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Halloween Safety Tips

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - While many people are concerned with having fun on Halloween, an automotive club is also encouraging Northeast Wisconsin residents to consider safety.

Triple A Spokesman Nick Jarmusz cites a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report that says Halloween is consistently one of the top three days each year for pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

"Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween than on any other day of the year."

Jarmusz says it takes a team effort to ensure Halloween safety, offering some advice for drivers.

"Reduce distractions, you want to be on heightened alert, and then slowing down."

He also encourages motorists to watch for children, turn on their headlights and drive sober.

Jarmusz explains what role parents can play in preventing injuries to their children.

"For any children under 12, that you're walking with them very close by.  And then because it's going to be a little chillier for Halloween, there's probably going to be a lot of parents who are going to be driving: make sure that your children are still buckling up (even if traveling a short distance)."

He also urges parents to bring a flashlight for any evening trick-or-treating and to help their children select a costume that allows for easy visibility and mobility.

"We always recommend kids pick a costume that is safe, in terms of visibility, so masks are discouraged.  Also, a costume that's going to make you visible to others." 

In addition, Jarmusz says children should cross the street using traffic signals and crosswalks, stay in familiar neighborhoods, and have an adult check all treats before eating.


Dwindling Days For Summer Enthusiasts

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DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - As the tree's hang on to the last of their leaves, dozens of fishermen, on the Fox River Sunday, try to enjoy what's left of autumn-like weather.

"Trying to get the fish caught, before it gets too cold."

Tyler Clind of De Pere tells FOX 11 with water temperatures dropping, he'll be hanging up his rod for the season.

But before he does, he says he's hoping to reel in a big one.

"The big Walleye, the females are coming in through the dam right now, it's that season, around when it gets a little bit colder, smaller ones should be left over."

From the water, to the fairway.

Golfers, at the Woods Golf Club in Green Bay, are also teeing off for what maybe the last time of the year.

"I don't think there's any other golfers out here," said Ben Kilps of Green Bay.

Kilps, a diehard golfer, says he brought his son, and a friend out for a round of golf, because what better to do on a Packers bye-week.

"Just enjoying the time, there's no Packer Game, no Packers, so you play golf."

He says every golf season, he's usually one of the first and last to hit the course.

"Oh yeah, I'll be out early Spring, as soon as the weather permits, I mean this is Wisconsin."

While others like Clind, say they're still trying to hold off on thoughts of winter.

"Couple more weeks left, I don't know what I'm going to do for winter."

The Woods Golf Club says it will be open until the first snowfall.

Milestone Celebration For Social Service Organization

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Local organization, Ecumenical Partnership for Housing (EPH), celebrated 25 years Sunday with a concert.

EPH is a volunteer based non-profit that works to help homeless families.

It is a partnership of 21 local churches and the Salvation Army.

The "Voices of Hope" concert was open to the public.

David Pietenpol, EPH Executive Director, tells FOX 11 says its purpose was to raise awareness in the community about poverty and homelessness.

"In the month of September, 209 families were on the verge of homelessness or homeless within the community. Of those, 97 were literally homeless."

Since 1992, EPH and the Salvation Army have served more than 500 families.

Missing Teen Is Found

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Police are no longer searching for an Oshkosh teen, last seen a week ago.

The Oshkosh Police Department says, with the help of the Green Bay Police Department, 15-year-old Dwayne Doss was found in the 400 block of North Monroe Avenue in Green Bay.

Officials say the teen was found with another teen who was also considered missing.

Both were taken back to Oshkosh and police say they were referred to Winnebago County Juvenile Intake.

Body Recovered From Fox River

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WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The body of a 63-year-old man was recovered from a channel of the Fox River Sunday morning.

The death does not appear to be suspicious.

According to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Dept. the body was spotted by someone at the Eureka Dam Campsite at about 7:20 in the town of Rushford.

The man's identity has not been released.

Halloween Trick Is No Treat

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KESHENA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Menominee Tribal Police say a parent on the reservation discovered a bag of crystal meth in her child's Halloween candy this morning (Monday).

Police say the parent found a small Ziploc baggy containing a crystalline powder.

Police say the powder was meth.

The children had been trick or treating in the Keshena area on the Menominee Indian Reservation.

Police are asking the community to check their children's Halloween candy thoroughly.

If anything is suspicious, parents should call the Menominee Tribal Police at (715) 799-3881.

Police say once all Halloween candy is checked, they strongly encourage parents to throw it out.

Police: Student Admits to Bomb Threat

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Investigators say a student has admitted to making a bomb threat against a local school.

Officers determined Monday's threat against Oshkosh North High School was not credible.

District officials credit security measures for helping them quickly figure out who was responsible and say students are safe.

Investigation into Fatal Crash Continues

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BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County investigators continue to look into Friday's head-on collision in Dyckesville. 

Captain Jody Lemmens says three people were killed when a wrong way driver struck a vehicle that was northbound on Highway 57.

"The crash itself is still under investigation.  Our reconstruction team is working out the details of it, and we are awaiting toxicology reports from the driver.  Generally our blood results come back within one to two weeks of submission, so I would say another week to week-and-a-half we would probably have the results of those."

Lemmens says investigators also have multiple accounts to sort through.

"There were several witnesses at the scene.  It was a highly-populated traffic time for that area of the roadway so there were witnesses that provided information initially to the investigating officers." 

The 38-year-old Green Bay man driving the wrong way vehicle and 56 and 84-year-old Appleton women who were passengers in the other vehicle all died.

Two others were still hospitalized at last word.


Alderman Seek Charges Against Mayor Schmitt

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BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Five Green Bay aldermen are seeking criminal charges against Mayor Jim Schmitt in connection with the Hotel Northland project.

Aldermen Guy Zema, Chris Wery, Andy Nicholson, Mark Steuer, and Council President Tom DeWane held a Monday afternoon press conference at the Brown County Courthouse to discuss the matter.

The charges the group alleges include: perjury, an ongoing intent to deceive, commission of fraud, and violating the public trust.

Zima says Schmitt and members of his staff knowingly misled the city council and redevelopment authority.

"Mayor Schmitt diverted over $3.2-million dollars in public funds and created defaults in the Hotel Northland's project funding."

Zima claims that was not the extent of Schmitt and his staff misleading the city council and redevelopment authority.

"They lied in their efforts to divert $500,000 in a loan of public funds to settle a private litigation between Keith Harenda and Michael Frantz over the ownership of the Northland Hotel."

Zima was asked if he believes all of that money went toward the project.

"We need an investigative forensic audit to determine that."

WTAQ asked Zima why he believes Schmitt would do the things that are being alleged.

"I think it all has to do with the mayor's personality.  He thinks he can do whatever he wants, and he has no respect for the law."

Zima says they have been working on their case since the early parts of this year, citing difficulty in gettings some of the documents they have presented.  

While Zima says the complaint was filed three weeks ago, the DA's office would not confirm to WTAQ that it was received.

Schmitt says he's done nothing wrong in handling the Northland project's finances, claiming the accusations are politically motivated.

Late last year, the project's lead lender pulled its $12.8-million dollar loan, with the bank accusing Hotel Northland's owners of defaulting on their loan agreement, according to court documents.

Work stalled for a few months as developers sought money to finish the project and pay for work that was already completed.

Earlier this month, a Brown County judge appointed a receiver to finish the project.

Schmitt has said work will resume in November, with a targeted summer 2018 opening.

GB Attorney: Rules for Zima-Staff Meetings

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A special set of rules has reportedly been created for one Green Bay alderman to meet with city staff. 

The city attorney's office says this was in response to various incidents and complaints about Alderman Guy Zima's conduct with staff members. 

When Zima meets with a staffer, it must be in an office with at least two city employees present.

Employees also have the right to end the meeting at any time if they feel harassed, threatened, or disrespected.    

If Zima doesn't comply, a department head would have to be present for any future meetings he has with a staffer.

During Monday's news conference over allegations Zima and four of his colleagues have brought forth against Mayor Jim Schmitt, Zima was asked about the matter.

"I continue to serve my constituents in full capacity at all times."  

Tribal Police: Dump the Candy; Redo Trick or Treat

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KESHENA, WI (WTAQ) - The Menominee Tribal Police are taking all precautions to ensure children stays safe this Halloween. '

After a baggie with contents that tested positive for meth was found Monday morning in a child's Trick or Treat bag, the police and members of the tribe are telling parents to do the best thing to guarentee everyone else stay safe, Dump the Candy.

Menominee Tribal Police Chief Mark Waukau Sr said they want all parents to collect, and dispose of any candy that was received during a three hour community wide Trick or Treat Sunday evening.

Police would like parents to not just throw the candy away, but dispose of at a designated drop off site.

Detective Joshua Lawe said the disposal will include two sites for drop off Tuesday from 8am to 5pm.

While it may seem drastic to some, they are not taking any chances.  

"We believe it is an isolated incident, but if there is more out there, and if it does get through the ziplock bags and kids are touching it, that can be dangerous for the kids and even the parents."  

The drop off sites are Keshena Veterans Park and Neopit Fire Station.

Waukau said the candy will be out of the children's hands and it can also be made available for any other kind of testing or investigaing.

 

To make up for the jackpot loss, the tribe and members of the community will be hosting a second Trick or Treat Tuesday evening at the College of Menominee Nation.

Menominee Tribal Emergency Management Director Ben Warrington says the candy will be provided and parents just need to bring their kids.

"We want parents to have their kids come with or without costume and everything, including the bag will be provided."

Jerritt Okimosh, parent of three, said it surprised him to see the attempt of harm to a child, and he himself even trusted the candy.

"The youth are our pride, and that is why it hurts everyone so much. The fact of the matter is that is should have never occurred, and it should have never occurred for our youth."

Oskomish added that the actions shocked him, and he never expected this to happen in a community that takes care of their future leaders. Warrington said, it can happen anywhere.

"Small communities are not immune from these type of issues."

For the tribe, this news is another negative check mark in their ongoing fight against meth use on the reservation.

Law enforcement said it is an issue that has been on the rise, but this has been taken to a whole new level.

"This community is resilant, we come together to take care of our own."

Warrington said this is just another example.

The name of the family that discovered the bag is being withheld while the investigation is going on.

Tribal officials said it is unknown at this time if this years misconduct will change Trick or Treat procedures in the future.

 

Crime Stoppers Technology Upgrade

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OSHKOSH (WLUK) -- Winnebago Crime Stoppers has a new way for the public send tips about crimes in the county.

Deputy Peter Ehlert with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department tells FOX 11 they've partnered with an app called P3.

"A lot of people have smart phones. This is just another way for us to stay up with the technology."

You can find the app in Google Play or the Apple store by searching "P3 Tips."

Once you've downloaded it, Katherine Mann with the Oshkosh Police Department, say you can search for a specific community to report a tip.

"You go on there and choose what type of tip you want to enter and then write a narrative and then go back and update that tip too." You can also upload photos or video to your tip, which Mann says is a great way to streamline investigations.

"It helps us a lot. Those pieces become evidence even if they're just pictures of license plates or addresses, phone numbers, videos of the crime or where the crime occurred all that information's very valuable to us."

P3 is used across the country and even world.

Locally, Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers uses it too.

Winnebago Crime Stoppers has been active since 1992.

Officers told FOX 11 it's helped solve dozens of cases.

If you have any information you think might help a case, they encourage you to report it.

"Even the smallest information or detail or tip could be the thing that finally unlocks the whole case for us," said Mann.

"Many tips lead to arrests, many tips lead to us collecting evidence," added Ehlert.

And, as with all crime stoppers tips, the tips on the app will remain anonymous.

"It's a safe way for you to help keep the communities safe," said Ehlert.

You can still call Winnebago Crime Stoppers with any tips. That number is 231-8477.

County Unveils Urban Farming Initiative

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DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - A local UW-Extension office is unveiling a new urban farming initiative.

Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach's budget proposal calls for reallocating $5,000-$8,000 in human resources to help get people involved in the agricultural effort, which he says has multiple benefits.

"We're looking at the water quality.  We're looking at land management.  We're looking at seed to plate.  We want to build a healthier community." 

Streckenbach says the initiative could also bring economic benefits, such as expanding the market for local farmers and creating jobs.   

"We not only have a sustainable food supply for our residents, but we have people who are engaged in small business." 

Tuesday's media event was held at Ledgeview Gardens in De Pere.  Co-owner Darren Vollmar says he doesn't see the initiative as competition.

Rather, he's hoping this will help expand the amount of local produce sold to area stores, which his farm already does. 

"They noticed an increase in customers.  A good high quality product: people want to go and buy more of that stuff.  If they can bring that stuff inside their house and eat it more often, they want it more often."  

Streckenbach explains what the money dedicated to the initiative will fund, noting the exact amount will ultimately depend on the program's popularity.  

"Allocating staff time to be able to answer those questions, to be a person that can be that point person to either connect to individuals who are currently doing it or give them local ordinances."

He notes the county board will vote on this item Wednesday, along with the rest of the 2018 budget.

Suring Man's Conviction Upheld

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SURING, WI (WTAQ) - (WLUK) – A Suring man had his conviction upheld by a state appeals court Tuesday. 

Shawn Paholke argued that he would have not entered a no-contest plea, had he known several things he claims he did not know.

Some of the arguments included not being aware of his younger child's autism diagnosis, and how his actions were based on different diagnosis.

According to court records, the cour rejected Paholke's arguments, upholding his 15-year prison term.

Paholke was convicted of withholding food from his five-year-old daughter, and locking her in her room.

Paholke's seven year old daughter testifed to several abusive actions.

Also sentenced in the case was Paholke's wife Jennifer Fendryk. She was sentenced to 11.5 years on five counts.

Alderman Discusses Colleagues' Schmitt Accusations

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay alderman addresses the allegations five of his colleagues have made against Mayor Jim Schmitt. 

Bill Galvin is asked if he believes the claims that Schmitt and city staffers misused funds in connection with the Hotel Northland project. 

"If there's criminal wrongdoing, it needs to be investigated.  If charges are warranted, they need to be filed.  Unless they've got some new evidence, I think there just trying to throw some more mud against the wall and see if it sticks." 

The five aldermen have asked the Brown County District Attorney's Office to review the matter for the possible need for criminal charges.

 

"I think it's possible that (Schmitt) might have withheld information.  I'm not very happy about it, but I can't say for sure that he has been." 

However, Galvin is also skeptical about his colleagues' claims, based on their ties to former owner Mike Frantz, who allegedly received a $500,000 buyout from funds that were supposed to help continue the hotel renovation work.  

"They've been standard bearers for one of the owners and some of his associates to try and keep them in the program and then when they were out, trying to get them back into it again."

Galvin notes he spoke with several of the project's principal lenders at an open council meeting earlier this year, asking if they believed any criminal wrongdoing or unethical behavior had taken place.

"They felt everything had been above board and had been handled properly and that they didn't suspect any kind of criminal wrongdoing or any need for an audit." 

The DA's Office will only say it has received and is reviewing the documents, telling WTAQ there is no timeline going forward.  


Book Those Holiday Tickets Soon

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) -Those planning to fly for the holidays might want to consider booking flights within the next week.

Tom Miller, Director of Austin Straubel Airport in Green Bay calls it the "Sweet Spot" or ticket booking.

When booking those holiday flights, Miller says if you can be flexible, better rates will be available.

Miller says "try not to travel on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or the Sunday after Thanksgiving if your schedule allows."

Miller says those are the most heavy Thanksgiving air travel days because it works better with work and school schedules.

"If you could even go on early Thanksgiving Day morning and come back the Monday after Thanksgiving, you might find the fares to be a little less expensive."

Looking ahead to Christmas Monday, Miller said leaving on Saturday December 16th or Tuesday December 19th will offer the best rates. 

The busiest day to depart will be Friday December 22nd.

Miller says usually, the it is not the same people fighting for holiday seats.

"What we often see is that people travel for either Thanksgiving or Christmas, but usually not for both."

Miller says prices will soon be going up in the next couple of weeks, and that is for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Prices will start going up as seats become less available.

 

Trick Or Treat Do-Over

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KESHENA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - For parents in Keshena, Jessie Waukau, this past weekend's Halloween celebration was no treat.

"We were definitely worried. We checked our candy right away when we got home."

Menominee Tribal leaders advised parents to throw out all candy collected during trick-or-treating Sunday. That's because a bag of meth was found among one child's candy.

"At our candy disposal sites we've taken in several hundred pounds of candy." Tribal Chairman Gary Besaw told us.

Tribal Chairman Gary Besaw tells FOX 11 to make up for it, tribal departments and businesses came together to throw a Halloween celebration Tuesday.

Little ghouls and goblins went trick-or-treating on the College of Menominee Nation campus.

"I think it's very important, because a lot of the kids were to told to throw their cand out. So I figure this is just about giving back to the community. I think it's a really good thin.," said Waukau.

"This is all to restore that sense of community and family that the children deserve," added Besaw.

Safety was a very important aspect of the event. Police were on scene and the children were given all the bags and candy just to ensure they were safe.

Besaw says he's proud of his community.

"Sometimes it takes negative events to really show you just the power and the love that people have."

And now, according to Besaw, Sunday's incident has become a wake up call about addiction in this community.

"Many tribal members are stepping up their concern for, 'how do we make this safer? What can we do?'"

Besaw adds tribal police are still trying to find out where the meth came from.

Is It Treasure Or Trash ?

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KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A Kaukauna man went before the city municipal judge Tuesday for having a tractor sitting in his front yard.

Joe Grundy calls it art. The city said it's breaking the rules.

The city said residents are not allowed to store vehicles in their front yards according to city code 17.32 3(c)(1).

Joe Grundy of Kaukauna telling the court...

"You can call it a tractor, but I call it art. It hasn't moved from that spot other than mowing the grass."

Building inspector for the city of Kaukauna, Jon Oldenburg responded...

"In my employment, I'm not hired to judge things as art. I only judge it as what it's actual value or purpose."

The judge did not make a decision Tuesday on whether Grundy will have to move the tractor.

Attorneys for both sides have until Nov. 17 to file written statements, a decision will happen sometime after that.

Multiple Vehicle Crash Leaves One Dead

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WINNEBAGO CO, WI (WTAQ) - A man is dead following two crashes on I-41 near Oshkosh.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department says the car the man was driving slammed into the back of a semi around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Investigators say the car burst into flames, and the driver died.

They say the car was going highway speeds when it hit the semi.

The truck had slowed down, while police were dealing with an S-U-V that had crashed into a field an hour earlier.

That vehicle first bumped the back of a different semi near County Highway Z, and rolled into a ditch.

The woman inside was thrown from the vehicle.

She was flown to a hospital.

Her condition is unknown.

Police Investigate Car vs Pedestrian Accident

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Green Bay are investigating a car vs. pedestrian accident Wednesday morning.

Police say an 11-year-old boy on a bike was struck by a vehicle near Franklin Middle School this morning.

The incident occurred at the Mason and Meachem Street intersection just before 7:30am.

Police believe the driver may have ran a red light.

The boy was taken to a nearby hospital as a precautionary measure.

Police say he had non-life threatening injuries.

 

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