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Fox River Mall Suspect in Custody

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GRAND CHUTE , WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Grand Chute Police say the man who prompted an evacuation at the Fox River Mall Tuesday night is in custody.

28-year-old Christopher Hawkins, was arrested without incident in a parking lot in Minnesota Wednesday.

With the help of the FBI, investigators were able to locate him.

He was transported to the Hennepin County Jail and is in the process of extradition.

Officials responded to an area in Grand Chute earlier Wednesday after they received reports of someone matching Hawkins' description but Hawkins was not found.

Business was back to normal at the Fox River Mall Wednesday.

Authorities were called to the mall Tuesday night for a report of a man with a gun.

The mall was evacuated but the man with a gun was not found and no one was hurt.


Mayor Torpedoes Pool Plan; Wery Reacts

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Mayor Jim Schmitt has vetoed the funding plan for pool renovations at Colburn Park.

Last week, the council voted 7-5 to approve financing for the project.

That's after accepting the lowest bid, which still came in $2.3 million over what the city and private donors had raised.

“I have always supported a neighborhood aquatic facility using $3.5 million dollars of taxpayer money. However, the additional bonding and operating costs the Council approved on December 20th are not necessary, nor fiscally responsible at this time," Schmitt said in a statement.

According to the memo he issued, the project would cost too much, funding this project would delay other projects, and the pool would lose too much money annually.

Alderman Chris Wery is reacting to the news of the veto. He says he's not sure if Schmitt's recent actions are a personal attack on him.

"You know, I can't read what's in his mind, but I would say ever since a few of us, myself in particular, brought up his campaign finance issues, it's been very chilly at city hall. All of the comments that have come out of the mayor's mouth about me have been very negative and very nasty," said Wery.

Three-fourths of the council - 8 votes - would be needed to override the veto.

Wery says he's confident those votes will be achieved.

(Additional Reporting by WTAQ's Melissa Barclay)

No Charges Yet In Suspicious Death

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OCONTO, WI (WTAQ) – A 17-year-old boy taken into custody last week in Oconto County in connection with a man’s death has been released from jail.

A jail official tells WLUK the boy was released at the request of the Oconto County District Attorney.

36 year old Jason Fotopoulos died Saturday, December 17th during a fight at a Chase home, according to Sheriff Mike Jansen.

The boy was the man’s neighbor.

The two were at the teen's home when an argument ensued.

The man was knocked to the ground during the fight and then had trouble breathing.

The boy tried to give the man CPR, authorities say, but could not revive him.

The circumstances leading up to the confrontation are still under investigation, Jansen said.

The boy was never charged in the case and never made a court appearance.

Terrorist Threat Charge In Mall Incident

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A charge of making a terrorist threat has been filed against the suspect whose actions led to the closure of Fox River Mall earlier this week.

Christopher Hawkins, who was arrested in Minnesota on Wednesday, does not have a court date scheduled yet in Outagamie County court.

According to the complaint, Hawkins and his girlfriend had an argument Tuesday while in a parking ramp near the mall.

At the end of the argument, the criminal complaint states his girlfriend saw Hawkins remove a silver handgun from the trunk of his car and leave the parking ramp in his vehicle.

About ten minutes later, Hawkins called his girlfriend. Hawkins told her that he was in the mall parking lot. Hawkins said he was going to shoot up the mall and she might as well call the police.

Hawkins said, "I guarantee by the end of the night someone is going to die," the complaint states.

The criminal complaint does not state that Hawkins was ever actually at the mall property, other that his statement on the phone relayed to police by his girlfriend.

No Visitors Allowed at Oshkosh Prison

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Visitors are not being allowed at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution due an increased number of inmate illnesses.

According to Dept. of Corrections spokesman Tristan Cook, other operations are also being limited.

"Oshkosh has limited inmate movement throughout the institution to minimize contact between inmates and allow inmates to recover before resuming normal operations as part of DOC's efforts to mitigate the spread of illness," he said.

No estimate was provided for when visitors will be allowed again.

Climate Change Reference On DNR Website

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MADISON, WI (WRN) - The state Department of Natural Resources has removed language from its website that blamed climate change on “human activities.”

The change was made on a DNR web page about the Great Lakes, which previously talked about the potential impacts of climate change on the ecosystem of the lakes and said “human activities that increase heat–trapping (“green house”) gases are the main cause” of the problem.

The update, done earlier this month, now says “the reasons for this change at this particular time in the earth’s long history are being debated and researched by academic entities outside the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.”

Blogger James Rowen first reported on the change in language.

In a statement, DNR spokesman James Dick said the changes were made to a page that had not been updated in several years.

“The updated page reflects our position on this topic that we have communicated for years, that our agency regularly must respond to a variety of environmental and human stressors from drought, flooding, wind events to changing demographics. Our agency must be ready to respond to each of these challenges. Adaptation has been our position on this topic.”

Dick added that the causes of climate change are still being debated by the general public, while research is being done by academics working outside of the DNR.

3 Teens Arrested in Green Bay Armed Robberies

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police say three men have been arrested in connection with a series of armed robberies in the area.

Three Green Bay teens, 18-year-olds Dujuan Vales and Hunter Haupt and 19-year-old Effraim Bowers are suspected to be responsible for five armed robberies and one theft that occurred in the city, starting Dec. 11.

The incidents include:

  • Dec. 11 - U-Pump, 1233 Velp Avenue
  • Dec. 13 - Cenex, 601 N. Military Avenue
  • Dec. 17 - Grand Central Station, 2145 University Avenue
  • Dec. 17 - Lombardi Express, 1828 S. Ashland Avenue
  • Dec. 20 - Grand Central Station, 2145 University Avenue
  • Dec. 27 - Pit Row Shell Station, 2590 University Avenue

Investigators say after pursing leads, gathering evidence and conducting interviews, they were able to identify the men.

Police say prosecutors are requesting armed robbery charges against the men.

Oconto County Death Suspect Released

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OCONTO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Oconto County District Attorney says a 17-year-old boy was released from jail because an investigation concluded he did not intend to kill a man earlier this month.

The teen was arrested in connection to the death of Jason Fotopoulos on Dec. 17. Oconto County.

District Attorney Edmund Burke says the 17-year-old boy killed Fotopoulos with a punch, but the teen was attempting to defend himself.

The DA says the nature of the injury to Fotopoulos "and the lack any outward physical signs of injury would not lead an ordinary person to believe that Jason was severely injured after the fatal blow was delivered."

Oconto County Sheriff Mike Jansen says the 36-year-old Fotopoulos died during a fight at a Chase home, and the 17-year-old was Fotopoulos' neighbor.

The sheriff says in a fight at the teen's home, the teen knocked Fotopoulous to the ground and Fotopoulous had trouble breathing. Jansen says the teen tried to give the man CPR but could not revive him. The 17-year-old was arrested that day.

According to the DA, witnesses say Fotopoulos directed racially inappropriate language at the 17- year-old, who is black, on two occasions, including the day of the fight.


Staying Safe on the Ice

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Folks wanting to get out on the winter ice this season are going to have to wait a little longer.

Milder temperatures have Wisconsin waterways not safe to venture out on.

Wisconsin DNR Conservation Warden Chris Groth says before traveling on a body of frozen water, do your research and "know before you go."

"Gather as much information as you can on the body of water that you're interested in. Talk to local bait shops, local fishermen. There's some stuff on the internet. Do all the research that you need to do."

If you do brave the ice, there are items that you should always have on hand.

"Your quickest rescue is going to be a self-rescue. Carry some ice picks with you. You know, if it's unfamiliar ice, have a life jacket on," said Groth.

It's also a good idea to carry a rope with you in the case you need to help someone else get out of the water.

"People need to be real cognizant of the cracks alongside the shore. That's one area where people seem to get in trouble. When those cracks start moving near the shore they may open up a couple of feet," Groth explains.

A reminder to winter ice enthusiasts, that the Port of Green Bay will close the southern portion of the bay of Green Bay for the commercial fuel shipping season by January 20, 2017.

Mining Showdown In The Northwoods

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MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - People gathered Thursday at Stephenson Island in Marinette to protest the Back Forty Mine project.

This comes one day after the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality approved two permits for the project. Aquila Resources wants to operate the mine just outside of Menominee, Michigan.

Mine backers support the project, citing the jobs which would be created, while opponents have raised environmental concerns, particularly about water quality issues.

Protesters say Aquila's Back Forty Mine Project should be stopped.

Cindy Ives spoke to WLUK.

"It's too close to the Menominee river, it's 150 feet away."

Members of the Menominee Indian Tribe joined the protest. They say they are concerned about the potential effect on the environment...and on their sacred grounds.

Carissa Peters is a member of the tribe

"This is the life of our people. When they take this away, they take away the life of our people."

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality says it carefully reviews all mining permit requests.

Joe Maki is a state mining specialist with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

"We are required to follow the law and uphold the rules, which allow mining under certain... quite frankly strict... conditions. And if a company agrees to those strict conditions, then by law we are required to issue a permit."Aquila says the project will create hundreds of jobs both in the construction phase, and permanently.

In a statement, Aquila Resources says they believe the DEQ's decision to approve the first two necessary permits "...reflects Michigan's commitment to responsible and sustainable resource development that benefits all stakeholders."

Trbal member Dawn Wilber isn't so sure.

"They say they're thinking about it, but that's probably all they're doing is thinking about it. And that's what hurts, because that's our people."

The DEQ says multiple public hearings were held before these two permits were approved. And there will be more public hearings once the next two permits are officially applied for.

Protesters say they'll be there for those future hearings.

Teens Face Charges For Setting An Animal On Fire

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HUDSON, WI (WTAQ) - Two Suamico teens, charged with mistreating an animal for allegedly setting a live chicken on fire, made initial appearances in court Thursday.

17 year olds Ryan McElmurry and Hayden Lammers face the misdemeanor count for the August incident at a St. Croix County farm.

McElmurry appeared by phone and pleaded not guilty, according to court records. A stats conference is scheduled for Feb. 2.

Lammers appeared in court in person, and also pleaded not guilty, according to records. He also returns to court Feb. 2.

According to the complaint, McElmurry and Lammers were visiting the father of a friend.

Four teens were asked to get a chicken and kill it. McElmurry allegedly held the chicken down while Lammers allegedly set it on fire.

The chicken did not die from being set on fire, so an axe was used.

The teens admitted to their roles in the incident, and apologized.

The incident was recorded, posted to social media, and eventually shared with authorities - leading to the charges.

Missing Woman Found Safe

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MARINETTE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Officials say Linda Nickel has been found safe.

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Authorities in Marinette County are asking the public for help in locating a 52-year-old woman from the Town of Stephenson.

Linda Nickel was last seen on Tuesday around 9:00 p.m. in Neenah.

Officials say Nickel did not return home to Marinette County and her family is concerned about her.

Nickel is described as a white woman, 5'2'' tall, weighing about 200 pounds with blue eyes and brown medium-length hair.

Officials believe she may be headed to Milwaukee.

She could be driving a black 2015 four-door Dodge Ram truck with the Wisconsin plate EE9271.

If you know of her whereabouts, please contact the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office at (715) 732-7627.

Sexual Assault Suspect Learns His Fate

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KESHENA, WI (WTAQ) - A Keshena man, convicted of the sexual assault of a minor, was sentenced Thursday.

27-year-old Matthew T. White was sentenced to 15 months in prison, followed by a 5-year term of supervised release.

White pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse of 13-year-old girl, Oct. 6, 2016.

A June 2016 investigation revealed White engaged in a sex act with the girl at a location outside Keshena, near Legend Lake on the Menominee Indian Reservation.

Pool Showdown Set For Tuesday

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday in an effort to override Mayor Jim Schmitt's veto of the Colburn Park pool funding plan.

The council voted 7-5 to approve the funding plan to rebuild the west-side facility.

However, on Wednesday the mayor vetoed the plan, saying it was too expensive.

Eight votes are required to override.

Alderman Chris Wery, a pool backer, believes there will be enough votes to do so.

Several alderman have called for the special meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. January 3rd at the Green Bay City Hall.

Increased OWI Patrols on New Year's Eve

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration but a fun time can quickly turn sour if you hit the road after a few adult beverages.

Green Bay Police Captain Kevin Warych says the Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign is still in effect until January 2nd with extra patrols throughout the area.

"Those increased patrols will be sporadic through the holiday season including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day just to target the people who do drink and drive."

Warych says the legal limit is .08 and depending on your body weight and size, it doesn't take many alcoholic beverages to go over the limit.

"Most people believe that if they feel buzzed their not at the legal limit, when in reality they are," said Warych.

Your best bet is to make plans on how you're getting home, before you go out. Designate a sober driver or call a cab.

 


Packers Fans to Select Hall of Fame Inductee

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GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- Before Packers fans settle in to watch the NFC North title game against the Lions Sunday, they can vote for their favorite Packers fan.

The Packers selected the top ten nominees for the next Packers Fan Hall of Fame inductee and now it's up to the fans to select the winner.

The ten finalists are:

  • John Powers – Savage, Minn.
  • Rosemary Scheible – Wauwatosa, Wis.
  • Kay Kuester Doran – Antigo, Wis.
  • Karen Troyanek – LaCrosse, Wis.
  • Carol Postulka – Pierre, S.D.
  • Frank Lamping – Union Grove, Wis.
  • LaNore Anderson – Thorp, Wis.
  • Mike Sledz – Grayslake, Ill.
  • George Oudhuis – Rolling Prairie, Ind.
  • Terry Schwefel – Watertown, Wis.

Voting begins Jan.1 and runs through midnight on Jan. 31.

The winner will receive four club seats to a 2017 Packers home game; a $500 Packers Pro Shop gift certificate; a road trip for two to a 2017 Packers away game, including game tickets, air fare and hotel accommodations; and a one-year subscription to Packer Plus.

Voters can win something too. If you vote, your name will be entered into a random drawing to win Packers merchandise.

The 19th member of the Packers Fan Hall of Fame will be announced in late February 2017.

Last year's winner was Patricia Nevala of Monomonie. 

 

Lucky Llama Returns to Green Bay

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) -- If you saw a llama cross Green Bay's Main Street Bridge last New Year's Eve, you were told to expect good luck in 2016.

Green Bay's mayor says it worked for him.

"The year was great," said Jim Schmitt told FOX 11. "We had a great year in the city. Our crime rate is down. Development is up. It's been very good, and most importantly my kids are healthy, doing well, my wife."

But earlier this month, a judge sentenced Schmitt to $4,000 in fines and 40 hours of community service for campaign finance violations.

"The campaign finance thing is two years old," said Schmitt. "I'm glad it all came to a resolution. It's all over. Everything is done, so I can get on to a new year. I think there's a few people that look forward to ringing in the new year, and some people that look forward to ringing out the new year. I think that's the coolest thing about turning the page."

After a successful inaugural year, the same llama, named Abstract, is back. He's scheduled to cross the Main Street Bridge at 8:45 p.m. Saturday.

Fireworks are set for 9:00 p.m.

Christmas Campaign Goal Shortage

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay is making a final push to reach their Christmas Campaign goal.

Officials say they are $10,000 short of this year's $1,000,000 goal.

Spokesman Nick Meisner says although the Christmas season is over, he's not worried.

"We are confident that the community is going to provide that final push that we need to finally reach the goal."

Many folks think that once the holidays are over, so is the campaign, but it actually continues through January 31.

Meisner says many surprise gifts made a huge difference this year.

"The Packers support has been nothing short of extraordinary; the Packers signing days and Aaron Rodgers matching those signing days and helping us raise $20,000 in one night," said Meisner.

The charity also received a record of 40 gold coins that were place in red kettles throughout Green Bay. Each coin is valued around $1,130.

You can still make a donation at www.sagreenbay.org.

Funds raised through the Christmas Campaign stay in the Greater Green Bay area and support social service programs throughout the year.

 

Packers Beat Lions, Win NFC North

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are both headed to the postseason.

One of those teams looks like a threat to make a serious run.

Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes, and the Packers calmly dispatched Detroit 31-24 on Sunday night to win the NFC North title.

Green Bay finished the regular season with six consecutive victories, and although the Lions made the playoffs as a wild card, they frittered away the division title with three straight losses down the stretch.

The Packers and Lions were both safely in the playoffs by the time their game kicked off, because Washington lost to the New York Giants earlier in the day.

Green Bay (10-6) starts its postseason at home against the Giants next weekend, and Detroit (9-7) plays at Seattle.

Pool Showdown Set For Tuesday

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday in an effort to override Mayor Jim Schmitt's veto of the Colburn Park pool funding plan.

The council voted 7-5 to approve the funding plan to rebuild the west-side facility.

However, on Wednesday the mayor vetoed the plan, saying it was too expensive.

Eight votes are required to override.

Alderman Chris Wery, a pool backer, believes there will be enough votes to do so.

Several alderman have called for the special meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. January 3rd at the Green Bay City Hall.

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