DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - Two St. Norbert College staffers are asking for your help.

Ben Sauer and Amanda Beck are in the midst of the national James Beard Blended Burger Competition, which runs through July 31.

Beck notes "right now we're at 12th place out of about 200 burgers.  The great thing is that we're the only college to be entered in this competition." 

Blended burgers are 75% beef and 25% mushroom.

Sauer and Beck's 'Lodi Dodi Smoke Burger' uses beef brisket.

It's topped with sun-dried tomato and cherry chutney, gouda cheese, red onion, and crispy sweet potato straws.

You can vote once every 24 hours by clicking here.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Children had the opportunity to learn about bike safety Tuesday.

Ashwaubenon Public Safety and the Ashwaubenon School District hosted a 'bike rodeo' at Village Hall.

Public Safety Chief Eric Dunning notes there was a course for the children to ride.

"There's a lot of places that don't have sidewalks and don't have the area to do it and they learn the long way and the hard way and here is a controlled environment that they're gonna get one-on-one interaction with instructors and have fun with kids their own age."

Kids were also able to get fitted for bicycle helmets.  

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - As he traveled the state Tuesday, Governor Walker touted those who have served our country.

It was part of the festivities for Wisconsin Veteran-Owned Business Day.

One of Walker's four stops was at Appleton's Rightstone Financial.

Walker says roughly 30% of veterans are likely to hire fellow vets.

"Our goal overall is to have more of our veterans, particularly those men and women returning from deployment overseas recently, to be able to come back and pursue a career, whether that career is owning their own business or whether it's working for someone who started up a veteran-owned business. We want to see more of that."

Walker says there are more than 400,000 veterans in the state and around 65,000 veteran-owned businesses.  

CINCINNATI, OH (WTAQ) - The Brewers dropped the opening game of their three game series against the Reds 8-6 Tuesday night.

Both teams swung the bat well as they would combine for seven home runs in the contest. Manny Pina, Orlando Arcia, and Travis Shaw would all go yard for Milwaukee.

Ryan Braun and Jonathan Villar were both activated from the 10-day DL before the game.

Braun would start in left field and go one-for-five with an RBI double. Villar was used as a pinch hitter and grounded into a double play in his only at-bat.

Newly acquired Stephen Vogt made his Brewers debut pinch hitting in the eighth inning. Vogt would fly out to right in his only plate appearance.

Starter Junior Guerra was roughed up allowing all eight earned runs in just four innings of work for the Crew. The Brewers bullpen did combine for four shut-out innings, only allowing two hits, and striking out five.

Brewers will turn to Chase Anderson in game two of this series tonight.

Pregame coverage on WTAQ starts at 5:35, with first pitch scheduled for 6:10.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - It may be a slow go, taking years to accomplish, but Green Bay's Public Arts Commission is taking the first steps toward addressing the deteriorating condition of the city's 9-11 memorial.

Green Bay Alderman Randy Scannell is the Commission's vice-chair. He says a sub-committee has been formed to get the ball rolling.

"We going to look at the monument, come up with the logistics of just what the condition is and how much it costs to decommission it."

Scannell, Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith, Fire Chief David Litton, and Public Works Director Steve Grenier will make up the sub-committee.

The information will be brought back to the full commission in August. The likely next step....

"The committee will start looking for artists, going over artists presentations for a possible new memorial."

Right now the memorial is in front of the Neville Public Museum.

It was gifted to the city years ago and since then the marble has cracked and there's inaccurate information etched into the stone.

Scannell says the Commission will also consider a possible new location for the memorial.

One spot already being talked about would be next to a planned Green Bay Police and Fire headquarters.

KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ) - If you live on the south side of Kaukauna....turn that faucet on.

Kaukauna Utilities lifted a boil-water advisory today (Wednesday)

City officials say a second day of testing showed the water is safe to drink.

The advisory was initiallyissued Monday after water pressure was lost when a water main was broken during a construction project.

State regulations require testing and a boil advisory when that happens.

GREEN BAY (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Green Bay Area Public School District has called a news conference for 1 p.m. Wednesday to discuss allegations of unsafe conditions at Washington Middle School.

Sixth grade teacher Kerstin Westcott made a shocking description of conditions at the school when she announced her resignation at a school board meeting earlier this month.

She said students and staff members were "physically, verbally, emotionally, and mentally, sexually abused" every day by students in the building.

In a statement Tuesday, Superintendent Michelle Langenfeld said the district "will continue and expand our support of the efforts" to improve conditions at the school.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Surveillance images have been released of the suspect in last Wednesday's armed robbery of Green Bay's Superior Liquor.

The incident happened around 9:30 pm at the Manitowoc Road store.

Police say the male robber is between 5' 8" and 5' 10" with a skinny build.

His t-shirt had the word 'Rocawear' on it. 

Investigators are also looking for a 2000-2006 gold or bronze GMC Yukon XL used in connection with the robbery.  

No word on what, if anything, the man got away with or what kind of weapon was used.  

The SUV has a rear split door, moon roof and luggage rack.

There may be chrome trim running along the doors.

Anyone with information should call Green Bay police at (920) 448-3208, referring to incident number 17-207036 .

Anonymous tips may be left with Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 432-7867 or by text message with the keyword 'GBTIP' to 274637.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - The Fox Valley's largest employer has a new President/CEO.

Dr. Irman Andrabi started his new position with ThedaCare on June 20.

Andrabi replaces Dr. Dean Gruner, who has retired after holding the position for nine years.

The 50-year-old native of Pakistan has spent the past 25 years at Mercy Health in Toledo, Ohio, a non-profit Catholic healthcare ministry that serves Ohio and Kentucky.

Andrabi began as an intern and medical resident, working his way up to regional president and CEO of the system's Toledo region.

During a media availability Wednesday morning, WTAQ asked Andrabi if there are any practices from his past he would like to bring to his new employer.

While Andrabi feels it is important to learn from both personal past experiences and other healthcare systems, he cautions against immediately applying those practices to ThedaCare.

"I'm not a great proponent of just transplanting something that worked in some community to another community, because there are a lot of differences within communities, with their needs and wants and how it needs to get done, as well."  

Andrabi says ThedaCare is one of the top ten healthcare systems that have interested him.

"I've been watching ThedaCare for about 10-12 years now, the work that they have been doing particularly within performance improvment, and then the work that they have done within quality improvement, as well."  

While there are currently many uncertainties surrounding the United States' healthcare system, Andrabi feels ThedaCare will be in a good position, no matter the outcomes in Washington, as long as it sticks to the basics.

"Making sure people have access when they need to, have high-quality care, safe care, high-value care at lower cost."

When it comes to the possibility of consolidating ThedaCare facilities, Andrabi says he plans to consult a variety of stakeholders.

"I look forward to the learnings and look forward to the perspectives and hopefully together we can make a good decision." 

ThedaCare has roughly 6,800 employees and serves nine local counties.  

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - An Appleton pool is scheduled to reopen next month following nearly a year of construction.

City officials say Erb Pool will open to the public July 12 at 1 pm.

The $10,500,000 project saw the construction of a new 50-meter pool and a beach entry-style pool designed for toddlers and less experienced swimmers.

The pool has been closed since August 14.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Leaders within the Green Bay Public School District held a news conference Wednesday to discuss recent allegations of unsafe conditions at Washington Middle School.

District Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Langenfeld, says they're committed to the well-being to everyone in their schools and safety is their highest priority.

"We have been engaging our community in conversation, and my hope today is that others who may be hearing for the first time our work, will join us to ensure that we have solutions."

Langenfeld says the challenges that schools face today cannot be addressed alone and asked for a call to action within the community.

The news conference was a response to a shocking description of conditions at Washington by now former sixth grade teacher Kerstin Westcott.

Other community leaders spoke during the conference, including President of the Green Bay Public School Board of Education, Brenda Warren.

She explained the board's response to Westcott's concerns during the board meeting on June 5th.

"Every single one of us would have liked to have said something to Kerstin, however, we are bound by state open record laws that prohibit us from doing that," said Warren.

Wescott said students and staff members were "physically, verbally, emotionally, and mentally, sexually abused" every day by students in the building.

Green Bay Police Lt. Jeff Brester says there's an officer at every public middle and high school in Green Bay every day.

He explains the protocol when it comes to disciplining a student.

"In general we let the schools handle it first, and if the school's principal or the staff are unable to control it or unable to come to a resolution with discipline within the school, then the officers get involved."

In the 2016-17 school year there were 164 police calls for service at Washington Middle School located at 314 S Baird St.

During the same year, police reports say there were 174 charges, including 54 for disorderly conduct, 32 for habitual truancy and 30 for intimidation of victim- felony.

There were also 122 citations given out; 28 for disorderly conduct, 32 for habitual truancy, and 32 for loitering.

Moving forward, Superintendent Langenfeld, says they need to bring in even more community partners than ever before to address these problems.

She asks for a community "call to action, bringing people together to problem solve the concerns that we see, and develop long term solutions."

Lori Cathey, teacher and president of the Green Bay Education Association, released the following statement:

“The teacher-members of the Green Bay Education Association pledge to continue to advocate at the state and district levels for more school counselors, support systems for students and appropriate staffing levels. We will continue our work on district’s behavior task force, and additionally are preparing our findings from teachers’ perspectives about what more could be done to support students and staff. Green Bay teachers will continue advancing solutions, including a public call for the community to partner in support of Green Bay Area Public Schools, to make sure students are secure and in an environment that supports their learning and success.”

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 25-year-old Kimberly man will spend four years on probation for damaging the window of a Menasha squad car when he belly-flopped onto it.

Cody Romano also attacked two officers during the New Year's Eve incident that stemmed from his being asked to leave a party.

A restitution amount for the squad car damage has not been determined.

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities are investigating the death of a 34-year-old male inmate at the Outagamie County Jail.  

Sheriff's officials say he was last seen going alone to his cell at 11:40 am Wednesday, eight minutes after being served lunch.

Around 12:30 pm, officers were alerted by inmates in the man's unit.

One minute later, paramedics were called and unsuccessfully tried to revive the inmate.

While no official cause of death has been released, officers suspect suicide.  

The inmate, whose name has not been released, had been in the jail since last Thursday.

He was being held on a $2,500 bond on charges of knowingly violating a domestic abuse order, domestic disorderly conduct, burglary, child abuse - recklessly causing harm, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of THC.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Ten Northeast Wisconsin communities will receive state funds to remove and replace old lead service lines.  

Governor Walker has announced a total of $13,800,000 will be given to 35 municipalities across the state through the Lead Service Line Replacement Funding program.  

The local communities are:

• Elkhart Lake - $190,000
• Manitowoc - $350,000
• Sturgeon Bay - $300,000
• Princeton - $305,000
• Two Rivers - $300,000
• Clintonville - $310,000
• Fond du Lac - $300,000
• Menasha - $300,000
• Green Bay - $500,000
• Oshkosh - $500,000

The program focuses on providing residents with safe drinking water.    

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - The City of Appleton has implemented a new program that allows drivers to leave their coins at home.

A parking app unvieled Wednesday lets people pay via credit or debit card.

"People need to look at the sticker that's on the meter, and they'll punch in what's called a 'zone number.' Then there's a specific meter number associated with each meter.  You punch that in, pick how much time they want to stay."

City Spokesman Chad Doran touts one of the app's conveniences.

"Let's say you're staying at one of the meters on College Avenue that has a two-hour limit.  You run into a couple of shops and only put an hour on there.  Then you decide you want to stop somewhere for lunch.  You can open up the app and add another hour to your time and stay and have lunch without ever having to go back to your car."

Doran notes the cost associated with the Passport Parking app.

"It was about a $2,500 investment for us to have them set up the app to our city (plus a 2.9% fee per transaction) and then there's a $0.15 per transaction convenience fee that Passport charges to people when they use the app."

Doran believes people will find the convenience outweighs the cost.

"It just so happens on the day we launched the app, it's been raining down here in Appleton pretty much all day long.  So I think there are probably plenty of people who appreciated that opportunity to not have to run back out into the rain and dig some change out of their pocket to fill the meter." 

Doran says people still have the option of paying with change, if they prefer.  

The app is available for both Apple and Android devices and is already used in the cities of Green Bay and Fond du Lac.

CINCINNATI, OH (WTAQ) - Make it two straight losses for the Brewers now after they fell to the Reds 4-3 Wednesday night.

After tying the game on a Travis Shaw solo home run in the top of the eighth inning, the Reds would take the lead right back in the bottom half and not look back.

Ryan Braun hit his first home run since returning from the disabled list on Tuesday in the third inning.

Milwaukee did lose starter Chase Anderson in the second inning. Anderson strained his oblique while striking out. Its unclear how much time Anderson will miss yet.

Paolo Espino would replace Anderson and was tagged for three runs in three innings of work. Closer Corey Knebel took his first loss on the season.

Brewers will look to salvage a game in this three game set tonight and will turn to Jimmy Nelson.

Pregame coverage on WTAQ gets underway at 5:35 with the first pitch scheduled for 6:10.

DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - More and more law enforcement agencies are turning to social media to catch criminals, but some are asking if one area department went too far.

After posting surveillance pictures to Facebook, the Door County Sheriff's Department is still looking for two shoplifting suspects.

But some people on Facebook believe the post is inappropriate, because the suspects could be juveniles.

State statute urges news media to use restraint in identifying juveniles connected to a criminal or court proceeding.

The surveillance pictures have been shared more than 1,200 times since the Door County Sheriff's Department posted them to its Facebook page last week.

Door County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Pat McCarty tells WLUK...

“Just by gauging off the content and comments on social media, the public seems to be torn on whether or not they're juveniles.”

One Facebook user commented, “Juveniles? Why would you post pictures of juveniles?”

Another said, “How about trying old fashioned police work before destroying a young girl's reputation.”

But others defended the post saying, “To think they should be protected from their actions is ludicrous” and “It’s theft, it should be."

McCarty says the department posted the images with the belief that the suspects are not juveniles.

McCarty says that assumption was made because one of the suspects is wearing a University of Notre Dame sweatshirt.

Also, the store clerk told police the suspects claimed to be seasonal workers, staying with a host family in the area.

McCarty says he would not have posted the images if he knew for a fact that the suspects were minors.

“Then I would consider it would be inappropriate to post the pictures.”

The Door County Sheriff's Office has a policy for using social media. But that policy does not address protecting or identifying juveniles.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) -  Proponents of the state's open meetings law were handed a huge victory Thursday morning.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that a series of Appleton School District meetings that were closed to the public should have been open.

District taxpayer John Krueger filed the suit after being denied attendance to nine committee meetings between October 2011 and March 2012.

Krueger had raised concerns about sexual themes and obscene language in 9th grade English books.

When he requested an alternate course that did not use those books be offered, two school administrators created a 17-member committee to review 90 fiction books.

The committee recommended 23 of those books to the district's Programs and Services Committee, which adopted the list in April 2012.

Krueger sued the district, alleging it violated Wisconsin's Open Meetings Act.

Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty Attorney Rick Esenberg argued the case.

"The open meetings law should be read broadly and flexibly in favor of open government.  This wasn't a case really about textbooks.  The point here really is to validate the open meetings law and make clear that the public should be given access to meetings like this."

Esenberg believes Thursday's decision will have major ramifications.

"This goes beyond what happened to John Krueger or our particular case.  It's basically saying that when a governmental body says 'we want a decision to be conducted,' even if it's only a recommendation, that needs to be open."

Both a circuit court and appeals court sided with the district, claiming the committee, which was not created by elected officials, was not a government body.

The state Supreme Court disagreed.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A 24-year-old Oshkosh man has been arrested on charges that he displayed a gun while bar staffers removed him from the establishment.  

Oshkosh Police say the incident happened late Wednesday night in the 500 block of Campus Place.  

The man left the bar before officers arrived but was arrested without incident a short time later near the Wisconsin Street Bridge.  

He was taken to the Winnebago County Jail on charges of Recklessly Endangering Safety, Going Armed While Intoxicated, and Disorderly Conduct.

Officers say they recovered the firearm involved in the incident.   

Nobody was injured.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Police are investigating a 38-year-old Oshkosh man's death.

Oshkosh officers were called to the 900 block of Monroe Street around 7pm Wednesday when the man's body was found.

An autopsy is expected to be performed to determine cause of death.

Police do not believe there is a threat to the community.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers by calling 920-231-8477 or by texting 'IGOTYA' and the message to 274637.