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Reward for missing Pittsfield woman raised

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BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - For the fifth time since last year, the reward in the case of a missing woman has been increased.

The family of 60-year-old Victoria Prokopovitz is now offering $13,000 for information leading to her location. Prokopovitz was last seen on April 25, 2013 at her home at 5118 Kunesh Road in Pittsfield. She left home without her purse, which had her ID, cell phone and money inside.

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

This new reward expires on August 9.


'Swatting' incident under investigation in Waupaca

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WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - Waupaca Police are informing the public about the dangers of "swatting" following an incident Sunday afternoon.

Police say a 17-year-old boy was playing an Xbox game online with a stranger in the 700 block of Eighth Street around 4 p.m.

The person told the teen he was going to be “swatting him” – or calling in an emergency that isn’t actually happening. 

“The call came in that a woman was shot in the leg and the person was still on the phone and they were upstairs and they indicated that the person was still in the residence and the phone went dead,” Waupaca Police Detective Sgt. Brian Hoelzel told FOX 11.

Hoelzel says a number of city and county officers quickly responded.

“They were able to set up a perimeter and within about five minutes, they were able to determine that that was a hoax call because the people inside the residence were looking out the windows, and they were able to motion to them to come outside.”

Hoelzel says both the teen and his family are cooperating with police. A forensic exam will be done on the gaming system to determine what, if any, information can be retrieved in order to track down the person who made the call. A motive is not being released.

Hoelzel says parents should learn what terms like ‘swatting’ or ‘doxxing’ are. Doxxing (or doxing) is the revealing of personal information like addresses, phone numbers.

Police say if you or your kids are threatened with being ‘swatted’ or ‘doxxed’ – and it happens – to contact local police immediately.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11)

High speed chase in Sheboygan County

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SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – One person is in custody after a high-speed chase overnight in Sheboygan County.

The Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office says it started about 10:30 p.m. Monday when someone reported the theft of a purse at the Walmart store in the Town of Sheboygan.

Officials say a deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle. It was on Interstate 43 turning onto Highway 23.

The deputy tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over. Officials say a chase started, reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour.

Deputies stopped chasing after the driver went the wrong way on Highway 57. The driver eventually pulled over after running over a tire deflation device that flattened all 4 tires.

The female driver was taken into custody. No one else was in the vehicle.

UPDATE: Seating bowl tickets sold out for Favre HOF induction ceremony

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Packers fans lined up outside Lambeau Field Tuesday morning to grab seating bowl tickets for video board viewing of Brett Favre's Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The Packers Hall of Fame Inc. announced Tuesday evening that approximately 67,000 tickets were sold out.

“We are looking forward to sharing the excitement for Brett Favre’s induction into the Packers Hall of Fame with 67,000 fans viewing the banquet on the video boards in Lambeau Field,” said Packers Hall of Fame Inc. president Perry Kidder in a statement. “We are pleased with the enthusiastic response to this viewing opportunity, which will be a special complement to a historic evening.”

The tickets were put on sale at $4 each at 10 a.m. at the ticket office, along with online and over the phone through Ticketmaster. Net proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit Favre 4 Hope.

The ceremony will take place Saturday July 18. Fans who bought tickets will be able to watch the induction ceremony live on the TundraVision video boards from the seating bowl. Favre will also make an appearance in the bowl to address the crowd.

Team officials say parking, also priced at $4, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in Lambeau Field’s west side parking lot, which will open for the event at 4:30 p.m. Gates to the seating areas will open at 5:15 p.m., and Favre will address the fans in the stadium at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Then on Thanksgiving Night, Brett Favre's name and number will be unveiled at Lambeau Field at halftime of their home game against the Chicago Bears.

Report: Major cuts possible to UW Extension service

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The UW Extension service is bracing for what could be its largest downsizing since the 1980's.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the division that includes local agricultural agents could lose 65 to 80 positions at the county level. That's if lawmakers proceed with a proposed $300 million cut in the university's state funding.

Until last week, Republican leaders had talked about reducing the size of Governor Scott Walker's proposed funding cut. But now, all bets are off after state revenue projections show no additional hikes in tax revenues due to economic growth.

All 72 counties have at least one UW Extension agent. They deal with agriculture, family living, and 4-H youth programs.

For now, the Extension has 314 county-level posts in which the counties share around 40 percent of the cost -- and some counties say they can't afford it. Rusk County cut out its agricultural agent, and combined two others into a single 4-H agent with more duties.

The Extension says agents in other counties are serving Rusk County at least until the end of June.

UW officials say rural areas would be the hardest hit by a massive cut in the Extension service. Extension and Colleges chancellor Cathy Sandeen says the programs are efficient, and very frugal.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Wisconsinites rush to help tornado alley storm victims

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Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - Recovery from this week's severe storms and floods continues in places like Texas and Oklahoma....Wisconsinites are quick to lend a helping hand.

Eight volunteers from Wisconsin Red Cross chapters, from Milwaukee to Eau Claire, are on the ground.  

Barbara Behling is with the Red Cross.  She says the volunteers will serve a 2 to 3 week long shift, helping storm victims get back on their feet.  They're trained in nursing, mental health counseling, and running a shelter.  

Behling says the Red Cross operates well in these situations because volunteers can step in for multiple week assignments...or short term ones.  

She says about 65 volunteers worked to help the victims of the recent Green Bay apartment fire on Danz Avenue.

Updated S.S. Badger to open Lake Michigan ferry season Friday

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MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - The oldest car ferry that crosses Lake Michigan will open its season on Friday.

The coal fired S.S. Badger will renew its trips between Manitowoc and Ludington Michigan, after it installed a new coal-ash retention system which met the terms of a long-standing federal mandate.

The EPA tried for years to get the Badger to remove coal-ash it dumped into Lake Michigan -- but the company said it needed to find the most efficient method possible, and it received a number of extensions in its deadline.

The Badger is the last coal-fired steamship on the Great Lakes. Some congressional representatives from the region tried but failed a few years ago to give the Badger an historical designation, with a goal of exempting it from the EPA mandates.

The Badger's owner, Lake Michigan Car Ferry, spent almost $2.5 million on improvements over the past two years.

The 410-foot ferry was launched 63 years ago. It carries up to 180 vehicles and 600 passengers across Lake Michigan.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wins 'Celebrity Jeopardy'

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - "Jeopardy" fans got to see Aaron Rodgers win his celebrity match Tuesday.

The Green Bay Packers' quarterback won $50,000 for his charity, the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer.

Rodgers beat out some formidable competition -- "Shark Tank" host Kevin O'Leary and astronaut Mark Kelly.

The Packers' quarterback showed an especially strong knowledge of biblical subjects. But he didn't do so well with his responses about the college from where he graduated, California-Berkeley.

Rodgers also blew the final question, which had a Wisconsin flavor. The players had to identify men riding two motorcycles from the early 20th century. The correct response was Harley and Davidson, of the Milwaukee motorcycle legend.

Rodgers thought they were the accountants of Ernst and Young. Still, Rodgers did not wager enough to blow the lead he had going into "Final Jeopardy."

O'Leary ended the second round with a negative balance, but host Alex Trebek gave him $1,000 so he could compete in the final round.

Kelly's famous wife was in the audience -- former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived a shooting attack in Arizona a few years ago.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)


3 suspects sought by Oshkosh police

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Three people suspected of damaging an Oshkosh store are being sought by police.

Oshkosh police say it happened at Hobbytown USA, 807 Oregon Street, on March 31. Investigators say a person wearing a gray sweatshirt and baseball cap kicked the door as he left, damaging the glass.

Authorities say he and two other people left on W. 9th Avenue in a white sedan. Investigators say they believe the three suspects are from Sheboygan.

Surveillance images of the suspects are available above.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Brett Robertson at (920) 236-5723. Anonymous tips can be left with Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 231-8477, by text message with the keyword IGOTYA to 274637 or online.

"Thank A Cop" campaign brings in hundreds of cards and notes of appreciation

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - While less than favorable media attention has been focused on the work of police officers lately, a local woman is spearheading an effort to let Wisconsin cops know they're appreciated.

"Operation Thank A Cop" is the brainchild of Kassie Dufek....a Kewaunee County woman from a police family.  She got the idea after hearing about a similar effort in another state.  

For the past few weeks she's been gathering up cards and notes from adults and children alike.   She's got 700 of them so far.  

Some the cards, especially from the kids, were pretty creative....showing cops, their cars, even bad guys.  

Dufek is putting the cards togeather, 2 or 3 in a package, with plans to send them off to every police agency in the state.  

It might be too late to send your card in this campaign....but she says it also works to thank a cop in person, if you get the chance.

New London man sentenced for making child porn

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Wisconsin man will spend 15 years in federal prison for producing child pornography.

According to prosecutors, 38-year-old Shane M. Sells of New London took part in sexually explicit activities with kids and recorded them on video. 

Sells also had hundreds of thousands of DVDs of child porn he downloaded from the Internet. He told the court he couldn't control is addiction to child pornography.

A judge ruled Sells will spend the rest of his life on supervision after his prison sentence ends.

Jon and Olivia Stoffel visitation begins today in Neenah

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NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - Friends and relatives are about to start paying their final respects to a father and his young daughter killed by a gunman in Menasha ten days ago.

Visitation is planned for 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday for 32-year-old Jon Stoffel and his 11-year-old daughter Olivia. The visitations are at Calvary Bible Church in Neenah, where a funeral is set for Thursday evening after another visitation from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Jon's wife Erin might be able to attend the service. That's what a hospital spokeswoman said Wednesday, in reporting that her condition is good after she was wounded in the May 3rd incident.

Passer-by Adam Bentdahl of Appleton was also killed by Sergio Valencia del Toro, who also took his own life.

The shootings occurred on the Trestle Trail Bridge in Menasha.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Alderman: GB Mayor Schmitt won't provide documents in campaign finance probe

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt is apparently not cooperating with an investigation of his campaign finance reports.

That's according to Alderman Chris Wery, who spoke to the city's Personnel Committee Wednesday.

"The district attorney actually did ask our mayor for copies of his checks and he declined," Wery said during the public hearing. "He declined to divulge any of his past receipts."

Back in January, Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Bruce Landgraf was tabbed to head up the independent audit involving alleged campaign improprieties. 

WTAQ asked Landgraf this week about the status of that investigation, to which he replied, "no comment."

Reached by phone Wednesday night, Schmitt responded by saying, "This is just a bold-faced lie by Chris Wery again, I mean, everything has been turned over. That was months and months ago so he doesn't know what he's talking about which is usual for a guy like Chris Wery."

It was Wery, along with fellow city council members Guy Zima and Andy Nicholson who requested an audit of the "Friends of Jim Schmitt" campaign.

Wery said Wednesday that there could be some movement around what appears to be a snag.

"It's my understanding that there's a citizen or two in Green Bay who'll be filing an affidavit so that it can go to court and those records can be subpoenaed," says Wery.

Wery says this could all be over quickly.

"If there's nothing there why not just turn everything over and stop wasting a lot of people's time," Wery said, adding that he believes Schmitt hopes by stonewalling that this will all just go away.

Schmitt stands by his full cooperation with the probe. 

"Everything was turned over, they had asked to have my home phone, cell phone, work phone and I mean I'm willing to do whatever I can to get this behind me. This is just Chris Wery lying again," says Schmitt.

Green Bay committee moves to have personal conduct policy talk

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - City leaders behaving badly, that was the reality show brought before a Green Bay committee Wednesday.

Two separate requests on the agenda had to deal with recent sniping involving Mayor Jim Schmitt and Alderman Guy Zima. Schmitt wanted a review of Zima’s conduct from an April 8th council meeting, where Zima allegedly swore at and flipped off a constituent.

Alderman Tim DeWane wanted a review of the Mayor's conduct after he allegedly bullied Economic Development Authority members to support a psychiatric hospital proposal.

“Everybody in this room knows what this is, this is the bologna of Mr. Schmitt,” said Zima, who serves on the city's Personnel Committee hearing these requests.

“We as a council need to come up with some type of rule so this kind of behavior can finally stop,” said Schmitt.

Those two requests were received and placed on file. The next step now is at next week's full council meeting, a discussion of a personal conduct policy will take place.

“This committee has no standing and for you to participate in this charade is beneath the dignity of the council,” said Zima.

Afterward, Schmitt was asked if he thought he was a bully.

“To tell people to vote in the best interest of the community, is that bullying?” said Schmitt. “I mean that’s what I do. I probably say that every day. That’s just something he trumped up.”

Schmitt went on to say he considers himself a passionate leader who wants to do what's best for the city.

WATCH NOW: Russ Feingold wants back into the game

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MIDDLETON, WI  (WTAQ) - Wisconsin has never had a rematch in a U.S. Senate election.

But unless some other well-known figure comes out, it's likely that Democrat Russ Feingold will get a second chance to defeat Republican Ron Johnson in 2016.

Feingold Thursday announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat he held for 18 years until Johnson unseated him in 2010.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel analyst Craig Gilbert says next year's election will have a much different backdrop than 2010, when Republicans cleaned house while President Obama was in the middle of his first term.

First of all, voter turnouts are much bigger in presidential elections than in the off-years -- and a Johnson-Feingold race will take place as voters choose a new president next year.

If Johnson wins, he would be the first Republican to win a Wisconsin U.S. Senate seat in a presidential year since 1980, when Bob Kasten removed Gaylord Nelson.

After Feingold's announcement Thursday morning, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee immediately endorsed him. That group called Feingold a "tenacious champion for the people of Wisconsin."

State GOP director Joe Fadness called Feingold a "Washington insider" with "a long record of pushing a radical agenda that does not play well on Main Street, Wisconsin." 

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)


'Click It or Ticket' enforcement starts Monday

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - You've probably seen Donald Driver's new "Click It or Ticket" TV ad.

Now, the state DOT is about to step up its enforcement of the state law that requires motorists to wear their seat belts in Wisconsin.

The annual Memorial Day "Click It or Ticket" campaign begins Monday, and runs through May 31st.

The DOT says it's using federal dollars for TV, radio, and Internet messages urging folks to buckle up. In his TV ad, Driver portrays a gas station attendant who surprises a man who's filling up, by asking whether he always wears his seat belt.

The DOT said close to 85 percent of Wisconsin motorists were seen buckled up in a recent survey. That's the highest number on record -- but more than half of those killed in crashes last year were not wearing their seat belts.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Appleton PD search for dog that bit child

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton police need your help finding a dog that bit a boy on the city's east side Wednesday.

Police say they were called to the 600 block of S. Buchanan Street around 5:45 p.m. A boy, 12, was riding his bike on the sidewalk when the dog approached him and bit him on the upper thigh. The child's parents took him to the hospital for treatment.

Authorities were told the dog was medium-sized, with black and white coloring. It was leashed and being walked by 2 females who had a stroller with them. They were last seen heading south on S. Fidelis Street.

Anyone with information is asked to call Community Service Officer Fillebrown at (920) 832-6414. Anonymous tips can be sent by text message with the keyword APDTIPS to 274637.

Oshkosh man arrested for alleged sexual assault, armed robbery

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Appleton have arrested a man in connection with a sexual assault and armed robber earlier this month.

Authorities say it took place around 8:30 a.m. on May 2 at a home on N. Durkee Street.

A 52-year-old woman told officers a man she knew through a friend came to her house. When she let the man in, he struck her several times in the face. Police then say he held a knife to her throat and forced her to perform a sex act.

The man her rent money, which was several hundred dollars, from her purse before leaving. 

The victim was treated for her injuries at a hospital. 

Appleton police say they found the man at his workplace 3 days later. Officers interviewed and released him. On Wednesday, he failed to show up to a meeting with investigators. Cops went back to his workplace and arrested him.

Authorities are recommending charges of first-degree sexual assault, substantial battery and armed robbery against 41-year-old Lamont M. Jones of Oshkosh.

One dead and a police officer hospitalized after Waupun apartment building fire

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WAUPUN, WI (WTAQ) – One person is dead and a Waupun police officer was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation after an apartment building fire in Fond du Lac County.

Crews were called to the 900 block of W. Brown St. just before 10 p.m. Thursday night.

Authorities say heavy smoke was coming from a first floor apartment when firefighters arrived on scene.

The fire has been put out.

Officials say eight apartments were affected and 17 people were displaced.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

The Red Cross is assisting affected families.

The state fire marshal is expected to arrive on the scene Friday morning.

Search continues for armed robbery suspect in Green Bay

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Green Bay Police are searching for an armed robbery suspect.

Officials say a masked man with a gun robbed The Grand Central Station convenience store on West Mason around 2 a.m. Friday.

Police say he got away with some cash.

No one was hurt.

Police say the man was wearing a gray and green hooded sweatshirt with a Halloween mask.

Anyone with information is asked to call Green Bay Police at (920) 448-3208.

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