DODGE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 37-year-old Beaver Dam woman is dead after being struck by a vehicle.
Dodge County Sheriff's officials say she had stopped on Highway 151 in the Town of Calamus around 5:15 am to help two motorists involved in an earlier accident.
Authorities believe the pickup truck that struck the woman swerved to avoid hitting her parked vehicle.
The truck's driver was not injured.
WASHINGTON D.C. (WTAQ) - Wisconsin's senior Senator wants federal authorities to look into reports of tainted or substandard alcohol at Mexican resorts.
Senator Ron Johnson is calling for a State Department probe after recent reports said vacationing Americans had gotten sick after drinking the alcohol, including a 20-year-old Wisconsin woman whose body was pulled from a resort pool in January.
The State Department has issued a warning about the alcohol to tourists.
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WTAQ) - Another Democrat is showing interest in the party's 2018 nomination for governor.
Sheboygan businessman Kurt Kober has registered a campaign committee, saying he's still undecided about officially entering the race.
This move allows Kober to raise and spend money on a potential bid.
The Clorox Company director is at least the ninth Democrat to express interest in the state's top post.
State Representative Dana Wachs, businessman Andy Gronik, and political newcomer Bob Harlow are among those who have already announced candidacy.
State Senator Kathleen Vinehout, state Superintendent Tony Evers, and political activist Mike McCabe are among those exploring bids.
While he has not made an official announcement, Republican Governor Scott Walker is expected to seek a third term.
MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The leader of one of Wisconsin's largest municipalities says the Confederate memorials in his city are being removed.
Madison Mayor Paul Soglin defends taking the monuments from the Forest Hill Cemetery by calling the Civil War (quote) "a defense of the deplorable practice of slavery."
Many other American cities are doing the same following deadly confrontations at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Menominee Park Zoo officials say the Russian tortoise that was stolen last month has been returned.
Anastasia was found in her exercise pen early last week and is reportedly doing fine. Officials say she initially resisted eating after being found cold.
Russian tortoises prefer warm, dry climates.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - UW-Oshkosh's private fundraising foundation is reportedly filing for bankruptcy.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the foundation is filing a reorganization petition under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws, which its chairman says will protect the university's endowment and allow for restructuring.
Earlier this year, the foundation was facing $14,500,000 in debt.
That was after former Chancellor Richard Wells and his chief business officer allegedly funneled $11,000,000 from the university to the foundation to cover various real estate projects.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A third person has been taken into custody in connection with a July 27 shooting in Oshkosh.
Police say an 18-year-old Oshkosh man faces multiple charges of Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide and Armed Robbery, both as a party to a crime, for his role in the Hobbs Avenue incident.
Two other Oshkosh teenagers were arrested Wednesday.
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WTAQ) - Sheboygan Police has identified two suspects in connection with a Wednesday evening shooting.
Investigators say they are looking for 25-year-old Jihad McBee and 20-year-old Marcus McKee.
Officers say a 25-year-old man suffered non-life threatening injuries after being shot in the leg during a physical altercation in the 1200 block of South 19th Street.
They believe the three people involved in the incident likely knew each other.
McBee is described as 5'7", 150 pounds with brown eyes and short black hair.
McKee is described as 6'2", 190 pounds with short braided black hair.
Anyone with information about this incident or the suspects should call Sheboygan Police at (920) 459-3333.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Around ninety percent of cancer survivors report sleep quality problems.
HSHS St. Vincent Cancer Research Institute is hoping to help patients by offering a clinical trial that tests possible treatments for insomnia among those survivors.
Director of the institute, Christy Gilchrist, explains the three options available during the trial.
"One is yoga, and it's a very specific yoga, general health education, or the third group is non-medication thinking and behavior strategies," said Gilchrist.
Trial groups will consist of 15-20 people with classes lasting 4-8 weeks.
Gilchrist says there are certain criteria individuals have to meet to qualify.
"First they have to be diagnosed with a cancer. It can be any kind without the cancer spreading to other areas."
Individuals also need to have completed cancer surgery, chemo, or radiation therapy in the last 2-60 months.
"If we are able to answer that important question and be able to change the practice for all of our cancer patients in the future, I think it can have a really great impact," Gilchrist said.
For more information go to www.stvincenthospital.org.
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Plans to construct a new expo hall in Brown County are moving forward now that the necessary funding has been approved.
The county board voted Wednesday to use excess room tax funds from seven of its municipalities to largely cover a replacement for the Brown County Arena.
With all of the funding mechanisms in place to complete nine major county projects, including the new expo hall, Deputy Executive Jeff Flynt describes the next step.
"We have to notify the Wisconsin Department of Revenue that we will enact the half-percent sales tax on January 1, 2018."
The temporary, 72-month sales tax will cover part of the new $93,000,000 expo hall and the eight other projects, which include expanding the county jail and completing various road and bridge repairs.
Flynt says it's time to put things into motion.
"The real work begins now. A lot of the departments have to put together not only their capital improvement plans and be able to place those projects in their annual budget, but also develop timelines for when they want something built."
Flynt notes the goal is to have construction on the new 120,000 square foot expo hall 'significantly underway' by the 2020 construction season.
"Possibly start looking at (getting) requests for proposals and getting the architectural design study done in 2019."
The nine projects are expected to cost $225,000,000.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A 45-year-old man faces multiple criminal charges after prompting a lockdown at Oshkosh North High School.
Oshkosh Police tried to stop him Thursday afternoon after receiving word that he was involved in an incident in Neenah.
The man was believed to be armed with a handgun.
Officers say he parked in the school lot and fled.
He was taken into custody nearby and never entered the school.
The lockdown lasted about 30 minutes.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - UPDATE: Authorities say Rovick has been found safe.
*****
Police are looking for a missing 49-year-old Appleton man.
Investigators say Mark Rovick was last seen in his home around 8 pm Wednesday.
Rovick is described as 5'11", 175 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes, and both ears pierced.
He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, with a fish hook necklace, dark blue pants, glasses, and flip-flops.
Anyone with information should contact Appleton Police at 920-832-5526.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Local law enforcement is helping kids prepare for the coming school year.
Green Bay Police walked the city's streets Thursday, handing out backpacks filled with school supplies to students.
Officer Elizabeth Rocque says it's a chance to connect with the community.
"In that sense of just having that positive interaction. The kids appreciate that they will have supplies and not everybody can afford to get backpacks for the school year."
The 50 backpacks given out were funded by a donation to the department.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Hundreds of law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin will be starting the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" initiative August 18 through September 4.
Green Bay Police Captain Kevin Warych says even though this campaign goes for 2 weeks, officers are always vigilant when it comes to combating drunk driving.
"This campaign just brings to light that this short time period of 2 weeks out of the 52 that we have is more of an educational campaign to let the community know that we are taking a proactive effort to stop impaired drivers," said Warych.
If you're feeling buzzed, you likely are over the 0.08 BAC limit and should not drive.
Warych has some common sense suggestions if you or someone you know is planning a night of drinking.
"Use a designated driver, use Uber, call a cab, have a family member pick him or her up," Warych said.
As for Green Bay, this campaign will be coupled with extra patrols on the streets.
Some taverns and restaurants have programs to provide patrons with a safe ride home. Visit www.tlw.org and click on Safe Ride.
Last year in Wisconsin, alcohol-related crashes resulted in 143 deaths and over 2,900 injuries.
DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The only way you'll usually see an alligator in Wisconsin is at the zoo.
That's exactly the reason Brown County brought a show of them to its fair.
“We try to always bring in a new animal act,” said Steve Corrigan, the president of the Brown County Fair Association, tells WLUK.
“Every year we change it and we always try to bring something that is not common in Wisconsin or Brown County.
David Castillo, of Kachunga and The Alligator Show, has been touring with gators for 28 years.
“We started taking the gators around to clear up myths and concerns. It kind of grew into a show that we produce now.”
The show is based on education, but is presented with entertainment.
“I liked it,” said Jessica Martin of Green Bay.
“It was really interesting. It was nice seeing something different in Green Bay.”
“What is good about it is if someone here plans on taking a trip down south, they know not to feed the gators, they know not to play with the babies, just basic awareness,” said Castillo.
There are four alligators with the show. People can hold one of two smaller gators and get their picture taken for $10.
The gator show is at the Brown County Fair through Sunday and runs three times each day.
APPLETON, WI (WRN) - Saturday is the 25th anniversary of a young Appleton woman’s disappearance, and investigators still don’t know what exactly happened.
Fox Crossing Police Spokesman Jason Weber says Laurie Depies has been missing longer than she was alive.
Weber says while there have been tips over the years but haven’t had enough information to find who’s guilty. He notes there have been multiple false confessions.
"Presumably it's for that notority or to get their 15 minutes of fame."
When it happened, the 20-year-old Depies was on her way to her boyfriend’s apartment from work at the Fox River Mall.
Police said her boyfriend and his friends heard her arrive but she never came inside.
Weber says police received tips through the years but still need to have more concrete evidence to close the case.
"It's frustrating. The investigator worked relentlessly on this over the course of his career. Unfortunately, he retired without having any resolution."
Convicted kidnapper Larry Hall claimed in 2011 that he was responsible, telling investigators that he abducted and killed Depies and disposed of the body.
His claim has never been corroborated.
Since the lead investigator retired, the case has been turned over to the Division of Criminal Investigation.
WAUPACA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 27-year-old Almond man died in a single-vehicle Waupaca County crash Thursday afternoon.
State Patrol officials say Cody Monnier was westbound on Crystal Lake Road when he lost control, went into a ditch, and struck a tree just east of Highway 22 around 2:25 pm.
Monnier died at the scene and is believed to have been wearing a seat belt.
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - A 44-year-old Fond du Lac woman has pleaded guilty to heroin trafficking charges.
Jody Wegener was one of 11 people arrested in a heroin operation bust that followed a two-year investigation, which ended with a routine traffic stop.
Officers say more than 100 grams of heroin were seized.
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 28-year-old Oshkosh woman has pleaded not guilty at arraignment on allegations that she hid a gun the night of a May officer-involved shooting in Appleton.
Dree Sullivan reportedly put Henry Nellum's gun under her car outside Jack's Apple Pub.
Appleton Police Lieutenant Jay Steinke tried shooting Nellum but accidentally shot and killed bystander Jimmie Sanders.
Steinke has been cleared.
Nellum faces a felony murder charge for Sanders' death.
SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) - Ten handguns have been reported stolen from a Suamico business.
Investigators say surveillance video shows three suspects broke into Gus's Guns on Velp Avenue through a fortified window around 2 am Thursday.
Officers say the guns range from a .380 to a .45 caliber.
The suspects were reportedly driving a silver Saturn Ion from the mid-2000's.
Anyone with information should contact the Brown County Sheriff's Office at (920) 448-4264.
