MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Menasha are digging into Sergio Valencia del Toro's mental health and background, to figure out what motivated him to keep three people and himself on May 3rd.

Police spokesman Aaron Zemlock says investigators are almost finished examining the 27-year-old Air Force veteran.

The Appleton Post-Crescent said police are learning whatever they can about del Toro -- any diagnoses he had -- and behavioral records from his military service. He was a senior airman in the Air Force before he was discharged last year for an undisclosed reason.

His ex-fiancee, Haylie Peterson, told police that he suffered from "major depression" and irrational behavior in the days before he shot and killed Jon Stoffel, his daughter Olivia, and Adam Bentdahl before turning the gun on himself.

Stoffel's wife Erin continues to recover after being wounded.

At first, Peterson publicly denied a breakup of their engagement -- and she denied an argument at their home on the same day of the killings. Police said they confirmed the breakup not only from her, but from others.

Zemlock said a full report on what led to the shootings will come out soon. However, he notes that some questions will never be answered. 

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - Calvin Ossman will spend the next four-and-a-half years in prison after his conviction for stealing several vehicles and smashing a stolen semi into other vehicles.

Ossman was found guilty of six counts, including vehicle theft and criminal damage to property for the incidents that took place last August 1st through 3rd.

According to police, Ossman stole a semi and slammed into several vehicles during a chase in the Belle Plaine and Clintonville areas. He later stole other vehicles, before he was taken into custody inside a barn.

WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - A 28-year-old Waupaca man has been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the heroin trade in Waupaca County.

Sheriff's officials say the probe began in February and the man allegedly sold heroin to Wisconsin DOJ agents and county investigators 3 separate times.

Nicholas Schulke would allegedly buy heroin in Milwaukee, use some himself and sell the rest.

He's facing 7 felony drug charges and bail for Schulke was set at $1,000 cash.

Authorities expect more arrests will be made.

NEW LONDON, WI (WTAQ) - New London police are putting out a sketch of a man they say robbed a pharmacy at gunpoint.

Authorities say it happened on Wednesday May 20 around 2:30 p.m. at Jernegan's Health Mart Pharmacy. Witnesses say the man pointed a gun at employees and demanded prescription meds and money.

The man fled the pharmacy, 1301 S. Mill Street, with a small amount of prescription pills but no cash.

Police describe the suspect as a white man who's at least 45-years-old. He's between 6'0" and 6'2" and weighed between 190 and 210 pounds. The suspect had blue eyes and a flat-top haircut. He also was described as having a big nose with a "rough and heavy-looking" face. 

At the time of the robbery, the man wore a black ski jacket with a hood that extended beyond his face and wrapped around his chin area, dark blue carpenter jeans and white tennis shoes. 

Police indicate the man's gun was described as a smaller caliber semi-automatic handgun, not a .45. It was silver and black, but not shiny, with black trim and a black grip. 

His vehicle is described as a beat-up black Dodge pickup truck, likely from the 1995-2000 model years. It had a short box with no cap and a black bumper. The wheel well on the passenger side was rotted out.

If you have any information about this suspect, you're asked to call New London police at (920) 982-8505.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - The Radisson Paper Valley Hotel is one step closer to being sold.

In a press conference Tuesday, Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna announced that the downtown hotel has been placed under contract to be purchased by Florida-based Inner Circle Investments.

“We have been eagerly waiting for the right buyer to take ownership of the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel,” Hanna said in a news release. “The Paper Valley is an important business for the Fox Valley and an important part of our plans to build an exhibition center which should make our community a key destination for businesses seeking a first-rate conference center.”

Inner Circle Investments, which is the real estate arm of Inner Circle US, owns and operates full service hotels across the U.S. Many of those hotels carry the Radisson brand.

“We have been impressed with the response that we’ve received from the Fox Cities communities and we look forward to becoming an integral part of the community and providing a hotel the community will be proud of,” Joe Gillespie, Managing Partner of Inner Circle Investments, said in a statement. “The Radisson Paper Valley Hotel offers an exceptional opportunity to continue the Radisson relationship in a strong economic market.”

Currently, the Paper Valley hotel is owned by an investment group that once held the property's mortgage. Those investors bought the hotel after a previous owner defaulted on the mortgage in early 2013. 

Last December, a $17.6 million bid was placed during an auction. The owners, however, did not accept that bid.

The hotel has been key to plans to build an exhibition center downtown. In March, the city agreed to buy land for the project from Outagamie County. Plans call for the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel to manage the exhibition center.

City leaders say Inner Circle Investments has experience owning and operating downtown hotels with attached conference centers.

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - A large fire heavily damaged a Howard business Tuesday afternoon.

Multiple fire crews were called around 4:15 p.m. to Bay Auto Parts at 1750 Velp Avenue. Crews from Hobart/Lawrence, Pulaski Tri County, Suamico and Green Bay Metro assisted with the fire.

Howard Fire Chief Ed Janke says they believe someone working inside the building with a cutting torch that had to do with starting the blaze.

The Brown County Fire Task Force is on scene investigating the exact cause. 

The fire force authorities to close Velp Avenue from Military Avenue to the roundabout near I-41 for several hours. It's expected to reopen to normal traffic around 7 p.m.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ)- A man is in custody after an incident that started at a Grand Chute Walmart and ended outside a Menards.

Officials say a man stole a B-B gun from Walmart around 8 p.m. Tuesday.

The man then took off and ended up in the nearby Menards parking lot.

Officers say they started talking to the man and he made statements asking officers to hurt him.

The suspect made it look like he had a weapon and wasn’t listening to officers.

Menards was then asked to lock down their store.

Soon after, the man got rid of a knife and left the vehicle. He was taken into custody.

The man is expected to face charges.

Menards was on lock down for about 30 minutes.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The quick shot of severe weather in the region this past weekend caused Wisconsin's first tornado of 2015.

The National Weather Service says damage surveyors and emergency management officials confirmed the touch down of a weak tornado northwest of Gresham in Shawano County on Sunday.

The twister touched down around 3:30 p.m. Sunday and caused minor damage, mainly to trees, along a 5-mile path north and northwest of Gresham, according to surveyors.

According to weather officials, the storm was a "mini-supercell" thunderstorm which led to the bout of severe weather that day.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - If you want to see Brett Favre scramble one more time, you'll get your chance this summer in Madison.

Promoters Wednesday announced details for the "Legends Game," a flag football game featuring the incoming Packers' Hall of Famer and other former NFL players.

It will played at Camp Randall Stadium on Sunday July 19th at 4 p.m. It's the day after Favre will be inducted into the Hall of Fame and have his green and gold Number 4 retired.

An expected full house at Lambeau Field will watch the banquet on the big Tundra Vision screens.

Tickets for the Legends Game go on sale June 3rd. Part of the proceeds will benefit the quarterback's "Favre 4 Hope Foundation."

Favre said the flag football game would cap off a big weekend for him. He said it would be an understatement to call it a "whirlwind."

Former Badger Ron Dayne is scheduled to play in the game along with ex-Packers Mark Chmura, Frank Winters, Andre Rison, and Javon Walker. NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb is expected to compete against Favre's ex-Packers -- along with running back Roger Craig and receivers Willie Gault, Anthony Carter, and Herman Moore.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has turned over its report on the officer involved shooting earlier this year in Green Bay to the Brown County prosecutor.

Two Green Bay police officers were called to do a welfare check on a man living at an apartment on Plymouth Lane back on February 25. 30-year-old Joseph Biegert allegedly stabbed one of the cops, and police shot and killed Biegert.

Brown County District Attorney David Lasee says he's reviewing the report and expects to make a decision on possibly filing charges by next week.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Memorial Day is coming up across Wisconsin this Monday, May 25, 2015. 

Below is a list of parades across the region:

• Appleton - College Avenue & Appleton Street to Riverside Cemetery at 9 a.m
• Birnamwood - Legion Post #341 at 10:30 a.m
• Brillion - Downtown to the Veterans Memorial at 9 a.m.
• Chilton - City Hall to Hillside Cemetery at 9 a.m.
• De Pere - West De Pere High School to Voyageur Park at 10 a.m
• Fond du Lac - Guindon Boulevard & Main Street to Veterans Park at 10 a.m.
• Kewaunee - Kewaunee High School to Riverview Cemetery at 10 a.m.
• Manitowoc - S. 8th & Washington streets to Citizen Park at 9 a.m
• Mishicot - Main Street at Noon
• Neenah-Menasha - Milwaukee & 2nd Street, Menasha, to Main Street & Doty Avenue, Neenah at 8 a.m.
• Omro - Miller Park to Scott Park at 9 a.m.
• Oshkosh - Courthouse to Riverside Cemetery at 9 a.m.
• Seymour - American Legion to Veterans Memorial at 9 a.m.
• Shawano - Huckleberry Harbor to Woodlawn Cemetery at 9:20 a.m.
• Two Rivers - Downtown to Pioneer Rest Cemetery at 9 a.m.

You can also find more information on Memorial Day events through the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs website.

WASHINGTON D.C. (WTAQ) - The Federal Trade Commission has accused four charities of misusing $187 million in donations given by folks in Wisconsin and all 49 other states.

The FTC and various state governments said millions of people donated an average of $20, so executives could pay for cruises, jet ski outings, and other personal things.

Wisconsin consumer protection officials said 25 state residents filed complaints against 3 of the 4 charities named.

16 of those complaints were against the Breast Cancer Society. The others were Cancer Support Services and the Cancer Fund of America.

The Children's Cancer Fund of America was the other charity named by the FTC.

Laura Hoepfner of Appleton tells WBAY-TV she got a high pressure sales pitch to donate on her charge card. She mailed in a $10 check, and she later checked out the charity online and found it was a scam.

The Better Business Bureau said it's important for people to research charities before giving. She said at least two of the cancer charities didn't disclose any information about who are they are, or what they do.

Susan Bach of the BBB calls that a "big red flag."

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - Milwaukee remains the nation's 31st largest city, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's annual population estimates.

According to a new report released Thursday, the city added 139 residents last year for a total of 599,642. Milwaukee added almost 4,600 people since the 2010 Census, but its growth has slowed the past couple of years.

Mayor Tom Barrett blames that on a continued controversy over Milwaukee's residency requirement for city employees. Still, Barrett says the city is heading in the right direction -- and he points to new development which will bring future population growth.

Madison had the largest population growth over the past year. It added almost 2,500 new residents, for a total of almost 246,000. Two other fast-growing cities are also in Dane County, Sun Prairie and Fitchburg.

County Executive Joe Parisi cites a thriving private sector and what he calls an "incredible" quality of life.

Not all of the state's largest cities grew in 2014. Racine lost about 1 percent of its residents over the past four years. Eau Claire and Oshkosh also saw declines.

Wisconsin gained a net of 15,000 residents over the past year, for a new statewide total of 5,757,564.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Green Bay have arrested a Halloween mask-wearing suspect in connection with two armed robberies.

Authorities say the suspect, who has not been identified, was picked up on the east side Wednesday afternoon.

The first robbery took place at the Grand Central Station at 2597 W. Mason Street on May 15. Four days later, the second heist happened at the Grand Central Station at 1121 Radisson Street.

WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - The Waupaca man involved in up to 600 heroin transactions last year has turned himself in to police and is facing charges.

34-year-old Joshua D. Parker first appeared on law enforcement radar when officers went to a Waupaca hotel last June for a man that overdosed on heroin. That man had to be revived using an anti-overdose drug. Investigators say Parker originally provided the heroin.

Then in September, Parker sold 2.1 grams of heroin to undercover agents. In October, agents again arranged to buy a gram of heroin. Authorities say Parker instead went to a local tavern and agents went there to bring him in for questioning. 

The next month, officers were searching a home when Parker showed up. Parker had illegally obtained prescription drugs with him at the time.

According to investigators, Parker was making 6 to 7 deals per day and between 70 and 80 a month between February and October 2014.

Last Wednesday Parker was charged with two felonies and one misdemeanor.

GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ) - Owners of a private zoo near Appleton say four stolen baby goats and a five-month-old kangaroo will probably never be found alive.

The animals were reported stolen May 7th from the Special Memories Zoo at Greenville.

Co-owner Dona Wheeler tells the Appleton Post-Crescent that the animals needed special care in the early part of their lives.

The mother kangaroo was injured when her joey was stolen -- and Wheeler and her husband are not certain if the mother can have another offspring.

The shelter was not locked at the time of the thefts, but that has changed.

Dona Wheeler says the couple is now installing surveillance cameras, a security gate, and a chain-link fence.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

TOWN OF VANDENBROEK, WI (WTAQ) - A man killed in a two-vehicle crash in the Fox Valley has been identified as 87-year-old Carl Schroeder of Appleton.

Authorities said his car collided with a pickup truck on Tuesday at the intersection of Highway 55 and County Trunk JJ near Kaukauna.

No other injuries were reported.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has removed an American flag placed on the Leo Frigo Bridge.

DOT spokesman Kim Rudat says the flag could've been a distraction to drivers or cause traffic problems if it fell off.

Rudat says it's unclear who, when or how the flag was put up -- but it happened sometime overnight.

The Green Bay Police Department didn't receive any reports of suspicious activity during that time.

OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The Oconto County Sheriff's Department is investigating an incident that involved an alleged police officer impersonator who conducted a traffic stop.

Deputies say it happened on Highway 22 near the intersection of Highway K around 11 p.m. on May 14. The driver involved reported the incident to the sheriff's office 2 days later.

According to investigators, the alleged impersonator had red and blue emergency lights in his car but the car wasn't marked as a law enforcement vehicle. The man was in his 20s, wearing dark clothes and was driving a larger car which may have been red.

If you have any information, you're asked to call the Oconto County Sheriff's Department at (920) 834-6900.

Anyone who is pulled over and suspect the person may be impersonating an officer should do the following:

• Ask to see the officer’s uniform, badge and identification
• Ask the officer to follow you to a well-lit public place
• Open your window only far enough to be able to pass your driver’s license and proof of insurance
• Keep your car doors locked
• Do not get out of your car unless you are in a well-lit public place with people around
• Ask for a second marked squad car to come to the stop
• If necessary, call 911 to verify the officer’s identification and confirm the validity of the traffic stop

TOWN OF CARLTON, WI (WTAQ) - A crash in Kewaunee County Friday morning leaves a Manitowoc man dead.

Authorities say it happened on Highway 42, about a half-mile north of Highway J, just before 8 a.m.

A 61-year-old man was driving northbound on Highway 42, when he crossed the center line and drove his SUV into the ditch on the west side of the road and struck a driveway embankment.

The vehicle went airborne, rolled over and ended up against a power pole guy-wire. 

The man was the lone occupant of the vehicle, and had to be cut out of his seat belt and removed before first responders started CPR. He was rushed to a Green Bay hospital where he later died.

His name has not been released. Authorities don't believe speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.