UNDATED (WTAQ)- The Netflix docu-series 'Making an Murderer' has sparked a worldwide conversation about the conviction of Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey in the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach. After watching the documentary, many questioned if justice was served. Milwaukee radio reporter, Dan O'Donnell, has a law degree and was only 25 when he started covering the case.

"I never realized it would be this big. I never thought it would become this global phenomenon," says O'Donnell.

However, he says there's no question in his mind that the jury got the conviction right.

"Yes, justice absolutely was served.  Any doubt is not reasonable doubt...and it is not reasonable to base reasonable doubt on a conspiracy to plant evidence unless there is affirmative evidence that that conspiracy existed," says O'Donnell.

The documentary focused on the possibility that the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department planted evidence and that there was a huge conspiracy to convict Avery of murder. O'Donnell doesn't buy it.

"Nowhere was their affirmative evidence of anyone planting any evidence against Steven Avery. There was just innuendo and insinuations based on supposed motivation," say O'Donnell.

But many question if Avery and his nephew, Dassey, had the ability to clean up after the brutal murder, which the prosecution says happened in the garage.

"Yeah, I think it's sort of remarkably condescending that we assume just because somebody has a low IQ, they don't have the self-preservation instinct to clean up after a crime," says O'Donnell.

The series is clearly shown from the defense's point of view and the audience is not privy to all the evidence presented in the case.

"To me, neither 'Making a Murderer' nor Steven Avery's defense at trial... nowhere was there affirmative evidence of anyone planting any evidence against Steven Avery."

You can hear more of the interview with Dan O'Donnell by clicking here.

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police say an incident on the city's east side Sunday afternoon appears to be an accidental self-inflicted shooting.

Officers responded to a report of a man being shot in a parking lot near the intersection of Humboldt Road and University Avenue around 2:30 p.m.

Officers found the man and provided first aid until rescue personnel arrived. The 30-year-old Green Bay man was then taken to a local hospital.

Authorities say this was an isolated incident and the general public is not in any danger. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident please contact the Green Bay Police Department at 920-448-3208 and reference case # 16-201462. 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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WAUPACA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Waupaca County authorities are investigating a hit-and-run incident Sunday that left a man injured.

Sheriff's deputies say it happened in the area of Hunting Road and County Highway G in the Township of Dupont around 2:30 a.m.

The victim was rushed to a hospital in Neenah after being found in the ditch. It's not clear what his injuries are.

Investigators believe they have located a possible suspect vehicle, but have not released any further information.

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Both the Appleton and Grand Chute police departments believe one man is behind two armed robberies and nearly a dozen gas drive-offs.

In a joint press release, the agencies say the suspect is described as white, about 6' tall and weighing about 250 pounds. His vehicle is believed to be a green four-door Ford Taurus from model years 1996 to 1999. The passenger-side mirror is covered with duct tape. The car doesn't have a rear spoiler.

Police say the driver has used several different license plates while pumping gas, then leaving without paying for it.

Police believe he's responsible for the Jan. 13 armed robbery at Walgreens, 729 W. Northland Ave., in Appleton, and the Jan. 25 armed robbery at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 3800 W. College Ave., in Grand Chute.

The man is believed to have local ties.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Leitzinger at the Appleton Police Department (920) 832-5541 or Detective Keuler at the Grand Chute Police Department (920) 380-2941.

Anonymous tips can also be left by text message to 274637 with the keyword APDTIPS, or to 847411 with the keyword TIPGCPD.

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - An explosion, followed by a fire, caused Appleton crews to swing into action Monday.

The Appleton Fire Department was dispatched around 12:05 p.m. to the intersection of E. Glenhurst Lane and E. Milestone Drive. On the way to the scene, crews were told that the intersection was on fire.

Firefighters first saw a wood framed building under construction with heavy smoke and flames. The fire quickly spread and consumed the structure.

Several nearby vehicles were also destroyed by the fire. No one was hurt.

According to an on-site construction manager, the smell of propane was present before the blast. He contacted the propane supplier, who then sent out a technician. A leak had been found in one of the several propane tanks.

As the technician worked to stop the leak, authorities say a "bung" on the bottom of one of the tanks fell off and propane free-flowed from the tank. The technician then yelled for all workers to evacuate and within a few seconds, the propane ignited. 

Authorities are still trying to determine the ignition source.

Fire officials say the structure is a total loss. All adjacent buildings were not damaged.

Glenhurst Lane and other roads in the area were blocked off to traffic while crews put the fire out.

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Oshkosh, WI (WTAQ) - Sturgeon spearing season begins Saturday on the Lake Winnebago system....and it's kind of a good news-bad news situation.

DNR sturgeon biologist Ryan Koenigs says water visibility is the key. It's been very good the past two years, 14 to 15 feet. This year indications are visibility might be half that....

"if those conditions prevail, spearers will have a harder time getting fish this year than the last couple"

But that hasn't stopped people from plunking down their money and buying a license.

"sold over 13,000 licenses this year for Lake Winnebago...and that's the largest number we've ever sold"

The number pencils out to a 4.1 percent increase over the previous record, set in 2015.

"the increased popularity is likely due to the overall success and publicity of the 2014 and 2015 seasons"

The cost for a license for in-state residents is $20, and for nonresidents the cost is $65.

The sturgeon spearing license and tag must be carried by the licensee at all times while fishing for sturgeon with a spear. You have be 12 years of age or older to get a license.

The season could go as long as February 28th, depending on how successful the spearing is.

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay area businesses are being reminded to look closely at their $100 bills after police say they got more complaints about them being used.

According to the Green Bay Police Department, several more complaints have come in since the "For Motion Picture Use Only" prop money started being used at local businesses last month.

If business owners or employees use a pen to detect counterfeit money, it would also clearly show that the bill is fake.

Police say several people who tried to use the money reported they had obtained it from another person during a personal transaction.

If you come across these bills, contact the Green Bay Police Department or your local law enforcement.

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DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - Worries about the mosquito-borne Zika virus continues to grow nationwide.

So should residents in Northeast Wisconsin be concerned?

"Currently the mosquito that spreads Zika virus isn't found in Wisconsin, we have not had any cases of Zika virus in Wisconsin," says Chrystal Woller, Health Director for the City of De Pere. "At this time, it's important for people just to be vigilant."

That includes keeping up-to-date with the latest information, which you can do here.

"About 80 percent of people who are infected with the Zika virus may not have any symptoms," Woller said. "Illness developed in 20 percent of the infected people, usually within 3 to 7 days after a bite from an infected mosquito."

The people most at risk, are women of child-bearing age.

"Because people who are planning to become pregnant, or are pregnant, there are symptoms of birth defects," says Woller. "It's very important that women consult with their physician before and after travel to an affected country."

ZIKA'S IMPACT ON BLOOD DONORS

The Community Blood Center is taking steps to ensure the safety of the blood supply in Northeast Wisconsin due to concerns about the Zika virus.

The center is asking people with recent travel to refrain from donating blood for 28 days after returning. That's because most people don't show symptoms.

Officials say that allows enough time for the body to clear any potential infection.

"We are going to need people to come in as well to help replace those people that we are asking to be deferred, so if anybody hasn't traveled in the past month, we definitely ask them to come in," Dr. Todd Straus with Community Blood Center told FOX 11.

The center also asks that donors notify them if they develop any symptoms related to the Zika virus within 14 days of donating. Those include fever, rash, red eyes and joint pain.

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A Menasha man has pled no contest to charges related to the sexual assault of a child.

53-year-old Derek Rose was convicted on charges, including sexual exploitation of a child and possessing child pornography.

Police say Rose assaulted a young girl who lived near him when she was 7 or 8-years-old.

In November 2015, Rose was arrested after authorities say he shared pictures he took of the girl on a Russian website.

Rose is scheduled to be sentenced in April.

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NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - Police have arrested a man in connection with an armed robbery in Neenah last week.

Just before 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, police say a person wearing a mask went into the Mobil Station, 700 Main Street, and demanded money with what was described as an "edged weapon".

That robbery fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money.

Authorities say he was taken to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department and booked on one count of felony armed robbery.

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BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - The Brown County Sheriff's Office needs your help locating a suspect who broke into two vehicles parked at the YMCA in Bellevue and used stolen credit or debit cards to buy items at Target.

Authorities say it happened on Wednesday, Feb. 3, between 9:30 a.m. and 11:53 a.m.

The suspect (pictured above) allegedly smashed out windows of 2 separate vehicles parked at the Y and stole property, which included financial transaction cards.

Deputies say shortly after, the man made two separate large purchases at the Bellevue Target store using 2 cards belonging to one of the victims.

Investigators indicate the man may have left the scene in a light-colored van or SUV. He then went to Finish Line at Bay Park Square Mall and bought more items.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department is looking for help identifying the man pictured. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at (920) 448-4230. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward by calling Crime Stoppers at (920) 432-7867 or text GBTIP and your tip to 274637 (crimes).

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Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - The issue of speeding around a Green Bay school on a city street that is also a state highway, has been a concern for parents of Aldo Leopold students and neighbors for some time.

Monday night city leaders heard about some possible solutions.

Green Bay's traffic engineer Dave Hansen says a recent study found 90 percent of drivers were driving above the 25 mile per hour speed limit on Monroe.

"I think it was good way to show them in a public format that we documented excatly what they were stating"

The commission voted to move forward with city recommendations to try to slow down drivers. Those recommendations include putting up more traffic signs and possibly shifting the school's start time by 15 minutes.

Sounds good to Aldo Leopold parent Karen Eckberg.

"I urge you to think about this long term, think about how we can make it so that I can tell my kids they can walk to school and I can be okay with that"

The city also recommended not adding a crossing guard on Monroe, which some parents at the meeting did not agree with.

The traffic commission recommendations must now be approved by the Green Bay City Council.

The council will vote on the recommendations next Monday.

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Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - One person is dead following a work place incident in Green Bay.

It happened Monday afternoon at Venture Logistics on the 1100 block of Huron Road.

Officials say a man was killed by a forklift. The victim's name has not been released.

An investigation into this incident continues.

Madison, WI (WTAQ) - The state Senate is scheduled to vote today (Tuesday) on a bipartisan bill that would give the Green Bay Packers' Titletown District extra liquor licenses.

Although the Village of Ashwaubenon is at its limit for liquor licenses, the legislation would allow neighboring communities to sell up to three unused liquor licenses to the village. The district could also get two additional licenses because of the size of the development.

The Assembly passed the bill on a voice vote last month. A Senate committee unanimously approved the measure last week.

If the full Senate passes the legislation, it heads to the governor's desk.

Gov. Scott Walker indicated in December he would likely support the measure. He says Lambeau Field is one of the state's top tourism destinations, and he's interested in ways to help the area expand more.

In August, the Packers unveiled plans for the 34 acres west of Lambeau Field the organization owns.

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Police agencies in the Fox Valley have announced the arrest of a 41-year-old Kaukauna man in connection with three armed robberies.

According to Appleton police, Justin P. Posey contacted them to identify himself as the man seen in surveillance photos released to the media on Monday.

In a timeline of crimes, Posey robbed a Menasha gas station around 2:30 a.m. on September 27, 2015. He allegedly wore a Halloween mask, showed a handgun and took some money.

Then on January 12, 2016, just before 6 a.m., Posey entered the Walgreens store in the 700 block of W. Northland Avenue in Appleton, pointed a gun at the cashier and got away with money.

Finally on January 25, 2016, Posey robbed the La Quinta Inn & Suites in the 3800 block of W. College Avenue in Grand Chute. During the heist, which happened around 2:25 a.m., he pointed a gun at an employee and took some money.

Additional charges against Posey for nearly a dozen gas drive-offs are expected to be filed soon.

Posey has yet to be formally charged for any of these crimes. 

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Manitowoc, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Manitowoc continue working the case after a fatal shooting in the 2200 block of S. 9th Street last Friday morning.  And they're saying it could be a slow go.

Captain Larry Zimney says for now detectives have finished the evidence gathering portion of the investigation.

"we still have nobody in custody and the investigation is ongoing"

He says they're following up on numerous leads and speaking with family members.

Still no motive for the crime has been released. Quite a bit of evidence was gathered at the scene. Its been sent to the state crime lab for processing.

Zimney says there's no person of interest they're looking at. Investigators are trying to narrow down the indivual or individuals who could have a motive.

"unfortunately, this particular incident, doesn't look like it's going to be wrapped up real quickly"

The shooting happened when the victim, 52 year old Kor Yang, heard a knock at his door. He went to the door, opened it and was shot in the chest.

4 other people in the house, including 3 children, were not hurt.

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Madison, WI (WTAQ) Identity theft has become so much of a problem in Wisconsin, that it's now the third-largest type of complaint filed with the state's consumer protection agency.

Officials say this (Tuesday) morning that illegal tele-marketing remains the state's top consumer problem -- and unlike the aggressive sales pitches of the past, demands for money and personal information are now the top concern.

Fake threats by the I-R-S now represent 14-percent of all telemarketing complaints among the nearly eleven-thousand total problems filed last year with the state Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

Landlord-tenant disputes remain second on the list, followed by I-D theft that mainly involves thieves getting enough personal data to file for somebody's tax refunds.

Complaints about tele-communication services are fourth followed by home improvement scams, vehicle repairs, inaccurate gas pumps, vehicle purchases, computer equipment, and electronic items like T-Vs and stereos.

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PULASKI, WI (WTAQ) - In most of the country today is Fat Tuesday, but in Wisconsin it's Paczki Day.

Folks come from all over on this day and wait in line for up to 90 minutes just for this little Polish delicacy at Smurawa's Country Bakery in Pulaski. It's a sort of "bucket list" stop on this day before Lent.

"It's going to be a crazily busy day today," says owner Greg Smurawa. "All I know is we're going to keep making them as long as people keep coming."

That's the motto for the Smurawa family members, friends and former employees trying to fill all the paczki orders. Make sure each person who wants a paczki, gets a paczki.

"Last year we did almost 30,000 paczki, and we'll keep making them," Smurawa said. "We shipped orders to Phoenix, Seattle, Florida and other parts of the country."

• You can watch "Making a Paczki" here

It's great business for the bakery, especially at a time of year when it's not just the weather that turns cold.

"It's a substantial boost because it happens at a typically slower time of the year," said Smurawa. "But not only big for us, but it's big for the Village of Pulaski. It brings thousands of people into town, other businesses have told me they've benefitted as well."

20 different flavors are available, with the new 2016 selection being cranberry. The biggest sellers, however, have remained consistent over the years. They are raspberry, prune and French crème.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Tuesday was the Smurawa family's 18th Paczki Day in charge of the bakery. While times and tastes may have changed, the recipe and pride in paczki has not.

"It hasn't come without a lot of hard work, a lot of organization, a lot of sacrifice by people that help us out and work, but the reward is in the end result," Smurawa says. "I think we can hang our hat on the fact of how we started, where we started and how much you've seen paczki become more relevant at other businesses."

That's something, Smurawa says, you wouldn't have seen when they took over the bakery 18 years ago. 

No matter what, the bottom line is family.

"Family recipe, family business, family-oriented village," said Smurawa. "And it all is shown in what we do and the product that we make."

OPEN POLKA MIC

Another long standing tradition at Smurawa's Country Bakery on Paczki Day is live polka music. Those who are brave enough to step up to the challenge of belting out a tune on an accordion, can actually earn a free paczki and a cup of coffee.

"If you're good and you jam with our polka judge out there, maybe you get a free six-pack," Smurawa jokes. "We have a couple gentlemen from the area that come in and play music. People enjoy listening to it while they're standing in line and waiting. It adds to the whole atmosphere of the event."

Robert Betley is that particular judge, but he's no Simon Cowell. He's just along to enjoy the tradition.

"Since Smurawa's have taken over the bakery here, they're brought the paczki tradition back," says Betley. "I've been playing the accordion over here and entertaining the lines as they come in, especially at 5 o'clock, when you can hardly walk in the door at 5 a.m."

Betley has been at it for the last 10 years, and also has deep ties with the family.

"I kinda grew up with Greg's mother and dad, we try to keep it together," Betley said.

As for open mic morning, so to speak, Betley says there aren't many that want to give it a shot.

"I wish we had more, but we don't get 'em," said Betley, adding that he won't get upset if you miss a note or two. "I don't hit 'em all myself. If I make a mistake I stop, if I play several tunes there's a different count all the time, so you can play the same tune 4 or 5 times if you want."

Much like the music, the experience is light-hearted and can be a tradition that people pass down generation to generation. When you finally reach the counter, one lesson is that you should order more than one paczki. You might get told to "live a little," since Lent doesn't start until tomorrow.

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - An armed robbery in Green Bay has police searching for a suspect.

Police say the robbery happened just before 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Family Dollar store, 1900 E. Mason Street.

The suspect is described as a Native American man, about 5'9' and 180 pounds. 

Police say the man showed a handgun and demanded money. He got away with an undisclosed amount.

No one was injured.

If you have any information about this incident please contact the Green Bay Police Department at (920) 448-3208 and reference case # 16-201569. 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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BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The 2015 report by the Brown County Drug Task Force (BCDTF) has been released.

According to the report, the task force opened 408 investigations, made 503 arrests, seized 40 firearms and seized drugs with a street value of just over $1.87 million.

Agents executed 83 search warrants, conducted 56 consent searches, 127 drug purchases and had to deploy the task force's drug detector K-9s 235 times.

"Marijuana continues to be the most available drug in the area," says Lt. Dave Poteat with the Brown County Drug Task Force. "Heroin, which we've talked about for many years now, is our chief concern."

In 2015, the task force seized 219 marijuana plants, 80,431.45 grams of processed marijuana, 1,809.51 grams of edible marijuana products, and 722.97 grams of Hash Oil. Hash Oil is a potent extract of marijuana; it has a high concentration of the psychoactive drug THC which is found in marijuana.  

The BCDTF referred 78 people for manufacture or distribution of THC and 203 people for possession of THC. Most of the people who were referred for possession of THC were also referred for either distribution of a controlled substance other than marijuana or possession of another controlled substance, or they were arrested on a warrant, probation hold or for a non-drug crime such as theft.

In 2015, the BCDTF seized 219.28 grams of heroin. Although heroin seizures decreased somewhat from 2014, narcotics like heroin and prescription opioids continue to pose the greatest drug threat in this area.  

The BCDTF arrested 57 people for possession of heroin and 20 people for distribution of heroin. Agents seized 191 dosage units of narcotic drugs, 36.9 grams of prescription amphetamines and 3,716 dosage units of various other prescription drugs. The BCDTF made 80 arrests for possession of prescription drugs without a prescription and 19 arrests for distribution of prescription drugs.

The overprescribing of prescription drugs creates an excess of medication which is often diverted from medicine cabinets to drug users. The public is encouraged to promptly dispose of prescription medication to help reduce the availability of these drugs to juveniles and thieves.  

Most area law enforcement agencies continue to collect prescription drugs for disposal. Ask your doctor or pharmacy about their collection programs and the efforts they are making to reduce prescription drug abuse by collecting unused medication.

"Probably the thing that was most surprising, however, was the dramatic increase that we have seen and are continuing to see with methamphetamine," said Poteat. "The cost of it has dropped from what it used to be, roughly $100 a gram now, and the effects of it are much higher and longer lasting than cocaine."

Officers began observing increased use and distribution of methamphetamine in the last quarter of 2014 and began increasing enforcement efforts targeting methamphetamine.

In 2013, the BCDTF seized approximately 41 grams of methamphetamine. In 2014, the BCDTF seized approximately 237 grams of methamphetamine. (A 478 percent increase from 2013 to 2014) During 2015, the BCDTF seized 1,268.67 grams of methamphetamine. 2015 methamphetamine seizures are up 435 percent compared to 2014 which is nearly a 30 fold increase in just 2 years.

In 2015, the BCDTF arrested 29 people for possession of methamphetamine and 20 people for distribution of methamphetamine. We have seen instances of users and dealers switching from heroin to methamphetamine. We will continue to be proactive in our enforcement of methamphetamine in our area.

Historically, cocaine in Brown County has been very easy to obtain. The last 5 years however has seen a steady decline in the availability of cocaine. In 2015, the BCDTF seized 527.14 grams of powder cocaine and 114.16 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine).

The BCDTF made 31 arrests for possession of cocaine and 24 arrests for cocaine distribution. The 641 grams of cocaine seized in 2015 is more than twice the amount seized in 2014; however, 641 grams is well below the previous 10-year average of 4,189 grams of cocaine.

Other drugs like ecstasy, LSD, synthetic cannabinoids, and psilocybin mushrooms were also seized this past year. The availability of these and other, especially hallucinogenic, drugs is sporadic and our enforcement efforts constantly adapt to the new and renewed drugs threats that arise in our area.

If you observe drug activity that is occurring at that moment, contact your local police department so they can follow up on your observations. If you have suspicions, observe or have knowledge of drug activity involving a person or place in Brown County, you can call the Brown County Drug Tip Line at (920) 437-DRUG (3784), and leave the information on the recorded line.

Caller’s identities remain confidential. If you provide us with a contact number and request to be contacted, someone from the task force will call you back to get the details of your information. Due to the volume of tips we receive, it may take a couple of days to receive a call back.

Finally, if you are using drugs we encourage you to seek help from your family, doctor or a treatment professional before you cause irreversible harm to yourself or someone else. There are a number of resources available in the community to assist you.

Remember that drugs not only affect your mood, but they impair your ability to think, reason and react. Driving under the influence of mind altering drugs puts you and those around you at risk.

In addition to all of the tips we receive from all of the concerned citizens in the community, we have over 100 active investigations on-going.

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