WINNECONNE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Winneconne bridge is aging and the state says it needs to be replaced.

But construction is on hold, because of a lawsuit between a landowner and the DOT.

Without the bridge, Village Administrator Mitch Foster tells WLUK drivers would have to take a lengthy detour to get from one side, to the other.

"Winneconne is a small community, 2,400 people, but we're also the lifeline for pretty much anything west" The bridge is 70-years-old, and plans to replace it have been in the works for eight years.

Foster says construction was set to start this month.

"The new location for the bridge is just south of the existing bridge which required the relocation or demolition of buildings"

However, a pending lawsuit between the DOT and Radtke Contractors, which sits on the property the bridge is supposed to be built on, is holding up the project.

The DOT acquired the Radtke property in February.

Tom Radtke says, as part of the agreement, the DOT needed to find him a comparable site.

"They've offered us properties, but they're not a comparable property" Radtke explained his company needs the waterfront to survive, because of the dredging and other water related work his business does.

"I have to protect my business, I have to protect my family, I have to protect my employees. I have no other choice"

The village said if bridge repairs or maintenance becomes too cost prohibitive for the DOT, the center span of the bridge would remain in the up position, closing the bridge to traffic.

Foster says that would make the drive to the other side of town 40 minutes.

"Omro is the closest bridge, it’s only about seven miles down, but then you have to take 21 through Oshkosh, and back up and around on 116 after 45, it’s a hassle"

Of bigger concer, Foster says if the bridge were to close, the village's biggest concern is safety.

“On one side of the bridge you have EMS and the school district, on the other side you have police and fire that is not good for us. That is unsafe for one and just a hazard and unfair for the other half of the community"

Radtke explained if he could move his business to the property next door to his, the lawsuit could go away.

"Just move me over, just give the zoning, and let's go on with life" Radtke and the DOT will be back in court next month.

The village says it hopes the lawsuit is settled by July, so construction on the bridge could start in September.

GREEN BAY (WTAQ-WLUK) - Volunteers are needed to help with post-event cleanup at Lambeau Field.

Non-profit groups can earn $700 to $1,000 for helping to clean the stadium following a game or event.

Groups are especially needed for June 18, to help with cleanup following the Billy Joel concert.

According to a release from PMI Entertainment Group, organizations that have benefited from this opportunity in the past include athletic teams, church groups and volunteer fire departments.

If interested, non-profit groups can call 920-405-1175. You can also email volunteer.coordinator@pmiwi.com.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Many Northeast Wisconsin manufacturers are struggling with finding qualified people to fill open positions at their facilities.

Green Bay manufacturer Georgia Pacific is no different and they've decided to take a creative approach trying to attract new people.

Spokesman Mike Kawleski explains the idea.

"We decided to do a series of sayings that had a humorous or rhyming poem always ending with our website for our careers."

You can see the signs placed outside 3 of their 5 operations in Green Bay including the Broadway mill, Day Street mill, and their GP Packerland converting operation on the city's west side.

"We hope as people are driving by, they take a look at the signs and maybe get a little chuckle and start talking about it. Hopefully they'll either apply or at least mention it to someone they know," Kawleski said.

Georgia Pacific currently has jobs available not only on their manufacturing floor but across the board.

"We have opportunities in logistics and transportation, and HR, in IT, in marketing and customer service, even in public affairs and communications," explained Kawleski.

The nationwide manufacturer employees about 2,200 people in Green Bay.

Find more information on careers at Georgia Pacific at www.gp.com.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Residents in the Brown County area are being urged to look out for fake money.

Green Bay Police say a total of seven counterfeit bills have recently been reported in Green Bay and Ashwaubenon.

Upon close inspection, investigators say people will notice Chinese symbols on the fraudulent bills.

Officers are trying to determine the source of the money and ask anyone with information to call 920-448-3200.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - People have a chance to ensure their boats are safe before hitting the waters this season.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Green Bay Police Department's Marine Unit are partnering to host an open house Saturday.

Police Captain Kevin Warych notes they are offering free vessel checks.

"It's a good time to have the person tell you that something is needed on the boat: when you're in a controlled setting, when you're asking for feedback, versus when you get stopped for a violation. Then the safety check takes on a different meaning, because you are operating the boat in an unsafe manner."

Boaters can ask questions and will learn safety tips, such as creating an emergency float plan before heading out for the day and wearing life jackets.

Warych says officials will also discuss the maritime services that are provided.

"Whether that's (responding to) a disabled boat, whether that is a crash investigation or a medical emergency on the water."

Despite those offerings, Warych notes it is important for people to be prepared.

"Sometimes the services are not available at a moment's notice like they are on a neighborhood street.  It may take a little extra time for us to respond if the boat is in the middle of the bay or disabled in the river."

Warych says attendees will also get an interactive experience.

"The Green Bay Police Department Marine Unit Vessel #109 will be there for people to view, board, and talk to the marine officers to really get a good understanding of what the marine unit in Green Bay does on the river."

The open house runs from 11 am to 3 pm at the Coast Guard Station located at 100 Bay Beach Road, next to the Metro Boat Launch. 

UNDATED, (WTAQ-WLUK) - When President Trump visits Saudi Arabia this weekend, he is expected to sign a deal to sell $110 billion of military equipment to the kingdom - a deal which might mean more work for Fincantieri Marinette Marine.

A State Department official confirmed to FOX 11 that the deal includes an agreement to sell four ships for $6 billion.

While there are indications that the ships could be built in Marinette - where littoral combat ships are built for the U.S. Navy - there are hurdles before such a deal is finalized.

As FOX 11 has reported, the U.S. State Department approved the concept of selling ships to Saudi Arabia based on the littoral combat design. When that approval was made in 2015, it did not include specific information on where the ships would be constructed - but Dept. of Defense described as them as being based on LCS variant being built at Marinette Marine. At that time, no one in Congress objected to the proposal.

Also, officials from Saudi Arabia have visited the shipyard, and officials from Lockheed Martin - the general contractor on the project - have discussed the possibility of building the ships in Marinette.

Despite a report this week by Bloomberg News describing Saturday's announcement as being for littoral combat ships, Lockheed Martin officials are not yet commenting on the possibility of getting the deal.

“Foreign Military Sales are government-to-government decisions, and the status of any potential discussions can be best addressed by the U.S. Government," Spokesman John Torrisi told FOX 11.

Lockheed Martin's website describes the 'multi-mission surface combatant ships' as being based on its LCS design but with more weapons capabilities.It remains to be seen if Marinette Marine could accommodate the construction of ships for Saudi Arabia.

There are currently seven LCS in various stages of production and testing at Marinette Marine. A keel laying ceremony was held this week for the future USS St. Louis.

When it comes to a foreign military sale, Congressman Mike Gallagher said, "We work with a lot of friends who aren't perfect, let's face it and the Saudi's aren't indefensible in the Middle East.

There's some things they do people object to and so you just have to weigh the broader picture of does it advance the alliance, does it advance our interest and my hope is that people will see that bigger picture and will support his move."

Gallagher adds, he likes the deal.

"I think it's great news for the LCS program. We still however need to compete to ensure the ship is built in Marinette but we should be in a good position to do so."

Gallagher says Marinette Marine's priority should be to build the naval ships first. But he's confident the yard can also build ships for the Saudis.

Marinette Marine declined to comment about what the possible deal could mean for the shipyard.

CHICAGO, IL (WTAQ) - The Brewers beat the Cubs 6-3 Friday afternoon for their 4th straight victory.

Paolo Espino made his first career major league start after spending the past 10 seasons in the minor leagues.

Espino would begin his career with back-to-back 1-2-3 innings. He would go on to pitch 4 innings while giving up 2 earned runs and striking out three.

There would then be a 2 hour rain delay.

There was much talk of not starting the game back up as it could've been counted as an official game in the 6th inning.

The two teams would ultimately resume play after the rain at Wrigley Field passed.

Jett Bandy drove home a couple of runs while going 2-3 at the plate. Orlando Arcia and Jesus Aguilar also have RBIs in the victory.

Milwaukee will be tested today as they'll face former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta. The Crew will counter with Chase Anderson. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10.   Pre-game on WTAQ is 12:45.

OUTAGAMIE, CALUMET CO, WI (WTAQ) - One person is dead after a one vehicle crash in Calumet County Friday night.

The crash happened a little after 8 on Schmidt Road in the area of Harwood Road.

Upon arrival officials found that the vehicle had left the roadway and hit a tree.

The driver, a 20-year-old Appleton woman, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Also, one person died after after a single vehicle crash in Outagamie County early this morning.

The crash happened around just before 3 on Holland Road north of County Highway JJ.

Deputies say the vehicle lost control and crashed into a tree. The driver died as a result of the injuries from the crash.

Both cases remain under investigation.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The memory of fallen Wisconsin State Trooper Trevor Casper is very much alive in Fond Du Lac.

Casper was killed in the line of duty, on March 24, 2015.

The 21-year-old had just recently been sworn in as new trooper. He was working his first solo assignment when he was shot and killed.

Casper was pursuing the vehicle of robbery suspect that ended with both of them firing shots.

A ceremony was held for, what will now be a permanent memorial site, the fallen trooper Saturday.

Fond Du Lac D-A Eric Toney spoke to WLUK....

"When somebody attacks a police officer, to me it's not just attacking a police officer, it's attacking the fabric of our society" The memorial dedication was also a rehash of emotions for those like, Capt. Ryan Chaffee of the Wisconsin State Patrol.

"It feels like it was just yesterday, and especially when you go through a ceremony like this it brings back those emotions and those feelings from that day"

He was one of dozens who gathered to once again honor the fallen hero during the dedication, and unveiling of a bench and plaque which will forever remember Casper.

"To make this memorial happen today there's no doubt that Trevor's sacrifice is not going to be forgotten. It's going to have an impact on our community forever," Toney said.

After Casper's death, the Pick 'n Save grocery store near where the shooting happened partnered with Wisconsin State Patrol to raise money for a memorial.

James Hyland is the vice president of communications for Roundy's Supermarkets.

"The troopers came and bagged groceries and so forth we wanted to do this" He says in just over a week's time, they were able to raise $10,000.

"We did it in 2016, between Veterans Day and thanksgiving between our two Fond du Lac stores" As for Troopers like Chaffee, he says when the public sees this bench, he hopes it symbolizes one thing.

"This was an officer who gave his life, in support his community. I hope people see this and they keep those thoughts in mind"

Other local business also pitched in, helping to complete the project.

The Fond du Lac and Kiel police departments, as well as the Wisconsin Troopers Association, also helped to raise the money needed.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - One man is dead and two others suffered non-life threatening injuries after an officer-involved shooting early Sunday morning.

Appleton Police, responding to reports of a shooting inside a bar, arrived at the Apple Pub on College Avenue and State Street just after 1:30.

One officer encountered the subject with the gun and fired his weapon at the man.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he later died.

Two adults, who were inside the business, were transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries sustained in the incident.

The preliminary investigation indicates this was an isolated event with no ongoing threat to the community.

Appleton Police say that all individuals associated with this incident are accounted for and that there is no active threat to the community.

The Green Bay Police Department is now involved in the investigation due to the shooting being officer-involved.

Anyone who has information about the shooting should call the Appleton Police Department (920) 832-5500 or text CRIMES (274-637) with the keyword APDTIPS at the start of your message.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - It's hard to believe it's that time of year again.

The start of the Saturday Farmers Market in Green Bay is less than a week away.

It season kicks off on May 27 and goes through October along Washington Street from Walnut to Stuart.

This year they'll be commemorating 100 years of great food, community and fun.

Sara Hujar with Downtown Green Bay Inc. says on June 17 there will be a special celebration.

"The Mockingbirds will be playing in the food court at 9 a.m. We'll have some special giveaways and activities but we're really trying to focus on is thanking our vendors because without them we wouldn't have a market," Hujar said.

Over 150 vendors will be on hand each week plus, plenty of other fun events to try out.

"We will again have free yoga from Grace Yoga at 8 a.m. and then at 9 a.m. every market our music will start in the food court area," explained Hujar.

Parking won't be a problem with plenty of free spaces in the Cherry Street Parking Ramp and on nearby streets.

BayCare Clinic will also be handing out free totes at multiple locations throughout market.

Hujar suggests bringing cash to purchase items at vendors even though some will accept credit or debit cards.

Find more details on the popular market at www.downtowngreenbay.com.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin are taking part in an annual crackdown that gets underway today.

The 'Click It or Ticket' safety belt campaign aims to highlight the importance of buckling up before hitting the road.

Ashwaubenon Police Commander Tom Rolling says his department is once again participating and tells drivers they can expect an increased presence of traffic officers.

"We're not, certainly, out trying to fill a quota, but we're trying to make people aware that wearing your seatbelt can save your life."

Rolling urges drivers to buckle up at all times, noting that the split-second action could have saved plenty of lives in 2016 alone.

"Forty-seven percent of drivers and passengers killed in Wisconsin traffic crashes were not wearing seatbelts.  Our goal this year is to get that reduced tremendously."

Rolling notes Wisconsin's state compliance statistics when it comes to using seatbelts.

"We're actually at 88%.  That's actually an all-time high for the state, but we still lag the national rate of 90%." 

'Click It or Ticket' runs through June 4.

CHICAGO, IL (WTAQ) - The Milwaukee Brewers lost a lopsided contest to the Chicago Cubs 13-6 at Wrigley Field Sunday.

The Brewers have been the team to strike early in many of their games this season, but the Cubs were the team that flooded the scoreboard, racking up five runs before the Brewers were able to score their first in the fifth inning.

The game would have been even more one-sided were it not for a five-run last gasp ninth from Milwaukee, including RBIs from Travis Shaw, Jesus Aguilar, Keon Broxton, and the returning Ryan Braun.

Eric Thames, the Brewers' heaviest home run hitter, left the game with leg tightness in the fifth inning.

The Brewers have Monday off and host the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The rain didn't stop the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon Sunday.

The weekend celebration of fitness event gave runners the opportunity to participate in more that just the full marathon...

It also included the relay, half marathon, half marathon relay, 5K, and WPS Kids’ Power Run.

In all, 11,118 took part in the events.

In the full marathon, 31-year-old Teferi Regasa of Morristown, New Jersey came in first place with a time of 2:19:00.

29 year old Danielle Hodge, of Iowa City, Iowa came in first place for the women with a time of 2:58:36.

As for the half marathon, 30-year-old Josphat Chobei of Morristown, New Jersey came in first with a time of 1:04:16.

He also set a new record and beat Shadrack Muteri's time, 1:04:38, which was set in 2008.

23 year old Gabi Anzalone of Madison was the first woman to cross the finish line with a time of 1:14:51.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A family of six is looking for a place to live after a fire that started in the attic of their two story home.

The fire happened at 710 Hubbard Street just after 7:40 Sunday morning.

Green Bay Metro Fire arrived and found smoke showing from the floor roof on all sides.

Everyone had evacuated the home before fire crews arrived. No one was injured.

Crews were able to attack the fire from inside the home on the second floor and performed salvage on the 1st floor for property conservation.

The fire caused $15,000 worth of damage to the home.

There's no official word yet on the cause of the fire but, officials remind everyone to have a working smoke detector on all levels of a home.

Fire crews were assisted by Green Bay Police, WPS, and the Red Cross.

OCONTO, WI (WTAQ) - A threat has led to a heightened police presence at one local school Monday.

The Oconto Unified School District posted this message on Facebook Sunday night about a threat to its middle school:

FLORENCE, WI (WTAQ) - A 58-year-old Felch man has been arrested after sheriff's officials say he drunkenly crashed the motorcycle he was operating. 

Officers say the incident happened Friday at 5:45 pm.

The man was reportedly riding east on Highway 2 when he lost control and crashed the motorcycle on the side of the road.

He suffered minor injuries in the mishap.

Police say the bike was borrowed and that the man did not have a valid license for operating a motorcycle.

He was arrested for his second OWI offense.

COMMONWEALTH, WI (WTAQ) - A man was flown to the hospital following a Friday afternoon ATV crash in northeast Florence County.

Officers say they received a call from the man just before 4:45 pm Friday.

The man was trying to climb a hill in a Town of Commonwealth gravel pit when the ATV rolled back over him.

He called 911 but did not know his exact location.

The call was then lost.

A deputy responded, found the fresh ATV tracks, followed them, and found the injured man near the Pine Flowage Dam.

He was taken to the hospital with head and chest injuries and was later flown to a different hospital.

No information on his condition has been made available. 

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - The temporary fire shelter in Manitowoc's Wilson Junior High School has closed.

American Red Cross officials say it shut down Saturday after alternative housing was found for the remaining survivors.

The May 10 fire at Parkview Haven apartment complex displaced 88 people and claimed the life of 57-year-old Dana Bushman.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WTAQ) - A 46-year-old Sheboygan woman has been convicted on federal charges tied to stealing from her employer.

Prosecutors say Lynette Lomibao stole more than $430,000 from Sheboygan's Beaudry Electric Motors, where she worked as an office manager.

Lomibao also pleaded guilty to not reporting that money to the IRS.

The 46-year-old's plea deal orders her to pay restitution.

She faces up to 23 years in federal prison and a $25,000 fine when she is sentenced in August.