SAN DIEGO, CA (WSAU) - The Milwaukee Brewers continued to prove why they have the best first inning statistics in baseball, scoring five runs in the first and beating the Sand Diego Padres 6-2 behind strong pitching from Jimmy Nelson.

Nelson pitched nearly seven innings of two-run ball, striking out eight and holding the Padres scoreless through the fifth inning for his second win of the year. He also had an RBI, one of five Brewers to find that success in the opening frame.

Padres starter Clayton Richard was responsible for all six of Milwaukee's runs, though he settled things down after the first inning onslaught.The only home run of the game belonged to San Diego in a solo shot from first baseman Wil Myers.

The four-game series is knotted up at one win each. The Brewers continue with another late start Wednesday. Pregame coverage is set for 8:35 p.m. on the Brewers Radio Network.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - When it comes to getting to school, or getting around town, walking isn't always an option.

Bailey Laroque is a sophomore at Green Bay's South West High School.

"Some people can't pay for the city buses, or they don't have transportation to get to school"

Students like Bailey will soon be able to ride city buses for free .

"If I miss the bus, the school bus, it's nice to know I have an alternative"

It's part of a partnership between the Green Bay Area School District and the City of Green Bay.

The district says it will be paying about $180,000 per year.

"In today's society we're all kind of forced to do more with less "

Patty Kiewiz, the Green Bay Metro Transit Director tells WLUK the rate was based on the number of bus passes the district typically purchased each year.

"It will help offset that cost of student revenue that the city was typically receiving from the school district."

Kiewiz says the free service will available for students all year round, and all that is needed is their student ID.

The district is hopeful this will also lead to increased learning, outside the classroom, by using the transit system for field trips within the city.

"Without public transportation this wouldn't have happened, " said Ann Klapatch, fourth grade teacher at Jackson Elementary.

Klapatch's students were able to test drive the free service.

They boarded a bus Tuesday for a field trip to the Neville Museum.

Elementary students seven and younger will need to be accompanied by an older sibling or parent.

The free bus service which also includes teachers starts July 1st.

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The question of who can use which school bathrooms and locker rooms is an issue affecting some children and families.

The newly proposed policy was the subject of a Neenah School Board meeting Tuesday night.

The plan includes the idea that students potentially would be able to use the restroom/locker room that matches their choice of gender rather than the gender of their birth.

But the idea is concerning to some parents and advocates. They say the policy would threaten the privacy of the larger student body.

In an effort to make all students feel included in the Neenah Joint School District...Kaylee Jepson, president of the district's Gender and Sexuality Alliance tells WLUK...

"Our transgender students at our school right now, feel a serious lack of attention to their protection, and this is a serious concern for their safety"

A group of students, teachers, and school officials brought a proposal to the school district's board... to include transgender and gender non-conforming students in the district's anti-discrimination policy.

Natalie Shae, a school counselor, helped write the plan.

"We want to work together within our buildings and with our students and families to come up with solutions to support them"

The transgender-friendly addition lays out support plans.

Shae says it also discusses that students having special requests regarding restrooms and locker rooms will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

"As far as a facility use, it's not a blanket approach. It's on a case-by-case basis, so we can come up with the best solution for each student."

This idea was met with some push-back within the meeting...James Lucht, a Neenah resident, said, "It's perverted thinking, perverted lifestyles, and I don't think you should promote that."

...and outside of it.

Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Council, said, "Instead of creating policies that give special rights and protection to a select and special group of students, they ought to be looking to the best interest of all students"

Those who wrote the addendum say it wouldn't necessarily mean all transgender students would use the facilities of their identified sex.

But Appling is concerned some students at the school would be put in an uncomfortable position if that is allowed.

"They should feel that their privacy rights are respected in the appropriate dressing/changing room"

These transgender rights advocates say these inclusions would make a big difference.

The school board plans to vote on the proposal June 6th.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - There's a new kind of ride-a-long at Green Bay's police department these days.

Aquila is the first dog to be part of an officer's effort to get shelter dogs adopted.

It's a partnership with the Bay Area Humane Society and Officer Joel Zwicky says it's two-fold.

He said it's a great way to get exposure for the dogs at the shelter and it provides companionship for the officers on patrol.

The program is only in its second week and Officer Zwicky tells WLUK there are still some kinks they need to work out.

"We're just trying to figure out how to keep her from clicking my radio and calling the dispatcher all the time and turning on my squad lights. She's pulled over three cars last week already"

Officer Zwicky says he hopes other departments in the area will also take part in the program.

You can visit the Green Bay Police Department's website and Facebook page to keep up to date on Officer Zwicky and his K-9's location.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 34-year-old Algoma woman has been killed in a Brown County crash.

Sheriff's officials were called to a single-vehicle rollover on the Highway 172 eastbound ramp to I-43 northbound at 8:53 am Wednesday.

Upon arrival, responders were told the woman was not breathing, and CPR was in progress.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say the woman was northbound in the inside lane when a vehicle next to her tried merging into her lane.

The woman lost control and entered a ditch, where the vehicle rolled and she was ejected.

A statement was obtained from the other driver involved.

The highway was shut down for roughly 90 minutes, but all lanes of traffic are now open.

Names are being withheld pending family notification as the crash remains under investigation.  

KEWAUNEE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - As a proposal to close Green Bay Correctional Institution gains momentum, officials are looking at where a new facility should go.

At least one Kewaunee County official thinks it should be in his county.

"There is a lot of vacant farm land, large tracks of farm land that could possibly accommodate the prison," Robert Weidner, the Kewaunee County Chairman tells FOX 11. 

Weidner explained Kewaunee County would be the perfect location for a new prison.

"If we find that we have good support from the elected officials and the public then we will aggressive seek the citing of the prison," said Weidner.

Weidner explained with the closing of the Domino Power plant, and the closing of Algoma Hardwoods later this year, the prison would help Kewaunee County's economy.

"The biggest benefit is the property tax, since it is a privately owned facility it would be subject to property tax," added Weidner.

He says early estimates show the county could bring in about $2 million each year if a new prison was built there.

However, Weidner says he has one concern. That concern is if the state buys the prison after the lease is up.

"That would negate property tax, but there is also a provision in the bill to provide a payment in lieu of taxes, but it is somewhat less defined as far as how long that payment would last," Weidner explained.

The bill to close Green Bay Correctional went before some lawmakers in Madison Tuesday.

Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach was there and said closing the prison would open new economic avenues for Brown County.

"This is just a great opportunity for the village to revitalizes and develop some land that has been off the tax rolls for some time," said Steckenbach.

Weidner says since the bill is in its early stages, the county will have to wait and see what lawmakers decide.

"We're not going to pass something up if we decide it's a good fit for us."

If the bill passes, it could take five years to close the current facility and build a new one.

Green Bay Correctional Institution has come under fire this past year after several inmate attacks on correctional officers.

The most recent attack happened May 13, when three correctional officers were taken to the hospital after an inmate attacked them.

Weidner said a new prison would make conditions safer for correctional officers.

If the bill passes, it could take five years to close the current facility and build a new one.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The state of Wisconsin's request to become a party in a lawsuit by the UW-System Board of Regents against two former UW-Oshkosh officials was granted Wednesday by a Dane County judge.

The UW System filed a civil lawsuit against former UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard Wells and former Vice-Chancellor of Administrative Services and Chief Business Officer Thomas Sonnleitner for allegedly improperly managing university funds for five projects.

According to the DOJ complaint, Wells and Sonnleitner made illegal financial transfers from UWO to the UWO Foundation related to these five real estate projects. Wells was Sonnleitner’s supervisor, and neither properly recorded those transfers in the UWO’s accounting records. The UWO Foundation was established to provide support to the university, and funding should have only flowed from the foundation to UWO.

The five projects are: Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel and Conference Center, Oshkosh Sports Complex, Witzel Dry Fermentation Anaerobic Biodigester, Rosendale Dairy Biodigester, and the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center.

In their responses, both Wells and Sonnleitner deny any wrongdoing.

It is the response by Sonnleitner which prompted the state to ask to intervene in the case and become a party in it. Sonnleitner argues he is entitled to indemnification, saying his actions were done in the course of his job duties at UWO.

The Department of Justice says indemnification could expose the state to financial risks, so it wants to protect itself by having participation in the case - and will oppose any such efforts. The judge agreed Wednesday, allowing the state to be added to the case.

Meanwhile, both Wells and Sonnleitner have asked for the case to be dismissed. The judge is expected to issue a written ruling on those in the next two months.

A status conference is scheduled for May 30. No trial date has been set.

WINNEBAGO CO., WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Wisconsin DOT says a portion of I-41 will close in Winnebago County on Thursday, May 18.

Maintenance crews will be repairing a sign on southbound I-41, between Main Street and WIS 114.

The right lane of I-41 and the southbound off-ramp to WIS 114/Winneconne Avenue will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - One person has been taken to the hospital following a three-vehicle crash in Ashwaubenon.

Officers were called to the intersection of Packerland Drive and Grant Street Wednesday afternoon.

The extent of the person's injuries are unknown.  No word on the condition of others involved.

Traffic is being rerouted as investigators are on scene.

The intersection is expected to be closed for several hours.  

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - An endangered missing person alert has been issued for a teenager by the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network.

According to the alert, 16-year-old Christina Kordus went missing from Green Bay on Tuesday.

She was last seen at 990 Coppens Road, just after 7 p.m.

Kordus is described as an Indian female, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Officials believe Kordus is a victim of child sex trafficking.

She was last seen with two men, named Thomas Williams and Andrew Johnson.

Police believe Kordus may be headed to Chicago, and then California.

If you have any information, you're asked to call the Green Bay Police Department: (920) 448-3200.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - After three hours of debate, the Brown County Board strongly approved a temporary half percent sales tax for the county to be implemented for 72 months.

The proposal passed on a 23-3 vote Wednesday night.

The plan cuts property taxes, provides debt relief and invests in infrastructure improvements.

The tax, which is estimated at generating $147 million in new taxes, will pay for 9 infrastructure projects including a new expo hall that would replace the aging Brown County Arena.

The meeting kicked off with comments from the public some speaking out against the proposal.

"Once again, the half percent sales tax has reared its ugly head," said resident Joel Diny.

Other residents supported the measure.

"I do believe that this is a time for bold action and decisive leadership. You have before you a combination of issues, opportunities, and a solution. And because it's a package, I believe it has purity," said Rick Beverstein of Green Bay.

But it ultimately came down to the vote of 26 board members. That vote became clear around 10 p.m. with the majority speaking in favor of the proposal.

Supervisor Mark Becker was proud of the decision and believes it was in the best interest of the county and its future.

"It's the largest decrease in debt in the history of Brown County. The biggest property tax cut in decades. So, that's an important thing that people need to understand."

County Supervisor Guy Zima says the board has shoved this proposal through without asking the public their thoughts.

"It's open the flood gates to spending without vetting really. As long as they stay, they have a big pool of money and I don't think much will exempted anymore."

The plan was proposed on May 2 and the County Executive held 9 listening sessions to address the concerns of constituents.

The sales tax will begin January 1st, 2018.Each project proposed in the plan will go back before the county board before moving forward.

SAN DIEGO, CA (WSAU) -- A welcome face returned to the Milwaukee Brewers' lineup Wednesday night and helped them to a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres.

Travis Shaw had been nursing a finger injury and sat out for the first two games in the series. He wasn't able get another home run, but he did have a RBI single to open scoring for the Brew Crew in the first inning.

The bats were otherwise quiet for both teams through most of the game. Tied at 1 run in the ninth, Jett Bandy and Orlando Arcia brought in runners to put the Brewers over the top and guarantee at least a series split. Matt Garza allowed one earned run near the end of his six-inning pitching start. Corey Knebel got the save.

Zach Davies is next in the pitching rotation for Milwaukee. He faces the Padres this afternoon in the wrap up of the 4 game series with the Padres.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Media Trackers, a conservative political watchdog group, is reporting the City of Green Bay has received an open records request for text, emails and social media messages from alderpersons involving two recent city controversies.

The request was made anonymously, which is allowed under state law:

1. All emails, text messages and social media private message from the alderpersons to each and Mike Frantz, Dennis Doucette and or Steve Frantz regarding the Hotel Northland from December 1, 2016 through April 9, 2017.

2. All emails, text messages, and social media messages from the alderpersons to each other and Scott Vanidestine, Jeremy Levinson and or Halling and Cayo S.C. regarding the petition and complaint to remove the Mayor from December 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017.

The Hotel Northland is a redevelopment project that has been mired in controversy, much of it involving Mayor Jim Schmitt.

The complaint to remove Schmitt from office came after he was convicted of misdemeanor campaign finance violations.

The complaint advanced to the Green Bay City Council, where it fell just one vote short of forcing Schmitt’s removal from office.

Schmitt has said he suspects several aldermen were involved with the effort to remove him. The reason why some would ask for aldeperson’s messages related to the Hotel Northland project is unclear.

What’s noteworthy about the request is it comes a couple of weeks after  Media Trackers received the results of an open records request for Schmitt’s text messaging with those involved in the Hotel Northland redevelopment.

Media Trackers continues to review the text messages it has received.

Media Trackers asked Schmitt via text message Wednesday afternoon if he had made the anonymous open records request. They received no reply.

Media Trackers says it will continue to reach out to Mayor Schmitt.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) -

UPDATE: Officers say Kordus has been found safe.  

They say Johnson has also been located and questioned in the case.

The investigation continues.

*****

An endangered missing person alert has been issued for a teenager by the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network.

According to the alert, 16-year-old Christina Kordus went missing from Green Bay on Tuesday.

She was last seen at 990 Coppens Road, just after 7 p.m.

Kordus is described as an Indian female, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Officials believe Kordus is a victim of child sex trafficking.

She was last seen with two men, named Thomas Williams and Andrew Johnson.

Police believe Kordus may be headed to Chicago, and then California.

If you have any information, you're asked to call the Green Bay Police Department: (920) 448-3200.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The man killed in Wednesday's three-vehicle crash in Ashwaubenon has been identified. 

Investigators say John Nelson of Appleton was driving his three-wheeled sport cycle southbound on Packerland Drive when he was struck by Richard Fredrick of De Pere, who was westbound on Grant Street and failed to stop for a stop sign at that intersection.

Nelson was taken to the hospital and later died from injuries sustained in the accident.

The crash remains under investigation. 

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Bronze is good, but silver is better.

The American League of Bicyclists has elevated Appleton's status on its 'Bicycle Friendly America' list.

City Spokesman Chad Doran says "it shows that the efforts in terms of planning and implementing our five-year bike lane plan that was passed several years ago, and that continued commitment, I guess, to bicycle infrastructure that we've made, and doing it kind of in the smartest way for our city, is really what's paying off now."

Doran feels there are other reasons for the bolstered ranking.

"(It's) based on some improvements we've made to bike infrastructure.  Also, working with outside groups like the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, which has a bicycle pedestrian coordinator that helps us with our planning efforts."

Doran notes Appleton is in good company.

"There's only about 400 communities in the country who are recognized as 'bike friendly,' so it's kind of a nice award for the city to be included on that list and now heading our way toward the top of that list."  

There are 17 bicycle friendly communities in Wisconsin.  

Appleton is now one of four at the silver-level.

Sturgeon Bay, the only other Northeast Wisconsin city on the list, is one of 12 with bronze status.

Madison leads Wisconsin with a 'platinum' grade.

As a state, the League of Bicyclists ranks Wisconsin ninth in the nation.

Washington is first while neighboring Minnesota comes in second.

The 'Bicycle Friendly America' distinction is tied to ten criteria.

Recently, fitness tracking device maker 'Fitbit' also recognized Appleton as the United States' second-fittest city, behind only Duluth, Minnesota.

Appleton placed first on the list of American cities with the 'most steps recorded per day.'  Green Bay ranked second.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - One local community is using National Police Week to remember a recently fallen officer.

State Trooper Trevor Casper was killed near Fond du Lac in a March 2015 shootout with a suspected bank robber.

Terry Gallant is the property manager at Forest Plaza, which is near the spot of Casper's death.

"Immediately, a little impromptu memorial sprang up right along Berger Parkway.  The community responded with flowers and candles and teddy bears and plaques.  They're all right there to this day, and it has been very well-tended."

Employees at a nearby Pick 'n Save donated money for a bench to be placed at the site.

The store then held a fundriaser where officers bagged groceries for one day in exchange for donations to the memorial.

"They were able to raise over $10,000.  It was pretty amazing.  The response from the community was fabulous."

Gallant notes that money was used to bolster the site.

"We had to have a concrete pad poured for the bench to sit on.  Then, the plan grew a little more, and we put in a whole memorial garden."

The public is invited to a memorial garden dedication ceremony, which is scheduled to start Saturday at noon.

The ceremony will include a presentation from the Honor Guard, a helicopter flyover by Flight For Life, speeches, and the monument unveiling.  

SAN DIEGO, CA (WSAU) -- Eric Sogard is making the most of his chances in the Milwaukee Brewers lineup, connecting on four hits with 3 RBI in a Brewers win over the San Diego Padres, 4-2, on Thursday.

Sogard was called in to take Ryan Braun's spot in the batting order after Braun went on the 10-day disabled list and hasn't disappointed, hitting for a .588 batting average and 7 RBI.

His career started with the Oakland A's, but an injury to his patellar tendon in 2016 sent him packing. He joined the Brewers last December.

Starting pitcher Zach Davies continues to improve upon a slow start, earning his fifth win in a five-inning performance that allowed five hits and two runs.

Orlando Arcia also had a RBI in the ninth inning, his 16th, to polish the game off.

The Brewers take three-of-four out west and come back to the midwest for a weekend series in Chicago against the Cubs.

The showdown with the Cubs begins with afternoon game today.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - New tenants making plans to move into the former Cub Foods building on Green Bay’s east side.

The project developer has signed leases with Ross Dress for Less, Marshalls, and PetSmart.

And there's still room in the project for a fourth smaller business.

Green Bay Economic Development Director Kevin Vonck tells WLUK the announcement could move along a development agreement to renovate the neighboring East Town Mall.

“They're in the process of negotiating their leases and they can say ‘hey, look our neighbor just signed with three strong tenants, there is a strong market here, here is some evidence that look we can move forward and this is a really great market”

Construction to renovate the old Cub is expected to start next month.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - There are some new options for Green Bay's Colburn Pool. Engineers presented four plans during a meeting a Franklin Middle School Thursday night.

Option one is a four-lane, 50 meter pool. Option two incorporates a children's play area.

A third option removes the pool all together, and replaces it with a community center.

At the meeting, engineers say those plans would stay within a $4 million price-tag.

Finally, a 4th option would be to repair the existing pool. But that plan has a much higher price tage. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $5.5 million.

The city council approved a plan last year to replace Colburn Pool.

However, Mayor Jim Schmitt vetoed it, saying it would be too expensive.