WAUPUN, WI (WTAQ) - A 24-year-old Waupun man has been convicted for attacking a woman early Thanksgiving morning.
Juan Arriaga followed the woman as she was walking in Waupun, later telling her to be quiet as they neared an officer.
The woman ran toward to the police squad car and said she believed Arriaga was trying to kidnap her.
Arriaga was arrested following a brief pursuit, later admitting to officers he had been drinking and was lonely.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 43-year-old Appleton man has been sentenced for his role in stealing diapers from a charity.
Jason Havel will spend nine months in jail for taking more than 1,700 cases of diapers that were being stored at Valley Packaging for the Fox Cities Diaper Bank.
He will also spend four years on probation.
Havel's co-actor, John Forbes, was previously sentenced to nine months in jail for the January crime.
Collectively, Havel and Forbes have been ordered to pay more than $30,000 in restitution.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - The City of Appleton has hired a new diversity and inclusion coordinator.
Karen Nelson is expected to start her new role on Monday.
Mayor Tim Hanna explains what the position entails.
"To help us be more aware of the growing diversity within our community and to attract a deeper pool of talent for the number of vacancies we know we're going to have over the next several years."
Nelson has more than 25 years of experience in managing diversity in private sector organizations.
Hanna says that helped her stand out in a field of applicants.
"Because of the specific experience she's had doing this type of work in the corporate world for very large corporations."
In her most recent position, Nelson served as the lead consultant for NelStar Leadership and Diversity Consulting.
Prior to that, she worked as the corporate diversity manager for Shaw Industries and as manager of cultural diversity for General Electric Medical Systems.
Hanna says the position, first implemented in Appleton in 1997, has been vacant since Kathy Flores resigned last year.
He notes the city has been looking to fill the position since, and that Nelson's hiring was not prompted by any recent controversial issues, such as May's officer-involved shooting at Jack's Apple Pub.
"Those incidents that happened in Appleton didn't create any more urgency or less urgency. When things like that happen, yeah, it would be nice to have someone in this position."
Hanna weighs in on the current state of relations between city leaders and various groups in the community.
"I would say it's actually very good. We maintain a very good relationship with various ethnic groups. I interact with them personally on a regular basis. They know that they can call me and they can call my office any time they have any issues."
Nelson received her executive master in business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, after getting her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina.
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Charges have been filed against two Milwaukee residents arrested in connection with a Brown County sex trafficking investigation.
Deon Barron, 24, faces one count of soliciting prostitutes while 22-year-old Alexus Williams faces one count of prostitution.
Williams was reportedly arrested at a Green Bay motel Monday when an undercover officer responded to a classified ad.
She allegedly posted bail and then was arrested hours later after agreeing to meet an undercover officer for sex at an east side Green Bay home.
Investigators say Williams told them she has been involved in prostitution in the Milwaukee area in an 'on and off' basis for several years.
Barron reportedly drove Williams the second time, admitting to taking Williams to dates and using the money from her prostitution.
A 15-year-old was also arrested, after allegedly advertising herself online.
Cash bond has been set at $2,500 for Williams and $5,000 for Barron, due to his previous criminal record.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children in the United States and that's why parents need to make sure their child's car seat is installed properly.
On Thursday, the Center for Childhood Safety in Green Bay held a free community car seat check event at Cliff Wall Subaru Mazda Mitsubishi.
Executive director Kimberly Hess says installing a car seat may seem simple, but with hundreds of models on the market, it can become confusing to parents.
"It takes about 30 minutes to go through every car seat check because we want parents know we want to educate them on how to install that car seat right. So when they leave here they feel confident they can put it back in," said Hess.
Hess says 9 out of 10 car seats are installed incorrectly.
"At the Center for Childhood Safety, we do over 700 car seat checks a year. This is a common thing that lots of parents come to us (about). It's a free resource."
Basics to keep in mind when installing your car seat:
For more information on correctly installing your child's car seat CLICK HERE.
The organization's next car seat safety check event will be held on August 12th at Broadway Hyundai in Green Bay.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A man was hit in the head and robbed early Friday morning in Oshkosh.
Police are investigating the incident that happen along Nebraska Street near W. 16th Avenue around 12:30 a.m.
The victim was struck in the back of the head and was asked to give up his money.
When the victim refused, he was hit in the back of the head for a second time and gave up an undisclosed about of cash.
The suspect is described as a black male with dark clothing and may have gotten away in a vehicle after running from the scene.
The victim received minor injuries.
If you have information about this incident, you're asked to call the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700.
ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ) - Two ten-year-old girls are trying to stomp out bullying.
Ireland and Isabella Kirkpatrick are running a lemonade stand, with all proceeds going to bullying-awareness organization 'Stand for the Silent.'
Ireland explains how they learned about the cause.
"My mom donates $20 every month to Stand for the Silent, and then she was telling us about what they do to tell all the kids that their son lost his life to suicide."
Stand for the Silent was founded by Kirk and Laura Smalley of Oklahoma, whose 11-year-old son Ty committed suicide after being bullied.
The Smalleys now travel the country, visiting schools to discuss the matter with students.
Ireland and Isabella hope to raise enough money to bring the Smalleys to the Green Bay Area Public School District.
The former notes why the cause is important to her an her sister.
"Because my brother got bullied in elementary and middle school."
The girls' mother, Tracy Kirkpatrick, says her daughters' charitable initiative didn't come as a surprise.
"If they see any kind of a stand that needs donations or anyone on the side of the road that's asking for donations, they make me pull over, and I have to donate money, regardless of the amount. They have to help everyone that they see that needs it."
In addition to running the lemonade stand, Tracy says her daughters have recently donated weekly allowances to the charity.
Local law enforcement is also helping the cause.
Both the Brown County Sheriff's Office and Allouez Police Department have promoted the stand on social media and have officers sporadically dropping by to support the effort.
Sheriff's Deputy Jason Vogel notes bullying has been on the rise in recent years.
"Now you have Facebook, you have all this internet. We see a lot of those complaints now."
The stand is located at 600 Sunrise Lane in Allouez and runs from 8 am to 4 pm both Friday and Saturday.
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Outagamie County's number-two prosecutor is looking to take over the top job.
Deputy District Attorney Mindy Tempelis says she is applying for the DA position, after working in the office since 2003.
Governor Walker has appointed current District Attorney Carrie Schneider to be the county's next judge.
Walker is accepting applications through July 28.
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - A free concert will kick off the Packers' opening weekend festivities.
Everclear and Blues Traveler will headline the free September 8 show outside Lambeau Field.
Music starts at 5 pm, with the new Johnsonville Tailgate Village opening two hours prior.
Food and drinks will be available until 9 pm.
Team officials say people can park for free on the west side of the stadium grounds.
The Packers begin their 2017 regular season campaign hosting Seattle on September 9.
That day, the Johnsonville Tailgate Village opens at 11:25 am and gates open at 1:25 pm.
Kickoff is set for 3:25 pm.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Another snag in the plans for the estimated $93 million dollar proposed expo hall in Ashwaubenon.
On Friday, Green Bay's Redevelopment Authority voted against the amended and restated cooperation agreement regarding room tax revenue in a 4-2 vote.
"This is a blow to what the county and the municipalities of the room tax commission have been working on for weeks," said Brown County Deputy Executive Jeff Flynt.
Flynt explains one of the reasons why it was not approved.
"The RDA, members on that committee, believed that their way a way to get more money for the city out of that, what they termed a better deal than what was presented to them," said Flynt.
Other hang-ups the authority had, according to Flynt, include the estimated cost of the expo center and the disparity and projected numbers of room tax collections in where the money would go. Members were also concerned how much revenue Green Bay would receive.
While the room tax agreement moves on, one option the Brown County Board could do is decouple the sales and room tax plans so Friday's vote doesn't jeopardize the County's Debt Reduction, Infrastructure, and Property Tax Cut Plan.
Other municipalities that still need to vote on the same agreement include, Suamico, De Pere, Howard, Allouez, Ashwaubenon and Bellevue.
The Village of Suamico will vote Monday night at 7p.m.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A motorcyclist has been taken the hospital with unknown injuries after colliding with a car in the City of Oshkosh.
Police say it happened around 1:45 pm Friday on South Koeller Street near the Target store.
Investigators said the road would likely be closed for several hours.
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay couple has been charged with committing multiple crimes while leaving their children unsupervised in public.
34-year-old Gustavo Cantu faces 13 criminal charges, including counts of Possession of Narcotics, Retail Theft, and Child Neglect.
35-year-old Nicole Twocrow is charged with seven similar criminal counts.
According to the criminal complaint, Green Bay Police found the pair passed out in a vehicle that was parked in a lot on Walnut and Chestnut streets at around 3:15 pm Tuesday.
Officers say the couple appeared to have overdosed on heroin and claim there were several capped needles in the vehicle.
Cantu allegedly woke up, was uncooperative, and was tazed by officers after multiple attempts to flee.
Twocrow reportedly did not wake up, prompting officers to administer Narcan, the drug that is known to counteract the effects of an opiate overdose.
Both were checked at the hospital before being taken to the Brown County Jail.
Less than one hour before the two were taken into custody, officers received a report of a retail theft from the West Mason Street Walmart store.
Store officials say a man and a woman put a $400 laptop computer in a white bag and walked out of the store without paying for the item.
Investigators say Twocrow's vehicle matched the description of the one tied to the crime.
Furthermore, officers say they found a white bag in the couple's vehicle, although the computer was not located.
After Cantu and Twocrow were taken into custody, officers learned that their three children, ages 7, 13, and 14, were left unsupervised at city parks.
Police located two of the kids at Eisenhower Park, while the other was found at Joanne's Park.
One of the children reportedly told officers that their parents would leave the family's apartment on a near daily basis, telling the kids to play at the parks or fend for themselves.
Bond has been set at $10,000 cash for Cantu and $5,000 for Twocrow.
Cantu has a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 21 while Twocrow's adjourned initial appearance is set for July 27.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton Police is looking for those responsible for spray painting graffiti throughout the city's south side.
Sergeant Dave Lund says the letters 'KOZ' have shown up on several public and private properties this week.
Lund notes it's inconveniencing many residents, since city ordinance states any graffiti needs to be gone within 48 hours.
"We need to go back to them and tell them they need to remove the graffiti from their property, even though they weren't responsible for that."
While much of the graffiti has been removed, some remains in the Woodland Park area.
Anyone with information should call the Appleton Police Department at 920-832-5500.
FOND DU LAC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities responded to an accident overnight that shut down a portion of Highway 151.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation the closure affected the southbound lanes at Hazel Lane for several hours.
It's not known if there were any injuries.
All lanes are back open.
OAKFIELD, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office says a St. Cloud woman is dead after a crash shut down a section of Highway 151 early Saturday morning after she was traveling in the wrong lane.
The Sheriff’s office says the northbound vehicle, driven by the 27-year-old Minnesota woman, was traveling at a high rate of speed and hit a southbound vehicle driven by an 18-year-old woman, from the Waupun area, on Highway 151 and Hazel Lane in the town of Oakfield at 12:36 a.m.
The St. Cloud woman was airlifted to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
The 18-year-old driver was taken by ambulance to the hospital where she was treated and released.
The sheriff’s office says speed and alcohol were factors in this incident.
No names have been released.
WASHINGTON ISLAND, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Two people were able to walk away from a plane crash Saturday morning on Washington Island.
Officials say a 4-seater Mooney airplane came in low and slow into the airport around 11 a.m.
That's when it caught an air pocket and crashed just beyond the runway behind a row of trees.
Authorities say there were only 2 people on board and they received minor injuries and were treated on scene.
The plane is a total loss.
The Door County Sheriff’s Office says it will not be releasing any further information until Monday.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Oshkosh Corporation is celebrating 100 years in business.
The company hosted a parade Saturday which featured more than 60 historical and modern vehicles from the company's history.
That included its first four-wheel-drive truck built in 1917.
The parade also featured members of the UW Marching Band.
One employee says it's amazing to see how far the company has come.
"It's no small feat to get to a 100 years and to see how much it's grown and continues to grow. It's really proud to see not that they've done that but also the way they do it, they're very ethical and they do it for the right reasons," said Michael Paulsen with Oshkosh Corp. told FOX 11.
Oshkosh Corporation also hosted an open house which featured facility tours, product demonstrations and kids activities.
GREEN BAY (WTAQ-WLUK) -- A person standing on the city deck says a ship hit the Ray Nitschke Memorial Bridge, in Green Bay, Sunday afternoon.
The ship is called the Kaye E. Barker.
According to a person who was there, the ship was coming under the bridge and it a boat near the city deck. The person went on to say the boat did not stop, they heard a loud scraping noise, and the end of the boat hit a portion of the bridge.
The Barker is described by vesselfinder.com as a self-discharging bulk carrier built in 1952.
As of 4:34 p.m. the bridge is still up.
WTAQ has a call out to the Green Bay Police Department Marine Unit and will pass along more updates on the situation as soon as they become available.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Just as the streets of Green Bay need officers to enforce the law, the waterways of the Fox River need to be patrolled as well.
Captain Kevin Warych manages the Green Bay Police Department's Marine Unit and explains their main purpose is to provide public safety on the waterways.
"We want to make sure that people who enjoy the river in city of Green Bay have fun and have an enjoyable time doing so and we're out there to make sure people are following the laws," said Warych.
The specialty unit has 14 officers who are trained to operate the vessels.
Patrols along the river are not full-time and are sporadic throughout the week and weekends.
"It takes 2 officers to operate the boat and that's just for the safety of the officers because it's very difficult to navigate the boat and dock a boat," Warych explained.
The most frequent problems officers get called to along the river include speeding, wake zone and registration violations, and an occasional distress call.
Go for a patrol boat ride along the Fox River in the latest episode of Green Bay Crime by clicking on the video above.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - No access signs along Richmond Street in Appleton have been up since early June as a roundabout is being built at the intersection of Richmond and Northland Avenue.
However, the closure is causing quite the headache for residents who live off west Ridgeview Drive.
The residential street is being use as an undesignated detour for drivers.
Residents like Mike Erschnig tell WLUK traffic has been constant.
"You have to be real careful when you back out of your driveway, because cars are just speeding through here."
He says in addition to speeding, trucks and semi's are also passing through, what is normally a quiet street.
"We got trucks that can't find their way to the alley behind the shopping mall, and they're driving through here trying to find a way to turn away."
The Appleton Police Department issued a statement.
"The Appleton Police Department has increased patrols in the area and ask those who don't have a need to be in the area to take a different route to get to their destination by following the appropriate (posted) detours."
But some don't seem to mind the traffic.
"It really doesn't matter, it's just a little bit more than it was, it was just real quiet, but I know that in a of couple months it's going to change," said Elmer Marx, who lives in the neighborhood.
Marx said as they wait for the construction to wrap up, he has one request for drivers...
"Just be careful, keep the speed limit down."
Construction's expected to end Sept. 1.
