GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Team officials say that the new Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame will open to the public on Friday, August 21.

The Packers announced a grand opening ceremony to be held that day at the Hall of Fame's new location on the main floor of the Lambeau Field atrium.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will happen at 8:30 a.m. before the Hall of Fame opens to visitors at 9 a.m.

Among the attendees at the ribbon-cutting will be Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy, Packers Hall of Fame Inc. president Perry Kidder and Packers director of stadium services Jennifer Ark.

The new Packers Hall of Fame now includes two floors and nine gallery spaces. The museum uses enhanced interactive displays and various artifacts to educate and inspire visitors about the history of the Packers and other NFL teams.

For more information, click here.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - With Packers training camp underway, preseason games starting, and the anticipation of a new season, these are busy times at Lambeau Field. 

And, with the invasion of out of towners, taking the tour of Lambeau Field is high on the "to do" list of many fans . 

That's where a guy named Grant Turner comes in.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - ThedaCare announced Tuesday that two large hospitals in the Fox Valley are changing their names as part of their system wide rebranding.

In a release, officials say Appleton Medical Center will become ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton and Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah will become ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah.

The Appleton-based health care provider owns both hospitals.

“We’re adjusting our name because we have been one organization, speaking with one voice and providing a common experience for the people we serve,” Brian Burmeister, ThedaCare senior vice president, said in a news release. “Many people don’t realize that Appleton Medical Center is part of ThedaCare, and has been for several decades, because the words ‘Theda’ or ‘ThedaCare’ were not a part of the name. This renaming will create more clarity and reduce confusion for our patients and employees. And universally incorporating our namesake, Theda Clark, acknowledges our rich history and reflects our century-long commitment to delivering services with passion, compassion and empathy.”

Company leaders say the branding reinforces the connection among a regional network of hospitals, which also offer access to Mayo Clinic specialists through the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

The Appleton and Neenah name changes follow similar changes to names of hospitals in New London and Waupaca. Berlin Memorial Hospital and Wild Rose Community Memorial Hospital are also slated to change names this year, while a new hospital to open in Shawano next month will also bear the ThedaCare name.

BRILLION, WI (WTAQ) - Ariens Company has announced an expansion of its production facility which is designed to help meeting increasing demand for its lawn and garden equipment.

In a release Tuesday, the Brillion-based manufacturer says the 45,000 square-foot Ariens Company Design and Development Center will be constructed over the next few years in three phases. It's slated to open in the fall of 2018.

“The new Center will allow for 24/7 test capabilities, as well as off-season product testing, a significant enhancement for the testing of seasonal equipment,” Chairman and CEO Dan Ariens in a news release. “The ability to perform more frequent system and sub-system testing, and new product validation, along with improved work flow, will also contribute to improved products and faster speed to market.”

The $9 million facility will feature new engineering and technical labs, industrial design studio, model and prototyping labs, and a testing center for its outdoor power equipment.

Company officials said the expansion is in response to growth in product development, engineering, testing and industrial design.

Founded in 1933, the firm is one of two the county's largest employers, along with Brillion Iron Works.

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - No children were hurt when their school bus crashed into a light pole in Bellevue Tuesday morning.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department says it happened on Klondike Road, near Garden Grove Lane, at the Green Bay Country Club. 

Nearly 50 kids were on board the bus at the time, who were being driven to the country club so they could use the pool.

The bus driver was looking for other cars that were pulling in and out of the parking lot and didn't see the light pole and slammed into it.

The bus sustained minor damage, while the pole needed to be repaired.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The big finale to Packers Family Night this past weekend left some spectators irritated, literally.

Green Bay Metro fire officials say 7 people suffered minor injuries, after falling ashes blew into their eyes. All those injured were sitting on the east side of Lambeau Field.

The 7 people were all treated and released at the scene and no one was taken to the hospital.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - If you're looking for a job at Lambeau Field's new restaurant -- 1919 Kitchen & Tap -- you'll have a chance to apply for several dozen open positions Wednesday and Thursday. 

Delaware North Sportservice will host the job fairs on Aug. 12, from 4 to 6 p.m., and Aug. 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. They're seeking employees to fill a variety of part-time and full-time positions at 1919 Kitchen & Tap, the new Lambeau Field Atrium restaurant. Positions include line cooks, bartenders, servers, runners, bussers and culinary supervisors.

"We had foresight and we anticipated this, but just how strong the response has been and how busy we've been certainly calls for additional staff," says Operations Manager Eric Sampson.

Sampson also says they're still searching for a general manager for 1919 Kitchen & Tap, although you might need to sharpen up that resume before applying.

"It's a big important job and we're looking for the perfect candidate to fill it," said Sampson. "We've had a number of people responding and we've had a number of interviews but we just haven't found that perfect person yet."

The job fair will be held on the 3rd floor of the atrium. Attendees should enter through either the American Family Insurance Gate or the Miller Lite Gate. Delaware North Sportservice staff will be onsite to assist access to the 3rd floor.

Interested individuals will be asked to fill out an application and interview for positions during the job fair, so please come prepared. Anyone interested in applying should be highly motivated, professional in appearance and demeanor, as well as customer-oriented. 

If anyone is interested in a position but is unable to attend the job fair, applications can be found online here or picked up from 1919 Kitchen & Tap during business hours (11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily).

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - Neenah police say the skeletal remains found in Oconto County Sunday afternoon has been positively identified as that of missing man Kyle Blohm.

On Monday, authorities say that the 22-year-old Blohm's red 1999 Ford Ranger pickup truck was discovered in a pine plantation by a group of bear hunters in the Town of Bagley. That's about 3 miles north of Suring.

Later, an Oconto County sheriff's deputy found human remains near that vehicle.

Blohm was last seen on August 8, 2014 and last heard from four days later. When he went missing, he apparently had taken several personal items with him.

Search efforts to find Blohm in the days and weeks after his disappearance were unsuccessful.

Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - The low-flying planes you may see in the Green Bay area today are part of exercise flights planned by the federal government, according to NORAD.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command will practice intercept and identification procedures between 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Although they are scheduled to start this morning, the flights could be delayed for 24 hours or cancelled due to weather concerns.

People in the greater Green Bay area may hear and/or see low-flying NORAD-controlled fighter jets in close proximity to a civilian aircraft, which will be taking on the role of aircraft of interest.

In order to test responses, systems and equipment, NORAD continuously conducts exercises with a variety of scenarios, including airspace restriction violations, hijackings and responding to unknown aircraft.

All NORAD exercises are carefully planned and closely controlled.

NORAD is the bi-national Canadian and American command that provides maritime warning, aerospace warning and aerospace control for Canada and the United States.

Airports in northeast Wisconsin are aware of the drill and do not expect it to interfere with regularly scheduled flights.

CRANDON, WI (WTAQ) - One of four people convicted in a brutal beating in northeast Wisconsin will spend 18 years in prison.

22-year-old Justin Bey of Wabeno was sentenced Tuesday in Forest County for helping attack Steven Roberts 17 months ago.

Authorities said he was tortured at a house in Wabeno, beaten on a frozen trail, and left for wolves to maul him. ATV riders found him, and he survived.

Authorities say the defendants attacked the 40-year-old Roberts because they thought he touched a child inappropriately.

Bey struck a plea deal that convicted him of kidnapping, attempted homicide, and bail jumping. He also had to testify against Raymond Jones, who will be sentenced September 14th.

The other two were sentenced in plea deals.

Bey must spend 12 years under extended supervision once he leaves prison and pay $44,000 in restitution.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A Town of Vinland man charged with running a large-scale marijuana growing operation has pled no contest.

According to online court records, Gerald Walters entered that plea Tuesday to a drug manufacturing count. Walters will be sentenced October 7.

Authorities say almost 500 marijuana plants and over 40 pounds of pot were found inside his home back in June. 

TOWN OF MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - The Town of Menasha Police Department is getting a lot of attention, not all of it good, after a Facebook posting asked drug dealers to rat on their competition.

Officer Jason Weber says the post is aimed at heroin dealers, and they wanted to do it in a "tongue-in-cheek" way.

"But at the same time it highlights this problem and we need the community's support to, you know, give us tips or give us clues on what's going on," Weber said to FOX 11.

The social media posting, in which the cops offer a free service to help eliminate drug dealers' competition, asks them to submit some info on other dealers. 

Commenters on the Facebook post says it's wrong to ask people to snitch on their neighbors, calling drugs a "victimless crime".

"Do we take these tips like gangbusters? Are we kicking in doors? No," Weber responded. Weber says heroin is not victimless, saying, "its killing people."

According to Weber, the Town of Menasha had 4 people overdose on heroin in 2014. One of those people died. 

The Winnebago County Heroin Task Force says 15 people died from heroin overdoses in 2014.

Weber says officers are also finding heroin needles in parks and along the sides of roads in the Town of Menasha.

"It's a weekly occurrence," he said.

Weber said the post is at least getting people to talk. He adds the Legislature makes the laws and it's officers' job to enforce them. So, he said, if you don't like a law, you should take your concerns to the Legislature.

However, Weber says if citizens have concerns about police work or the ways police handle certain laws he would be willing to meet for coffee and talk about those concerns.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - Investigators say a five-alarm fire at a salvage yard on the Green Bay/Bellevue border was caused when sparks from an electric drill ignited from leaking gasoline.

Authorities were called to Smitty's Salvage Yard, 2325 Main Street, just after 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The Green Bay Metro Fire Department says during removal of a vehicle gas tank, gas began spewing out of the plastic tank.

The fire began outside, and then quickly spread to two roofs covering tires and vehicle parts. It also spread to at least 80 vehicles.

“The first 20 minutes I was here it was just explosions going off,” said Michael Johnson, who saw the black smoke from Allouez. “I mean just boom, boom, boom.”

Bellevue police initially responded to the 911 call, but then quickly notified fire crews.

“We're at the 5th alarm level,” said Green Bay Metro Fire Lt. Nick Craig. “That means we've got about 30 fire departments on scene as of right now.”

Craig says there were several challenges in battling the blaze, including the heat and the scene.

“It's a very difficult place to fight a fire,” said Craig. “It's tough to get to things and then the materials, there's lots of plastics and lots of tires, which burns very quickly and very hot.”

Craig added that firefighters rotated more than usual, and they also had rural agencies in charge of bringing more water to help in the effort.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury, and officials say no civilians were hurt.

The estimated damage is $100,000.

SHAWANO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The Shawano County Sheriff's Department is launching a search for a missing boater.

The search is happening on Lily Lake, northeast of Shawano.

Authorities did not release any more information.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - The Appleton Health Department has confirmed that West Nile virus has been found in the city.

Health officials say a dead crow found June 29 tested positive for the virus. That's the first bird in Outagamie County to test positive for West Nile since surveillance began May 1.

West Nile virus can be spread to humans if a mosquito bites an infected bird, then bites a person. Most people who are infected with West Nile virus don't show any symptoms. Those who do usually experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle ache, rash and fatigue. In less than one percent of cases, people get seriously ill with symptoms including high fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, disorientation, mental confusion, tremors, confusion, paralysis, and coma. Older adults and people with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of developing central nervous system illnesses that can be fatal.

So far this year, 14 birds have tested positive for West Nile virus in Wisconsin. There have not been any cases of people getting sick.

To minimize the risk, the Appleton Health Department recommends taking these steps:

• Limit time spent outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Apply insect repellant to clothing and exposed skin since mosquitoes may bite through clothing.
• Make sure window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquito entry.
• Dispose of items that hold water, such as plastic containers or discarded tires.
• Drain or eliminate areas where water can pool.
• Clean roof gutters and downspouts for proper drainage.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs; drain water from pool covers.
• Trim tall grass, weeds, and vines since mosquitoes use these areas to rest during hot daylight hours.

• Click here for more information

MARINETTE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Officials have confirmed a third cougar sighting in northeast Wisconsin.

The DNR says it received a photo of a mountain lion 9 days ago, taken by a trail camera on July 19th in Marinette County.

The picture was taken 10 days after two trail photos confirmed cougars about 60 miles to the west in Langlade County. Officials have not said whether the same animal was involved in more than one of the sightings.

Wisconsin has been getting about 3 sightings per year. Genetic evidence shows that they're males from a breeding population in South Dakota's Black Hills.

Cougars are a protected species in the Badger State.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

OCONTO, WI (WTAQ) - A woman convicted of child abuse in Oconto County has been sentenced to more than 18 years in prison.

Jennifer Fendryk pled no contest to 5 counts, including child neglect and false imprisonment. She'll spend 11-and-a-half years behind bars and the rest of her sentence on extended supervision.

The father of the victim, Shawn Paholke, will be sentenced on 6 counts September 11.

Paholke and Fendryk withheld food from Paholke's then-5-year-old daughter and locked her in a room in their Town of Breed home, according to the criminal complaint.

Police say Paholke's then-7-year-old daughter told them her dad zip-tied her hands to a pole.

Paholke and Fendryk told investigators they were disciplining the girls, according to the complaint.

Fendryk is not the biological mother of the two girls, but her 8-year-old son also lived in the home. The complaint does not allege any abuse against him.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - A Marinette County man will not have his murder conviction appeal heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Joseph Evans is serving a life prison term, without parole, for the murder of his wife Dina in 2008.

The couple was close to getting a divorce when the shooting took place. Evans claimed the gun went off accidentally.

This week, the state's high court said it will not review an earlier appeals court decision upholding Evans' conviction.

REDGRANITE, WI (WTAQ) - Police say a Green Bay man was the person who drowned in the Redgranite Quarry on Wednesday night.

Authorities say the victim has been identified as 49-year-old Daniel R. Whitmore. 

Police say bystanders and a Redgranite police officer performed CPR on Whitmore before emergency crews arrived on scene. Those efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful.

The call for emergency and EMS went out just before 6 p.m. 

Alcohol appears to be a factor, according to investigators.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Rachael Cabral-Guevara is a walking, one woman doctor's office.

The certified nurse practitioner from Appleton is among a growing number of providers offering basic services like throat swabs for much less than what hospitals and clinics charge.

She serves people who don't have health insurance -- or insured patients who find it hard to come up with the increasing deductibles that many plans have.

The basic providers don't deal with the paperwork of insurance. Patients say they often pay up to two-thirds' less, with more personal service.

Cabral-Guevara says large health systems are getting less passionate, flexible, and affordable -- and she knows it first hand because she's worked for them.

Gannett says around 9 percent of Wisconsinites are uninsured. The State Medical Society knows independents are more popular, but they don't keep track of how many there are statewide.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)