ONEIDA, WI (WTAQ) - Officials say a Green Bay man has died after slamming his motorcycle into a car Friday afternoon.

According to the Outagamie County Sheriff's Office, it happened around 2:30 p.m. on County Highway E near Crooks Road in Oneida.

Two motorcycles were riding north on Highway E and the car was heading south. Sheriff's officials say the car turned into a driveway in front of both motorcycles and they struck the front passenger side of the car.

Two men on the motorcycles were thrown from their bikes and landed in the roadway. A 42-year-old man died, while another 42-year-old Green Bay man was flown to a nearby hospital.

The driver of the car was not hurt.

Officials say the motorcyclists were not wearing helmets and the highway had to be closed for more than 4 hours.

The crash remains under investigation.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - In the wake of Friday's decision by a federal judge overturning Brendan Dassey's conviction in the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach, Dassey's first attorney is talking about it.

Len Kachinsky represented then 16-year-old Brendan Dassey when investigators questioned him about the murder for which his uncle Steven Avery was also accused and later convicted of. 

At the time, Dassey was pulled out of school and Kachinsky allowed officers to interview his teenage client without him in the room. Before Dassey went to trial, Kachinsky was removed by the trial judge.

Dassey and his uncle Steven Avery were convicted in separate trials of killing Halbach, who had traveled to Avery's family's Manitowoc County salvage yard to take photos of a minivan for sale. The 25-year-old Halbach was working as a freelance photographer for Auto Trader magazine.

In a decision overturning Dassey's conviction, Federal Judge William Duffin called Kachinsky's work "indefensible," although he said that was not the reason for the conviction being overturned.

Kachinsky told FOX 11 he was "surprised" by the ruling and that, "When a motion to suppress is appealed, usually the finding of the trial judge, in this case (Manitowoc County Judge Jerome Fox), is usually upheld unless it's clearly erroneous."

Dassey's confession was called into question nationally with the release of the Netflix series "Making A Murderer," which included parts of the videotaped confession.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - The current and a former attorney for convicted murderer Steven Avery are hailing Friday's decision by a federal judge overturning the conviction of Avery's alleged co-conspirator Brendan Dassey.

Both Avery and Dassey were convicted in separate trials for the 2005 killing of 25-year-old photographer Teresa Halbach. 

Jerome Buting, who teamed with Dean Strang, to defend Avery in his trial wrote these reactions on Twitter:

"Brendan Dassey writ granted to reverse his conviction. Justice finally strikes!"

"State of Wisconsin should accept federal court decision and drop case against Brendan Dassey. Avery is next. Time to go after real killer."

"Would any jury, even WI, convict Brendan in a retrial? 19 million know he's not guilty. 100 million more will, if retried.#MakingAMurderer"

Buting told FOX 17 Nashville, he was "not at all surprised" about the decision and was "expecting it, frankly." Buting says he expects the state of Wisconsin to appeal the decision but "it's clear the interrogation of Dassey was unlawful."

Kathleen Zellner, who is currently handling Avery's appeal, also posted her thoughts on Twitter:

"Justice for Brendan as another LE fabricated confession bites the dust. Convicting the innocent foiled by unbiased court.@MakingAMurderer"

"Brendan's opinion shows cops made up crime story. Steven's will show cops made up crime evidence.@MakingAMurderer@Endinsight"

The case was thrust into the national spotlight late last year with the release of the documentary "Making A Murderer" on Netflix, which cast doubt on the process used to convict Avery and Dassey.

MUKWA, WI (WTAQ) - A 34-year-old Milwaukee man is dead after he drowned in the Little Wolf River around 5:46 Sunday evening in Mukwa, a town in Waupaca County.

The Waupaca County Sheriff's Office says the man fell in the water about 100 yards south of Ostrander Rd.

After searching the water, volunteers and firefighters found the man's body.

Officials are not releasing the man's name at this time.

They are also not releasing details of the situation prior to the victim going into the water.

APPLETON, WI (WLUK) - After a year of sweat, hard work, and teamwork, the Appleton Area School District and the city's Housing Authority are showing off their collaboration in the Home Builders Association of the Fox Cities Parade of Homes.

Lori Van Handel is with the Appleton Housing Authority.

"They do every facet of the home build"

The program puts high school students to work as part of a service learning course.

Van Hanel says to keep the program going additional money need to be raised

"We have had many students that have been inspired to go ahead, and pursue construction related opportunities career wise as they move on from this project."

She says there's really only one thing that makes it all worth it.

"The biggest reward is a family in need of affordable housing gets to live here"

One neighbor says the final product exceeded their expectations.

Richard Thompson lives right next door, he says to see the once empty lot be transformed into a home has been a rewarding experience.

"Number one, I haven't seen a mouse in my basement for weeks, and the second thing is the quality, the finality of the house, there's nothing wrong with that house"

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Erb Pool in Appleton closed Sunday.

The plan is to replace it with a brand new 50-meter pool along with a beach entry-style pool designed for toddlers and less experienced swimmers.

Pool manager Naomi Shimura says this time next year, Erb Pool will be unrecognizable.

"We're really really excited. We're very excited for the new pool to open up.. and we're happy all these people were supporting Erb Pool and not ending up with a splash pad. So it's really exciting. People have been looking at our plans so far, and giving their input, everyone's really excited. We're going to have all these upgrades that are going to accommodate for people in wheelchairs and disabilities.. we're going to have family bathrooms next year. It's going to be really nice"

Demolition starts in a few days and the plan for the new pool is to be open by next July.

The city council voted to spend up to $10.5 to rebuild the facility.

TOWN OF OCONTO, WI (WTAQ) - A man has died following a rollover crash overnight in Oconto County.

According to sheriff's officials, a 23-year-old Oconto man was killed in the crash that happened on Highway Y north of Harbor Road. Deputies were called just after 6:15 a.m.

The investigation indicates the vehicle went off the right side of the road, the driver overcorrected, crossed the roadway and flipped over in the ditch.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released. 

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - An arraignment for the suspect in the BB gun shooting of a nine-year-old Kimberly boy has been delayed.

On Monday, the attorney for 18-year-old Evgeniy Tetzlaff asked for a substitution of Judge Mark McGinnis. According to state law, defendants automatically get one substitution request without needing to state a reason if it happens before the arraignment.

Court records have not indicated who the new judge would be.

Tetzlaff is charged with injury by negligent use of a weapon for the July 25 incident. The victim, Jayden Grant, was not seriously injured in the shooting while he was operating a lemonade stand.

CHAMPION, WI (WTAQ) - The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay making a special announcement Monday morning in Champion.

Green Bay Bishop David Ricken announced the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help has received a national designation by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Today's announcement is a testament and an honor to all of those who have come before us."

For a shrine to receive a national designation it must first be recognized as a diocesan shrine, which occurred in 2010.

The announcement was made at a news conference at the holy place prior to the Mass celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption.

Shrine operations manager, Walt Fountain, says the Shrine's new title is very special.

"This is just a beautiful recognition by all the bishops in the United States. They've come together to recognize this special place and as we've talked, a peaceful place for people to come and pray."

130,000 pilgrims are expected to visit the holy place this year and with the new designation there will be hundreds of thousands more in years to come.

Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau president and CEO, Brad Toll, says he's excited for what this will mean for tourism to the area. 

"Certainly with a positive experience, they'll go home and tell friends and relatives what a wonderful place this is and that will lead to more pilgrims coming this direction.

Read more about the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help at www.shrineofourladyofgoodhelp.com.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is alerting drivers that schools buses will have more lights to warn them they are about to stop.

As of Tuesday, all buses manufactured in 2005 or later will be required in Wisconsin to have a set of amber-colored lights. They will flash when the bus is about to stop; when the bus has come to a stop to pick up or drop off students, the bus's red lights will flash as usual.

“Flashing amber lights are a signal that the school bus is preparing to stop, so drivers need to slow down, pay attention and proceed carefully. Drivers are allowed to pass a moving bus with flashing amber lights, but they should do so cautiously,” Lt. Karl Mittelstadt of the Wisconsin State Patrol said in a statement. “However, once the bus displays flashing red warning lights, drivers both in front of and behind the bus must stop at least 20 feet from the bus and remain stopped until the red lights are turned off or the bus resumes travel. Drivers must stop even if the red stop-sign arm on the side of the bus is not extended.”

Drivers who don't stop at least 20 feet from school buses with red lights flashing face fines of at least $326.50 and 4 demerit points taken off their licenses.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - A Manitowoc doctor accused of overprescribing pain medications had his state license proceedings against him postponed again.

During a status conference on Monday, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Assistant Deputy Secretary Jeff Weigand said another status conference was scheduled for November 21.

Back in October, the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board suspended the license of Dr. Charles Szyman. The state administrative hearing will determine the future of his license to practice medicine and prescribe medication.

Meantime, Szyman's next appearance in federal court is a status conference set for September 12.

In federal court, Szyman faces 19 counts of allegedly "knowingly and intentionally distributed and dispensed unlawfully, and attempted to distribute and dispense unlawfully, a controlled substance outside of his professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose."

Szyman faces up to 20 years in prison on each count if convicted.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Families in need in Brown County with kids about ready for school got some much-needed help Monday.

The Salvation Army of Brown County distributed notebooks, pencils, glue and other school supplies through their Tools for School program.

"About 700 students will benefit from the program this year," says Nan Pahl, Director of Social Services for the Salvation Army. "Tools for School is a crucial component in our clients' back to school budgeting. Without it, many children would have to start the school year without the necessities."

Pahl says it's those necessities which keep children on pace with their peers on that first day of school.

"It really helps kids get started on the road to learning," Pahl says. "It really helps them blend in the classroom because you don't have to be the child with the broken crayons from last year, or the pencils that are all the way down to the stubs."

Families pre-registered for the event, and completed the process when they picked up their school supplies on Monday. Students who registered through the Service League Back-to-School Store program at Green Bay East High School were not eligible for Tools for School.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter of the Red Cross is sending three volunteers down to Louisiana in order to help the response to historic flooding.

"We have three from Northeast Wisconsin who are currently on their way," says Steve Hansen, Chapter Executive. "Our Emergency Response Vehicle out of Green Bay will be one of 60 ERV's that are being deployed at this time."

The vehicles are used to transport food and supplies into disaster-stricken areas. Two volunteers are driving the ERV to Baton Rouge.

"This disaster's certainly of historic proportion," Hansen says. "We know already that this will be the largest disaster since Hurricane Sandy."

Hansen says the typical deployment lasts 2 to 3 weeks, and expects to be fully involved in the recovery effort for the next several months before it's turned over to just local officials.

At least six people are dead and thousands more are homeless. Early estimates indicate that Red Cross response efforts could cost more than $10 million.

Many areas are still inaccessible and more rain is predicted which could lead to additional flooding.

The Red Cross urgently needs the public to join in supporting Louisiana by making a financial donation today. People can donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay City Council is expected to decide on recommendations for using $4.2 million in excess Lambeau Field sales taxes on Tuesday night.

The recommendations from the city's Finance Committee are that:

• $2 million be used for property tax relief
• $1 million for economic development
• $900,000 for infrastructure improvements
• $300,000 for lead water pipe replacement

But not everyone is on board with those ideas.

"This giving the money back to the property owners disenfranchises the renters in this community who've been renting in this community for many years, they're the ones who've contributed in large part to this," says Alderman Bill Galvin. "I've had probably 70 some (constituents) contact me, and that's the most I've had contact me about any issue since I've been elected."

Galvin's idea will be to use that $2 million for new economic development projects, particularly ones which have not been presented yet.

"So there'd be a window opening up (if approved Tuesday) on the 17th, people would be able to fill out an application either in-person or online to put together a proposal for the economic development money," explains Galvin. "We'll have about 30 days for people put together an application, and then there will be a review process with a final decision based on recommendations in November."

The former Green Bay police captain says he expects a contentious debate about the issue, however, Galvin is urging folks to speak up to other council members.

"If they're not hearing it, then there's a chance this could fail," Galvin says. "But I think if enough Alders hear from enough voters that they don't want the rebate, then I believe we'll move forward with something different."

Under state law, the money must be spent on economic development, debt reduction, or property tax relief. The meeting takes place at 7 p.m. inside Green Bay City Hall.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Area Public School District wants to meet the needs of its students.

For the past year, the district has been working on a facilities master planning study called, “Envisioning a Brighter Future.”

At Monday night's school board meeting, the results of the study were revealed.

Nick Kent is an architect with Plunkett Raysich and headed the study. He says the first goal is to address overcrowding issues in the district.

“Some buildings have too many kids in them, for what they were designed to accommodate, and others have available space in them, so again we don't know what the solution will be yet”

The second goal is modernizing the district’s schools.

“Modernization really means encompasses everything from what we call modern learning spaces, flexible learning spaces, things that are a little bit different from the typical classrooms that we've seen for decades”

Andrew Sarnow is chief financial officer for the district. He says overcrowding has been an issue in the past and no solution is off the table at this point.

“There might be new buildings, there might be renovations, expansions and what not, and with that comes a potential for changing the boundaries”

The district says while no solution is in the works, eventually there will be one and with that comes a cost, and a possible referendum.

School board member Brenda Warren says after listening to the results of the study, she’s counting on community members for their input.

“We have not made any decisions as a board and we will really take what the community says into consideration during our conversations”

The district says the next step in the master plan is hold listening sessions with community members.

Those listening sessions start next month.

The first session will be held September 13, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at West High School.

The second will be held September 15, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at Preble High School.

The third will be held on September 20, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at Southwest High School.

The final session will be held on September 26, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at East High School.

GRAND CHUTE/GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Some of the students at two technical colleges in our area can now have a place to live close to their campuses when classes start next week and the week after.

Both Fox Valley Tech and NWTC, unveiled brand new student housing units.

A brand new addition to Fox Valley Tech comes as good news to some students.

Alissa Wegner, a resident assistant at Fox Valley Tech

"Finally, after two years of waiting, I get to have this experience. So I'm really excited about it."

An experience formerly unavailable to students at Fox Valley Tech now is available-- nearby campus housing.

At a grand opening celebration Monday, a brand new apartment complex, called Tech Village, was unveiled. The state of the art five-bedroom suites leave enough room for 275 students.

Steve Cirkis, VP at General Capital

"What we're really trying to do is create a community that enables students to have the full college experience. There's a big difference between commuting, and living in a community with your peers."

Fox Valley Tech isn't the only tech college in the area offering this new opportunity. NWTC also unveiled a very similar apartment-style building near its campus.

Jeff Rafn, President of NWTC

"This facility here is going to allow students to come onto the campus, no matter where they are in our district, or even outside our district."

The community style feel in the apartments is meant to get more students collaborating and getting to know each other.

NWTC officials say their complex, called The Orchards Student Living, was also something in high demand from students.

Muhammad Punhal is an international student from Pakistan. He checked out his new room Monday at The Orchards.

"I'm really excited. This is the first time I'm living somewhere on campus, and we don't have such dorms in our country, so that's the best part."

Both Fox Valley Tech and NWTC say they hope the student living complexes will foster relationships among international and local students.

Both colleges say there is still space available for students interested in the new housing options.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - One suspect has been identified in a gun store burglary, thanks to DNA evidence found at the scene, and is in custody, according to Green Bay police.

Nelson Tactical, 1317 Velp Ave., was burglarized July 28, with multiple weapons being stolen.

The suspect, a minor, is already in the Milwaukee County jail on unrelated charges, according to Lt. Kevin Warych.

A second suspect has also been identified but is not in custody.

A third suspect is also wanted, but has not been identified.

Based on the information we have received, the suspects are not Green Bay residents and the location of the firearms are unknown, Warych said.

Police say two rifles and two shotguns were taken. The guns are worth a total of $5,589, police say.

Nelson Tactical is still offering a $25,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of those involved in this burglary.

Those with information and wishing to be eligible for this reward are encouraged to call the Green Bay Police Department at 920-448-3236. Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime stoppers at 920-432-7867 or text “GBTIP” to 274637, and be eligible for a different case reward.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton police have released the name of a homeless man found dead in a backyard last week.

Officials say 22-year-old Tommy Xiong was found dead on August 11 in the 1000 block of N. Summit Street.

Toxicology test results are still pending and are expected to take up to six weeks. An autopsy on Xiong has been completed.

Police say the public is not in any danger.

NEKOOSA, WI (WTAQ) - The Ho-Chunk Nation will renovate and expand three of its gaming facilities, including the Wittenberg location.

The Black River Falls and Wisconsin Dells facilities will also be upgraded as part of the "Project Forward" initiative, the tribe announced today (Tuesday).

"We are extremely excited to grow and offer new amenities that will only enhance one of the best entertainment experiences in the region," said Wilfrid Cleveland, Ho-Chunk Nation President. "It's a win-win for everyone when we can create more jobs throughout Wisconsin and add more value to our guest's experience."

The changes will create 100 jobs. Work will start next month.

The following projects are planned:

WITTENBERG

New 84-seat restaurant & barNew 86-room hotel

272 slots addedNew high limit area

New non-smoking casino area

Introducing 10 table games

WISCONSIN DELLS

New hotel main entrance and lobby

New hotel bar

New poker room

New Off-Track Betting area

Redesigned casino floor layout

Expanded non-smoking casino area

Renovated bingo area

Renovated and expanded buffet

BLACK RIVER FALLS

New 120-room hotel with new entry

Expanded & redesigned casino floor with additional 200 slot machines

High-limit gaming

Remodeled buffet with an additional 36 seats

New parking lot

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Police Department invited the public out for coffee and conversation Tuesday morning with an event called Coffee with a Cop.

It was held at Kavarna Coffeehouse at 143 N. Broadway St. in Green Bay.

Officer Andrew Lentz has been with the department for 10 years and attended the event. He says despite the riots in Milwaukee recently, he's seen just the opposite here in Titletown.

"It means a lot to have people reach out to you to come up to say thank you, to know that you're appreciated. I think we always were but it wasn't always shared as freely as it is now."

Lentz says community engagement and open conversation is key to curbing violence between law enforcement and the public.

"I think it helps humanize us. We're people, you know, we wear a uniform but we're people, so getting to connect as people in a comfortable environment, really helps us."

The police department will continue to strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve with events like this one. Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Justice. Similar events are held across the country.