TOWN OF OMRO, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities in Winnebago County say some animals were killed in a fire at a pet store in the Town of Omro.

Someone inside Traxler's Pet Shop, 5954 State Highway 21, called 911 to report the blaze around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Sheriff's officials say workers tried getting the animals out. Some dogs were saved, but about six of them died. Many fish were also in tanks, and it's unknown at this time if they survived.

No people were hurt in the fire that was contained to the main building on the property. Officials say the building was severely damaged.

Police shut down part of Highway 21 for several hours while firefighters fought the flames.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) – A street in Grand Chute is back open after it was closed because of a gas leak.

Lynndale Drive was closed between Grand Chute Boulevard and Edgewood Drive after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The fire department says an excavator hit a natural gas line.

A nearby home was evacuated as a precaution, and gas service to the neighborhood was shut down.

Fire and utility crews were able to contain the leak a little before 9 p.m., and the street was reopened.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- A Silver Alert has been issued for 68-year-old Philip Jeanquart.

His family last heard from him around noon on Tuesday.

Jeanquart, of Green Bay, suffers from dementia.

He may be driving a gray 2008 Buick Lucerne with the license plate 854-WMN.

He may also have a gray and white Shih Tzu with him.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 920-448-3200.

By Kate Munsch

(Reuters) - Two police officers were shot during a protest outside the Ferguson, Missouri police headquarters early on Thursday, police said, just hours after the city's police chief quit following a damning justice report into his department.

"Two @SaintLouCo police officers were shot outside the #Ferguson PD shortly after midnight. Gathering more info. Conditions not known," the St. Louis County Police Department said in a tweet.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper earlier reported that Ferguson Lt. Col. Al Eickhoff said he did not believe either of the officers were part of his department. He could not provide details on their injuries to the Post-Dispatch.

A few dozen demonstrators fled following the sound of gunfire around midnight with some screaming, "They hit a cop," according to a Reuters photographer at the scene.

Several dozen protesters had gathered in front of the Ferguson police department earlier on Wednesday night, just hours after the city's police chief, Thomas Jackson, announced his resignation.

Prominent activist Deray McKesson said on Twitter that he was at the scene, adding that the gunfire did not appear to come from the group of demonstrators.

"The shooter was not with the protesters. The shooter was atop the hill. We can live in a world without guns," McKesson said.

Protesters had called for Jackson's removal since the fatal shooting of unarmed black 18-year-old Michael Brown by white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9, 2014. The killing triggered nationwide protests and drew scrutiny to police use of deadly force, especially against black men.

Neither a grand jury nor the federal probe led to charges against Wilson.

Jackson's departure was the latest in a string of officials who stepped down following a scathing report from the U.S. Justice Department that found widespread racially biased abuses in the city's police department and municipal court.

Wednesday's demonstration had been tense but peaceful throughout the night. Several dozen people attended, and at one point demonstrators hung a flag with the words "Racism Lives Here" over a silhouette of the St. Louis skyline and drew chalk outlines in the parking lot of the department.

Later, some two dozen officers clad in riot gear faced off against the demonstrators, who had relocated to the street. At least two people were taken into custody.

(Writing by Curtis Skinner; Editing by Paul Tait and Jeremy Laurence)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Traffic problems on Green Bay's east side after a semi truck overturns.

Green Bay police say the rollover crash is on the on-ramp from Highway 54/57 to southbound Interstate 43. 

The driver suffered minor injuries.

Authorities say a load of hay shifted on the semi, causing it to roll over.

Police say that the area will be closed for several hours and that detour signs are posted.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A plea deal has been struck, which avoids a trial for an Oshkosh man accused of possessing ricin.

21-year-old Kyle Smith pleaded guilty Thursday to a count of having ricin not in its naturally occurring form and not for a reasonable purpose.

The first count of knowingly developing and possessing ricin for use as a weapon is expected to be dismissed.

Federal prosecutors will ask for a 4-year prison term when Smith is sentenced on June 2. The maximum sentence for that charge is 10 years.

Smith was originally scheduled to stand trial beginning Monday.

Oshkosh police and the Wisconsin National Guard found 1 1/2 grams of ricin in Smith's apartment this past Halloween, according to the criminal complaint.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police have arrested a 32-year-old woman suspected of slashing tires of vehicles parked outside of bars.

Authorities report being called around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday to the 1100 block of Main Street. 

A woman told officers that she and a friend just left The XS Bar when a woman pulled up, got out and said, "You're drunk," slashed the victim's tire with a knife, got back in the car and drove away.

At about the same time, other people leaving bars called police telling them the same story.

An officer saw a vehicle matching the description of the suspect's vehicle a few minutes later. That cop pulled the woman over. She was reportedly evasive in her answers, but she matched the description of the suspect. Officers found a knife inside her car and took her into custody.

The Green Bay Police Department is asking anyone who may have been a victim, and who hasn't yet reported the crime, to call them at (920) 448-3208 and refer to case number 15-202792.

The slashings which were reported took place at:

• Brewski’s Bar, 1100 S. Broadway St.
• Bourbon Street, 821 S Broadway St.
• Packer Stadium Lounge, 1342 S. Broadway St.
• No Limits Bar, 500 S. Baird St.
• Shannon’s Haystack, 1911 University Ave.
• XS Bar, 1106 Main St.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Formal charges have been filed against an Allouez man and his fiancée for the 2012 murder of Thomas Wick.

30-year-old Matthew Moore is facing 5 counts, including first-degree intentional homicide. Katie Heller faces similar charges, including being party to first-degree homicide and perjury. 

Both made their initial court appearances Thursday in Brown County court. Heller is due back in court April 3 for a preliminary hearing, while Moore will return April 8 for his preliminary hearing.

According to prosecutors, Moore allegedly killed Wick inside his Howard home because he owed Wick money.

On February 27, 2012, a friend arrived to Wick's home at 240 Hidden Creek Trail and found him dead in the basement. Brown County Sheriff's deputies say Wick was shot to death, and believe he had been lying there for several hours.

Wick owned Bayside Electric, a residential and commercial electrical company.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police say a missing and endangered man has been found dead in Oconto County.

A Silver Alert was issued earlier this week for 68-year-old Philip Jeanquart. It was officially cancelled Thursday at 7:51 p.m.

Authorities say a person who lives in the Suring area found Jeanquart's vehicle on their property around 5:30 p.m. Thursday. His gray Shih Tzu, Ruby, was in the vehicle, but Jeanquart was not.

A search of some nearby woods led to the discovery of Jeanquart's body. 

Authorities say there is no indication of foul play, but investigators haven't determined how Jeanquart died.

Jeanquart was last seen Tuesday afternoon and authorities say he suffered from dementia.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A man will spend 25 years in prison for causing the death of a 3-year-old Town of Menasha girl.

At a sentencing hearing Friday, a Winnebago County judge also gave Ryan Jorgenson 10 years of extended supervision upon his release. Jorgenson was convicted in January of first-degree reckless homicide.

According to police, Jorgenson admitted to pushing his fiancée’s toddler down the stairs, causing her death. 

Jorgeson was alone with the girl and his own infant child on May 14, 2014, according to the criminal complaint. First responders were called to the home for a report of a toddler having a seizure.

The girl suffered brain injuries consistent with being thrown, slammed down or shaken, according to the complaint. Jorgenson also apparently told another jail inmate he, "did a very bad thing," and " hurt that little girl."

TOWNSHIP OF CASWELL, WI (WTAQ) - One person was killed in a crash Friday night in Forest County.

Sheriff's deputies say a pickup truck driving on Highway 139 in the Township of Caswell left the roadway and slammed into a driveway embankment around 10 p.m.

Authorities say the 46-year-old Seymour man, who was driving, was ejected from the truck and pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash is still under investigation.

TOWN OF ROYALTON, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities say one person died in a hit-and-run crash in Waupaca County early Saturday.

Sheriff's deputies say a pickup truck driving eastbound on Highway 22-54 crossed the center line and slammed into a mini van driving westbound near County Trunk KK around 2:20 a.m.

The van's driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Sheriff's say the driver of the truck fled the scene but was found later.

The crash is still under investigation and the identity of the victim has not been made public.

WATERTOWN, WI (WTAQ)- A 56-year-old man and his dog were rescued last evening, and they fell through the ice on a pond near Watertown.

Dodge County sheriff's deputies said the man was trying to save his black Labrador, which ventured onto the pond in his backyard.

A deputy used an ice-water rescue bag to get both the man and his pet to shore.

Officials said the man was in the water for just over 15 minutes.

He was taken to a hospital, where his condition was not immediately disclosed.

The dog is expected to be okay.

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - A chemical leak at the SCA Tissue plant in Menasha is forcing people living nearby to be evacuated.

A bleach-like chemical was being unloaded at the plant around 8:15 a.m. Monday when it reacted with a different chemical, according to Neenah-Menasha Fire/Rescue Chief Al Auxier.

Residents to the north and south of the plant were evacuated. 

Auxier tells FOX 11 the chemical can cause irritation and an odor in the air. He says those who aren't being evacuated should stay inside their homes.

Hazmat crews have been called in to the plant. The incident happened inside a room specifically designed to contain leaks. Auxier says employees were evacuated from the immediate area.

Authorities say north-south streets in the neighborhood west of Tayco Street are closed. Westbound First Street is closed at Tayco, but Tayco itself is open to traffic.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - City leaders in Green Bay have decided to delay a decision on a new east side psychiatric hospital project.

The city council debated for over two hours Monday night on Strategic Behavioral Health's $10 million facility to be built on Ontario Drive in the I-43 Business Park.

“At the end of the day, it’s about the people and the access to care and that’s why we’re here,” Strategic Behavioral Health's Mike Garone said, according to FOX 11.

The Tennessee-based company says its 72-bed, for-profit hospital would fill a need for inpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment.

However, Bellin Health, says it consistently has 40 open beds at its psychiatric hospital. Bellin President George Kerwin told the council the real need is for psychiatrists. 

“It would be on the negative side an insult and a slap on the face to every organization that is providing those services in the community today,” said Kerwin.

Some aldermen signaled support for Strategic Behavioral Health, pointing out its plan calls for 200 new jobs. They also like the company would buy 10 acres of land from the city to build the hospital.

“Let’s snatch this up before our competitors do,” Alderman Randy Scannell said. “It’s a competitive market.”

In the end, by an 8-4 vote, the council decided it needed more time to look at the issue.

“Debate is healthy,” said Chris Wery, an alderman. “If we are all singing the same tune, something is wrong there too. We need people to speak up and say hey hold on, let’s look at this closer.”

Strategic Behavioral Health made no promises it was willing to wait on the council.

“I can’t commit that we’ll still be here, but I can commit we will be talking to other municipalities,” said Garone. “I think that’s a fair assessment.”

The preliminary plan is to take up the issue again on April 8th.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11)

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - The Howard village plan commission has unanimously approved plans for a major grocery-department store.

Representatives from Meijer pitched their plans for a large store just east of Highway 41 and south of Shawano Avenue, across from Mills Fleet Farm.

“We’ve identified the greater Green Bay area as an area of interest for us,” Meijer real estate manager Jim Ostrowski said, according to FOX 11.

“Really a cornerstone project for that property. We’ve been trying to develop that property for a very long time,” said Village President Burt McIntyre.

Meijer is described as a “big box,” with a grocery store, pharmacy, and a garden center. The plans also call for a gas station and convenience store apart from the main building. 

The Michigan-based firm says the new store would create between 150 and 200 jobs.

Village leaders told FOX 11 they have few concerns. They said roads will need to be built and expanded.

“One of the issues is accessibility to the property over by Shawano and that, the DOT’s gonna have a lot to do with that,” explained McIntyre.

The Meijer representatives also talked about what customers can expect.

“We try to get as much from local farms and stuff from the state of Wisconsin so they can keep it fresh daily,” said Phillips.

The plans are scheduled to go before the full village board next Monday.

If Meijer gets all the necessary approval, the plan would be to build the store through 2016 and open in 2017. Howard leaders say the store could expand the village tax base by $14 million.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Area law enforcement are asking you to plan ahead if you're heading out on this St. Patrick's Day.

The Brown County OWI Task Force will be deployed tonight.

Authorities say the task force has arrested a total of 30 people for OWI on St. Patrick's Day over the past 4 years. That's an average of 7.5 arrests per day, which is higher than the 5.08 arrests during all other OWI Task Force patrols.

Last year, officials say two people were killed in traffic crashes in Wisconsin on St. Patrick's Day.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Formal charges have been filed against a woman accused of slashing tires on multiple vehicles.

On Monday, Amber Adlebush made her initial court appearance and was charged with 7 misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property and one count of disorderly conduct.

Online court records indicate Adlebush will stand trial April 29.

According to the criminal complaint, a woman at XS bar in Green Bay called police last Wednesday morning because a woman drove up to her and said, "You're drunk," slashed a tire on her car and drove off.

Across town, police responded to multiple incidents of tires being slashed. Officers pulled Adlebush over and the descriptions of the vehicle and suspect matched her. She denied slashing the tires, however police found a knife in her possession.

The complaint goes on to state that the disorderly conduct charge is unrelated to the tire slashings. That comes from an incident at a home in Howard two days later.

WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - The woman charged with killing her boyfriend in Fremont earlier this month will stand trial.

In Waupaca County court, Alison Roe was bound over for trial on a charge of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Craig Dake.

Online court records indicate that Roe's arraignment will be March 31.

According to the criminal complaint, the couple argued before Roe allegedly stabbed Dake on March 6 inside an apartment.

If convicted, Roe faces life in prison.

MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - Wisconsin's largest health care system says it has no evidence that a recent cyber attack affected patients' medical records and insurance data.

Aurora Health Care of eastern Wisconsin confirms that hackers installed malicious software into servers used by present and former employees when logging in. It affected doctors, nurses, and other employees who logged into certain social media and financial sites.

Media reports said the malware was first detected in late January, and Aurora Health Care has worked with the FBI to try and identify the hackers.

Also, Aurora hired the cyber security firm of Mandiant to remove the bad software -- and help identify the information that may have been stolen.

Aurora Health Care encouraged its employees to change their passwords, and offered them a year of credit and identity monitoring. The company also said it upgraded its software to detect hackers, installed advanced encryption technology for laptops, and promised more cyber awareness training for its employees.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)