus last year has now been linked to a separate stabbing and attempted robbery incident.

Investigators say 19-year-old Jake Sizemore's DNA turned up from the incident October 24, where a 19-year-old Middleton man and an 18-year-old Two Rivers man were both stabbed in the abdomen. Police say it happened as they tried to stop the robber from taking the 19-year-old's phone. Both men survived the attack after being hospitalized.

Sizemore is already facing charges of robbery with use of force, battery and carrying a concealed weapon from other incidents in that same area.

He has yet to be formally charged with crimes from the October 24th incident.

New hotel proposed close to Lambeau Field

February 6, 2015, 3:03 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - An $11.1 million hotel project has been submitted by a developer for a Staybridge Suites adjacent to Brett Favre's Steakhouse.

The city of Green Bay's Plan Commission has received a request for a conditional use permit from a company called Green Bay Hotel Partners LCC. The request includes seeking permission to exceed the city's building height limit.

City community development director Kim Flom tells FOX 11 the hotel's plan calls for a 60-foot, five-story building. The limit in that area is 35-feet. However, Flom says other hotels like Spring Hill Suites and the Hilton Garden Inn have received similar permission.

Plans call for 77 guest rooms with a pool, small meeting room, exercise facility and administrative offices.

The Green Bay Plan Commission will take up the CUP request on Monday at 6 p.m. City staff has recommended the project be approved.

The city’s Board of Appeals will also likely be asked to consider waivers to regulations on parking and landscaping. That could happen at a February 23rd meeting.

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Part of University Ave. in Green Bay closed due to crashes

February 7, 2015, 4:02 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Green Bay are asking drivers to avoid University Avenue between Newtols Street and University Way due to power pole repairs.

Authorities say Wisconsin Public Service crews are working on two power poles after they were hit in separate crashes early Saturday.

WPS officials say one pole was knocked down, along with some wires. The second pole was sheared off but still standing.

Cops say the first crash happened just after 2:30 a.m., while the second accident took place around 3:20 a.m. No one was injured in either crash.

Officials say there are barricades up, and travelers should find an alternate route or follow the detour signs. 

WPS crews expect to be on the scene until at least 10 a.m.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11)

Possible child abuse/neglect case in Marinette County

February 7, 2015, 5:04 am

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MARINETTE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A possible child neglect and abuse case is under investigation in Marinette County.

The Marinette County Sheriff's Department says they were called to a home in the Town of Stephenson at 11:05 p.m. on Monday, February 2. Deputies got reports of an infant in need of medical attention.

Authorities say the 4-and-a-half-month-old boy was taken to Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette, before being flown to a hospital in the Milwaukee area to treat his injuries.

At last report, the infant is listed in serious condition.

Alleged haunted Kewaunee hotel up for sale

February 7, 2015, 5:08 am

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KEWAUNEE, WI (WTAQ) - If you have a half-million dollars, you might be able to buy an historic hotel.

You might also get a ghost as a bonus.

The Karsten Hotel in Kewaunee is being offered for sale. The building dates back to 1912.

Before it changes hands, the Chicago Paranormal Investigators team is checking it out. Members are on the scene this weekend.

People have reported hearing strange voices and seeing figures in that hotel. They say room 310 is the most-haunted room of them all.

The team is returning after a visit last March. At that time, they captured video of a tripod being knocked down and two unidentified orbs of light floating in a hallway.

The hotel was originally built in the 1800s, then rebuilt after a fire in 1912. If the owner gets no final offers at or above the asking price, an auction of the property will be held February 28^th.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Divers to explore Lake Michigan in apparent search for the Griffin

February 9, 2015, 7:55 am

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LANSING, MI (WTAQ) - Divers will explore an apparent shipwreck in Lake Michigan, after two treasure hunters said they might have found a craft that disappeared in the 1600's.

Frederick Monroe and Kevin Dykstra met with Michigan state officials in Lansing last week, after saying they may have found the Griffin in 2011.They were searching for gold bullion that might have been lost in Lake Michigan during the Civil War, when they found a vessel on the lake bottom.

State maritime archaeologist Wayne Lusardi told Michigan TV station WZZM that the wreckage does not appear to be the Griffin, which was commanded by the French explorer La Salle.

It was last seen in 1679 near the Bay of Green Bay. Even if it's not the Griffin, Monroe says it's still certain to be an historic discovery.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Appleton, Madison regions see rise in home building permits

February 9, 2015, 12:59 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Madison and Appleton regions had more new homes going up in January than a year ago.

However, the Milwaukee Metro and the Green Bay-Door County area had fewer building permits issued -- despite a warmer and drier January than the previous year.

MTD Marketing Services said Monday that Dane County had 66 home building permits issued last month -- a dozen more than the same month of 2014. The Fox Valley had 44 permits issued, up from just 21 the year before.

In the Milwaukee metro, MTD said 63 building permits for new homes were issued last month -- 22 fewer than the same month of 2014.

The Green Bay-Door County region had 20 permits last month, down from 15 the year before.

All 4 metros had slight decreases in home permits throughout 2014, than they did the previous year.

The drops for the year ranged from 2 percent in the Fox Valley to 3.7 in Dane County.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Gary Besaw elected new Menominee Tribal chairman

February 9, 2015, 1:08 pm

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KESHENA, WI (WTAQ) - The Menominee Tribe has a new chairman.

On Monday, Gary Besaw was elected for a one-year term.

Tribal spokeswoman Tasha Caldwell tells FOX 11 that the previous chairwoman, Laurie Boivin, will remain in the legislature.

Last month, Governor Scott Walker rejected a plan by the Menominee Tribe to build an off-reservation casino in Kenosha.

The tribe says they've called a special meeting Tuesday night to discuss a possible march to the State Capitol in Madison on the issue.

Man charged in Green Bay shooting outside tavern

February 9, 2015, 1:13 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A 23-year-old man has been charged in connection with a tavern shooting in Green Bay last month.

Online court records show that Jerrell Jobe has been charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide.

Police say they were called on January 27th to Skirtz Tavern for a report that someone had been shot in the parking lot at bar close.

Officers arrived to find a 24-year-old man who was wounded in the shoulder. He was taken to a nearby hospital.

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Authorities investigate hoax 911 call to downtown Appleton

February 9, 2015, 4:26 pm

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Appleton are investigating a hoax 911 call that sent cops rushing to a downtown business on Monday.

Around 1:45 p.m., police say someone called 911 saying a man with an AK-47 was trying to shoot people in the 100 block of E. College Avenue.

That sent officers from the Appleton Police Department, Outagamie County Sheriff's Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol to the area.

Upon arrival, cops didn't see or hear any gunman in the business. A team went inside and spoke with employees. The officers then determined the call was a hoax.

Not guilty plea by Milwaukee man in daughter's death

February 9, 2015, 4:30 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Milwaukee man has pled not guilty to charges in connection with the death of his infant daughter.

Online court records indicate that Queondrai Farris entered that plea to charges of first degree reckless homicide and child abuse on Monday. Farris is due back in court April 7 for a status conference.

The 4-month-old baby had rib fractures that were, "highly associated with abuse," along with, "extensive bruising to both sides of the scalp," according to the criminal complaint.

Police say the cause of her death was manual suffocation.

Bank Mutual closing Green Bay, 6 other branches

February 10, 2015, 8:49 am

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BROWN DEER, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin's third-largest home-based bank says it will close seven branches in the northeast and northwest parts of the state.

Bank Mutual of Brown Deer said Monday it would shut down branches in Green Bay, Brillion, Peshtigo, Eau Claire, Menomonie, Cornell, and Barron. The closures are expected to occur between April and June.

Bank Mutual says it will save $1.5 million a year, as part of what it calls an "efficiency and expense reduction effort."

The company said it expects to keep the majority of its current deposits of $76 million -- plus its loans of $26 million. It said customers would continue to be served through nearby locations and its electronic and mobile services.

Bank Mutual said many of the employees affected by the closures will be offered similar posts at the company's other locations. It has multiple branches in 3 of the affected communities -- Green Bay, Eau Claire, and Menomonie.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Menominee tribe, Hard Rock offer to help pay new Bucks arena for casino okay

February 10, 2015, 9:53 am

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MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - Organizers of the proposed Kenosha casino have offered to pay the state's share of bonding for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena, in exchange for the governor's approval of the casino project.

The Menominee Indian tribe has put up the $220 million the state would borrow for the Bucks' arena, if Walker changes his mind about rejecting the casino.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said it was actually Hard Rock International that offered the arena money. Hard Rock was brought in as the developer of the Kenosha gaming resort.

The Republican Walker is on a trade mission to London this week, and has not commented. His spokeswoman, Laurel Patrick, says approving the casino could still leave the door open to expensive litigation from the Potawatomi tribe.

Walker has said it could force the state to refund hundreds of millions of dollars in past Potawatomi gaming payments, due to language in the tribe's current compact.

Patrick also reminded us that none of the state's borrowing would affect current tax dollars. That's because NBA players would pay back the money with income taxes from higher salaries projected in the league's next TV package.

State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has supported the Kenosha casino, but he says everyone must accept the fact that Walker may never change his mind.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

UPDATE: Marinette County crash kills woman, dog

February 10, 2015, 12:06 pm

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MARINETTE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities say a crash between a car and an ambulance has left a woman and her dog dead.

It happened around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday on Highway 41 between County Highway T and Flame Road.

Authorities say a 76-year-old Peshtigo-area woman tried to turn left onto northbound Highway 41 from an access road when she was struck by the southbound ambulance. The ambulance, which was coming from Michigan, did not have its lights or siren on.

The ambulance had three people inside, the driver, attendant and a patient. All 3 were taken to a hospital in Marinette. The driver has the most serious injuries.

The collision forced the ambulance up on a set of railroad tracks next to the highway. That caused a freight train to stop so it didn't hit the ambulance. The stopped train caused some traffic backups near the scene.

Traffic on Highway 41 was shut down in both directions for several hours and the northbound lanes remain closed. Traffic is being detoured to Flame Rd., Old Peshtigo Rd. and Highway T.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).