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Woman Wanted in Area Thefts Arrested

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A woman suspected of stealing nearly $18,000 worth of personal care products from area stores was arrested in Chicago.

20-year-old Lovea Moore, faces theft charges in Brown and Outagamie counties.

Green Bay police say she stole Crest White Strips, Rogaine hair-growth cream and shaving cartridges.

Police say she's suspected in thefts in Green Bay, De Pere, Oshkosh, Kaukauna, Neenah and Appleton.

Officers credit the Buffalo Grove Illinois Police Department with helping identify Moore.

Investigators are still looking for more information on the thefts.

They're asking for tips to be called to Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 432-7867, by text message with the keyword GBTIP to 274637 or online.


Lodge Kohler Job Fairs

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A four-star hotel in the shadow of Lambeau Field is looking for employees.

Lodge Kohler is planning two job fairs for prospective employees.

The first is Feb. 11 and the second is April 8 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Lambeau Field, in the terrace suites on the fifth floor.

Those attending should enter the Shopko Gate on the stadium's south end.

Nearly 200 jobs are available.

The hotel will include 134 guest rooms, 10 suites, a bar and restaurant, cafe, fitness facility and spa.

Construction is set to wrap up in July.

The hotel is part of the Green Bay Packers' Titletown District development just west of Lambeau Field.

Top 10 Consumer Complaints of 2016

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has released its Top 10 list of complaints for 2016.

Spokesman Frank Frassetto says one notable difference from 2015 was the 45 percent increase with telemarketing complaints, which was a significant jump.

"That was due in large part to these imposter calls that have been bugging Wisconsin consumers over the 2016 year. For example we're talking about the IRS scams, the tech support scams and things of that nature which are very problematic," said Frassetto.

Telemarketing was the #1 consumer complaint in 2016 with 3,685. That's up from 2,550 in 2015.

Another big change from 2015 was the decline in identity theft complaints, going from #3 on the list, to #4 in 2016.

"You might think, oh great, that's going down. It really is a bit of a misnomer because it returned to 2014 levels after seeing a spike in 2015 due to the tax identity theft element...of identity theft," Frassetto said. "The good news is it had gone down in large part because the IRS, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, tax software manufactures were busy building more robust security around filing your taxes."

Read more at www.datcp.wi.gov. 

CONSUMER COMPLAINT STATISTICS, 2016

  • 1 Telemarketing 3,685 
  • 2 Landlord/Tenant 1,121 
  • 3 Telecommunications 698 
  • 4 Identity Theft 431 
  • 5 Home Improvement 383 
  • 6 Gas Pump Accuracy 266 
  • 7 Motor Vehicle Repair 200 
  • 8 Motor Vehicle Sales 173 
  • 9 Computer and Equipment 152 
  • 10 Warranties 138

 

Icy Rescue in Green Lake County

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KINGSTON, WI (WTAQ) - Two men were not hurt after their truck had broken through the ice on Kingston Millpond in Green Lake County.

The call came in around 7:20 a.m. Thursday.

A 53-year-old Madison man and a 26-year-old Pardeeville man, were able to walk from the truck to shore after it broke through about five feet of water.

Investigators say the truck drove over a recently frozen part of the pond where a river channel meets.

Officials warn that ice is never completely safe.

Showdown Between Oshkosh And Landlords

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Despite a legal challenge, renters and landlords in Oshkosh will, for now, face new, wider-ranging inspection rules.

Those against the new inspections say the program is unconstitutional. And to try and prove it, they filed a lawsuit, which is now moving to the federal court.

However, the city says it's confident the ordinance will survive the legal challenge.

There's still plenty of objection to the city of Oshkosh's mandatory rental inspection program, which is set to kick off in two weeks.

Alex Oberthaler, a renter in Oshkosh, spoke to WLUK.

"It's a disappointment. As a tenant, I don't want someone coming in my house."

The Common Council passed the ordinance in September. It allows city inspectors to check for violations in rental homes on a regular basis.

Mark Rohloff, Oshkosh City Manager, said, "Things such as code and safety violations, plumbing, electrical, smoke detectors."

Landlords will be charged $100 per visit, plus $45 per unit.

Rohloff says these inspections would benefit the health and safety of renters.

But attorneys for a group of landlords and residents argue that inspections done in this manner are unconstitutional.

Eric McLeod, lead attorney representing the Winnebago Apartment Association...

"The government should not have the right to demand entry into an apartment to conduct an inspection, unless there is a warrant based on reasonable suspicion that there's some legal violation that they're investigating. That's a fundamental principle in our law in this country."

Rohloff disagrees.

"There's no way we can violate that Fourth Amendment issue, because we're cooperating with the individual to schedule those inspections"

While the federal lawsuit is still pending, Rohloff says they plan to start the inspection process, beginning in the area around the UW Oshkosh campus.

"We know that's an area that has a high number of rental units, and where we've had the most problems from a complaint standpoint over the years."

Landlords, on the other hand, say while they do support the concept of city inspections, they do not support the way the city went about it.

Jeff Wicinsky, owner of Ultimate Properties, LLC., says...

"We felt we spent a lot of time and effort to make these changes, so as a community we could support this program. None of the line-items that we suggested were changed to the ordinance."

A hearing on the lawsuit has been set for March 1st.

Muslim Ban Protest Comes To NE Wisconsin

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration have sparked protests across the country, including Northeast Wisconsin.

The executive order affects travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries.

A protest in Appleton began Thursday afternoon at Houdini Plaza.

Some people were protesting saying the executive orders are unethical, and unconstitutional. However, others say the President's orders will make the country safer.

Alyssa Borchardt organized this protest.....and spoke to WLUK

"I, myself am Muslim and it just really hurts to see my brothers and sisters suffering like this"

She says she understands the pain of immigrants and refugees trying to come to America, and is working to bring her husband here from Afghanistan.

"The hardest thing I've had to do in my life is to leave him at that airport".

Afghanistan is not one of the seven Muslim-majority countries on the hold list, but Borchardt is still worried.

"So it won't hinder him now, because he's not currently on the list, but I could easily see it being added in the future because of how unstable the country is"

Republican State Representative says the immigration and refugee holds are temporary, they're not bans.

"We've got to understand that our vetting system is gonna work"

Tusler told us us the holds are to ensure America's national security, they're not meant to single out Muslims.

"There's certainly a terrorism element to it, but these countries were picked by Barack Obama as the seven most dangerous countries to our national security...There's 42 Muslim countries that were not put on this hold and I think if this was actually targeted toward a certain religious group you wouldn't see that"

These protesters said, however, the holds are a slippery slope toward making America less welcoming and the world less stable.

"All that's going to do is make more terrorists," said Borchardt, going on to say that some countries mis-represent Islam for political gain and that refusing to help people in dangerous situations can backfire.

"The countries do not accurately represent Islam and I think it's a shame that that's how it is, because Islam is a really beautiful religion and it's so kind and accepting and peaceful"

The protesters also spoke out against President Trump's executive order to build a wall along the border of Mexico.

New Unit for Oshkosh Police

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The Oshkosh Police Department now has a new vice and narcotics unit.

The announcement Friday is in response to concerns over opiate dealing and human trafficking.

Chief Dean Smith says Oshkosh's location along Interstate 41 makes it attractive to people from outside the area who are involved in prostitution.

The unit began its work on January 31st.

Man Arrested in Stabbing Incident

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KIMBERLY, WI (WTAQ) - One man has been arrested in connection with a December stabbing in Kimberly.

Fox Valley Metro Police were called to the 400 block of Railroad Street in the early morning hours of December 14, 2016.

Officers discovered a man had been stabbed several times.

On Thursday authorities arrested a 22-year-old man who they believe it responsible for the stabbing.

Officials say the stabber and the victim knew each other.

The man has not yet been formally charged.


Schmitt Finishes Community Service

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt has completed the community service portion of his sentence for campaign finance violations.

Schmitt completed 50 hours of community service - 10 more than the sentence required. 

Schmitt spent time at the New Community Shelter, Divine Temple, Salvation Army, Paul's Pantry, Freedom House and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Green Bay.

In December, Schmitt was ordered to complete 40 hours of community service and pay $4,000 in fines, as he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor charges.

A 20-month investigation by special prosecutor Bruce Landgraf of Milwaukee County determined Schmitt accepted more than $10,000 in illegal campaign contributions.

Schmitt has also paid his fine and has fulfilled the terms of his sentence.

Johnson Pleads Not Guilty to 11th OWI

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A man pleaded not guilty Friday to his 11th drunk driving arrest.

A trial date for Steven Johnson was set for April 18.

Johnson was arrested January 1 after a traffic crash in downtown Appleton.

The preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol three times the legal limit for driving.

Police say Johnson had a valid driver's license at the time, despite 10 previous drunken driving suspensions, revocations or convictions between 1990 and 2006.

Protecting Your Property Through S.N.A.P.

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Police Department has a new way to help protect your valuable property in the event your home is burglarized.

The program is called S.N.A.P and it stands for Serial Number Awareness Program.

Captain Brad Florence says it's been up and running for about 8 months.

"If you're an unfortunate victim of a burglary, we'd be able to look up your name, find out what kind of property was taken but we'd have the serial number and then we can work with the pawn shops to try to retrieve that property," said Florence.

Police say a large portion of stolen property is resold and keeping the serial numbers of your valuables, especially electronics, will make it easier to track the stolen items.

Florence warns burglaries can happen at any time.

"It's not just a seasonal thing, it (burglaries) happens all year long. It does happen a little bit higher during the summertime months because obviously it's warmer out at night."

You can record your valuables by accessing the GBPD's secure website at snap.gbpolice.org.

Find out information about burglaries and how to protect your property by watching the latest episode of Green Bay Crime above.

Early Start To School Year Has Critics

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FISH CREEK, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - There is a renewed state push for an earlier start to school years.

State law prevents public schools from starting classes before September first.

However, for the fourth time in 11 years, Rep. Jim Ott, a Republican from Mequon, is pushing to repeal that law.

Fish Creek Information Center Manager Digger DeGroot tells WLUK summer tourism in Door County would take a major hit if schools were allowed to start before September 1st.

“To lose the high school kids and the school kids who make up a big portion of our workforce earlier, before Labor Day just doesn't make a lot of sense as far as from a tourism standpoint”

Districts can request to start before September 1st, however, exceptions are only granted for extraordinary reasons.

Brenda Warren is president of Green Bay’s Board of Education.

“We've been talking to legislators, our local legislators for a fair number of years about this and feel that September 1st deadline really restricts us in terms of making decisions that are in the best interest of our students”

Warren says one reason to lift the restriction is Advanced Placement testing.

Private schools typically start a week to ten days before public schools, allowing AP students more classroom time to prepare for tests in May. Another reason is schedule flexibility with Labor Day weekend.

“We like to adjust our schedules,” said Warren. “We like the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday first week of school. That helps get kids and teachers eased into it and head into the weekend.”

“After mid-August, things slow down a little bit because kids are getting ready to go back to school, so imagine if they're going back even earlier,” said DeGroot.

The latest numbers, from 2015, show August was the second most profitable tourism month in Wisconsin, only behind July.

Co-sponsors for the bill must be landed by Friday.

Possible Meteor Spotted Around The State

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Reports have come in of a possible meteor spotted overnight.

Outagamie County Sheriff's Department says they have received calls.

Deputies and officers from other sheriff's offices and police departments in the area report the same thing.  

No word yet on where exactly the meteor might have hit.  

Reports coming in from other midwest states as well.

New Unit for Oshkosh Police

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The Oshkosh Police Department now has a new vice and narcotics unit.

The announcement Friday is in response to concerns over opiate dealing and human trafficking.

Chief Dean Smith says Oshkosh's location along Interstate 41 makes it attractive to people from outside the area who are involved in prostitution.

The unit began its work on January 31st.

Drivers Get Relief At The Pump

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - According to GasBuddy, the average price of a gallon of gas fell seven cents in the Green Bay area and four cents in the Appleton area last week.

As of Sunday, stations were charging an average of $2.15 per gallon in the Appleton area and $2.20 in the Green Bay area.

"Gasoline inventories have continued to show impressive gains lately, limiting the effects of rising oil prices on gasoline prices for the time being," Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com, said in a news release.

"Gasoline prices should continue to remain relatively low during the next week, but Wednesday's weekly report from the Energy Information Administration will be a major key to understand when the bulk of refinery season has begun and what impact that will have on gasoline inventories."

The national average gas price on Sunday was $2.26 per gallon. In Wisconsin, the average price was $2.22.


Man Arrested on Theft Charges

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - An investigation into a string of car battery thefts is landing a Green Bay man in jail.

Police say 32-year-old Pedro Gonzalez-Martinez is charged with stealing batteries from unlocked vehicles parked at a business in the 500 block of Acme Street.

Cops believe more people were victimized by the thefts, but haven't reported them to police.

The investigation started a week ago and is ongoing.

Green Bay Police encourage any victims to contact them and are reminding people to keep their car doors locked and secure their valuables. 

Oshkosh Police Investigate Possible Human Trafficking

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police have arrested a woman for prostitution and are investigating whether it's part of a human trafficking incident. 

Officials say the 53-year-old Chinese citizen was arrested Friday at the Parkway Motel in Neenah after undercover cops responded to an ad the woman placed on the social media website, Back Page.

Authorities learned the woman had traveled from China to New York City, then later to Wisconsin.

Oshkosh Police remind residents that if they hear or see anything suspicious occurring in their neighborhood, they should contact the police department at (920) 236-5700.

Walker Previews State Budget

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Governor Scott Walker made a stop in Green Bay on Monday joining law enforcement officers throughout the state for the Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association 2017 Winter Conference.

Walker shared details about the upcoming state budget that he will presenting to the legislature on Wednesday.

"In this budget, we'll be putting more money into public education than ever before. K-12 education is going to see the largest amount they've ever had. We think that's incredibly important," said Walker.

Walker says workforce is a number one priority.

"Years ago it was all about jobs, jobs, jobs. We still care about the creation of jobs but we know the number one issue right now is filling those jobs with quality people. So, our priority in this budget, our priority in this session is going to be about getting people the skills and the education and qualification they need to fill not only those jobs open today but those jobs that will be open tomorrow," Walker expressed.

The governor touts the state has the lowest unemployment rate in 16 years which has helped fuel the economy.

EAB in Ashwaubenon

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Forestry officials confirm the emerald ash borer (EAB) has spread to the village of Ashwaubenon.

The invasive species was discovered Jan. 26 on a tree and confirmed to be EAB on Feb. 4.

EAB was previously found in surrounding areas such as Green Bay, Howard, De Pere and the Towns of Glenmore and Morrison.

  • Click here to learn more about quarantined areas in the state

Brown County was designated a quarantined county in 2009.

EAB is a small metallic-green beetle native to Asia. Its larvae causes ash trees to starve and eventually die.

Since EAB was first confirmed in the Midwest in 2002, it has killed more than 50 million ash trees

Punishment, Without The Lifetime Scar

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KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - One area city is considering a new way of dealing with minors, who send nude photos.

Kaukauna's police department has proposed an ordinance it hopes will teach the teens a lesson, not haunt their futures.

Students sending one another nude photos is something Kaukauna police call a problem.

Assistant Police Chief Jamie Graff tells WLUK educators and the school resource officer also bring complaints forward.

But, according to Graff, under state law police only have two options for dealing with juveniles who sext.

"To do nothing and work with the family, or to refer charges to the district attorney, felony charges"

Those charges are for making or distributing child porn, which can come with serious consequences like prison time and a spot on the sex offender registry.

Graff told us right now the department usually does not refer charges, but officers have proposed an ordinance to city leaders that would offer some consequences.

"Give them a citation and they would be able to work with our municipal courts on working that off, maybe do some community service, maybe go to some counseling"

The Fox Valley Metro Police Department put a similar ordinance in place in 2015.

"Gives us a tool so we're not criminalizing that individual at a young age," said Fox Valley Metro Police Officer Michael Lambie.

Under Fox Valley Metro's ordinance, Lambie says teens are given a 330 dollar fine and officers can confiscate their phones for up to a year.

"Talking to our school resource officers, absolutely it's been a successful too. It's another avenue to take when they're working in our schools"

The ordinances only apply to people under 18 and would not apply to juveniles who act maliciously, like threatening someone for a photo, for example.

"Somebody does send a picture and they resend it to 20 other people," said Graff, adding another example.

Kaukauna School District's Superintendent says he approves of the proposal.

"These new options will provide a better balance between accountability, education and support for young adults and their families."

According to Graff the goal is to teach teens a life-lesson.

"'This is inappropriate. It could be dangerous depending on who gets those photos"

Kaukauna's Common Council will discuss the ordinance and possibly vote on it tonight.

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