MADISON, WI (Wisconsin Radio Network) - Despite record early voting in the state, fewer voters than expected cast ballots in Tuesday’s election.

According to unofficial results for Wisconsin from the Associated Press, about 2.9 million votes were cast in both the presidential and U.S. Senate races. The state Elections Commission says that amounts to a turnout of about 66.2 percent of the state’s voting age population of 4.4 million people.

The numbers are far short of the 3.1 million voters the agency had initially projected, and about 133,000 ballots less than those cast during the 2012 presidential election.

Official vote totals for the state are expected in early December.

Early voting the state smashed the previous record, with 828,451 absentee ballots counted as of Wednesday morning. About 28 percent of all ballots in the state were cast using absentee options, compared to just over 21 percent in 2012.

DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - One person is dead after a crash in Door County.

It happened around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Town of Clay Banks, south of Sturgeon Bay.

Officials say a man missed a curve on County Highway U, near Midway Road. He hit a ditch, a culvert and then trees.

A 38-year-old Leopolis man was killed.

His name hasn't been released.

An investigation into the circumstances leading up to the crash is underway.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - One person is out of their home after an early morning house fire on Green Bay's west side.

Green Bay Metro Fire gets the call to 843 Gross Avenue a little after 1:30 this morning.

They found smoke and flames in the area of the exterior chimney with fire extending into the attic and living room. 

Crews quickly extinguished the exterior fire and had to cut holes into roof to extinguish the fire that had had spread into the attic space and living room.

Damage is estimated around $30 thousand.

The Green Bay Metro Fire Department would like to remind all homeowners with the winter season coming upon us to have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Surveillance photos of a robbery suspect in Oshkosh have been released by police looking for him.

Police say the robbery happened at the 21 Shell gas station, 2550 Westowne Avenue, around 11:30 p.m. Monday.

According to an employee, the robber walked into the gas station and claimed to have a gun, although one was not shown. The robbery demanded the employee give him all the cash. Police say he got away with an undetermined amount of money.

A search of the area by investigators turned up empty.

The robber was described as a black man, between 5'9" and 6'0" tall, weighing around 170 pounds. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.

Anyone with information is asked to call Oshkosh police at (920) 236-5700. Anonymous tips may be left with Winnebago County Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 231-8477, by text message with the keyword IGOTYA to 274637, or online.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A woman has been found guilty of killing her husband in 2012 at a Grand Chute hotel.

An Outagamie County jury convicted 39-year-old Mastella Jackson of Appleton on Wednesday night of first-degree intentional homicide. 

Defense attorneys argued that there lacked testimony identifying Jackson as the person who fatally stabbed Derrick Whitlow.

Back in July, the Wisconsin Supreme Court affirmed an appeals court decision to reinstate some physical evidence in the case.

In 2014, Outagamie County Judge Mark McGinnis ruled that police improperly questioned Jackson. USA Today Network-Wisconsin reports that McGinnis suppressed those statements and some physical evidence found based on those statements.

TOWN OF LAWRENCE, WI (WTAQ) - A De Pere woman has been arrested on suspicion of OWI following a crash where two people were injured.

Police say the crash happened on southbound I-41 near De Pere's Main Avenue exit around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

According to police, the 33-year-old woman driving a car spun out and stopped in traffic. Then a 60-year-old woman, who was driving with her 5-year-old granddaughter, struck the car.

Both drivers were treated at the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The young girl wasn't hurt.

STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A 19-year-old Sturgeon Bay man is arrested on a number of sex-related charges.

The Kewaunee County Sheriff's Department requested Sturgeon Bay police go to an apartment on the city's west side to look for a 15-year-old girl who was considered a runaway.

Officers arrived at the apartment and were told by the man that she wasn't there. They eventually found her hiding in that apartment and further investigation determine the man had been in a sexual relationship with the girl.

According to officials, the girl was taken into protective custody and released to her parents.

The man is also a suspect in an unrelated sexting case, where he's accused of sending nude photos to other underage girls.

Police are recommending charges of second-degree sexual assault of a child, child enticement with sexual contact and a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - It's that time of year again were you'll be seeing the Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay red kettles around town.

Thursday was the official kickoff of their Christmas Campaign that will run through Christmas Eve.

The theme this year is "Connecting Your Reason to the Season for 125 years in Greater Green Bay."

Spokesperson Kathryn Kroll says they have some lofty goals but are optimistic.

"Our overall Christmas campaign goal is $1,000,000 and the kettles make up about 30-40% of that goal."

Kroll says they feel blessed to have many local partnerships to help boost donations.

"Thanks to the support of local businesses such as Associated Bank, the Green Bay Packers Give Back, Schneider, Wisconsin Public Service, we'll have all sorts of match days throughout the campaign."

Kroll says they are still looking for bell ringers and encourage the public to get involved. You can sign up at www.sagreenbay.org.

Last year the campaign brought in $1,000,468.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Northeast Wisconsin Representative-elect Mike Gallagher remains in awe of the results from Election Night.

That includes his big victory over Democrat Tom Nelson.

Gallagher tells WTAQ's Jerry Bader that 2016 was definitely a mandate election...

"I think people, especially this year, were looking for something different. Someone from outside the system that was willing to speak openly and honestly about the challenges the country faces"

Gallagher says this is no time to rest, especially with a G-O-P majority in Washington.

"We need to get to the urgent task of rebuilding our economic strength, our military strength. I think that's something Democrats and Republicans need to be having a conversation about"

He believes the U.S. looks weak in the eyes of many other nations around the world.

It's important that the leadership in washington works to make improving that perception a priority.

Gallagher won the open seat, taking over for another Republican outsider Reid Ribble.

Other top priorities for the GOP led Congress include repealing and replacing Obamacare, along with regulatory and tax reform.

GREEN BAY (WTAQ-WLUK) - In the wake of another announced plant closure, an area jobs watcher says local businesses are ready to hire.

Algoma Hardwoods, Brillion Iron Works and the Manitowoc Company, are all shutting their doors, leaving thousands without jobs this coming year.

180 employees from Algoma Hardwoods, 342 employees from Brillion Iron Works and 528 employees from the Manitowoc Company are being laid off.

But Jim Golembeski, executive director of the Bay Area Workforce Development Board, tells WLUK there's reason for optimism.

"Those workers are walking out into an economy that is very strong and looking for workers right now”

Golembeski explained there are plenty of manufacturing jobs available in northeast Wisconsin.

"You go back to 2008, when we were in the middle of the great recession and people were being laid off, well there were no jobs anywhere. Well there are a lot of jobs right now and there are a lot of jobs in commuting distance”

He added having three companies in the same region shut down isn't unusual.

"That's kind of the natural progression in business; companies start up, they expand, they grow, somebody bigger buys them, and then they are a chess piece on a board”

Golembeski said the workforce development board is providing workshops to help those facing unemployment, so when all three manufacturing plants close for good, workers will be prepared.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and her mother earlier this year will have another competency review.

26-year-old Jacob Cayer was previously ruled not competent to stand trial. At a court hearing on Friday, attorneys expected to review an updated report.

However, Cayer's attorney Shannon Viel said Cayer only recently arrived at the Mendota Mental Health Institute and has not received enough treatment yet to perform another evaluation.

Cayer will return to court for the completion of the review on February 17.

This competency review assesses if Cayer is capable of understanding the proceedings and can assist in his own defense. It doesn't address his competency at the time of the double murder. That issue can be raised at later proceedings.

Cayer is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, burglary and bail jumping. Cayer is accused of killing Sabrina Teague and her mother, Heesun "Sunny" Teague, and injuring another man at a Hobart home on June 7.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The election is over but the vandalism continues at one Green Bay residence.

Video recently released by the Green Bay Police Department shows the area around a Trump sign at 924 Chicago Street being damaged.

The lights that were illuminating the political sign were smashed and caught on security camera.

This is nothing new for this homeowner, as they've been victims of similar vandalism several times during the election process, most recently on November 2.

Authorities remind folks that if someone damages a yard sign or other property, they could face a criminal damage to property citation.

TOWN OF ST. LAWRENCE, WI (WTAQ) - A single car crash in Waupaca County sends both people inside to the hospital.

According to the Waupaca County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called just before 2:30 a.m. Friday to Colrue Road in the Town of St. Lawrence.

Upon arrival, a male identified as the driver was found lying on the pavement outside the vehicle. A passerby was attending to him. Emergency crews had to cut a female passenger out of the car.

Both victims were flown to a nearby hospital with what's been described as critical, but not life-threatening injuries. Their names were not released.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton police continue the search for a suspect in the assault of a woman early Sunday morning.

The Appleton Police Department has released a sketch of the man believed to be responsible for the attack in the 500 block of E. Winnebago Street around 4:40 a.m.

The victim told officers that the assailant was unknown to her. She described him as at least 6'0" tall with a slender build, about 35-years-old and of an unknown race.

The woman continues to recover from her injuries at a local hospital.

Police say they're looking for information only from the public, they don't want anyone to approach him. Contact your local law enforcement agency or call 911 if you're aware of his location.

Anyone with information can also call Sgt. Neal Rabas at (920) 832-5546. You can also remain anonymous by using Text-a-Tip. Text CRIMES (274-637) with the keyword APDTIPS at the start of the text.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Starting next week, some parts of Brown County parks will be closing for the winter.

Brown County officials say the horse trails and the mountain bike trails at the Reforestation Camp, Neshota Park and the Fox River Trail will close at sunset on Wednesday, November 16.

However, the Fox River Trail will stay open to pedestrians, in-line skaters, skateboarders and bikers year-round.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - An area high school tutor has been sentenced to three years' probation for having inappropriate sexual contact with a student.

50-year-old Shelly Jensen had been convicted of sexual assault of a student by a school staff member. Four other charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

According to police, Jensen's family members caught her in bed with a 17-year-old boy earlier this year. The pair were cuddling at the time. During an interview with police, the boy admitted having sex with Jensen 2 or 3 times. He also said she allowed him to drink alcohol from a flask he brought to her house.

Jensen claimed she had the boy over to her house for tutoring because he had a difficult home life. She admitted allowing the boy into her bedroom so he could watch TV without glasses, along with sitting on her couch with him to watch movies.

Jensen, who was a tutor at West De Pere High School, denied ever having been in bed with the boy. She also said she never allowed him to drink, but admits he may have mixed some alcohol in with a sports drink when she wasn't looking.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Anti-Trump demonstrators gathered at the city deck in downtown Green Bay Friday expressing their discontent with the new President-elect.

The event was originally posted on Facebook and the number of people who wanted to attend the rally kept growing.

Will Albers was one of the protestors that showed up. He says he's not sure what the rally will accomplish but knows that he doesn't agree with Donald Trump's past behavior.

"I don't like that he's a racist and a misogynist and that he's our president. I mean that's pretty screwed up," Albers said. "Trump said that we should ban all Muslims from entering the United States. He said Mexicans are rapists and drug dealers, like, that's just not cool."

Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith was on hand making sure the event stayed peaceful and safe.

"We met with the organizers. We spent some time talking about what the rules are of the City Deck and walking on the streets in Green Bay. We just want to make sure they have the right to peacefully protest, peacefully assemble, say what's on their mind without hurting anybody or causing any property damage," said Smith. "We think we have an obligation to protect these folks and make sure they have the right to say what's on their mind. Other people can come out and counter demonstrate as long as nobody gets hurt, then we're going to be okay."

Several cities across the U.S. have been experiencing a number protests this week against President-elect Trump.

PULASKI, WI (WTAQ) - A Minnesota boat manufacturer is moving its operations to Pulaski.

Little Falls, Minnesota-based Larson Boat Group's facilities are being closed down. Production is moving to Carver Yachts in Pulaski. Both companies are owned by Marquis.

"This decision is due to external, global economic influences including adverse economic dynamics and shifting changes within the marine market that require us to consolidate our company's operations and footprint with our sister organization in Pulaski, Wisconsin to continue to be competitive in our ever changing industry," Rob Parmentier, Larson Boat Group president and CEO, said in a news release.

Officials say Larson Boats' Triumph brand will be discontinued, while Larson, Larson FX, Larson Escape and Striper models will now be built in Pulaski. The facility in Pulaski will not expand.

Every Larson Boat Group employee will be offered a job in Pulaski, the company says. It is unknown how many jobs will be coming to Pulaski, however.

The Minnesota facility is expected to shut down early next year.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The anger and hurt feelings from the outcome of Tuesday's presidential election has reached the municipal level in Wisconsin.

During the pledge of allegiance at Wednesday's Oshkosh City Council meeting, councilwoman Caroline Panske protested by sitting down and staying quiet.

"There are words in there that are hard for me to believe at this moment," Panske told FOX 11. "It was just raw honesty. I couldn't pull it off, I couldn't do it, and so I sat down."

Panske, however, didn't expect what happened next, the backlash from her spur of the moment decision.

"I am sorry that people feel disgusted and disappointed, what I would like them to do is reach out to me," Panske said.

Oshkosh Mayor Steve Cummings says he didn't see Panske's protest during the council meeting, but when he found out about it later...

"[I was] stunned or surprised. We are a nonpartisan body," Cummings said, who deemed the gesture inappropriate. "Whatever your political leanings are, you park those at the front door, you do not bring those into the council chambers. We are elected, and we are here to serve the entire City of Oshkosh."

Cummings adds he's never seen this type of thing happen in a council meeting.

"As a veteran, I'm offended. This is just not the place to do it," he said.

"I do support our veterans. I understand the sacrifices that they make by giving up their family, their lives here to do that," Panske says.

Panske says she never meant to offend service-members, but doesn't regret her decision.

"I do feel like there is a community out there that does feel represented by this move," says Panske.

Panske contends this was a one-time thing.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach has vetoed a budget measure which would raise the pay of non-seasonal county employees who aren't governed by labor agreements about $400. 

"We realize and recognize that the economy is still chugging along and still struggling," Streckenbach says. "United Way of Wisconsin released a report showing that 40 percent of our working families throughout our community are struggling to make ends meet, and now is not the time to have taxpayers fund a 2 percent increase for employees."

The numbers released on September 13 by the United Way of Wisconsin, is broken down county-by-county, includes the number and percent of households by income, Economic Viability Dashboard scores, Household Survival Budget, key economic indicators, and data for each municipality in the county (where available). 

According to the Asset Limited Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) data, Brown County has 39% of households living at or below the basic cost of living, or ALICE threshold.

"The fact of the matter is that Social Security recipients are receiving a 'wage increase' of $5 per month and paying 22% more for their health insurance premiums," Streckenbach says, noting that his veto returns the 2017 budget to the 1% cost-of-living adjustment previously approved by the county board.

"I don't like taxes any more than the next guy, but to clip a portion of a very small cost of living increase, which if anything, what it does is offset health care cost increases to the employees to me is unconscionable," says Patrick Moynihan, Jr., Brown County Board Chairman. "There's a cost associated for the services that are expected by the citizens of Brown County and this is just a small cost."

The additional $400 to those affected county employees would account for an increase of $686,900 to the tax levy. Moynihan adds that there's a problem with employee retention in Brown County.

The Wisconsin Department of Employment Relations Commission, per Streckenbach, set the union salary cost-of-living adjustment, or salary increase, to a maximum of 0.67% for January 1, 2017.

"It's my understanding we've lost 12% of our employees for this year, perhaps longer than that, we tend to train them and they go elsewhere," Moynihan says. "This is just a small, little increase and I might add they've had salary freezes for many years prior to this."

In a letter to board supervisors, Streckenbach wrote that the vetoes will help keep the county's tax rate at $4.54 per $1,000 and protect the taxpayers. As for the retention issue, Streckenbach indicated they're looking to address that.

"We're requesting to keep $100,000 for us to be able to go into some of the areas that we're actually seeing high turnover rate, adjust those areas so that we remain competitive in the future," says Streckenbach.

Streckenbach is also vetoing a requirement to have the Human Resources Department pay out retired Sheriff Deputy's sick leave bank because the proposal has tax consequences for other county employees that use the money for health insurance.

The $291.3 million budget proposal was released in September, and now comes down to a veto session being held by the board of supervisors on Monday at 6 p.m. 18 of the 26 board members are needed to override Streckenbach's vetoes.

"I haven't had the opportunity to speak to any supervisors," Moynihan says. "I'm not an arm twister, everyone has their own districts. We'll see where the chips fall on Monday night."

The meeting takes place inside Legislative Room 203 at Green Bay City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson Street.