GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Funds are now in place to move forward on a Nature Center expansion at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary. 

On Wednesday, KI CEO Dick Resch, presented a $750,000 check to the Friends of Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.

This final donation puts the "Natural Expansion" campaign over its $3,000,000 goal.

It was important to Resch that the project had full funding. He's says he's very fond of the sanctuary and has been taking his family there for years.

"This was a very good outing for the kids, for the family, and the price was right," said Resch.

Now that financing goal is met, the wheels can start turning on breaking ground and construction of the 12,800-square-foot Nature Center expansion.

The project will consist of 2 levels on the eastside of the current Nature Center.

The upper level will serve as a gathering area for school groups, wedding receptions, or conferences.

"The lower level will be our classrooms. That will be dedicated to all our environmental education programs, especially our nature based 4-year-old kindergarten," said Sanctuary Director, Mike Reed.

The kids program was the catalyst for the capital campaign.

The program has been so popular they've had to turn kids away because of the lack of space but with the expansion underway soon, that won't be a problem.

The Friends of the Wildlife Sanctuary hope to break ground yet his year on the project, with completion slated for next fall.

The center will be named in Dick Resch's honor.

KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ) - Children in the Fox Valley are helping other kids in their community.

Heart of the Valley YMCA Summer School program participants spent Wednesday assembling 'Buddy Bags.'

Those bags are kept in police cars to help comfort young children who either witnessed or were involved in a stressful situation.

Kaukauna Police Lieutenant Brad Sanderfoot says his department is partnering with the program this year.

"I think it's going to be a great program for us to participate in, the 'Buddy Bag.' It's a phenomenal event when we can show up at a possible crisis situation and be able to make that connection with kids, give them a 'Buddy Bag,' break that ice, hopefully make them feel a little bit better."

Each Buddy Bag contains a reading book, coloring book with crayons, and a stuffed animal.

SAN FRANCISCO, WI (WTAQ) - The Brewers fell to the San Francisco Giants Wednesday afternoon 4-2.

Things were tied at 1 until the 7th inning. That's when Milwaukee's bullpen woes continued.

Jacob Barnes surrendered 2 runs in the 7th inning. Carlos Torres would follow that by giving up another run in the 8th.

Starter Matt Garza tossed 5 innings and only allowed 1 earned run while striking out 6.

Travis Shaw provided the opening run for the Crew with an RBI double in the first inning off of Giants starter Matt Moore.

Stephen Vogt would tack on a pinch-hit home run in the 9th inning, but it was too little too late.

Brewers are off today before continuing their road trip out west.

They have a tough task ahead of them as they begin a weekend series with the best team in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers, on Friday night.

Pregame coverage will begin at 8:35 Friday night on WTAQ.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Green Bay Police Department is sharing results of a community survey it took about how residents feel about the department and crime in the community.

Officials said they wanted to measure perceptions of safety, crime throughout the community and the confidence community members have on the department.

When it comes to confidence in the department, police say about 79 percent of those who responded said they either strongly agreed, or at least agreed, that the Green Bay Police Department serves their needs.

And when it comes to the level of confidence, "Excellent" came in at 35 percent, "Good" 43 percent, "Fair" 15 percent, and "Poor" checked in at 5 percent.

When it comes to the types of crime that have the most concern, 80 percent said drug use and drug dealing are the biggest problems, followed by gang activity, theft, and domestic violence.

The survey shows the top minor problems are only separated by 5 points: graffiti, neighborhood disputes, vandalism, disturbances like loud music, and nuisance properties.

The department performed the survey itself over two weeks in July.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Phase one of the Packers' Titletown District is nearing completion, and neighbors say they are already dealing with traffic and parking issues.

Those concerns topped the agenda in a neighborhood meeting Wednesday night at the Ashwaubenon Community Center.

Linda Reising lives nearby and tells WLUK...

“I'm afraid for dogs, for children, and for those that are walking in the area. There is no reason for the buses to go that fast.”

Reising says traffic speed has increased on Brookwood Drive since businesses in the district have opened.

Neighbors like Paula Schneider expressed concerns that traffic and parking issues will grow along with the development.

“For what we were told last year by Mike Aubinger that the Packers are planning like 265 days at the Titletown District, our concern was where is everyone is going to park with all these.” Ashwaubenon Village President Mary Kardoskee called the neighborhood meeting. She says she's already brought concerns to the Packers and will continue to do so.

“They are very receptive to it. They want to be friendly, neighbor friendly. They like Lambeu Field in the neighborhood.”

Some in the area say they aren't taking any chances and are looking to move.

“We've done this,” said Schneider. “It's really not a family area anymore living across from there.”

While some people are looking to move out of the neighborhood, others are paying a premium to move in. According to Realtor.com, a house across the street from the Titletown District, on Blue Ridge Drive, sold last month for $385,000.

After the meeting, residents did say they felt the gathering was productive.

“The concerns that were addressed here tonight were dealt with,” said Reising. “We're looking forward to the next meeting.”

Kardoskee says the next meeting will likely be held at some point during the middle of Packers season.

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Anduzzis sports bar in Howard was damaged after a vehicle struck it Wednesday night.

It happened around 9 p.m.

Officials say a man got his foot stuck on accelerator. No one was injured and alcohol wasn't a factor.

The damage will be assessed today.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Former Packers running back Ahman Green pleaded not guilty today (Thursday) to one count of child abuse.

Green allegedly struck his 15-year-old daughter in the head in a dispute over household chores last month at his Green Bay area home.

The criminal complaint says Green told deputies he may have thrown his daughter to the floor.

He returns to court December 1st. No trial date has been set.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - A 64-year-old Fond du Lac man has been flown to the hospital with critical injuries following a two-vehicle accident.

Sheriff's officials say it happened Wednesday morning on Highway D, near Highway 151, in the Town of Fond du Lac.

Investigators believe the man's southbound vehicle struck a waste management truck that was backing out of a driveway.

They say the 64-year-old was not wearing a seat belt.

The 52-year-old Waupun man driving the truck was not injured.

A stretch of Highway D was closed for roughly three hours as investigators were on scene.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 38-year-old Wrightstown woman is heading to trial on charges that she did not feed her child.

Kimberly Fahrenkrug faces felony counts of First Degree Reckless Injury, Causing Mental Harm to a Child, First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Neglecting a Child, and False Imprisonment.

Fahrenkrug and her husband Bradley, who faces similar charges, were charged after doctors treated their five-year-old, 29 pound son.

Bradley Fahrenkrug reportedly told investigators that their adopted son tends to throw violent fits and occasionally refuses to eat.

He says they tried to get treatment for the boy and notes they have not had the same problem with their biological children.

Bradley Fahrenkrug is scheduled to enter a plea on October 2.

Kimberly Fahrenkrug, who has waived her preliminary hearing, will be arraigned October 19.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police officials are encouraged by the results of a recent community survey.  

Chief Andrew Smith says "87% of the citizens felt 'safe' or 'very safe' in their own neighborhood. Across the country, just about every chief would be happy to have that as a number for their community."

Smith also feels their relations with the public are paying off. 

"75% of the respondents said that they have either a 'positive' or a 'very positive' attitude toward the police department and how we're policing the community."  

Smith notes those two categories were the chief answers the department was looking to obtain during the survey, which was made available for a two-week stretch last month.

He says the majority of the 701 respondents were white residents.

"We got very little feedback from our African-American community here in Green Bay.  It tells me we need to do a better job of reaching out to that community and making sure that we're engaging with them fully."

Smith hopes to add to the department's current efforts to bolster relations with African-Americans, which include having a presence at the Divine Temple Church of God in Christ and organizing 'Bring-Your-Own-Five' basketball events.

He hopes to also address the matter through some of the expected 20 new officers that will be brought in by January 1.

"We're really trying to recruit qualified members of minority communities and women."

Smith notes more females responded to the survey than males, with residents between the ages of 55-64 having the heaviest participation.

The chief says the results have been shared with the department's roster and notes a follow-up survey will likely be sent out within the next two years to see if any improvements that are made prove to be effective.

TIGERTON, WI (WTAQ) - A missing 16-year-old Tigerton boy has been located in Indiana.  

Andrew Robinson was found in Fort Wayne earlier today, sleeping in the truck he took from his father.

Robinson was reported missing August 9 after not showing up for football practice.    

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - "Nerves" were a common theme Thursday as hundreds of new freshmen started filling their dorm rooms at St. Norbert College in De Pere.

The campus was buzzing with new faces and plenty of help from faculty, staff and administrators, helping students get aquatinted with their new home.

Sophomore Naomy Garcia was part of the "Bruess Brigade," helping transport new students' belongings to the dorms.

"It's a big day; you're going to a new school. A lot of these people are coming from far away. Then you feel overwhelmed, making new friends, where you're going to live, you're on your own and then just having a bunch of friendly faces around you is super reassuring," said Garcia.

Freshman, Grace Johnson, is finding her way around. 

"I think I'm the most nervous about not being at home but I'm the most excited about new experiences and making new friends and kind of being on my own," said Johnson.

Another new face on campus is St. Norbert College President Brian Bruess.

Thursday was his first time welcoming students on campus since taking over for former St. Norbert President Thomas Kunkel.

Bruess has a unique perspective since he was a freshman at St. Norbert over 3 decades ago.

"31 years ago my mom and dad dropped me off on the steps of Burke Hall and my mom cried for 3 hours on the drive home to Monroe but the excitement and energy that new students and families bring to the campus is just palpable. These kinds of days are our favorite kinds of days on college campus," Bruess said.

Although new experiences can be scary, Bruess has a couple of tips for incoming freshmen.

"Do things that you love to do and try some things that you've never done. But the most important thing is to be engaged, to be involved, and know that these are the greatest years of your life, at least thus far," Bruess said.

Returning students move in on Friday.

Classes begin on Monday.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - An 18-year-old Green Bay man has been charged in connection with a police chase from earlier this week.  

Joseph Obert-Walton, who faces felony charges of Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety and Fleeing and Officer and one misdemeanor count of OWI Causing Injury, allegedly crashed his vehicle on I-43 southbound near Bellevue early Wednesday.

Investigators believe Obert-Walton was intoxicated at the time he lost control around a curve. 

Prosecutors say the pursuit began when a deputy saw Obert-Walton's vehicle swerving on Lineville Road.

Officers tried to stop Obert-Walton after he went through an intersection, but the 18-year-old reportedly sped off at speeds around 150 miles per hour.

Obert-Walton's passenger, an 18-year-old De Pere woman, was not ejected from the vehicle, allegedly told officers she pleaded him to pull over, and claims he consumed eight beers and numerous shots of liquor that night.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities have responded to a Grand Chute apartment for a report of a man and a woman arguing over a gun.

Officers were called Thursday afternoon to the 3000 block of West Fourth Street, east of Bluemound Drive.

The woman fled the building, but the man was still inside the complex with the gun, at last word.

Children from the affected unit, as well as those in all other units, have been evacuated.

Police say the facility allows access to all units through the basement, keeping officers from knowing where the man is located.

Officers' initial attempts to contact the man were unsuccessful.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - An iconic structure which towered eight stories over the old Mirro Aluminum Company in downtown Manitowoc came crumbling down Thursday morning.

It had been there almost 90 years.

Manitowoc's Wayne Dehne tells WLUK he had to come and watch..

"I used to work here, years ago, on the second floor."

Dehne says he had to see the building one last time.

"We seen the tower come down. Pretty awesome." Dismantling of the old Mirro Aluminum Company began back in June. The City of Manitwoc owns the five-acre site.

Manitowoc City Attorney Kathleen McDaniel.

"It's an open canvas into our historic downtown. We've been approached by a few developers about putting up a multi-use apartment building where there will be apartments on the second and third stories, and commercial on the front."

Once the tower was down, crews moved on to other parts of the factory. Project manager Dave Fowler expects demolition to be complete by around Labor Day.

"From then on, it's just consolidating the waste recycling, the metal that can be recycled, and removing all the other materials to the waste management facility in Whitelaw. Some of the recycling is going to Green Bay, and some I think to Illinois."

"We're really looking forward to seeing this come down. We really support all of our citizens who did great work there, but we're looking forward to see what's next for Manitowoc," says McDaniel.

The contractors have until October 10th to have the site cleared. The city hopes to move ahead with development plans, next year.

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - A bomb squad was called to downtown Shawano Friday morning. 

Police say a suspicious package was located outside the BMO Harris Bank on Main Street around 8:30 am.

It turned out the box contained pens.

Bank officials say packages are not typically left outside their door.

The scene was cleared late morning.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Misdemeanor drug charges have been filed against the suspect in a child sex assault case.  

Derek Gates of Clinton, Arkansas faces one count of Possessing THC.

Gates appeared in a Brown County courtroom last month after being arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting an 11-month-old girl, but formal charges have not been filed in that case.  

The $50,000 cash bond that was set on July 31 has been reduced to $250.

As of Friday morning, Gates was still being held in the Brown County Jail.

The District Attorney's Office says the child sex assault case remains open, with further work being done by the crime lab.

Gates is due back in court on the drug charge October 3. 

BLACK CREEK, WI (WTAQ) - One person has died from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash involving a squad car.  

The accident happened at 7:55 am in the Village of Black Creek.  

Outagamie County Sheriff's officials say Deputy Lynne James, a 26 year veteran of the force, was westbound on State Street, when she struck a southbound vehicle on Beech Street that blew a stop sign.  

A 94-year-old Seymour woman died at the hospital.  

The 70-year-old Seymour woman who was driving the southbound vehicle suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries.  

The two other passengers, a 76-year-old Seymour man and 18-year-old Seymour woman, sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Deputy James suffered minor injuries.  

All people involved were taken to local hospitals.

Wisconsin State Patrol is investigating the crash.

Sergeant Dan Diedrich notes "judging from our initial investigation, it looks like the speeds were somewhere around 30 miles an hour.  I'm not sure of the extent of the damage that was done to either vehicle."  

The accident closed that portion of road for three hours.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Authorities are on the lookout for 38-year-old Marcus Hayes of Grand Chute.

Police Captain Mike Belie says Hayes is suspected of triggering Thursday afternoon's standoff at an apartment in the 3000 block of West Fourth Street.

"When officers arrived there, they heard some yelling going on.  The female and two children exited the residence.  While (officers) were safely getting them away from the residence, we believe the suspect may have fled from the residence.  The number of officers we had there were primarily focused on removing the female and the two kids, so it's likely he took advantage of that and exited out of a different portion of the building." 

Despite coming up empty on locating Hayes, Belie notes officers did have some success when searching the complex.

"We have the weapon.  The gun was found inside of the residence." 

Police were originally called to the apartment for a dispute between a man and a woman, involving a gun.

Residents from adjacent units were also evacuated and were allowed back inside the building after more than four hours. 

Belie says "ultimately, we are seeking charges of domestic violence (against Hayes).  He's also got a warrant through a probation hold."

Authorities do not believe the public is in danger.

MENOMINEE, MI (WTAQ) - A military tribute was held Friday for a World War Two veteran who passed away 17 years ago.  

Army Technician Roger Anderson served in Europe and was held prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge.

He was buried without military honors.

Mary Croft of Sturgeon Bay is Anderson's daughter.

"He passed away January 1, 2000. And while we were having our luncheon after his funeral, that's when he was buried. And we didn't know that was happening."

Croft's family figured there would be a ceremony once the weather was nicer.

"I called the cemetery in the spring of 2000, to find out when he was going to be buried. And they said he had already been. So, for 17 years, this has bothered me."

Friday's ceremony included a rifle squad and a folded American flag being presented to the family.

One of the members of the seven-man rifle squad was Anderson's grandson, Sergeant Todd Capen.

"It's a great honor.  It's a good salute to my grandpa, the military honor that he deserves."  

About 20 family members and friends were on hand Friday.

Anderson lived in Menominee, Michigan before his passing.  He was married and worked at a produce company.