Marinette County authorities investigate fatal rollover crash

April 22, 2013, 3:52 pm

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MARINETTE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities in Marinette County say a person is dead after leaving the scene of a rollover crash early Saturday.

Sheriff's officials say they were called to a ditch along County W, just west of Crivitz, around 5:40 a.m. A vehicle was found rolled over, but no people were in the area.

Officers say their investigation led them to the town of Stephenson home of the registered owner. The first time they stopped there, no one answered the door. They returned around noon and met with the vehicle's owner.

"The registered owner says he wasn't the only one in the vehicle," says Marinette County Sheriff Jerry Sauve. "So the officer asked to see him to complete the report, the owner goes upstairs, comes back down and says 'I think he's dead'."

On Monday, an autopsy was performed on the victim, identified as 52-year-old Steven J. Hirth. Investigators determined he died of internal injuries from the crash.

Investigators also say they believe alcohol was involved in the crash. 

Sauve says it's a tragic situation.

"From what I saw of the autopsies and talking to the investigators that were there, he could've been saved with prompt medical attention," Sauve says.

Sauve says the lesson for people is when you're in a rollover crash, call authorities to get the medical attention you may not believe is needed, but could save your life.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at (715) 732-7626, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-427-5857.

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Green Bay School District reports big savings due to energy efficiency

April 23, 2013, 8:58 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Officials with the Green Bay School District say they have saved about $10 million over the last 10 years by using energy-efficient light bulbs, turning off or dimming lights, keeping their heating and cooling systems in good condition and avoiding the use of energy during peak times.

Other Wisconsin school districts are said to be using Green Bay’s approach as a model. The system reportedly spends about 60 cents per square foot on energy in its high school buildings.

Many districts spend more than $1 per square foot. 

Federal prison time for three men tied to major marijuana grow

April 23, 2013, 9:01 am

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MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) - Three men are headed to a federal prison for growing more than 2,000 marijuana plants in Wisconsin’s Northwoods.

Maria Hilda Magana-Mendoza, Javier Magana and Marco Magana were sentenced Monday to prison terms ranging from 3 to 5 years.

Two other defendants in the case were sentenced earlier this month.

Federal prosecutors charged the group of five last summer, saying they were growing more than a thousand plants on two properties in the towns of Athelstane and Middle Inlet in Marinette County.

KPS Capital Partners to buy area Thilmany paper mills

April 23, 2013, 9:20 am

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KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ) - A New York-based private equity firm has agreed to buy the Thilmany Paper mills in Kaukauna and De Pere.

On Monday, KPS Capital Partners annouced the acquisition of the paper mills from Packaging Dynamics, owned by the Kohlberg Company.

KPS is buying the two mills with a plan to keep them running.

“It's very exciting for us, just that the longevity of our paper mills is going to continue with this investment,” Addie Teeters of Thilmany Papers tells FOX 11.

Thilmany officials say KPS plans to take its Kaukauna and De Pere mills and combine them with Wausau Paper's mills in Mosinee and Rhinelander, to form what could be the largest specialty paper company in North America.

KPS announced it was going to buy the Wausau Paper mills last month.

”I think what it does is bring another generation of paper making to all these communities,” Jon Geenen, the international vice president for the United Steelworkers, tells FOX 11.

Currently, Thilmany employs about 800 people in its two locations. Thilmany officials say the new KPS company will have about 1,800 employees.

“Being that we produce specialty paper products, we're not at risk of electronic substitution like with the copy papers and printing and writing papers,” said Teeters. “We really have a solid place in the marketplace.”

According to its website, KPS invests in manufacturing companies that are either challenged or in a period of transition. KPS operates 85 manufacturing plants in 25 countries.

The Thilmany deal is contingent on the closing of the Wausau Paper deal. Thilmany's current owner expects the deal to be finalized in a few months.

”It's been our goal for the last several years to make money for our investors and we knew eventually we were going to be sold,” said Teeters. “We didn't realize it was going to be this wonderful of a sale and really we are going to have such a good impact on the entire state of Wisconsin.”

Ashwaubenon crash leaves one person hurt

April 23, 2013, 9:25 am

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - A crash in Ashwaubenon Monday leaves one person hurt.

Public Safety officials say it happened at the intersection of Cormier Road and S. Ashland Avenue just after 11:30 a.m.

Officers say a car heading east on Cormer, driven by an older woman, ran a red light and slammed into a car traveling on Ashland. The eastbound car went across the road and into a ditch, coming to rest just before falling into one of the culverts over the water.

Rescuers used equipment to stabilize the car before they could help the driver. She was then taken to the hospital.

The driver of the second car was not hurt.

Officers continue to investigate the crash.

Planned Parenthood clinic in Shawano closes

April 23, 2013, 9:27 am

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SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - A Planned Parenthood clinic in Shawano has closed its doors.

It's the first of four Wisconsin clinics scheduled for closure after state funding cuts to Planned Parenthood. Other locations set for closure are in Chippewa Falls, Beaver Dam and Johnson Creek.

Planned Parenthood has said the clinics will close by July. Planned Parenthood says more than 2,000 patients will be affected by the statewide closures.

Officials add, the closures are the result of $1 million less in state tax support in the current state budget.

Seven other offices in Northeast Wisconsin remain open.

Waupaca house destroyed by fire Monday

April 23, 2013, 9:33 am

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WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - A house in Wauapca is destroyed following a fire Monday night.

Firefighters were called to the 900 block of 9th Street just before 5 p.m.

Waupaca Fire Department officials say a grease fire on the stove spread to the rest of the house.

One woman was home at the time of the blaze. She was able to get out safely. 

The one-story house is believed to be a total loss. 

The Red Cross is assisting the woman.

Appeals court approves new trial for Michael Potts

April 23, 2013, 9:35 am

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GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - A new trial has been granted to a man convicted of a Grand Chute murder.

A state appeals court upheld a circuit court ruling giving Michael Potts a new trial.

A jury in 2008 convicted Potts of fatally shooting Artheddius Peeler at a birthday party in Grand Chute. But in post-conviction motions, Judge Mark McGinnis granted Potts a new trial, ruling his attorney was ineffective.

The state appealed the decision, which the appeals court ruled on Tuesday .

Potts is serving a life term. Another man, Keith Birr, was acquitted for his alleged role in the murder but was sentenced to five years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

"We affirm the order for a new trial because we conclude Potts’ trial attorney was ineffective for failing to introduce incuplatory statements by another person that would tend to exculpate Potts... We conclude Potts’ trial counsel’s failure to introduce Birr’s alleged statements constitutes deficient performance that prejudiced the defense.  If a reasonable juror believed Morin’s testimony that Birr said, “I just dumped a nigga,” shortly after a black man was shot and killed, that juror might entertain a reasonable doubt that Potts was the shooter," the court wrote.

A May 16 date for a re-trial has been taken off the calendar. No trial date has been set.

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Rash of vehicle thefts hit parts of Brown County

April 23, 2013, 9:38 am

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BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County Sheriff's are reminding residents in the northwestern part of the county to lock their vehicles following a rash of thefts.

Sheriff's deputies are investigating several reports of thefts from this past week in the area around Howard, Suamico and Pulaski. Investigators say the thefts have been happening overnight at vehicles parked outside homes.

The thieves have been opening doors and taking anything of value. Only once did they break in to a locked vehicle; on that occasion, they took a wallet that was visible on the front seat.

Deputies remind people to completely close their vehicle windows and lock the doors, and do not leave anything valuable where it can be seen through the windows.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Brown County Sheriff's Office at (920) 448-4230. Anonymous tips can also be left with Crime Stoppers by calling (920) 432-7867 or text messaging GBTIP and the tip to 274367.

Allouez announces first TIF district in hope of small business redevelopment

April 23, 2013, 4:28 pm

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ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ) - The Village of Allouez is announcing its first ever tax increment financing district that is aimed at keeping and bringing in more small businesses. 

Village officials are focused on redevelopment along Riverside Drive and the commercial corridor along North Webster. 

Village Board President Steven Vanden Avond says the village is landlocked and they have always been a place for mom and pop stores and small business.  A “TIF” district allows municipalities to use the projected increase in the tax base in a redevelopment area to fund development through loans, or maybe infrastructure improvements. 

The Allouez TIF district is for 27-years.

Suspect in Chad McLean cold case homicide pleads not guilty

April 24, 2013, 9:12 am

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OCONTO, WI (WTAQ) - The man charged in a cold case murder has pleaded not guilty.

In Oconto County court Wednesday, 52-year-old Peter Hanson waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered his plea.

Authorities say Hanson killed 19-year-old Chad McLean near Abrams in late February 1998.

Hanson's attorney said his client waived the hearing based on exhibits from the state, and because of new preliminary hearing rules which allow hearsay evidence.

While Hanson's attorney had no comment after court, the special prosecutor in the case did speak with the media.

"The law changed about a year ago that allows hearsay at preliminary hearings so we had given exhibits ahead of time, some of the reports, so I think that Mr. Hanson knew what the presentation was going to be and really decided to waive it because he didn't think he was going to accomplish much having a hearing," Special Prosecutor Vince Biskupic told FOX 11.

McLean's family declined to comment after the hearing.

However, Biskupic said they are anxious to get the case to trial which is set for December.

Hanson is being held in the Oconto County Jail on $500,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 4.

Hanson faces separate charges of drug possession and having images of child pornography.

Wisconsin's minor league baseball teams losing to weather

April 24, 2013, 11:32 am

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Minor league baseball teams in Wisconsin are battling the weather – and losing.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have had to cancel 5 of their first 9 home games.

It’s a similar story for the Beloit Snappers, who have played just 4 of their first 7 scheduled home games. Beloit team officials say a rain gauge shows 15 to 16 inches of rain in about a week’s time.

The cancellations are hitting those teams on the bottom line. They say they haven’t had much revenue coming in to pay the bills.

The postponements mean a lot of doubleheaders to come, which will put a big strain on some pitching staffs.

On the other hand, those players haven’t been able to get too much action so far.

Town of Menasha cop involved in shooting armed man identified

April 24, 2013, 11:35 am

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TOWN OF MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - The Town of Menasha police officer who shot an armed 66 year old man to death last week has been identified as 17 year veteran Lt. Gary Cutler.

He is the department’s firearms instructor.

Cutler was one of several officers sent to an apartment complex last Friday night after Wilson A. Lutz had threatened to harm himself.

Lutz was upset over a personal relationship. Cutler reportedly shot Lutz twice when he refused orders to drop his gun and then pointed it at the officers.

The Winnebago County district attorney’s office is investigating to determine if charges should be filed.

Cutler is on paid administrative leave, a normal practice after a police-involved shooting.

New London Schools now have police radios for emergencies

April 24, 2013, 11:35 am

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NEW LONDON, WI (WTAQ) - Officials at schools in the New London District say they have an extra layer of security after a fundraising program.

The $16,000 raised has been used to buy 13 new police radios.

Every public and private school in the district has at least one radio which can be used to notify police in an emergency.

New London police say they don’t want to delay their response – even by 30 seconds. Officials say the eight schools in the district are now prepared.

Fundraising started last January, shortly after the mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.

Former Sheboygan Mayor Ryan changes mind on guilty plea for drunk driving

April 24, 2013, 11:45 am

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KEIL, WI (WTAQ) - Former Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan has changed his mind about pleading guilty to a charge of drunk driving. 

On Tuesday, he originally pleaded guilty to first offense OWI in Keil Municipal Court.  But the 49-year-old recalled Mayor changed his plea on Wednesday in after being told his driver’s license would be revoked for refusing to take a blood test at the scene of his arrest. 

Ryan disputed his refusal at his court appearance on Tuesday, saying he just want to get off the road. 

Ryan’s blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit to drive. 

Ryan has said he is an alcoholic. 

A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for May 14^th.   

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March's jobless rate improves in Green Bay metropolitan area

April 24, 2013, 12:02 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Metropolitan unemployment rate improved in March by half a percent. 

That’s according to a household survey from the Department of Workforce Development that found the jobless rate was 7%. 

The decline was due to fewer people in the labor force and more people claiming to be employed.

There was total net loss of 300 positions according to a very small survey of employers. 

The jobs data is preliminary and not seasonally adjusted. 

The Green Bay metropolitan statistical area includes, Brown, Kewaunee, and Oconto Counties. 

Bridges in downtown Green Bay closing for spring cleaning

April 24, 2013, 12:12 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation says two downtown Green Bay bridges will close for spring cleaning over the next week.

The Walnut Street Bridge will close on Tuesday, while the Tilleman Bridge on Mason Street will close on Wednesday.

The DOT says the Walnut St. Bridge will be closed from Broadway to Washington St. between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Drivers will be detoured across the Fox River via Broadway, Dousman St., Main St., Monroe Ave. and the Ray Nitschke Bridge.

The next day, the Donald Tilleman Bridge will be closed from Ashland Ave. to Monroe Ave. between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Drivers will be detoured across the river via Ashland Ave., Walnut St. and Monroe Ave.

Stadelmann to stand trial for drug dealing at UW-Green Bay

April 24, 2013, 12:15 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A former UW-Green Bay student accused of selling drugs on campus will stand trial.

On Wednesday, Nathan Stadelmann waived his right to a preliminary hearing. The 20-year-old Stadelmann is facing six charges including possession of THC - the active ingredient in marijuana - and LSD with the intent to deliver.

Police say they recovered drugs, scales and drug ledgers from his campus residence.

According to the prosecutors, Stadelmann told police he got the drugs from the Milwaukee area and brought them back to campus to sell.

Stadelmann withdrew from UWGB on Monday. He is due back in court to enter a plea May 6.

Andrew Curran to stand trial on identity theft, child pornography charges

April 24, 2013, 12:17 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Marine recruiter will stand trial for allegedly hacking into the email and Facebook accounts of recruits.

27-year-old Andrew Curran waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Brown County court Wednesday.

Authorities say Curran, who worked for the recruiting office in Ashwaubenon, received login information from recruits. He said he needed the information from background checks. 

But investigators say he logged on pretending to be the recruits, and reached out to their acquaintances. 

Investigators say he had conversations with dozens of females and even received some nude pictures. During a search of Curran's home, investigators also found child porn.

Curran is scheduled to return to court on May 20 to enter a plea.

Neenah police officers' ethics hearing delayed because of altered charges

April 24, 2013, 1:08 pm

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NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - A hearing to determine whether a Neenah police officer should be fired has been delayed.

A revised statement of charges against officer Renee Dubinski was filed three days before the hearing scheduled for last Monday.

The city’s police commission decided the altered charges meant a 10-day waiting period was necessary before a hearing so Dubinski’s right to due process wasn’t violated.

She's accused of lying to her supervisors on six occasions. She faces no criminal charges.

Dubinski got in trouble for allegedly maintaining a close relationship with a man who has a reputation for being involved in criminal activities.

The police commission’s next meeting will be held May 14th.

Dubinski has been suspended with pay since last September.