WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A Sunday morning semi crash closed all lanes on a stretch of I-41 southbound in Winnebago County for roughly 3 1/2 hours.
Sheriff's officials say it happened just before 10:30 am.
The driver reportedly suffered only minor injuries.
MARINETTE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Marinette County Sheriff's officials are searching for a missing man who may need mental health assistance.
Investigators say they found the man, Jacob's, car on a snowmobile trail on Brown Spur Road in Niagra.
They say the blue Volkswagen may have been on the trail for two days.
Anyone with information is asked to call 715-732-7627.
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - In a one week span, authorities in Fond du Lac responded to 2 emergency calls on Lake Winnebago.
One of those calls happened Sunday morning around 2:30 and officials believe alcohol was a factor in both incidents.
After a late night out at the bars in Fond du Lac, officials say a 42-year-old Fond du Lac man wandered onto the frozen waters of Lake Winnebago.
When he realized he was lost, he dialed 911.
Capt. Joe Maramonte with the Fond du Lac Fire Department tells FOX 11...
"They were able to ping his cellphone and get a general location."
Maramonte said they found the man about a quarter mile off shore, unresponsive and underdressed.
The man was taken to St. Agnes Hospital for hypothermia.
During the time of the rescue, Maramonte says the air temperature was about 12 degrees with wind speeds between 10-15 miles per hour.
"The lake is not the place to be walking around as anywhere if its cold outside and if you had a few to drink."
Maramonte says it's fortunate the man had his phone, otherwise it could have turned tragic like the case with Lindsley Klima.
Klima died nearly a week ago from exposure of the cold coming back from a New Years party.
Her body was found in the same area where the man was rescued.
"We haven't had a ton of these over the years. I think two in a span of a week is pretty high," said Maramonte.
Paramedic Lieutenant, Rick Faris said alcohol mixed with the frigid temperatures can be dangerous.
"Alcohol is a vessel dilator; it dilates the capillary beds in your skin. So, blood will flow there and it'll give you a false sense of being warm especially with heavy drinking; that'll just increase the amount of heat lost in the cold."
Faris said if your body temperature falls to 95 degrees, you are considered hypothermic.
At 93 to 86 degrees you can become unconscious and shivering will stop.
"At 86 degrees you are unconscious at that point and then cardiac dysrhythmia can set in," said Faris.
Officials are urging people to use common sense when drinking and they add hypothermia can still happen in warmer weather.
SHIOCTON, WI (WTAQ) - Fire broke out around 1 this morning (Monday) at an apartment complex in Shiocton.
The apartments are on the corner of Broad and Railroad streets.
When crews arrived they saw smoke and flames coming from the building.
Officials say between 20 to 25 residents have been displaced.
There is smoke damage to the whole building.
There's is no word yet on how the fire started or a damage estimate.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Monday morning press conference at Green Bay's Neville Public Museum where various Brown County community leaders call on the county's Taxpayers Association to drop a recently-filed lawsuit.
The suit alleges that the county's newly-implemented half-percent sales tax is illegally being used to evade state levy limits.
County Executive Troy Streckenbach notes the tax is meant to help fund $147-million dollars in infrastructure projects, saying those efforts are exempt from the state formula for determining the levy.
"All of these projects, like roads, bridges, infrastructure, things that are not luxury items, these things were going to get paid for one way or the other. Do you want to continue to bond for these and pay large amounts of interest in the future or would we rather pay cash?"
Streckenbach believes the Taxpayers Association is harming Brown County residents.
"To pay $24-million dollars more in property taxes and over $40-million dollars in interest payments alone. It seems to me that this lawsuit is anti-taxpayer."
County Board Chairman Patrick Moynihan claims the lawsuit goes against the Association's guiding principles.
"The BCTA's mission is to be fiscally responsible, transparent, and accountable to the people. The plan that was offered by the executive is exactly that."
Greater Green Bay Chamber President Laurie Radke says the planned projects the tax would help fund are necessary to the clients she serves.
"The Chamber has about 1,200 members. Their success is dependent on the economic prosperity of this area. If we're going to be competitive and attract business and retain business and attract talent, we must invest."
County officials argue the 72-month tax will provide $6-million dollars in tax relief.
GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ) - New direct flights between Appleton International Airport and United Airlines' Denver hub promise to make travel to and from the West Coast more convenient.
The United Express flights were announced today (Monday). The daily flights will be operated by Air Wisconsin, which is based at the airport.
The plane will be a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-200.
"When we talk to our community, whether it's to business travelers or leisure travelers, Denver is always the top choice for a direct flight," airport director Abe Weber said in a news release.
"We are thrilled that United Airlines has responded to our community's needs and we look forward to making travel easier for our customers."
“United’s new nonstop service between Appleton and our Denver hub will offer customers an ideal schedule for business or leisure travel,” Jake Cefolia, United’s vice president of sales, said in a news release.
“Appleton customers will now have convenient connecting service to popular destinations beyond Denver, including Hawaii, the West Coast and Pacific Northwest.”
From the Denver hub, travelers will be able to connect to 85 cities in the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.
That includes 30 cities that previously required two connections when traveling from ATW.
The flight to Denver leaves the Fox Valley at 8:35 a.m., arriving at 10:05 a.m. The return flight leaves Denver at 5:35 p.m. and lands at ATW at 8:49 p.m.
Flights can be booked on United's website.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police has identified the woman as Holly VanArk of Green Bay.
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Freezing temperatures are being blamed for a 61-year-old woman's death.
Green Bay Police believe the woman may have dropped her keys Wednesday night in the 600 block of Eastman Avenue when she tripped and hit her head.
While toxicology results are pending, the death does not appear suspicious.
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY (WTAQ)- A Kimberly man has been arrested for allegedly peeping into windows of homes in the Town of Buchanan.
Police were called to the area of Brookhaven Drive.
Deputies say they viewed a video taken by one of the home owners, followed footprints in the snow and talked to neighbors.
Their investigation eventually led them to 42-year-old Joseph Williams.
He was arrested on charges of invasion of privacy involving a minor Sunday night near the Heart of the Valley YMCA in Kimberly.
MANITOWOC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Two arrests have been made in connection with Thursday's armed robbery at a Manitowoc residence.
Investigators say 24-year-old Devonte Keith and 18-year-old Rasha Gibson both admitted to their roles in the Washington Street crime.
Cash bond has been set at $10,000 for both men. Neither has been formally charged.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A group of students from various Fox Valley high schools has done something to help a family in need.
They've built a home for the Martinez family, who has been living in a mobile home since moving to Appleton in 2004.
Maria Martinez moved into the new house on Monday.
"It's a life changing experience. I just want to thank everybody that took time out to build and construct our dream."
The effort involved the Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity and was funded through donations.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay has surpassed its Red Kettle Campaign goal for this winter.
The organization says it's collected north of its $1.1-million dollar target ($1,127,632.18) since the annual happening began on November 13.
The Salvation Army's Major Bob Mueller says the effort runs through January.
"It was truly an entire community working together that helped us reach our goal. We’re so thankful for the business partners, community leaders, and residents of Green Bay and surrounding communities for their gracious contributions during this Christmas season.”
Proceeds benefit local families in need, with more than 14,000 people assisted last year.
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A Fox Valley senior center's temporary home is becoming permanent.
For the past two years, the Thompson Center of Lourdes has been housed at Father Don Zuleger's St. Bernadette Parish in Appleton.
"We had a school building that was underutilized. We invited them to come over and take a look at our property."
Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna says the city provided $100,000 in grants, with another $200,000 collected in donations.
"There's an electrical upgrade, heating upgrade, I think there's some fire upgrade."
However, Hanna says they're still looking to install an air conditioning system, among other changes.
"Converting an old school into a different use is taking some efforts, and as they got organized and we talked to them, we were able to come up with some grant money to do some of that conversion."
That's good news for Lynn Schend, who was nervous she wouldn't have anywhere to go when the city's only permanent center closed two years ago.
"I retired at 55. I lost my husband three months later. You know, you need stuff to do."
The center estimates around 11,000 seniors participated in activities in 2017, up 4,000 from the year prior.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - It's official: Brian Gutekunst is the Green Bay Packers' new general manager.
"I am extremely excited to name Brian Gutenkunst as our new General Manager. It is a great day for the Green Bay Packers" Packer CEO and President Mark Murphy said to open his press conference.
The team made the official announcement Monday. Gutekunst will have complete control over all roster decisions, including the draft and free agency, the team says. He will also lead the Packers' scouting department.
"I let Mark know on Friday that this is my dream job. I am really glad that it came to where we are now" Guteknust said Monday.
Gutekunst replaces Ted Thompson, who the team announced last week would transition to a senior advisory position.
"Guteknust has spent 19 years with the Packers, proving to not only be a skilled talent evaluator, but a trusted and collaborative leader. His time under the direction of former Packers general managers Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson will undoubtedly serve him well as we work toward our next Super Bowl championship. I am confident that he is the man that will help get us there" Murphy said in a statement.
The new GM thanked god, his family and his mentors and then expressed his vision of what the hire means.
"Really excited about this opportunity. This is an amazing place. There is a standard of excellence here that has been her for a long, long time"
Guteknust said he plans to stay with draft and develop for acquiring young players, but said he wants to be a little more agressive in other ways to acquire players, hinting towards being active in the free agent market.
"We are not going to leave any stone unturned as far as player acquisition. It does not mean we are always going to get to the finish and sign the guy, but we are going to be in on every possible acquisition."
A NEW FRONT OFFICE STRUCTURE
The Packers promoted Russ Ball to executive vice president/director of football operations.
Ball was one of the team's internal candidates for the GM job, but will continue in his role of managing the team's salary cap and serving as the chief contract negotiator. He will also continue to oversee several areas in football operations.
The Packers also announced that head coach Mike McCarthy, along with Gutekunst and Ball, will report directly to Murphy.
"Three key people in our organization will all report to me, but they are going to be making the football decisions. To really improve communication in all these areas of football, I thought it would be helpful to have Mike McCarthy to report to me. I think it is best for the organization" Murphy said.
Murphy painted a picture of the new strucutre which would put him at top, with the GM, Director of Football Operations and Head Coach reporting to him. Gutekunst would be responsible for roster, draft and free agent signing. Ball would stay responsible for the salary cap, contracts and finances. McCarthy would still be in charge of coaches, overall play and player development.
As General Manager, Ted Thompson was also responsible for all the above, but Murphy said the GM interview process showed him where a structure change was needed.
"I have been trying to get more involved the last couple of years, but this process showed me how exactly to do that."
Murphy said what that won't involve is ruling with an iron fist, including in times of conflict.
"I will mediate and bring people together, and try to get people on the same page, but if it is not possible then I will make the final decision."
ELIOT WOLF???
Many are questioning the status of Eliot Wolf in the front office. Wolf was a candidate for the General Manager position, but has also been a prospect for front office positions with other teams.
Gutekunst said he understands if Wolf looks elsewhere, but indicated that he would like to keep him on staff."I think the world of Eliot Wolf, not only as a scout. Obviously he has other opportunities if he wants them, but I am very hopeful that he will be here."
Mark Murphy also added his thoughts on Wolf, after interviewing him.
"He is going to be a General Manager someday. He is extremely talented, and I have a great respect for him. I really believe he has a great career ahead of him."
The press conference went 35 minutes. Gutekunst said the work starts now with All-Star games and scouting oppertunities taking place in the coming weeks.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Green Bay Police are awaiting results of a autopsy of a woman found dead last week and medical tests of a two-day old infant found dead over the weekend.
Green Bay Police have identified the woman as 61-year old Holly VanArk.
Captain Kevin Warych says there are three factors that may have contributed to her death.
"Due to her laying on the ground, her fall, her possible level of intoxication and the cold, we all believe contributed to her cause of death."
Warych said VanArk was dropped off at her residence the night before she was found.
Police were called on scene when her body was found by her brother.
"Something happened outside her residence, and in the process she had tripped and fallen, possibly hitting her head, causing her to lay on the ground."
Police say VanArk's body was found last Wednesday morning.
Green Bay Police continue to seek answers to what led to the death of a baby Saturday morning.
Captain Warych said they responded to a call of a non-breathing child, with no pulse, at a home on the 1100 block of Marquette Avenue Saturday morning.
He said their involvement does not necessarily mean criminal actions were involved
"Anytime that there is a death inside a residence in the city of Green Bay, officers respond to investigate.
Medical tests will determine how the baby died, and will determine if any criminal investigation is needed.
"Officers learned that the baby had died, and the baby will now undergo medical tests to determine the cause of death. If the incident is criminal in nature, then we will begin a criminal investigation."
The child was reported to be dead by the time help arrived.
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - In Wisconsin, a winter warm-up can only mean one thing: long lines for a car wash.
It's been common the last two days to see the car wash lines more than a few vehicles deep at PDQ Car Wash in Ashwaubenon.
“Didn't want to get the car washed on a cold day,” said Inez Troge of Green Bay.
Nancy Sager of Ashwaubenon tells Fox 11 her story....
“It was just nice to be outside a little bit and the car was filthy.”
Justin Knitt, marketing administrator for PDQ Car Wash, tells FOX 11 regulars know how to play the game...
“A lot of our unlimited members, they wash all the time, so they know to stay away during these warm stretches.”
Knitt says if you can't resist, and want to hit the wash during the warmth, it's recommended trying your luck during the middle of the day.
“Obviously as people get off work and in the morning a lot of people like to come before they go to work as well.”
No matter the time, some sort of wait should be expected on days like this.
“We've been waiting for like the last 25 minutes in line,” said Sager.
“Not too bad, I didn't mind it all,” said Troge. “I just wanted to get that car washed.”
Expect the lines to be long at peak times again today.
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Monday's warm-up may have given some people the chance to get outside and take in some of the sights.
The recent cold spell left behind some beautiful ice formations on some Brown County waterways.
Long white spindles of ice stretched to the base of the frozen waterfall at Wequiock Falls County Park.
Pat Janssen tells Fox 11 it's a good day to take in the sights.
"We normally go on some sort of hike on a Monday. It's been such bad weather, over the last couple weeks, so we decided that today would be a good day to go for a hike."
Wequiock Falls is a three-acre county park along Highway 57 in the Town of Scott.
"Wequiock Creek flows right through the Niagara Escarpment there. And that is where it drops off. That ledge, it's about a 20-30 foot fall right there," said Matt Kriese, Brown County Parks Director.
Kriese says the falls started to freeze more than a month ago.
"And as more water flowed, it just built up. So there's tons and tons of ice that you're going to see that have just been frozen. It's layer, upon layer, upon layer of ice."
About 20 miles to the south, Kriese says Fonferek's Glen County Park features a 30-foot waterfall over Bower Creek.
"It's a beautiful view right along the Niagara Escarpment, and really where the Niagara Escarpment shows its face."
The Niagara Escarpment is a 1,000-mile long rocky ledge which runs from Wisconsin all the way to New York. The limestone formations are about 400 million years old.
Kriese says hikers should use cleats or snowshoes while exploring in winter.
"It's all unmaintained trails. There's steep cliffs, people need to use caution, and maybe know the park and how to get down below the glen itself at the bottom areas of Bower Creek."
When the waterfalls melt in the spring, they may have a slightly different look.
Park officials say the cycle of freezing and thawing causes a certain amount of erosion every year.
HOWARD, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Howard-Suamico School District approved adding a referendum question on the spring ballot Monday.
On April 3rd, voters in the school district will consider whether to allow the board authority to override the state revenue limit for $5.85 million annually, for five years, to support the district's operations.
If approved, the money will help reduce class sizes, employee compensation and facility maintenance without increasing property taxes.
The district says that is because it has reduced its debts and property values have been going up in the area.
Click here for more details
A community task force studied the district's funding challenges and presented its findings and recommendations to the school board in November of 2017.
In April of 2017, about 70 percent of voters in the school district rejected a referendum to exceed its state revenue limit by $4 million per year.
MENOMINEE, Mich. (WTAQ) - Menominee Police have arrested four people in a drug bust.
Police say the drug house, on the 1900 block of 22nd Avenue, is located across the street from a High School in Upper Michigan.
Officers found suspected meth, heroin, cash, and syringe needles, along with paraphernalia.
The lease holder of the building showed up during the raid and was also arrested.
The suspects' names were not released.
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The Brown County Taxpayers Association's president responds to criticism of his group's recently-filed lawsuit.
The suit alleges the county's newly-implemented half-percent sales tax is being illegally used to evade state laws on levy limits.
County officials say the suit goes against the Association's mission, by passing additional costs onto property taxpayers.
Rich Heidl says they're fighting to ensure transparent government.
"We are in favor of several of these projects, but it needs to be done legally. Doing what's legal should not be a function of a benefit-cost analysis. If the costs are higher by complying with the law, then the county is going to have to make some tough decisions and set some priorities."
He counters claims that the suit would harm property taxpayers, saying out-of-county residents would not contribute as much of the sales tax revenues as the county projects.
"We can show where that 30% is inflated. The number is more closely around 11%."
Heidl reacts to the county calling on his group to immediately drop its lawsuit.
"I find it discouraging. I would much rather be involved in a discussion, a debate about the interpretation of the law."
The sales tax revenues are meant to help fund $147-million dollars worth of infrastructure projects.
BROWN COUNTY (WTAQ)- Work on Green Bay's Hotel Northland project is now expected to wrap up in mid-July.
A judge has granted court-appointed receiver Paul Swanson's request to take on an additional $12-million dollars in debt.
City officials say subcontractors are back to work at the hotel, with more work expected to resume later this week.
The project has run into several financial problems since getting underway a couple years ago.
Octagon Credit Partners LP will loan the money to the project and Ganthe Construction is the general contractor.
Financial problems have slowed the project down.
