MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) - Eric Thames homered and drove in a pair of runs to help lead the Brewers past the Pirates 5-2 in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee starter Brent Suter lasted just three frames before six relievers mopped up the victory with six scoreless innings.

Jeremy Jeffress picked up the win and Corey Knebel notched his 35th save.

At 76-and-69, the Brewers sit two-and-a-half games out of first in the NL Central and four out of the second NL wild card spot.

Gerrit Cole struck out 10 in six innings, but surrendered five runs to fall to 11-and-10 with the loss for Pittsburgh.

The Pirates have dropped six-of-seven.

The two teams play again tonight...pre game show at 6:35, 1st pitch at 7:10. Catch the action of WTAQ.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - It could be as long as a year and a half before a redevelopment plan starts at Green Bay's East Town Mall.

A proposed development agreement for the East Town Mall plan states construction must begin before April 2019.

The mall's new owner, GBES Owner I LLC, wants to change East Town's traditional mall setup of interior store entrances to more of a strip mall layout.

There would be four mid-size retailers, including a sporting goods store and grocery store.

“They just want to make sure they can have these pieces in place in order to move forward, so I think they're just allowing for enough time,”

Kevin Vonck, the city’s economic development director, tells WLUK...

“There is no penalty if they wanted to do things sooner.”

The developer is still entertaining ideas for what to put in the old Budget Cinema spot.

The original plan was for Brown County to move its east branch library into the space. However, county leaders say that idea is no longer being considered.

“The theater is a tough space,” said Vonck.

“Look, a theater can really be reused as a theater. It doesn't have the great commercial frontage to Mason Street.”

The city and developer are looking at destination-type businesses to fill the space like a medical or education center.

The city's redevelopment authority passed East Town's development agreement. It includes a $1.5 million project grant from the city for environmental remediation. The city could pitch in more through tax incremental financing.

The city council is expected to vote on the agreement next week.

The development agreement calls for the property value to be $18 million upon the project’s completion.

The city’s current value for the property is $7.3 million. However, the owner contends the property’s value is about $3 million.

One a more positive note, the neighboring Cub Foods redevelopment project is progressing.

Construction work continues to turn the former grocery store building into a Ross Dress for Less, Marshalls, and PetSmart.

FOX CROSSING, WI (WTAQ) - A Fox Crossing police officer was taken to the hospital after being attacked.

The police officer was called to a home on Bartlein Court for a verbal disturbance over a dog around 6 Tuesday night .

Police say that resident locked herself in her bedroom and the suspect punched his way in.

Police say the suspect attacked the woman and began strangling her. The officer found a 17-year-old male with hand injuries.

Police say the teen then became more agitated.

As the officer approached, police say the suspect punched the officer several times in the head.

The officer was able to get the teen on the ground and activate an emergency button on his radio.

Several neighbors were outside and saw the struggle. They ran over to help get the suspect in handcuffs.

The officer has several facial injuries and has been released from the hospital.

The 17-year-old is facing several charges including strangulation and battery.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - UPDATE: Officers have identified the 68-year-old Appleton man who died in the crash as Charles Baxtrom.

***

One person has died in a Tuesday morning plane crash in Winnebago County.  

Sheriff's officials say the 68-year-old Appleton man was the only person in the aircraft.  

The crash happened around 8:30 am in a Town of Vinland field on Highway G, east of Highway T .  

No further information, including the person's name and the cause of the crash, has been released.

The Federal Aviation Administration has been called in to investigate.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police is investigating reports of a gun going off on the city's east side.  

Officers say it happened near the corner of Webster Avenue and Pine Street shortly before 11 am Wednesday.  

Investigators believe a group of men where arguing when the gun was fired.  

The men reportedly left the scene in two separate vehicles.  

The intersection was blocked off for roughly two hours while officers were on scene.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton Police is looking for the two men responsible for an armed robbery at Capitol Credit Union, 2009 East Calumet Street.  

Investigators say the masked suspects robbed the financial institution at gunpoint at 12:18 pm Wednesday, before taking off in a gray 2008 Pontiac G6, Wisconsin plate 646-XVV.  

Both suspects are described as black males who were armed with black handguns. 

One was estimated at 6'2", 200 pounds and was wearing a blue sweatshirt and red sweatpants.

The other is described as being 5'8" with a medium build and wearing dark clothing.

An Appleton officer saw a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle's description heading north on Highway 441 about 10 minutes after the incident was reported.

While plans were being finalized to conduct a high-risk traffic stop, officers say it was called off after the suspect vehicle recklessly fled at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle was last seen on Holland Road, near Highway JJ.

Three area schools, East High, Horizons Elementary, and McKinley Elementary, were put on a precautionary lockdown, which has since been lifted.

Investigators ask anyone with information to call Sergeant Jackie Gleiss at 920-832-5516 and urge anyone who encounters the suspects not to attempt to detain them.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin Public Service is doing its part to help those who have lost power in the southeastern part of the country.

Spokesman Matt Cullen notes "we're providing more than 20 employees to assist in restoring power to areas that have been impacted by Hurricane Irma."

Those line electricians left Ashwaubenon Wednesday and will likely be gone for at least two weeks.

"Our crews right now are headed to the Atlanta area to assist Georgia Power with their restoration efforts."

Cullen notes those crews will help remove trees and debris as well as replace broken power poles.

He describes the general feeling around the workers before they took off.

"There's an overwhelming sense of pride in the fact that they're being requested to help restore power to these areas where there are hundreds of thousands of customers that are currently without power." 

Cullen says WPS also released 75 contract workers from their scheduled assignments so they could travel south last week.

He notes this is all part of an effort by Wisconsin Energy Corporation, which is the parent company of both WPS and WE Energies.

"Between the two companies, we've actually sent more than 220 contract employees as well as internal employees to assist with those restoration efforts."

Cullen assures sending the employees will not affect WPS's ability to provide service to its customers.

HORTONVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Wisconsin Department of Justice is assisting with a death investigation in Hortonville.

The investigation is focused on an apartment building at 307 Lakeview Avenue.

Wednesday morning just before 11:30, the Hortonville Police Department, Hortonville/Hortonia EMS, and Gold Cross Ambulance were dispatched for a medical incident.

Once they arrived, Officers found a woman at the residence that appeared to be deceased.

Due to concerns about the scene, the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations was contacted to assist.

A DOJ spokesperson says officers do not believe there is any threat to the public.

MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) - The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-2 Wednesday night.

Outfielder Brett Phillips went 2-4 with 3 RBIs in the victory. Eric Thames also hit his 30th home run.

Chase Anderson tossed 5 and one-thirds innings, surrendered the 2 Pittsburgh runs, and struck out 2.

5 Milwaukee relievers combined for 3 and two-thirds innings pitched, while striking out 2 and did not allow any runs.

The Brewers remain 2 and a half games behind the Chicago Cubs for the NL Central lead...and 3 games behind the Colorado Rockies for the second NL Wild Card.

Milwaukee is off today before beginning weekend series with the Miami Marlins on Friday.

The series has been moved to Milwaukee because of the damage from Hurricane Irma in Florida.

Pregame coverage on Friday begins at 6:35 on WTAQ.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - There is growing concern that stalled construction work at Green Bay's Hotel Northland is at risk of being damaged.

Rhonda Sitnikau, a former city council candidate, tells WLUK she's noticed.

“I normally walk my dog past the hotel and I see at any given time, open windows on a regular basis.”

Sitnikau has been taking pictures of open windows at the Northland ever since financing issues shut down renovation work in June.

She says an upper level window on the building, which was open Wednesday evening, has been that way for at least the last two weeks.

“There has been some controversy, so I've just been watching and paying attention.”

“We've had other reports of windows being opened,” said Kevin Vonck, the city’s economic development director.

“We forwarded them on to get them closed. If there is still one on, we will follow up and make sure that gets closed.”

Vonck believes any security issues were taken care of last month after teenagers were arrested for entering the hotel through a parking ramp entrance.

Vonck says except for emergencies, Hotel Northland owner Keith Harenda is the only person with access to the building.

Harenda has been unable to properly finance renovation work, and a judge is expected to strip him of decision making powers in the project next month.

The hotel is in receivership; which city officials consider a better alternative than bankruptcy.

A judge is expected to select a receiver to take over decision making for the project on October 3rd.

“We at city staff, public works, our police department are making sure to keep an eye on the building to make sure it does stay secure,” said Vonck.

While the building might be secure from intruders, the city's historic preservation commission is worried it’s not protected from winter.

The power at the venerable Hotel Northland has been off for months.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Investigators have determined what was inside a suspicious package that prompted the evacuation of an NWTC dorm and neighboring business.  

Authorities say the small bottle with exposed wires contained part of an old phone line.  

Tuesday's evacuation lasted roughly 90 minutes.    

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Police continue to investigate a bomb threat at Oshkosh West High School.

Students and staff were evacuated from the building at 10:52 am Thursday.

A thorough search of the school is being conducted.  

While authorities initially hoped students could return to the building around 12:40 pm, afternoon classes have now been canceled as a precautionary measure.

Assuming the all-clear is given, officials hope all after-school activities will go on as planned.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Charges have been filed against the 17-year-old Menasha resident accused of attacking a Fox Crossing Police officer who responded to a verbal disturbance complaint at his house Tuesday.

Devin Deadmond faces felony charges of Battery to a Law Enforcement Officer, as well as Strangulation and Suffocation, for allegedly attacking a woman who lives in the home.

Deadmond is expected to make an initial appearance this afternoon.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A group of local students is stepping up to help victims of Hurricane Irma.

The Appleton North High School students, who are part of an internship-like makreting program with Willems Marketing in Appleton, are collecting various necessity items and cash donations to send to people in Naples, Florida.

They are looking for: water, non-perishable food items, Clorox/wet wipes, bug spray, flash lights and laterns with batteries, battery operated fans, solar phone chargers, pillows/blankets/sheets, first aid kids, garbage bags, coolers, bleach, diapers, baby food, power strips, baby formula, pitchers with water filters, light bulbs, batteries, screen tents/bug netting, tarps, toiletry items, and car USB chargers.

The collection runs from Friday through Tuesday, with the option to drop items off outside the Lightning Bolt School Store at Appleton North or at the Pathways Church on either Saturday from 10 am-6 pm or Sunday from 8:30 am-6 pm.  

Students are looking to fill a semi truck that can be driven down to Naples in the near future.

The student spearheading the effort, Molly Brinkhoff, says the cause hits home.

"I'm actually from Naples, Florida originally, so I was just seeing all of the devistation on Facebook, and I wanted to help any way I could."

Since most local relief efforts have been organized by large organizations, Brinkhoff notes the community reaction to these students stepping up to the plate.

"Everyone is just kind of really shocked that this is a group of high schoolers that has been able to pull this off and that we've came as far as we have."

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Ground has been broken for a new recreation center on the UW-Oshkosh campus.

The four acre-facility will include synthetic turf and lights.

A dome will cover the turf so both students and sports clubs can take part in outdoor activities year-round.

Student Recreation Director Nathan Scott says "this is a huge opportunity for them to have recreation space in the heart of campus that is safe and secure.  It's going to greatly expand the number of opportunities that our students can have."  

Student fees will cover much of the $7,000,000 cost.

School officials hope construction will wrap up by the spring.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - What has four legs, whiskers and tends to come out at night? Rats. Joy Glass lives in the Fisk Addition neighborhood and she's not happy about it.

"We caught several rats," said Glass.

"These burrows underneath our shed were from the rats," she said.

As for the size of the rat, Glass says she found one that was at least 14 inches long.

Glass is the president of the Fisk Addition Neighborhood Association and says within the last two weeks, she's received a dozen complaints about rats from people in her neighborhood.

She adds, rats can also be found in other neighborhoods.

"We suggested that we have a neighborhood-wide meeting with all of the neighborhoods of the west side," she said. 

Glass also contacted Alderman Mark Steuer. The two are working together to inform neighbors and offer ways to prevent rats from calling your home, their home.

"Rats are looking for food, shelter and water. We had issues where people had bird feeders, maybe eight to ten bird feeders up and there was a lot of food available. There were wood piles in the backyard," said Mark Steuer.

The city inspector's office says continues to follow up on rat complaints and adds, if you notice any burrowing along a garage and shed set traps and bring bird feeders inside at night.

The Centers for Disease Control says rats and mice spread over 35 diseases worldwide.

Some of the ways to prevent them include:

Seal any holes inside and outside the home, trap rodents around the home to help reduce the rodent population, and clean up rodent food sources and nesting sites.

If you think rats are becoming and issue in your neighborhood, contact Eric Crummy, the neighborhood compliance inspector for the city, at 920-448-3306 or email him at ericcr@greenbaywi.gov.

GREEN BAY, WI (WLUK) - Green Bay police are investigating a shooting on the city’s near west side.

The shooting happened around 10:30 last night. 

Police say they found shell casings and bullet holes at 846 South Maple Street.

At least 7 shots were fired.

No one was hurt and police are looking for a suspect. Police also say this was not a random act.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The International Association of Chiefs of Police honors Green Bay Police Captain Kevin Warych with its "40 under 40" Award.

It recognizes 40 people in the profession, under the age of 40, who demonstrate leadership and commitment.

Kevin Warych was chosen for his work building relationships and community trust between the P-D and the city of Green Bay.

Chief Andrew Smith says nominees are sent in from police agencies all over the world.

"We couldn't be prouder here in Green Bay to have someone in our department be nominated and actually getting selected."

He says Warych does a great job helping lead the department's in this mission.

"That's what we want all our officers to do. Go out there, engage in the community, build those partnerships, build those relationships of trust."

Smith believes those efforts are a big reason why crime in Green Bay for 2017 is down 8-percent over last year.

Wayrch currently serves as Chief of Staff for the Green Bay Police Department, coordinates community relations and is the department's Public Information Officer.

He will join the other global recipients of the "40 under 40" award at the Association's convention in Philadelphia.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - An Appleton financial institution that was robbed earlier this week is offering a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest.

Capital Credit Union was held up Wednesday by two armed men who got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Click here for descriptions of the suspects and to learn more about Wednesday's incident.  

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities are investigating at least seven reports of BB gun damage to house and vehicle windows in the Village of Howard.  

Brown County Sheriff's officials say the incidents occurred around 9:45 pm Thursday.

Damage was reported on Hillcrest Heights, Settlers Row, Clarence Court, Poels Road, Woodale Ave, and Alfa Romeo Road.

The village is offering a $200 reward for any information that leads to an arrest, in addition to whatever sum Crime Stoppers might put on the table.

Investigators believe a large, four-door red Ford pickup truck and a four-door, dark gray sedan could be suspect vehicles.  

No injuries have been reported.