Wautoma, WI (WTAQ) - A registered sex offender who cut off his monitoring bracelet - and was later arrested in Nevada - now faces charges for the incident.

Lloyd Pitzen was charged Tuesday with "tampering with a GPS tracking device" in Waushara County, according to online court records.

No court date is listed.

Pitzen allegedly cut off his bracelet Dec. 4 and left a state-operated transitional home in Wautoma. Federal authorities arrested him five days later in Mesquite, Nevada.

He was convicted of violating the sex registry rules on at least three other occasions, according to online court records.

Pitzen was banned from the Neenah Library in 2010 after he was found inappropriately touching himself in the youth section.

Oshkosh, WI (WTAQ) - Additional charges - including two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and felony murder - were filed Wednesday against the suspect in a Neenah standoff.

Brian Flatoff is now also charged with taking hostages, false imprisonment, and an additional count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to online court records.

Flatoff appeared in court Monday on the original charges, when his defense team requested a competency hearing.

Court officials are checking to determine if a psyhiatric review for a similar request in another case can be used in this case.

His next court date is currently scheduled for Jan. 25.

Flatoff allegedly went to a friend's house on Dec. 5.

According to the criminal complaint Flatoff and his friend were up Friday night into Saturday morning drinking. The friend told police Flatoff was so drunk, at one point he fell down, hitting his head. She said Flatoff threatened her with a handgun and shot a hole in her wall.

Later, he went to the Eagle Nation Cycles shop in attempt to get back a motorcycle he had sold, where a standoff ensued.

After Flatoff gave police one minute to meet with someone or else he would start shooting hostages, Neenah police decided to have officers enter the business.

The attempted homicide counts are for shots Flatoff allegedly fired at Officer Jonathan Kuffle and Officer Craig Hoffer.

Hoffer was struck in the helmet, but survived.

One man, M.L. Funk, was shot and killed upon exiting the store.

Flatoff is charged with felony murder for Funk's death, as the death was allegedly triggered by Flatoff's crime of false imprisonment, the complaint states.

According to the complaint:

"Officer Berna heard several gun shots from that direction then observed a man, later positively identified as Michael L. Funk, exit the rear door of Eagle Nation Cycles. Officer Berna saw that Funk had a silver handgun in his hands. Officer Berna heard officers yell, "Police, show me your hands," or, "police drop the gun". Officer Berna said Funk moved while still holding the gun in a manner that caused officers to fear for their safety. Officer Berna said that the police officers behind him then fired at Funk. Officer Berna observed Funk fall to the ground," it states.

The state Dept. of Criminal Investigation is reviewing the actions of police officers at the scene.

Two hostages left inside the building - Ryan Moderson and Michael Peterson - were allowed to leave after phone negotiations between police and Flatoff.

"Eventually, after continued contacts with the negotiators, the defendant agreed to put his gun down and come outside. At that time, deputies of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office took the defendant into custody without incident," the complaint states.

For the conspiracy to commit homicide count, the complaint alleges Flatoff had Moderson call Vance Dalson, the motorcycle's original owner, to get him to cycle shop, although Moderson "was able to quietly tell Dalton to call the police and that the defendant had a gun."

Later, Flatoff told police the motorcycle was the motivation for the incident.

"(Flatoff) admitted that the dispute today was as a result of his motorcycle being stolen from him. The defendant said that Vance Dalton posted a $3000 bond for him in his open Outagamie County case and then told the defendant that he would have to pay him $8000 to get his motorcycle back. The defendant stated that he considered this a theft of his motorcycle and that, "I have every intention of killing him," referring to Dalton. The defendant said that when he went to recover his motorcycle from Eagle Nation Cycles on this day he "snapped" when he saw his motorcycle on a lift, partially disassembled and partially re-painted," the complaint states.

With the addition of four bailjumping charges, Flatoff now faces a total of 16 charges.

Manitowoc, WI (WTAQ) - Meijer Stores has offered to purchase part of the Manitowoc County-owned Expo property - a plan which includes removal of the grandstand and racetrack.

According to documents provided by County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer, Meijer would purchase 27.5 acres of property for $4.6 million.

The sale wouldn't close until after Sept. 15, 2016, allowing stock car racing to continue for one more season. After that, the grandstand and racetrack would be removed. 

Parking would be moved to other locations on the Expo grounds.

Revenues from the sale would be used for Expo grounds, Ziegelbauer said.

"This endowment will be a special fund and provide long term financial viability for the Expo in the current location," states the information provided to county supervisors.

The Public Property Committee and the Finance Committee have been briefed on the offer already, with the Expo Board to consider it at their next meeting, his letter states.

Meijer has previously announced plans to build stores in Grand Chute, Howard and Bellevue.

Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - Police have cancelled the Amber Alert for missing 9-year-old Donovin Johnston.   

Details have not been released, but police do say the boy is safe and a suspect is in custody.

Police say Donovin's mother, Connie Smiley, is suspected of taking him during the night Tuesday, between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. against court order.

Police say she is suspected to be mentally ill and previously spoke about harming her child.

Officials say Smiley, 33, is living out of her car which is a 2003 blue Kia Rio, four-door sedan, with the licence plate number 228-WYF.

Smiley is described as white, 5'4'' tall, 110 pounds, black hair and brown eyes.

Donovin is described as white, 4'9'' tall, 90 pounds, light brown hair and blue eyes.

Police believe she could be travelling toward Watertown.

Kohler, WI (WTAQ)  - The strike is over at Kohler Company with employees ratifying a new four-year contract.  

The United Auto Workers Local 833 members were on strike for 32 days, and 91-percent voted in favor of the new labor deal.  

“We are pleased that our associates have ratified a contract that provides them with increased pay, enhanced benefits and a fair compensation package," Kohler CEO David Kohler said in a statement Wednesday night. "Most important, we welcome our associates back to work, where together, we will continue to work hard to exceed our customers’ expectations.”

The new contract includes improved pension benefits, higher wages and minimizes rising health care costs.  

"We worked very hard to reach an agreement that addresses all of the key areas crucial to the future of our members," said UAW Local 833 President Tim Tayloe.

The company managed to keep its two-tier wage system in place, but the pay gap has been narrowed between newly-hired workers and those who have been on the job for years.

Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - After some emotional debate the Brown County Board has voted to change the name of the county's largest airport.  

Austin Straubel International Airport now becomes Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport.

The move to put Green Bay in the name is an effort to make the airport easier for out of state travelers and business to make the connection.  

Austin Straubel was a World War Two hero from Green Bay.  

At Wednesday's County Board meeting, veterans spoke about the need to remember those who've made the ultimate scarifice for our freedom.

One Supervisor planned to introduce legislation that would ban future boards from ever removing Straubel's name from the facility.

The name change still needs approval from the FAA....a formality that's expected to take 6 to 9 months.

Fond du Lac, WI (WTAQ) - It’s official, a violent sex offender from Milwaukee County won’t be placed in the Town of Eldorado.

A Milwaukee County judge Wednesday accepted the state’s Department of Health Services request to withdraw its request to place 51-year-old Clint Rhymes in a residence in the Town of Eldorado.

Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney was at the hearing and calls it a victory for town residents and those who were opposed to the placement.

The uproar began a few weeks ago when a Milwaukee County official wanted to make sure Rhymes wasn't released back into the community there, and should be re-settled in Fond du Lac County. 

Now, two Republican lawmakers who represent Fond du Lac County say they're working on changes to state law to keep more registered sex offenders in their own counties.

Michael Schraa says he and Rick Gudex hope to get a bill written and passed this Legislative session, but it would have to happen rather quickly. The Legislature plans to finish its 2016 work in early April.

Oshkosh, WI (WTAQ) - An Oshkosh woman was killed in a crash this morning (Thursday).

Oshkosh police say they were called to a report of a vehicle on fire in the 1700 block of Maricopa Drive, just after 2 a.m.

Oshkosh police and an off-duty Winnebago County sheriff's deputy arrived and pulled the 28-year-old woman out of the vehicle.

She was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

No one else was in the vehicle.

Investigation showed the woman was headed north on Maricopa Drive when her vehicle went off the road and hit a tree.

Police say they believe alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

Town of Winneconne, WI (WTAQ) - Two people were killed in a fire in Winnebago County.

Sheriff's officials say crews were called to 5565 Crystal Ct. in the Town of Winneconne just after 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Deputies found the house engulfed in flames.

Once firefighters put the fire out and got inside, they found the bodies of two people.

Officials say they are still working to identify the victims and notify relatives.

The State Fire Marshal's Office has been called in to investigate.

Waushara County, WI (WTAQ) - A hunter who fatally shot another hunter in Waushara County could not see the victim through dense foliage.

That's the conclusion of sheriff's officials, the state Department of Natural Resources and the Waushara County district attorney, who say the 23-year-old Oshkosh man who fired the fatal shot will not face charges.

Gregory Welk of Mount Morris was shot just before sunset Nov. 23 while he hunted on his land.

The 56-year-old was able to call 911 and gave investigators some information before he died at the hospital. Welk was hunting on his own land, which is across the road from public hunting land.

He was wearing orange clothes, the sheriff's department says.

There was no evidence to indicate that the shooting was intentional or criminal, investigators say.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)— Two cats are dead after an overnight fire in Green Bay.

The fire broke out shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday on 12th Avenue, on the city's west side.

Officials say the fire started in a first floor bedroom.

No one was home when the fire started.

A person living there came home and found the fire showing from a window.

Two people were displaced.

The fire caused about $40,000 in damage.

Marinette County, WI (WTAQ) - You may have seen them dotting the landscape across the Northwoods, but fire observation towers will soon be a thing of the past.

Since the 1930s, the lookouts have been in service across much of the northern part of the state.

Next year they will all be retired.

"The towers are no longer structurally safe for personnel to be in, and the cost of replacement is prohibitive," said Jennifer Sereno, DNR Spokesperson.

State forestry leaders say it would cost about $25 million to replace all 72 towers.

"In terms of how much it would cost to either restoring them, of maintaining them moving forward, or in some cases replacing them, the money is better spent elsewhere," said Sereno.

The DNR says it will still watch for smoke and fire throughout the seasons, just not in towers.

They'll use airplanes instead.

"We will be investing money saved from taking the towers out of service, into our flight program," said Sereno.

The DNR says the population has grown in the Northwoods over the years, and many of those people have cell phones.

"Today, well over 90% of the forest fires that occur in our state are reported by citizens, and we recognize the change was needed," said Sereno.

So what's the future of the towers? The DNR says there is no timeline, but one thing is certain, all 72 towers will be closed in the Spring.

Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - Bond is set at $100,000 for the woman, who police say took her son against a court order, leading to an Amber Alert.

Wood County sheriff's deputies say police were told 9-year-old Donovin Johnston was believed to have been taken by his mother, Connie Smiley.

Information led police to an address in the Town of Saratoga.

A patrol captain with the Wood County Sheriff's Department say they believe the people in the home are friends of the mother.

"They didn't appear to have any involvement with the kidnapping. They were just friends helping her out with a place to stay, and once the Amber Alert came out, they provided some information that was helpful to us," said patrol captain Shawn Becker.

Johnston was found inside the residence, too, and was turned over to his legal guardians.

The 33 year old Smiley was arrested without incident.

Officials are recommending charges of interfering with child custody.

Smiley is expected to be brought back to Brown County.

Wild Rose, WI (WTAQ) -The weather outside hasn't been frightful, but that doesn't mean one northeast Wisconsin ski area is going to stay closed. .....the plan is for a Saturday opening.

Now that the temps have dropped, the people at Nordic Mountain in Wild Rose have the snow machines fired up.

Rick Schmitz is Nordic Mountain's owner.

About 45 guns are working to make snow and get the powder over as many of the trails as they can.

He says the weather issues we've been going through means this has been the toughest open he's seen in his 11 years.

The target is to have 20 inches of snow on the ground by the end of the weekend.

Normally, there's some natural snow on the ground by now...not to this point though.

Schmitz says they've had some years when they've been open in early to mid-November.

The week between Christmas and New Year's is usually one of their busiest.

Schmitz is optimistic they'll have all the trails open then.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) — A man is in critical condition after a crash in Grand Chute Friday night.

It happened around 11:20 p.m. in the 2600 block of W. Grand Chute Blvd.

Officials say the vehicle left the roadway and drove into a retention pond on the west side of Lynndale Drive.

Two people were able to get out of the vehicle, which was submerged in about 5 feet of water.

The 30-year-old driver of the vehicle was trapped inside.

Fire crews were able to rescue him, and his dog, from the vehicle.

He was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

The two passengers of the vehicle were treated for hypothermia.

The Outagamie Co. Sheriff's Department pulled the vehicle out of the retention pond with the help of its dive team.

Oakland, CA (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers won their third-straight game Sunday, topping the Raiders 30-20 at Oakland County Coliseum.

Finding new ways to win each week, the Green and Gold used a passing, rushing and defensive touchdown to top a much improved Oakland team.

With the victory, the Packers clinched a playoff berth and improved to 10-4 on the season.

Green Bay took a 14-13 lead into halftime thanks to two interceptions by Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.

Micah Hyde's turnover set up a 5-yard John Kuhn touchdown before Damarious Randall's pick-six gave the Packers a two-score advantage early.

In the third quarter, after the Raiders took a 20-17 lead, Aaron Rodgers found James Jones for the go-ahead 30-yard touchdown catch.

From there, the Packers chipped in two field goals from Mason Crosby to move to 3-0 in December.

The Packers travel to Arizona next Sunday to play the Cardinals.

TOWN OF NEW DENMARK, WI (WTAQ)- Fire fighters responded to a house fire Saturday night in the Town of New Denmark.

Officers arrived at 48-64 County Highway R around 10 p.m.

Fire Chief Dave Bielinski says there were three adults and a dog inside the home when the fire began.

The residents escaped without injuries however the dog perished in the fire.

The Red Cross is aiding the three residents that were displaced.

Chief Bielinski believes the home is a total loss.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

 Mairnette, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin's last Powerball jackpot winner has pleaded not guilty to ten charges accusing him of stalking and endangering a teenage girl hired as a house-cleaner from his winnings.

Forty-nine year old Douglas Miron of Marinette is due back in Marinette County Circuit Court March third, where he's expected to seek a new location for a possible trial.

Prosecutors say Miron stalked the girl and broke into her home, pointed a gun at a couple, and committed perjury in a John Doe proceeding -- all from 2011 through last year.

Miron won 31-million dollars and netted around eleven-million from a Powerball cash-option in 2009, and nobody from Wisconsin has won a jackpot in that game since.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - The Manitowoc Police Department is looking for information in connection with a hit and run.

The accident happened around 10:30 p.m. Sunday on Calumet Avenue, by McDonald's.

Police say a 27-year-old Manitowoc man was walking near McDonald's when he was struck by a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee (or similar make).

Police say the vehicle could have damage to the front, drivers' side of the vehicle.

The 27-year-old didn't need medical attention.

Anyone with information can call Manitowoc Police at (920) 686-6551.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Winter is officially here, but it sure doesn't feel like it, and it may be a while before it feels any differently.

Meteorologist Richard Mamrosh with the National Weather Service in Green Bay says these temperatures we've been feeling are unusual but we have seen them before.

"In the late 90's we had a couple of winters where we really didn't get any snow until Christmas Eve.  It's similar to that but I think this winter is even milder," says Mamrosh.

The latest date for an inch of snow is sometime in mid January, so if we make it until then, it would be a record.  

Mamrosh says the warmer temperatures we are feeling is a result of El Nino because all the cold air is bottled up in Canada and we keep getting storms coming in from the Pacific. 

If you're looking for snow, real snow, Mamrosh suggests heading to another state, at least for now.

"There's been a pretty good snow cover across the Dakotas and probably the northern half of Minnesota.  There's been a ton of snow over the Rockies, so if people want to go skiing out there, that would be a great place to go,"  Mamrosh says.

If we're lucky, we could see a dusting of snow on Christmas night.