Investigation into Kids Eating Marijuana

December 15, 2017, 2:42 pm

≪ Previous: Charges Filed in Overnight Shooting

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Investigators continue to look into whether to file charges against the parents of a second grader who is accused of bringing drugs to school.

Green Bay Police Lieutenant Jeff Brester says the child brought marijuana to Eisenhower Elementary on Tuesday, eating it along with a classmate.

He notes a staffer noticed a large group gathered around the students.

"One of the school members went up to see what was going on and discovered that the kids had an empty baggie that smelled like marijuana."

Brester says the kids checked out fine when taken to the hospital by their parents.

The incident has raised concerns for Bryan Stache, whose girlfriend's daughter is a second grader at the school.

"Wondering where these kids are getting it from. If their parents have it, why would it even be accessible to them at that age, or any age?"

Brester notes the students are too young to pin a crime on but says child neglect could be filed against the parents.

Eisenhower Principal Anne Zernicke sent a memo to parents on Thursday.

"We believe this to be an isolated incident, and we are working with the Green Bay Police Department. Due to the incident being under investigation, we were unable to communicate to all families sooner."

Green Bay Police and child protective services are working together on the investigation.

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Packers Asking Fans for Help

December 15, 2017, 3:02 pm

≫ Next: A Sweet Return

≪ Previous: Investigation into Kids Eating Marijuana

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Fans have a chance to help out the Green Bay Packers early next week.

The organization is looking for adults to help shovel out Lambeau Field after Wednesday's snow storm.

Team officials say 600 shovelers are needed, with a $10 hourly wage being offered.

Those interested should arrive at the Mills Fleet Farm Gate at 8 am Monday.

The team's final regular season home game is Saturday, December 23 against the Minnesota Vikings.

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A Sweet Return

December 17, 2017, 12:00 am

≫ Next: Fire Damages Appleton House

≪ Previous: Packers Asking Fans for Help

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ)- A local business is finding a special way to say welcome back to #12 As Packer fans prepare for what they hope is the sweet taste of victory Sunday, the Festival Foods Bakery in De Pere is celebrating Aaron Rodger's return with the sweet taste of desert. Unlike the Packers road to the playoffs, It's a piece of cake. "It's shapped like a football and each cake has a welcome back message written on it." Amanda Dolan, Bakery Manager of the De Pere store, said they threw up a Hail Mary with the idea, and so far the Welcome Back Rodgers Cakes have been a score. "People are taking pictures and sharing them all over social media" Dolan said. "We sold a couple dozen in the first couple of days already." Thanks to Rodgers return, and Festival Foods, you can have your cake, and eat it too.

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Fire Damages Appleton House

December 17, 2017, 7:07 am

≫ Next: One Killed in Vehicle Accident

≪ Previous: A Sweet Return

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Three people have been displaced by an Appleton house fire.

Crews responded to the 1000 block of West Bell Avenue around 8:30 pm Saturday.

Heavy smoke and flames were visible in front of the garage, with it spreading to the attics of both the garage and house.

No injuries have been reported, but the garage sustained significant damage.

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One Killed in Vehicle Accident

December 17, 2017, 7:12 am

≫ Next: Credit Card Info Reportedly Compromised

≪ Previous: Fire Damages Appleton House

MEEME, WI (WTAQ) - A 19-year-old Cleveland man has died in a Manitowoc County crash.

It happened around 5:30 pm Saturday on West Washington Road in the Town of Meeme.

Investigators believe the Cleveland man's car collided with a van driven by a 36-year-old Newton woman.

A 21-year-old Cleveland man riding in the car was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The Newton woman and her 12-year-old passenger were treated at the scene.

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Credit Card Info Reportedly Compromised

December 17, 2017, 8:23 am

≫ Next: Child Seriously Injured in Crash

≪ Previous: One Killed in Vehicle Accident

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - City of Fond du Lac officials are urging residents to check their credit card history.

Officials say they were notified by a local partner bank that a number of credit cards have been compromised, with the Walter Payment Portal as the common purchase point.

They say they were notified on December 12, with customers that made payments through the portal between August and October being at risk.

No personal information aside from credit card data appears to have been skimmed.

Residents are urged to pay their water bill via mail, city drop box, or at the city office.

Phone payments will also be accepted, with the $3 credit card fee being waived.

December late fees will also be waived, if this issues causes a customer's payment to come in late.

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Child Seriously Injured in Crash

December 17, 2017, 8:29 pm

≫ Next: Police Step Up Drunk Driving Enforcement

≪ Previous: Credit Card Info Reportedly Compromised

THERESA, WI (WTAQ) - A Dodge County crash has left an 8-year-old child with serious, possibly life-threatening injuries.

Sheriff's officials say the accident happened around 3 pm Sunday at the intersection of Highway 28/67/175 and Highway 28 East in the Town of Theresa.

Investigators believe a 35-year-old Reeseville man was westbound on 28 East when he blew a stop sign and collided with a northbound vehicle driven by a 60-year-old Theresa woman.

The child was riding in the vehicle with the Reeseville man, who suffered non-life threatening injuries.

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Police Step Up Drunk Driving Enforcement

December 18, 2017, 12:00 am

≫ Next: Mental Health Officers Being Recognized

≪ Previous: Child Seriously Injured in Crash

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ)- Law Enforcement around the area are doing what they can to make sure everyone gets home safe this time of year.

Commander Tom Rolling of Ashwaubenon Public Safety says the message they want to get out is that it is not worth it.

If you choose to drink too much, find a different way home.

To drive that message home, Ashwaubenon Public Safety will be stepping up their patrol.

"It's alarming, and our goal is not to arrest everybody and write citations, we are here to try to make our roads safer."

Tom Rolling, Ashwaubenon Public Safety Commander says drunk driving is not only dangerous, it also can be costly and embarrassing. "From court costs to higher insurance rates not mention lost time at work, it costs nearly $10,000 dollars" Rolling said. "I have arrested many people and remember the look on their faces and how they felt when a loved one had to come pick them up." Ashwaubenon Public Safety is patrolling through the holidays with a extra eye for drunk driving. Commander Rolling says their goal is to educate and protect everyone. "When you get behind the wheel, we want you to be able to get from point A to point B knowing you can do safely because the police have your back." The extra enforcement goes though New Year's Day.

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Mental Health Officers Being Recognized

December 18, 2017, 12:00 am

≫ Next: The Help Wanted Sign Is Out

≪ Previous: Police Step Up Drunk Driving Enforcement

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Two Green Bay Police officers are being recognized for their outstanding community policing and problem solving efforts.

Mental health officers Barb Gerarden and Kamra Allen have won the statewide Sir Robert Peel Award for their project "Crisis Response-Problem Oriented Policing Initiative."

It focuses on improving police response to mental health and crisis related calls.

Gerarden says "all of these initiatives really help to decriminalize people with mental illness and help get them connected to help."

The main areas of focus have been the emergency detention process, using the mental health court as a jail diversion, and collabroating with adult protective services.

The department added the full-time mental health positions in early 2017.

One year in, Gerarden notes the biggest obstacle they still face.

"There's the pyschiatrist shortage and nursing shortage that's preventing people from getting volunteer treatment yet, so they end up becoming an emergency detention."

However, Gerarden says their efforts have been able to reduce emergency detentions by roughly 10%.

She notes one example of a client showing improvement.

"He found a purse with like $500 in it. He said he really struggled and that it was tempting, but he did the right thing and returned it to police."

Allen says they're looking into an additional policy they learned about at a Florida conference, which could help build on their efforts.

"Make the assessment with the person in their home. They determine that they need to be taken into protective custody, and they go to one facility. Those people immediately get help by mental health professionals and not police, so it reduces the amount of people going into the jail."

The award will be presented at February's Wisconsin Association of Community Oriented Policing Conference at downtown Green Bay's Hyatt Conference Center.

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The Help Wanted Sign Is Out

December 18, 2017, 1:53 am

≫ Next: Home Invasion Victims Robbed At Gunpoint

≪ Previous: Mental Health Officers Being Recognized

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Jade Schneider grew up in a family of police officers.

She tells Fox 11 that's part of the reason, she's always wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement.

"So, I had the opportunity to do ride-alongs throughout high school, that also persuaded me to apply to Green Bay."

Schneider, a recent graduate of Fox Valley Tech's Law Enforcement Academy, is one of the Green Bay Police Department's newest recruits.

But the department still has several spots to fill.

"This year we're looking at 13 retirements during 2017," explained Chief Andrew Smith.

Smith says recruitment has become dire, as the department continues to deal with a wave of retirements.

"Next year, I have projected 15 more officers that are leaving. People that have indicated they're leaving, and over the course of five years, 50 or 60 more officers are going to leave the department."

Chief Smith says the applicants are coming in, but he believes character is more important than just filling positions.

"There's no shortage of applicants, I could go out and hire 15-40 people today, if we lowered our standards."

Smith says this is a transition period, the department will overcome.

"Between the folks we have left, that are all really good, and the young folks that we're really enthusiastic about, I think we're going to be just fine."

As Schneider prepares to be officially sworn in as a Green Bay police officer.

She says she's excited to take the oath, to protect and serve.

"People definitely look for the best, you got to be on your A game."

To be fully staffed, the department will need 194 officers.

Not counting the pending retirements, Smith says the department currently has 187 officers.

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Home Invasion Victims Robbed At Gunpoint

December 18, 2017, 3:18 am

≫ Next: Drunk Driving Crash Claims 2 Lives

≪ Previous: The Help Wanted Sign Is Out

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - Around 11 last night (SUNDAY) Manitowoc City Police Officers were dispatched to a call of an armed robbery in the 700 block of S. 15 th St.

Three suspects entered a residence; and one displayed a black handgun, pointing it at an occupant while another stole a game console and possibly other items from within the residence.

The suspects were last observed on foot, running eastbound from the residence on Clark St.

All three suspects were described as being black males wearing dark clothing and approximately 16-20 years of age.

Two of the suspects had their faces covered.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, they are asked to contact the Manitowoc police Department Shift Commander at (920)686-6551 or Crime Stoppers at (920) 683-4465.

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Drunk Driving Crash Claims 2 Lives

December 18, 2017, 4:12 am

≫ Next: Council to Consider Shipyard, 9/11 Memorial

≪ Previous: Home Invasion Victims Robbed At Gunpoint

BOVINA, WI (WTAQ) - Two people are dead after a crash Sunday night on Highway 54 in Outagamie County.

Authorities say an 82 year old man and 83 year old woman from Illinois were killed after another driver ran a stop sign in the town of Bovina.

Sheriff deputies say a 57 year old man ran the stop sign on County Highway M and hit the couple's car on Highway 54 just before 11.

All three were taken to Theda Care New London.

The Illinois residents died at the hospital

The man is facing charges for operating while intoxicated causing death.

There is no word on the extent of his injuries.

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Council to Consider Shipyard, 9/11 Memorial

December 18, 2017, 1:30 pm

≫ Next: Deputy Shot by Fellow Officer

≪ Previous: Drunk Driving Crash Claims 2 Lives

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Ahead of Tuesday night's consideration, two Green Bay aldermen express different views on the Shipyard project.

Bill Galvin says the planned sports stadium, concert venue, and Anduzzi's restaurant would benefit the whole near-west side.

"I think that the development that it will bring with it, the improvements for businesses and homes in that area, will be something that Green Bay has not seen in a very long time."

Guy Zima says he's not opposed to the project but is opposed to the current proposal, which he feels is too generous to the Green Bay Bullfrogs.

"They're going to get all the naming rights, all the concession revenue, all the parking revenue, and the city's just going to get this little $225,000 per year."

The project is expected to cost $13.5-million dollars, with the city fronting $12-million.

Meanwhile, the council is also expected to consider whether to start a fundraising campaign for the city's 9/11 memorial.

Galvin says he was initially in favor of constructing a new monument outside a future public safety building, since the current memorial has deteriorated over time and contains inaccurate information.

Now, he's on board with raising the funds to repair the existing monument.

"I'm not against that either, just so it doesn't end up costing the city taxpayers an awful lot of money in fixing it and then maintenancing it."

The repairs are estimated to cost up to $100,000.

Some elected officials say a consensus has been reached that the current monument contains artifacts from the site.

Zima says "I actually think it's irrelevant. I believe the bishop blessed a few things and put it in there, and it's in there, but so what?"

He notes the focus should be having a monument that best honors the victims of the tragedy.

Tuesday's council meeting starts at 7 pm at City Hall, 100 North Jefferson Street.

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Deputy Shot by Fellow Officer

December 18, 2017, 3:47 pm

≫ Next: Walker: Major Road Project Will End Early

≪ Previous: Council to Consider Shipyard, 9/11 Memorial

STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Door County deputy has been released from the hospital after being shot by a fellow officer.

Investigators say it happened while the officers were responding to a Monday morning domestic incident in Sturgeon Bay, where a man was reportedly threatening his father with a knife.

One officer's gun accidentally went off while putting the man in handcuffs, hitting the deputy in the back of the thigh.

"Our officers deal with domestic incidents and disturbances all the time, several times a week, and you never know when these go sour. This one did, and it's one of the most dangerous situations they can be called to."

Sturgeon Bay Police Captain Dan Brinkman says his agency is working with the Department of Justice on the matter.

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Walker: Major Road Project Will End Early

December 18, 2017, 3:51 pm

≫ Next: Man Sentenced for Sex Assaults

≪ Previous: Deputy Shot by Fellow Officer

GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ) - A Fox Valley highway project is now expected to finish a year ahead of schedule.

During a Monday stop in Greenville, Governor Scott Walker announced that work on Highway 441/10 will wrap up in fall 2019.

That effort includes: completing the interchange with Interstate 41 in Fox Crossing, expanding the Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge over Little Lake Butte des Morts, and straightening out curves in the southern part of Highway 441 to allow for higher speed limits.

In addition, work on the Highway 441/Oneida Street diverging diamond interchange in Appleton will now reportedly be finished in 2018.

Walker says that's the result of multiple projects within the 441 expansion plan wrapping up early, crediting competitive bids and low fuel costs.

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Man Sentenced for Sex Assaults

December 18, 2017, 3:57 pm

≫ Next: Fans Help Shovel Out Lambeau

≪ Previous: Walker: Major Road Project Will End Early

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 25-year-old Oshkosh man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for a pair of 2016 sex assaults.

Timothy Cole reportedly assaulted a woman who was walking home from a bar and a woman who let him spend the night in her apartment because he was too drunk to drive.

He previously pleaded no contest to two counts of second-degree sexual assault and substantial battery.

Cole has also been ordered to spend 30 years under extended supervision.

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Fans Help Shovel Out Lambeau

December 18, 2017, 4:16 pm

≫ Next: No Charges For School Bullying Incident

≪ Previous: Man Sentenced for Sex Assaults

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Hundreds of people spent part of their Monday helping out the Green Bay Packers.

The team paid people $10 an hour to shovel out Lambeau Field, in preparation for Saturday's game against Minnesota.

Todd Edlebeck is the Packers' facilities manager.

"Pay attention to the weather. We may need your help on Friday, because the game is on Saturday. We have to turn that around quick."

As many as 600 people were allowed to help out.

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No Charges For School Bullying Incident

December 19, 2017, 12:50 am

≫ Next: Paying More To Turn On The Lights

≪ Previous: Fans Help Shovel Out Lambeau

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ)- Appleton Police say no charges will be filed in an elementary school bullying incident that occurred earlier this month.

After getting quite a bit of attention through social media, Appleton Police Sergeant Dave Lund said a thorough investigation of allegations of a student being injured from a bullying incident at Horizon's Elementary School did not add up to what was reported. "Statements made on social media were either exaggerated or false in some cases. It did not appear to be intentional or directed towards another student with the intent to harm or hurt." Lund said no charges will be filed. He said it is a lesson to social media users. "Just because someone posts something it does not mean that it is necessarily 100 percent accurate. " He said a thorough investigation was performed by the School Resource Officer. "They had the benefit of being able to view video of that particular situation. We do not believe this to be a bullying incident, we believe this to be a playground incident and we will not be presuing any charges on anyone." Lund said any follow up or action regarding the incident would be done through school administration.

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Paying More To Turn On The Lights

December 19, 2017, 1:44 am

≫ Next: Armed Robbery At Fast Food Joint

≪ Previous: No Charges For School Bullying Incident

KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - When David Roloff received a letter in the mail from the Kaukauna Utilities, he wasn't too happy.

Kaukauna Utilities notified its customers that it is looking to raise its rates.

Roloff tells FOX 11 both his home and business, Roloff Manufacturing Co., would be hit by the increase.

"It's going to be rough because now I got to pass these on or find ways so that I can stay in business."

Kaukauna Utilities filed a request to raise its rates with the state's Public Service Commission.

Jeff Feldt, Kaukauna Utilities general manager, say the typical bill would go from $81 to $91.

"The rate increase, it depends on how much you use. The average residential would see about 12 percent on that. Your larger customers would see less than that."

Appleton Coated was the utility's largest customer.

Feldt said when the paper mill filed for bankruptcy, the utility couldn't recoup money the mill owed.

"$2.2 million Appleton Coated owed us when they filed for receivership. With the receivership process, we could not recover that cost from Appleton Coated legally."

Roloff told FOX 11, it shouldn't be up to the customers to makeup for that loss.

"I'd try to get more businesses in here, not saying that they aren't but now you have to really step up your game plan and say, what are we going to do to get people in here to start absorbing some of these costs instead of passing it on to a smaller group?"

Feldt said even with the rate increase, Kaukauna Utilities remains one of the lowest electric rates in the country.

"We made a significant investment over many years and I believe in this rate case, you'll see the value in that hydro come out."

A public hearing is scheduled January 18th in Madison.

Those who can't make it to Madison can go to the Kaukauna Utilities office building for a conference call.

The Public Service Commission is expected to make a decision on the increase early next year.

If approved, it could take effect as soon as April.

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Armed Robbery At Fast Food Joint

December 19, 2017, 5:38 am

≫ Next: Police Investigate Stabbing, Make 2 Arrests

≪ Previous: Paying More To Turn On The Lights

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police are investigating an armed robbery at the Burger King on 1005 South Military Ave. around 11:30 p.m. Monday.

Green Bay police say a male with a knife stole an undisclosed amount of cash.

No one was hurt.

Police are still looking for the robber.

Police did not provide a description of the male, other than to say he was possibly Hispanic.

Police say anyone with information concerning this case can call the Green Bay Police Department at (920) 448-3208.

You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward by contacting Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers by phone at #920-432-7867, through their website at 432stop.com, or by downloading the P3 tip app through Google Play or the App Store.

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