GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A new trial date has been set for the Manitowoc doctor accused of overprescribing prescription drugs.
Charles Szyman's federal trial on 19 counts of Illegally Delivering Controlled Substances is scheduled to begin October 16.
Prosecutors asked to delay the original June 26 trial date due to a conflict with another case.
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 39-year-old Green Bay man accused of a Brown County murder may have to testify before he's allowed to point the finger elsewhere.
George Burch had a motion hearing Friday on a First Degree Intentional Homicide charge tied to the May 21, 2016 death of Nicole VanderHeyden.
Burch's attorney's have filed a Denny motion to present evidence that VanderHeyden's boyfriend Douglass Detrie is the killer.
While the defense believes it has met all Denny motion requirements, prosecutors want Burch to testify first.
Another hearing is set for August 16.
Burch's trial is scheduled to begin October 2.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The 9th annual Butterfly Festival in Appleton brought families together Saturday to raise money to prevent child abuse.
More than 1,700 people came out to City Park, helping to raise $52,000 for Family Services-Parent Connection program.
Parent Connection is a parent education and early learning program that encourages and supports families.
Visitors got a take part in games, crafts and other activities for the whole family. Various local groups also took part to support the cause.
But the big attraction had each family releasing a butterfly.
"We decided the butterfly was really great symbol for our mission which is to help families fly,” Crystal Uebelher, Butterfly Festival Committee Member, tells WLUK.
“So the butterfly fit in really well there and we saw it as an opportunity to kind of have families have a moment to come together so at the end of the festival every family gets to release a butterfly."
Festival organizers say more than 1,000 butterflies were released in city park.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Downtown Appleton Farm Market moved outdoors to start the summer season under sunny skies in downtown Appleton Saturday.
Hundreds of people explored the more than 150 vendors set up on College Avenue, which was closed off to vehicle traffic.
Visitors finding a wide variety of items including fresh produce, flowers, meats, dairy, baked goods and crafts.
The return to the outdoors is extra special this year, because the market is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Every Saturday, there's a chance to win a $25 Downtown Appleton gift certificate.
Organizers assessing the turnout say the Farm Market is getting off to another great summer season start.
"It's a great crowd, the streets are full, but there's still room to walk and it's a good amount of people”
Anne Wiegman, marketing director for Appleton Downtown Inc, tells WLUK...
“The temperature is pretty nice out here. It's the type of day where you want to be outside."
The outdoor farm market runs until the end of October -- when it will move back inside City Center.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - One Green Bay police officer with a big heart is helping area rescue dogs find their "fur-ever" homes.
Officer Joel Zwicky started the K-9 for a Day program about a month ago and has had tremendous success so far.
He's helped five dogs find loving homes and says he's just getting started.
"I take them with me on my shift and we go on calls and we patrol my beat on the west side and we just try to get them a little more socialized," Zwicky said.
Zwicky works closely with the Bay Area Humane Society and the Key to Happiness Rescue in Green Bay.
"When I initially started I had 8 dogs I could pick from, from Bay Area Humane and I'm down to three. Now, we're glad that Key to Happiness came on board so I have enough dogs to keep me busy."
You can see Zwicky and his furry pals patrolling on the west side of the city in the Broadway Ave. business district during the week.
See frequent updates on the K-9 for a Day program at the Green Bay Police Department's Facebook page.
Learn more about Zwicky's pal "Yogi" and how you can help the new program in the latest episode of Green Bay Crime by clicking on the video above.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton residents may soon be getting mail from local law enforcement.
The city’s police department plans to send out random surveys in the coming week to 1,500 households.
Sergeant Dave Lund says “it doesn’t take very long to go through, it’s all multiple choice. At the end of that, it will really be a good assessment of how the community feels about the services we offer.”
Lund notes the sheet should take 10-15 minutes to complete and will cover a variety of topics.
“Satisfaction with our agency, trust of our agency, perceptions people have of neighborhood safety, views people have on police professionalism, and their exposure to crime.”
Lund believes the results of the anonymous survey will be very telling.
“Not only how the community views the level of service they get from our organization but also where we can make improvements.”
Lund says the survey, which has not been sent out for a few years, was not prompted by any negative events.
“We feel that our community relations are very solid: being out there in the community, making contacts, developing partnerships.”
Thanks to outside volunteers, Lund says the survey only costs the department the roughly $1,000 in postage costs.
MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) - The Milwaukee Brewers got the best of a Father's Day pitcher's duel with the San Diego Padres on Sunday, winning 2-1.
Starting Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson completed all nine innings and recorded ten strikeouts.
Both Brewers runs were home runs in the sixth inning from Hernan Perez and Manny Pina.
Nelson is 5-3 on the year and has turned around what was looking to be a struggling season.
Manny Pina also hit the go-ahead homer for the win on Mother's Day.
The Central Division leading Milwaukee Brewers open a 4 game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight at Miller Park.
Pregame on WTAQ begins at 6:05.....1st pitch at 6:40.
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Ashwaubenon Public Safety says a 50-year-old man suffered life threatening injuries after being stabbed early Sunday morning.
Cops were called to the 2200-block of S. Ridge Road just before 4:30, where they found the man lying outside of a motor home.
The suspect was last seen wearing a black ski mask. A possible related vehicle was seen leaving the area at a high speed.
The vehicle is described as an older 1980s style gray or silver four door sedan.
Investigators say this was a targeted incident and they do not believe the public is in any danger.
The stabbing is still under investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Ashwaubenon Public Safety (920)-492-2995.
GREENLEAF, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - After nearly being canceled this year, Sunday's Brown County Breakfast on the Farm instead attracted thousands of guests to the annual event.
When the Gerrits family of Greenleaf heard that the event could could be canceled this year, they made an immediate decision.
"We were out to dinner for my brothers birthday", Megan Geritts said. " My dad got a call from Tom and he asked 'hey did you want to do Breakfast on the Farm?' My dad brought it to our attention and my dad was like 'alright kids, lets do it!'"
Megan's uncle, Tom Gerrits, also the co-owner of Country Aire Farms, tells WLUK it was an event that just couldn't be canceled.
"There are so many opportunity for the youth today if they want to pursue agriculture and that's the main reason why we decided to hold the event."
This year's Breakfast on the Farm brought out the crowds.
It's a chance to see what life on the farm is like, and how the work here puts food on your table.
Megan says the decision to participate wasn't only about the education and fun.
"I knew if my grandpa was here he would have never let it not be able to happen, so my dad and Tom stepped up and said 'hey we're going to have this."
Nicole Nohl, Brown County Dairy Promotions says after months of struggling to find a host, they were delighted to find out the Gerrits family wanted to help out.
"They were looking for the tradition to continue and to support agriculture in Brown County."
The last minute decision meant the Gerrits family only had three months to plan, and had to be made from their usual 22-hour-a-day milking process.
The family says it's not their first time hosting an event like this, and it may not be their last.
Organizers say the money raised by Breakfast on the Farm events helps fund agriculture education programs throughout the county.
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Charges have been filed against four people in connection with a heroin and methamphetamine drug ring in Manitowoc County.
Darryl Reynolds, Jeffrey Truettner, Claurice Smith and Myron Pieschel are expected to make initial appearances in court Monday afternoon.
According to the Metro Drug Unit, investigators made multiple purchases of heroin during a four-month period in Manitowoc and Rockford, Ill.
Police allege Reynolds was responsible for $135,000-$200,000 worth of heroin sales in Manitowoc during the course of a year.
Reynolds is charged with manufacture/delivery of heroin. Truettner faces three felonies, including manufacture/delivery of heroin.
Smith is charged with two felonies, including possession with intent to deliver heroin.
Pieschel faces two counts, including manufacture/delivery of heroin.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A body has been found in the Fox River.
Police say the body was located in the area of Green Bay's Pearl Street.
The family of Doua Lor has gathered at the scene. Lor was last seen June 11 and was declared missing last week.
The medical examiner's office has been called to investigate.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin's Eighth District Congressman is condemning Russian action.
Representative Mike Gallagher was a guest on Monday's edition of WTAQ's Jerry Bader Show.
Earlier in the day, Russia said it will shoot down anything that flies over parts of Syria where it is operating, one day after a U.S. warplane shot down a Syrian fighter jet that dropped bombs near American-backed forces.
Russia also suspended use of a military hotline between it and the U.S. that has been used to avoid collisions over Syrian airspace.
Gallagher responded by condemning Russia's "embedding of genocide in Syria" from recent years and saying he wants Washington to take a strong stance.
"For the Russians to try to intimidate us, it's not going to work. That's why I was happy that the Senate passed a Russian sanctions bill last week. Putin continues to probe us to see where our weaknesses are. We've got to stand up and can't let him get away with it."
The Green Bay Republican also weighed in on the nation's current political climate.
Gallagher says he is pleased to see signs of unity following last Wednesday's shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and four others at a Congressional baseball game practice in Alexandria, Virginia.
However, Gallagher says not everyone shared in that sentiment, especially after he posted a video to social media where he called for Americans to come together.
"(I said) both sides should be united, that something like this is unacceptable. You should've seen some of the comments that I got. People called me a murderer. There's something bizarre happening, particularly with social media, where it enables the lesser angels of our nature to be unleashed. People all of a sudden get a lot of courage."
Gallagher is stressing the need for civil debate, saying both sides of the aisle are guilty.
In addition, the congressman discussed the announcement that the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether drawing legislative districts to give one party a distinct advantage is constitutional.
The case comes from Wisconsin, where lower courts have ruled that the Badger State's current districts were drawn to benefit Republicans.
While he did not weigh in on the specifics of the case, Gallagher did stress the need for fair boundaries.
"If you're in an R + 40 district or a D + 40 district, all your incentives are just to maintain ideological purity. You're not even forced to consider the views of the other side."
The justices have ordered that the lines not be redrawn until they rule on the matter.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - One of the most vocal opponents of a proposed sales and room tax plan in Brown County says he now supports it.
Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt issued a press release Monday, stating he has reached an agreement that would allow him to back Executive Troy Streckenbach's proposal.
The plan would fund nine county projects, including the construction of a new expo hall to replace the aging Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena, through means such as a 72-month half-percent sales tax.
It also requires seven county municipalities to divert room tax revenues, which is generated by local hotels and motels.
Five communities - Allouez, Ashwaubenon, De Pere, Howard, and Suamico - have already voted to do so. Green Bay and Bellevue have not yet considered the matter.
The sales tax is projected to generate $147,000,000 over the six years, while the room tax would largely fund the $93,000,000 expo hall.
In a letter delivered to Green Bay city council members on Friday, Schmitt urged alderpersons to oppose the plan, since it did not offer enough benefits to the city.
For example, Schmitt noted none of the $36,000,000 set aside for road improvements would be utilized in Green Bay.
County leaders argued that the nearby projects would benefit the entire area, with Green Bay's hotels and restaurants being bolstered by a new expo center.
Schmitt canceled a Monday morning press conference and met with county officials in the afternoon.
In the press release, Schmitt says he and County Supervisor Patrick Evans agreed on an amendment that would give any excess sales tax dollars to the municipalities, once the nine county projects have been funded.
Despite Schmitt's backing, Green Bay's city council still needs to give its approval.
Several Green Bay alderpersons, Brown County supervisors, and Executive Streckenbach have already voiced opposition to the proposed amendment.
"The deal agreed to by Green Bay's mayor and a single county supervisor is contrary to the will of the county board of supervisors," writes Streckenbach in a statement. "They passed an ordinance just last month, 23-3, which expressly states that sales tax revenues shall only be used for specifically identified capital projects and debt reduction."
Without Green Bay's support, county officials have said the plan would likely die.
The Brown County Taxpayers Association believes there has not been enough discussion about Streckenbach's proposal, which was unveiled early last month.
"We're encouraging that the Green Bay City Council simply take no action on this until it feels as though it fully understands the implications and the long term meaning of this proposal."
Deputy Executive Jeff Flynt feels the county has provided as much detail as possible.
"We cannot predict the future with regards to room tax growth or sales tax collections three, four, five years down the road. We also can't project what a future county board may or may not do."
The county has set an August 15 deadline to sign room tax agreements with the municipalities.
If all goes to plan, the sales tax would take effect January 1, 2018.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Tuesday kicks off the 22nd year of Country USA. 30,000 fans are expected to come each of the five days.
But this year, there's a new initiative to crack down on underage drinking.
The state patrol says underage drinking has been a consistent problem at the annual festival in Oshkosh. So they're trying to keep everyone safer.
Sgt. Tim McGrath with the Wisconsin State Patrol tells WLUK....
"Juvenile alcohol consumption at festivals is a problem."
McGrath says this problem has been evident at Country USA in the past. Last year, 45 people were given underage drinking citations.
"Young people, they can have a lot of fun out there, it's a blast. I know it's a lot of fun, but they need to know it's not going to be tolerated for them to drink alcohol out there."
The State Patrol says it's also seen a trend in underage drinkers at the festival making the decision to get behind the wheel and drive when they leave.
"We don’t want them to remember the festival for the wrong reason."
Country USA promoter Derek Liebhauser tells WLUK they try to monitor underage drinking, but it's not easy to do.
"It's a hard problem to mitigate. Every year we do policing up and down the roads just to make sure there's no underage drinking."Fans on the grounds aren't allowed to drink without an alcohol wristband.
"We do everything that we can to monitor 300 acres of grounds, and when you're dealing with 30,000 people, I think we have a pretty good record of keeping that problem very subdued," Liebhauser said.
To try and keep any issues from happening, McGrath says the State Patrol has gotten extra state funding to have extra patrols out monitoring around the grounds.
"Our goal is not to issue citations or wreck anyone's good time, we just want everybody to be safe on their way there and on their way home."
The state patrol says underage drinking is a serious offense. Citations start at $250 to $300.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Green Bay City Council could vote tonight on a plan to add a $20 “wheel tax” on vehicles registered in the city as a way to pay for road repairs.
The wheel tax would generate slightly more than $2 million per year for the city.
Currently, the special assessments on residential property owners generates about $750,000, while the non-residential assessments generate $350,000 annually.
That means, according to a staff memo, that the special assessments could be eliminated, the same amount of roadwork completed, and there would be $982,150 available for other programming.
That other programming could include: alley reconstruction/resurfacing, creation of a reserve fund, expansion of how many miles of roads are rebuilt annually, additional maintenance work, a reduction in the property tax levy associated with roads, and rail crossing repairs.
Alderman Mark Steuer tells WLUK....
"Most people when they think of a tax, they're not real happy about it, in Green Bay, we haven't raised taxes in about 10 years."
Steuer explained the money from the wheel tax could be used to pay for road repaving, and road reconstruction.
However, not everyone is board with the idea. Like Alderman Guy Zima.
"In general I'm just against it because it taxes all the poor. Everybody has a car and then of course the big property holders get all their stuffed paved for free."
Zima said there needs to be a better way to pay for city road projects, without raises taxes.
"The truth of the matter is that they start living within their budgets and start spending their money on the basic things that people need to pay taxes for."
According to city research, 15 municipalities across the state have the wheel tax.
Of those, 12 have the fee set at $20 per year, two charge $10 per year, and one charges $30 annually. The city of Appleton approved the $20 wheel tax in Sept. 2014.
At the Improvement & Services Committee meeting last week, Ald. Chris Wery and Ald. David Nenning endorsed the plan, while Ald. John VanderLeest and Ald. Andy Nicholson voted against it.
The 2-2 tie means it moves to the full council without a recommendation from the committee.
If approved, the wheel tax would only be charged to those vehicles registered in the City of Green Bay, not to those who live in other communities which are not within city limits but have a Green Bay postal address.
The tax applies to vehicles weighing less than 8,000 pounds, according to state law.
The City Council meets at 7 p.m. tonight in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson St.
MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) - The second series of this home stand for the Milwaukee Brewers started with a wimper and an 8-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates' Andrew McCutchen hit his 13th homer and drove in three runs in the victory. Pittsburgh starter Gerrit Cole was sharp, allowing one run and three hits in seven innings.
Travis Shaw homered for Milwaukee in the second inning, but that would be the only score.
Matt Garza allowed four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings, and Wily Peralta added to his fall from grace in the bullpen, allowing four runs in only one inning of work.
The Brew Crew will look to rebound tonight night with Zach Davies on the mound.
Coverage on WTAQ begins with the pregame show at at 6:05. 1st pitch set for 7:10.
SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI (WTAQ) - A 55-year-old Sheboygan man has been killed in a two-vehicle crash in the Town of Sheboygan Falls.
Sheboygan County Sheriff's officials say the accident happened around 7:15 am Tuesday at the intersection of County Road C and County Road TT.
Investigators believe a southbound semi-tractor failed to yield for a stop sign on TT and struck an SUV.
The SUV's driver was pronounced dead at the scene while the semi-tractor's driver was uninjured.
There were no passengers in either vehicle.
No names have been released as an investigation is ongoing.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - People will soon have a new way to explore Appleton.
The Social Station is a four-wheeled, 15-person MegaCycle that will offer three different pedal tours: pub crawls, coffee and scenic tours, and exercise expeditions.
For the pub crawls, Owner Chris Burns says "our home base will be the Appleton Beer Factory. We'll have three (predetermined) stops we'll make along the way. We'll end our tour at the same place we started."
Burns says passengers will have more freedom to choose their stops on the two other themed tours.
He notes each one lasts two hours, with the ability to add on an extra hour.
Burns says there are a couple different options for people when signing up.
"We suggest that groups have a minimum of eight people. With less than eight, it becomes more of a challenge to pedal. However, we can accomodate groups up to 15."
He notes smaller groups may be paired with others.
Cost is $18-$25 per person.
Burns says tours will be running by July 7, if not sooner.
"I really wanted there to be more in the City of Appleton. I know a lot of the cities in Northeast Wisconsin are talking about to retain and attract millenials. A big part of the conversation is having something to do."
Reservations are already accepted and can be made at: https://www.socialstationwi.com/.
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The 27-year-old Green Bay man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and her mother has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental defect.
Jacob Cayer is charged with killing Sabrina Teague and her mother Heesun Teague in a Hobart home last June.
With the insanity plea, the defense argues Cayer should not be held responsible for the crime based on his mental condition at the time it happened.
Cayer is due back in court August 1.
No trial date has been set.
MARINETTE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A July 11 plea hearing has been set for one of the two burglary suspects who were the focus of a weekend-long manhunt.
Ashley Niewierowski, along with Chad Setunsky, is accused of stealing an ATM from a Stephenson convenience store and leading officers on an April vehicle chase.
Setunsky is due back in court August 14. No trial date has been set.
