MADISON, WI (WTAQ) -Following multiple hurricanes in the past month, the Wisconsin DMV is warning residents to be on the lookout for flood-damaged vehicles.

Dealer and Agent Section Chief Michael Domke says the Badger State dealt with the issue after Hurricane Katrina, saying an insurance industry reaction helped dramatically lessen the problem after Superstorm Sandy.

"They also got kind of blindsided by the hurricanes coming through and how they were going to react to those.  They were much better prepared on how they were going to dispose of those vehicles to ensure they weren't going to hit the market if they weren't supposed to."

Domke urges people to buy from dealers, who are legally required to inspect vehicles before making a sale.

"(They have to) look at several components of the vehicle to make sure that they are operating both within the parameters of the law but also safely."

However, Domke notes that consumers can also do their own homework.

"Get a vehicle history report.  In addition, there are a couple of government agencies that provide a link that will allow you to go and do a check on that vehicle to make sure it doesn't have essentially a flood brand."

Domke notes a 'flood brand' is a step the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators have taken to help consumers after previous disasters.

"A label that is put on a title that identifies it as having some negative event that occurred in its history."

Following Superstorm Sandy, Domke says flood-damaged vehicles started arriving in the Badger State within a month, since owners wanted to pawn the automobiles off as quickly as possible.

If someone does unknowingly purchase a flood-damaged vehicle from a dealer, Domke encourages people to contact the DMV, as they are typically able to find a resolution to consumer complaints.   

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - Two Neenah athletes have been chosen to represent Wisconsin in the Special Olympics USA games.

Neenah High School junior Chris Jones and recent graduate Corey Ehrgott will be part of the state's basketball team at next summer's Seattle games.

Ehrgott reacted by saying "I was shocked.  I was so happy.  I'm on the news, and I'm going to Seattle, Washington."

Team Wisconsin is made up of ten athletes, who will compete in basketball, bocce ball, swimming, and track.

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - White House officials were in Shawano County Monday to pick out the tree that will be on display in the White House's Blue Room this Christmas.

The Chapmans, who own Silent Night Evergreens in Marquette County, won the National Christmas Tree Contest.

Since they don't have trees tall enough to meet the White House's 18 1/2 foot requirement, they teamed with Hanauer's Tree Farms in Shawano.

"We can't even describe it.  It's such an honor.  To be chosen number one out of our entire industry is incredible but then when you think about it, I don't know of any other industry that has this honor to be able to do this." 

Diane Chapman and her co-owners will present the tree to First Lady Melania Trump on November 20.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The city of Green Bay says yes, there's a rat problem, but at this point, the Protection and Welfare Committee is waiting to make any recommendations to the full council.

The committee agreed to table the discussion for another 30 days until they get another report from city inspectors.

The committee took testimony Monday from two Green Bay residents who say they've seen substantial rat problems on their property or adjacent properties.

Some of the items discussed by the council included sending out pamphlets to affected neighborhoods with tips for eradication or dedicated hotline for residents to report problems.

Other possible solutions included hiring more inspectors to the five the city currently has, offering bulk trash pickup for free or hiring an exterminator.

Property owner, Janet Angus, says it's been a struggle making a dent in the rat population.

Chairperson alderman Randy Scannell tells Fox 11....

"People are getting more aware and people are actually reporting more, which is good, that's what we want, we want to just see if what we're doing now, how well that works and what more we might need to do."

The Protection and Welfare Committee indicated they're more focused on trying to work with property owners who have problems rather than fine or punish them.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A hearing ended Monday after nearly seven hours of discussion, to decide the future of Appleton Coated and its more than 600 workers.

In the short term it looks like the future could be a little bit brighter for those workers.

The plant is in Combined Locks and makes products for high-end commercial printing, and text books, and it was auctioned off last week.

Appleton Coated employees left Outagamie County Court Monday feeling hopeful and vindicated.

United Steelworkers Local president Tony Swanningson spoke to Fox 11....

"We now have the time for people to finish their due diligence and for companies to make proper decisions."

The top bidder in last week's auction for the mill was Industrial Assets, a California-based liquidation company. It agreed to buy Appleton Coated for $21 million.

During Monday's hearing the judge was supposed to either approve of the $21 million purchase agreement or deny the sale.

However, some changes were made to those original purchase agreements after a different offer came through from the employee union and a lending firm.

"We will work to do our very best to provide an operating budget to each of the steelworkers and the receiver. We will work very hard. That's not a guarantee, but if it's not done by the end of the day tomorrow it will be done the following day," explained Mark Friedlander, Industrial Assets attorney.

Now, Industrial Assets says it will pay $20 million , with more money to provide an operating budget to keep the plant open for 45 days.

Over those 45 days Appleton Coated will run with only 200 employees to fulfill current orders. The mill typically employs more than 600 people.

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson admits it's a long shot.

"We were down by a few touchdowns and this really was a hard-fought effort to get to the goal line."

The hope is that during those 45 days a new buyer steps forward to purchase the mill and continue operating it as a mill with as many employees still working as possible.

Swanningson is trying to be optimistic.

"We came out of this with a huge win today. Going into this we were looking at a company buying us that was, literally they liquidate assets. We now have a door open to have a viable company come through and get this as an ongoing business."

There is no guarantee, however, any of the employees will have a job after those 45 days are up. Most of the workers are currently laid off, while the process plays out.

As for what's next. purchase and budget agreements are expected to be worked out over the next few days. The judge would still have to rule on those agreements.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Green Bay Metro Fire Department called out to an apartment fire.

It broke out at a complex on S. Taylor Street, between 9th Street and W. Mason Street early this morning (Tuesday).

Four people were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation. 21 people have been displaced.

Fire crews helped evacuate apartment residents.

The Red Cross is on the scene, assisting the residents and helping firefighters.

While the building is not a total loss, the word is residents can't go back in for at least 48 hours.

Fire investigators say the fire started in a basement. They say it took them a while to locate the area, but were able to put it out within two minutes.

Also overnight, Green Bay Metro Fire says one person was inside when an apartment fire broke out on the city's east side.

The apartment building is on Vine Street, off of Bader Street.

Fire crews say that person was able to make it out of the building safely.

It is unclear what caused the fire.  A total of 15 people have been displaced in that fire.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 46-year-old De Pere man has pleaded not guilty at arraignment to charges that he drunkenly killed two people with his vehicle. 

David Meyer is accused of fatally striking a mother and daughter while they were walking in a Lawrence neighborhood last month. 

Officers say Meyer was more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit at the time. 

A status conference has been scheduled for December 8.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Five arrests and multiple hospitalizations result from a Monday afternoon disturbance on Appleton's south side. 

Officers responded to the 3300 block of East Edgemere Drive at 5:56 pm for what they believe was a preplanned fight between individuals involved in an ongoing feud.  

Investigators say various weapons, including brass knuckles, baseball bats, crowbars, and pepper spray, were recovered at the scene. 

A 17-year-old girl and 49-year-old man were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Those arrested range in age from 18 to 23-years-old.

• Malik J. Bridges, 19, Illegal Use of Oleoresin Capsicum and Disorderly Conduct
• Tiffany K. Bridges, 23, Battery and Disorderly Conduct
• Asia R. Brown, 18, Illegal Use of Oleoresin Capsicum and Disorderly Conduct
• Relicia R. Felton, 22, Child Abuse and Disorderly Conduct
• Jelisa A. Felton, 20, Child Abuse, Illegal Use of Oleoresin Capsicum, Battery, and Disorderly Conduct    

Officers say Tiffany Bridges and Asia Brown have been released from the Outagamie County Jail.

Investigators say the incident took place at an apartment complex, whcih has been under city abatement orders since May.  The owner has been working with police to lawfully remove tenants who are responsible for criminal activity.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Sergeant Yule with Appleton Police at 920-832-5540.

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 44-year-old Appleton man has pleaded not guilty at arraignment to charges that he spiked his girlfriend's drink to induce a miscarriage. 

Manishkumar Patel faces nine counts, including Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide of an Unborn Child, in connection with the alleged 2007 incident. 

The woman did not ingest the drink but later miscarried. 

Patel is due back in court November 3, but no trial date has been set.

When Patel was charged in 2007, he forfeited a $750,000 cash bond when authorities say he skipped town.

Patel was arrested in New York earlier this year and returned to Wisconsin.

An October 3 arraignment has been scheduled in that case, where he faces 23 counts of Bail Jumping. 

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A local law enforcement agency is moving into a new facility Wednesday.

The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office is taking multiple of its divisions to 3030 East Goodland Drive in Appleton.

"We were just out of room.  A lot of our office space has been taken over by other county entities.  We had our staff crammed into some very small office spaces."

While corrections and communications will stay in Appleton's downtown Justice Center, Sergeant Nathan Borman notes most divisions will be housed in the new location.

"Our law enforcement services divison, which is really comprised of our patrol division, our investigators, our records clerks, and our civil process division, as well as the administration."

Borman says the new facility opens its doors at 8 am Wednesday. 

"The public aspect of our sheriff's department will be out on our Goodland Drive location.  The only need to go to the downtown location really would be to have any business contact with our corrections division."

In addition to addressing their space concerns, Borman expects the move will improve officer response times.

"Most of our service area is north of the 41 and 441 corridor.  This brings us right in touch with that corridor."

Borman says the new facility will have a large training room for officers and a drug drop box in the entry way for the public to dispose of old medications.

The sergeant notes the facility was projected to cost $3,500,000 but says the actual cost is not yet available.  Other alternatives were projected to run up to $6,000,000.

STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Folks are invited to a discussion on a new Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park. 

Wisconsin DNR's Missy VanLanduyt says they have narrowed it down to three designs. 

"The meeting is to review the different options with the public and then give them an opportunity to be able to comment.  We'll discuss in more detail the three actual options that are presented and then one-on-one answer any questions."

Van Landuyt explains the key difference amongst the three designs.

"Option A is a tower with elevator access.  Option B is a tower with ramped access.  Then the third option is a tower with a canopy trail access." 

Public comment can be submitted to the DNR not only at Thursday's meeting, but also online or by mail through October 9.  Click here to learn more.  

Van Landuyt explains the timeline going forward, following the public input deadline.

"We'll analyze all of the comments.  The stakeholder team will make a decision on which concept to move forward with.  We'll engage the final architect and engineering team.  Then we hope to be under construction within about a year."

Van Landuyt says the goal is to open the new tower in Spring 2019. 

The old tower was deemed unsafe due to deterioration of structural and non-structural wood members and was closed to the public in May 2015.  

It was deconstructed in September 2016.

The goal is to make the new tower look as similar as possible to the previous one, while complying with building codes and accessibility.

Thursday's meeting runs from 5-7 pm at the Sturgeon Bay Public Library, 107 South Fourth Avenue. 

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - The investigation into May's fatal fire at a Manitowoc apartment complex has wrapped up. 

Fire Chief Todd Blaser explains the findings, tied to the blaze that claimed the life of 57-year-old Dana Bushman and displaced nearly 90 Parkview Haven residents. 

"In the course of the investigation, however, nothing was noted in order to make any type of conclusive determination into the cause of the fire.  So therefore, the fire will be considered to be unintentional, with no findings of any type of criminal activity."

Blaser notes that investigators did determine where the blaze started.

"The fire did originate in the kitchen of the affected apartment, where we did suffer the loss of life of Dana Bushman.  The official cause of death for Ms. Bushman is smoke inhalation."

The chief says his agency visited the complex last month, deeming the majority of units habitable. 

Residents started returning to their homes this summer.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh Police says its Vice and Narcotics Unit recently took $45,000 worth of drugs off the streets.

Between September 15-22, search warrants were executed at four different locations, the Ohio Street Station at 815 Ohio Street, a business office in the 200 block of Commerce Street, a residence in the 300 block of Viola Avenue, and a storage unit in the 1200 block of Osborn Avenue.

In addition to 400 grams of crystal meth and 245 grams of butane hash oil, officers reportedly seized eight firearms and numerous boxes of drug paraphernalia.

Two Oshkosh men, ages 34 and 48, were arrested on felony drug charges.

Oshkosh Police, which was added by the Lake Winnebago Drug Unit and Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, says it was part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) - The Milwaukee Brewers jumped out to a four-run first inning lead and held on to clip the Reds 7-6 at Miller Park.

Domingo Santana hit a three-run homer to highlight the four-run first.

Josh Hader tossed two-and-two-thirds innings of two-run ball in relief of starter Zach Davies to notch the win. Corey Knebel picked up his 38th save.

Cincinnati starter Deck McGuire surrendered six runs over three frames to take the loss. Scott Schebler hit his 30th home run of the season for Cincinnati.

The Colorado Rockies won last night and the Cubs lost.

At 83-and-74 the Brewers sit one-and-a-half games out of the final NL wild card spot.

Milwaukee hosts the Reds again tonight. Pre game show at 6:35 on WTAQ.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Some Green Bay middle school students learned about different careers in the field of aviation.

Thirty girls from Franklin and Washington middle schools were selected for the event at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport Tuesday.

One activity the girls took part in was being inside a flight simulator.

While it may seem like an over-sized video game, Lorendy Renovato tells FOX 11 it was a lot harder than it looked because it required a lot of concentration.

"My favorite part was when we went upstairs and I had to fly this like airplane thing and then I crashed the first time. "But the second time, it was kind of easy."

The girls were able to tour the hangars and see inside some different airplanes.

Some of the aviation career areas they learned about include safety, customer service, maintenance and flight instruction.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - This city owned golf course in Oshkosh, could become the new home for a large employer in the area, but not everyone likes the idea.

The debate went before the Oshkosh City Council on Tuesday.

At center stage....Lake Shore Golf Course. The city has said it just breaks even on the property and Oshkosh Corporation has been considering building its new headquarters there.

Lake Shore Golf Course brings out the passion of people in Oshkosh.

Rob Hartley spoke to FOX 11. He lives near the course and started a petition to try to save it.

"But it's a park! We have to look at it again as a park and parks should be sacred."

But others say told us city needs to do whatever it can to keep Oshkosh Corporation's corporate headquarters in the city.

"The impact that Oshkosh Corp has on our community is tremendous. I mean, it goes beyond workers' salary, acreage, it goes to groups that they donate to," said Jon Doemel.

Before the meeting Hartley, and a group of people who oppose the sale of a golf course without a referendum, gathered for a rally to share their thoughts.

"The people here and the signatures that I have almost 600 signatures have said, and it says this right here on the form, we should have a city-wide referendum whenever a park is up for sale."

City Manager Mark Rohloff says, at this point, Oshkosh Corporation is just considering the golf course location.

"We don't have any indication from Oshkosh Corporation at this point whether we're going to be considered or not."

A spokesperson for the company say they're evaluating several locations, out of Oshkosh.

A few dozen people on both sides of the issue spoke to council Tuesday.

Another concern of Hartley's is that Oshkosh Corp would only buy 30-some acres for its headquarters.

"70 out of the 107 acres are sitting in limbo and should the city council be making a decision before they decide what to do with it ?"

As far as the potential sale goes, Rohloff said he hopes to have a plan to the council by November first. He is also planning public input sessions to discuss what to do with the other 70 acres.

"And I think the public needs to see what possibilities might be out there."

Both sides of the issue said this is a difficult decision. Doemel says he can definitely see both arguments.

"It's a tough call. It's not easy for me to be out here and speaking for this, but I really believe keeping Oshkosh Corp here is that important."

The first meeting for public input is next week, Thursday, October 5th. The location is still being decided, but it will be at 6:30 p.m.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - This week has been declared Rail Safety Week in Wisconsin.

Governor Walker's declaration has various organizations out in communities throughout the state.

"We're doing crossing blitzes where we watch motorists so they don't run the red light.  We're doing pedestrian crossings, because our trespass accounts have been up."   

Susie Klinger with Operation Lifesaver says her group is trying to make people more aware of how the law impacts the state's railroads. 

"Railroad property is private property, so 25 feet on either side of that track belongs to the railroad.  We don't want you to take shortcuts across it.  We want you to go at designated crossings."

Klinger notes that failing to act safely near railroad tracks can have serious consequences.

"Last year, Wisconsin had 46 crashes in the state.  There were two fatalities, with 15 injuries."

Klinger, who is also a locomotive engineeer, notes an additional person died and three others were injured in pedestrian trespassing incidents on tracks.

"When the lights are flashing, we need you to stop.  It's so scary, because we don't have a steering wheel in that locomotive.  We can't turn.  We can stop but just not quickly."  

Klinger says roughly 55% of railroad crashes actually happen at crossings with lights and gates, as compared to those that only have yield signs.  

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - 24 WPS lineman and supervisors are back home after 11 days of helping restore power to millions of Floridians who were left in the dark after Hurricane Irma roared through earlier this month.

WPS Senior Project Supervisor Jon Joanis says getting to the damage was the first challenge.

"A week and few days into it they were still having streets that were flooded and ditches that were up to the street level that made it hard to get to the poles we needed to work on."

The next challenge was the environment itself. Joanis says they were given a warning every day on their way out the door.

"There are many poisonous animals down there, or animals like gators, snakes, things like that. So, just basically assume that everything is trying to kill you."

But Joanis says the response from utilities from across the country and Canada, was very impressive.

"That was one of the neater things of the whole experience. Everyone was going to Florida with a purpose."

Nearly 60,000 workers from across the U-S and Canada helped out in Hurricane Irma restoration efforts.

Unlike Wisconsin storm damage, which is often confined to a specific area, Joanis says Irma created problems statewide.

EGG HARBOR, WI (WTAQ) - A Door County establishment that went up in flames last month is being torn down.

On Wednesday, crews knocked down what was left of Shipwrecked Brew Pub in Egg Harbor.

"The first floor was untouched by fire.  That has to be the most difficult to tear down."

Shipwrecked Marketing Director Beth Levendusky says a piece of history is being lost with the 20,000 square foot building. 

"The door, it's rumored to be one of Al Capone's tunnels for rum running, basically."

Levendusky says they will immediately start the rebuilding process, which is expected to cost around $1,000,000.

She hopes they'll be able to reopen next summer. 

MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ) - Homer Bailey fired seven shutout innings as the Red blanked the Brewers 6-0 in Milwaukee last night.

The Reds piled up five runs in the third inning, led by Tucker Barnhart's two-run homer and three RBI singles. Joey Votto also went deep for Cincinnati.

Brandon Woodruff gave up six hits and six runs and got chased in the third inning for Milwaukee.

The Brewers are now two-and-a-half games behind the Rockies for the second NL wild card spot with just four games left.

The Brewers close out the home portion of the 2017 schedule, taking on the Reds this afternoon.