APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) -  The Packers' defense pushed ahead of the offense in the top of the 6th and final inning thanks to a Nate Palmer home run.  The crowd of 9,010 at Fox Cities Stadium really didn't mind who won.  It was all about charity, and Donald Driver, this day.

The final score was 24 runs for the defense and 20 runs for the offense.  The offense normally controls the annual event.  The game featured Driver and rookies like Datone Jones, but also legacy players such as Ahman Green and William Henderson.

Nate Palmer also won the home run derby preceding the game and was the MVP for the day.  His prize was a 60" TV.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County is looking to hire ten additional staff and one temporary worker to handle an expected increase in applications for BadgerCare. 

Everyone is required to have health insurance in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act, or face a tax penalty.  

The county is serving a state contract for five area counties, called the Bay Lake Consortium. It consists of Brown, Door, Marinette, Octono, and Shawano counties. 

Brown County Human Service Department Interim Executive Director of Jeremy Kral says according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, an estimated 40,000 people don’t have health insurance in the consortium area.

Staff will process applications, verify information, and determine eligibility. 

Kral says not everyone who applies will be eligible for BadgerCare. 

For those who don’t, staff will help them find health insurance under the state marketplace that should be available by October. 

That’s also when BadgerCare open enrollment begins. 

Kral says the staffing requirement is a federal mandate that the health care law is paying for.  Reimbursement will depend on the caseload.

On Wednesday, the county board agenda includes a resolution which would approve hiring the additional staff and makes it clear that if the federal government does not provide funding for the staff, the positions will be eliminated. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - More showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wisconsin Monday, as another cold front pushes through.

Much of the state was dry for Father’s Day, but parts of far northern Wisconsin have been hit with storms for two days in a row.

Small hail was reported early Sunday evening at Cornucopia in Bayfield County and McNaughton in Oneida County.

Minnesota Power had 7,000 customers without power in Duluth Sunday evening. Monday morning, the number was reduced to less than 200 – and the utility reported no outages on the Wisconsin side near Superior.

A good share of Wisconsin was hit with heavy rains on Saturday. Almost 2 inches fell in just 75 minutes near Phillips.

Also, it was warmer Sunday than what many of us have been accustomed to. It was 87 at Randall in Burnett County. Parts of southern Wisconsin were also in the upper 80’s.

It will be cooler Monday, with highs in the low to mid-70’s expected. Forecasters say it will warm up again on Thursday, when more thunderstorms are due in.

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - A serious crash Monday sends a motorcyclist to the hospital and shuts down a part of Velp Avenue in the process.

Brown County Sheriff's say it happened at 6:09 a.m. at a McDonald's restaurant at Velp and Glendale Avenue.

Deputies say a car turning into the parking lot of the McDonald's collided with a motorcycle driven by a 28-year-old man. The man was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital in Green Bay and is listed in critical condition.

The driver of the car, a 62-year-old woman, was taken to Bellin Hospital with minor injuries.

No names have been released at this time.

Velp and Glendale Avenues are closed in that area as investigators work on reconstructing the accident. Drivers are asked to find alternate routes.

REEDSVILLE, WI (WTAQ) - A pair of Northeast Wisconsin farm cooperatives are merging.

Agri-Partners and Country Visions Cooperatives will team up starting September 1.

The new cooperative will use the Country Visions name, with Agri-Partners CEO Steve Zutz leading the combined company.

The corporate office will be located in Reedsville at the current Country Visions office. The Agri-Partners Brillion office will close.

Country Visions Cooperative has locations in Reedsville, Branch, Kiel, Manitowoc Rapids, Mishicot, Rockwood, Valders, Whitelaw and Menominee, Michigan. Agri-Partners has locations in Ripon, Fond du Lac, Malone, Chilton, Brillion, Greenleaf and De Pere.

OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A man from Oconto County who went missing last week, but was later found safe, has died.

Multiple media reports say 92-year-old Leo Baeb of Townsend died Sunday morning. Leo had been in a hosptial for the past several days.

Leo and his wife Claire were reported missing last week. They were supposed to arrive in the Green Bay area Tuesday night, but never showed. 

After a statewide alert, they were found a day later in West Bend. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Tornado Warning was the height of severe weather threats that danced across Northeast Wisconsin Monday.

Strong storms packing winds up to 60 miles per hour and various sizes of hail crossed the region.

The latest from the National Weather Service is a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Calumet, West Central Manitowoc and Southeastern Outagamie counties until 5:45 p.m. 

At 4:59 p.m., a storm was spotted near Darboy and moving southeast at 35 miles per hour.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - The changing of U.S. Highway 41 to an Interstate may cause problems for some trucking companies if pending legislation fails on Capitol Hill.

Currently, the weight limit for truck on Highway 41 is 97,000 pounds. Next year, that would be cut back to 80,000 pounds when it becomes I-41.

Wisconsin Republican Congressmen Reid Ribble and Tom Petri introduced legislation to grandfather in trucking companies that haul more than 80,000 pounds on Highway 41.

The expected change to an interstate designation next year would affect a number of industries, including scrap metal, agriculture, forestry and others.

Sadoff Iron and Scrap Metal in Fond du Lac is one of those companies. Sadoff uses a fleet of 50 trucks a day to haul scrap up and down Hwy. 41. Company leaders there say 75 percent of their trucks haul over 80,000 pounds.

"We're talking about a significant impact, it would be up to 50 percent more trucks that we would have to put on Hwy. 41 at the 80,000 pound limit or redirect off of Hwy. 41 onto other state highways," Sadoff Transportation Manager Colleen Kollmann tells FOX 11.

Ribble says that also would lead to higher costs for moving goods around the Hwy. 41 corridor and more traffic on the highway.

"The current weight limits they are allowed to drive from Green Bay to Milwaukee would be reduced by 20 percent. That's not only going to increase the costs of goods made in Wisconsin, but it's going to increase the number of heavy trucks on the highway."

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Area non-profits in Green Bay, the Fox Cities and Oshkosh will be sharing more than $1.72 million in grants from the Basic Needs Giving Partnership. 

The partnership is collaboration between US Venture Open Fund, an annual golf outing, and the JJ Keller Foundation, which matches up to $800,000 in donations.

Local community foundations strategically distribute the funds to more than 80 non-profits. 

Since 1986, when the US Venture Open was established, the golf outing has raised a total of $16.2 million for the Green Bay, Fox Cities and Oshkosh areas. 

Come August, the annual US Venture Open fund hopes to raise around $2 million. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay City Council will vote Tuesday night on approving upwards of $20 million in development in the downtown. 

The council will look at approving a development agreement for a 93-unit mixed use apartment development called Metreau, at the corner of Walnut and Washington. 

The city also wants to sell the recently purchased Clarion Hotel to the current hotel management company. 

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt says it’s part of deal to lock up upwards of $5 million in renovations for the hotel and to ensure its future and connection with the KI Convention Center expansion. 

"One of the things that has stymied development is property that gets into the wrong hands, it can get into the hands of people who want to land bank or don’t have the money to make proper investment” Schmitt said.   

The city purchased the hotel for $2.85 million and is selling the property for $2.7 million. 

WAUSAU, WI (WTAQ) - A state appeals court has refused to throw out a sex offender’s conviction, just because a judge called the man’s crimes an abomination in the sight of God.

41-year-old Robert Betters of Green Bay was convicted in 2011 of having repeated sexual contact with his girlfriend’s two teenage sons.

Brown County Circuit Judge Donald Zuidmulder sentenced Betters to 25 years in prison and 15 years of extended supervision – and at the time, the judge said every child is a gift from God, and Betters’ conduct was an abomination in the sight of God.

Betters appealed, saying the judge relied on religious doctrine in his sentence.

The Third District Appellate Court in Wausau said the remarks were ill-advised – but Zuidmulder correctly considered the seriousness and nature of the offenses in his sentence.

Betters pleaded no contest on repeated child sexual assault and possessing child pornography. A second child sex assault charge was dropped in a plea bargain.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer benefit presented checks totaling $99,000 to six local cancer support groups Tuesday.

"The Packers are proud of Jerry and all of the work that he has done over the past 10 years to raise money for an important cause," said Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy.

Parins, the Packers' former director of security and organizer of the event, distributed money to Angel Classic Inc., Bellin Health Foundation Inc. (Patient Assistance Fund), St. Mary's Hospital (A Woman's Place), St. Vincent Hospital (Child Life Program), St. Vincent Hospital (Compassionate Care Fund) and Unity Limited Partnership (Hope for Grieving Families).

"Couple weeks ago, the 8th of June, we had our 10th annual ride and obviously it was such a great success," said Parins, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2003. "It was my best ride."

Parins thanked everyone behind the scenes who helped organize the 2012 Cruise for Cancer. Since its inception, the event has raised nearly $700,000 for the cause.

More information is available at www.cruiseforcancer.org.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay City Council approved one major project for the downtown but voted to hold off on another at Tuesday night’s meeting. 

The council approved a development agreement with Dermond Property Investments to build a 93-unit mixed use retail/apartment complex at the corner of Walnut and Washington in the downtown. 

The building would be located along the Fox River next to Nicolet Bank, which is currently using the site as a parking lot. 

Dermond has said the "Metreau" project would be a $14.8 million investment. 

However, on a 7-5 vote the city council decided to hold off on the sale of the city’s newly acquired Clarion Hotel. 

The hotel has been on the market for five years and was in receivership, a type of bankruptcy. The city purchased the property for $2.85 million and was going to sell it to the current management company for $2.7 million. 

The city’s deal with the American Hospitality Management would include the guarantee of a minimum of $4 million investment towards renovations, plus the city would secure an estimated $500,000 in airspace rights above the hotel for the future expansion of the KI Convention Center. 

Council members thought the city could get a better deal and didn’t want the city to be out $150,000, the difference between the purchase price and selling price. 

Mayor Jim Schmitt was upset at the council’s actions.

“They chose not to accept that, something’s not right here, so I have to look at this and possibly veto this decision because we need protect the taxpayers and we need to continue the development in the downtown,” Schmitt said after the meeting.    

The city never put out bids on the property, they only talked with American Hospitality Management.

An unknown hotel developer recently came forward expressing interest in the city owned hotel. 

At the meeting, Alderman Tim DeWane says the developer talked about a $10 to $12 million investment.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The City of Green Bay is buying a downtown strip club and turning the site into a parking lot. 

The city council approved the acquisition of The Body Shop at 418 N. Monroe Avenue. 

Officials plan to raze the building and rent the site for parking for a nearby business. The city would also get back the adult entertainment license for the business. 

The city attorney suggested against releasing the purchase price, although the city council approved the deal. 

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt says the city acquired the property for less than the assessed value. 

According to the Brown County Treasurer’s land records, the total assessed value is $208,700.

SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) - Fire crews say what was thought to be a house fire is actually a garage fire.

The call went out around 5 a.m. Wednesday to a home at 13881 Velp Avenue in Suamico. 

It's not believed anyone was inside when the fire broke out. One Suamico firefighter was hurt.

"He did sustain injuries to his leg and was transported to the hospital for treatment," says Brown County Sheriff's Capt. Jeff Sanborn.

An investigation into the cause is underway.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - A Manitowoc man has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges in the drunk driving deaths of two men.

21-year-old Dylan Karnitz is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.

Authorities said his car plowed into the side of another vehicle at a Manitowoc intersection on March 3rd.

The second driver, 23-year-old Christopher Mark of Manitowoc, was killed along with his 24-year-old passenger Zachary Gates of Two Rivers. Four others were hurt, including one who’s still recovering from serious injuries after being treated at a Green Bay hospital.

Karnitz’ charges include causing deaths and injuries by drunk driving and under a controlled substance.

He’s due back in court in early October. A three-day trial is tentatively set for December 17th

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities say a motorcyclist injured in a crash with a car Monday in Howard has died.

Brown County Sheriff's deputies were called to the area of Velp and Glendale Avenues for the collision involving a 2012 Ford Focus and a 2000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Lt. Scott Semb says the 28-year-old motorcyclist, identified as August Richard, has died from his injuries.

"Unfortunately today (Wednesday) we were notified that Mr. Richard was pronounced dead resulting from injuries he received in the accident," says Lt. Semb.

The driver of the car, 62-year-old Linda Cherney, suffered minor injuries and was released from a hospital Monday.

The cause remains under investigation.

"It's very early in the investigation," says Lt. Semb. "Our accident reconstruction specialists were called out and they are investigating."

HOBART, WI (WTAQ) - Fire damages a home in Hobart Wednesday.

Fire crews were called to the house at 2738 Riverdale Drive around 8:30 a.m.

No one was injured. Officials say the family was away on vacation.

Firefighters say a small fire in the living room caused significant damage to the east side of the home.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but officials say it doesn't appear to be suspicious.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers unveiled their training camp schedule Wednesday.

Training camp will kickoff at Ray Nitschke Field on Friday July 26th at 8:20 a.m. After the opening session, morning practices beginning at 8:20 a.m. are also scheduled for July 27, 28, 30, 31 and August 1, 6, 7 and 8.

The Packers will hold a night practice on August 2 at 7 p.m., with Family Night the following evening at Lambeau Field.

The team will conduct a total of 10 open practices at Nitschke Field prior to the preseason opener vs. Arizona on Aug. 9. Of those 10 practices, nine will be held at 8:20 a.m.

Following the preseason contest against the Cardinals, the Packers will shift into more of a regular-season schedule with 11:15 a.m. practices on Aug. 13-14 and an 11 a.m. practice onAug. 15 heading into the preseason contest at St. Louis on Aug. 17.

The Packers will hold three practices (11:30 a.m. on Aug. 19, 11:15 a.m. on Aug. 20, 11 a.m. on Aug. 21) leading into the preseason contest vs. Seattle on Aug. 23. The team will wrap up training camp with an 11:30 practice on Aug. 25, an 11:15 practice on Aug. 26 and an 11 a.m. practice on Aug. 27 before the preseason finale at Kansas City on Aug. 29.

Should inclement weather or any other factor force the team indoors, practices will be closed to the public due to space limitations inside the Don Hutson Center. Please also note that all practice dates, times and dress are subject to change.

The annual Packers Family Night, Presented by Bellin Health, is scheduled for Saturday evening, Aug. 3, at Lambeau Field. The event will benefit the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program with evening activities getting underway in the stadium at 5:30 p.m., followed by on-field football drills at 6:30 p.m. and the scrimmage at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The team’s two home preseason games, also presented by Bellin Health, are slated for Aug. 9, vs. Arizona, and Aug. 23, vs. Seattle. The Packers’ two road preseason contests are at St. Louis, Aug. 17, and at Kansas City, Aug. 29.

Important dates on the preseason calendar include:

·         Thursday, July 25 – Players report

·         Thursday, July 25 – Head Coach Mike McCarthy’s season-opening press conference, 10 a.m.

·         Friday, July 26 – First practice, 8:20 a.m., Ray Nitschke Field

·         Friday, July 26 – Packers 1K Kids Run, 6 p.m.; Movie Night at Lambeau Field, 7:30 p.m.

·         Saturday, July 27 – Packers 5K Run at Lambeau Field, 6:30 p.m.

·         Saturday, Aug. 3 – Family Night, Lambeau Field

·         Tuesday, Aug. 27 – Last practice open to public, 11 a.m., Ray Nitschke Field

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Pioneer Credit Union has announced a merger is in the works with Capital Credit Union.

In an emailed letter to customers, Pioneer President Tom Young says the “merger is being done for all the right reasons” and that becoming one would benefit members.

The letter says both unions have strong reserves, are financially healthy and have a deep commitment to membership.

Pioneer boasts more than 53,000 members with more than $571 million in total assets while Capital has more than 34,000 members with nearly $460 million in total assets.

Pioneer Credit Union has 12 offices located in Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay and Shawano. Capital Credit Union has 11 offices throughout the Fox Valley and Oshkosh.