JANESVILLE, WI (WTAQ)- The search continues for 83-year-old Hermes Miller of Janesville.
His daughter last spoke with him around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. She went to his house in the afternoon, he was gone along with his vehicle.
Miller drives a gray 2007 Kia Sedona. The license plate number is 631-DMH.
He's about 5'9" and weighs 130 pounds.
He suffers from dementia or another cognitive impairment.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - It's a sight you typically see during the holidays....but the Salvation Army "Christmas In July" campaign will bring the familiar red kettles out for a week of fund raising, starting on Friday.
It's the 3rd year for the Brown County Salvation Army's July campaign.
Captain Dawn Russell says they'll staff the Red Kettles at area Festivals Foods, Copps and Cabelas.
A number of other fund-raisers will be going on within the business community, revenue from brat fries and more.
The goal is to raise $30 thousand dollars by the time the campaign ends on July 25th.
The money will go toward the services the Salvation Army provides, including meals, emergency shelter, along with programs that benefits kids and seniors.
Kewaunee, WI (WTAQ) - A harbor improvement project along the Kewaunee Lakeshore is moving forward, and money from the state budget is paying for it.
The state budget included a $4.2 million grant to fix the 850-foot seawall, build a boardwalk, and renovate the lighthouse.
Work could begin later this year.
City leaders want to develop the land off the harbor as well. Long-term plans include making the area a destination for tourism, and more.
The city will accept ideas and offers soon.
"Harbor communities specifically reinvent themselves, or economically reinvigorate themselves from the harbor area. That's what we're going to try to do here. We want to start at our harbor district because that's really the beacon of our community, and work our way out from there," said Tom Kleiman, Accurate Marine & Storage Owner.
Business leaders say improving the lakeshore will benefit those in the city, and beyond.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police announce the arrest of a man in connection with the murder of Krystal Torres-Smith on the UW-Green Bay campus last month.
26-year-old Percy Sims appeared in court Wednesday afternoon on charges of first-degree intentional homicide, armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon. Sims is being held on a $1 million bond.
Torres-Smith was found shot to death inside a vehicle in the Lambeau Cottage parking lot on the UW-Green Bay campus June 8.
During a news conference Wednesday, police indicate that this was a drug deal gone badly.
"We learned that Krystal Torres-Smith was there at that location to deliver 2 ounces of marijuana," Green Bay Police Lt. Chad Ramos said. "Torres-Smith's phone records indicated she was communicating with a phone number that we learned belonged to Percy Sims."
Ramos added that technology played a vital role in tracking down Torres-Smith's killer. Sims apparently took her cell phone after the shooting and returned to a residence in Appleton, where he was living.
"During the time of his arrest, he was in possession of two cell phones including the one registered to the victim," says Ramos. "And the detectives recovered a Smith and Wesson 9-mm semi-automatic handgun, which had bullets in it consistent with shell casings found at the crime scene."
Police say subsequent interviews with Sims led to his confession of the crime, after a friend of Sims told them he admitted to the killing. Authorities also say blood and DNA of Torres-Smith was found on a shirt belonging to Sims.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - More than a week before they open up the doors, the media got a chance to taste and look at some of the offerings at Lambeau Field's newest attraction.
1919 Kitchen & Tap, located inside the Atrium, will open to the public on Friday July 24.
On Wednesday, we got a sneak preview of the menu and a look at the decor and operation of the restaurant which will replace Curly's Pub.
"We didn't want to deviate from what was successful at Curly's and in the area," says Operations Manager Eric Sampson. "We wanted to bring in local ingredients, take what we knew was successful and step it up a notch."
Mainstays like burgers, sandwiches and cheese curds will remain.
However, diners will notice some new twists with a nod to some food trends. Items like Pork Belly Tacos with charred kale and cotija cheese, or the Apple Salad with Napa cabbage, chicken crisps, goat cheese, candied walnuts and Espelette honey and cider vinaigrette.
"To appeal to a local guest and somebody who's traveling in is a challenge," says Sampson. "We have a great culinary staff, great resources, Drew's (executive chef) been in a number of different markets and on the cutting edge of what's been working in other areas."
An increased focus on locally-sourced ingredients with an eye on seasonal items can be a challenge for budgets, especially those of customers.
"That's one of the challenges," says Sampson. "Certainly with the burgers and sandwiches, we're basically flat with what we were doing at Curly's, and where we did elevate the price are on things we weren't previously offering."
Speaking of burgers, the namesake 1919 Burger is a prime example of that new twist. It's a grass-fed beef patty with Havarti cheese, fried sauerkraut, peppered bacon and a red pepper aioli. Another one is a nod to the old standard beer cheese soup -- Beer Cheese Bisque with crème fraiche, chives and brioche croutons.
1919 Kitchen & Tap will have a seating capacity of about 250 inside on the main floor, as well as 100 on the restaurant's outdoor patio outside the Miller Lite Gate. It also features an open-concept kitchen, which is yet another part of the learning curve for the staff.
"When you're going through this you get to be flying around and making it happen, and communication is a bit easier because you can be as loud as you need to be," Sampson said. "We need to be respectful of the guest that's dining 15 to 20 feet away."
The new restaurant, which also features a bar with 40 varieties of draft beer, replaces Curly's Pub which operated on the Atrium's second floor since 2003.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - The Appleton man believed to be responsible for a batch of "lethal heroin" was formally charged Wednesday.
Online court records show 22-year-old DeWayne Farris is facing six counts. Three counts are for first-degree reckless injury and three are for heroin delivery.
Appleton police say the heroin sold by Farris is connected to at least six overdoses in an 18-hour period from Sunday afternoon into Monday morning. No deaths were reported, and authorities credit the use of the drug Narcan for that happening.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The man charged with stabbing his ex-girlfriend in downtown Green Bay on July 4th is an illegal immigrant.
That's according to FOX 11, who cited a federal immigration official.
Victor Paz-Castellanos is facing charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and 3 others counts. Paz-Castellanos and the woman got into an argument after the city's fireworks show.
When he last appeared in court, prosecutors said Paz-Castellanos is a citizen of Honduras and is in the U.S. illegally.
Gail Montenegro, public affairs officer for the regional U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, told FOX 11 through a statement:
"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer on Victor Manuel Paz-Castellanos July 15 at the Brown County (Wisconsin) Jail following his arrest on local charges. Paz-Castellanos, a citizen of Honduras, was previously removed from the United States Oct. 10, 2014. Following the completion of this case, ICE will request notification to take Paz-Castellanos into custody for removal," she wrote.
Paz-Castellanos is due in Brown County court Thursday morning for a preliminary hearing.
Back in March, Paz-Castellanos was charged with having sex with a child age 16 or older. He also faces criminal traffic counts for separate incidents. An arrest warrant had been issued after Paz-Castellanos failed to appear in court, according to court records.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11).
A silver alert has been issued for a 79-year-old man from Milwaukee.
MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ)- No one has heard from Horatio Glover since around 9:30 a.m. July 15.
His family says he's gone missing before and was found in Illinois.
He also likes to frequent stores and restaurants in the Germantown and Menomonee Falls areas.
Glover is about 5'6" and weighs around 180 pounds.
He has brown eyes and a white beard.
He uses a walker and could be driving a black 1997 Mercedes-Benz with Wisconsin plate number 873-MSK.
Anyone with information should call Milwaukee PD at 414-935-7405.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — Nine people are displaced after an overnight cooking fire.
The fire broke out around 12:30 on Antoinette Street.
Fire officials say a cooking fire is to blame.
There's about $10,000 damage.
Three adults and six children were displaced.
BEAVER DAM, WI (WTAQ) — An assistant manager of a Fleet Farm in Beaver Dam is recovering after being shot.
Officials say the manager and another employee confronted a person believed to have shoplifted ammunition from the store.
Police say the 17-year-old male from Fitchburg got into a car and then shot the 31-year-old assistant manager once, hitting him in the wrist and shoulder.
The assistant manager suffered non-life threatening injuries.
The 17-year-old left the scene and was taken into custody in the city of Columbus.
A handgun was recovered.
The 17-year-old faces an attempted first degree murder charge.
An 18-year-old Verona man was also taken in custody as an accomplice.
We hope to learn more information later Thursday.
MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Supreme Court has weighed in on a case that has dogged Governor Scott Walker.
The high court has killed the so-called John Doe probe Thursday morning in a decisive 4-2 decision. You can read the entire ruling here.
The three-year-old probe has been looking into allegations that Walker and Republican Senate recall candidates illegally coordinated fundraising and other activities with outside conservative groups in 2012.
The justices ruled on two lawsuits from targets of the investigation which tried to shut it down for good.
In the third lawsuit, prosecutors were looking to reverse a judge's ruling from last year which essentially said there was no wrongdoing.
Conservative justice Michael Gableman wrote that the campaign finance law on which the probe was based is "unconstitutionally broad and vague." In a dissent, liberal Justice Shirley Abrahamson said today's ruling weakens the state's campaign finance law.
The Walker camp praised the decision, and said it's time to move past what it called an expensive and "unwarranted" investigation.
"I think that the law was on Governor Walker's side, there's some ambiguity in the state statute," says St. Norbert College Associate Professor of Judicial Process and American Politics Charles Jacobs.
Jacobs calls this good news for Walker, a Republican candidate for president in 2016, but warns his campaign will be watched closely for any fundraising issues.
"Some of the associations or some of the money that he takes from particular people or organizations might raise a red flag as it relates to this kind of litigation that was going on in the state," Jacobs said. "That's certainly not the kind of message you want to project as you're arguing that you are the best candidate for the job."
In a statement after the ruling, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said, "This closes a divisive chapter in Wisconsin history, and the assertive recognition of First Amendment rights by the Wisconsin Supreme Court protects free speech for all Wisconsinites. The Court’s decision leaves no doubt that the John Doe investigation is over."
KIMBERLY, WI (WTAQ) - Fox Valley Metro police say a woman has been arrested for allegedly embezzling money from a high school booster club.
This past spring, the Kimberly Papermaker Booster Club found inconsistencies in its financial records. The investigation then focused on a former treasurer of the group.
According to police, 26 felony charges are being sought against the woman. She has not been identified or formally charged, however the woman could appear in court Thursday.
De Pere, WI (WTAQ) - As we head into the last half of the month July, a transformation is going on at one of the residence halls at Saint Norbert College.
Training camp for the Green Bay Packers will be starting soon and for nearly 3 weeks players will be spending their nights at Victor McCormick Hall.
Kelli Nass says this will be the 58th consective year for this unique partnership.
The school will provide players with transportation to and from Lambeau Field.
They will also have meals prepared and served at their temporary new home.
Extra security will also be on hand to make sure the players can focus on training camp.
Packers will begin move-in July 28th....and will move out in mid-August.
EPHRAIM, WI (WTAQ) - The search continues in Door County for a missing Grand Chute doctor.
It's been two-and-a-half weeks since 63-year-old Jeffrey Whiteside disappeared following an argument with his wife at the marina in Ephraim.
Sheriff Steve Delarwelle provided an update on their investigation Thursday.
"Yesterday the DNR brought their plane in and searched Eagle Harbor out to Horseshoe Island and found nothing," said Delarwelle. "We had two boats in the water, along with an underwater camera and found nothing."
Delarwelle said deputies went door to door Thursday checking hotels and businesses again. Volunteers with K-9 searchers are returning this weekend.
"They had a few areas that they wanted to check, but they won't have as many dogs, maybe 3 or 4," said Delarwelle. "They're gonna check a few more places in the Ephraim area they didn't get to last weekend, but they cleared just about the whole village."
Delarwelle says nothing is being ruled out, but he wouldn't confirm that Whiteside has a history of mental illness.
"Both firearms that the family was aware he owned are accounted for," Delarwelle said.
Whiteside is a physician at the Fox Valley Pulmonary Medicine facility. His co-workers and other medical colleagues have been helping in the search.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Door County Sheriff's Department at (920) 746-2416.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to expect heavy traffic this weekend and into next week for the EAA AirVenture event in Oshkosh.
There will be message boards and traffic control signs up, and those driving on Interstate 41 in and around Oshkosh should be aware of possible traffic slowdowns and stops.
Events that could impact traffic include Rock USA; the Dirks Bentley concert and the arrival of the Airbus A-350; Tours of the Airbus A-350; the various nighttime air shows; and several construction projects.
More information is available online at 511wi.gov.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — Three people are in custody after an overnight high speed chase that started on Green Bay's east side.
The Brown County Drug Task Force was doing an investigation Thursday night.
Officials say around 11:45 p.m. Thursday, the task force was trying to stop the suspect's vehicle for "significant" felony drug and weapons charges.
That's when officials say the vehicle took off and a high speed chase started.
It started at East Mason and I-43 and went south on I-43.
Officials say speeds reached 90 miles per hour.
Denmark Police were able to deflate the tires on the suspect's vehicle.
Three people were taken into custody.
No one was injured.
WAUWATOSA WI (WTAQ) — One person is dead after an overnight police shooting in southern Wisconsin.
It happened Thursday night in Wauwatosa.
Officers were called to the scene around 9:30 p.m. and a male suspect was shot and killed.
Neighbors said they heard several gunshots, but it's not known what led up to the shooting.
The Milwaukee police department will handle the investigation.
State law requires that officer-involved deaths must be investigated by an outside agency.
The Wauwatosa Police Department will have a news conference at noon Friday.
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Over 67,000 people will watch Brett Favre get inducted into the Green Bay Packers' Hall of Fame and have his Number 4 retired Saturday night.
Because of that, Ashwaubenon Public Safety officials say they're treating security around the stadium district much like a Packers home game.
"We're staffing similar to it as far as making sure we have enough officers present for safe pedestrian travel across the streets and whether or not any problems arise," says Ashwaubenon Public Safety Captain Jody Crocker.
Crocker says their biggest concern is the heat, with temperatures expected to be in the 90s with high humidity.
"We're expecting that some people will most likely indulge heavier in the alcohol, which is not really a good thing to do," says Crocker. "We're hoping that people will get the message to do the correct amount of hydration for themselves and stay safe during this event."
Crocker also warns about construction zones affecting travel, and want fans to plan ahead and be patient.
Some areas to know about are:
The department also reminds drivers to expect delays when leaving the ceremony and getting on to I-41.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Associated Bank said Friday it would consolidate branches in 13 locations, including six in its home state of Wisconsin.
Associated, the state's largest homegrown bank, said it would close grocery store locations in Eau Claire and Sheboygan -- plus branch offices in River Falls, Fort Atkinson, Embarrass, and Rio.
Associated Bank says a growing use of digital banking and other transaction trends are factors in the closing of the six branches. Also, they're close to other Associated locations.
About 60 employees are affected. The firm said it would look at opportunities for other jobs within the company.
Associated, which is based in Green Bay, said it continues to build banks in other locations. It has over 200 branches in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A man faces a life prison sentence, after a jury convicted him of shooting another man to death outside a bar.
20-year-old Alejandro Silva of Oneida was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide. The verdict came at the end of a six-day trial in Outagamie County.
Prosecutors said Silva killed 24-year-old Kamewan Salzman in August of 2013 outside Benderz Bar in the town of Oneida.
His lawyer said Silva feared for his life after he was kicked and hit in the head in a fight just before the shooting.
He claimed a mob was coming toward him, but prosecutors said that wasn't true -- and the fight was over before the shooting took place.
There's no word on when Silva will be sentenced.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
