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6 People, Including 3 Children, Hurt In Crash

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TOWN OF ELBA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Six people are in the hospital after a crash in the town of Elba just before 10 a.m. Saturday morning.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened at the intersection of State Highway 16/60 and County Highway TT.

As a 41-year-old Watertown man headed north on County Highway TT, officials say he did not stop at the stop sign.

The man crashed into a van driven by a 91-year-old man from Waukesha as he headed west on State Highway 16/60.

The Watertown man had a 36-year-old woman and three children ages 7, 5, and 3 in his van.

Officials say the driver was not hurt but his passengers were taken to the hospital.

The 36-year-old and the 5-year-old were taken to the hospital after being injured.

The Sheriff's Department says the 3 and 7-year-old children were flown to the hospital because they were badly hurt.

The Waukesha man had 70-year-old Waukesa woman in his van. Both were hurt and taken to a hospital.


Crash Sends Trio To The Hospital

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TOWN OF LEBANON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Three men were injured in a car crash overnight in the Township of Lebanon.

Crews responded around 2:41 a.m. in Dodge County.

The driver was approaching a curve at the intersection of County Truck Highway SC.

After failing to maneuver the curve, the vehicle went off the road and overturned before striking a utility pole.

A 20-year-old passenger from Colorado was ejected from the vehicle and transported to Watertown Hospital.

He was later transferred to UW-Hospital in Madison with serious injuries.

Another 45-year-old man from Minnesota was taken out of the vehicle and transported to Summit Hospital by helicopter with life threatening injuries.

The 27-year-old driver from Colorado received minor injuries and was transported to Watertown Hospital.

This crash remains under investigation by the Dodge County Crash Investigation Team.

Van Catches Fire in Green Bay

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A van caught fire in Green Bay Saturday afternoon.

Authorities say the driver noticed that the vehicle's air conditioning system stopped working.

Smoke then filled the van.

The driver was able to get the vehicle off the road at the corner of South Military Road and West Mason Street.

Crews arrived at the scene and quickly extinguished the blaze.

The driver was not injured.

Gas Leak Sends Four to Hospital

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Four people were taken to the hospital after a gas leak at a Green Bay business.

Crews were called to Alorica, 301 North Adams Street, at 10:54 am Sunday for the smell of gas.

People were evacuating the building as first responders arrived on scene.

They were met with a strong odor of natural gas upon entry, but fire department meters did not show explosive levels.

Gas service to the building was shut off, and the facility was allowed to ventilate.  

A total of seven Alorica employees were evaluated for headaches and nausea.

WPS arrived on scene and found no initial readings on their gas meters.

Gas service was restored to the building to replicate the leak.

They discovered unburned gas was allowed to flow thanks to a cooking appliance inside KoKo's Restaurant that was operating with its pilot out.

The flow was stopped, and people were allowed to return.

 

Razing Beginning on Titletown Area Houses

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Another step in the Titletown District project is getting underway.

The Packers plan to begin razing 17 homes Monday.

Officials say the involved properties are 16 houses along Brookwood Drive and one house on South Ridge Road.

The team plans to initially use that land for parking but eventually wants to build 70 town homes along both sides of the road.

The razing process is expected to take three or four weeks.

 

WATCH: Heroin Court Saves Lives

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - It's an alternative to incarceration for individuals who have been convicted of a crime related to heroin or opiate use.

Brown County heroin court started 3 years ago with its first participant in March of 2015.

Since then, 43 people have taken part in the program with 11 graduates to date.

Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh says heroin in not only a huge problem in Wisconsin but in Brown County.

The mission of the drug court is to help individuals recover from addiction of opiates while reducing overcrowding at area prisons and jails.

The treatment court consists of five phases and typically takes 18-20 months to complete.

"Initially, in the first phase, we meet with them every single week in court. They have to come in and see me. They also meet with our staff throughout the week. Our staff includes probation agents and a case manager. Every week on Friday's the entire heroin court meets to talk about how the individuals have done that week," explained Walsh.

After 30 days in the program, court participants meet with the judge every other week.

The program allows people to continue working and living productive lives while seeking the treatment they need. Green Bay Police Captain John Laux is a member of the heroin court team but that wasn't always the case.

"There was a time in my career, I was over in the drug task force and I hunted these people...These were the people I wanted to put in jail and wanted to put away for a long time."

Laux says it was a difficult transition and he found it hard to get excited for the drug addicts.

But that changed over time. He now sees it as a substitute for jail time.

"I really bought into the program and I really think it's a great opportunity for this community. A great opportunity for not only law enforcement but for probation and parole, for the jail system, prison system," said Laux.

***A Changed Life 

Friday, July 28, 2017 was a big day for Russell LaRock. That was the day all his hard work and efforts paid off as he graduated Brown County heroin court.

It took him 15 months to complete the program and create a new life that he's proud of.

He says there's no going back to his old ways.

"I got my license back, I started a family, I now have a 5 1/2 month old daughter, I am engaged, I got my own place, bought a new vehicle," said LaRock.

LaRock's future is an open book with so much promise. None of it would have been possible without participating in heroin court.

Life wasn't always smooth for LaRock.

"Back in March of 2016, I was sentenced for a crime where I was going to go to prison 3 years and then I was going to spend 5 years on probation. I would have had to a total of 8 years," explained LaRock. "It was either go to prison or take the program."

So, he took the program and he made it to the other side.

"Without the help and support of everyone in this program and my family and friends, none of this would have happened," LaRock said.

As for the future, he continues to work full-time and looks forward waking up every morning and being with his daughter.

"I look forward to paying bills just like a normal citizen."

Which is much more than most people can say.

President Trump recently called the opioid epidemic a "national emergency" and ordered action to battle against the epidemic.

Watch more my clicking on the full episode of Green Bay Crime above. 

Getting Back into a School Routine

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Most kids will be heading back to school in less than a month and that means earlier bedtimes and new routines.

Dr. Amy Romandine-Kratz, primary care sports medicine physician at Prevea, says now is the perfect time to start implementing new habits.

"Get started now and slowly start to adjust kids to getting back into a routine, their school bedtime, their regular wake-up time for school and the first day will be a lot less stressful in easier to get them going," said Romandine-Kratz.

She says it's important to start bedtimes two weeks before school starts so kids will have time to adjust.

Doctors recommend 9-11 hours of sleep for kids 6-13 years of age

Teenagers should be getting 8-10 hours per night.

Anxiety is also common among kids when starting a new school or grade.

Romandine-Kratz has suggestions on combating those fears.

"Most schools will have open houses. Make sure your kiddos know where they're going. There's usually opportunities to meet teachers. Go over your safety plans with them incase you get home late from work."

Another thing parents might not thing about is your child's caffeine intake.

"Especially after lunchtime because that's going to be affecting their sleep. It can be in your system for 8+ hours," Romandine-Kratz said. Find more back to school tips at www.prevea.com.

New Welcome To Green Bay Sign Greets Visitors

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A state-of- the-art entrance sign has been installed at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB).

The sign incorporates GRB’s new logo and is illuminated at night and is visible to those entering and leaving the airport.

“We haven’t had an entrance sign at the airport prior to this,” stated Brown County ExecutiveTroy Streckenbach.

“We wanted a way to welcome visitors to our airport and to thank those same travelers as they are leaving. We appreciate everyone who chooses to support the airportand our economy by flying local.”

Airport Director Tom Miller says the new sign also includes an electronic message board.

"The message board capability will be valuable in so many ways; especially when we need to alerttravelers about changing travel conditions or parking and traffic changes.”

The sign was selected through a competitive RFP process (request for proposals).

Creative Sign Company of De Pere, WI was awarded the work, designing producing and installing the sign.


Authorities Seek Child Enticement Suspect

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WALDO, WI (WTAQ) - Sheboygan County Sheriff's officials are looking for a suspect in a Waldo-area child enticement case.  

Investigators say the person of interest is a heavy set white male in his mid 40's or early 50's.  

He is balding, wears glasses, and was last seen driving a dark colored Jeep SUV style vehicle with a loud exhaust.  

The suspect may have ties to both the Waldo area and Tennessee.

Anyone with information should call the Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office at 920-459-3112 or Crimestoppers at 800-283-8436.

Arrest Made in Connection with Shooting

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BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a weekend shooting in Green Bay.

Brown County Jail records indicate Martin Hernandez-Leon on three counts, including party to the crime of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and armed robbery.

Investigators do not believe Hernandez-Leon is the shooter and say the search for that person is ongoing.

Charges had not been filed against Hernandez-Leon at last word, but he could make a court appearance as early as Monday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Green Bay Police at (920) 448-3208 or Crimestoppers at (920) 432-7867.

 

Wrongful Death Suit Filed in Fatal Crash

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SHAWANO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A civil wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the driver in a fatal 2014 crash.  

The parents of two teens killed in the Shawano County accident have filed the suit against 20-year-old Ryan Swadner of Clintonville, as well as his mother and stepfather. 

Three teens died when Swadner reportedly struck an SUV on the way to a drug deal.  

The four-page lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, claiming Swadner's actions were negligent.

A criminal trial is scheduled to start October 9.  

No court dates have been scheduled in the civil matter.  

Former Officer Enters Forgery Plea

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BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A former Green Bay Police officer has pleaded not guilty at arraignment on charges that he forged his ex-wife's signature.  

Michael Jeanquart allegedly signed her name on the title of their vehicle, which she told him not to do.

A status conference is scheduled for September 12.    

Skating Rink Closing its Doors

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay skating rink will soon close its doors.  

St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church took to social media over the weekend to make that announcement.  

Deacon Paul Umentum says it's due to more than just the insurance reasons cited on Facebook.

"To operate it, we need 10-15 volunteers every time it opens.  Lately, it's been hard for us to get those volunteers."

Umentum says the rink will still be used by the associated school.

"The gymnasium is used by the school anyways for basketball and soccer, so roller skating would just be another activity they could do during the school day."

David Barrette is a former manager's son, saying he spent plenty of time at the rink growing up.

"Teens used to skate on Friday and Saturday nights.  Family skate on Sunday afternoons, it was a big deal for the community."

Barrette wishes the rink's legacy could live on.

"It's something that should be handed down from the years going on through, but it's just a very different kind of world now.

No word on when a final skate will take place. 

Taking A Stand Against Bigotry And Hate

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STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - After seeing what happened in Charlottesville, members of Indivisible Door County gathered Monday night, hoping to send a message to their area.

Lynn Olson of Ellison Bay spoke to WLUK

"I don't think there is any part of our country that is free of this. Our entire country, we've got a lot of learning to do."

Indivisible Door County formed at the beginning of this year. It meets regularly on issues that deal with liberty, justice, and freedom for all.

Karon Winzenz of Jacksonport. says members took quick action to coordinate a silent vigil after this weekend's violence.

"We're supporting black people and their right to an equal life.”

"It was scary when I saw people marching with the torches,” said Paula Christensen of Sister Bay.

“They used to put white covers on their faces and now they are so emboldened that they're not even doing that."

Since last summer, Christensen and many others at the vigil started researching and discussing racism and white supremacy through The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County.

"It's humbling. It's scary. It's embarrassing that I didn't know. I'm in my 60s. I didn't know anything that I've been learning about racism and how I've allowed it to happen."

Christensen and her friends hope the silent vigil will influence others in their community to learn about the issue as well.

"This is not the 1960s,” said Olson.

“This is 2017 and we're better than that. Really, we learned from those experiences. We should be well beyond this insanity that is going on right now."

A vigil was also held in Appleton last night. Another is planned in Green Bay this evening.

Help Wanted Sign Still Out

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - It's a busy week as Green Bay Area Public District administrators continue their search for teachers.

Chief Human Resources Officer Jean Marsch tells WLUK the district is focusing on filling 26 open classroom positions.

"We've been having interviews almost everyday, almost every hour of the day actually. The hard to fill positions are special-ed and bilingual."

Marsch said Washington Middle School has six open classroom positions.

According to the Wisconsin Education Career Access Network, the middle school has the highest open classroom positions.

But Marsch isn't alarmed.

"We've made progress in just the last week. They've had six open positions but we're doing interviews today and the rest of the week and I do feel confident that we'll fill them."

One position needed to be filled includes a former Washington Middle School teacher who resigned in June, citing safety issues. Since then, the district has been working to make changes at the school.

Marsch said teachers typically leave the district because of family reasons or to get a job closer to their homes.

"Our turnover is relatively low. It's about 6.7% overall district wide, which is considered quite low."

Scott Ashmann works at UW-Green Bay. He says overall, fewer people are entering education programs.

"I know overall the education program across the U-W system is down 25% from where it was just a few years ago."

Marsch said there's still time to fill the open positions in Green Bay.

"If we can't find a position, and I'm confident we will, we have other qualified teachers that can fill them until we find a qualified teacher to take that position."

The Green Bay Area Public School District employs around 1,800 teachers.


Car Collides With House

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MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - Manitowoc Police are on the lookout for a car and driver after an overnight accident.

Police say a car hit a house shortly after 1 a.m. this morning in the 1400 block of Hubbard Circle.

The homeowner describes an older model, four door car with a silver bumper struck the garage door.

That door along with a wall on the garage door was damaged.

Police say the car should have front end damage and maybe damage to the back.

No one was injured.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Manitowoc Police Department at (920) 686-6551.

Officer Sought Seven Figure Payout

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A former Green Bay Police officer wants the city to pay him $1,300,000 for disclosing his personnel records.

R. Casey Masiak claims the release has ruined his reputation and destroyed his career prospects.

The city denied the claim in June.

Police officials reportedly accepted Masiak's resignation and agreed to clear his personnel file of evidence that he was accused of harassing fellow officers.

Masiak is considering his next move.

Alleged Shooter Arrested

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police say they have arrested the suspected shooter in a weekend incident.

Lt. Jeffrey Brester says officers arrested 18-year-old Anthony J. Landron Monday, on the city's east side.

Landron has been taken into custody on charges of Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide, Armed Robbery, and Possession of Marijuana.  

Formal charges had not been filed at last word.

On Saturday, police responded to a home on Browning Road for a report of a person being shot. Police say the shooting was related to a drug deal.

The victim, a Green Bay resident, was treated for a non-life threatening single gunshot wound to the upper body.

Another person was also arrested in connection with the incident.

Brown County jail records indicate 18 year old Martin Hernandez-Leon was booked into the jail on three counts, including party to the crime of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and armed robbery.

No charges have been filed yet.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (920) 448-3208 or Crimestoppers at (920) 432-STOP.

Cats Being Removed from 'Hazardous' Home

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WASHINGTON ISLAND, WI (WTAQ) - Dozens of cats are being trapped and removed from a house on Washington Island.  

The Door County Humane Society says it is taking the animals since the home has been condemned as a human health hazard and is scheduled to be torn down Thursday.  

Officials say the cats living in and around the house are mostly feral and undomesticated.  

Neighbors are asked to leave the traps alone, and donations are being sought.   

Eclipse Tips for Wisconsinites

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MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - The first coast-to-coast solar eclipse since 1918 is less than one week away.

Al Peche is the director of Menasha's Barlow Planetarium.

"Here in Northeast Wisconsin, you'll see almost 80% of the disc of the sun blocked by the moon. During that time, you'll actually get to see the solar system move."  

Peche encourages people to purchase a pair of eclipse glasses for optimal viewing.

"Through the glasses, it will look like somebody took a really big bite out of the sun.  What part of the sun is showing when you're in Northeast Wisconsin will look like an upside-down smiley face."

Peche notes his facility is selling the glasses all this week at its box office for $4 per pair.  

"I was at an event where I had a telescope for looking at the sun, and I also had the eclipse glasses. I'll tell you, it wasn't even a competition.  The people looking through the glasses: it was much more interesting, it was much more personal."  

Peche notes there are multiple ways Wisconsinites can experience the first coast-to-coast solar eclipse since 1918.

"NASA is going to be broadcasting this thing completely across the United States.  If you're at a computer, if you're watching television, I'm sure it's going to be covered everywhere.  If you want to see it close up and see some spectacular things, NASA is actually even flying jets across the path."

Peche says there will be a viewing party with telescopes set up at Barlow.

He notes, as always, it is never safe to look direcly at the sun.

The eclipse runs Monday, August 21 from 11:50 am to 2:37 pm. 

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