PESHTIGO, WI (WTAQ) - A $33.9 million dollar proposal for a new middle-high school in Peshtigo was shot down by residents during Tuesday's primary.

Results show that 57 percent of voters were against the referendum compared to 43 percent for it.

District Administrator Kim Eparvier says it may not seem like it, but they are approaching the referendum amount conservatively.

"That's just the cost of facilities these today. We want to make sure we invest the dollars of the public wisely," Eparvier says. "I really think it comes down to a conversation with home owners, business leaders and municipal officials."

That conversation will include what kind of investment they're willing to place on public education.

Eparvier says they are apprehensive to look at a solution with a lower dollar amount if it's not going to meet their needs.

There has been no decision on when the referendum will be up for vote again.

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - A Bellevue woman facing a half dozen charges of forgery is now accused of stealing a food stamp card to get cash.

36-year-old Danielle J. Kasee is charged with theft by acquisition of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card and felony bail jumping.

According to the criminal complaint, Brown County Sheriff's deputies were called to a home on Bellevue Street for a report of theft of money from a "child support" debit card on February 24.

The victim told authorities that she first noticed her card out of place at the bottom of her purse earlier that morning. She knew it was suspicious because she always keeps the card in the same place in her wallet.

Then the victim called customer service for the debit card to see if any purchases or withdrawals had been made. She was told that 2 transactions happened February 23; a withdrawal of $241.99 plus a fee of $1.50 and a purchase of $18.16 was made the same day. Both happened at a gas station across the street from her house.

Deputies were told that the victim believes Danielle J. Kasee stole her card, based upon the fact that Danielle took children to the gas station on the 23rd for something to drink. Danielle claimed she would pay for the stuff with her food stamps.

A short time later, Danielle returned and claimed she, "Forgot to buy herself something to drink." She also gave the victim $20 to pay her back for something from her grandmother. The victim later spoke with the grandmother and was told she never gave Danielle any money.

In the past, the victim says, Danielle has admitted to stealing money and medications from her. Danielle allegedly stole checks and is often in need of money. Danielle also knows the victim's PIN number for the debit card.

The sheriff's department was able to obtain surveillance photos from the gas station of Danielle Kasee making a purchase at the counter, then going to use the ATM machine. Those photos were taken back to the victim, who quickly confirmed Danielle's identity.

At that point, the victim texted Danielle to say that a deputy wanted to talk with her about something that happened at the gas station on the 23rd. 

Danielle replied, "Yea, I was going to talk to you about that on Friday." She also texted, "When I first grabbed it I thought it was mine." Another text message shown to authorities had Danielle saying, "I am so sorry" and "I need someone to help me right now."

Back on December 18, 2015, Danielle Kasee appeared in Brown County court on 6 charges of uttering a forgery. Kasee had a $7,500 signature bond set with the following conditions: make all future court appearances and commit no further law violations.

Kasee is due back in court April 29 for a final pre-trial hearing on the forgery counts along with a charge of theft of moveable property. That day, Kasee will arraigned on the theft by acquisition of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card and felony bail jumping charges.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson is apparently ready to jump into the race for Wisconsin's Eighth Congressional District.

Nelson has scheduled a news conference for Thursday morning to formally announce.

But at one point on Wednesday, Nelson's campaign website included a statement asking donors to, "Chip in today to support Tom Nelson for Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District!"

The link has since been taken down.

Current 8th District U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble announced earlier this year he would not seek a fourth term.

Nelson, a Democrat, was first elected to the state Assembly in 2004, rising to Assembly Majority Leader. When Tom Barrett ran for governor in 2010, Nelson was the lieutenant governor candidate, but the pair lost.

In 2011, Nelson was elected as Outagamie County Executive.

Several candidates have already entered the race.

On the Republican side, Mike Gallagher, Terry McNulty and State Sen. Frank Lasee have announced their candidacies.

The Federal Elections Commission website also lists independent Wendy Gribben as a candidate.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - Wisconsinites are encouraged to "wear blue" Thursday as part of April's Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. 

Throughout the month of April, Wisconsin's child protective community will be helping to bring attention to the month with a series of events.

"It's the time of year where we really focus on making sure that there's public awareness about the issues facing families in Wisconsin and how we can strengthen and support families," says Michelle Jensen, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board.

Thursday's "Wear Blue Day" aims to have people wear a blue ribbon or the color blue, which is the color of prevention, in order to spark a conversation about child abuse and neglect. Staff at the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services will up the ante by posting photos of people wearing blue for kids on social media using the hashtag "SaySomethingDoSomething".

"We're all coming together and trying to encourage everyone around the state to wear blue and explain why you're wearing blue and make that connection to prevention month," explains Jensen.

Other events include a pinwheel garden being planted in Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Child Protective Services building, 635 N. 26th Street, at 10 a.m. on April 11. Another pinwheel garden will be on display on the grounds of the State Capitol in Madison starting April 14 and running through the end of the month. 

During April, officials are hoping to educate the public about how to recognize warning signs of abuse and neglect, and how to take action by reporting suspected abuse or neglect to a child welfare agency or local law enforcement.

About 5 children each day die in the U.S. because of child abuse, and about 70 percent of abused children suffer from neglect. Research, cited by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, has found that the impact on a child who suffers from the trauma of abuse or neglect is not only felt when it occurs, but affects their brain later throughout their life. It can permanently affect them psychologically as well as physically.

"It naturally makes sense that children raised in loving and supportive homes do better," DCF Secretary Eloise Anderson said in a statement. "It's important that we all do our part to make sure that children have a healthy, safe home in which they can learn, grow and thrive."

You can learn more about child and family safety here.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Digital billboards in the area are flashing pictures of Richard Arrington and Devin Landrum.

Police say the two were involved in the death of Richard Gomez on the city's east side Saturday night. They say Gomez may not have known the suspects and could have been just an innocent bystander.

A SWAT team search for the two suspects earlier this week turned up empty. The Green Bay Police Department's SWAT team was on the hunt for Arrington and Landrum in the 1000 block of Shawano Avenue Tuesday afternoon.

Police say both suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is being asked to call (920) 448-3200.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson says he's officially running in the race for Wisconsin's Eighth Congressional District.

During a press conference at his home Thursday, Nelson confirmed he has filed paperwork to run as a Democrat for the seat being vacated by Republican Reid Ribble. 

“The purpose of this campaign is to put people over politics,” said Nelson. "I’ve been active in our communities, and I have a firsthand understanding of what it takes to represent the families of northeast Wisconsin. That’s the kind of leadership the people of Wisconsin expect, and that’s the kind of leadership I will take to Congress."

The Republican Party of Wisconsin put out a statement on Thursday's announcement:

“Tom Nelson’s candidacy was ushered in by Washington D.C. Democrats because he will be a rubber stamp for their agenda in Congress,” said Pat Garrett, spokesman for the Republican Party of Wisconsin. “Over the course of his political career, Nelson has promoted the radical left-wing agenda; growing state government to a level we couldn’t afford, while inundating working families with higher taxes. Nelson is looking to bring the same backward policies he championed in Madison to Washington D.C.”

Nelson was first elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 2004 and was named majority leader in 2008.

Nelson ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2010 on the same ticket as Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, but lost to Republicans Scott Walker and Rebecca Kleefisch. He was then elected county executive in 2011.

Ribble announced earlier this year he would not seek a fourth term.

Several candidates have already entered the race.

On the Republican side, Mike Gallagher, Terry McNulty and State Sen. Frank Lasee have announced their candidacies.

Nelson joins Jerry Kobishop as Democrats in the race. Wendy Gribben is running as an independent.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay City Council voted Wednesday night to terminate a 15-year service agreement with the Oneida tribe after seven year.

An initial service agreement was put in place back in 1996 for the Oneida Nation to voluntarily compensate the city for services it provides to trust properties, while recognizing the value of services. 

For 20 years, the tribe paid Green Bay for expenses that the city is required to provide by law, regardless of whether or not the Oneida Nation offers to pay.

At a press conference Thursday, Oneida Nation Chairwoman Tina Danforth said the tribe entered the agreement voluntarily and has no legal obligation to pay anything to the Green Bay City Council.

She added the value of the agreement is $300,000 annually from the Oneida Nation to the city for services. Danforth explained the Oneida Nation's contribution would have resulted in $3 million over the 15-year agreement.

"It is very disheartening that the Green Bay Common Council has decided to end this agreement," said Danforth. "We will continue to work collaboratively in every way to provide the best quality of life possible for our greater community. We believe there are many different ways we can combine efforts without a service agreement." 

At Wednesday night's council meeting, Green Bay Alderman Tom Sladek said ending the agreement was a good thing for the city.

"It restores the city's ability to apply and enforce our ordinances over many properties that we can't right now because the service agreement prevents us from doing that," Sladek said, according to FOX 11.

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - The Brown County Sheriff's Department says a person came forward Thursday in connection with a hit-and-run crash in Howard.

Based on the information investigators have, they believe it is the person who was driving the vehicle during the hit and run.

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A hit-and-run driver is being sought by the Brown County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities say an SUV broke a 15-year-old boy's leg after hitting him in the 2000 block of Velp Avenue in Howard around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The boy's foot was also run over as the driver did not stop.

According to the boy's father on Thursday, his injuries were not life-threatening.

The SUV is described as an olive green Kia Soul with tinted windows. It's possible the driver was unaware of the incident, the sheriff's office says.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Brown Co. Sheriff's Office at (920) 448-4241. Anonymous tips may be left with Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 432-7867 or by sending a text message with the keyword GBTIP to 274637.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - Wisconsin's primary day is over but it's still on the minds of a lot of people, including Governor Scott Walker.

Walker took time Thursday morning to speak with radio talk show host Jerry Bader.

Walker says the people that thought the photo ID law would deter voting are dead wrong.

"It worked as intended. It makes it easy to vote. Obviously it's easy to vote or he wouldn't have had 47 percent of the people voting in this Presidential Preference Primary."

The governor says he also doesn't have a problem with same day voter registration.

"I think whether people register a month before or the day of, as long as it is who that person says that they are and they can validate it through photo ID, I think we're just fine."

Bader also questioned Walker about what it was that propelled Republican Presidential candidate Ted Cruz to victory in the Badger State. Walker said it was a multitude of things including people being turned off by Trump's demeanor.

"He (Trump) came in and picked on the people that Republican's had been supporting and worked with; in turn, he was really attacking them."

Walker says he anticipates an open Republican convention.

"I think it is very, very likely now that it will be at the convention but it won't be the Wild, Wild West that some in the media are portraying it as."

Unofficial numbers have Tuesday's voter participation at 47.4 percent. The biggest turnout since 1972.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police say a school district employee accused of stealing medications intended for students has been arrested.

According to a release from the Green Bay Area Public School District, officials were getting complaints of missing medications at 8 elementary schools since late February. District leaders say they have protocols and procedures for storing and handling students' medication, which enabled them to discover early that the pills were missing.

The district then performed an audit which found discrepancies between the pills provided by parents in March and April and the number in storage.

Police have identified the employee 25-year-old Cameron Drake of Suamico, who worked as a groundskeeper for the district.

"Student safety and well-being are the district's highest priorities," Lori Blakeslee, the district's director of communications, said in a news release. "The discovery of missing student medication resulted in immediate action by the district, which included working collaboratively with the Green Bay Police Department as well as implementing district-wide medication audits. The audits were integral to the district and police identifying a suspect. The district will continue to review its protocols regarding medication as well as employee building access as part of its continuous improvement efforts."

The district says it notified parents of the affected students and is working with them to replace the medications where necessary.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Two suspects in connection with a pair of related armed robberies have been arrested in Appleton.

Appleton police say the first robbery took place in the 100 block of E. College Avenue at 5:25 p.m. Wednesday. The second heist happened at 10:05 p.m. in the 2500 block of Honey Lou Court in the Town of Menasha.

According to investigators, both suspects targeted the 2 victims and confronted them with a firearm demanding cash. Neither victim was hurt.

Police say these were not random and the public is not in danger.

Both suspects were arrested Thursday.

Anyone with additional information regarding either incident, please contact the Appleton Police Department at (920) 832-5500. You can also submit tips anonymously by texting 274637 (crimes) Begin text with keyword APDTIPS.

SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) - Trustees for natural resources in the Fox River Natural Resource Damage Assessment announced $46 million in newly available settlement funds to further restore the Lower Fox River and Green Bay.

The announcement Thursday also said the money is coming from companies paying for the PCB clean-up of the Fox River.

"Through the collective efforts of our trustees, we've made positive changes in the Lower Fox River and Green Bay," Charlie Wooley, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deputy regional director, said in a statement. "It's rewarding to note that the federally endangered piping plover has returned to the Cat Island Chain, a world-class walleye and musky fishery is developing and thousands of acres are now permanently preserved along the west shore of Green Bay."

The wetlands project at Barkhausen is part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment. A federal judge awarded a total of $106 million dollars to be set aside for restoration projects, in addition to the estimated $1 billion for the PCB clean-up effort.

The updated restoration plan includes a goal of creating more public access to recreational fishing in the river and on the bay. The plan also continues restoration of fish and wildlife habitat toward a goal of sustainable populations of native fish and wildlife species.

"In combination with the continuing removal of millions of cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediments from the Lower Fox River, these remediation and restoration efforts are making significant contributions to the recovery of this Great Lakes Area of Concern, and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat and resources across this important Great Lakes landscape," said Eric Ebersberger, deputy administrator of the Environmental Management Division for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The trustees are taking comments online, and at a public meeting in 2 weeks. The meeting will be held at the Green Bay Public Library on April 21st.

KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ) - No one was injured in a fire inside an enclosed construction trailer in Kaukauna Thursday.

Fire crews were called just after 4:30 p.m. to the trailer on Southerland Circle.

Firefighters say they saw the 20-foot enclosed trailer fully engulfed in flames and the walls were already consumed by fire.

The fire was controlled in 5 minutes.

The owner of the trailer said he was working inside with a small amount of gas, cleaning a part. He said he reached down and turned on a portable drill and the motor caused a small spark, igniting the gas he was working with.

The fire caused about $18,000 in damage.

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Three people were arrested in a Menasha heroin bust.

Menasha police, along with the Lake Winnebago Metropolitan Drug Unit, have been investigating a heroin ring for 2 months. 

One of the people arrested was selling heroin from his apartment in the 900 block of Third Street, just north of Jefferson Park. Aside from heroin, officers also found crack cocaine, weapons and a large amount of cash.

Menasha police last month warned the public to be careful in the park because of discarded needles. According to investigators, the apartment was so close to the park buyers would often go right to the park to use the heroin they just bought.

Identities of the people arrested were not made public.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The legendary rock band KISS will play a concert in Northeast Wisconsin this summer.

KISS's "Freedom to Rock" tour will stop at the Resch Center on August 10. It's the first time the band has been in the area since 1990, when they played at the Brown County Arena.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members have released 44 albums and sold more than 100 million copies worldwide.

Opening for KISS at the Resch will be The Dead Daisies.

Tickets for the show go on sale at 11 a.m. April 15. They range in price from $39.50 to $125 and will be available at the Ticket Star box office at the Resch Center, by phone at 1-800-895-0071 or online.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay man is facing more than a decade in prison after continuing to drive a vehicle recklessly without a license.

39-year-old Chad M. Gillis is charged with 7 counts including, felony bail jumping, hit-and-run, 8th offense operating a motor vehicle while revoked and 2nd offense violation of driving license restrictions. All counts have repeater enhancers.

According to the criminal complaint, Green Bay police were called to a hit-and-run crash that happened at Main Street and Deckner Avenue around 4:30 p.m. on February 21. 

Authorities were told that the run vehicle was a beige colored Chevy Lumina with a specific license plate number. One officer heading down Abrams Street came upon a beige or silver Chevy Lumina that appeared to be driving on the rim of its front passenger tire. The vehicle, with a near exact match to the license plate number given, pulled into a driveway on Abrams.

A man got out of the car, was ordered by the cop to stop what he was doing, but he kept going to the trunk of his car. The man, identified as Chad Gillis, said he had a flat tire that needed to be changed.

The officer told Gillis that he was driving a vehicle which matched the description of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident at Main and Deckner. Gillis replied that he wasn't in an accident, but had a flat tire. The officer noticed the front passenger tire was nearly completely shredded and appeared as though Gillis drove on the rim for quite some time.

Gillis was questioned by the officer and admitted he was driving south on Deckner, but didn't hit any vehicle. The cop asked if his car had any damage, and Gillis say there was no damage at all. When the officer walked around to the front of the car, he saw cosmetic damage to the front end. On the driver's side, the officer noticed a large scrape coming from the front driver's side panel all the way through the front driver's side door. There was also a piece of trim missing from the door.

The officer explained to Gillis that police were called because they had recently been struck by another vehicle which had fled the scene. Gillis said he was driving on Deckner towards Main at a high rate of speed and had tried to pass a small, nicer black car on the right. The black car, Gillis said, was in the left lane and he tried to pass it in the right lane. As he passed the vehicle, it swerved in his lane. Gillis says he swerved to the right to try and miss the vehicle, but instead went up on the curb and popped his front passenger tire.

Gillis was asked why he didn't stop or call police. He said he, "Didn't want any more tickets because his license was revoked." Gillis then said he couldn't be sure if he hit the other vehicle.

An officer with the victim in the crash said that his vehicle had a scrape all along the passenger side of the entire car.

During an investigation of Gillis, officers found that he had 7 prior offenses for operating after revocation in the last five years. Gillis also is subject to an order for an Ignition Interlock Device requirement and has a 0.02 blood alcohol concentration restriction. There was no Ignition Interlock Device installed in the Chevy Lumina Gillis had been driving.

Gillis remains behind bars in the Brown County Jail and a court date has not been set.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, along with a Green Bay company, is issuing a statewide recall of some of its pasties.

Grammy's Pasty's says an undetermined amount of breakfast, chorizo and traditional pasties were not properly inspected prior to sale.

The pasties were sold at retail stores and wholesaled by distributors throughout the state before March 29, 2016.

The affected products have the Julian date of 88-16, 81-16, 74-16, 60-16, and 54-16 on the label or on the package.

No illnesses have been reported.

If anyone does show signs or symptoms of foodborne illness, they should contact a physician.

Consumers who have any of these products can return them to the original place of purchase or discard them.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Multiple crashes in Brown County thanks to this snowy weather is causing traffic nightmares across the region.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department says there are several crashes on Interstate 41 near Freedom Road. 

Authorities say there are no initial reports of serious injuries, but there are at least 3 separate crashes and several more cars in the ditch. 

All northbound lanes of I-41 at County S are closed.

Drivers should consider avoiding I-41 south of Scheuring Road and north of Freedom Road - in both directions.

Meanwhile, part of the Leo Frigo Bridge in Green Bay was closed for about an hour after a crash on Interstate 43 at Atkinson Road. The Wisconsin DOT reports that as of 3:45 p.m., the southbound lanes of I-43 had re-opened.

Keep it tuned to Road Watch Traffic on WTAQ for the latest traffic updates.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police say one of the suspects in an east side killing is in custody.

Authorities say Richard Arrington surrendered at 6:25 p.m. on Friday.

The search continues for the other suspect in the case, Devin Landrum.

Investigators have been searching for both Arrington and Landrum in connection with the shooting of 25-year-old Ricardo Gomez at a home at 1138 Day Street back on April 2.

Gomez later died at a hospital.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - A suspect has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery in Grand Chute overnight.

Grand Chute police were called around 10:20 p.m. Friday for a report of an armed robbery near W. Metro Drive and N. Mall Drive.

Police say an Appleton man was walking on Metro Drive when a Milwaukee man, driving a car, pulled up behind him and demanded money while showing a handgun.

The suspect then fled the area. A description of his vehicle was distributed to surrounding law enforcement agencies.

The Neenah Police Department spotted the vehicle and followed it through Winnebago County on I-41.

Officers then used stop sticks to stop the vehicle. The man was arrested.

A 16-year-old was also in the car with the suspect.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.