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New ThedaCare Website for Hospital Plan

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A new website has been launched by ThedaCare to update the public on its plan to combine two Fox Valley hospitals into one.

The company announced earlier this year that it was considering closing its hospitals in Appleton (formerly known as Appleton Medical Center) and Neenah (formerly known as Theda Clark Medical Center) and building a single hospital somewhere in the area.

So far, a site has not been chosen for the proposed hospital.

On its "Journey" webpage, ThedaCare includes:

  • Details about the process of deciding whether to combine the two hospitals into one
  • Information on community feedback that has already been received
  • Videos with ThedaCare president/CEO Dr. Dean Gruner explaining why the move is being considered
  • An email address for the public to submit feedback

Our exploration of future healthcare facilities in the Fox Cities has generated a lot of conversation, and we’re dedicating this as a place where interested parties can follow along on our journey,” Gruner said in a news release. “We’re committed to being as transparent as possible.”

ThedaCare has not said when a final decision will be made.


Officials Confirm ID on Body Found

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MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - Manitowoc County officials confirm the body found on a beach Tuesday is a man who disappeared over two weeks ago.

According to the sheriff's department, 75-year-old Francis R. Knipp of Manitowoc has been identified as the body found on private property.

Officials say Knipp's sailboat was found floating unmanned off of Red Arrow Beach back on September 11

The coroner's office says preliminary results show Knipp likely drowned, although toxicology results are pending. Investigators say there's no signs of foul play and his death is believed to be an accident.

Local Family Encourages Organ Donation

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The DMV in Green Bay is recognizing its role in helping people become organ and tissue donors.

On Wednesday, donor parents Todd and Shelley Persinger of Hobart attended the event remembering how the death of their son Chris and his decision to become a donor, changed their lives.

On December 2 2007, Chris Persinger was killed in a car accident at the age of 17. He was driving home with 2 friends after a trip to Wisconsin Dells when they hit a patch of black ice, lost control, crossed the center line and got t-boned by another car. All 3 boys died in the crash.

Prior to the accident, Chris had signed up to become an organ donor. Todd Persinger says knowing that his son made that decision at such a young age makes him very proud.

"That was the one thing I actually did know that he wanted, and as a father, I couldn't help my son anymore but I could at least honor those wishes."

Although Chris wasn't able to become an organ donor because of the injuries due to the accident, he was able to be a tissue and eye donor. Because of that, he has helped 64 individuals better their lives including his sister Caitlyn.

After a sports injury, Caitlyn Persinger needed repairs to her ACL and meniscus. Doctors told Todd and Shelley that donor tissue was an option to reconstruct the affected area, which got them thinking about Chris's past donation. After speaking with American Tissue Services Foundation, the Persingers found that there was one last tissue gift from Chris that was a match to his sister.

"It obviously gives us all a lot of peace. For Caitlyn it's that one piece of tissue that supports her knee, but for all of us it supports so much more. He's with her every day when she walks and it's an incredible feeling," says Shelley.

The first ever National DMV Appreciation week is this week, September 19-23. It's was organized by Donate Life America.

Joyce Kratz is a member of Donate Life Wisconsin, a non-profit organization that promotes organ tissue and eye donation that works closely together with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Kratz says it's about education.

"98 percent of Wisconsin residents that make the decision, actually do make the donation decision at the DMV. We're out here really educating the public along with the DMV staff so that the stories are out there and the DMV staff feels comfortable," says Kratz.

Anyone ages 15 1/2 or older can register to be a donor, regardless of health, gender, ethnic background or age.

Find out more about how you can become a donor at donatelifewisconsin.org.

Federal, State Officials Warn About Skimmers

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UNDATED (Wisconsin Radio Network) - State and federal officials warn that the number of credit card skimmers discovered at gas stations in Wisconsin has been increasing in recent weeks.

Attorney General Brad Schimel, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) want consumers to take heed.

Credit card skimmers are small, nearly invisible devices that capture sensitive data after being inserted into credit card processing machines, going undetected by gas station and retail store proprietors.

Once the credit or debit card information has been stored on the device, criminals can use the data to make fraudulent purchases.

“Many of our friends, neighbors, and relatives are unknowingly giving this information to fraudsters through skimming schemes,” Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said. “Local, state, and federal law enforcement are working hard to catch these criminals, but there are actions consumers can take to protect themselves.”

Consumers can protect themselves against this type of fraud by:

· Paying inside, instead of at the pump.· Looking for signs of tampering. Often times, gas pumps have security seals and locks installed by gas station owners for the customer’s protection.· Using the pumps closest to the building where it is less likely a fraudster has installed a skimming device.· Reviewing credit card statements for suspicious activity and reporting it to your bank or credit card issuer.

If you believe you have been a victim of credit card skimming, contact local law enforcement and your bank or credit card issuer.

The Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association is aware of the problem, is aiding gas stations and retailers in preventing this type of theft, and is fully cooperating with all law enforcement investigations.

The FBI, the Wisconsin Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), and DATCP’s Weights and Measures Bureau are collaborating on a review of the recent complaints of credit card skimming at gas pumps and ATMs statewide.

This collaboration is being managed by the Wisconsin Statewide Information Center (WSIC) and DCI is requesting that agencies with information regarding skimming incidents contact WSIC.

fact sheet on card skimmers is available on the DATCP website.

GB Committee Initially Approves Mall Plan

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay's redevelopment authority agreed Wednesday to a term sheet for the potential redevelopment of the East Town Mall.

It happened despite some disagreement on the potential of the city providing $3 million through tax incremental financing.

A New Jersey-based developer, Lexington Realty International, won't say what retailers are involved in the proposal. Officials, along with city officials, will only say they are national brands.

FOX 11 reports that Alderman Guy Zima said Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market is one of the potential tenants. Plans are already in the works for a store on Oneida Street in Ashwaubenon.

The East Town Mall redevelopment deal is likely contingent on Brown County agreeing to move its east branch library into the mall, according to city leaders. The library's director indicates that the county is still going over its options.

Bellevue Development Moves Forward

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BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - A plan to build about $18 million worth of new development in Bellevue received approval Wednesday night.

According to the plan, a mix of single family homes, apartments and an assisted living facility will be built near the corner of Ontario and Eaton Road.

The village board approved the plan, three to one.

According to the developer, 41 single family homes will be built in the area.

Each of these would cost buyers between $250,000 - $300,000.

Eight high-end apartment buildings are also in the works.

Each unit would go for about $1,100 a month.

Cops Leap At The Chance To Reward Kids

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Local police organizations are teaming up with a trampoline park to help connect with children.

There could soon be many more children, jumping for joy at SkyZone Trampoline Park in Appleton.

Thanks to a new initiative with local law enforcement.

That initiative is called a "SkyTation"... good for 30 minutes of free jumping. There's currently about 35,000 of the cards printed, and in the hands of local law agencies to hand out to kids being good around the community.

Sgt. Dave Lund with the Appleton Police Department tells WLUK he's says there are many ways to use this program.

"Be able to leave kids with something more permanent than just contact with them. If they're wearing a seat belt on a traffic stop, or if they come through the police department on a field trip. There's so many ways that we're going to be able to implement the "SkyTation" program."

The agencies involved say creating good relationships with children can help mold relationships through the entire community.

Capt. Edgar Gonzalez with the Neenah Police Department.

"We've been taking active steps to actually make the officers spend more time with the community, and encourage that interaction, and this is one of those steps."

While the national, and sometimes local, narrative isn't always positive between police and the community, Lund hopes this program will be a leap in the right direction.

"If we're able to get down on their level, maybe talk to them a little bit, maybe have some type of bond, it's very important to law enforcement and children as they grow up."

Some of the other agencies participating include; Kaukauna, Fox Valley Metro, Ashwaubenon, and Green Bay.

Overdose Death at Convenience Store

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MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) The Kwik Trip on Appleton Road in Menasha was closed through most of the early part of the day(THURSDAY).

Police say a 25-year-old woman died in the bathroom after an apparent heroin overdose.

The first report came into police around 12:30 this morning.

Officers responded, along with paramedics.

Efforts were made to revive the woman, but those proved unsuccessful .

The woman was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.

The store remained closed for several hours while police continued their investigation.

The Kwik Trip reopened at 7:30 this morning.


Stolen Car Arrest

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FOX CROSSING, WI (WTAQ) - A 19-year-old Fox Crossing woman was arrested early Thursday morning after officers pulled over a car that matched the description of a reported stolen car in Menasha.

Police recognized the vehicle around 12:40 a.m. around Midway and Appleton roads.

The driver, a 19-year-old Fox Crossing woman, was arrested for operating a vehicle without the owner's consent and bail jumping. 

Two other people were inside; a 27-year-old Fox Crossing man and a 20-year-old Berlin woman.

The 20-year-old Fox Crossing man was ticketed for obstruction and arrested for having morphine pills without a prescription.

Squad Cars Damaged in Chase

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MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay man was arrested early Thursday after leading Manitowoc law enforcement on a high-speed chase.

Police say 25-year-old Justin Jacques when down several streets going the wrong way with speeds reaching close to 100 mph around 1:30 a.m.

Two Manitowoc County Sheriff's Deputy squad cars were damaged in the incident. Jacques slammed into the squad cars as deputies attempted to stop the vehicle.

The Green Bay man was booked into the Manitowoc County Jail and is being held on 3 counts of Felony Recklessly Endangering Safety 1st Degree, 3 counts of Felony Damage to Property, Felony Fleeing or Eluding, Felony Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Probation Holds, among other traffic violations.

No officers were injured.

Thursday, a $25,000 cash bond was set for Jacques. He has not been formally charged in the case.

WATCH: Titletown District Park Components

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - We're getting a first look at the final components for phase one of the Titletown District, west of Lambeau Field.

On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers unveiled renderings of the Titletown District's park. The main attraction will be a sledding hill featuring tubing lanes with fantastic views of Lambeau.

"The public park in Titletown will be a tremendous asset for our community, and serve as an appealing attraction for visitors and future residents alike," Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said. "We made many changes to this first phase of the public park based on input from experts in park planning. The focus groups with community stakeholders were also extremely helpful in this process. We're excited to see it come to life."

The sledding hill will be located within an area that includes an ice skating trail and pond, with the hill's slope, beginning at a height of 45 feet, serving as a roof over two buildings. The skating trail will wind underneath the structure and connects to an open skating area. Ice making, snowmaking and grooming equipment will ensure an extended tubing and skating season for the park. In warmer months, the hill's sloped green space will offer a unique area for numerous activities.

In addition to the sledding and skating area, there are 4 other components to the park:

  • The Plaza -- Adjacent to Ridge Road, the plaza will feature landscaping as well as hardscape and public art. The area will be programmed in multiple ways, with festivals and holiday fairs, or simply as a space in which to relax.
  • The Activity Area -- It will feature games such as horseshoes, shuffleboard, bocce, ping pong and bean bag toss, as well as other organized options.
  • The Playground -- It will feature dynamic equipment with a Play 60 theme in a setting and configuration that is unique to the community. The 36,000 square-foot area will also have a football-specific equipment and a 40-yard dash component.
  • The Sports Field -- Sized as a regulation football field, this will utilize an artificial surface that will maximize its use in a variety of ways through much of the year.

You can learn more about the Titletown District online.

Oconto Falls Elementary Honored

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OCONTO FALLS, WI (WTAQ) - A school from northeast Wisconsin is being recognized nationally as a Blue Ribbon School for 2016.

The U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday that Oconto Falls Elementary School has been given that honor. The National Blue Ribbon program recognizes schools where student achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing achievement gaps.

Oconto Falls Elementary, in its application, highlighted its "Response to Intervention" program, which screens students four times per year to identify children struggling in school and those exceeding expectations for their grade level; a focus on the arts; physical education, research-based exercise and open gym opportunities for students; and efforts to build relationships with students and families.

Other areas in Wisconsin where schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools are in Ashland, Barron, Beaver Dam, Chippewa Falls, Hartford, Hartland and Muskego.

In all, 279 public and 50 private schools earned the honor.

 

Brown County 2017 Budget Preview

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BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach will publicly release his 2017 budget proposal on Friday.

According to a statement provided to the media ahead of that release, taxes would dip a penny per $1,000 of property value and the overall budget would fall by $1 million.

Other highlights of Streckenbach's 2017 budget plan includes:

  • Reducing the tax rate from $4.54 to $4.53 per $1,000 of property value
  • Reducing outstanding debt by about $2 million
  • Improving all county roads from "poor to fair" to "fair to good" status by 2020
  • Replacing the tarnished copper courthouse dome by 2018, the county's 200th anniversary
  • Read the full budget address

County board committees will discuss the proposed $291.3 million budget through the month of October. It is scheduled to be approved November 2, unless Streckenbach vetoes the board's budget.

Green Bay Settles Garden Lawsuit

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A federal lawsuit filed by former Green Bay residents against the city claiming officials violated their rights when the city destroyed their garden without permission twice has been settled.

FOX 11 reports that the city forked over nearly $42,000 to cover legal fees and the value of the plants destroyed to Margaret and Steve Gerhard, according to the attorney representing Green Bay Gregg Gunta.

The Gerhard's had been seeking $125,000 in damages. 

According to Gunta, the city agreed to the payment because, at the time, city ordinance did not have any mechanism for those cited for violating the weed ordinance to appeal or challenge the complaint before the plants would be destroyed.

Gunta says that city code has since changed to allow for that appeal mechanism and due process.

The City Council approved the deal at its August 16 meeting.

According to the suit:

* In 1994, the Gerhard's stopped having a traditional lawn, and converted it into a 'natural garden' over the course of 15 years.

* On July 15, 2009, the city posted a 24-hour weed removal notice on their door. However, they were out of town. "Prior to their return, City employees entered their property without a warrant, without consent, and without prior notice to be heard, and destroyed all of the plants within that fenced in garden by digging them up and spraying chemical herbicides," the suit claims.

* The city later determined the property did not violate the obnoxious weed ordinance, so the couple rebuilt.

* In 2011, the Gerhard's received another removal notice. The couple started working on getting variance. But, while out of town, the city again destroyed all of the plants.

* Ms. Gerhard worked to get naturally-landscaped lawns permitted in the city - but because their five applications for a permit were not approved, they moved.

Mom: My 16-Year-old Son Stabbed Me

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TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ) - A teenager has been arrested after his mom told police he stabbed her early Thursday.

Two Rivers Police responded to a call at a home on the city's north side at 4:16 a.m.

Officials say the 61-year-old mother was found with multiple stab wounds. She told police that she was getting ready for work when her 16-year-old son stabbed her.

The mom was taken to a Green Bay hospital for treatment. 

Meantime, the teen is behind bars in Manitowoc County and is facing multiple charges including attempted homicide while armed and strangulation.

 


Ex-Head Chef Charged with Theft

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The former head chef at St. Brendan's Inn in downtown Green Bay is accused of stealing over $16,000 from the restaurant.

47-year-old Benjamin Griggs is charged with theft after the accountant for the restaurant reported finding fraudulent transactions following Griggs giving his two-week notice.

According to the criminal complaint, police were shown 31 invoices from a company named Blake Farms Inc. out of Brussels.

Griggs says the invoices were for products and supplies he bought for the restaurant and was subsequently reimbursed for them. Staff at St. Brendan's Inn did an online search for Blake Farms and found it doesn't exist.

Investigators asked Griggs about it and he initially denied the invoices were fake. Griggs later admitted he created them because he was dealing with financial problems.

Griggs, who was head chef from April 2015 to June 2016, told police he acted alone and used the restaurant's computer without anyone else's knowledge.

UPDATE: 2 Suspects in Custody for Homicide

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Green Bay say they're speaking with two people they consider "persons of interest" after an overnight shooting death.

The call went out just after 10 p.m. Thursday to a home in the 800 block of Lime Kiln Road. Officers arrived to find an unconscious man with gunshot wounds. The man was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The victim has not been identified as family members are still being notified.

Police say the investigation is in the early stages, but believe this is an isolated incident.

If you have any information about this incident please contact the Green Bay Police Department at (920) 448-3208 and reference case # 16-211730.  If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at (920) 432-STOP (7867).  You may also submit a tip online at www.432stop.com

Dirt Tossed, Construction Underway In Appleton

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday for the Fox Cities Exhibition Center.

The center will be built just south of the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in downtown Appleton. It will also incorporate Jones Park, which is currently closed for renovations.

The $31 million building will be paid for through hotel room taxes collected by 10 Fox Valley communities.

It's a day many leaders with the Expo Center project, like Pam Seidl, Executive Director of the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau, have been waiting for. She spoke to WLUK.

"This has been more than 30 years of effort. It's a really exciting day. Some of us, we always knew it would happen."

It took lots of meetings, financing, planning... not to mention the agreement of 10 municipalities to raise room tax rates.

Tim Hanna, Mayor of Appleton, calls the process a positive example of teamwork.

"I think that's something that the Fox Cities can be very proud of. You have so many people that are passionate about where we live, and they find a way to put their differences aside, and come together, and accomplish really great things."

Seidl says it may take some time before the Center is flooded with events.

"It's sort of a ramp up phasing because they're booking four, five, six years out. In the interim, we'll be working with the Radisson Paper Valley to book smaller groups who don't book out as far, so everyone gets to experience the exhibition center."

The expo center won't just benefit those who come to rent it out, there will be a public plaza that will interact with nearby Jones park.

Feasibility studies on the expo center have shown it will bring in nearly seven million new dollars annually... and this passionate group of leaders hope that will only increase over the years.

Plans call for the building to open in fall 2017.

White House Race Stops In Green Bay

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Chelsea Clinton is scheduled to visit Green Bay's Meyer Theatre today to campaign for her mother.

Arnold Shober, a government professor at Lawrence University in Appleton, tells WLUK the visit is a response to tight polls in Wisconsin.

"I think it's a realization on the part of the Clintons that they need to start showing up in Wisconsin to keep it in their column"

Hillary Clinton has not campaigned in Wisconsin since before she lost the state's Democratic primary in April.

Donald Trump also lost the Republican primary here. He's campaigned in the state three times in the past two months.

A Republican presidential candidate hasn't won Wisconsin's electoral votes since Ronald Reagan in 1984.

The doors for the Chelsea Clinton event in Green Bay are scheduled to open at 10:45 a.m. with the program starting at 11:30 a.m.

The Clinton campaign says Chelsea Clinton will lay out the stakes of November's election and urge Wisconsinites to vote early.

Car Theft Ring Busted

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Two suspects have been arrested in what local law enforcement are calling a car theft ring.

According to a release by Ashwaubenon Public Safety, 32-year-old Kristopher Dart of De Pere and his brother, 44-year-old Keith Dart of Pound, were arrested in connection with the theft of at least 13 vehicles.

In teaming with Green Bay Police Department and the Brown County Sheriff's Department, investigators recovered 12 stolen vehicles with one still out there. That vehicle (pictured above) is a silver 2013 Ford F-250 with a lift kit, big wheels and a brush guard.

Officials say Keith Dart is expected in court Friday afternoon on charges of taking and driving a vehicle without owner's consent, possession with intent to deliver amphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia/narcotic equipment.

Kristopher Dart, meantime, is also expected in court Friday afternoon on charges of possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia/narcotic equipment, along with operating while revoked.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ashwaubenon Police Investigator Robert Messer at (920)593-4474 or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward contact Crime Stoppers at (920) 492-STOP or www.432STOP.com

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