MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Tax season is upon us and state consumer protection officials want to make sure that you're not scammed by the folks entrusted with helping you file.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says there are 2 issues which stand out when preparing to file your tax return.

The first is make sure you have all your necessary documents and the second is to find a company you can trust to help file your taxes.

"By and large, Wisconsin tax preparation businesses are legitimate and provide an extremely valuable service to consumers," says Division Administrator for Trade and Consumer Protection Frank Frassetto. "A handful of shady businesses pop up each year, however, collecting personal information under false pretenses or secretly filing customer's tax returns and stealing from the refund."

Officials say a common type of tax and loan scam involves tax preparation businesses filing returns on behalf of consumers without their consent. These businesses initially solicit the consumers with a promise of providing short-term loans and then pocket exorbitant fees from the tax refunds they file in the consumer's name.

According to DATCP, some tips to avoid becoming a victim include:

• Be alert to promotions such as "holiday loans" or other short-term loans that can be used to gain the personal financial information needed to file an individual's tax return.
• Be careful providing personal financial information to a business unless you want the preparer to file your taxes. Make sure you provide clear direction and that the company specifically advises you on whether they intend to file your tax return.
• Never sign an authorization permitting a company to file your taxes if you don't want the company to do so.
• Never sign a document without first reading and understanding what it says.
• Always insist upon receiving copies of all documents that you are required to sign or that identify the terms of a transaction and the charges you will be required to pay. Confirm, before signing, that you will receive copies. If a business does not agree to provide copies, don't sign.

Officials also want anyone suspecting fraudulent activity to file a complaint with DATCP. Complaints can be filed online through the DATCP website or a complaint form can be requested by calling Wisconsin's Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.

Appleton, WI (WTAQ) - After more than 20 hours of being stranded on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in a snow storm, a group of about 150 students and chaperones from the Green Bay Diocese returned home to Wisconsin.

"The snow storm really wasn't that bad, I mean it's all just how you look at it," said Mason Dreger, a student on the trip. 

The group arrived at St. Pius X Parish in Appleton, just before 10 a.m. Sunday.

The group was on its way back from Washington, D.C. after taking part in a March for Life event when they became stranded.

"We had some snowball fights, made a few snowmen,and just the conversations that we had was probably the best part about it," Dreger said. 

Maria Schuette, Religious Education Youth Ministry Director for the Green Bay Diocese, said the group left a day earlier than planned in an effort to beat the winter storm.

She said they became stranded on the turnpike when a crash ahead of them blocked traffic.

She added the students made the best of a bad situation.

"We had a great time just being able to do service for our neighbor, and bringing water and food and joy and heat to the people around us," Schuette said. 

The National Guard was able to clear the roads by Saturday night so traffic could start moving.

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Madison, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Department of Justice says a witness lacked credibility, so it's not going to charge the trouble-plagued former Calumet County district attorney. 

However, the Office of Lawyer Regulation found merit in the sexual allegation against Ken Kratz and cited him for two ethics violations in an 11-count complaint. 

Kratz resigned in October 2010 after it came to light he had sent 30 sexually-charged text messages to a crime victim. 

In this case, the woman who accused Kratz of sexual misconduct has been treated for mental illness and had three previous convictions for making false representations. 

Kratz has become more visible in the media of late since the release of the Netflix series "Making a Murderer".   He was the prosecutor in the case that sent Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey to prison for the 2005 murder of Teresa Hallbach.

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Grand Chute, WI (WTAQ) - No one was hurt after an overnight armed robbery in Grand Chute.

It happened around 2:30 this morning (Monday) at the La Quinta Inn and Suites on College Avenue.

The suspect showed a black semi-automatic handgun and got away with some cash.

Suspect Description:

White man

5'10" to 6' tall

285-300 lbs.

In mid 30s to early 40s

Wearing blue jeans, black shoes with orange soles, a red hoodie with the words "True Blood".

Anyone with information is asked to call the Grand Chute Police Department at (920) 832-1575.

New York, NY (WTAQ) - Stuck in the middle of an historic snowstorm in New York City....some Bay Port High School students will have very unique Big Apple stories to tell when they get home.

Excited over the chance to perform in concert at New York's famed Carnegie Hall, members of the Bay Port High School choir rolled into town on Friday...just hours before a major snowstorm hit. Michael Pufall is the choir director at Bay Port.

"we got here and we're safe. everything is in walking distance for us. so, we haven't seen our bus since we got dropped here on Friday"

He says they've been making the most of their visit on foot. Getting around to see the sights they can, enjoying a snowball fight in Times Square and sliding down the hill in Central Park.

But, because their hotel is directly across the street from Carnegie Hall, they've been able to keep on their schedule for rehearsals and co-coordinating things in preparation for the concert

By Sunday, plows were beginning to clean the streets. And while things are starting to get back to normal, student Eric Hess says there's still challenges.

"because the plows have all come through now, there's huge snowbanks next to the sidewalks. so, everytime you try and cross the road there's tons of slush and 3 foot high snowbanks"

Snowbanks or not, The Bay Port choir will perform at Carnegie Hall tonight ...and, if they can find their bus, begin the trip back to Green Bay first thing tomorrow morning (TUE). If the roads are good and Mother Nature doesn't toss them another snowball, they should be back home by late Tuesday night.

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay man is facing charges of repeated sexual assault of a child.

55-year-old Ronald R. Johnson is accused of sexually abusing his 14-year-old niece multiple times.

According to the criminal complaint, the alleged victim told a woman from Willow Tree Child Advocacy Center that, "my uncle..he touched me."

The girl says that this touching began after her father died in July 2013.

The girl recalls being with Johnson at Bay Beach in the summer of 2014, then leaving to go clean his house. Just the two of them cleaned all but the bathroom and he paid her $10. 

She was going to leave when, "he pushed her to the ground in the living room. He pushed her on her chest, on to her back and started touching her under her clothes, under her underwear. Johnson touched her with 2 fingers wiggling on her private part."

The girl was asked to clarify what part, and she said "where baby comes out." 

The 14-year-old then told Johnson to stop, he did and she went home. Johnson told her not to tell anybody. 

The alleged victim says similar incidents have occurred about 10 times. 

Despite some hesitation, the girl talked about another time she was with "Uncle Ronnie" visiting someone that lived far way. They took his truck and returned to his apartment on Division Street. 

The complaint states, "She tried calling mom but he took her phone and hid it. He pushed her down on the couch and toucher her where babies come out."

"It was horrible," the girl says, while also describing Johnson making her stay, blocking the two exit doors with dressers. Johnson pushed her down on the couch so she was laying on her back, while he knelt on the floor next to her.

At the time, the girl was wearing jogging pants and a t-shirt with underwear. He then, "used his hand under her clothes, under her underwear playing with where the baby comes out and touching her boobs on top of her clothes. A friend knocked on the door and he stopped. She snuck out while he was talking with the friend."

Another time, the girl says, happened when she started 8th grade. Johnson alleged wanted to, "put his mouth on her privacy part and she said no. Ronnie got mad and left the apartment."

The complaint goes on to reveal that copies of text messages from the girl's phone were obtained. The girl tried telling her mom about the "touching her where babies come out, around her 14th birthday with Ronnie present but her mom believed Ronnie who denied it happened."

The mom also allegedly said, "Stop yelling and crying."

The complaint also states that the woman from Willow Tree spoke with the girl's mother and questioned her about the text messages. "She confirmed it was Ronnie messaging her calling from September 11 calling her Slutty Rapist, and then wanting to pay for her to get her ears pierced."

If convicted of the Class C felony, Johnson faces up to 40 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

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EPHRAIM, WI (WTAQ) - A Door County village that's been dry for 162 years will have two April referendums on whether to change that.

Ephraim, north of Fish Creek along the Bay of Green Bay, will ask residents whether to let beer be sold, and whether wine can be sold in restaurants in a community that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel calls the only alcohol-free place left in the Badger State.

Hugh Mulliken petitioned for the votes, saying it could promote additional business in the village of 300 full-time residents.

But an Ephraim Historical Foundation member, Tony Beadell, says allowing alcohol would remove what he calls "the collective wisdom of thousands of villagers overs multiple generations."

Ephraim is best known for its 109-year-old Wilson's ice cream parlor along the bay on Highway 42.

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(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton police say a man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing his brother in the chest.

Officers were called just after 1 a.m. Sunday to an apartment in the 1800 block of E. Robin Way.

The brothers had been drinking at a restaurant when they started to argue, according to police. After they were kicked out of the restaurant, they went back to the suspect's apartment.

Police say the argument escalated when the 21-year-old victim and several others refused to leave the apartment. While trying to chase the people out, 29-year-old Long Thao stabbed his brother with a long kitchen knife.

Authorities say Thao was arrested without incident and officers found the knife at the apartment.

The victim was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, but police say he's expected to survive.

Police are recommending charges of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, aggravated battery, and disorderly conduct, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia against Thao.

He has not yet been formally charged.

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A fire at a Green Bay home on Monday morning kills four cats.

Green Bay Metro Fire crews were called at 9:41 a.m. to the two-story house at 516 Hilltop Drive.

Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke and flames at the front of the home. One resident was home at the time and got out safely.

Crews say the fire was put out in about 10 minutes. Officials believe the fire started in the first floor living room.

Damage is estimated at $150,000. No word yet on a cause.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - No one was hurt after an electrical fire at a Green Bay apartment Monday morning.

The Green Bay Metro Fire Department was called to an east side apartment building on Cherry Street just after 8 a.m.

Firefighters saw the unit closest to the fire had a working smoke detector that did sound, but it was improperly sitting on top of a refrigerator.

Crews says the cause of the blaze was electrical wiring in the attic.

Officials say 10 residents were displaced and the fire caused about $20,000 in damage.

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - One of the Shawano men involved in a gunfight earlier this month will stand trial.

In court Monday, Tony Brunker pleaded not guilty in the January 4 incident. Brunker is due back in court March 8.

According to prosecutors, the altercation stemmed from a dispute between Brunker and a group of people at a downtown bar. At that time, the rear window of Brunker's pickup truck was broken out.

Later police say the 23-year-old Brunker drove past a home on Richmond Street, when he and Anthony Thomas began shooting at each other. Thomas told police he fired first, according to the criminal complaint.

No one was injured.

Meantime, Thomas returns to court for the balance of his initial appearance on February 1.

Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - While not approaching the level of snow the east coast was hit with over the weekend, northeast Wisconsin is waking up to 4' to 5' of fresh snow.  It's causing traffic challenges too.

Interstate-41, at the Brown - Outagamie County line, was closed for hours in in the southbound lanes. That's in the Wrightstown area at County Road U.

That was after a small car crashed into a jack-knifed semi.  Amazingly, no injuries reported from that crash.  It did take a couple of hours to untangle the vehicles.

Law enforcement reports slick stretches on the roads in cities, towns and rural areas.  They're asking drivers to slow down and give yourself extra time to get to your destination.

Also, a number of school districts in the region are also reporting 2 hour delays because of the slow going on the highways.

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Town of Marshfield, WI (WTAQ) - A large wind farm in Fond du Lac County is causing concerns for some local residents.

It'll be the focus of a county health department meeting next week.

The wind turbines have been standing tall in the Town of Marshfield for the past eight years.

Since then, neighbors Elizabeth Ebertz and Joan Lagerman say they've suffered a variety of health issues. They say, in part, because the noise from the wind farm keeps them up at night.

Lagerman said, "My blood pressure blew. I think it's because I'm under stress all the time. I get headaches when they're really womping."

Ebertz said, "When I do get woke up at night, I'm nauseous and I have a severe headache. And the only thing that cures that is to leave my house."

But WE Energies, who owns the turbines, says the wind farms go through extensive testing.

Brian Manthey, a WE Energies spokesperson said, "There is not a link in any peer reviewed study that would link wind turbine health to wind turbines or wind farms."

The Wind Turbines are part of WE Energies Blue Sky Green Field Energy Center. The site has 88 turbines total.

Manthey said, "They produce renewable, green energy which helps us meet the state mandate for renewable energy."

The health department's meeting is set for next week Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

It will be in Room H at the City County Government Center on Macy Street in Fond du Lac.

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Brillion, WI (WTAQ) - Some Muslim employees returned to work at Ariens Company Monday after a change in its prayer policy.

Last week, the Brillion company announced it would no longer allow Muslim employees to take unscheduled breaks to pray.

Ariens said no employees were terminated Monday as a result.

"Some employees have chosen to stay and work within the break policy, some are choosing to resign," Jessica Bedore of Ariens Company said. "We will provide an update when it is clear but we are taking this time to work with employees on an individual basis for the best possible outcome. "

The company says employees can still pray during their two scheduled breaks.

In the past, Ariens has said this policy is not an anti-Muslim thing....but a production thing.  

Ariens officials say a five-minute unscheduled break costs the company about one million dollars in production over the course of a year. 

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan is responding to people who think he isn't conservative enough.

During an exclusive interview with WTAQ's Jerry Bader, the Wisconsin Republican countered claims by some that call him a "RINO" or "Republican in Name Only".

"If you look at all the metrics used to measure a person's conservatism, I'm the most conservative Speaker," said Ryan. "More so than Newt Gingrich, Denny Hastert or John Boehner."

The Janesville-native says much of this talk is anger fueled by Internet critics.

"That's the problem with the Internet these days, you can just put urban legends out there and go crazy," Ryan said. "There is such a huge temptation among conservatives to just form a circular firing squad and just shoot away."

Ryan added that the only way to save America and win elections is to unify.

"The smarter thing to do as conservatives is to unify, calm down and go out and win converts so that we can win an election and save this country from the very dangerous path it's on," said Ryan. 

IMPROVING THE PROCESS

Speaker Ryan says he wants to improve the climate of the U.S. House, while at the same time demonstrating the importance of getting a Republican president elected in November.

"They (Freedom Caucus) don't want a Congress that bottles up the process or a leadership that concentrates power, predetermines the outcome of everything and does not give them a fair chance at legislating," Ryan said. "I'm doing that, and opening up the process. Maybe they won't win the day, but at least they have a fair chance. This is what members of the Freedom Caucus were yearning for."

Ryan also answered critics of allowing the Omnibus spending bill to get through.

"With this Congress we can get a repeal of Obamacare and a defunding of Planned Parenthood on the President's desk," said Ryan. "So we have demonstrated that even with the filibuster as it is, we can get around that and we've used the tool of reconciliation, a budget, so all we need is a Republican President. That to me is an accomplishment, that's not nothing."

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - The investigation continues into a recent string of armed robberies in the Appleton area.

Police releasing a photo of a possible suspect vehicle, and offering up to a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest in a robbery that took place on January 13th, at a Walgreens in the 700 block of West Northland Avenue.

The combination of a gun and the apparent desperation of the person, or persons, committing the crimes, raises the stakes.

"You don't know what's in their minds, and you don't know how they're going to react."

Appleton Police Sgt Dave Lund is also worried that a victim might try and take down the robber.

"Don't be a hero.....don't be that individual that's going to try and do something to that suspect to try and thwart the robbery."

As far as a motive, Lund says it could be anything from trying to support a drug habit to someone who recently lost their job and is looking for cash to pay the rent.

Lund does not believe the robberies are the work of one person, but would not rule out the possibility they may be carried out by a group working together.

People who might have information helpful to police can call Appleton PD at (920) 832-5541. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can use "text a tip". Text CRIMES (274-637) with the keyword APDTIPS at the start of your message.

The Walgreens robbery is one of a series of armed robberies in Appleton and Grand Chute in recent weeks.

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay woman is pleading not guilty to charges she stole two cakes and other items from a local grocery store in 2014.

34-year-old Brenda J. Boyd is facing two misdemeanor counts of retail theft and bail jumping, both with repeater modifiers.

According to the criminal complaint, Green Bay police were called to the Copps Food Center at 1819 Main Street on May 7, 2014, for a report of a female shoplifter who tried to walk out with a cake.

Officers arrived to find Boyd walking around the parking lot, "looking for her car and refusing to return to the store to speak with police or employees."

Eventually Boyd went back inside the store, but continued looking around the store refusing to stop to talk with either employees or police. 

An officer ordered Boyd to stop and she said, "No, I'm looking for my friend." She did later comply and was placed in handcuffs.

A search of Boyd's purse found a cookie crumb cake. Boyd told the officer that the cake wasn't from this store and she bought it at another Copps. Employees looked it over and pointed out that this Copps Food Center address was on the label. Boyd continued to deny that she stole it and that the cake was from somewhere else.

Boyd then questioned the officer about what she did wrong. The cop told Boyd she was under arrest for retail theft, after trying to walk out of the store with a cake and concealed this other cake in her purse.

Boyd told the officer that she, "had not stolen the cake and that she was just trying to walk out to her friend's car and ask them if that was the cake they wanted as they were the ones who had the money." 

She also said she didn't think she had left the store after walking out the second doors into the parking lot. Boyd added she, "had no reason to steal the cake, as it was not her birthday."

Police say, in all, Boyd allegedly took a cookie crumble cake, a one-quarter sheet cake, pumpernickel bread and hot buffalo pieces totaling $23.38.

Boyd is facing repeater enhancers to her charges after being convicted of retail theft in November 2010 and failed to comply with the terms of her bond.

Boyd returns to Brown County Circuit Court on February 11 for a pre-trial hearing. If convicted, she faces more than 5 years in prison.

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police are looking for the suspect in the armed robbery of a video store early Tuesday.

Authorities say it happened just after midnight at the Family Video, 350 Ohio Street.

Police say the robber walked into the store, pulled out a gun and got away with an unreleased amount of cash. The suspect left the store on foot, and a police search of the area failed to locate the suspect.

A description of the robber is a white man, about 5'2" or 5'3", weighing about 130 pounds. He had a blue cross tattooed on one of the fingers of his right hand.

The Oshkosh Police Department has released a surveillance image of the suspect, which were captured at a nearby store.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Dean Artus at (920) 236-5700. Anonymous tips can also be left with Winnebago County Wide Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 231-8477, by text message with the keyword IGOTYA to 274637 or online.

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay man accused of stabbing his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend will stand trial.

37-year-old Matthew Gregory will enter a plea to one count of aggravated battery on February 15.

The incident took place at a home on Oakwood Drive back on January 2. Police say Gregory and Wayne Fredich argued and scuffled, then Gregory stabbed Fredich.

Fredich suffered non-life threatening injuries.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton's Parks and Recreation Committee has unanimously endorsed a contract with a company tasked with designing and engineering a new swimming pool at Erb Park.

On Monday night, the committee recommended an $879,900 contract with MSA Professional Services. MSA beat out five other proposals studied by the committee.

"What set them apart was their overall passion and their excitement for our project," Parks, Recreation and Facilities Management Director Dean Gazza said in a news release. "They dotted every "I" and crossed every "T" and we're comfortable moving forward with them and very confident."

The contract calls for design and engineering work for a 50-meter swimming pool and redevelopment of park facilities. This recommendation now goes before the full Appleton Common Council on February 3.

A new pool at Erb Park was first discussed back in October, when Mayor Tim Hanna talked about a plant to replace the 36-year-old pool with splash pads. 

City leaders say that the pool was leaking water, as much as 20 percent of its volume per day by the end of the summer.

However, the public outcry forced the city to reconsider its plans. The common council in November approved $10.5 million for the new pool as part of the city's annual budget.

The current pool at Erb Park is set to be demolished later this year, with the goal of opening the new pool in summer of 2017.