Brown County gun store burglarized Tuesday morning

May 28, 2013, 1:10 pm

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TOWN OF GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Brown County Sheriff's Department says they're investigating the burglary of a gun store in the Town of Green Bay.

Deputies say they got the call around 2:20 a.m. Tuesday to Virlee Gunworks at 2644 Diesel Court. 

Lt. Scott Semb says they found someone broke into the business and stole guns. Investigators are trying to establish the make and model of each gun taken.

The store's owner, Scott Virlee, tells FOX 11 that 19 handguns were taken. He says their total value is about $10,000.

Anyone with information is asked to call (920) 448-6187. Anonymous tips can also be left with Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 432-7867 or by texting GBTIP and the information to 274637.

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Allouez apartment fire victims begin rebuilding with donations from community

May 28, 2013, 1:45 pm

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ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ) - Victims of last Thursday’s Hilltop Place Apartment fire in Allouez are getting some help from the community.

There has been an outpouring of support with donations of clothing, furniture, cooking items, toys and other household items.  Green Bay Metro Fire stations have told folks to stop bringing in donations.

More than 100 people were displaced and they were given their first opportunity to start rebuilding their lives Tuesday. 

A vacant convent building at St. Mathews Parish in Allouez was established as a central location for fire victims to pick up supplies.

Amy Rouse and her three kids were victims of the fire.  She says it’s been tough battling emotions while keeping it together. 

“You have to remain strong" Rouse said, "I think as a mother you do have to grieve, but I have been grieving on my own time and just trying to make sure my kids get through the day and keep positive for them.”

A handful of victims didn't want to talk, but did want to thank the community for their support and generosity.

Dozens of fire victims were greeted at the door by volunteers who picked up a box and followed them around carrying items they needed. 

Some victims expressed frustration in getting back into the building to search for anything that can be salvaged.  Victims should contact the landlord on how to proceed.

Women's bathroom at De Pere boat launch damaged

May 29, 2013, 7:01 am

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DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - Fire crews in De Pere responded to a report of smoke in the women's bathroom at the Bomier Boat launch.

Upon arrival, firefighters say the entire building on Fox River Drive smelled of smoke, however no flames were seen.

The fire is under investigation, and authorities say it is considered an arson. 

Authorities say there was smoke damage to the rest room. Damage is estimated to be $1,500. 

It's not known when the building will reopen to the public.

Mega Millions ticket sold in Greenville wins $250,000

May 29, 2013, 7:03 am

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GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ) - Nobody won the Mega Millions’ jackpot Tuesday night, but a Wisconsin player was one of just three around the country to win the quarter-million dollar second prize.

A ticket sold in Greenville matched all five regular numbers but not the Mega Ball.

About 375,000 other players won smaller prizes nationally, but a state by state breakdown was not immediately available.

Tuesday night’s numbers were 4, 12, 25, 32, and 54. The Mega Ball was 36, and the Megaplier was 4.

The jackpot goes up to $30 million for the next drawing on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Wednesday night’s Powerball jackpot is at the minimum of $40 million, after the jackpot was claimed last Saturday.

A million-dollar ticket sold in Reedsburg for that game remains unclaimed.

Cloudy, gloomy and stormy weather expected this week

May 29, 2013, 8:15 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - You may not like gloomy weather – but that’s what you’ll probably get for the rest of the week.

Forecasters say numerous rounds of showers and thunderstorms will push through Wisconsin at least through Friday, with lesser chances for rain during the weekend and into next week.

The National Weather Service says a low pressure system is moving northward into the Great Plains, and it will be stuck there at least through Friday. It’s expected to carry at least some severe weather, and the Weather Service says Thursday is our most likely chance to get severe thunderstorms.

When it’s not raining, you’ll have a chance to enjoy temperatures that will rise into the 70’s each day, and the 80’s Thursday.

In Waukesha County, dime to quarter-sized hail fell Tuesday night in Mukwonago and Eagle.

Wednesday morning, dense fog made it hard for commuters to get work and school in much of southern Wisconsin – including the Madison area.

Company gives up control of assisted living centers

May 29, 2013, 10:10 am

≫ Next: Downtown Appleton to get master plan

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A chain of assisted living centers will no longer control most of its properties, after it was fined almost $100,000 for Wisconsin violations that led to residents’ deaths.

The Senior Lifestyle Corporation of Chicago tells the Oshkosh Northwestern it will start operating 10 assisted-living facilities operated by CRL.

Vice president Stephen Levy would not name all the affected centers – but confirmed that Bella Vista and Bella Vista Manor, both in Oshkosh, are among those being taken over.

The newspaper said it discovered violations at many of CRL’s 14 assisted living centers in Wisconsin since 2011.

Levy said the Senior Lifestyle Corporation did not have a timetable for completing its changeover. He said it would depend on the state’s approval of the required licenses.

The Senior Lifestyle firm operates one other Wisconsin center, Harbour Village in Greendale.

Downtown Appleton to get master plan

May 29, 2013, 10:49 am

≫ Next: Trial ordered for Nicholas Willies for causing toddler's death

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A company has been selected to create a master plan for part of downtown Appleton.

The city has selected Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc., to create a plan for the Washington Square area. That area includes the City Center building, Valley Transit's downtown bus station and the Appleton Public Library.

Hoffman says it will work with the city to evaluate the current facilities in the area and consider other available options as well as plans the city has developed in the past.

"We're taking the necessary validation and development steps in order to provide the City with a solution that will offer a new and enhanced identity, is easily accessible to the community, and is an asset in economic development for decades to come," Randy Bremhorst, Hoffman's project principal, said in a news release.

The master plan is expected to be finished in late summer.

Trial ordered for Nicholas Willies for causing toddler's death

May 29, 2013, 11:28 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man from Green Bay charged with reckless homicide in the death of a toddler will stand trial.

Police say 29-year-old Nicholas Willies was babysitting his girlfriend's son, Alex Fountain, back in January. Officers say he took the boy to the hospital because he stopped breathing, and bruises and scrapes were found all over his body.

Court documents show Fountain died from abdominal trauma and a significant head injury. A pathologist also found that some of the boy's injuries happened before the day he died.

Willies will enter a plea when he returns to court June 10.

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Crews battle Allouez restaurant fire

May 29, 2013, 11:31 am

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ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Metro firefighters are on the scene of a fire at an Allouez restaurant.

Fire crews say the fire at Los Magueyes, 1329 South Webster Avenue, may be electrical but have yet to pinpoint a cause.

Officials say the restaurant was open at the time of the fire. All of the customers and workers got out safely. No one was hurt.

 

Waupaca County meth investigation leads to two arrests

May 29, 2013, 12:51 pm

≫ Next: Green Bay awarded additional $400K for redevelopment along University Ave. corridor

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WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - Police say two people have been arrested in a methamphetamine investigation in Waupaca County.

Authorities say they found evidence of a meth lab Wednesday morning inside a mobile home and shed at 600 Oak Street in Waupaca.

Investigators say a 49-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman were taken into custody at the scene. Their names aren’t being released.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible.

Anyone with information can contact Waupaca County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-258-9955.

Green Bay awarded additional $400K for redevelopment along University Ave. corridor

May 29, 2013, 9:26 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The City of Green Bay has been awarded an additional $400,000 Brownfield grant from the EPA for assessment purposes related to the University Avenue redevelopment. 

The city is currently gathering public input for the creation of a redevelopment plan for the more than four mile corridor. 

Daniel Lindstrom with the city planning department says they are looking to create something more cohesive as the corridor moves from commercial, to industrial, to residential, and back to industrial. 

The city was initially awarded a $200,000 EPA grant for planning.

The Brownfield grant program provides funds to disadvantaged areas that need assistance with clean-up of contaminated sites that were once areas of industry or other commercial purposes that are now vacant.

About 50 people gave input Wednesday on what they want to see for redevelopment.

The city is focused on areas related to quality of life, transportation, business, and land use. 

It was the second of six meetings.   

Report: Private school voucher expansion deal reached

May 30, 2013, 6:51 am

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - It appears there may be a tentative deal reached to expand Governor Scott Walker's private school voucher program statewide.

Right Wisconsin.com reports details of the agreement, which reportedly includes a first-year cap on the number of students able to get vouchers, and tighter eligibility restrictions than what is currently in place in Milwaukee and Racine.

On Wednesday, the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee delayed a vote on expanding the school choice program due to a deal not having been reached. Co-chair John Nygren said at the time both sides were, "closer, but we're not there yet."

Nygren, a Marinette Republican Representative, did say both sides continued to discuss ways to reach a compromise. He added that a vote was expected by Tuesday.

The governor has long expressed a desire to expand vouchers to districts outside Milwaukee and Racine. The initial budget measure would have included nine districts, including Green Bay.

A win in court for supporters of Voter Photo I-D.

May 30, 2013, 8:30 am

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ)-A Wisconsin appeals court says the law is constitutional.   Back in October of 2011 The League of Women Voters filed a lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court challenging the law.  Today (THUR) the 4th District Court of Appeals said the league failed to prove that the law is unconstitutional.  Another Dane County judge's decision blocking the requirement in a separate lawsuit still stands.  There are also two federal lawsuits challenging the law as well.

Fatal ATV crash in Marinette County

May 30, 2013, 8:34 am

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MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ)-A 77-year-old man has died following an ATV crash in Marinette County.   Sheriff's Department says Kenneth P. Van Camp died Wednesday at a Green Bay hospital from injuries he suffered in the crash.  Van Camp was riding his ATV on Boat Landing Road in Middle Inlet Sunday when he hit a mailbox, went into a ditch and was thrown from the machine, hitting a tree.  He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Reportedly deal reached on school aid increase, voucher expansion statewide

May 30, 2013, 1:01 pm

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - State legislative Republicans are said to be close to an agreement to give more state aid to Wisconsin public schools, tied to a limited statewide private school voucher program.

A conservative group said this morning that a deal was reached. But as of mid-day, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that lobbyists are trying to influence lawmakers by leaking out details.

A spokeswoman for Senate GOP leader Scott Fitzgerald says there continues to be “positive, ongoing discussions.”

Governor Scott Walker’s office said they’re still working with lawmakers on a plan to give parents quality education choices while protecting taxpayers.

The Journal Sentinel reported there is a deal.

It would give public schools an extra $150 per student in state aid in each of the next two years.

A tax-funded private school voucher program to give low-income students an alternative to public schools would go statewide but with sharp limits.

Only up to one-percent of a district’s students can be in a voucher program, and the state aid for those youngsters would not rise as much as the governor had wanted.

Private schools would have to be in business for two years before accepting voucher students – and it would not include Walker’s plan give vouchers to special needs’ youngsters.

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Waupaca police find two meth labs in one week

May 30, 2013, 2:51 pm

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WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Waupaca are investigating after discovering two meth labs in a week.

"I heard a big bang, and then it sounded like somebody falling down the stairs. We thought someone was fighting, the kids started crying," Natasha Leopold told FOX 11. 

It happened Saturday around midnight at an apartment building located at 108 Granite Street. Neighbors said they heard an explosion. And there was fire. Police were called to the scene. 

"Upon a brief investigation it was determined there was a meth lab that exploded upstairs in the apartment," Waupaca Police Detective Sgt. Brian Hoelzel tells FOX 11. 

Waupaca police said officers searched the area and found items they believe were used to make meth. 

"There was some acid, there was some lighter fluid, and other items that they use to make methamphetamine," Hoelzel said. 

Officials said a 23-year-old man is in critical condition at the Milwaukee Burn Center. Police are waiting to question him. He has not been charged. 

During a raid Wednesday morning, evidence of another meth lab was discovered inside a mobile home and shed at 600 Oak Street. Investigators said a 49-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman were taken into custody at the scene. Their names aren't being released until charges are filed.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible. 

Authorities said these are the first two meth lab busts in the city ever, and they have a theory as to why it's becoming a problem. 

"Meth is real addicting and from the people that I've spoken with, the first two times they tried it, they get hooked on it. And it's a cheaper cost than abusing prescription medication," said Hoelzel. 

Police expect the two people arrested in the raid on Oak Street to be charged in Waupaca County Court on Friday.

Fund setup for victims of Allouez Hilltop Place apartment fire

May 30, 2013, 6:00 pm

≫ Next: New search begins Saturday for missing Pittsfield woman

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - North Shore Bank has started a fund for the fire victims of the Allouez Hilltop Place Apartments. 

Donations can be made to “St. Matthews Congregation FBO Hilltop Apartment Fire”. 

The fire displaced more than 100 people. 

Damages are estimated around $3 million. 

Fire investigators are still looking into the cause of the fire that started.  However, there is indication that the cause of the fire could surround a dryer in the basement. 

New search begins Saturday for missing Pittsfield woman

May 30, 2013, 6:09 pm

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PITTSFIELD, WI (WTAQ) - A new search has been scheduled for Saturday for a Pittsfield woman that has been missing since April 25th. 

Search and rescue crews are helping to find 59-year old Victoria Prokopovitz. They include the Valley Mounted Volunteer's Inc., Rapid Search and Rescue and Headwaters Search and Rescue K-9. 

The Green Bay Press-Gazette says the search will concentrate on wooded areas and spots close to the Little Suamico River. 

Authorities don’t suspect foul play, but say Prokopovitz suffers from depression and she may be a harm to herself.  Sheriff’s say she took her medication, but left behind her purse, identification, money and cell phone. 

Kewaunee Power Station conducts first round of layoffs

May 30, 2013, 7:25 pm

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TOWN OF CARLTON, WI (WTAQ) - More than 200 workers at the Kewaunee Power Station will be out of job Friday. 

The first round of layoffs from the nuclear power plant were scheduled for May 31st and include 202 people. 

Dominion Resources, which operates the facility, has shut down operations. The plant stopped making electricity on May 7^th. 

The plant employs 632 people. 

More than 100 workers will be let go over the summer and through the end of the year.  The last round of layoffs are expected at the end of September 2014, with 293 layoffs. 

Dominion Resources Local Affairs Manager Mark Kanz says more than two dozen workers took positions at out of state Dominion sites.  A handful of other workers got jobs at nuclear sites around the country. 

The Kewaunee Power Station closed because Dominion Resources says contracts to sell power ended, it was getting expensive to operate the one-reactor site and the price of natural gas to produce electricity was getting much cheaper.   

UPDATE: Green Bay police arrest two men Thursday

May 31, 2013, 6:47 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Green Bay have released more details about the arrest of two men on Mather Street Thursday.

Police say they spotted a car being driven erratically on Mather Street a little before 6:30 p.m. An officer tried to stop the vehicle, but it pulled into a driveway in the 700 block of Mather. The car struck a gas meter, causing a leak. The driver then ran into a different house on the block.

Officers evacuated the neighborhood because of the gas leak.

While investigating, officers received information that the man who ran into the house may have had access to weapons. Officers tried to call the man out, but he did not respond, so they called more officers and an armored SWAT vehicle.

A few minutes later, police were able to get two people to come out of the house. They were arrested peacefully.

Police say they got permission to search the house, where they found a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The case is still under investigation, with potential charges coming for traffic violations and possession of marijuana.

The gas leak was eventually repaired.