GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - You might notice an increased police presence at Green Bay parks this summer. 

Captain John Laux says the department is looking to keep the city's recreational spaces safe by sending out officers during their regular shifts.

"We really wanted this conscious effort to get into the parks, be visible, and handle the ordinance violations that we see: the drinking, the urinating in public, the misbehavior, disorderly conduct."

Green Bay resident Amber Hoinowski often brings her kids to the park and supports the program.

"It makes me feel safer, especially sometimes when the kids outnumber the adults.  I think it's really good to have, especially for the little kids, something that promotes them to be good role models, to clean up after, and help other kids out."

In addition to looking for lawbreakers, officers will also seek out positive behavior.  

Papa John's has given the department free pizza coupons to hand out to those caught doing good.    

SURING, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Firefighters spent the night battling the flames at Legends Bar at the corner of Highway 32 and Mill Street. A portion of Highway 32 had to be closed.

The fire broke out around 10 last night and took several hours to put out.

Les Steffeck, Assistant Fire Chief of Suring Fire Department, tells WLUK....

"We had flames coming out on the west side and the north side and there was flames you could see through the windows in the upstairs."

There are apartments in the bar, but no one is living in them.

The bar closed early Monday night because of a power outage.

The building itself is something of a local local landmark and is more than a hundred years old.

Five departments battled the fire.

No one was injured.....and there's no word yet on what started the fire.

OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 17-year-old Oconto Falls boy has been convicted on two counts tied to a November police chase.

Cody Olson has pleaded no contest to two counts of First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety for fleeing a Howard traffic stop at speeds north of 100 miles per hour.

The Interstate 41/Highway 41 chase ended in Oconto County when Olson lost control of his vehicle and left the roadway.

When asked why he fled, officers say Olson answered with "because I am an idiot."

Prior to Tuesday's trial, Olson was convicted on one count of Fleeing an Officer.

He will be sentenced on the three counts July 21.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - A truck hauling equipment has hit the underside of the Highway 172 bridge over Broadway in Ashwaubenon.  

The crash happened Tuesday morning, and the truck was removed by noon.  

The Department of Transportation says the bridge has been inspected and is safe to travel over and under.  

DOT officials say the company that owns the truck and the driver will be responsible for the undetermined repair cost.

DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Door County Sheriff's officials say two people have been arrested following a traffic stop in which they found drugs.  

Authorities say the vehicle was weaving all over the road when its was stopped Thursday near Sister Bay.  

Deputies say they found 36 individually wrapped packages of fentanyl, along with syringes and needles that were stored in a lock box. 

Fentanyl is an opioid drug that is considerably more potent than heroin.

The names of the 39-year-old female driver, who was arrested on suspicion of driving impaired, and 39-year-old male passenger have not been released.  

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - A 14-year-old boy has been taken to the hospital with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike.

Ashwaubenon Public Safety says the crash happened at 1:22 pm at the intersection of Cormier Road and South Oneida Street.

Officers say the boy, who was not wearing a helmet, was traveling northbound on Oneida through the crosswalk red light, while the westbound vehicle had a green light.

No citations have been issued.

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - A local school district has a better idea of why a spring referendum didn't succeed and where to go from here.

On Tuesday, leaders with the Howard-Suamico School District released the results of an online survey that was given to the community to better understand why an April referendum failed to move forward.

District Board of Education President Mark Ashley says there were two main reasons it wasn't approved.

"Those respondents clearly told us that first and foremost, that a lack of a limit to the recurring portion of the referendum was the primary driver for the no response to it," said Ashley.

The survey also shows there is a need for additional clarity in district and public education financing.

In April, the district's referendum question asked voters to allow it to exceed the state revenue limit by $4,000,000 in 2017-18 and for an indefinite amount of years.

It did not pass.

Ashley says moving forward, they will be forming a special committee.

"In an essence a liaison, so we can have an ear of the community and they can have ours and we can work as close as possible to formulate some solutions for how to address the financing gap."

Over 1,400 people responded to the survey, which Ashley says is the biggest response the district has ever seen with any survey.

The next possible referendum would be April of 2018.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County's top prosecutor says proposed additions to his office are much needed.

District Attorney David Lasee says the county's current backlog is roughly 3,000 cases, with about 500 new cases being added to that total each year.

A legislative bill being introduced by Representative Andre Jacque and Senator Van Wanggaard calls for the creation of 20 new assistant district attorney positions across 24 Wisconsin counties.

Those positions would be funded in the 2017-19 biennium and would take effect in January 2019.

Brown and Outagamie counties would receive a state-high two prosecutors apiece.

Lasee notes those positions would help ease his office's burden.

"I think, with two new prosecutors, we have the ability to ensure that there are no new cases added to the backlog every year, and we would also start to make a dent on that as soon as those prosecutors are able to start."

While criminal felony filings have remained fairly level at 1,800-1,900 annually the past few years, Lasee says there was a significant increase roughly 5-7 years ago, from which they still have not recovered.

In 2017, Lasee notes Brown County is on pace to see its most criminal felony filings in a single calendar year.

"There have been cases that have lapsed because we simply could not get to them in a timely manner.  I believe that we're getting to the most serious cases and issuing them, but even in those instances, there are delays as a result of our staffing."

Lasee says his office currently has 16 attorneys (13 state-funded, 2 county-funded, 1 grant-funded).

He notes the last state addition was made in 2002.

Since, Lasee says he has consistently asked for 3-4 new ADAs in each budget cycle, including requesting four in the last one.

In drafting the bill, Jacque and Wanggaard used a 2016 study that looked at the years 2012-14.

Based on that data, they believe this legislation would bring all counties except Florence County to at least 58.5% of estimated full-time equivalent levels.

Governor Walker did not include any new ADA positions in his budget proposal, instead funding raises for current prosecutors, with hopes of keeping them from leaving for the private sector.

Jacque and Wanggaard's proposal is estimated to cost $607,296-$726,398 in the upcoming biennium. 

FOND DU LAC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The National Weather Service says a weak tornado touched down in Fond du Lac County Monday night.  

It hit the ground roughly five miles northeast of Campbellsport around 7:15 pm.  

NWS has rated it an EF-0 with peak wind gusts of 80 miles per hour.

PESHTIGO, WI (WTAQ) - Fallout continues from the damaging storms that swept through large parts of northern Wisconsin in recent days.

That's the case in Peshtigo, where crews are working to cleanup debris and restore power.

"When we make some progress, sometimes we take two steps back.  It's not uncommon when a larger storm comes through to be without power for maybe a day, but this storm has extended multiple days."

Wisconsin Public Service's Jenny Short notes the forecast is calling for the possibility of additional storms in Peshtigo through Saturday.

"We don't know how that will impact us yet, if it will result in more outages or if we'll be able to get by without additional outages."

As of 4:30 pm Tuesday, WPS says power had been restored to more than 104,000 customers, with roughly 18,400 still in the dark. 

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - An Appleton church is declaring itself a sanctuary congregation and says it will help undocumented immigrants facing deportation.

This month, the Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship congregation voted to declare the church a sanctuary.

Katie Reiser, the Shared Sanctuary Ministry Committee Chair for the church, spoke to WLUK.

"We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every people and we also believe that we have a responsibility to work for a more just and equitable world."

After 96% of congregants voted for the move at the congregation's annual meeting, Reiser says the church could now house undocumented immigrants facing deportation.

"We have a designated living space for them and we've recently remodeled a bathroom to include a shower."

The church is also partnering with a law firm in Chicago.

But Republican State Representative Ron Tusler says the church's decision is a nice gesture to help make immigrants feel more welcome. He said it's nothing more than that.

"What they're doing doesn't have any legal significance, because churches don't have any role in immigration law enforcement."

Tusler also says, communities have a responsibility to follow the current laws, including those on immigration.

"We are a nation of laws. I think every individual in this country knows a particular law that they wish would be changed and the idea of 'we're not going to respect certain laws,' isn't fair to all the other people that are supporting a law that they don't like."

Reiser agrees there are legal risks the congregation takes by becoming a sanctuary, but she says most of the congregants decided those risks were worth taking.

"At this point no churches have been prosecuted for this work, but that's not to say that that couldn't happen."

Basilisa Hernandez, the president of local immigrants' advocacy group Unidos Por Un Futuro Mejor, appreciates the church's decision.

She explained there are area families living in fear as the future of the undocumented remains unclear.

"The fear that one day officers show up to your house and come get your father, your mother, your husband, your son."

This is the second Fox Valley church to make the declaration.

The Winnebago Worship Group of the Religious Society of Friends of the Fox Valley, a Quaker congregation, did so last year.

The Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship itself was once a sanctuary in the 1980's. It helped a Salvadoran couple find asylum in Canada.

ST. LOUIS, MO (WTAQ) - The Milwaukee Brewers played two on Tuesday.

The Crew held without a run for only the third time this season, losing 6-0 to the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.

Brent Suter made his season debut for Milwaukee on the mound and was only able to carry his start through 4 2/3rds innings with three runs and five hits.

Jared Hughes stopped the bleeding in the fifth inning, but Wily Peralta and Neftali Feliz allowed three more Cardinals runs before the game was done.

At the plate, the Brewers had opportunities but couldn't capitialize.

The bases were loaded in the top of the fifth with only one out, but Hernan Perez and Travis Shaw both hit pop flies to leave their teammates stranded.

But a better fate awaited the Brewers in the nite-cap.

Keon Broxton homered, tripled and drove in three runs as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 to earn a split of the doubleheader.

Jesus Aguilar and Travis Shaw also came alive, hitting back-to-back homers in the fourth.

Pitcher Jimmy Nelson gave up four runs through five innings, and Corey Knebel earned his ninth save with a scoreless ninth.

The Brewers remain a game in front of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central.

Matt Garza gets the pitching start for Milwaukee today coming off the 10-day DL.

Coverage on WTAQ begins at 6:40 p.m. with the pregame show. The 1st pitch is set for 7:15.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Two new yards, The Shipyard and Rail Yard, are proposed to bookend Green Bay's On Broadway business district on the city's near west side.

But, financial details on both still need to be worked out before construction can proceed.

The city’s redevelopment authority met in closed session on both proposals for more than an hour Tuesday afternoon.

On the south end of Broadway, next to the Mason Street Bridge, is the proposed Shipyard site.

The project includes a stadium for Bullfrogs baseball, minor league soccer, outdoor concerts and high school athletics. Attached would be an Anduzzi’s restaurant and an indoor concert venue.

“It's taken a little longer, but I think we've got one shot at this.”

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

“We want to make sure when we're building it, we're building it right and all these three can really be pleased with how these things turned out.”

On the north end of Broadway is The Rail Yard, formerly known as Larsen Green.

DDL Holdings, a group led by Titletown Brewing Company, is negotiating a deal to purchase the city's 16-acre portion of the property.

The group has already renovated some of the site's old Larsen Canning buildings.

The warehouse building currently being renovated on the site will be fully leased by the end of summer, according to Jim Kratowicz, Chief Operating Officer at Titletown Brewing Co.

The next move will be renovating and filling the old warehouses on the north end of the property.

“I think it's really important for the city that we preserve those warehouses,” said Vonck. “They're a rare find, so we'd like to see them continue to use and rehabilitate those.”

DDL Holdings hasn't announced a specific plan for the site's undeveloped space, but have said town homes will fill at least a portion of it.

The city's redevelopment authority advised city staff to continue financial negotiations on both projects.

A September deadline was set for the Railyard project. No deadline was given for The Shipyard negotiations.

City assistance is being discussed for both proposals.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - More Wisconsinites are without power after another round of storms.

For a fourth day in a row, storms struck in the Badger State's northeast corner.

As of 11:30 am Wednesday, Wisconsin Public Service Spokesman Matt Cullen says roughly 5,500 customers were still without power. 

The majority of the outages were in the Stevens Point area, with nearly 4,500 people affected.

WPS says power has been restored to more than 121,000 customers since Sunday.

You can track the up-to-date outage figures at: https://accel.wisconsinpublicservice.com/outagesummary/view/outagegrid.aspx.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - An 18-year-old Oshkosh man will spend four months in jail for his role in threatening to shoot up two Oshkosh schools.  

On January 10, Dylan Bird called in the threat to Oshkosh North and West high schools to get out of school the next day. 

A 15-year-old allegedly called in another threat the following day. 

Bird, who was convicted on one count of Making Terrorist Threats, had an 18-month prison term imposed but stayed.

He will also spend two years under extended supervision and three years on probation.

The 18-year-old Oshkosh man who dared Bird to call in the threat has also been convicted.

Andrew Monroe is scheduled to be sentenced next week.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ)  - UPDATE: Appleton Police say Justice has been safely located.

*****

Appleton Police is searching for a four-year-old girl who went missing Wednesday morning.

Justice also goes by the name 'Hope.' Her last name was not given.

Officers say she is 3 1/2-4 feet tall, of Hispanic descent, and has dark braided hair.

Justice was last seen around 9 am, riding her BMX-style bike in the area of Story and Spring streets.

She was wearing black pants, a black T-shirt with neon writing/design, and pink shoes.

Anyone with information should contact Appelton Police at 920-832-5500.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The reward for a woman who went missing for over 4 years ago has been renewed.

Brown County Sheriff's officials say the $17,000 reward for Victoria Prokopovitz will continue but will expire in September.

Prokopovitz was last seen on April 25, 2013 at around 10 p.m. at her residence along Kunesh Road in the Township of Pittsfield.

She was discovered missing early the next morning.

Prokopovitz left behind her purse and all its contents including ID, money, and her cell phone.

She has not been heard from since.

"It's an ongoing case. We're looking for any information...we'd love to have some closure in this one way or another for the family and we're not going to give up until we come up with something," said Brown County Sheriff's Lt. Scott Semb. 

The reward has been raised by family and friends of Prokopovitz to reward anyone with information that may lead to her location.

If the public has any information on this disappearance, you're asked to contact the Brown County Sheriff's Investigative Division at 920-448-4230; Text to "GBTIP plus your message" to: 274637 (CRIMES); or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 920-432-STOP (7867).

KESHENA, WI (WTAQ) - A tornado has briefly touched down in Menominee County.

The National Weather Service says it happened at 1:50 pm Wednesday, near Highway VV, about five miles west of Keshena.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - The 53-year-old Connecticut man who is suspected in the May 14 armed robbery of Manitowoc's Dollar Tree has been apprehended.

Police say David Hunter is in FBI custody after being arrested Tuesday in an Indiana casino.

Investigators tracked Hunter once an officer identified him as the suspect in a Connecticut robbery.

Hunter is believed to have committed nine similar robberies at Dollar Store and Dollar General locations throughout the country in the past six weeks.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Three bartenders and two bars have been cited in connection with a fatal Suamico crash.  

Two bartenders at Anduzzi's in Ashwaubenon and one bartender from Suamico's Four Way Bar and Restaurant have been cited for serving a minor.  

20-year-old Savannah Dumas faces alcohol-related felony charges, in connection with the April 20 accident that killed her passenger, 21-year-old Megan Frehse.

Officials in Oconto County may also file charges against Achries Heavenly Spirits, in connection with the incident.