GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Should all Green Bay city council meetings be staffed with an armed police officer?

Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith is among those who thinks it's a good idea.

"Made the recommendation to the Mayor (Schmitt) and Mr. DeWane that we have one of our regular community police officers come in on their regular duty day and be in the back in case anything would happen," Smith explained to the city's Protection and Welfare Committee on Monday. "For the past 2 meetings we've had a police officer sitting in the back."

Smith added that the particular officer assigned to the council meeting are asked to pay attention to what's going on, but they can also perform administrative duties while they're there.

The request by Alderman Andy Nicholson on the agenda sought to, "review the reason why there is a police presence at City Council meetings." Nicholson briefly said he wanted to hear Chief Smith's thoughts on the idea.

Smith said he not only spoke with the Mayor's office, but consulted with former interim Green Bay Police Chief James Lewis about the matter. It came about in the wake of a rise in the number of active shooter incidents nationwide, some of which have occurred at local government meetings.

"The police department may be only a block away, they wouldn't get there in time," said Alderperson Barbara Dorff, who's gone through similar active shooter training as law enforcement. "Many of these active shooting situations are over within less than 2 minutes."

Dorff also said that during her time on the Green Bay School Board, they requested a police officer be present just in case things got out of hand.

Alderman Guy Zima was the lone dissenter on the plan, questioning why a police officer wouldn't be staffed at all committee meetings as well. Zima also mentioned the fact that there is no imminent threat made against council members.

"Most of these other incidents occurred without any known threat being made," replied Ald. Bill Galvin, a former Green Bay Police Captain.

Committee members approved receiving the item and placing it on file. 

HOBART, WI (WTAQ) - 2 people reported dead, two other injured as police and emergency crews remain on scene at a house in Hobart on Riverdale Drive and Hillcrest Drive.

Roadblocks remain in place around the area.

The incident started around 8 p.m. last night with a weapons call to the house.

Police Chief Randy Bani say says once they got on scene, officers realized it was a very serious situation.

Police are not releasing further details other than the public is not in danger.

The WI State Crime Lab, DCI, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Green Bay Police Department, State Patrol, Oneida Police and Pulaski Police Department assisted Hobart-Lawrence with the scene.

Riverdale will be closed until sometime this morning.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police are investigating an overnight robbery on the city's east side.

It happened around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Speedway Convenience store on East Mason Street.

Police say the male suspect showed a gun.

He got away with some cash and has not been found.

No one was injured.

SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) - Four otter pups were born at the zoo back in March.

Now, NEW Zoo Director Neil Anderson says two of the pups along with their mother have died.

All four of the pups and their mom were recently sickened by a rapidly progressive gastrointestinal problem.

The zoo veterinarian and keepers were able to save two of the pups, but the mom and two pups died.

The remaining two adult otters and two otter pups are under medical observation and being closely monitored.

Anderson says the male otter, Skokie remains on exhibit and appears to be in good health.

Tests are being conducted to determine the cause of the illness.

It will be a few weeks before the tests are done.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Bellin Run officials say several roads will be closed both Friday and Saturday around Bellin Hospital.

Bellin Health says that access to emergency rooms at Bellin and HSHS St. Vincent hospitals will remain open on both days.

From 2-8 p.m. Friday, Bellin Health says the following roads will be closed:

• Clay Street, from Porlier Street to Eliza Street
• Porlier Street, from Clay Street to Roosevelt Street
• Eliza Street, from Clay Street to Roosevelt Street
• Roosevelt Street, from Porlier Street to Eliza Street

The following roads will be closed on Saturday:

• 4 a.m.-9 a.m.: E. Mason Street (eastbound) from Webster Avenue to Clay Street
• 4 a.m.-noon: Clay Street from East Mason Street to Eliza Street
• 4 a.m.-noon: Porlier Street from Webster Avenue to Roosevelt Street
• 4 a.m.-noon: Eliza Street from Webster Avenue to Roosevelt Street
• 4 a.m.-noon: Webster Avenue from East Mason Street to Porlier Street
• 7:45 a.m.-10 a.m.: Webster Avenue from Porlier Street to Greene Avenue
• 7 a.m.-9:45 a.m.: Greene Avenue from Webster Avenue to East River Drive
• 7 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: East River Drive from Greene Avenue to St. Joseph Street
• 7 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: St. Joseph Street from East River Drive to Libal Street
• 7 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Libal Street and Baird Street from St. Joseph Street to Garland Street
• 7 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Irwin Avenue from Garland Street to Hastings Street
• 7 a.m.-10:45 a.m.: Hastings Street from Baird Street to S. Clay Street
• 7 a.m.-11 a.m.: S. Clay Street from Hastings Street to Eliza Street

If you need to get to Bellin Hospital, here are suggested detour routes:

• From the west on Mason Street: Take the Monroe Street/Downtown exit, turn right on Monroe Avenue, left on Porlier Street and left on Van Buren Street to the emergency rooms.
• From the east on Mason Street: Take the Monroe Street/Downtown exit, turn left on Monroe Avenue, left on Porlier Street and left on Van Buren Street to the emergency rooms.
• From the north on Webster Avenue: The suggested alternate route is right on Chicago Street, left on Monroe Avenue, left on Porlier Street, left on Van Buren Street to the emergency rooms.
• From the south: The suggested alternate route is north on Riverside Drive/Hwy. 57/Monroe, right on Porlier Street, left on Van Buren Street to the emergency rooms.

Meanwhile, a shuttle service for participants is planned. Shuttles will pick up runners every 10 minutes from 6:30-7:20 a.m. They will be dropped off at Astor Park on S. Roosevelt Street. Return shuttles run from 9 a.m. until noon.

Shuttle pickup locations:

• Pine Street Ramp, 333 Pine St., with bus loading on Main Street near Dental Associates at 430 Main St.
• WPS parking lots, 700 N. Adams St., with bus loading along Elm Street behind the KI Convention Center, just west of North Madison Street.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin Department of Transportation secretary Mark Gottlieb says his agency won't be going in with Outagamie County on a shared building for the State Patrol's regional headquarters and the county sheriff's office.

In a letter to Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson Wednesday, Gottlieb wrote that the proposed location, the intersection of Casaloma Drive and Highway 15 in Grand Chute, presented too many limitations, including:

• A high-voltage transmission line that could interfere with State Patrol tower-based communications
• Direct access to the property, which is limited to one location
• Wetlands on the site limit the amount of area available for development
• Lack of space for future expansion

"More detailed analysis would be required to address these issues," Gottlieb wrote. "However, the county's timetable to implement its capital improvement plan combined with our limited construction funding this biennium would preclude us from moving forward on a shared law enforcement facility at this time."

Officials in Outagamie County have been awaiting an answer from the DOT since last year. County leaders are considering moving the sheriff's office outside of downtown Appleton to cut down on the amount of driving employees need to do in the city, which they don't patrol.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is also interested in moving its northeast regional headquarters out of Fond du Lac, where it's currently based.

"While we'd hoped for a different response, we're pleased that the state gave our idea the serious consideration it merited," Nelson said in a news release. "The fact that the state invested considerable time and resources into this process leaves us hopeful that Madison may pursue this approach to facilities planning in the future. After all, it's a creative approach to capital investment and a cost-saving innovation."

"It's disappointing that the state is not in a position to move ahead with a joint facility with Outagamie County," county board chairman Jeff Nooyen said in a news release. "The concept would have been a win for both county and state taxpayers. The county can now move forward with plans to relocate our sheriff's law enforcement division knowing that we have done our due diligence in trying to maximize services in the most fiscally responsible manner possible."

Last September, Nelson vetoed plans to move the sheriff's office out of downtown Appleton.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Outagamie County's district attorney says an Appleton police officer wounded did nothing wrong during an incident with a theft suspect which ended with his death.

At a press conference Wednesday, the Green Bay Police Department talked about the results of their investigation into the altercation on Kensington Drive back on May 28.

"Some residents of this area provided information that they saw the police lights first, or heard a female voice yelling commands," said Lt. Gary Richgels of the Green Bay Police Department. "Their accounts of the incident are very consistent with Officer Wiener, Mr. Maltbey and other evidence located at the scene."

• You can read the entire police report here

The suspect, 23-year-old Marcus D. Felton, rushed Officer Stephanie Wiener, who was inside her squad car after trailing Felton in connection with prior shoplifting incidents. Police say when Felton got within, "10 to 12 feet of her squad car," Wiener got out and tried to use her stun gun.

That proved ineffective, and as Felton grabbed her right wrist for her handgun and managed to wrestle it away from Wiener.

"The actions were driven by the suspect, she did everything that she possibly good to regain her weapon, she did what we had trained her to do," says Appleton Police Chief Todd Thomas. "It was a matter of strength between her and the suspect."

Felton then shot Wiener and a Good Samaritan, 23-year-old Andrew Maltbey, who had stopped his car behind the squad to help out.  Police then confirm that Felton turned the gun on himself, and died at the scene.

In all, investigators say 6 shots were fired from Wiener's gun, all by Felton after he gained control of it. 

Wiener and Maltbey survived. Maltbey's juvenile brother was inside his car at the time, but was not hurt.

Thomas explained that they called in Green Bay police to investigate, though their policy did not require them to contact an outside agency.

The shooting took place in the 900 block of S. Kensington Drive after a pair of thefts from gas stations.

Felton was suspected of stealing a gas station on E. Newberry Street around 10:30 p.m. May 27, and another on S. Kensington Drive just after midnight May 28.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - A Fond du Lac girl told police she was offered candy by a group of teens and now police are investigating.

Police say the incident happened in the area of Willsher Drive and Wakefield Avenue on the city's southeast side around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

An 11-year-old girl said she was walking in the area when a white minivan, possibly a Dodge Caravan, pulled up. One of the people inside opened the sliding side door and offered her candy.

The girl ran to a nearby house, where she got help calling police. She was not hurt.

Authorities say there were apparently 3 white males in their late teens in the van. The driver was wearing an orange t-shirt, jeans and a baseball hat. He may have had a nose piercing.

The passenger in the front seat had a beard and brown hair, and the passenger in the back was wearing a gray shirt and a brown baseball hat.

The minivan, which was older, may have had the numbers 288 in its license plate.

Anyone with information is asked to call Fond du Lac police at (920) 906-5555 or Crime Alert (920) 322-3740.

FOX CROSSING, WI (WTAQ) - Police are looking for the person who robbed a gas station in the Village of Fox Crossing, which used to be the Town of Menasha.

Officers were called to the BP at the corner of Prospect Avenue and American Drive around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Police say a male came into the convenience store, showed the clerk a gun and demanded money.

He got an undisclosed amount of cash and ran off.

Police don't know how old the male was.

He was wearing a white hoodie and had a bandana covering his face.

GRENN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Warm and humid weather is expected for the 2016 Bellin Run, and there is even a chance for a thunderstorm.

Sunrise temperatures on Saturday will be in the upper 60's with a hazy and muggy start to the day, with the possibility of a scattered thunderstorm.

By the 8:00 a.m. race start temperatures will climb to 76 with a dew point near 70.

There is a chance for a thunderstorm especially early Saturday morning.

By 10:00 a.m. the temperature reaches 81 with a heat index near 86.

Winds will be light from the west at 5-10 mph, and the thunderstorm chance will be diminishing.

By noon the temperature will be near 85 with partly cloudy skies and a heat index in the low 90's.

Light west winds won't do much to help cool runners with the dew point values still in the low 70's.

Race organizers are reminding runners and walkers to hydrate before and during the race.

Close to 20,000 participants are expected to take part in the Bellin Run.

Five Things You Should Know About the summer driving season:

Gas prices have a big impact on summer driving: It’s simple supply-and-demand; we’re more likely to make a summer road-trip when gas prices are down. Gas prices are averaging $2.38 in Wisconsin, down 23-cents from last summer. But go back to the summer of 2005 when Hurricane Katrine disrupted refinery output -- Wisconsin gas prices spiked to $4.11. A Gallop survey from that summer showed 48% of all drivers would curtail their travel plans because of higher prices. Among young people 30-and-under, 60% said they’d scrap vacation plans because of higher pump prices.

GasBuddy.com projects gas prices will rise to an average of $2.65 in early July. Even with those increases, a weekend round-trip from the center of Wisconsin to Minneapolis or Chicago would cost you about $16 more in gasoline compared to today’s prices – probably not enough to change anyone’s plans.

Summer auto traffic is expected to rise another 2% this year on top of increases seen in 2015, 2014, and 2013.

Fatal crashes spike during the summer months: Consider the snow and ice of December with the sunshine of June. Weather be damned, there are more fatal traffic accidents in Wisconsin during the summer months than winter. Difficult winter driving conditions aren’t the determining factor in crashes – it’s the number of people driving and the distances they’re travelling. And those numbers factors all work against you in the summer. The numbers of inexperienced drivers, the use of alcohol, and long-distance travelling for vacation are all higher during the summer months.Wisconsin had 451 fatal crashes last year. 64% of them happened in the three months – June, July, and August -- roughly corresponding when school is out. 2016’s traffic statistics are trending slightly higher than a year ago. And that’s because of an unusually deadly February ’16 on Wisconsin highways. And February was an unusually-mild winter month when vehicle miles were up despite only 29 days instead of 30 or 31.

Seatbelt use is important: The biggest risk for being killed or suffering a serious injury in a car accident is alcohol. Death or maiming is 11-times more likely in crashes were alcohol is a factor. But people who drink and drive are still the exception rather than the rule. Unbuckled drivers are much more common than drunk drivers. And you’re 7-times more likely to be killed or hurt if you aren’t wearing your seat belt.

Wisconsin’s seat belt usage is up to 86-percent, which is just slightly below the national average of 88-percent. That’s a big increase from 61-percent 15-years ago. Wisconsin’s seat belt usage bumped up even further in 2009 when we switched to a primary-enforcement law. Now police can pull you over just for not wearing your seatbelt. Under the old law there had to be another violation first before a seatbelt citation could be issued.

While the fine is only $10, seatbelt violations are part of the insurance industry’s CLUE data base. Most insurers will adjust your rates accordingly if you get caught not buckling up.

Beware of drunk driving – our drunk driving statistics are above the national average in all categories: Yes, we love our beer in Wisconsin. And drunk driving is a bigger problem here than the rest of the country. 3.1% of all Wisconsin drivers self-reported in an anonymous survey that they’ve driven after “drinking too much” in the past 30-days. The nationwide average is 1.9%. And although Wisconsin has toughened the penalties for repeat offenders, we’re still the only state in the country where a first time OWI is not a criminal violation and doesn’t require a court appearance.

Not all summer road trips have to be far away: Most tourists who visit Wisconsin are from surrounding states: Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa are our most-frequent visitors. And Wisconsinites are more likely to road-trip in-state than out-of-state. Planetware.com ranks Wisconsin’s 12 best summer destinations as (12 through 1): The House on the Rock in Spring Green, the Ice Age Trail, Door County, the National Railroad Museum at Green Bay, the Land O Lakes chain, Lambeau Field and the Packers Hall of Fame, Wisconsin Dells, the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, the Wisconsin State Capitol, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin East, and the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh.

Chris Conley6.9.16

WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - The suspects in a beating death have been ordered to stand trial.

Adam Ozuna, 24, and Zachary Hohn, 16, allegedly beat Matthew Pagel, 25, to death and left his body along side the road.

Both were ordered to stand trial after a preliminary hearing Wednesday, according to online court records.

Although Hohn is 16, in Wisconsin, homicide cases for children 10 and older start in adult court.

Hohn's attorney told the court he will file a petition, seeking to have the case moved to juvenile court, records indicate.

Hohn is scheduled to be back in court June 21. Ozuna's arraignment is set for July 14.

According to a criminal complaint, Ozuna and Hohn allegedly picked Pagel up from a motel in Clintonville where he was living.

Pagel was looking to buy the drug Adderall and had been exchanging text messages with Ozuna and Hohn, according to prosecutors.

Ozuna and Hohn offered to drive Pagel to get some Adderall, but instead beat him to death in the car and robbed him. They ended up with $200 and Pagel's jacket.

Prosecutors say the used a car belonging to the mother of Hohn's girlfriend, who also lives with Ozuna. When the two returned, they were covered in blood and told Hohn's girlfriend about the beating. Her mother eventually found Pagel's body in a ditch southeast of Clintonville and called 911 around 2:30 a.m.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The suspect involved in a double homicide in Hobart appeared in court Thursday afternoon.

26-year-old Jacob P. Cayer of Ashwaubenon was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of first-degree intentional homicide.

Appearing via video, Cayer was ordered held on a $5 million cash bond by the Brown County court commissioner.

Fearing for her client's well-being, Carrie LaPlant, sought a quicker return to court.

"I have serious concerns about Jacob's mental health at this point. So, my concern is setting things out that long, may only deteriorate the situation."

Cayer's initial court appearance is scheduled for Friday, June 17th at 2:30 p.m.

Police say the gruesome crime took place at a home in the 1300 block of Riverdale Drive Tuesday. 

25-year-old Sabrina Teague was stabbed to death in her backyard. Teague is Cayer's ex-girlfriend. Police say they found Teague's mother, 63-year-old Heesun 'Sunny' Teague, dead in the family's bathroom. Joel Kennedy was also stabbed in the chest and arms, but is expected to survive.

A police K-9 helped locate Cayer hiding in some woods behind the house. He was then arrested and taken to the Brown County Jail.

(Additional reporting by WTAQ's Melissa Barclay)

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - The Appleton woman charged with killing her husband will stand trial.

A preliminary hearing was held Wednesday for 34-year-old Tina Hafeman. Hafeman is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, with a domestic violence penalty enhancer.

She's accused of killing Chad Hafeman at their home on N. Durkee Street late last month.

An arraignment date was not immediately available.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama will campaign in Green Bay next Wednesday.

According to a press release from the Clinton campaign Thursday, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee will appear with President Obama a day after appearing for a campaign event in Pennsylvania.

A location or time for the event have not been announced.

This comes on the same day President Obama formally endorsed Clinton.

Clinton campaigned in Green Bay once ahead of Wisconsin's primary this year. However, Bernie Sanders beat Clinton that April 5 primary by a 57-43 percent margin.

Clinton clinched enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee earlier this week.

WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - A Fremont woman will stand trial November 7 for allegedly killing her boyfriend.

According to online court records, 43-year-old Alison Roe is due back in court October 5 for a motions hearing. The trial is scheduled to last for one week.

Roe is charged with stabbing Craig Dake at their apartment back on March 6, 2015. According to the criminal complaint, the couple argued before the stabbing.

The reason for the start of the trial is due to it being postponed on at least 2 separate occasions.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - One of the men suspected of killing a Manitowoc man in his doorway has pleaded not guilty.

Online court records detail that 22-year-old Quinn Smith is scheduled to stand trial on September 26. Smith returns to court on September 13.

Police say Smith and Joe Vang, who remains at large, went to Kor Yang's home on February 5, rang the doorbell and then killed Yang when he answered.

A motive for the murder has not been revealed in police or court documents, however both have detailed Smith and Vang's gang ties. 

Smith is charged with being party to first-degree intentional homicide, while Vang has not been formally charged.

Anyone with information about the shooting or Vang's whereabouts is asked to call Manitowoc police at (920) 686-6500 or Crime Stoppers at (920) 683-4466.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The 40th annual Bellin Run is scheduled for Saturday and so are hot temperatures not ideal for running.

On Thursday, Bellin organizers announced a heat safety plan for race participants. Executive Director Randy Van Straten is asking those who live along the route to help out.

"We encourage you to break out the garden hose and sprinklers for participants to run or walk through, covering no more than half of the street and if you could, put the hoses on low pressure with a nice cooling mist."

They have also added ice stations, more water stations, and five misting stations along the route. Officials says they will be distributing over 6 tons of ice during the race.

Race Director Dave McGillivray asked runners and walkers to be aware of their personal limitations.

"You have to, you must, take personal responsibility for yourself. If there's anything that we can get across to runners, it's that."

There will be 75 volunteer medical professionals stationed at the medical tent throughout the course.

Coordinators also have a color-coded Emergency Alert System in place which will keep everyone informed of course conditions on race day. The current status is at a yellow-level alert.

Officials ask that participants prepare for the heat by being well-hydrated and that starts before the race. It's also suggested that you wear light colored, loose-fitting clothing; preferably something that wicks away moisture.

Find more tips on staying safe in the heat on race day at bellinrun.com.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Just in time for the hot summer weather to arrive in Green Bay, city officials are opening up public outdoor swimming pools for the season.

There are three outdoor pools which all open for the first time at noon on Saturday.

"We are ready to go, our staff has been training for the past two weeks so we're excited to open," says Ann Moeller, recreation supervisor with the City of Green Bay Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. "Whether there's 30 people in the pool or 1,000 people in the pool, we're always fully staffed and ready to go so we're definitely well equipped for crowds."

With temperatures expected to be touching 90 degrees with high humidity on Saturday, Moeller says they do anticipate a busy opening day.

Here are the hours of operation for the Green Bay pools:

1. Colburn Pool (1025 S. Fisk Street) -- Monday-Thursday 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (June 11 through August 21)
2. Joannes Family Aquatic Center (1430 E. Walnut Street) -- Monday-Thursday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (June 11 through August 21)
3. Resch Aquatic Center (1058 Reed Street) -- Monday-Thursday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (June 11 through August 21). Monday-Thursday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (August 22 to August 25).

Admission rates are as follows:

• Children under 2 years -- FREE
• Student (2-17 years) -- $2.90 (Residents); $4 (Non-Residents)
• Adult (18-59 years) -- $4 (Residents); $5.50 (Non-Residents)
• Senior Citizen (60+ years) -- $2.90 (Residents); $5.50 (Non-Residents)

Summer Swim Passes (not including tax) are as follows:

• Student (2-17 years) -- $45 (Residents); $76 (Non-Residents)
• Adult (18-59 years) -- $50 (Residents); $87 (Non-Residents)
• Senior Citizen (60+ years) -- $45 (Residents); $87 (Non-Residents)
• Family (Up to 2 adults, 3 children under 17 living in same house) -- $100 (Residents); $174 (Non-Residents)

For more information on Green Bay pools, click here.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - The City of Appleton is hoping to kick its littering habit, one cigarette butt at a time.

The project is called #CleanStreetsAppleton. The goal is to keep cigarette butts off city streets and sidewalks.

The city is implementing new boxes. They look like ballot boxes, allowing people to "vote" against littering while throwing away their butts.

Paula Vandehey is Appleton's Public Works Director

"One of the things we're hoping is that there are a lot of people who throw their cigarette butts on the ground, right, so maybe people walking by going, 'ah, this is kind of ridiculous,' they will look at the voting boxes and say, 'hey, the city's really trying, look at this fun way that people have to get rid of their cigarette butts.'"

For now, there are three boxes in the city. All three are located downtown. But if the program is successful, more could be on the way.