GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County officials are looking to improve mental health services, and one way to do that is expanding their mobile crisis response. 

"Broader mobile outreach means we will continue to improve our quality of care for those with behavioral health needs in our community," said Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach at a press conference Tuesday. "This ultimately saves time, not only for the staff, but most importantly for the individual who is having a crisis situation."

An ad-hoc Mental Health Treatment Committee helped put together these ideas to address the rising need of quality mental health services in Brown County. 

The group came together to address the $1.15 million the county is pledging to help get resources to people in crisis sooner. It would be split up thusly: $350,000 will go towards a daily reporting center; $300,000 will each go towards detox and transitional residential treatment programs and $200,000 to the mobile crisis response team. It will be made up of an additional 3 full-time staffers to bring help to where the person is, instead of relying on those in crisis to seek it out.

"Our intent is that we reduce the number of movements people make, provide a more coordinated response and reduce the amount of time it takes to reduce a mental health crisis situation," said Erik Pritzl, Director of Brown County Human Services. "Our proposal is to add 90 to 100 hours of mobile crisis services each week and provide on-site mobile crisis services within 30 minutes in Brown County."

"Having somebody right there with you, and have an agency come right in the door with you, is going to be a huge asset," added Green Bay Police Department Community Officer Paul Van Handel.

IMPACT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT

While the ultimate goal is to improve response and reaction to a mental health crisis for the individual, local law enforcement say this will also help them out.

"You give that person help immediately, solve the problem so that officers are reducing the crisis that the person is having, but then also reducing our call volume so that we can get to other calls we have to deal with," said Brown County Sheriff's Department Captain Dan Sandberg. "It's also going to save us on transport time."

Officer Van Handel says they have a "Basic Needs" group which started two years ago, focusing primarily on alcohol treatment. But that needed to change.

"We quickly became aware that we couldn't solve one problem without the other," said Van Handel. "Our overall goal was really to establish a continuum of care for AODA and mental health treatment, then identify where gaps existed in current services. One of the most important gaps that was identified was intervention services, mostly in-home when people are in crisis."

IMPROVING ASSESSMENT, OUTCOMES

Counselors at the Family Services crisis center take phones calls 24 hours a day from people dealing with things like suicidal thoughts, depression, family members with concerns about loved ones, seeking out resources, or just looking to talk.

According to President and CEO Jeff Vande Leest, they had more than 25,000 contacts in the community last year. However, case workers were only able to make roughly 1,200 face-to-face contacts. Vande Leest says those in-person contacts can make a huge difference.

"Meet with individuals and families in their own environment that are experiencing crisis," explained Vande Leest, "We're much better able to assess what their needs are and to be able to look at what treatment options might be available."

This spending plan must still be approved by both the Brown County Human Services Committee and the full county board. The human services committee meets Wednesday night, while the board of supervisors is expected to take this up early next month.

Vande Leest hopes to have the 3 new, full-time staffers hired and launch the program as early as mid-March.

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Manitowoc, WI (WTAQ) - Manitowoc Police were dispatched to S.19th Street and Franklin Street around 7 last night for an armed robbery of a pizza delivery driver.

The victim told police that he was approached by two males and was asked for a light as he motioned like he was going to light a cigarette. One suspect then displayed a handgun and demanded the driver’s money. Both suspects left walking northbound.

Officers located two sets of footprints running away from the scene. As officers began following the footprints, a witness approached officers and pointed out the house the suspects ran to. The footprints led up to the front porch.

Officers surrounded the house and were assisted by Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Deputies. Officers were able to make contact with one occupant at the residence by calling on the PA system. Shortly after the renter exited, the two suspects ran from the house.

Even though a perimeter was set up the suspects were contained to that block, they refused to listen to officers’ commands to stop running.

One of the suspects was taken into custody after being tased and the other was arrested after being bit by K9 Major.

The alleged gun, cash, and delivery receipts were located inside the residence. Both Manitowoc men were arrested for Armed Robbery and Resisting Arrest, one suspect was also charged with felony Bail Jumping and a criminal warrant.

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Manitowoc, WI (WTAQ) - Supporters of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey are planning a protest in Manitowoc Friday.

Megan McGuiness is a protest organizer.

"I gather between 100 and 200 people are going out to Manitowoc County courthouse to basically, peacefully protest at 10 a.m. to show our support for Steven and Brendan" . 

McGuiness lives in Minnesota and said after watching the Netflix series "Making a Murderer" she wanted to take action.

The Manitowoc Police Captain Larry Zimney says the department has been preparing for the protest for about a month.

"We're trying to be as accommodating as possible, we realize and we respect their first amendment and constitutional right to do what they are doing".

Zimney said the department expects it to be a peaceful protest but said officers are prepared for the worst. 

"There are a lot of people in Manitowoc County that think Steven Avery is right where he needs to be, we've planned for that, so if we do get anti-activists showing up we are prepared to deal with that".

McGuiness says they want to send a message.

"A lot of us think these guys need to be heard, and maybe there can be a change in the justice system, and maybe these guys deserve another new, fair chance," said McGuiness.

Zimney said some roads will be closed during the protest, but he doesn't think it will interrupt the traffic flow.

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Appleton, WI (WTAQ) - The Appleton Public Works Department will be fixing a sinkhole today (Wednesday).

A portion of a vehicle actually sunk in the small hole around 5:30 Tuesday afternoon.

This is on Water Street, near the Atlas Coffee Mill.   No one has been injured.

There are barricades surrounding the hole.

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police say the search for a missing teen on the Fox River will resume Thursday morning.

According to a media release, a 17-year-old girl was reported missing on Tuesday. She was last seen near the Wisconsin Street Bridge.

The Winnebago County Dive Team was called in at 4:34 a.m. Wednesday and is assisting in the investigation on the Fox River.

Police said that they do not suspect foul play.

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - An Oshkosh man has died after being hit by a pickup truck Wednesday morning.

Police responded to the crash at W. 20th Avenue and Montana Street around 6:30 a.m.

Authorities say a 78-year-old man was walking north across W. 20th Ave. from Montana St. when the westbound pickup truck hit the man in the westbound lane.

The victim was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. His name has not been released pending family notification.

The driver of the truck remained at the scene.

Investigators closed down W. 20th Ave. from Ohio to Oregon Streets for about 4 hours after the crash, but the street has since re-opened.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Green Bay have arrested a 17-year-old suspect allegedly involved in a shooting Tuesday night.

Authorities say the 19-year-old victim was shot in the hand in the 700 block of Cherry Street around 6 p.m. She was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Officers on scene located the handgun used and determined the suspect is Aldridge Nathanial Nolan of Green Bay. 

Police are calling this an isolated incident and say the public is not in any danger. The victim and suspect knew each other prior to the shooting. 

If you have any information about this incident please contact the Green Bay Police Department. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime stoppers at (920) 432-STOP (7867). You may also submit a tip online at www.432stop.com. You will remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward.

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OCONTO, WI (WTAQ) - A woman has pled guilty to charges in connection with a fatal heroin overdose case.

Tiffany Gerrits of Oconto Falls was convicted Tuesday of first-degree reckless homicide in the August 2014 death of Donald Hudson.

Online court records indicate that Gerrits will be sentenced on March 24.

Prosecutors dropped charges of manufacture and possession of heroin.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A former prisoner at the Green Bay Correctional Institution is facing several charges after allegedly assaulting and spitting on workers trying to administer a court-ordered medicinal shot.

30-year-old Darnell M. Brown is charged with five felonies including battery by prisoners, prisoner throw/expel bodily substances and bail jumping.

According to the criminal complaint, Brown was taken from the "Restricted Status Housing Unit" to a "Health Services" appointment back on September 24. 

Brown was asked to sit on an examination table and spoke with a registered nurse, while being watched by 2 correctional officers. 

Brown told the nurse that he didn't want the shot and the nurse explained that the, "shot was court ordered and that he had no choice in the matter." Another jail sergeant was called into the room to help restrain Brown at that time.

The nurse explained to Brown that if he refused to take the shot, officers would have to further restrain him and tie him down so the shot could be administered, according to the complaint.

Brown replied, "No thank you," and then thrust his legs upward kicking the female nurse in the groin area forcing her backwards. The correctional officers and sergeant directed Brown onto his back on the exam table. Brown was reportedly aggressively resisting staff, as they tried rolling him onto his stomach.

At that point, Brown, "spit at a corrections officer striking her on her right eye and in her mouth." The officer turned Brown's face away from her and covered his mouth with his gloved hand. A spit mask was then put on Brown.

The officer hit with the spit washed out her eye and mouth, and then directed to go to the hospital for testing as a precaution. The other corrections officer was also spit on. The nurse, meantime, suffered bruising and pain from being kicked which lasted a week.

Brown is currently being held at Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage.

This isn't the first time Brown has faced charges for throwing or expelling bodily substances. He was convicted in Dodge County back in 2013 of that charge from an incident two years before.

Brown is due back in court on March 9 for a preliminary hearing. If convicted on all counts, Brown faces an extra 20 years in prison.

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GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - Police have arrested a man in connection with a weekend stabbing in Grand Chute.

The suspect was found on Tuesday, while police were following up on a stabbing from late Saturday night. It happened in a parking lot in the 3000 block of Green Meadow Drive.

The victim was taken to the hospital, where they were treated and released, according to authorities.

On Tuesday, police were trying to talk with a witness at a nearby apartment. Officers realized the suspect, a 28-year-old Little Chute man, had forced his way into the apartment and armed himself with a knife.

The suspect then threatened to hurt himself if the witness didn't leave with him. Officers were able to eventually arrest him without incident.

Grand Chute police are recommending charges of aggravated battery, disorderly conduct with a weapon, attempted kidnapping, intimidation of a witness, burglary and disorderly conduct.

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities say a Green Bay man has been charged in connection with the shooting death of a man on Bellevue Street.

28-year-old Antwon Corderrel Powell is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the December 3 shooting of David Shorter. Shorter was killed at a duplex.

Other charges Powell faces include first-degree recklessly endangering safety and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Green Bay police say Powell has been in custody since the day of the shooting for a probation violation.

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers have announced that head coach Mike McCarthy will not coach in this weekend's NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the team says McCarthy has a stomach illness and his doctors have advised him not to travel at this time.

Associate Head Coach/Linebackers Winston Moss will handle his head-coaching responsibilities at the Pro Bowl for the remainder of the week.

This year would've been McCarthy's 4th time coaching at the Pro Bowl, following stints in 2008, 2012 and 2013.

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SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI (WTAQ) - Police have revised reports that a 10-year-old died at Children's Hospital in Wauwatosa Wednesday, in connection with a Sheboygan Falls house fire.

Ben Maki is alive, but in critical condition.

11-year-old Natalie Maki died at Children's Hospital in Wauwatosa, and 7-year-old Carter Maki died at St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan after injuries from a house fire Tuesday night.

Natalie alerted the other children to the fire at the home near 5th Street and Western Avenue. 9-year-old Jenna Maki was able to escape the home and met firefighters outside.

Natalie re-entered the home to try and find the other two siblings. Firefighters located all three children in an upstairs room.

Jenna, after escaping the fire, went to a neighbor's house and called 911.

Officials are investigating the cause of the fire, and other conditions surrounding the incident.

According to Sheboygan Falls Public Safety Director Steven Riffel, parents Chris and Kristi Maki were not home at the time.

Family members have established a GoFundMe account to collect monetary donations.

In a statement released Wednesday, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel offered sympathy and prayers to the families of both this fire and last week's in Wauzeka.

"The death of five children all under the age of 15 in house fires in the past week in Wisconsin is heartbreaking. My sympathy and prayers go out to their families and to the communities of Wauzeka and Sheboygan Falls, where the loss of these young people is deeply felt. The Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating both of these tragic incidents, and I commend our investigators, many of whom are parents themselves, for doing this important and difficult work."

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(Additional reporting from Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WTAQ) -- Police are searching for suspects after an armed robbery on Green Bay's east side Wednesday evening.

The armed robbery occurred at 1120 Radisson Street, which is the Subway restaurant. Initial reports say a male subject entered the Subway at 8:21 p.m. and displayed a handgun while demanding cash. He got away with the money in the cash register. The suspect left the area in a silver midsize car.

Anyone with information about the suspect and or vehicle is urged to contact the Green Bay Police Department at (920) 448-3200. (Case 16-201029)

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Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - More debate about the health impact of Duke Energy's wind turbines in southern Brown County, as the discussion heated up at last night's Human Services Committee meeting.

Neighbors of the Shirley Wind Farm say the turbines cause problems ranging from headaches to nausea.  Residents pressured the committee to take action, and slammed Brown County Health Director Chua Xiong for her decision last month that insufficient scientific evidence exists to blame the turbines for health problems.  

But some of the more than 60 people that jammed into the hearing room wore brightly colored t-shirts and carried signs that said "I am the evidence" of people whose health has been affected. They also accused Xiong of ignoring some the available scientific evidence that connects the big turbines to health issue.  

The Committee wants to the state to come up with $250 thousand to fund a study.  The Brown County Board could vote on a formal request to the state next month. But there's no gurantee the state will write the check.  

North Carolina-based Duke Energy Renewables, the company that operates the Shirley Wind Farm, has said the sounds produced by the turbines can not be linked to health problems.

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Sheboygan, WI (WTAQ) - A Sheboygan man is facing battery and disorderly conduct charges, accused of throwing a package of bacon at his mother.  

44-year-old Thomas Winkel is accused of throwing the bacon on January 25th.  

Winkel's mother said Thomas grabbed her wrist and hit her with the bacon, cutting her face.  

Winkel admitted to throwing the bacon at his mother because she was making him angry.

An officer noted that Winkel showed no remorse, and that he appeared to be intoxicated.

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police have identified the man who was hit and killed by a pickup truck Wednesday morning.

Authorities say 78-year-old Wayne C. Stearns of Oshkosh was walking across W. 20th Avenue at Montana Street around 6:30 a.m. when he was hit by a pickup truck. Stearns was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the truck is a 40-year-old Oshkosh man, whose name has not been released. Police say he's cooperating with the investigation.

No other information was released, as police continue to investigate this vehicle vs. pedestrian crash.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay man is facing several charges in connection with a drunken domestic abuse incident last week.

42-year-old Joseph L. Bauer is facing five felonies, including strangulation and suffocation, intimidate victim/use or attempt force, battery and false imprisonment.

According to the criminal complaint, Bauer had been drinking Kessler's for about 6 hours on Sunday January 17 when his wife wanted to move a computer modem off of a desk and into a drawer.

Bauer's wife says that her cat knocked the modem off of the desk and wanted to put it in a drawer where Bauer keeps some papers. She says that her husband usually, "ends up angry and argumentative when he drinks."

Bauer then began yelling at her at the idea of moving some of his items, "and called her a bitch." She said that Bauer then grabbed her with both of his hands around her throat. She told police that it made it tough for her to breathe, and that she thought she was going to die.

The complaint states that Bauer pushed his wife into a corner and told her to stay there and that, "he owned her because they are married."

Bauer then grabbed his wife's phone and took it from her. She tried getting off the floor and Bauer grabbed her again by the throat and pulled her into the kitchen. She told police that Bauer, "grabbed knives out of the drawer and attempted to place them into her hand. She said that Joseph was yelling, 'Just slit my throat and just kill me'."

Police say that Bauer's wife indicated he was trying to put the knives in her hand and guide her hand to harm him. "At one point she was afraid Joseph was going to use one of the knives to hurt her."

Bauer's wife told authorities she tried grabbing her phone off of the table and run out the back door to try and get help. However, Bauer was able to catch her before she could make it out. She said Bauer had 3 knives in the room that he caught her in and again tried putting the knives in her hand.

The complaint goes to state that Bauer grabbed his wife again by the throat, this time harder, threw her to the ground and got on top of her. She said that he put both of his hands over her mouth. "The wife said that the doorbell rang and he said, 'Who do you think that is?' She told him that she did not know." Bauer then sat on top of her for about 5 to 10 minutes before getting off of her.

Authorities say Bauer's wife had to go to the bathroom, to which he replied, "Piss yourself." She said after he got up off of her, she laid there and cried. Eventually, she worked up the courage to get up and head for the bathroom. Bauer followed her and stood there while she used the bathroom. Bauer's wife believes that he did this to ensure she didn't get out. When she was finished, Bauer again pushed her into the corner and told her not to move.

The complaint states that Bauer's wife eventually got up and sat at the computer desk. Bauer pulled the cord out of the wall and told her, "He pays more of the bills so the computer was his." 

She finally got up and went upstairs and told Bauer she was going to bed. Bauer went upstairs, grabbed a shirt and then went back downstairs.

Bauer's wife said she heard him call a friend and told her to come pick him up. Bauer was looking for a ride to work, since he works third shift. The complaint states that a little while later, a truck showed up to the home and Bauer left. Bauer's wife told police that she believes he asked for a ride, "Because he wasn't going to be able to pass his ignition interlock device on his car."

The victim goes on to say that Bauer told her several times that if she called the police that he was going to harm her family. "He also told her that if he goes to jail somebody will post his bail and he will spend his whole life trying to harm her family."

According to the complaint, the victim told Bauer that she never wants to see him again. She also said she doesn't want to be with him, "because next time she thinks that she might not make it out alive."

The responding officer also contacted Golden House and told them about the domestic disturbance that took place. The victim was to be contacted by Golden House about the incident.

This isn't the first time Bauer has been charged following a domestic violence incident, after his October 2010 conviction for intimidating victim/dissuade reporting of domestic violence.

Bauer is due back in court February 4. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

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COMBINED LOCKS, WI (WTAQ) - Fox Valley Metro police need your help locating a missing Combined Locks man.

Authorities say 61-year-old Eugene R. Schmelzer left home some time after 1 a.m. Thursday. Police searched the immediate area, but couldn't find him.

There is concern about Schmelzer because he doesn't have a vehicle with him. Police say there is no indication of foul play.

Schmelzer is described as 5'8", weighing 150 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing glasses, black jeans, work boots and a reflective safety-type jacket.

Anyone who sees Schmelzer is asked to call Fox Valley Metro police at (920) 788-7505.

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MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities in Manitowoc are announcing parking restrictions and road closures ahead of a planned protest by supporters of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey.

On Friday at 10 a.m., hundreds of supporters, along with anti-police activists, are expected to gather at the Manitowoc County Courthouse.

Police say S. 9th Street will be closed from Washington to Marshall Street. Hancock Street will also be closed at S. 9th Street.

No parking will be allowed on either side of the 900 block of Hancock Street. There will also be no parking on the south side of Washington Street and the west side of S. 8th Street, directly in front of the courthouse.

Manitowoc Police Capt. Larry Zimney said the department expects it to be a peaceful protest but said officers are prepared for the worst.

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