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Green Bay Early Voting Starts Sept. 26

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay residents can begin early voting for the November general election on Monday, September 26.

City clerk Kris Teske says people will be able to cast a ballot in the clerk's office in city hall Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. On Nov. 3 and 4, voting will run from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

In Appleton and Oshkosh, city clerks say they have not determine early voting plans. Those are expected to be announced in the coming days.

Nov. 4 is the last day of early voting. The general election is Nov. 8.

Voters need to bring a photo identification.

A federal judge's ruling expanded the time frame for early voting.

In July, Judge James Peterson struck down a state law that limited early voting only to weekdays in the two weeks preceding an election. Before that, the earliest voting could have begun was October 24.


Police Investigate School Vandalism

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Officials are investigating after at least two people spray-painted the front of Oshkosh North High School.

Police say security cameras caught those vandalism suspects around 11:15 p.m. on August 24.

Anyone with information is asked to contact School Resource Officer Ian Seaholm at (920) 252-0208. Anonymous tips may be left with Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 231-8477, by texting IGOTYA and the tip to 274637 or online.

Police say cash rewards are available for information leading to an arrest.

Need Voter ID? Act Early

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MADISON, WI (Wisconsin Radio Network) - Wisconsin voters will need to show a valid photo ID at the polls to vote this November, and officials with the state Department of Motor Vehicles are encouraging those who need those credentials to take care of it as soon as possible.

The DMV provides free photo ID cards to residents who need them for voting. The agency has resources available online to help people navigate that process, which includes application information and a list of the documents they will need to obtain an ID.

The state also has a petition process available for those who lack some of the materials and may have trouble getting them, such as a birth certificate.

That process results in voters being mailed credentials that will be accepted at the polls, which are sent within six business days of the application.

That time frame prompted concerns from members of the state Elections Commission this week. Commissioner Ann Jacobs said she worries that an individual who goes in to apply the week of the November 8th election may not get the documents in time for their ballot to be counted.

She said it could also cause problems for those who go to vote, and only then find out they don’t have the right type of government-issued photo ID that’s required under state law.

In response, the DMV said in a statement that the agency will issue the required photo ID receipt by overnight mail on the same day a person applies. That would allow someone who faces problems on Election Day to still cast a provisional ballot, and then provide the documentation needed to have that ballot counted after the election.

Still, agency officials are urging individuals who don’t have the proper ID at this time to take advantage of the two months remaining before the election, and to not wait until the last minute.

NFL Absolves Matthews, Peppers

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UNDATED (WTAQ) - The NFL has announced that Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers have been cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation into alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.

In a statement issued Wednesday, league officials say they found "no credible evidence" Matthews, Peppers or Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison were given or used banned substances.

Each player was interviewed by the NFL last week, following threats of suspensions if the 3 men failed to speak with investigators.

Matthews, Peppers and Harrison were named in an Al-Jazeera America report in which a former intern at an anti-aging clinic, Charlie Sly, claimed they provided PEDs to those players, along with former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and former Packers defensive end Mike Neal. Sly later recanted those claims.

Manning was cleared in a separate NFL-led investigation. Wednesday's statement by league, however, failed to mention Neal who remains a free agent.

West Nile Virus in Brown Co.

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BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A case of the West Nile virus has been confirmed in a dead crow found in Brown County.

In a statement by the Brown County Health Department on Wednesday, officials say they tested the dead crow and it came back positive for West Nile virus.

West Nile virus can be spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.

It's the first bird that tested positive for the virus in the county since surveillance for the mosquito-transmitted virus began May 1, 2016, officials say.

"Brown County residents should be aware of West Nile virus and take some simple steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites," Debbie Armbruster, Interim Health Officer/ Public Health Director said. "The West Nile virus seems to be here to stay, so the best way to avoid the disease is to reduce exposure to and eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes."

To protect yourself against the virus, health officials recommend people stay indoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active and to apply insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing.

  • For more on how to protect yourself against mosquito bites, click here.

Health officials say around 80 percent of those who are infected with West Nile do not get sick. Those who do get sick usually experience mild symptoms of fever, headache, muscle ache, rash and fatigue.

The Wisconsin Division of Public Health will continue surveillance for West Nile virus. To report a sick or dead bird please call the Dead Bird Reporting Hotline at 1-800-433-1610.

WATCH: Favre HOF Exhibit Opens

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Packers Hall of Fame officially opened up a new exhibit honoring legendary quarterback Brett Favre Wednesday at the Lambeau Field Atrium.

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place with Hall of Fame Inc. president Perry Kidder and Packers CEO Mark Murphy speaking at the event.

"It's not only a tribute to Brett and his memorable performance but also you'll see the relationship with the fans and really how he revitalized the franchise," says Murphy.

You can now view over 500 pieces of memorabilia donated by super fan Lloyd Wettstein.

Wettstein has been collecting for over 50 years after marrying into a family that owned Packers season tickets.

But recently his wife got sick and Wettstein decided to part with his extensive collection of Favre gear.

"I thought this would be the appropriate thing to do, to give it to somebody and let somebody else see it also."

Director of operations at Packers Hall of Fame Inc., Gwen Borga, says they are honored to receive such an extensive collection of Favre pieces from Wettstein. But mentions that it's really about the relationship they build with fans.

"It was just an absolute pleasure not only to receive a donation such as this, and especially of this magnitude but more importantly for us, it goes beyond that."

Visitors will be able to look back at Favre's NFL record of 297 consecutive starts, see the exact locker Favre used up until the 2003 Lambeau Field renovation and much more.

The exhibit will be accessible to anyone who purchases tickets for the Packers Hall of Fame.

 

Accusers Want More Time in Chief Complaint

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NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - More time is being sought by a group that filed a formal complaint seeking the removal of Neenah Police Chief Kevin Wilkinson.

In a document filed Wednesday, the complainants are asking for more time to present detailed allegations against Wilkinson. They told city officials they have had trouble getting a copy of the police department's rules as of the December 5 standoff at Eagle Nation Cycles.

Without knowing the rules, they say they cannot state specifically which rules they believe Wilkinson violated.

The complaint was presented to the city's police and fire commission last Friday on behalf of Steven Erato, Ryan Moderson and Michael Petersen. The complaint calls for Wilkinson to be fired over his handling of the standoff which involved the fatal shooting of one of the hostages, Michael Funk.

Officers believed Funk was the hostage-taker. The alleged hostage-taker, Brian Flatoff, has been charged with starting that standoff and causing Funk's death.

The state Department of Justice cleared the officers who shot and killed Funk of any wrongdoing.

City officials say the commission will still meet September 7 as previously planned, but will meet only to determine procedures and will not begin considering the complaint at that time.

Community Backs the Blue

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BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - A $1,500 donation from Global Recognition was presented Wednesday to the Brown County Sheriff's Department.

The money is proceeds from the sale of "Back the Blue" t-shirts.

Nicole Grieger with Global Recognition says the idea began with a simple request from one of her friends.

"She had reached out months ago and mentioned having some shirts done up for the group of them to show local support for her husband specifically," Grieger said. "And it took off like no other."

The Green Bay-based company, which specializes in customized recognition awards, imprinted apparel and business gifts, began selling the shirts with $5 from each sale to local law enforcement.

"Representing it by apparel was a great way to get out there and hopefully have law enforcement see, whether it's on law enforcement or different community members, that there is a lot of support out there," said Grieger.

That kind of community support is what's touching for the Brown County Sheriff's Department.

"Every day, I'm thankful for the community that we work in and the community that we serve and the support that we get," said Capt. Jody Lemmens. "From seeing these shirts out in the community, to working different events and having citizens coming up and saying thank you for what you do."

Lemmens says the money will be used to fund this year's Citizens Police Academy. It begins on Thursday, September 29, and runs for 10 Thursdays. 

Sheriff John Gossage explained that this was their way to use this monetary support to, in turn, support the community.

"Explain why it is what we do, how we do it and give a better understanding to the community of the law enforcement career," Gossage said. "And hopefully generate some recruits so we can hire them on as police officers in the future."

If you're interested in buying a "Back the Blue" shirt, go to Global Recognition's website.


Police Investigate GB Gun Incident

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police are investigating a gun incident that happened outside the Brown County Courthouse.

A large police presence was seen around 5:20 p.m. Wednesday near Jefferson and Doty Streets.

Officers were seen leaving the area around 6 p.m.

More information about the incident is being gathered, officials say. No other details have been made available.

Methodical Process to Solving Murders

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BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - Still no new information on a pair of women killed in separate incidents in the Village of Bellevue over the past three months.

Early Monday, 52-year-old Suzette L. Langlois was found shot to death outside her home, 3020 Manitowoc Road.

"Our investigation is ongoing, obviously because it's an ongoing investigation I'm not able to get into any of the specifics," says Todd Delain, Chief Deputy of the Brown County Sheriff's Department. "We're putting a tremendous amount of resources on this, we're following up on a lot of different leads."

Investigators believe Langlois' death was not random and the public is not in any danger. While many boxes of evidence was seen taken from her home, a dive team was deployed in a nearby retention pond.

"The best way to describe that is it's a standard procedure," Delain explains. "When you're doing a thorough homicide investigation, we would look at all potential issues, locations of potential evidence and follow up on that."

Delain says the dive team is part of their normal investigation "where there could be potential evidence in certain locations," reiterating that investigators are being thorough in their probe.

Back in May, the body of Nicole VanderHeyden was found in a field on Hoffman Road. Just 48 hours after the gruesome discovery, officials made an arrest. However, there wasn't enough evidence for prosecutors to file charges.

As the family of VanderHeyden continue to seek answers, Delain says they also are playing the waiting game.

"There's really nothing new I'm able to speak about," says Delain. "We are continuously sending different pieces of evidence to the State Crime Lab."

The chief deputy says that restrictions prohibit just how many items the department can send down to Madison. Those get examined, amid the deluge of evidence sent from agencies statewide, and eventually get returned to Brown County.

If there's a large cache of evidence they need the state to process, this cycle of standby will go on.

"And that's what's been occurring and we're following up on a lot of different leads in that incident as well," Delain says.

The department expresses optimism that both cases will be solved, which they hope happens sooner rather than later.

Next Lambeau Event Is Being Talked About

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The finishing touches are still being made at Lambeau Field for this weekend's Badgers/LSU football game, but the Packers are looking at the team's next non-NFL event for the stadium.

Pat Webb, the executive director of the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District Board, says the Packers are in negotiations to bring another concert to Lambeau Field in June of next year.

Webb said he had no details on what performer the team is considering for the concert.

It's been 14 months since Kenny Chesney rocked Lambeau Field. He's headlined the only two major concerts in the stadium's history.

“It was a very successful event. It brought a lot of economic activity to the community.”

The Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District Board met at Lambeau Wednesday to discuss the 2017 concert possibility.

Webb is optimistic.

“We've been asked to look at our ticket tax. We went into closed session. The board gave me some direction and I hope to be working with the team and the promoter in the near future.”

There is a 10 percent sales tax for tickets to events at Lambeau Field. In the past, the stadium district board has agreed to rebate a portion of it to the promoter booking the concert.

“You don't always have these opportunities, but I will continue to look at them with the team and hopefully we can have more events like this”

The last two summer concerts Chesney played at Lambeau, the announcements for them came mid-Fall.

The team has said it would like to host one major non-Packers game event at Lambeau each year.

The team hopes more college football will be in the future as well.

A team spokesperson at the stadium district board meeting said the team has been talking with Barry Alvarez about a future return trip for the Badgers after this weekend.

Impact Of Food Stamp Benefit Restrictions

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The number of Wisconsin adults losing food stamp benefits for not pursuing work totaled 20-thousand from January through June.

About three-thousand lost Food Share benefits in June alone, after using up three months assistance without getting jobs or training required under a state law which took effect in April of last year.

Governor Scott Walker cited the numbers of Food Share recipients who found jobs which totaled more than 14-thousand in the first 15 months of the requirement.

Those people had average wages of 12-dollars per hour while working 32 hours per week.

The law requires able bodied adults ages 18-to-49 to work or train for at least 80 hours per week, in order to keep food stamp benefits after their three month grace period.

Mold Issue at Shawano High School

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SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - The Shawano School District says concerns about mold will change high school classes around as the year is about to begin.

The district released a statement indicating an issue with the school's cooling system developed during summer, causing mold to develop in some classrooms in the building's elective wing.

District officials say the mold was not toxic, but was visible. An air quality test was conducted, which found an elevated level of mold. 

The district hired a cleaning service who's in the process of handling the situation, but the cleaning won't be done before the first day of school Thursday, September 1st.

Due to the cleaning, some classes may be held in alternate locations at the high school.

The district says a notice will be sent out to families, altering them of the issue.

Potential Suspect Caught on Camera

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MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - There's a potential break in the case involving a number of recent break-ins and robberies in Manitowoc.

This week, police issued a reminder to people to lock up their vehicles and homes following a string of break-ins city-wide.

“We’ve had just a rash of vehicle entries and burglaries to residences,” said Capt. Larry Zimney of the Manitowoc Police Department told FOX 11.

Zimney says the break-ins started out just in cars.

“It pretty much started out as taking cigarettes and change within vehicles, and now it’s graduated to higher-end items like tablets, laptops, and GPS systems,” explained Zimney.

He added, now the suspects have taken it to the next level.

“Our suspect or suspects have gotten bolder and have now started to enter people's homes as they sleep,” Zimney said.

In one incident he says the suspects stole from a room people were sleeping in.

"People feel violated big time when you have someone in your house that shouldn't be there, much less in the bedroom as you sleep,” added Zimney.

On Wednesday, the police department posted a video to its Facebook page. Zimney says it shows a possible suspect in the act.

“A private citizen had a camera set up on their residence and this person in that video on Facebook, if you check out our Facebook page, appears to be trying to get into that vehicle and another vehicle,” said Zimney.

He explained these break-ins and burglaries aren’t limited to one area, but are happening in neighborhoods throughout the entire city.

“Most of these have happened later in the evening, or in the early morning hours, and we have stepped up our patrols during those hours,” said Zimney.

Police say anyone with information on these crimes should contact Crime Stoppers at (920) 683-4466.

WATCH: Kids Back in School

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Thursday marked the first day of school for many kids around the Green Bay area but it's not just the students that get excited for the initial day back.

School staff have been preparing for weeks.

Jackson Elementary School Principal Jennifer Sipes is thrilled for the kids and says weeks of planning will now pay off.

"It's been a lot of work. The teachers have really been preparing to make sure that their classrooms are in order, what our expectations are for our school, and just preparing for all our families today."

Parents are excited about the first day of school too.

Courtney Cantu was with her daughter Olivia, who was ready to embark on her first day of kindergarten.

Cantu says Olivia has been talking about this day all summer long and was looking forward to one thing in particular.

"She was super excited to ride the school bus."

For the first year, Green Bay police officers were also on hand welcoming students back to class in an effort to create connections between law enforcement and community youth.

Lt. Jeff Brester handed out Packers playing cards and pencils to kids.

"This morning we have a police officer at every school within the city of Green Bay from the high schools down to the 4K schools."

Jackson Elementary School is located on at 1360 Ridge Road in Green Bay and teaches around 400 kids, grades 4K through 5.


Woman Who Pulled Gun in Argument Charged

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Formal charges were filed Thursday against a woman accused of pulling a gun on a man outside the Brown County Courthouse.

35-year-old Laronda Robinson was charged with 2 counts of intentionally pointing a firearm at a person, disorderly conduct and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.

Police were called around 5:20 p.m. Wednesday near Jefferson and Doty Streets. Officers say it appeared to have been an altercation an ex-boyfriend and girlfriend that had escalated. 

An officer nearby was able to get the situation under control quickly and the woman was arrested. No shots were fired.

Armed Robbery Suspect Charged

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A man has been formally charged in connection with six armed robberies of convenience stores in Winnebago County.

24-year-old Phillip Thomas of Neenah made his initial court appearance Thursday afternoon and had his bond set at $100,000 cash. Thomas is due back in court September 12 for his preliminary hearing.

The six robberies happened in May and June. In each situation, investigators say Thomas allegedly showed a handgun and demanded cash and cigarettes.

Additionally, Outagamie County charged Thomas Wednesday with one count of retail theft for an incident in April. His initial appearance in that case is set for September 15.

WATCH: LSU Fans Get Northern Hospitality

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The red carpet was rolled out for fans of both the Wisconsin Badgers and LSU Tigers at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport on Thursday.

"We just really want to put the welcome mat out for them," says Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, armed with purple and gold beads for those arriving. "They're kind of known for southern hospitality. We want to show them up here that we can welcome them, give them more information about the community."

Officials should call it "northern hospitality".

"At the end of the day, it's a great opportunity for Brown County to showcase what we really represent in this community," Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach says. "The fan experience is going to be amazing."

The Pulaski High School Band performed as fans, along with just people coming off of an airplane, were greeted by cheers, pom poms and cameras.

Angela Foret and her husband came from Houston, Texas. Foret says she married a "Cajun" and they share a love for LSU Tiger football. 

"That was so cool!" Foret exclaimed about the greeting they received. "That was the coolest experience ever."

Foret says they were given tickets to Saturday's game at Lambeau Field as a gift. It'll be at least the second visit to pro football's hallowed ground since Foret says that's the one place she's looking forward to visiting most.

Members of the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau also greeted fans entering baggage claim to help with other attractions they can catch.

"We want to make sure that they get those opportunities because they're going to be here for a couple of days," says Brenda Krainik, Director of Marketing with the CVB. "That way we can move them around the community and they'll be able to see a little bit more of Green Bay."

In all, 7 charter flights flew from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Green Bay Austin Straubel Airport on Thursday with about 800 LSU fans.

Wisconsin's Top Cop Still Weighing Options

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MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel still has not made a decision on whether to put Brendan Dassey back on trial for the murder of Teresa Halbach.

Dassey was ordered released from prison by a federal judge, who overturned his conviction three weeks ago after the murder case received international attention thanks to the Netflix documentary "Making a Murderer."

Schimel told WISN-TV he's made "some decisions" regarding Dassey, but isn't ready to make an announcement.

The state has 90 days to decide whether to appeal the judge's decision, file new charges against Dassey, or do nothing and let Dassey walk out of prison.

Steven Avery is also appealing his conviction in the case.

Avery's lawyer last week filed a motion asking for the testing and retesting of hundreds of pieces of evidence.

No Room At The Inn This Weekend

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - As fans begin to arrive in the area ahead of this weekend's game, area hotels are feeling the impact.

"We have 4,300 rooms in Green Bay and it is pretty much a sell out for three nights"

Brad Toll with the Greater Green Bay Visitor and Convention Bureau says the College Classic is not only bringing more people to the area, it's also bringing more money.

"A typical Packers game brings in $13.5 million, that's normally a two-night stay at hotels, this is a three, four-night stay, so $13.5 is very conservative, I would imagine it will push well beyond that," added Toll.

It's not only Green Bay seeing a boost from this weekend's games, Oshkosh says its hotels are also filled with fans.

Justin Dejager with the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"All of our hotels are booked this weekend which is awesome, and we're really excited about that, so it's been a great thing for our area here”

Dejager says the city has 12 hotels, with at least 900 rooms. He added having a big event like the College Classic in Green Bay has a ripple effect.

“It reminds me of the EAA, when the Air Venture Show is here it kind of trickles all around the area, and having events like this come to Green Bay or anywhere in the area is great for the surrounding area"

Same deal in the Appleton area says Mary Rhode, with the Fox Cities Visitors Center.

"The excitement of the event defiantly trickles down, so our hotels are full this weekend, but we do have a couple of rooms left but the large majority of them are very full for this weekend"

Rhode says being only 30 minutes away from Green Bay has its perks.

So when fans from both teams fill the streets around Lambeau Field, the impact of the game will be felt miles away.

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