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Sturgeon Spearing Cools As Temps Warm

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The ninth day of sturgeon spearing season has come to a close.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says 17 fish were registered Sunday with 14 coming from Lake Winnebago and three more from the upriver lakes.

The DNR says the largest fish harvested Saturday weighed 132.2 pounds, registered at Calumet Harbor by Ryan Feldner of Fond du Lac.

The DNR's Ryan Koenigs...

"Due to the decreased effort, and in turn harvest, we have decided to close the majority of our registration stations for the remainder of the season. Starting tomorrow we will maintain two registration stations on Lake Winnebago and one registration station on the Upriver Lakes. Stockbridge Harbor will remain open to cover any fish registered on the north and east shores, while spearers harvesting fish along the west shore can register fish at the Asylum Bay DNR Fisheries Headquarters (on the west shore (3395 Sherman Rd, Oshkosh). Critter’s will be the only registration station open on the Upriver Lakes"

For the season, which began Saturday, February 18th, 18,837 sturgeon have been speared.

Spearing continues until Feb. 26 unless harvest caps are met.

But safety on the ice covered lakes will continues as the unseasonably warm weather continues at least until the middle of the week.


Hygiene Drive Underway

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - February 19th, marks the start of an opportunity for the community to help Northeast Wisconsin's homeless population by donating new items to The Family's "Help for the Homeless" hygiene drive.

According to their website, the goal of The Family's "Help for the Homeless" hygiene drive is to provide a year's worth of hygiene products to the shelves of 89 homeless and crisis programs in 15 Wisconsin communities.

All donations stay within the community to help those in need.

People can donate much-needed items at Festival Foods, Shopko Stores, and Walgreens. More than 800 area businesses, churches and schools are also participating.

Some of the most needed items are listed below. Soaps: Laundry, Dish, Soft, Shower Gel, 2-in-1 ShampooTrash bags (shelters especially need these for bedrooms!)Diapers (sizes 3-6 and Pull-Ups)Deodorant (unscented)Wet Wipes for babiesToilet PaperToothbrushes & ToothpastePaper TowelsDisposable RazorsTampons and pads (pads for young teens)

By supplying crisis programs with hygiene products, they are able to focus their limited financial resources toward providing quality housing, food, education, and counseling to those in need.

Food Share (formerly known as Food Stamps) can only be used to buy food, excluding other important items such as soap and diapers.

The Family's "Help for the Homeless" hygiene drive has seen 2 million dollars worth of products since 2008.

Donations will be accepted through March 12th.

De Pere Teen Found Safe

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DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - De Pere police are not giving out many details after the search for a missing teenage girl has a happy ending.  Police say the girl is safe.

They say 17-year-old Ellie Sheehan was last seen around 8:00 p.m. Sunday.

Officers say she voluntarily got into a silver colored car in a Walmart parking lot on Lawrence Drive.

Reports are a woman was driving the car.

It's believed Sheehan was wearing an Army-style green jacket, jeans, and tan “UGG” boots.

Sheehan has a serious medical condition, that requires daily medication, which she has not taken.

De Pere police ask anyone with information to contact them at 920-339-4078.

Police Investigate Murder, One Man In Custody

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - One person is dead and another is in custody after a shooting in Green Bay this morning.

The incident happened around 3:20 a.m. in the 1800 block of Harold Street.

Police say a 20-year-old man was fatally shot in the head.

An 18-year-old Bryant Ellis has been arrested on potential charges of first-degree reckless homicide.

Ellis has not yet been formally charged and is not expected in court on Monday. 

The two were playing with a gun when it went off, police say.

The victim's name has not been released.

 

Police End Standoff With Arrest, No Injuries

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NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - One person was taken into custody after an incident Sunday night in Neenah.

According to Neenah police, a woman who lives in the 600 block of Maple Street called authorities just after 8 p.m., saying a man was in her home.

She says the man announced that he had a gun.

The victim and another woman who was with her were able to escape unharmed.

Multiple crews arrived at the home, including a SWAT team. Some neighbors were individually told to evacuate or shelter in place.

After several hours, negotiators were able to talk the man into surrendering peacefully.

Neighbors who had been evacuated were allowed to return just after 12:30 a.m. Monday morning.

No injuries were reported.

Officials were unable to find a gun, and believe the suspect made it up.

The suspect, a 26-year-old Neenah man, was taken to the hospital.

Police are recommending charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct, as well as another count of disorderly conduct for his actions at the hospital.

Two People Killed in Pittsfield Fire Identified

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PITTSFIELD, WI (WTAQ) - The two people killed in a house fire that destoryed a Town of Pittsfield home early Friday morning have been identified.  

According to the Brown County Sheriff's Office, 49-year-old Allen J. Reiner and 41-year-old Molly B. Brochman were found dead in the home's basement.  

Crews were called to 3902 Tamarack Drive at 12:57 am Friday after a neighbor noticed the blaze.  

Upon arrival, the house was fully engulfed in flames and was deemed a complete loss.

Fire officials spent most of that day tearing down the structural remains, which is when they were able to confirm the two fatalities.  

No cause has been determined as the Brown County Fire Investigation Task Force, Brown County Sheriff's Office, Brown County Medical Examiner's Office, and Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations continue to investigate the blaze.  

Schmitt Stays As Green Bay's Leader

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Despite some strong opposition, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt will keep his job.

In a special meeting, that started at 7 p.m. and lasted over 4 hour hours Monday night, the city council voted 8-4, only 1 vote short of ousting Schmitt. A three-quarters majority vote would have been needed to remove the mayor from office.

Members of the common council, public and media, heard Jeremy Levinson, the attorney representing the city council and Mayor Schmitt's attorney, Patrick Knight, go head to head. Petitioner and Green Bay resident Scott Vanidestine also spoke at the meeting, stating his reasons for wanting to strip the mayor of his title.

"This is not a case of a couple of simple errors. It's a case of 37 violations that show the intent to deceive," Vanidestine said.

At around 8:30 p.m. the council went into close session to go over the facts brought about in a report handed out by Vanidestine among other things. The Alderpersons didn't resurface for another 2 hours.

Once they returned to the council room, two votes were taken; one to see there was "cause" to remove the mayor. "Cause" was defined under Wis. Stat. Ch. 17 as "inefficiency, neglect of duty, official misconduct, or malfeasance in office."

The council voted 9-3 that there was "cause" to remove the mayor but in a subsequent vote to remove the mayor the council voted 8-4, one vote short of what was needed to take Schmitt's title away.

Alderman Chris Wery voted in support of the removal and says they now have to look forward.

"Well, obviously disappointed. I think a case was made and you heard the vast majority, 8 out of 12 people speak for various different reasons all across the spectrum for removal."

Alderperson Barbara Dorff didn't feel there was "cause" to remove Schmitt.

"This was just a horrible experience. It was hard for all of us. It will make so many people unhappy...it will make so many people happy," said Dorff.

As for Mayor Schmitt, he plans to finish his term as mayor and if there is a re-call election, he will run.

"To face a recall, it's very difficult and it's not something I want to do but again I'm going to do what's best for Green Bay."

Schmitt's terms as mayor is up in 2019.

Gun Play Leads To Death Of Green Bay Man

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police warn folks to be careful when handling firearms, after a deadly shooting Monday.

The fatal shooting happened in the 1800 block of Harold Street around 3:20 Monday morning.

Green Bay Police Lt. Rick Bellanger says they found a 20-year-old man shot in the head.

"Based on evidence and statements and other parts of the investigation...led to his arrest. He's currently being recommended on charges of 1st degree reckless homicide"

The 18-year-old man arrested has been identified as Bryant Ellis.

Authorities say the two were playing with a gun when it went off.

The victim's name has not been released.

Belanger says more information on this case should be released later today (TUE).


Re-Trial Scheduled In Fond Du Lac Cold Case

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FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) -The family of an 18-year-old Sturtevant woman murdered in Fond du Lac County in 1990 will have to wait almost another year before the man suspected of killing her is re-tried.

A four week trial for 63-year-old Dennis Brantner of Kenosha is scheduled to start February 12th.

District Attorney Eric Toney comments on the late Berit Beck's family.

"It's really incredible to see such a strong, amazing family and my heart goes out to them"

After last June's trial ended without a unanimous verdict, Jeffrey Haase (HAYS) became Brantner's new lawyer.

"There is quite a bit of discovery to go through. So, I think the year out is appropriate. It certainly will give us a chance to review everything and be properly prepared for trial"

Beck went missing in July of 1990 after a stop in Fond du Lac.

Her van was found in a parking lot, and her body was later discovered in a ditch outside of Waupun.

Local Heroes Honored On Canvas

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LUXEMBURG, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Luxemburg community continues to honor three local marines, who were killed in Iraq.

Monday family and friends received oil-painted portraits of their loved ones.

Jesse Thiry, 23, was killed in action in Iraq in 2004.Luke Zimmerman, 24, was killed in action in Iraq in 2006.And Dean Opicka, 29, was killed in action in Iraq in 2008.

"A day doesn't go by that we don't think about him," Donna Opicka tells WLUK about her son Dean.

Each Marine was a graduate of Luxemburg-Casco High School.

Monday community members gathered to see the unveiling of hand-painted portraits of each one.

"It's beautiful, beautiful. I'm just blown away by it," said Sue Thiry, Jesse Thiry's stepmother.

Opicka agrees...

"I think it's remarkable that someone who never knew Dean, never met him, captured his essence so well"

Dennis Langteau the Commander of American Legion Post 262 in the Luxemburg area say the artist is a 94-year-old World War II veteran from Pennsylvania.

He's created more than 100 portraits of fallen servicemen and women.

"He talks to the pictures. He gets himself known with them. We sent several pictures to him and he picks out the best" The local American Legion Post helped coordinate the portraits.

There is also memorial at the high school that is just one more example of how important these men continue to be to this community.

"It means the world to us, you know? To know that people still think about him and they still talk about him and we still hear stories about him, it's just wonderful. He's not forgotten," Thiry told us.

The portraits will be one more way to remember.

"It doesn't get old. You know, you just enjoy looking at his pictures," said Opicka.

The Marines' families will be able to take the paintings home.

Drug Investigation Pays Off

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DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The Door/Kewaunee Drug Task Force has been investigating the sale and delivery of illegal drugs for several months.

The Door County Sheriff's Department says 19 people were arrested Monday, during three search warrants.

They expect to arrest more people.

The drugs include heroin, methamphetamine, prescription medications, ecstacy, lsd, cocaine and marijuana.

More information on this investigation, and where it goes from here, expected to be released today.

School Bus/Truck Crash

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TOWN OF HORTONIA (WTAQ) - Several people were hospitalized after a chain-reaction crash that started when a semi hit a school bus from behind.

The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office says the crash was reported just before 7:30 a.m.

The bus, which was headed north on Hwy. 45, had stopped to pick up a student just south of Givens Road.

The semi then hit the bus, which had its lights flashing and its stop sign out.

The crash pushed the bus into the southbound lanes, where it hit a car that was stopped for the bus. Meanwhile, a car also hit the semi from behind.

The driver of the semi was airlifted to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah. He was listed in good condition.

According to a hospital spokesperson, three children between ages 11 and 14 were taken to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-New London. They were all listed in good condition.

One of the children had been pinned between two seats as a result of the crash.

Two adults, including the bus driver, were also being treated at the hospital, and they were listed in good condition.

Five more crash victims went to the hospital on their own for evaluation and treatment.

According to the Waupaca County Sheriff's Dept., Highway 45 will be closed between Hwy. 15 and County TT "until further notice" due to the crash.

 

Emergency Text Capabilities in Sheboygan County

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SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Those in Sheboygan County can now text 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.

The Sheboygan County Emergency Dispatch Center activated the texting feature on Feb. 14 in coordination will all major cell carriers in the area, including Sprint, Cellcom, AT&T, US Cellular, Verizon and TMobile.

To use the service, just open a blank text message, enter 9-1-1 in the recipient line and type your emergency message and location.

Officials say the service has been thoroughly tested with each cell provider and cell phone users should not test the feature on their own.

Emergency Notification App Launches in Brown County

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County residents near an emergency situation can now learn about the danger simply by looking at their phone.  

Emergency Management officials announced Tuesday that a smartphone app called 'CodeRED' is now live in the county.  

Residents who download the app are able to select whether they want to receive notifications via text, call, or email.

Emergency Management Director Jerad Preston says those alerts range from emergency notifications such as large natural disasters to general notifications such as a power outage or water main break.

When the need to notify people arrives, Preston says the county's 911 call center will determine which users are contacted, based on proximity to the issue.

Preston says CodeRED will be an asset to his department as it allows emergency personnel to potentially reach hundreds of thousands of people in a matter of minutes.  

He also hopes the app will reduce the number of non-emergency calls received by 911.  

Brown County became the 23rd Wisconsin county to use CodeRED when it allocated $11,000 for the program in its 2017 budget.  

Residents can sign up for alerts by either downloading the 'CodeRED Mobile Alert' app on their smartphone or by visiting https://public.coderedweb.com/cne/en-US/BFEA3E5120F4.  

Preston says the app has two different versions: one that is free and one that costs $0.99.  He says the pay version allows users to still receive notifications when they are out of the county.  

Icy Rescues on Par for Winter Season

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - If you find yourself in a desperate situation on an icy river or lake, there's only one man to call.

Don Herman is the owner of Sunk? Dive and Ice Service in Oshkosh and he says it's been an average winter when it comes to pulling vehicles from dire circumstances. He say his business normally does 15 to 30 rescues annually. So far this year they've done 20 recoveries.

"That's snowmobiles, four-wheelers, vehicles, whatever falls in," said Herman. "You never know what's going to happen."

Herman recalls one of his bigger rescues; pulling a semi-truck from Lake Butte des Morts a couple of years ago.

"That took us two days because it was full of engines and that stuff. It actually went off the road, went out on the lake and sunk."

On that rescue, they were only allowed to work at night on that job and it took his team 14 hours to recover the truck.

Herman says it usually takes his team 3-4 hours to complete a rescue, charging $600-$1000 an hour depending on the difficultly of the situation.


Local Drug Bust among Largest in Recent History

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DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - "This is one of the largest efforts we've had in my 22 years with the Door County Sheriff's Office, in terms of the number of drugs taken in and the number of people arrested."

Door County's Chief Deputy Sheriff Pat McCarty describes the 21 drug arrests that the Door/Kewaunee Drug Task Force has made since Monday.  

The busts were the result of an eight month investigation and included the execution of three search warrants as well as multiple traffic stops.  

The task force that made those busts is comprised of the Door and Kewaunee county sheriff's offices and four municipal police departments within those counties.  

Since many drug crimes cross jurisdictional boundaries, McCarty says the two sheriff's offices felt it was best to pool their resources when the task force was established in the early 1990's.

In this most recent bust, McCarty says the task force was aided by their federal partners in the Drug Enforcement Administration, who helped with surveillance operations and controlled buys.

McCarty says the investigation is ongoing and expects more arrests in the coming weeks.

Greater Green Bay YMCA Renovations Nearing Milestone

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The second of three phases in renovating the Greater Green Bay YMCA's downtown facility is nearly complete.

President/CEO Steve Harty expects work will wrap up by the end of this week with the entire project finishing by the end of March.

The $13,500,000 reconstruction began last fall and was broken up into three phases.

Harty says phase one was roughly 50% of the project and involved a complete exterior restoration of the building, which was constructed in 1924.

Phase two has seen the replacement of nearly every mechanical system in the building's interior.

The project's third portion calls for an upgrade of the YMCA's program area.  Harty says patrons will see expanded space in both the gymnastics center and wellness center in addition to new offerings and equipment for the family and youth programs.

In recent years, Harty says the organization's board of directors discussed its options for the nearly 100-year-old facility.  Due to the "revitalization" occurring in the city's downtown through the growth of new businesses and apartment complexes, Harty says the board felt it had an easy decision to commit itself to that neighborhood.  

Harty says the majority of the project cost was covered by a capital campaign that brought in roughly $10,000,000 and state historic tax credits that accounted for around $2,400,000.  He says the remaining funds will come from the organization's reserve fund.

Evers-Holtz Will Square Off In April

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MADISON, WI (WRN) - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers will face Dr. Lowell Holtz in April.

Evers, the two-term incumbent, received the most votes by far in Tuesday’s primary, with Holtz – a former school superintendent – finishing a distant second.

Former Dodgeville schools administrator John Humphries finished third and was eliminated.

In a statement, Evers said the real winners following the primary are the state’s 860,000 public school students.

“I believe in Wisconsin’s public schools, and I believe that I’m the only candidate who voters can trust to put kids first each and every single day” 

Holtz said in a statement that he’s humbled by the support of voters.

“I look forward to the campaign ahead, and anticipate a spirited and meaningful debate as I present an alternative vision for the future of Wisconsin’s students”

The spring election will take place on April 4th.

Local Level Impact of Anti-Semitic Wave

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A local Jewish synagogue leader is responding to recent anti-Semitic incidents and threats from across the country.

More than 65 families are part of the Congregation B'nai Israel in Oshkosh.

Relgious director Lowell Louis tells WLUKanti-Semitic threats in larger cities are worrying locally.

"Thank God, we haven't had anything" Louis told us us it's important to note anti-Semitism is nothing new.

"It's always a tough time for the Jewish community, you know, I think anti-Semitism always hangs over our heads"

Louis says in the last few months the temple made some security upgrades.

"And we talked with different groups about what we can do"

According to Louis, an Oshkosh Police Officer spoke to the congregation a few months ago.

"We talked about how to be safe and what to do, what not to do"

Louis also advises his congregation and students to talk about their personal experiences and concerns.

"We're here to support one another and if they feel that they're being threatened or if there is a problem, tell it to somebody, but don't hold it inside and think you can take care of it yourself, because you chances are you can't, you need some help"

Louis says Oshkosh is, on the whole, a very supportive community. He shared a recent voicemail from a local Christian church leader.

"He had said that he just wanted us to know that Congregation B'nai Israel, that they're praying for us and if we would like to talk or need any help they're available. That's the kind of outreach that we have within our community"

He said it's more important now than ever that people come together.

"We're all the same. We're all equal and I think it's very important that we remember the, especially at this time when we have so much turmoil in the world"

Louis would not offer his thoughts on the president's reaction to recent anti-Semitic acts.

Where The Boot Schmitt Move Goes From Here

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - After escaping a removal petition by one vote, Mayor Jim Schmitt hopes things get back to normal at City Hall.

“This is very taxing. I've got to tell you. This has been tough. This has been tough on our family. This has been close to three years.”

Before Monday's late night vote, Schmitt's opponents said people were waiting in the wings to start a recall petition if the council didn't have the nine votes needed for the mayor's removal.

Scott Vanidestine filed a petition in December calling for the council to vote Schmitt out of office. After his effort failed, Vanidestine said he won't start a recall.

“I've spent a lot of time doing this and right now I'm just spent”

According to Kris Teske, the city clerk, 8,467 Green Bay resident signatures would need to be collected in 60 days to force a recall election.

Teske says no one contacted the clerk’s office on Tuesday about starting a recall petition.

“It's up to the voters,” said Schmitt.

“I think they have to look at Jim Schmitt the last 14 years and a guy that has made some mistakes during the campaign, but I think the city is much better off than it would have been with someone else.”

Longtime Schmitt opponent, Alderman Guy Zima, spoke to WLUK.

“I think we've got to sit back. There are all kinds of options.”

Zima wants to see if there are other avenues for trying to remove Schmitt before resorting to recall.

“That takes a big effort. It wouldn't be in the middle of winter that you go collect signatures, but I think we'll put it on the back burner of possibilities.”

If there is a recall, Schmitt has said he will fight to keep his job. His term ends in 2019.

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