GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police want to ensure that the water is as safe as the streets.

Capt. Kevin Warych says that includes keeping booze off boats...

"when people choose to consumer alcohol on a boat it's very dangerous. and, if not done properly and safely, it poses a risk not only to them, their occupants, but too all boaters"

Warych recommends having a designated driver.

He also says if you're going to be on a boat, make sure to wear a life jacket.

It's the most important life saving tool you can have on the water.

"if people are wearing their life-jackets it's the same as wearing a seatbelt in a car"

If you do drink, Warych says you should have a designated driver.

He says drunk boating is more dangerous than drunk driving because of more variables.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin State Journal reports that at least some state delegates to next month's Republican National Convention are uneasy, and fear Trump atop the ticket could spell disaster for the party in November.

A national "Free the Delegates" movement is urging the RNC rules committee to override state rules and allow delegates to vote their conscience at the convention in Cleveland.

Wisconsin's top Republicans, Governor Scott Walker and House Speaker Paul Ryan, have indicated they're okay with allowing delegates to do just that.

David Blaska, an alternate delegate from Dane County, told the Journal that the party can either "do the Thelma and Louise thing and go over the cliff with Trump," or make a "Rockford Files" style U-turn.

Blaska says he prefers the latter.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Gas prices are on the decline in Wisconsin despite an indefinite shutdown of the only pipeline sending fuel from Milwaukee to Green Bay to serve the northern part of the state and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Triple-A puts the average price in the state at two-dollars-40-cents, down six-cents from last week and 37-cents less than last year.  

Madison has Wisconsin's lowest average price at two-24, while drivers in Green Bay pay the most at two-48.

A spokesman for GASBUDDY.COM says prices might continue to slowly drop in the weeks ahead barring any unforseen problems with refineries in the midwest.

MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) - A Racine man is facing federal charges for allegedly selling phony tickets on Craigslist to NHL, MLB, NBA, college football, and World Series games.  

Thirty-six-year-old Nicholas Spranger is also accused of forging notes from doctors to say he had cancer to try to avoid prosecution.  

He used 14 email accounts for the fake ticket sales, and required payment through PayPal or Western Union.

Authorities say he would then make up several reasons why the tickets hadn't arrived.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) -  You can join the fun of Packers Family Night, presented by Bellin Health, when tickets go on sale this week.

Ticket sales for the July 31 event start at 10 a.m. Monday, June 27.

Tickets will be available in person at the Packers' ticket office at Lambeau Field or at Ticketmaster locations throughout Wisconsin, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online.

There is a limit of 10 tickets per purchase on the first day of sales. Tickets are $10 each and are required for admittance regardless of age.

The annual Packers Family Night is fans' first chance to see the 2016 Packers team take to Lambeau Field. The full practice will feature 11-on-11 sessions that include live contact.

A full night of activities is also planned, including the Chili's "Jerseys Off Our Backs" promotion in which jerseys worn by players in the practice will be given away in a random drawing; the Pick 'n Save Family Night Picnic and the spectacular Pick 'n Save Fireworks Show to conclude the event.

Parking is $5 with net proceeds benefiting the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program.

In case of bad weather, no refunds will be issued unless all in-stadium activities are canceled.

TOWNSHIP OF MOUNTAIN, WI (WTAQ) - A man was killed after a crash in Oconto County shortly after midnight Monday.

Officials received a call about a vehicle in a ditch on State Highway 32, just south of Chute Lake Parkway in the Township of Mountain.

Officials say the 31-year-old man from Suring missed a curve and hit a large tree.

His name hasn't been released.

MISHICOT, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Mishicot are searching for a snake loose in the village.

The department was notified about a 4-foot ball python getting loose from an apartment at 563 S. Main Street around 2 a.m. Monday.

"The people at the apartment they had it as a pet for a couple years and it ended up attacking their dog," says Paul Granger, Mishicot Police Chief. "So they tried to wrestle it off the dog somehow and tossed it off their balcony out their window."

Granger calls this a first for his department in trying to locate a snake at-large in the village. They've called in wildlife officials to help locate and trap the snake.

"We've reached out to the apartment manager to try and have all the tenants in the area notified, put a notification out on our Twitter account to alert people that way as well," Granger says. "Try to get the word out there so that if anybody sees it they can call us, while we're waiting on wildlife to attempt to trap it."

Anyone that sees the snake or has information is asked to call the Mishicot Police Department at (920) 755-4041 or the Manitowoc County Dispatch Center at (920) 683-4201.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man accused of stabbing and killing his ex-girlfriend and her mother in Hobart will have a competency hearing.

The court has ordered an evaluation for 26-year-old Jacob Cayer on August 5. 

Last week, the Ashwaubenon man was charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, burglary and bail jumping.

Cayer allegedly killed Sabrina Teague and her mother, Heesun 'Sunny' Teague, and injuring another man at a Hobart home on June 7.

If convicted, Cayer could spend life in prison.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - AAA expects a record number of travelers for the upcoming Independence Day holiday weekend.

Nearly 43 million Americans are projected to travel for the period from Thursday to Monday, July 4. That includes 923,770 from Wisconsin, which would be the highest travel volume on record.

"Independence Day is always the most-traveled holiday of the summer, but this year it will be bigger than ever, primarily because of low gas prices," said Joseph J. Richardson Jr., President and CEO at AAA - The Auto Club Group. "Airports will be just as crowded as the roads, because low fuel prices are making it more affordable to fly. If fundamentals remain the same, this could be a record-breaking year for summertime travel."

According to AAA, 84 percent of holiday travelers will drive to their destinations, an increase of 1.2 percent over last year. Air travel is expected to increase 2.2 percent over last year, with 3.3 million Americans taking to the skies this Independence Day. 

"The peak travel times for motorists will be Friday and Monday afternoons," said Nick Jarmusz, Wisconsin director of public affairs for AAA. "The best times to leave will be in the morning, because the roads will be less crowded and you will have more time to get to your destination safely."

Jarmusz says that the increase in consumer confidence has been a continued falling of gas prices for Wisconsin drivers.

"The average motorist has saved about $100 on gasoline so far this year compared to the first six months of 2015," Jarmusz said. "These low gas prices, combined with rising wages, are helping boost disposable income, making travel more affordable."

Even with those bargain basement pump prices, last week's acknowledgment that the lone fuel pipeline from Milwaukee to northeast Wisconsin being shut down indefinitely has some worried about supply. But Jarmusz says that drivers should take a deep breath.

"We don't believe there's really a shortage of gas coming into Green Bay so much as it's costing more to bring that gas in," explains Jarmusz. "So there's going to be an elevated cost to bring the product into the Green Bay market, which will naturally get passed on to the customers. The statewide average is about $2.40, whereas in Green Bay we're at about $2.48, and that's kind of the difference that we've been seeing over the course of the past two months."

WORK ZONE TIP SHEET

Before you hit the road for this week's Independence Day weekend, here are major work zones to be aware of:

• I-41 in Brown County - there are narrowed travel lanes and shoulders in several locations and reduced speeds to 55 mph from Grant Street to Lineville Road. Also, the southbound I-41 off-ramp to Velp Avenue remains closed with a marked detour.
• I-43 and I-43/I-41 interchange in Brown County - I-43 between Atkinson Drive and I-41 is reduced to a single lane in each direction with speed reduced to 55 mph. The southbound I-41 off-ramp to I-43 remains closed with a marked detour. Also, the northbound I-43 ramp to I-41 southbound remains closed.
• Eastbound WIS 172 to southbound I-41 ramp closed June 20 for about six weeks to connect the existing ramp with new construction.
• Eastbound WIS 172 traffic seeking southbound I-41 will be detoured east on WIS 172 to Vanderperren Way, to Ashland Avenue and back to southbound I-41.
• In Manitowoc County, I-43 will be down to one lane near the village of Cleveland. Travelers can use I-41 as an alternate route north or south.
• US 10 eastbound between Winnebago County CB and I-41 northbound is reduced to a single lane.
• In Marinette County - US 141 southbound is closed in the village of Wausaukee from WIS 180 to north village of Wausaukee limit. A detour using local streets is posted.
• Zoo Interchange project in Milwaukee County - lane closures on I-94 eastbound at Sunny Slope Road and on I-41/I-894 northbound at National Ave. The system ramp from I-94 westbound to I-41/I-894 southbound and various other exit and entrance ramps remain closed.
• Lakefront Gateway project in downtown Milwaukee - access to the lakefront at Lincoln Memorial Drive is closed. Posted detours show alternate access to lakefront destinations and locations to re-enter the freeway system.
• In Elkhorn, the US 12/County NN Interchange has closures on its on/off ramps affecting travel to the Lake Geneva area. Adjacent collector/distributor roadways remain open providing access to I-43 ramps. Detour routes are posted.
• I-41/US 45 rehabilitation project in Washington County - a single lane closure on I-41/US 45 northbound from County Q to the I-41/US 45 split will be in effect from Thursday evening (June 30) until noon Friday (July 1).
• I-39/90 in Dane and Rock counties - new exit ramp location from I-39/90 southbound to WIS 59 (Exit 163) near Edgerton and Newville. Ramps to/from I-39/90 northbound at US 51 interchange (Exit 156) are closed until late September 2016. Alternate routes are required.
• Madison Beltline and Verona Road (US 18/151) interchange in Dane County.
• I-90 in La Crosse reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction.
• US 51 in Marathon County - single lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 55 mph between Decator Drive and County WW.
• WIS 29 in Marathon County - single lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 55 mph between Sunrise Drive and Business 51.
• US 51 in Oneida County - passing lanes between Rocky Run Road and South Blue Lake Road are closed. US 51 remains open to one lane of traffic in each direction.
• Business 51 (Post Road) in Portage County - single lane closures and temporary traffic signals between Green Drive and Springville Drive.
• WIS 54/Wood and Portage County U intersection - single lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 55 mph.

QUICK STATS ON JULY 4TH TRAVEL

Some interesting tidbits regarding Independence Day holiday weekend travel:

• Independence Day travel volume increased six out of the last seven years (2013)
• Auto traveler totals will set a new record for the third consecutive year
• Gas prices are forecast to be the lowest in 11 years
• 3.43 million air travelers is 17.4 percent above the 2000-2015 average
• Airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes will average $207 -- $20 less than last year
• Rebounding cruise bookings are driving the rise in other modes of transportation
• AAA cruise bookings for the Independence Day holiday are 35% more than last year
• Hotel costs are slightly lower: AAA Three Diamond hotels will average $185 a night -- $10 less than last year; AAA Two Diamond hotels will average $144 -- $1 less than a year before
• Daily car rental rates will average $75 -- $4 more than last year

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Oshkosh have arrested a man for allegedly inappropriately touching a child at a city pool last week.

Police say it happened at Pollock Pool on Friday, June 24 around 3:45 p.m. 

Authorities say the 48-year-old Green Bay man touched the girl while at the pool. He tried to leave before police arrived, but others at the pool stopped him.

Officials say the man and the girl did not know each other.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Blood supplies are at a critical stage, but there's a way you can help out.

The American Red Cross is holding the 30th Annual Super Donor Days Blood Drive on Thursday and Friday at Shopko Hall in Green Bay. 

"We're urging eligible donors to help ensure blood is available for patients in need by giving blood this summer," says Greg Novinska, director of collections for the American Red Cross Badger-Hawkeye Blood Services Region. "Hospital patients continue to need lifesaving blood this summer, and they're relying on the generosity of volunteer donors to give them hope in the days and weeks ahead."

Super Donor Days will happen on Thursday from noon until 6 p.m. and Friday from 6 a.m. until noon.

"The need right now is huge," says Debbie Mylener, donor recruitment representative. "So we definitely need help at this point and we're asking that you please schedule an appointment within the next 72 hours to help avert a more serious crisis."

All blood types are needed, especially types O-negative, B-negative and A-negative.

To donate, you can download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code "superdonordays" or call (800) RED-CROSS (733-2767) to make an appointment or get more information.

According to officials, blood and platelet donations often decline during the summer months when busy summer schedules and vacation plans can cause some donors to be less available to give. Additionally, blood donations at high school and college blood drives, which account for as much as 20 percent of blood donations during the school year, decline when many schools are out of session.

Mylener says that all presenting blood donors will receive a limited-edition Red Cross lunch cooler and a $10 Visa gift card, courtesy of Suburban Propane, while supplies last. Special refreshments will include pizza provided by Glass Nickel Pizza Co. and a grill-out sponsored by Suburban Propane. Also, a Bo Ryan autographed University of Wisconsin basketball will be raffled off.

The 30th annual Super Donor Days Blood Drive is in partnership with our sister station WIXX and WBAY Channel 2.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The man accused of helping a former Brown County Sheriff's deputy steal money from the D.A.R.E. program has been convicted.

The conviction of Early Fuller is part of a plea deal he reached with prosecutors. Fuller pled no contest Monday to felony theft that exceeds more than $5,000 but less than $10,000.

Prosecutors say Fuller and former D.A.R.E. officer Kevin Vanden Heuvel stole money while they helped park vehicles in the D.A.R.E. parking lot near Lambeau Field.

Earlier this month, Vanden Heuvel was sentenced to two years behind bars for his role.

Fuller's sentencing is set for September 23.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - A Fond du Lac County jury is deciding the fate of a Kenosha man charged in a decades-old murder.

After nearly 3 hours of closing arguments Monday morning, jury deliberations began in Dennis Brantner's murder case. 

Brantner is accused of killing 18-year-old Berit Beck back in 1990. She disappeared on her way from her home in Sturtevant to a training seminar in Appleton. 

Her van was later found in a Fond du Lac parking lot.

According to a criminal complaint, nine of Brantner's fingerprints were found in the van.

BRADLEY, WI (WTAQ) - The Lincoln County Sheriff's Department says an Iowa man is dead after being pulled from the waters near the Bradley Dam in central Wisconsin.

A friend of the victim told police the man was fishing along the shoreline when he slipped into the water.

The friend was unable to reach the man, but with the help of some other people they were able to bring him back to shore.

The 82-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The official cause of death has not been determined and his name has not been released, pending notification of family.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Governor Scott Walker wants the Department of Transportation to have its full budget request turned in to his office about two months earlier than usual.

During the fall before the biennial budget is released, the DOT usually turns in its full request in November.

However, in a letter to Secretary Mark Gottlieb, the governor wants that moved up to September 15th, in order to allow time for a full public discussion.

In his letter, Walker called on the secretary to come up with a budget plan with specific priorities.

“Identify efficiency savings within DOT, including the implementation of less costly design practices, and examine federal mandates that increase costs and other mechanisms that can save taxpayer dollars. Savings need to be given to local road aids and highway maintenance.”

The governor also asked that spending on mega projects in southeastern Wisconsin be minimized.

“Any such projects should be prioritized based on our needs, not our wants,” he wrote.

Transportation spending was a major sticking point in the last state budget, with the issue tying up negotiations for almost a month and Republicans drastically reducing the amount of borrowing the governor used on to fund projects.

GOP leaders have already been calling for a change in how the state funds projects, and some have indicated the state should consider alternatives in the next biennium.

Walker has remained firm in his opposition to raising gas taxes or vehicle registration fees, without a comparable tax cut in another area.

The governor will present his full budget to the Legislature early next year.

WAUPACA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Three people were taken to a hospital after an overnight crash in Waupaca County.

It happened around 11:50 p.m. Monday on Highway 45, north of Highway 96, south of New London.

The 20-year-old man driving the jeep was flown to a hospital.

Two people in the van were also taken to a hospital.

ALGOMA, WI (WTAQ) - Days after a fire ripped through Algoma's marina, city adminsitrator Jeff Wiswell says all is well.

"We're 96 hours out, 100 hours out and we're basically back to normal, so we're pretty happy all things considered"

Both docks are operational, but one is still undergoing some cleanup.

The five boats that were burned in last week's fire are just a few blocks away.

People want answers as to why the boats caught fire, but Wiswell says they need to be patient.

"Whenever you have these kinds of investigations with any transportation related matter it just takes time," he said, "we want good, solid, scientific answers. We don't want speculation, rumors, etcetera."

While there is no official cause, Algoma's fire chief says he doesn't believe the fire was intentionally set.

Marcia Bathke, lives in Algoma during the summer and owns a boat that harbors at the Algoma marina.

"It was devastating. It was really a shock for this poor town"

As the flames broke out, her nephew who was at the harbor, called Bathke to say her boat had been damaged.

"It looked horrible, of course everything was all black and yucky"

Wiswell said as the investigation continues, time is money.

"We're going into the busy season right now. The king salmon are biting, the browns were going well"

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - If a tornado siren goes off, do you know what to do?

Despite a lot of reminders, when the sirens went of early Sunday morning in Brown and Outagamie counties, some people called dispatch not knowing where to go.

Cullen Peltier, the Director of the Brown County Department of Public Safety Communications.

"If the sirens are going off you can assume that there is an emergency do not call us, go into your basement or the lowest level interior of your house"

Peltier explained the dispatch center received 20 to 25 non-emergency calls Sunday morning. Those calls he says, takes away resources from actual emergencies.

"It ties up resources for the person having a heart attack, or the person that fell off the ladder, of whatever it may be"

A majority of the phone calls were from people living in apartment complexes. Even a hotel called to find out what to do with guests.

Peltier says apartment owners and hotel operators need to have a plan.

"I think it's incumbent on landlords and businesses to have things in place, signage, notifying the residents when they move in, where to go when there is severe weather"

This time storm damage was minimal.

Emergency management officials throughout the area say families should not only have an emergency plan, but also practice that plan.

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - Officials say mechanical issues have forced the De Pere VFW Pool to close.

The city says there is a water main break under the building.

All morning and evening swim lessons for Tuesday, June 28th have been moved to Legion Pool, 1212 Charles Street.

Officials hope to have the pool open by Saturday.

Anyone with questions can call the De Pere Parks and Recreation Department at (920) 339-4097.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The man convicted of killing a woman in the parking lot of the Lambeau Cottage last summer will spend life in prison.

That's the sentence a Brown County judge handed down Tuesday to 27-year-old Percy Sims.

Sims pleaded guilty in April in the shooting death of 39-year-old Krystal Torres-Smith in June 2015. Police described the incident as a drug deal gone badly.

Judge Thomas J. Walsh decided that Sims will be eligible for parole in 40 years.

The shooting took place in that parking lot, which is owned by UW-Green Bay.