Reward increased again in search for Victoria Prokopovitz

February 10, 2015, 12:09 pm

≫ Next: Neenah SCA plant shut down after water line break

≪ Previous: UPDATE: Marinette County crash kills woman, dog

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The family of a missing Pittsfield woman is increasing their reward in the case.

60-year-old Victoria Prokopovitz was last seen in April 2013 at her home. Prokopovitz left her purse behind, including her ID, money and cell phone.

Friends and family have since tried to figure out what happened. An exhaustive search has failed to come up with any clues as to why Prokopovitz disappeared without a trace.

Her family is now offering an $11,000 reward for information leading to her location. The Brown County Sheriff's Department says that the reward expires May 11.

It's the 4th time the family has raised the amount of reward money in the hopes of finding Prokopovitz.

Anyone with information can call the Brown Co. Sheriff’s Investigative Division at (920) 448-4230, Crime Stoppers at (920) 432-7867, or send a text message to 274637 with the keyword GBTIP and the information.

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Neenah SCA plant shut down after water line break

February 10, 2015, 12:14 pm

≫ Next: Convenience store burglary in Oshkosh

≪ Previous: Reward increased again in search for Victoria Prokopovitz

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - A water line break Tuesday has forced workers at a Neenah plant to be sent home.

Officials with SCA say it happened in a water line in the fire protection system at their Neenah converting plant.

Company leaders say there was some flooding in the plant and the electricity was shut off.

Officials indicate the flooding hasn't affected the company's warehouse or shipping and won't affect customers' orders.

SCA leaders hope production can restart in unaffected parts of the plant Wednesday.

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Convenience store burglary in Oshkosh

February 10, 2015, 12:17 pm

≫ Next: Waupaca woman arrested in heroin bust

≪ Previous: Neenah SCA plant shut down after water line break

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police say someone broke in to a gas station's convenience store and got away with tobacco products.

It happened at the Citgo station, 403 N. Sawyer Street, around 11:30 p.m. Friday, February 6th.

Police say the burglar is believed to be in his late teens or early 20s. Surveillance images can be seen above.

Anyone with information is asked to call Oshkosh police at (920) 236-5700. Anonymous tips can also be left with Winnebago County Wide Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 231-8477, by text message with the keyword IGOTYA to 274637 or online.

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Waupaca woman arrested in heroin bust

February 10, 2015, 12:20 pm

≫ Next: Police: Algoma burglar tells homeowner he wanted to get out of the cold

≪ Previous: Convenience store burglary in Oshkosh

WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities in Waupaca have arrested a 29-year-old woman after heroin was found in her home.

On Monday, investigators from several agencies in Waupaca and Waupaca County executed a search warrant at a home on Clarke Street.

Authorities found evidence indicating heroin was being processed, distributed and used at the home.

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Police: Algoma burglar tells homeowner he wanted to get out of the cold

February 10, 2015, 12:23 pm

≫ Next: Invasive emerald ash borer confirmed in Appleton

≪ Previous: Waupaca woman arrested in heroin bust

ALGOMA, WI (WTAQ) - Algoma police say a burglar caught inside a residence by the homeowner said he was looking for a warm place to escape the cold.

Officers were called to a home in the 200 block of N. Fourth Street around 6:45 p.m. Monday.

The homeowner said he was away from home all day, and when he returned, he found someone in his house. The intruder, according to police, left after his conversation with the homeowner. The homeowner found that someone had gone through the property and coins were missing from a cup.

Police describe the intruder as a white male, about 5'8" and 150 pounds, with short hair and medium-length facial hair. He was wearing a white winter jacket with plaid print and blue jeans.

According to officials, three similar burglaries have happened in the past 7 weeks and they may be related. One happened on Lakeview Drive and two more took place on Margaret Lynn Avenue. In those incidents, coins, food and drinks were stolen.

In most of those cases, homeowners had left some doors unlocked.

Anyone with information is asked to call Algoma police at (920) 487-3311.

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Invasive emerald ash borer confirmed in Appleton

February 10, 2015, 3:42 pm

≫ Next: Fatal crash victim in Marinette County identified

≪ Previous: Police: Algoma burglar tells homeowner he wanted to get out of the cold

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton officials say the invasive emerald ash borer has been found within the city limits.

Last month, officials say a company removing an ash tree on private land found the beetle. Then, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed its presence in a sample from the property last week.

It's the first time EAB was found in the city of Appleton.

The three counties in which Appleton lies -- Outagamie, Calumet and Winnebago -- are currently under quarantine for EAB. Outagamie and Calumet counties were placed under quarantine last September when a beetle was found near High Cliff State Park.

Anyone in Appleton who suspects an infestation can call the city forester at (920) 832-5580. The city can help with identification and planning but cannot remove trees from private property. The city will remove ash trees from terraces if requested.

Click here to learn more about EAB and ways to combat it

Since 2003, Appleton has had a plan to deal with EAB. It involves removing all ash trees at construction projects; removing the most recently planted ash trees as time and budget allow; evaluating, removing and replacing ash trees that are in poor condition; working with state officials on trapping plans and completing an inventory of city-owned ash trees. Officials say around 15 percent of the 30,500 terrace trees in Appleton are ash trees. About 125 are removed every year for a total of 700 since 2009. It costs the city $40 to $70 to remove each one.

(Additional reporting by FOX 11).

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Fatal crash victim in Marinette County identified

February 11, 2015, 9:23 am

≫ Next: Hortonville village administrator Vaile charged with child porn possession

≪ Previous: Invasive emerald ash borer confirmed in Appleton

PESHTIGO, WI (WTAQ) - A 76-year-old woman killed when her vehicle collided with an ambulance was identified Wednesday as Norita Gifford of Peshtigo.

Marinette County authorities said her vehicle turned left from an access road, into the path of an ambulance going south on Highway 41.

Officials said a nearby freight train had to stop, so it wouldn't hit the ambulance -- and it caused traffic backups at nearby railroad crossings.

The crash occurred late Tuesday morning near Peshtigo. A dog in Gifford's car also died.

The ambulance driver, a 57-year-old Escanaba Michigan man, was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A 27-year-old ambulance attendant was treated and later released.

A female patient in the ambulance was first taken to a Marinette hospital, and then to a Green Bay hospital.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

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Hortonville village administrator Vaile charged with child porn possession

February 11, 2015, 9:34 am

≫ Next: Brett Favre wants Packers HOF induction ceremony held in Lambeau Field

≪ Previous: Fatal crash victim in Marinette County identified

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Hortonville village administrator Patrick Vaile made his first court appearance Wednesday, a day after being arrested and jailed.

The 59-year-old Vaile was charged with 16 felony counts and had bond set at $75,000 cash.

Outagamie County Sheriff's Capt. Mike Jobe says while his agency was listed as the arresting party, the investigation was handled by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Also on Wednesday, Vaile resigned from his position as village administrator.

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Brett Favre wants Packers HOF induction ceremony held in Lambeau Field

February 11, 2015, 11:12 am

≫ Next: Oshkosh police investigate cigarette, gas theft

≪ Previous: Hortonville village administrator Vaile charged with child porn possession

GREEN BAY, WI (Metro Source) - Retired quarterback Brett Favre is hoping his Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame induction will be held inside Lambeau Field so more fans can attend.

The Packers Hall of Fame has scheduled a July 18th ceremony inside the atrium and all 1,600 tickets have been sold to sponsors with none available to the general public.

Favre tells Fox News he hopes the Packers Hall of Fame will reconsider and give everyone the chance to attend by having the ceremony on the field.

The Packers Hall of Fame currently plans to broadcast the ceremony the next day throughout Wisconsin on stations that carry Packers preseason games.

Favre will also have his number 4 jersey retired.

The three-time NFL MVP spent 16 of his 20 seasons with the Packers and is the league's all-time leader in passing yards with just under 18,000.

After spending one season with the New York Jets in 2008, Favre retired following the 2010 season with the Minnesota Vikings.

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Oshkosh police investigate cigarette, gas theft

February 11, 2015, 2:38 pm

≫ Next: Shoplifting incident in Oshkosh

≪ Previous: Brett Favre wants Packers HOF induction ceremony held in Lambeau Field

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police need your help finding a person who they say stole cigarettes and gas from a convenience store this week.

Police say a female walked into Bob's Citgo, 506 Ohio Street, grabbed cigarettes and left without paying for them around 10:30 p.m. Monday. Authorities say she then got into a tan or copper-colored minivan driven by a man, who left without paying for gas.

The female was wearing a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Oshkosh police at (920) 236-5700. Anonymous tips can also be left with Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 231-8477, by text message with the keyword IGOTYA to 274637 or online.

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Shoplifting incident in Oshkosh

February 11, 2015, 2:41 pm

≫ Next: Grand Chute police investigate credit union robbery

≪ Previous: Oshkosh police investigate cigarette, gas theft

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Oshkosh are investigating a shoplifting incident Tuesday night.

Authorities say a female walked into a Walgreens store, 315 W. Murdock Avenue, around 8 p.m. She walked around the store, put items into bags and left without paying for them.

The photo above is a surveillance image released by police of the person involved.

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Grand Chute police investigate credit union robbery

February 11, 2015, 2:44 pm

≫ Next: Military investigators ruled death of Staff Sgt. Heidi Ruh suicide

≪ Previous: Shoplifting incident in Oshkosh

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - Grand Chute police are investigating a bank robbery on Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities say a man went into the Fox Communities Credit Union, 2531 Highway Drive, walked up to the teller window and placed a note on the counter demanding cash. The suspect then walked out of the bank at 4:17 p.m. with an undisclosed amount of money.

Authorities say he took off on a bicycle.

Investigators indicate the man didn't display a weapon and no one was hurt.

The man is described as a younger white man about 5’2”-5’5”, weighing approximately 165-180 pounds with blue eyes. Witnesses say he had a scar over his right eye. He was wearing white athletic shoes, light blue jeans, black leather gloves and an oversized medium to dark grey hooded sweatshirt.

If you recognize the man or have any information on this incident, please contact the Grand Chute Police Department by phone (920) 832-1575, fax (920) 832-1749, or text “GCPD” and your tip to 847411 or leave your tip on the Grand Chute Police Department’s Facebook page.

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Military investigators ruled death of Staff Sgt. Heidi Ruh suicide

February 12, 2015, 8:23 am

≫ Next: Oshkosh police: Stolen credit card used at CVS pharmacy

≪ Previous: Grand Chute police investigate credit union robbery

KIEL, WI (WTAQ) - Military investigators said an Army staff sergeant who was raised in eastern Wisconsin took her own life.

32-year-old Heidi Ruh from Kiel died last May at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo. Her body was found on a running track at the base.

The Army's Criminal Investigation Command said it reviewed final autopsy reports, examined the scene of her death, conducted interviews, and checked out other evidence before making its final ruling.

Command spokesman Christopher Grey told the Stars and Stripes newspaper that Ruh died from an "intra-oral gunshot wound" that was self-inflicted.

Ruh was born at an Air Force base in Oklahoma, and she graduated from Kiel High School in 1999. She served in Afghanistan, and had volunteered to serve in Kosovo.

Her most recent address was Barrington Illinois, northwest of Chicago. Her survivors include two sons.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

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Oshkosh police: Stolen credit card used at CVS pharmacy

February 12, 2015, 10:05 am

≫ Next: Oshkosh police investigate store burglary

≪ Previous: Military investigators ruled death of Staff Sgt. Heidi Ruh suicide

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police are looking for the man who recently used a stolen credit card at a local pharmacy.

Police say on January 27th, the stolen card was used at the CVS store, 1736 W. 9th Avenue.

Surveillance images were released by authorities of the suspect, which you can see above.

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Oshkosh police investigate store burglary

February 12, 2015, 10:08 am

≫ Next: Neenah Paper announces mill expansion

≪ Previous: Oshkosh police: Stolen credit card used at CVS pharmacy

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A break-in at an Oshkosh store overnight has police investigating.

Investigators say it happened just after midnight Wednesday at Skiers Outlet, 2550 S. Washburn Street.

Someone broke in to the back door of the store and stole clothes. Investigators say it's not known exactly how many were taken.

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Neenah Paper announces mill expansion

February 12, 2015, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Marinette County man, woman charged with child neglect

≪ Previous: Oshkosh police investigate store burglary

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - As more of us communicate in cyberspace, Wisconsin's paper industry has taken a hit over the past few years.

Now, however, Neenah Paper says it needs more production space -- so it's building a 44,000 square foot plant to put the final touches on specialty filter papers.

Howard Piotrowski, who manages the company's Appleton and Neenah mills, says it will be a welcome addition and a major investment in the Fox Valley. He said base papers would be made at the Neenah Paper's mill in Appleton -- and then the new plant would add chemical technology to create the end product.

The Appleton mill now has about 100 employees with 24 hour operations 5 to 7 days a week. The Neenah mill could add 20 workers of its own, with the same production hours.

Construction could begin in May or June -- and it could be finished in two years if the necessary permits are granted.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

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Marinette County man, woman charged with child neglect

February 12, 2015, 2:22 pm

≫ Next: Hotel meth lab gets Jason Koski 3 years in prison

≪ Previous: Neenah Paper announces mill expansion

MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) - A man and woman in Marinette County are facing charges of child neglect after a baby ended up in the hospital.

On February 2, the 4-and-a-half-month-old boy was taken to a Marinette hospital and eventually airlifted to Children's Hospital in Wauwatosa.

Doctors there discovered the child had severe injuries including fractures to his skull and other parts of his body, brain injuries and bite marks, according to a criminal complaint. Doctors say some of the injuries were fresh, while others were not. They went on to say the injuries were unlikely to be caused by normal household accidents and likely came from the baby being slammed, shaken or thrown.

At this point, authorities don't know who actually abused the baby.

The criminal complaint details that the baby's mom, 33-year-old Katrina Blasing of Wausaukee, left the child with a friend in the Town of Stephenson. Blasing went to Milwaukee with the friend and the friend's grandmother.

Another man at the house, 29-yeear-old Ryan Lenz of Crivitz, was watching the child. The complaint states he noticed the baby was injured and called Blasing, who told him to wait until she returned. Prosecutors say Lenz cared for the baby and called Blasing several times to ask if the child should be taken to the hospital. Each time, Blasing said to wait until she got back.

Several hours after Lenz first noticed the injuries, Blasing called 911 for medical help.

Both Blasing and Lenz are charged with child neglect resulting in great bodily harm. Neither is charged with child abuse.

Sheriff’s investigators are still looking for more information in the case. They ask that anyone who knows anything call them at (715) 732-7626.

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Hotel meth lab gets Jason Koski 3 years in prison

February 12, 2015, 2:35 pm

≫ Next: Menominee Tribe begins protest march to Madison

≪ Previous: Marinette County man, woman charged with child neglect

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A three-year prison sentenced was handed down Thursday to a man who operated a meth lab inside a Grand Chute hotel.

Police broke up the operation last June at the La Quinta hotel.

Jason Koski will also go on extended supervision for 5 years after his conviction on charges of manufacturing amphetamine and possessing meth waste.

Online court records show that a second suspect, James Parchem, will stand trial April 15.

A third suspect, Karisa Doe, had the most serious drug counts against her dropped. Doe was placed on probation following her conviction of a misdemeanor count of possessing drug paraphernalia.

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Menominee Tribe begins protest march to Madison

February 13, 2015, 11:35 am

≫ Next: Ticket prices going up for the Green Bay Packers in 2015

≪ Previous: Hotel meth lab gets Jason Koski 3 years in prison

KESHENA, WI (WTAQ) - About a dozen members of the Menominee Indian tribe are walking to Madison, to urge Governor Scott Walker to change his mind about rejecting the tribe's new Kenosha casino.

FOX 11 said a couple hundred people attended a rally Friday morning at the tribe's headquarters in Keshena.

With temperatures in the single digits, walkers then started heading to several locations where they'll state their case -- Manawa, Waupaca, Wild Rose, Montello, and Pardeeville. They expect to reach the State Capitol next week, where they'll seek a meeting with the governor.

Walker said no to the project well before the federal deadline of February 19th.

The tribe believes Walker can change his mind before then, but the governor has said he does not believe it's possible.

This week, the tribe offered to cover the state's share of bonding for a new Milwaukee Bucks' arena, in exchange for allowing the Kenosha casino. But the administration has said no.

Walker believes the state could be open to hundreds of millions of dollars in payments to the Potawatomi tribe if that group's casino in Milwaukee loses revenue due to the Kenosha project.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

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Ticket prices going up for the Green Bay Packers in 2015

February 13, 2015, 1:58 pm

≫ Next: Opening weekend for the 2015 sturgeon spearing season begins

≪ Previous: Menominee Tribe begins protest march to Madison

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Get ready for fork over more green to see the Green Bay Packers play in 2015.

On Friday, the Packers announced plans to increase ticket prices on stadium bowl seats for next season. The increase, depending on seat location in the general seating area, will range from $3 to $5 per ticket.

Prices are also going up for suite tickets in 2015. That increase range between $5 and $105.

Invoices were sent earlier this week to season ticket holders.

Projected ticket costs are: