MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - If you saw a government letter telling you to remove concrete deer ornaments from your yard, ignore it.

The DNR says it's a hoax.

The letter tells people to remove concrete ornaments from their yards by November 1st, because some may have been included by mistake in the state's counting of the deer herd.

The letter has been circulating on social media. Officials caught wind of it Monday.

Tuesday, the DNR not only issued a statement to the media -- it told Facebook readers the letter was a hoax. That attracted sarcastic comments, one of which asks if banning pink flamingos is next.

An astute reader can tell that the letter is a fake.

Kurt Thiede is listed in the top letterhead as the DNR's deputy secretary -- but at the bottom, he's named as the secretary with his last name spelled wrong. He's not the secretary, anyway. Cathy Stepp is.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - A fire that began in a garage spread to the attached house in Howard early Wednesday.

Fire crews were called to the home on Portside Lane around 5:30 a.m.

Four people and two pets inside the house got out safely.

Howard fire officials say there were some boats in the garage along with propane tanks. The garage is destroyed.

No word yet on what caused the blaze. The Red Cross is helping out the family.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Wednesday is the final day for the sales tax in Brown County.

Back in 2000, voters approved a half-percent sales tax increase to support renovations at Lambeau Field.

The tax, which began in January 2001, ends Wednesday.

STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The man convicted of killing a woman in Door County back in 2012 has been granted a hearing on his efforts to get a new trial.

Brian Cooper was given a life prison term without a chance at parole for the murder of Alisha Bromfield.

Online court records indicate Cooper was granted a "Machner hearing". That's a motion where the defendant claims he received ineffective legal counsel at trial.

Cooper's hearing is scheduled for October 28.

REDGRANITE, WI (WTAQ) - Village leaders in Redgranite met Tuesday night to discuss the possibility of closing the Redgranite Quarry in the wake of three drowning deaths this summer.

However, there wasn't much talk of actually closing down the quarry. So the village board voted to keep the quarry open.

FOX 11 reports that village leaders plan on putting new safety measures in place, including new signs and more police patrols.

Police say at least 2 of the 3 drownings were alcohol-related. Currently alcohol is not allowed at the quarry.

Some members of the public have asked for the quarry to be closed. But village leaders says it would be an expensive project with having to pay either for a fence to be put up or filling the quarry in.

They also believe the quarry is important to the village's identity.

"We want to keep, we are committed to keeping the quarry open and the safety of the community is a concern, so we want to make the place as safe as we possibly can without closing it. So that certainly is our primary focus," said village trustee Paul Mertz.

No one from the public spoke at the meeting Tuesday night.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Repeat drunk drivers are still a problem on Wisconsin highways.

According to Gannett Wisconsin Media, 822 drivers were convicted last year of their 5th OWI arrests or more. That's 3 more than the 819 convictions from 2013.

Half of the state's 72 counties saw either no change, or higher arrests last year for 5-time offenders or more, compared to the average of the past five years.

There are a couple of bills pending in the state Legislature to crack down on chronic drunk drivers.

One would give longer prison sentences to 5 and 6-time offenders. Another measure would raise penalties for 3-time offenders or more.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - It's a sad day Wednesday in Fond du Lac, as Police Officer Ryan Williams had to put down his former K-9 partner Grendel

Both Williams and Grendel survived after being shot twice during a standoff in March of 2011 that claimed the life of Officer Craig Birkholz.

Williams says the 12-year-old German Sheppard had nerve damage in his back and couldn't control his bowels.

Grendel and Williams did a number of community appearances while they recovered from their injuries. Last April, Grendel was retired but was able to continue living with Williams and his family.

Williams says Grendel is entitled to a funeral with full honors, but the family has opted to keep it private.

Grendel will be buried with his favorite tennis ball in Rienzi Cemetery's Pet Cemetery where other police dogs have been buried.

(Additional reporting from KFIZ in Fond du Lac).

WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - A New London woman has been ordered to spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, the victim's birthday and the anniversary of a fatal OWI crash behind bars for the next nine years.

That's the sentenced handed down Wednesday by Waupaca County Judge Raymond Huber to 40-year-old Heather Schmidt.

Schmidt was behind the wheel of her vehicle and drunk, when she crossed the center line and struck 18-year-old Dylan Thorne's car head-on in July 2012.

Prosecutors did not file charges against Schmidt until March 2014.

Schmidt pled no contest to a count of homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle back in August. Prosecutors dropped a second count of homicide by use of a motor vehicle with a prohibited alcohol content in exchange.

She was sentenced to one year in jail with work-release privileges - but the last 5 weeks will be spent as noted above. Schmidt will also spend 10 years on probation.

REDGRANITE, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities in Waushara County say they're recommending charges against a Redgranite man for running a meth lab.

Earlier this month, sheriff's deputies were tipped off about the meth lab at a home in the 1800 block of Renee Street. Then on Monday, state criminal investigation agents raided that home and found several items used to make meth.

The 28-year-old man is already in jail for a previous case and has not been formally charged in this meth bust.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay police officer was able to save a man's life this week after the department provided Narcan training last week.

The Green Bay P.D. partnered with St. Vincent Hospital to provide Narcan training to its patrol officers in an effort to address the increase in opioid-related overdoses.

Narcan is an emergency treatment that can be administered with an intranasal auto-injector to someone who has overdosed on heroin or other opioids.

Police were called on Tuesday to a west side parking lot for a report of a possible heroin overdose. 

Upon arrival, Officer Mallory Meves found a 23-year-old man unconscious in a vehicle. She quickly recognized the signs of drug use and administered Narcan.

The man was then rushed to a hospital where he's expected to make a full recovery.

TOWN OF POUND, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities in Marinette County say one person has died in a vehicle versus deer crash.

The Marinette County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened on Highway 64 in the Town of Pound around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

No other information has been released.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The special "G-Line" bus route which ran from downtown Green Bay to the Lambeau Field area has been halted.

The two-month trial period began July 22, and Green Bay Metro Transit Director Patty Kiewiz says the service was halted within the last week.

When they launched the service, there were no expectations or projections on ridership levels given. Kiewiz says total ridership for the 2 months was about 4,000 people.

"We do consider it a success. Since we are into the football season it has been decided that we will meet in spring to discuss the service going forward as the area is developed," Kiewiz told Fox 11.

The free bus ran Monday-Saturday every 30 minutes with stops from Cabela's & Lambeau Field on Lombardi Avenue, up Broadway, to Downtown Green Bay. It ended at the metro transit center.

The city and Packers split the cost of the service.

TOWN OF MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Local and state officials are asking Governor Scott Walker to call a special Legislative session to address Wisconsin's transportation budget.

On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced that the completion date of the Highway 10/441 project in Winnebago County has been pushed back two years. Now, the $482 million expansion plan and reconstruction of that highway will happen in 2022.

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson called a press conference Thursday to call for the project to be completed on time due to the major traffic delays that impact drivers in the Fox Valley.

State Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) issued a statement, saying she has sent a letter to Governor Walker urging him to call for a special session to approve additional funding for the 5 road projects being halted statewide.

The DOT identified the five projects for delays because they weren't slated to be completed in the 2015-17 biennium, DOT spokeswoman Peg Schmitt said in an email Tuesday to The AP. She said the agency anticipates asking for some additional borrowing authority "at some point," though she didn't elaborate.

The GOP gave DOT the ability to request an additional $350 million from the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee. The agency hasn't asked for the additional borrowing authority, and Senate Republicans say they're reluctant to grant the request if it comes.

Fox Valley Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature, including State Rep. Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah), urge the DOT to request some additional money.

Rohrkaste, who voted in support of the budget, says they were assured through the budget process that the 10/441 project was a top priority.

Nelson urges Fox Valley residents to call the governor's office and their local lawmakers to show their support for keeping the project on time.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Green Bay have arrested three men and a boy accused of stealing a vehicle and going on a robbery spree.

Police indicate the 4 arrested are the main people involved in the crimes, but continue to look for two people connected with the robberies.

20-year-old Dearie Cole and 19-year-old Tyrone Turner, both of Green Bay, along with 19-year-old Maxwell Esser of Madison and a 16-year-old boy were arrested. The 3 adults made probable cause appearances in Brown County Court Thursday and have yet to be formally charged.

Cole and Esser are each being held on $150,000 bail, while Turner's bail was set at $75,000.

The group are accused of 5 robberies on Monday, two of them happening that morning and 3 during the Packers game.

According to prosecutors, the first robbery happened on Farlin Avenue around 5 a.m. The victim told police he had his cell phone and about $250 taken from him.

The second heist took place on N. Baird Street around 7 a.m. The victim there told police 2 men entered his home, pinned him down with a gun and stole his wallet.

Next, the suspects' third robbery happened on the corner of N. Irwin Street and Smith Street around 8:50 a.m. The male victim told police 2 men knocked him off his bike and stole about $150 from him.

Prosecutors say a female victim claimed 2 men stole her purse and phone as she was leaving her home to go to work. That happened on S. Maple Avenue around 9:30 p.m.

The final robbery happened outside the McDonalds on Radisson Street around 9:45 p.m. Authorities say a man told police 2 guys hit him in the face and stole his wallet.

The Green Bay Police Department says they were able to track down the suspects partly through the stolen vehicle they were driving. That vehicle was stolen in Madison and 2 of the suspects drove it to Green Bay.

CHILTON, WI (WTAQ) - Law enforcement officials say a 14-year-old Georgia boy is suspected of causing a "swatting" incident in Chilton back in May.

On May 27 around 10:30 p.m., authorities were called to a home on Madison Street in Chilton. A man living at the home says someone called police claiming he was in the home and had shot his wife. Before they arrived, authorities tried calling the house several times, but the residents say they had disconnected their phone after getting repeated calls from someone requesting personal information.

Authorities eventually realized the call was a hoax after a SWAT team surrounded the house for several hours. This type of hoax is commonly referred to a "swatting".

The FBI, along with federal investigators in Georgia, spent several months looking into this and it led them to the teenager. He's also suspected of making similar calls in Georgia.

Officials says that Georgia state law prohibits them from releasing any information on the boy. He's been referred to juvenile authorities.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police say they received a call Friday morning that referenced a possible bear sighting on the city's west side.

The caller reported possibly seeing a black bear in the area of Ferndale Drive and Dancing Dunes Drive around 4 a.m.

Officers responded to the area, but could not locate a bear. They also didn't receive any more calls about possible sightings.

As a precaution, schools in that area were notified to enhance their safety.

While there is no immediate concern for public safety, residents in the area should be careful during periods of darkness or in wooded areas.

Authorities say if you see a bear, call 911 and don't approach it. Bears in urban areas can be nervous or easily spooked, making their behavior unpredictable.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Packers' officials say their proposed Titletown District has had such a strong reception, that it might expand.

It was only a month-and-a-half ago when the Packers unveiled plans for a four-star Kohler hotel, commercial space, townhouses, and a public plaza west of Lambeau Field where a K-Mart used to be.

Packers' vice president Ed Policy says there's been strong interest in both the townhouses and the 180,000 square feet of proposed commercial development. 30 to 50 townhouses were originally planned, but Policy says the number may grow to 70.

When it was first announced, Packers' president Mark Murphy said one of its main goals was to keep younger people in the Green Bay area.

The team's initial investment could reach $130 million. Murphy now says a specialty grocery store could go next to the townhouses.

Documents have been filed with the village of Ashwaubenon. If approved, the plaza and anchor facilities could be ready for the start of the 2017 Packer season.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay man charged with taking photos of undressed women at a tanning salon may have taken similar photos and videos at other locations.

Earlier this week, the Brown County Sheriff's Department said 28-year-old Christopher Caley is facing charges of invasion of privacy and representations depicting nudity.

Sheriff's officials indicate they've uncovered "a vast amount" of videos, photos and other digital evidence on devices, some dating back to 2011, belonging to Caley.

According to investigators, Caley secretly recorded women while he was having sex with them, or while they were undressing or showering at what appeared to be his home.

Caley apparently met women through online dating services like Tinder and Plenty of Fish. He claimed to own tanning salons and also claimed to be a modeling agent.

Anyone who suspects she may be a victim is asked to contact Sgt. Zak Holschbach, preferably by email at Holschbach_zm@co.brown.wi.us. Investigators are asking potential victims to include their full name, date of birth and a phone number where they can be contacted. They are also asked to be patient as investigators work to identify numerous potential victims.

Anyone with information on the case can also call the sheriff's office at (920) 448-4230.

HOBART, WI (WTAQ) - For the second day in a row, authorities in Brown County responded to calls about a bear sighting.

Around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department says they got reports of a bear running in traffic on South Pine Road, near the intersection of Florist Drive.

An officer arrived just after the bear entered a field, but was later located. The bear wandered through several fields, about 100 yards west of S. Pine Tree Road.

The cop lost track of the bear when it went into a cornfield near S. Pine Tree Road and Cyrus Drive.

The bear was then spotted a second time around 1:40 a.m. as it headed south across Fernando Drive.

It entered a wooded area and has not been seen since.

On Friday morning, Green Bay police got a report of a possible bear sighting in the area of Ferndale Drive and Dancing Dunes Drive on the city's west side.

If you see a bear-- you are urged to stay away from it, and call 911 right away.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - It's another great weekend to view Wisconsin's fall colors.

Travel Wisconsin.Com says places in the far north have still not reached their peaks for red, yellow, and orange leaves.

That peak normally occurs by the end of September, but places in Douglas and Iron counties are at 80 to 90 percent of peak at the most. That's due to a generally warm season.

Much of the state's mid-section is at 30 to 50 percent, in spots that normally peak by now.

In southern Wisconsin, many places are 20 to 30 percent. Platteville is the least colorful, at 15 percent.

The National Weather Service says we can expect a drastic warmup this weekend. Highs may not reach 60 in many places Friday afternoon -- but a warm air mass could drive readings up to 80 by Sunday.

The National Weather Service says La Crosse had its last 80 degree day on October 1st. The latest day on record for 80 in La Crosse is November 1st of 1933.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)