GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A suspect in the recent graffiti of businesses on Green Bay's east side is believed to be involved in the tagging of another business.

At least 8 buildings along University Avenue were vandalized Monday morning with the "anarchy symbol" and anti-President Donald Trump graffiti.

Police now say the person involved may have also vandalized a Wisconsin Public Service building on Jan. 2.

Anyone with information is asked to call Green Bay police at (920) 448-3208.

Anonymous tips may be left with Crime Stoppers at (920) 432-7867 and may be eligible for a cash reward.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A ribbon cutting ceremony took place Tuesday evening for Green Bay's first luxury apartments.

The Green Bay Chamber of Commerce and area leaders were on hand to officially welcome Metreau Apartments to the city.

The new building is located at 115 East Walnut Street downtown and consists of 107 contemporary units, from studio to penthouse, right along the Fox River.

Property manager Sara Peterson-Zizzo says residents will be able to enjoy several special amenities including concierge service, an on-site management office, fitness room, media lounge, and underground heated parking just to name a few.

"And what I feel like is the gem of the building is our club room. We have a two sided fireplace, a catering kitchen, just beautiful light fixtures that we ordered out of New Zealand."

Peterson-Zizzo says they are especially excited about the building itself.

"Not only are we on the river, but we've taken that theme into the building in a really contemporary and eclectic way."

But with all the bells and whistles you could possibly want in a luxurious apartment home, it all comes down to getting to know each other.

"It's just really important to build a community versus people just kind of coming and going. We want people to feel at home and get to know their neighbors," Peterson-Zizzo said.

Learn more at Metreau Apartments at www.metreauapartments.com.

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - The De Pere Fire Department responded to a fire at a duplex Tuesday.

It happened around 2:30 p.m. in the 600 block of North Clay Street.

Officials say a resident saw smoke coming from a dryer in the basement.

She called 9-1-1 after unplugging the dryer.

Responding crews found clothes on fire in the dryer.

The fire was quickly brought under control.

The building was ventilated and cleared for residents to re-enter.

Officials estimated the damage at $5,000.

No injuries were reported. 

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A person who had walked out onto Lake Winnebago was rescued Tuesday.

The Oshkosh Fire Dept. says it was called to Monkey Island just after 1 p.m. for a report of a juvenile calling for help.

Firefighters used a rescue boat to bring the person back to shore uninjured.

Monkey Island is in Miller's Bay, east of Menominee Park.

The juvenile was evaluated by emergency crews on scene and released. No further information about the juvenile was given.

UNDATED, (WTAQ) - Many people may not be aware that January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month but that hasn't kept area organizations from doing their part to crack down on the heartbreaking reality that's happening in our own backyards.

Outagamie County Human Trafficking Steering Committee says progress is being made with the help of law enforcement and the Sexual Assault Crisis Center in Appleton.

Alaina Vallafsky is the care coordinator at the center and deals one on one with girls who are victims of trafficking.

She says help from Grand Chute and Appleton police stings, have helped cracked down on the problem.

"They will lure these guys in and think that they're going to meet a teenage girl or some type of prostitution and they are taken into custody," Vallafsky said.

Girls are being recruited at a very young age.

"We're looking at between the ages of 12 and 16. These girls are being recruited by other girls that have already been involved in the trafficking," said Vallafsky.

Vulnerable girls are targeted who may be in foster care or have no family support system. There’s a vetting process the victims go through.

"There's conversation, there's a dinner, there's stuff being offered to them, something they've never had before. It takes just a couple of hours and they're really invested."

To learn more about Wisconsin's Anti-Human Trafficking Program, go to www.dcf.wisconsin.gov/aht.

https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/aht

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Green Bay Public Works says since last week, its seven crews have filled hundreds of potholes, including on roads like Shawano Avenue and Webster Street.

Public Works Operations Director Chris Pirlot tells WLUK...

"We've actually been out patching potholes since we could start last week, after we were done with our scrapping operations throughout the city"

Pirlot says the damage is caused by constant freezing and thawing.

Something we've been seeing regularly.

"We had that snowstorm last week that ended up giving us some ice, then it got warm and a night it got cool again, and during the day warm. That's exactly how potholes are caused" Pirlot says compared to past years, this has been one of the earliest crews have been out

"It could very well be 10 to 15 years since we've really had to hit it this hard in January."

And for drivers like Adam Mommaerts... he's doing his his bes to avoid the craters, in hopes of avoiding costly repairs.

"Trying to avoid those and being safe, because that's not fun expense."

MADISON, WI (WRN) - Governor Scott Walker plans to release his state budget plan early next month.

The governor has requested a joint session of the legislature at 4 p.m. on February 8, where he will outline his proposal for the state’s next two-year spending plan.

Walker has been previewing aspects of his budget, which is expected to include a tuition cut for University of Wisconsin students and a series of welfare reforms.

It will also show how the governor plans to deal with a $1 billion shortfall in the state’s transportation fund – a issue that’s likely to be a strong point of contention during budget talks with lawmakers.

After Walker introduces his plan, lawmakers traditionally hold a series of public hearings on the proposal around the state.

The Joint Finance Committee then begins making changes later in spring, before the full Legislature votes on the budget.

LITTLE CHUTE, KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Kaukauna and Little Chute are considering bridging the divide between their two communities.

For the last four months consultants have been working on plans for a bridge connecting trails in Little Chute and Kaukauna.

Patrick Skalecki, the lead planner on the project, spoke with WLUK.

"Really trying to have that access to the waterfront area that people wanna enjoy"

Tuesday there was a public meeting for people to look at some of the options for the pedestrian bridge.

"Alternatives to what the bridge is, what type of bridge it is, what type of decking it's going to be and railings"

The boardwalk would connect the Island Park Trail in Little Chute to the Kaukauna trails.

Skalecki says local communities are really taking advantage of their waterfronts and trail systems.

"It's really happening and accelerating throughout the communities and this is just another piece of that puzzle"

Local tourism experts say this project is a prime example of how important trails are to this area.

"It's an opportunity for communityes to come together. The Trestle Trail is a perfect example of that, really bridging Neenah and Menasha," said Mary Rhode with the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Loop the Little Lake around Little Lake Butte des Morts is another example.

But while there's a lot of pros to this project, it comes with cons too. The cost is one. It's expected to be between two and three million dollars.

Larry Van Lankvelt, a member of the Little Chute Village Board who told us the communities will need donations and grants.

"I've heard a lot of positive things, but, of course, when it comes to spending money then the purse strings tighten up a little bit"

And then people living near the proposed bridge are worried too.

Diane Williamson of Little Chute has lived in her house near the Fox River for 16 years.

"We were in the midst of nature and now, now we're gonna have people in our backyard, it sounds lik, year 'round, which is not really thrilling for us"

At this point, there's no set timeline for the project. It would need approval by leaders in Kaukauna and Little Chute.

OCONTO, WI (WTAQ) - The Oconto County Economic Development Corporation received $25,000 Tuesday to help fund the climate of entrepreneurship in the county.

It's just one of 11 organizations receiving nearly $500,000 from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

WEDC is awarding the grants to help develop or expand programs aimed at advancing entrepreneurship in the state.

Oconto County aims to help between 10 to 15 companies over the next two years. Officials say it's important to offer resources to even the smallest of communities.

"We think rural entrepreneurship is a part of who Wisconsin is," Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch said.

"Rural entrepreneurship is just as much an important a part of Wisconsin's fabric as entrepreneurship within big city centers."

The Center for Enterprise Development in Fond du Lac also received $40,000 to help create a certification and grant program for entrepreneurs in the county.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - On Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 1:48am, the Fond du Lac Police Department responded to an address on N. Peters Avenue in response to a domestic abuse incident which involved the threat of a gun.

Responding officers included members of the Fond du Lac Police Department and the Fond du Lac Sheriff’s Office.

The Fond du Lac Police Department’s SWAT team was also deployed along with members of the Fond du Lac Fire Department’s EMS.

After a five hour standoff, members of the Fond du Lac Police Department made entry into the residence to rescue the victim and her four children.

Shortly after the rescue the suspect, a 25 year old Fond du Lac man, was taken into custody without further incident.

The rescue and the apprehension of the suspect resulted in no injuries to the victims, the suspect or the officers

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Police arrested a 35-year-old Oshkosh man for possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine.

Police say they searched a location in the 300 block of E. New York Avenue Tuesday, finding about 50 grams of the drug.

The man's name was not released.

Anyone with information about this or any drug case is asked to call police at (920) 236-5700.

Anonymous tips may be left with Winnebago County Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 231-8477, by texting 274637 with the keyword IGOTYA or online.

GREEN BAY (WLUK) - John Convery was sentenced Wednesday to over 6 1/2 years in prison for a vehicle-vs.-pedestrian crash which killed a man.

Brian Delebreau was killed and Paul Price was hurt when they were sitting on a curb outside the Georgia-Pacific Broadway plant on July 21, 2015.

According to the criminal complaint, Convery had prescription drugs in his system.

Previously, a deferred prosecution agreement resulted in a 15-year supervision term on counts of homicide and injury by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.

Convery was sentenced today on three counts, including homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, and reckless driving causing great bodily harm.

Judge Marc Hammer sentenced Convery to five years in prison for Delebreu's death, 18 months in prison for Price's injury, and another month for possession of a controlled substance.

Convery was also sentenced to 7 years extended supervision.

WAUPACA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Eight people have been arrested in a drug bust in Waupaca County.

Sheriff's officials say undercover officers made five purchases of heroin from individuals ranging in age from 25 to 34.

The arrests resulted from a traffic stop Friday, January 20 and house raids on Tuesday, January 24 in the Town of Dayton.

During the traffic stop a police dog alerted the deputy that there were illegal drugs in the vehicle.

Police than raided a house on 427 Center Street, officers found a loaded gun, packaged baggies with meth for sale and drug paraphernalia.

Authorities also raided at 428 Center Street. Investigators say they found meth, illegally obtained prescription medication, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and evidence that illegal drugs had been recently used.

No charges have been filed.

UNDATED, (WTAQ) - There's a drug on the streets that's getting the attention of authorities.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid in the Fentanyl drug family.

It's typically used as tranquilizer for large animals and is 10,000 more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl.

Lt. Kevin Kinnard is the director of the Brown County Drug Task Force and says they haven't had any cases with the drug in Brown County yet.

"I know that the Wausau crime lab has had documented cases within their service district, which is basically all of the northern half of Wisconsin. But we don't have a documented case here yet in Brown County."

Kinnard says street dealers may think they are selling heroin, when in fact they’re selling fentanyl or even worse carfentanil mixed together.

He says this could be the reason behind the drug overdoses or deaths happening in Wisconsin.

"So you have users, using the amount they normally do of the street drug, thinking they're getting heroin and actually they're getting a much more dangerous and potent synthetic opioid and that's the reason we're seeing overdoses or worse yet, overdose deaths," said Kinnard.

Read more about the deadly drug at www.dea.gov.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - One concert has been confirmed for this summer at Lambeau Field, but the Packers have discussed hosting two concerts in the same weekend.

The one confirmed concert at Lambeau Field will be held the weekend of June 16th through the 18th, according to an agreement that has been worked out between the team, Live Nation Worldwide, and the Stadium District Board.

Kenny Chesney headlined Lambeau Field concerts in 2011 and 2015.

Chesney has said he is only playing one stadium concert this year: in Foxborough, where the New England Patriots play. So, don't expect a third go-round of Chesney.

In a memorandum of understanding between the Packers, Live Nation, and the Stadium District, it reads, "The Team and Promoter agree to continue to explore the possibility of a second concert for the event, but the District and Team acknowledge and agree that promoter does not guarantee the booking of any additional concerts for the event."

Pat Webb, executive director of the stadium district board.

“The idea was floated, because you already have the stage there and if you could bring in two different types of acts, maybe that would work, but nothing was really ever done and I think we're getting late in the game here for bringing in a second concert”

As far as what act will be playing, a Packers spokesperson says an announcement will be made within the next month.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Green Bay city officials are asking the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District Board for half a million dollars to help pay for the proposed outdoor events center known as ‘The Shipyard’.

City staff members are hoping next month they could get city council approval to build the $9 million stadium on the edge of the Fox River, next to the Mason Street Bridge.

“We're tapping into all sources now”

Kevin Vonck, the city’s economic development director, tells WLUK...

“I think in terms of this is for the city, but it's also for the region.”

The stadium would be programmed 180 days a year: 36 days for Bullfrogs baseball, 90 days for West High School athletics, four to six days for 5,000 to 8,000-person capacity outdoor concerts, and 8 to 16 days for minor league soccer games.

City leaders believe the events will draw tourism to the area, which is part of the stadium district board's criteria when evaluating project contributions.

Through a ticket tax, special events, like a concert at Lambeau Field, generate money for the stadium district's economic development fund.

For example, the fund received $900,000 from last year's Badgers-LSU football game.

Pat Webb, the stadium district board’s executive director, says the economic development fund currently has about $1.7 million.

“I really don't see this as any different than helping the Meyer Theatre, the Neville Public Museum, building the scoreboards at the Resch Center.. We participated in all those projects.”

The owners of the Bullfrogs plan to contribute $1 million up front to the stadium project. The team would pay another $3.5 million through a 20-year lease with the city.

That leaves the city with paying $5 million, the stadium district board agrees to the city's request for $500,000.

The stadium district board is expected to make a decision on the money request at its March meeting.

Mayor Jim Schmitt was in Washington DC last week talking to professional development soccer league officials about locating a team in Green Bay to play in the stadium.

An Anduzzi's restaurant, and a 2,000-person capacity indoor concert venue would also be attached to the stadium.

The goal is for it all to be open in spring of 2018.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - RGL Logistics is planning an expansion of its dock & materials handling facilities, aided by a $2 million state grant.

The company will renovate a dock space along the Fox River, just north of the train bridge near the Georgia-Pacific Broadway mill.

RGL CEO Bob Johnson issues this statement.

"We are excited about bringing new jobs and new capabilities to our Green Bay facility through the State of Wisconsin’s Harbor Assistance Program. With the $2 million grant announced today, we will be able to bring new life to a dock operation that has been dormant for nearly three decades, generate new jobs in our community, and provide new shipping capabilities for the region'"

According to the state, "the project will elevate the site above the flood plain and provide a greater range of operating levels.

Other major improvements include adding a rail spur and an elevated loading platform, as well as updating security systems."

It will be used primarily for shipping out wood pulp. The $2.6 million project is expected to help add 22 jobs, according to the state.

Another state harbor grant announced Wednesday is a $3 million grant to 1311 Spring LLC in Manitowoc, for construction of a new dockwall.

"This will allow 1311 Spring to better service increased local shipping/barge activities. These include shipping bottom ash and pulp wood, as well as loading up to 400 wind towers per year from the facility. The completion of this project will create a full service transload dock to ship manufactured and bulk goods, as well as take in raw and bulk materials for use in the local industry"

That project is expected to help add five jobs.

TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ) - A police officer was beaten while trying to arrest a man Wednesday afternoon in Two Rivers.

Police say they were called to a south side apartment complex just before 1 p.m.

While police were there, a 23-year-old man started to argue with officers.

The man hit the officer several times on his head and face, police say.

He was eventually arrested and taken to jail.

Meanwhile, a 45-year-old woman who got involved in the man's arrest was herself arrested for obstructing an officer.

The officer, a 20-year veteran of the department, was treated and released from the hospital.

MADISON, WI (WRN) - A new state audit shows the Department of Transportation failed to account for the effects of inflation and cost increases when planning projects, which has resulted in delays.

According to the report from the non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau, the cost of completing 16 current road projects rose by a total of $3 billion more between the times they were approved and last August.

The report said the DOT should have done a better job of controlling costs for things like engineering and maintenance

The audit also found that the state’s highway system has steadily deteriorated over the past five years, with the number of highways rated in good condition falling from 53.5 percent in 2010 to 41 percent in 2015.

The LAB said the proportion of state highways listed in good condition in 2014 was also “considerably lower” than it was in six other Midwestern states.

DOT Secretary Dave Ross said the audit findings would help to “spur improvement” at the agency.

“My goal for the DOT is to maximize Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure without increasing the burden on taxpayers. The Legislative Audit Bureau report provides a roadmap to improved efficiency and transparency at the DOT.”

Ross only recently took over as DOT secretary.

The report comes as the Legislature and Governor Scott Walker gear up for an expected fight over how to deal with a $1 billion hole in the state’s road fund during state budget negotiations.

Walker has been adamant about relying on costs savings to deal with the shortfall, which could mean further delays.

Assembly Republicans have argued the state should be looking at new revenue sources, which could include exploring toll roads or raising the gas tax.

In a statement, a Walker spokesman Tom Evenson said the audit shows the state can find more savings on road projects.

“The bottom line is we shouldn’t even be thinking about raising the gas tax or fees until we find every last cost savings at the DOT, and the audit shows we can find more savings. We welcome the opportunity to deliver services taxpayers expect at a price they can afford.”

MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) - A new look is coming to Summerfest.

Organizers of the annual music festival along Milwaukee's lakefront announced some changes Thursday.

One of the biggest proposed changes is a new, 23,000-seat American Family Insurance Amphitheater to replace the current Marcus Amphitheater.

Summerfest leaders say the new facility will include enhanced space for production, more restaurants, new bathrooms and hospitality areas.

Plans call for the amphitheater to be built in 2019-20.

A new North Gate and community plaza are also in the works, intended to connect Henry Maier Festival Park to downtown Milwaukee and nearby development.

Organizers hope to have the gate finished for the 2018 festival.

The projects need to be approved by the Milwaukee Board of Harbor Commissioners.

Summerfest also announced that American Family Insurance has signed a 10-year agreement for naming rights to the festival.

Also coming as part of Summerfest is a series of music education activities for Milwaukee students.

The 50th Summerfest is scheduled for June 28-July 9.