MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - You may have seen it already, but Wisconsin highways are expected to be busier than last year for the Memorial Day weekend.

The state's AAA expects 781,000 Badger State residents to travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday. That's 4.9 percent more than a year ago.

Cheaper gas prices and an improved economy are cited for the increase in travel during the unofficial kickoff to summer. Wisconsin gas prices are 90 cents less than a year ago on this day.

The state DOT said the busiest highway traffic would be from noon to 8 p.m. both Friday and Monday.

Construction work stopped at noon, and won't resume until Tuesday morning. Still, the DOT said many construction zones would not be easy to navigate through -- and drivers need to stay sober and wear their seat belts.

11 people were killed in Memorial Day weekend crashes in Wisconsin last year, 3 more than the average for the past five years.

The major construction zones are at Milwaukee's Zoo freeway interchange -- I-794 at Milwaukee's downtown Marquette Interchange -- I-94 at Highway 20 in Racine County -- Interstate 41 in Outagamie and Brown counties -- I-43 in Green Bay -- I-90 north of La Crosse -- Highway 12 near Lake Geneva -- Highway 51 just north of Wausau -- Highway 54 near Plover -- the Bong Bridge between Superior and Duluth -- and the Madison Beltline at Verona Road. 

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - A military veteran from Menasha has created a Wisconsin version of the famous "Wall" which lists the names of all U.S. personnel killed in the Vietnam War.

Steve Conto tells FOX 11 he's been blessed by living an entire life -- while those who died in Vietnam could never become parents or grand-parents, and over 200 of them were teenagers.

Conto, who served in the Gulf War, started his memorial 3 years ago by including names of those who died from 3 counties. Last year, he expanded it to 15 counties. Now, he has all 1,200-plus Wisconsin names on his modified Wall.

It's open for people to see through May 30th in his yard in Menasha.

Also, Conto says he's visiting the gravesites of every Wisconsinite killed in Vietnam -- and he's been to 900 so far, cleaning up the sites and placing flags there.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - Officials with Theda Clark Medical Center say the lone survivor of the Trestle Trail shooting is out of the hospital.

Erin Stoffel was released on Friday afternoon. She's been recovering since being shot three times on May 3. The incident claimed the lives of her 33-year-old husband Jon and 11-year-old daughter Olivia. Also killed in the shooting was 31-year-old Adam Bentdahl.

Two younger Stoffel children, Ezra and Selah, were not hurt in the shooting.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities are investigating a rash of garage and vehicle thefts in Ashwaubenon.

According to Ashwaubenon Public Safety, the thefts take place when it's dark out. In most cases, the vehicles and garages were unlocked.

Officials are reminding folks not to leave any valuables in their vehicles and report any suspicious activity that you see.

WINNECONNE, WI (WTAQ) - For the third year in a row, a group of veterans were thanked for their service during Memorial Day weekend with a fishing trip.

On Saturday, 65 veterans headed out on Lake Winneconne for the Wounded and Retired Veteran Fishing Event.

“It’s a chance to get out. It’s the only time that I actually go fishing and its nice weather” said Navy veteran Paul Poellinger told FOX 11.

For some, like Cody Henry, it’s their very first time participating in the free fishing event.

“[I’m looking forward to] just enjoying it and just being out on the boat and catching fish,” Henry said.

For others, the annual trip has become a tradition.

“I was here last year,” Poellinger said.

Nearly 40 professional anglers volunteered to help out for the event.

“These guys give up their valuable time to do this on a Saturday which is very important to everyone,” Poellinger said.

Even though the veterans are thankful for the fishing opportunity, those who started this event look forward to meeting the vets every year. Many of the fishermen also say it’s a great way to meet and talk to other veterans.

Thanks to a number of donations, veterans took home fishing rods, tackle boxes and lures.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A lack of grant money means police departments in Appleton and other Wisconsin cities are impacting special traffic enforcement efforts like the current “Click It or Ticket” campaign.

Unlike in the past, no officers have been specifically assigned to the program.

The numbers reveal the impact in Appleton. In 2012 and 2013 more than 7,400 citations were written for people who weren’t buckled up. 

Last year, that number fell by more than 20 percent to a little over 5,800 citations.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Severe storms are possible Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday night in parts of Wisconsin.

The National Weather Service says a cold front and a low pressure system will move across the region. Forecasters say small hail is possible in the far northwest part of the state.

Heavy rains and localized flooding appear to be the main concern in north central areas and the state's mid-section. There's a lesser chance for severe weather in the Milwaukee and Madison areas.

Isolated thunderstorms are expected to be rule in much of the western third of the Badger State.

High temperatures are expected to be in the 60's and 70's today, warming into the 80's Wednesday and Thursday.

Cooler weather is forecast for the weekend. The far north could get frost again on Saturday night, with lows dropping into the 30's.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities have arrested three people in connection with a suspected meth lab at a motel in Marinette.

Marinette local, county and state investigators are pouring through evidence gathered from the Marinette Inn, 1450 Marinette Avenue, on Tuesday.

Also on scene assisting were hazmat crews and paramedics. 

No word yet on the identities of those arrested or charges filed.

Marinette Police say it began Monday night as part of an ongoing investigation. They say a tip led to a traffic stop, which then led officers to the motel.

Authorities say the production method likely used is what’s called a ‘one pot’ method: a highly mobile, quick, but highly dangerous way to produce the illegal drug.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the overwhelming majority of meth labs recovered in the state over the past two years have been the one pot method.

The North East Tri-County Drug Enforcement group is made up of members from Marinette and Menominee City and County law enforcement, as well as state criminal investigators.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Assembly's Labor Committee will forge ahead with an effort to repeal the prevailing wage for highway and other public works projects.

The committee has a 9 a.m. public hearing scheduled Wednesday at the State Capitol on a bill to get rid of the 80-plus-year-old prevailing wage concept.

It requires contracted workers on public works' projects to be paid wages similar to those for similar projects in the same area.

The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance has said it would save up to $300 million a year if the prevailing wage was scrapped.  Democrats and other critics say the resulting drop in employee wages could also drop the quality of infrastructure, and force more projects to be redone.

GOP Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said a few weeks ago he didn't have the votes for a full repeal.

The chair of the Assembly Labor Committee, De Pere Republican Rep. Andre Jacque, told the media on Tuesday that someone needs to stand up for taxpayers and that he doesn't think Speaker Vos wants him to hold this hearing.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said the same thing last week -- and his GOP caucus might try to fashion a lesser change to put in the state budget.

The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee is expected to take its final budget actions this week before the massive two-year package goes to both houses.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin's largest home-based bank has reached a settlement with the federal government over alleged racial discrimination in its mortgages.

Associated Bank of Green Bay denied wrongdoing. Still, the company said it would issue almost $200 million in home mortgage loans in minority areas in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois over the next three years.

Mark Belling of WISN Radio in Milwaukee aired some of the details late Friday.

Tuesday, Associated said it was accused by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of denying loan applications from a disproportionate share of Hispanics and blacks from 2008 through 2010. Those were the most severe years of the Great Recession.

"HUD" said it analyzed Associated's mortgage lending, and found it had a smaller share of the market in higher minority areas than others.

The Chicago market will get three-fourths of the mortgage lending that's outlined in the settlement, or around $144 million. Metro Milwaukee gets $36 million, Racine about $1.5 million, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul region about $3.6 million.

Some of the loans will have reduced interest rates, closing costs, and required down payments.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin lawmakers confirmed Tuesday that they want to let hunters wear "blaze pink" in the woods, as well as blaze orange.

As promised, supporters held a news conference in Madison Tuesday afternoon to announce the proposal.

Assembly Democrat Nilk Milroy of South Range wore a florescent pink T-shirt to hammer his message home. Assembly Republicans Joel Kleefisch of Oconomowoc and David Steffen of Howard did the same.

They said blaze pink would encourage more women to hunt -- and apparel makers could work together with non-profit groups to get more women and men interested in hunting.

UW-Madison textile expert Majid Sarmadi said blaze pink is just as visible as blaze orange in the woods.

The 3 lawmakers plan to seek co-sponsors for the proposal over the next couple of weeks.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Officials at Menominee Park Zoo in Oshkosh say they had to euthanize a wolf after it bit a child last Friday.

According to park officials, a child went inside a non-public area and put their fingers through a fence. The child, who's not been identified due to health privacy laws, suffered minor injuries to two fingers when the male wolf bit them.

The wolf was euthanized by the Winnebago County Health Department and the Wisconsin Division of Public Health. They also tested the animal for rabies, which came back negative.

Zoo officials say the investigation is ongoing but visitors are not in any danger.

TOWN OF RED SPRINGS, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities in Shawano County say a state highway construction worker has died after being hit by a van Tuesday.

Sheriff's deputies said in a release that a 31-year-old construction worker from Shawano was directing traffic to one lane at the intersection of Highway 47 and County Highway G just before noon.

A van driving south on Highway 41 hit the worker. The van was driven by a 68-year-old Tigerton man. 

The Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating the crash.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The group owned by Titletown Brewing Company and Smet Construction has signed a purchase agreement for the former Larsen Green site.

DDL Holdings, LLC, has agreed to a purchase agreement which can be extended for up to 5 years with DDL having to meet certain purchase milestones over time.

"We are very excited and proud to partner with the City of Green Bay in our continued effort to transform this part of downtown," said Smet Construction Services President Paul Belschner in a statement. "We are still at the high-level planning stages for a multi-use development."

The site, once thought to be home of a future Walmart Supercenter, now appears headed in the direction sought by a number of residents, local business owners and Mayor Jim Schmitt.

"The next step is we have to work on the economic development structure, work out a development agreement with the city," said Titletown Brewing Company COO Jim Kratowicz. "We have a ton of momentum and a ton of interest, so we're carrying that forward and we think we can do some pretty exciting things to create a really big destination area for downtown Green Bay."

Kratowicz says they've been approached by interested parties for their mixed-use concept, including a hotel, residential, small grocer, retail, professional office space and recreational/entertainment venue.

"From a tax base standpoint, I think in the long run I think the city and community will be better off," says Kratowicz. "But also from an experience standpoint for the citizens of Green Bay and what they can do downtown, and people when they visit the community they can have a destination in the downtown."

DDL recently reached full capacity at the former Larsen Canning Building site, which has been redeveloped into Titletown Brewing Company's new Brewery and Tap Room, the Cannery Public Market and the Titletown Professional Office Suites.

TOWN OF MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Police in the Town of Menasha say a road rage incident Tuesday let to a street fight.

Authorities were called just before 5 p.m. to the intersection of Racine Road and Twelfth Street.

Several vehicles were pulled over to the side of the road and people were standing in the street. Investigators spoke with witnesses who said the incident began a couple of miles away at Valley Road near Appleton Road. 

That's where a car driven by a 57-year-old Menasha man pulled out from a parking lot in front of a car driven by a 19-year-old Appleton woman. 

As cars drove westbound on Valley Road and south on Racine Road, the 57-year-old man and a 24-year-old Menasha man who was a passenger in the other car began giving each other the middle finger.  The 57-year-old man then stopped at Racine and Twelfth. Both men got out of their cars and started punching each other.

Police gave each man a ticket for disorderly conduct. They arrested the 24-year-old man on a probation violation.

Both men declined medical attention.

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - Officials say a memorial fund has been established for a highway worker killed after being hit by a van Tuesday.

30-year-old Derek Stempa of Shawano was working near the intersection of Highway 47 and County Highway G in the Shawano County Town of Red Springs.

Sheriff's deputies say he was directing traffic to one lane when a van, driven by a 68-year-old Hurley man, hit him. Stempa was rushed to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

Stempa leaves behind a wife and two young children. A fund has been set up for Stempa's family at Capital Credit Union. Money can be directed to the account for Heather Stempa, account number 7240843.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - An Oshkosh woman has been sentenced to five years in prison for having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student while employed as a teacher's aide.

On Tuesday, a judge handed that sentence to 27-year-old Lindsey Quednow. Quednow spoke in court, crying as she apologized.

“I would like to sincerely tell the victim and his family how deeply sorry I am for what I’ve done,” she said.

Quednow worked as a paraprofessional at Merrill Middle School in Oshkosh. She had known the victim 2 years before their relationship turned sexual last summer. 

In February, Quednow pled guilty to charges tied to their relationship. The Winnebago County District Attorney says Quednow groomed the victim and his family.

“That feeds into the predatory nature of this offense and shows there is a need to protect the public from this defendant,” Winnebago County prosecutor Scott Ceman said, according to FOX 11. “He became in such a depressed state his school attendance dropped because of harassment that he was receiving over social media.”

Quednow, who says she's getting treatment for mental health issues, will now have to register as a sex offender. She also must serve 15 years extended supervision and 10 years on probation.

Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - It's been an ongoing run in Green Bay, every summer, for decades. And this Saturday morning (5-30) begins another season for the "Saturday Farmers Market".

Brehanna Saletski is with Downtown Green Bay, INC. She says on any given Saturday, about 7 thousand of your closest friends and neighbors can be found on South Washington Street, between Walnut and Stewart.

As usual, about 150 vendors, selling everything from fruit to vegetables to arts & crafts will be offering you their best. The market features 75% produce/processed food, 15% prepared food and 10% arts/crafts.

 The market, in one location or another, has been part of Saturday mornings in Green Bay since 1917.

 The market will be open from 7-am to noon....and runs through the end of October.

 You can find out more information about this downtown Green Bay tradition by going to downtowngreenbay.com

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - A Brown County Sheriff's deputy is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a man from a burning vehicle overnight.

Deputies were called out around 2 a.m. Wednesday to Bellevue Street and Manderly Way. They arrived to find a vehicle on fire in the ditch, with a man inside. 

Deputy Zach Roush was the first to arrive on scene, went up to the video and opened the door. Roush tried getting the driver to come out, but the driver was dazed and refused to cooperate.

Roush then grabbed the man by his belt and yanked him out of the burning vehicle. It all was caught on video from the dashcam of Roush's squad car.

According to the sheriff's department, the flames and smoke were so heavy that Roush nearly called off the rescue attempt for his own safety. High winds blew the fire and smoke in unpredictable directions at the time.

The driver was rushed to the hospital for evaluation, then arrested on suspicion of 3rd offense OWI.

CHILTON, WI (WTAQ)- Chilton Police are investigating an incident of “swatting.”

Officials were alerted around 11 p.m. Wednesday about a possible tactical situation at a home in the 400 block of Madison Street.

A SWAT team along with other agencies created a perimeter in the area and some residents were evacuated.

After an investigation, officials realized the call was a hoax or “swatting.”

“Swatting” is calling in an emergency that isn’t actually happening.

Chilton Police Chief Craig Plehn says the family inside the home where police were called was sleeping at the time. Police woke them up.

Plehn says the investigation continues and charges, including misuse of 9-1-1 may be filed.

No one was hurt.

Chief Plehn says a lot of resources were used and is just happy everyone is safe.