ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Drivers will have to plan a different way to get around the Interstate 41-Highway 172 interchange next week.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says the ramp from eastbound Highway 172 to southbound I-41 will be closed beginning Monday. Construction crews will be connecting the existing ramp to newly built lanes of I-41.
The DOT will move drivers onto Vanderperren Way and Ashland Avenue.
The ramp is expected to be closed for 6 weeks.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - The 8th Annual Butterfly Festival took place in Appleton on Saturday.
Hundreds attended the event in City Park, which allowed children to get up close and personal with butterflies.
In addition, families spent the day taking part in activities including crafts and games.
The event supports child abuse prevention in the Fox Cities.
It closed with the release of over 1,000 butterflies.
UNDATED (WTAQ) - Wisconsin's strawberry season is in full swing.
For the most part, farmers in the Badger State says the strawberry crop is good.
"We've seen a good crop here, although some growers did get some frost damage in the state," says David Meuer, owner of Meuer Farm in Chilton. "I know some producers, some farms are going to be down a little bit but there's still berries out there."
Generally in Wisconsin, strawberry season goes pretty quickly. Some farmers only have enough berries for a week to 10 days, depending on crop size and variety. Others can go for up to 5 weeks.
Meuer says if you've only had strawberries bought at a grocery store, you're missing out.
"Oh it's totally different, there's nothing like a vine-ripened strawberry," Meuer says. "It's nice and red and that's the way they're picked on the farm too."
Farmers like Meuer recommend people call ahead before going out to their farms. He has a hotline available with information at (920) 418-4777.
"The information on there is updated sometimes 2 and 3 times a day to let people know what variety we're picking, the weather conditions, other things going on at the farm," explains Meuer. "A lot of people come here from 40-50 miles away and it may not be raining by them, and it might be pouring here. Sometimes if we get picked out, we do close in the afternoons."
Wisconsin actually ranks in the Top 10 nationally in strawberry production, despite its relatively short season.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - An accident has backed up traffic on a well-traveled stretch of highway in Brown County.
Expect slowdowns on Highway 172 westbound at Riverside Drive in the Green Bay area due to a truck carrying gravel that tipped over.
Traffic has been reduced to a single lane and delays are expeced.
The DOT is asking drivers to find an an alternate route.
The highway is expected to open later today.
MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) - The new Kohl's store, set to open in October, is looking to fill 30 part and full-time positions.
Full-time positions include supervisory roles in merchandising, operations and service areas.
Part-time hourly positions include register operators, department associates, freight associates, customer service associates and others.
Jennifer Cohorst is a district manager for Kohls.
"The new Kohl's store in Marinette will bring new jobs, amazing products and incredible savings to shoppers in the area"
She says applicants can go online at KohlsCareers.com to apply to open positions.
"We're looking forward to opening our doors to the community and building a winning team of associates who will bring Kohl's reputation of exceptional customer service to life"
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach is still defending the decision to come up with a severance package for former County Corporation Counsel Juliana Ruenzel.
On WTAQ's Jerry Bader Show, Streckenbach says he had to bring in an independent investigation because the County's H-R department couldn't make an impartial decision about the person who was the legal head of H-R, and claims some members were making against her.
"we try to address the issue as best as we could through Human resources, but it became apparent that it was not going to be resolved"
The complaints were filed by breastfeeding moms who felt Ruenzel harassed them. Ruenzel resigned last winter and was paid $61 thousand.
"in order for us to move forward we need to bring in an independent investigation to verify what side is, what is being told in terms of the issue that's at hand"
Some county board members claim Streckenbach should have asked for the board's guidance before ordering the investigation and paying out the money. Streckenbach says he has the authority to do that.
CHILTON, WI (WTAQ) - The former Appleton East High School student accused of making a bomb threat earlier this year had a not guilty plea entered on his behalf.
That's what Sheboygan County Judge Angela Sutkiewicz did for 18-year-old Forrest Grade, who stood mute during his arraignment. Online court records indicate Grade returns to court for a status conference August 29, but a trial date has not been set.
Grade is charged with a felony count of making a bomb scare. Police say Grade allegedly posted a threat through a phone app on February 2.
Officials contacted the phone application company and identified Grade that way. Police add that Grade allegedly admitted to creating the post during an interview.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - It was a scary afternoon at Bay Beach Amusement Park.
Two staff members and a rider were taken to the hospital when one of the trains on the Zippin Pippin didn't stop in time and ran into an empty train in front of it.
Justin Hoelscher of Sun Prairie was there when it happened.
"I'm there with my 6-year-old daughter waiting to go on and people were horrified. You saw people instantly crying and reacting that they were basically startled and who knows how badly hurt when the impact occurred."
Dawne Cramer is the City of Green Bay Parks Director.
"At this time we don't know why it happened that way. It's under investigation."
Cramer said the state last inspected the ride at the start of the season, while parks workers inspect it daily.
The ride is expected to remain closed for at least one week.
Official’s say the injuries of the three people don't appear to be serious.
(Additional reporting by WTAQ's Melissa Barclay)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police are investigating an incident where two pit bulls attacked a Green Bay mother and her 15-month-old child on Monday.
Police say it happened at 12:09 p.m. in the 1100 block of Reber Street.
When officers arrived at the home, neighbors had been able to separate the dogs from the mom and her toddler.
Officials say the mom and child were taken to the hospital and their injuries don't appear to be life-threatening.
Police say the dogs and the mother and child were not familiar with one another and this appears to be an instance of an unprovoked dog attack that took place outside the dogs' yard.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Brown County judge on Monday heard arguments for giving a Green Bay man currently serving a life prison sentence without parole a new parole hearing.
That's the case being made on behalf of Omer Ninham.
"There is actually enough information in the record that the court could conclude he is not one of those rare juvenile offenders who is beyond eruptible corruption, but at a minimum I think he's entitled to a new hearing," Alicia D'Addario, Ninham's defense attorney, said according to FOX 11.
Back in 1998, Ninham was just 14 when he was convicted of pushing 13-year-old Zong Vang off the St. Vincent Hospital parking ramp causing Vang's death.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in January that people serving life terms with no parole for murders they committed as teenagers must have a chance to seek their freedom.
"(The ruling) did not address specifically the Wisconsin law which would be a discretionary decision by the court that there can be lifetime in prison without the possibility of parole," said Judge Kendall Kelley.
The defense on Monday focused mainly on Ninham's rehabilitation, saying he was just a child when he was sentenced.
"Life without parole should be extraordinarily rare for a child because we don't know; it's very hard to predict how a child will develop over time," D'Addario said.
However, the state argued no matter his age the crime was violent and said Ninham actions during the original trial proved that.
"It didn't reflect transit immaturity, they were calculated as the case went on, premeditated as he made threats against people who needed to testify for state to win the conviction; his danger is very clear cut," said prosecuting attorney, Mary Kerrigan-Mares.
Judge Kelly says reviewing the case will take time and said then he will determine if a new hearing would take place. He said he will then issue a written decision, but when that decision will be made is undetermined.
Another man, Richard Crapeau, who was 13 at the time, was also sentenced to life in prison for Vang's death, but he has parole eligibility after serving 50 years.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - An Appleton business is raising money for the Good Samaritan that helped a member of law enforcement in a dire situation.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park is donating all the proceeds from Monday to 23-year-old Andrew Maltbey, the man who helped Appleton Police Officer Stephanie Wiener during an altercation with a suspect on May 28, 2016; Maltbey and Wiener were shot.
General Manager Mike Hesler says it felt like the right thing to do.
"It's for a great cause and a young man that could really use the help, you know, getting through his injuries that he put himself out there for."
Normally the business is not open on Monday but as a member of the Appleton community, Hesler and the owner wanted to give back.
"Most of my team members are high school students or younger and then volunteering today, they just really stepped up and made me proud of them and proud to be a part of this company," says Hesler.
The business has a goal of $10,000 dollars but hopes to exceed that expectation
If you'd like to help Maltbey, go to www.gofundme.com.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - State officials went around Wisconsin Monday announcing a new initiative to help out homeless veterans.
"Working with local governments, community partners and veterans groups, we are on a mission to identify every veteran in Wisconsin who is facing the harsh reality of homelessness," said Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. "Stable housing is foundational to success in every other area of life, and our heroes deserve the best chance at living the American dream that they've sacrificed so much to make possible for us all."
The Welcome Home Veterans Initiative will utilize $5 million from low-income energy assistance crisis funds which were left over from last winter, which was milder than average including lower than expected energy costs.
The Department of Administration will use that money to assist homeless veterans with security deposits, first month's rent and utility bills.
"By prioritizing Energy Assistance funds, the Welcome Home Veterans initiative is able to give back to those who have served our country and our state," said Scott Nietzel, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration. "This assistance for homeless veterans could be the help they need to achieve long-term stability. Wisconsin is excited to be a part of this unique partnership working to end veteran homelessness in Wisconsin."
This program takes a housing first approach to place veterans experiencing homelessness in permanent housing as quickly as possible. Once veterans are stabilized in permanent housing, partnering organizations are able to provide additional services as needed.
If you need assistance from the Welcome Home Veterans initiative, call the state's toll free Energy Help hotline at 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947) or contact your local county veterans' service officer.
STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) - If you're heading out on the waterways this summer, you may have some company.
A national enforcement effort is targeting those who may be boating under the influence.
The initiative is called Operation Dry Water.
In his eight years patrolling the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, Door County Sheriff's Investigator Jason Stenzel says he has seen a lot on the water.
"It's the slow, no-wake violations, things like that. Safety violations"
But Pat McCarty, the department's Chief Deputy say one problem stands out above the rest.
"The number one contributing factor in boating fatalities, is alcohol"
Operation Dry Water is a national enforcement effort designed to stop those who may be drinking and boating.
Stenzel says they are seeing changes, like more designated drivers on the boats.
"Just by having our presence out here, it keeps everybody in check. We don't like being the bad guys all the time, but sometimes I guess our presence is needed"
The Door County Marine Patrol will be joined by the Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Since Operation Dry Water launched in 2009, the number of boating deaths linked to alcohol, has dropped in the U.S.
From 2012 to 2013, there was a 31 percent decrease in the number of recreational boater deaths, where alcohol was the number one factor.
Officials say it's the largest drop in the past five years.
MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) - Seventeen-year-old Avan Kittler is back in jail on new charges.
That's after Kittler was picked up and booked on previous counts for a triple shooting, a pair of armed robberies, and three carjackings.
Kittler had posted bail in those, but landed back behind bars yesterday (MON).
That happened when police found a video from April on Facebook of Kittler flashing a gun and smoking marijuana while driving around Milwaukee with a child in the back seat.
He's now been arrested on charges of felony bail jumping, with more pending.
MADISON, WI (WRN) - A bird in Dane County is believed to be the first in Wisconsin to test positive for the West Nile Virus this year.
County health officials in Madison said a bird found at an undisclosed location contracted the virus from an infected mosquito.
West Nile cases normally peak in Wisconsin around August or September.
There were seven confirmed or probable human West Nile cases last year, with one horse and 47 birds also getting the virus.
One undisclosed person died from getting West Nile in 2015.
The state has been conducting surveillance for the virus since May first.
MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - A state appeals court today (TUE) up held a 65 year prison term for an Athelstane man convicted of sexually assaulting a child.
Despite a prosecutor's recommendation that John Allen be sentenced to 8 years, 6 months in prison on multiple convictions - including repeated sexual assault of a 12-year-old child - Marinette County Judge James Morrison imposed the maximum sentence of 65 years in prison and 35 years of extended supervision.
Judge Morrison noted the need to protect the public when he issued the sentence.
Allen, who was 61 at the time of sentencing, argued the judge ignored a report suggesting he was a low risk to re-offend.
But, the appeals court ruled Morrison was within his authority.
"Because the sentencing court imposed a sentence within the permissible range set by statute and gave reasons for its decision, it did not need to explain why the sentence it imposed differed from any particular recommendation. Although the DOC's recommendation may be helpful and should be considered by the court, the recommendation is not entitled to any deference," the court wrote.
The appeals court also rejected Allen's contention the sentence was too harsh.
KEWAUNEE, WI (WTAQ) - Kewaunee County Sheriff's Department is reporting a bicyclist was killed when he was struck by a passing motorcycle.
The incident happened just before 5:30 this morning (TUE) on State 54, about 500 feet east of County D in Ahnapee.
The eastbound motorcycle struck an eastbound bicyclist, killing the 49-year-old Casco man.
His name has not been released.
No arrests have been made or citations issued at this point and the incident remains under investigation.
UNDATED (WTAQ) - Forty-eight hours after his latest escape, authorities in Costa Rica say John Saatio has been captured.
Acting Immigration Administration Director Gladys Jiménez told The Tico Times Saatio was found in Los Guido, Desamparados, a canton directly south of San José.
A fugitive from Michigan who earlier this month was captured in Costa Rica had managed to escape police custody again.
WLUC-TV reported 34-year-old John Saatio escaped an immigration detention center in Hatillo on June 19. Saatio was being held there for nearly 3 weeks awaiting his deportation to Michigan.
Saatio was taken into custody on June 2 in Costa Rica after his escape last year from the Houghton County Jail in Upper Michigan.
Saatio was spotted in Green Bay the next day, and Brown County sheriff's officials also investigated a report that he had been seen in the Flintville area of Suamico on June 23.
He was facing a 25-year sentence for multiple charges, including home invasion and destruction of police property.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - One day after Green Bay officials closed the Zippin Pippin following a malfunction where three people were hurt, people at Bay Beach Amusement Park are still talking about it.
"We come out a couple times every summer and yeah we like to ride it, but we mainly come out for our daughter," says Micki Yaeger. "It's like our one little adult ride we get to go on."
Riders said an occupied train car failed to stop properly, hitting an empty train car in the loading area, which struck two workers.
"I guess I would rather have people safe than get hurt riding it," says Samantha, who was enjoying Tuesday afternoon at Bay Beach with her family.
"We came down from Upper Michigan last night, spent the night and didn't find out about the ride being closed until this morning," says Myron, who's visiting with his grandchildren. "That was kind of a bummer."
Green Bay Parks Director Dawne Cramer says the state inspected the roller coaster before the start of the season. She said on Monday that Bay Beach workers also inspect the ride daily. Cramer, nor any other city Parks Department officials, were available for comment Tuesday.
"We've talked with the software manufacturer, along with the manufacturer of the ride and the ride operator," says Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. "All those have to be in sync for that ride to work, it's been in sync for so many years and yesterday something wasn't and we have to get to the bottom of it to figure it out, get it fixed and get that ride back open and operational."
Those enjoying a sunny, warm day at Bay Beach say it isn't going to darken their spirits.
"It would've been nice if we would've been able to ride it," said Yaeger.
"Oh it's a beautiful day," Myron said. "The kids are having fun."
When does Schmitt expect Elvis' favorite ride to reopen?
"It seems like it's something we can get resolved in the next few days," Schmitt said. "There's 19 other rides out there for the public to enjoy and I'll be the first one to get back on the Zippin Pippin once it gets that clean bill of health."
The injuries to those involved Monday are not believed to be serious.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Police Department is warning the public to be wary of rental scams on Craigslist.
Captain Kevin Warych says no matter what you should ask the landlord to show you the property.
"If the person showing the property makes up an excuse that the people haven't moved out yet or there's something going on inside the apartment or house that cannot be shown, that should be a very big red flag for the potential renter."
Authorities say the scam usually involves attractive photographs of the home or apartment. They may also ask you to send gift cards or wire money.
Warych says be responsible, do your research, and if the offer looks too good to be true, it probably is.
"People kind of need to do their own background check and validate the property address as well as the potential landlord."
Potential renters can do that by looking up land records through the county.
If you think you've been a victim of a scam you should contact the police.
