MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A year after a Manitowoc student was hit by a bus while walking to school, the city is attempting to make the street crossing safer.

New crosswalk warning lights were installed at the intersection of North 9th Street and Waldo Boulevard near Wilson Junior High and Immanuel Lutheran School.

Manitowoc Police Chief Nick Reimer tells WLUK Waldo Boulevard can be a busy roadway.

"It's four lanes and it is 25 mph there, but with the amount of traffic it is hard to cross that street, and in that area, specifically Waldo and 9th Street, we have two schools"

To make crossing the road safer for students, Manitowoc installed new crosswalk warning lights. Wilson Junior High School principal, Lee Thennes.

"We did have a student that unfortunately got hit by a bus out here last year, and so that prompted a discussion about well this is very busy intersection, so what measures are we taking to ensure that it's a safe place to cross the street”

Thennes says Thursday was the first day that students used the new warning lights.

"It was interesting because we did have cars slow down on one side, but there were a couple that would go through. So our main concern of course is just making sure kids are double and triple checking this so they make sure the cars stop.”

The warning lights flash after a person hits the button on the crosswalk pole. The flashing lights are supposed to signal to drivers that someone is trying to cross the road.

Reimer says if drivers fail to stop when the lights are flashing, they could be cited.

"People right now on Waldo Blvd are not used to having to stop for these flashing yellow lights, so what we want drivers to know is when they are flashing, you must stop and yield to the pedestrians”

The city spent around $10,000 on the warning lights.

Reimer said the warning lights not only apply to school hours, but drivers need to stop anytime they see the flashing lights at that intersection.

ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsn Department of Justice has canceled a Silver Alert issued for a missing Allouez man.

Officials say 78-year-old Peter Taylor has been found safe.

====ORIGINAL REPORT====

A Silver Alert has been issued for an Allouez man.

78-year-old Peter Taylor was last seen around 3:30 p.m., Thursday, in the Green Bay/Allouez area.

Taylor is about 6 feet tall, weighing 170 pounds.

Taylor left his assisted living facility in his vehicle. He told staff he may go to Milwaukee.

He has gone missing before and was found in another state.

His vehicle is a white 2014 Chevrolet Sonic with Wisconsin plate 478-JRV.

Call the Brown County Sheriff's Department at 920-448-4241 or 911 if you see Taylor.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Oshkosh are asking for the public's help in locating a runaway.

According to officials, 12-year-old Valerie E. Tollard has been missing since Monday and is believed to be in the Oshkosh area.

Valerie is 5'3", 110 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. She was wearing several layers of clothes: a green and gray long-sleeved shirt, a blue long-sleeved shirt with a pink label, a purple long-sleeved hooded sweatshirt, black leggings and purple Adidas shoes..

Anyone with information on Valerie's whereabouts is asked to call the Oshkosh Police Department at (920) 236-5700. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; text IGOTYA and your tip to 274637; or online to leave a tip.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan says he's not going to step down as Speaker following Tuesday's election.

"There's a lot of unfinished work to do, I think I can do a lot to help our cause, our party," Ryan told Midwest Communications talk show host Jerry Bader on Friday. "I've led us to offering a very comprehensive agenda for the sake of the country and I want to execute and implement that agenda."

A report in The Hill posted Thursday said that Ryan will not return as Speaker following Tuesday's election, citing 4 House Republicans. They told the publication that Ryan (R-Wisconsin) lacks enough support to win a run for a full two-year term.

"This is the typical chatter you have every two years, they call it 'palace intrigue' in the Hill rags," Ryan remarked. "I am going to seek staying on as Speaker."

Ryan also said Friday, while on a statewide bus tour to mobilize voters with fellow Wisconsin Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson that he's focused on maintaining the House's Republican majority.

MADISON, WI (Wisconsin Radio Network) - It appears Wisconsin voters have been listening to calls to get out and cast their ballot early.

Figures released by the Wisconsin Elections Commission on Friday morning show 685,644 absentee ballots have been returned to local clerks so far, out of 722,193 requests.

The number breaks the record set during the 2012 presidential election, when just under 665,000 absentee ballots were cast during the entire election.

Of the ballots cast through Friday morning, 546,463 were cast as in-person absentee.

Early voting ends Friday across much of the state, although some cities are offering it through Saturday.

HOBART, WI (WTAQ) - Two people were killed in a crash involving a dump truck and a car along the Brown/Outagamie county line.

Officials say the crash happened at the intersection of Highways U and EE just before 2 p.m. Friday.

A car, driven by a 78-year-old Menasha woman, collided with a dump truck driven by a 34-year-old Larsen man.

The woman and her passenger, a 76-year-old Omro man, were pronounced dead at the scene. The dump truck driver was not hurt.

The intersection remains closed while officials investigate the crash.

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - Someone who purchased a Powerball ticket from a Bellevue convenience store recently is holding a $50,000 winner.

Lottery officials say the winning ticket for Wednesday's drawing was purchased at Lou's One Stop, 2721 Manitowoc Road.

The Powerball numbers were 13, 18, 37, 54 and 61 with a Powerball of 5. The Power Play number was 2.

Officials say the winner has 180 days from the drawing to claim their prize.

Saturday night is the next Powerball drawing with an estimated jackpot of $217 million.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Just two days before Election Day, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine will return to Wisconsin.

According to the Hillary Clinton campaign, Kaine will hold a get out the vote event at UW-Green Bay's Phoenix Room at 1 p.m. Sunday. Doors to the event will open at 11 a.m.

People wanting to attend can RSVP here.

Kaine also has visits scheduled that day in Milwaukee and La Crosse.

The Virginia Senator spoke at a campaign rally in Appleton back on Tuesday with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingold.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man accused of killing Nicole VanderHeyden is pleading not guilty.

That's the plea entered in court Friday by George Burch. A trial date has not been set, but Birch is expected back in court in January.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department says they used DNA tests and cell phone records to tie Burch to VanderHeyden's death.

Her body was found in a field in Bellevue back in May.

ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ) - A suspect in an Allouez bank robbery is on the loose.

The Brown County Sheriff's Office says they were called to the Chase Bank, 2635 Libal Street, for a report of a robbery just after 6 p.m. Friday. 

Deputies say a man produced a note demanding money and fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount. The note and his actions caused the bank employee to fear that the subject was threatening imminent force and that he may be armed, however no weapon was displayed.

No bank employees were injured.

He's described as white, 5'10'' with a slim build. He is believed to be in his 20's and wearing a maroon hoodie and blue jeans, sunglasses, gloves and a fake mustache.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Division is jointly investigating this incident with the Federal Bureau of Investigations. If anyone has any information concerning this case please call the Sheriff's Office at (920) 448-4230 or the Green Bay FBI Office at (920) 432-3868.

Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward by calling Crime Stoppers at (920)432-7867 or text GBTIP and your tip to 274637 (crimes).

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A 13-year-old has been hospitalized after inhaling smoke from a grease fire Saturday evening in Green Bay.

According to the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, crews were called just before 6 p.m. to 1103 13th Avenue on the city's near west side.

Unattended grease on a stove top caught fire and spread to the wall and cabinets, says Battalion Chief Chris Ehmann. The fire caused an estimated $10,000 in damage.

One adult and two children are staying with other family members after the fire.

With the holiday seasons approaching, Ehmann reminds people to pay close attention when they are cooking. Ehmann says cooking is the leading cause of house fires, and people should never leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the stove, he says.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A vehicle fire forced all northbound lanes of Interstate 41 at Ballard Road in Appleton to close.

The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office says the incident happened just before midnight, Saturday.

That stretch of I-41 was closed for about an hour.

No other information is available at this time.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay became the latest scene in the ongoing protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

On Saturday, local community members held a demonstration they called "Standing up for Standing Rock."

"Some of those people that we're really hurt I've met, and I don't like seeing any of that," Claudia Skenandore of the Oneida Tribe told FOX 11 that she witnessed the negative impact of the pipeline firsthand during a trip to North Dakota. "When I came back, I couldn't stop thinking about it, I can't stop reading about it, I just want to be back there I want to do whatever I can." 

The North Dakota-based tribe has been fighting the construction of an oil pipeline under the Missouri river for months now, citing concerns about their water source and cultural burial grounds.

"It's an American issue it's a people issue, because water affects and is going to affect millions and millions of people if this pipeline bursts," Tanya Dutch of the Oneida Tribe said.

According to a statement on Energy Transfer Partners' website:

"Energy Transfer has long standing commitments to the safety of people, the environment, and our property and assets."

"They can reroute this, they can definitely reroute this away from the water," Cristina Danforth, Oneida Tribal Chairwoman said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently conducting an environmental review.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - With less than 48 hours to go before Election Day, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine campaigned in Green Bay.

The get out the vote rally, which was held on the UW-Green Bay campus Sunday afternoon, focused on hitting the polls Tuesday and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's comments regarding his taxes.

It was the Virginia Senator's second trip to Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District in the past week, having previously campaigned in Appleton.

Meantime, Trump previously canceled a scheduled appearance in West Allis on Sunday afternoon. The business mogul instead focused on visits to Minnesota and Michigan. His running made, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, campaigned on Saturday in southeast Wisconsin.

According to the final Marquette University Law School poll, released last Wednesday, Democrat Hillary Clinton holds a six-point advantage over Trump Wisconsin. The Badger State, which hasn't backed a GOP presidential candidate since 1984, has 10 electoral votes at stake on Tuesday.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton police say a woman is hospitalized following an alleged physical assault early Sunday.

Police were called at 4:40 a.m. to 500 E. Winnebago Street for a reported assault on a sidewalk. The victim was found to have serious injuries to her face and head. 

Officials say the suspect has not been identified and a description is unavailable due to the victim's condition. 

The public is asked to be on the lookout and report any suspicious activity as detectives continue to investigate. If you have any information about the incident, you're asked to contact the Appleton Police Department at (920) 832-5500. Anonymous tips can also be sent using Text-A-Tip. Text CRIMES (274-637) with the keyword APDTIPS at the beginning of the text.

HORTONVILLE, WI (WTAQ) - The search for answers continues in Hortonville, where the police chief has been put on paid leave for unknown reasons.

Chief Michael Sullivan was put on paid administrative leave October 21, but village leaders refuse to say why. Sullivan, who's been the police chief for 14 years, had dozens of people show their support for him during a village board meeting last week.

"He's been put on administrative leave, paid, beginning October 21, that's the only thing that I can state, that's the only thing that is public information," Village Administrator Diane Wessel told WTAQ when reached by phone on Friday. 

Wessel was asked when the public can expect to learn what happened with Sullivan.

"Not at this point, it's in progress," Wessel replied, without specifying what that meant.

Decisions regarding the position of police chief is handled by the 5-member Board of Police and Fire Commissioners. 

"The only quote you'll get from me is no comment," says Martin Baker, one of the commission members on Friday. Baker did admit that he doesn't know what happened or when they will meet next. The last meeting took place October 17.

"That's dictated by state statute and the PFC is separate from village admin," Wessel said when asked when she believed the next meeting would take place. WTAQ also relayed that a commission member said they didn't even know what is going on, to which she commented, "Not at this point because it's in progress."

Another issue is who's currently running the Hortonville Police Department while Sullivan is on paid administrative leave. 

"We have a Sergeant who's his second-in-command," says Wessel, who identified him as Sgt. Brian Bahr.

Wessel also made one thing clear.

"He's (Sullivan) not not working for the department. If there's an emergency or anything we still can contact him and he is required to be accessible at all times," explained Wessel. "There's a misunderstanding in the public, my perception and from some of the written things I've seen is he has not been suspended. He's on administrative leave so he still can be acting in an emergency."

Sullivan did not respond to our request for comment. 

FOX LAKE, WI (WTAQ) - A semi truck rolled on its side and spilled the corn grain it was hauling in Fox Lake at the intersection of County Rd. AW and County Rd. A around 6:05 p.m. Sunday.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office said the truck was headed south on County Rd. A when the driver tried to make a right turn on County Rd. AW and rolled on its side.

The driver was taken to the hospital and officials said he had serious, non-life threatening, injures from the crash.

KEWAUNEE, WI (WTAQ) - The body of a 43-year-old Green Bay man has been recovered from Lake Michigan on Monday.

Kewaunee police confirmed that the body of Robert Umentum III was recovered just after 10:30 a.m. in the Kewaunee Harbor.

This comes after a search involving the U.S. Coast Guard after someone living in the area called to report someone yelling for help along the shoreline just after 3 a.m. Monday.

Kewaunee officers and the county sheriff's office searched the area, but help from the Coast Guard, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Door County dive team was requested.

Umentum was fishing and fell into the water, police say. Fishing tackle and personal belongings were seen in the water.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A small claims court case involving the now-shuttered Standard Pre-Owned used car dealerships in Howard and Kaukauna is now in circuit court.

Online court records show that a transmittal fee of $125.50 was paid on Friday to transfer the case involving Richard Sprague, and his son Mason Sprague, against Bella Investment Group, LLC, along with other defendants John Solberg, Brent Strelka, Bryan Crain and James Lenz.

The civil case in Outagamie County is now being overseen by Judge Michael W. Gage in Branch 5. A court date has not been set.

The Sprague's were seeking $10,000 in damages after they were one of dozens of consignors who fell victim to the troubled dealership who apparently re-sold vehicles without obtaining the titles.

"The procedures are a little bit different, a little bit more formal," says attorney Gregg Curry, who's representing Strelka and Crain. "Other than that it should be the same."

A summons and complaint was also filed on Friday, which Curry indicated contained much of the same information already discussed during the small claims proceedings.

The previously scheduled hearing on December 15 before court commissioner Maureen Roberts Budiac is now canceled.

KIEL, WI (WTAQ) - A bomb threat at Kiel High School forces officials to evacuate the building Monday morning.

Around 8:15 a.m., school officials discovered the threat, which they called "vague". Students and staff were sent out to the football field while police and firefighters searched the building.

The search failed to uncover any threat and everyone was allowed back inside the building around 10 a.m.

One student was taken into "protective custody" by police for allegedly making the threat. The incident remains under investigation.