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Input Sought on Golf Course's Future

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A meeting to discuss what to do with the remainder of an Oshkosh golf course site. 

The city council voted in November to sell 35 acres of the course to Oshkosh Corporation for its new headquarters. 

Parks Director Ray Maurer says they have two main options for the remaining 70 acres.  

"A nine-hole, shortened, executive-style course or a community park with a variety of amenities."

Even though the course wouldn't open this year, Maurer says he needs to know by mid-March.

"Once the holes are gone, because a lack of maintenance takes over, it is much more expensive to bring that golf course back to life."

Maurer explains what would be needed for the new course, since some amenities are tied to the portion that was sold.

"Construction of a new clubhouse and so forth.  Some of the holes that might be re-useable would have to be reconfigured, renovation and relocations of some of the holes."

Public input will be taken at tonight's (MON) Advisory Park Board meeting, which starts at 6 pm at City Hall.

The board could make a recommendation to the council.


Valentine's Day A Money Maker For Retailers

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DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - Valentine's Day will be here before you know it.

Whether you're set on chocolates, flowers, or maybe getting a nice card, the unofficial holiday means big business for some retailers.

Many are preparing for added sales with just a few days to go.

It's a Valentine's Day tradition for Richard Theiler.

"They're all princess and Valentine's cards for our daughter. We're going to send her each day up until Valentine's Day to her house."

Whoever that someone special may be, many are heading out trying to find the perfect gift.

That has area businesses, like Schroeder's Flowers in Allouez restocking its shelves.

"People have been coming in, and there are people who ordered early."

Peggy Schroeder, owner of Schroeder Flowers, tells FOX 11 if you're looking for a bouquet that will last, you may want to consider something different than traditional roses.

"The zalia's are kind of a rose like flower. They will last three to four weeks. There are daisies and carnations also.".

From flowers to chocolate, Seroogy's in De Pere, have been prepping for what has already been a busy couple of days.

"We'll be busy probably later, and expect to be really busy tomorrow," said Seroogy's Marketing Director, Marjorie Hitchcock.

Hitchcock says they have a variety of small gifts and chocolates that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

"We have a lot of them filled with assorted chocolates on the shelf, but we can put whatever kind they would like into each box."

As for Theiler, he says the holiday isn't always about spending money, but rather, “... having them remember that you're thinking about them."

The National Retail Federation reports last year Americans spent more than $18 billion on their valentines.

Fire Forces 3 Out Of Their Home

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Three people will not be able to go back home Sunday afternoon after the Green Bay Metro Fire Department says it found a fire in the attic of a two-story apartment.

Fire officials say the fire happened at 1732 Smith Street just after 3:30.

When firefighters arrived, they found the fire in the outside wall, of the second story of the apartment, and also inside the attic.

No one was hurt. The fire caused an estimated $4,000 in damage.

Weekend Assaults Investigated

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OSHKOSH, WI (WLUK) - Students at UW-Oshkosh say you can never be too careful when walking to and from class.

Nicole Beck is a freshman and told FOX 11....

"I carry around pepper spray when I walk. When I'm walking in the dark by myself I'm always on the phone with someone."

Beck lives in the area of Lincoln and Cherry Avenue. Police say it's the same area where a group of people assaulted 2 victims early Saturday morning.

Sgt. Chris Gorte with the Oshkosh Police Department....

"The two victims that we were able to speak with, were unable to give a detailed description. The only description they were able to get were a large group of possibly 10 to 15 people."

The victims were injured but Gorte says they did not need medical treatment.

"They did not know why they were assaulted. The investigation is still ongoing but at this point nothing was taken from them."

Lt. Trent Martin with the University of Oshkosh Police told FOX 11, this type of behavior is common on and around college campuses.

He said to keep those assaults from happening to students, safety measures can be taken.

"We encourage people to walk in pairs or groups, don't walk a lone especially late at night and make sure someone knows where you're going and when you get there."

Martin says police are also urging students to get the free UWO mobile app which includes multiple safety resources.

Martin explained, "It also has a resource called 'Friend Walk' where they're allowed to connect with other friends on this app and a friend can watch them go home to see if they make it home safely and we do have a safe walk program with our CSO's, our Community Service Officers."

Although Beck hasn't had to use the app, she knows she can count on law enforcement when she needs it.

"The cops are good here, yesterday I waited in the morning like around 4:30 and they sat and waited with me until my ride came."

If you have any information about Saturday's assault, Oshkosh Police would like you to give them a call at 920-236-5700.

Gas Prices Heading South In NE Wisconsin

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Drivers in Northeast Wisconsin's two largest metro areas were paying about $2.46 per gallon of gas as of Sunday.

According to GasBuddy, that price represents about a two-and-a-half-cent drop from a week earlier in both the Green Bay and Appleton areas.

Click here to see current gas prices

Analysts say national economic factors contributed to the drop.

"The wait is over -- 2018's first weekly drop at gas pumps has arrived with the national average losing ground in the last week. As the Dow Jones average swung violently, oil prices lost considerable ground, falling below $60 per barrel for the first time this year. In addition, a weekly report from the government showed a trifecta of inventory increases: crude oil, gasoline and distillate inventories all gained, pushing wholesale gasoline prices down and paving the way for gas prices to cool off," Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said in a news release. "These factors have opened the door for perhaps a brief window of relief at the pump that may last for several weeks. I'd expect most places would see gas prices decline in the week ahead as a direct result. But don't get too giddy -- there are still some gray clouds on the horizon."

The national average price of a gallon of gas fell 3.5 cents last week to $2.57 as of Sunday.

Man Sentenced in Overdose Death

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A 41-year-old Oshkosh man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for delivering the drugs that prosecutors say caused an Appleton woman's death. 

Court records indicate Anthony Chaplin admitted to providing heroin to Joy Strader several times, including both heroin containing fentanyl and meth in May 2017. 

Autopsy results indicate Strader died from a combination of those drugs.  

Chaplin will also spend five years under extended supervision.  

Settlement Could End Long Legal Battle

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay committee is scheduled to consider a $2.5-million dollar settlement tied to a waste-to-energy plant project that was never completed.

Oneida Seven Generations Corporation sued after the city council approved the project in 2010 but then withdrew that approval after construction started.

The corporation won a state court decision but never pursued the plant.

A still-pending appeal to a federal suit that OSGC lost would be dismissed if the payment is made.

The city's finance committee is expected to discuss the matter Tuesday, possibly making a recommendation to council.  

Sheriff: Traffic Patrol Effort Paying Off

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DODGE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - An effort to reduce the amount of serious traffic crashes has been paying off. 

That according to Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt, whose agency implemented a new crash reduction program in November. 

"Identifying locations throughout our county which are high traffic crash areas, putting additional resources in those areas."

Schmidt notes they're focusing on six areas.  

He says there's been an increased number of traffic stops, with the threshold for making a stop having decreased.

Schmidt notes he's heard encouraging returns from the public.

"They've gone down from ten over (the speed limit) to maybe only a mile or two over, and any mile an hour reduction that I can get is a win."

The sheriff says there were 21 traffic fatalities in 2017.

"High incidents of failure to stop at a stop sign (was the leading contributor), whether it was blowing through a stop sign completely or not seeing somebody coming and pulling out in front of them."

Schmidt notes speed, inattentive driving, and impaired driving were also common factors.

There has only been one death so far this year. 


Hero Finds New Friend

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A program that helps veterans who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder is aiding a retired Marine from our area. 

Nathaniel Seavecki got the chance Monday to meet Anna, a Labrador retriever who was paired with him through the Dogs2DogTags initiative. 

"It just means a lot to me.  The dog will help a lot with my stress issues and just everyday life, getting through every day."

Anna will join Seavecki in his civilian life, as well as taking part in hunting and fishing activities. 

Seavecki served in Afghanistan and Africa.  

Coroner: Two Killed by Flu

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TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ) - The flu has claimed two lives in Northeast Wisconsin.

The Manitowoc County coroner's office says a 56-year-old man and 48-year-old woman from Two Rivers are dead.

The two reportedly lived together, with the man going to the hospital for treatment while the woman did not.

Coroner Curtis Green says extreme respiratory difficulty is what can turn influenza fatal.

"We do a nasal swab.  We brought it to a local hospital for a test, and they confirmed Influenza A."

Their names have not been released.

State health officials only track pediatric flu deaths, with none having been reported so far this season.  

Fox 11 Vandalism Suspect Arrested

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The man suspected of stealing a large crucifix from a Green Bay church and using it to damage Fox 11's outdoor, electronic sign on Friday has been arrested.

Investigators say Brendan McSweeney was taken into custody later that night in Wausau, after causing another disturbance.

In that second incident, officers note McSweeney was wearing a mask and the same clothing from the previous crime, while driving a Blue Ford Focus.  

He reportedly caused a disturbance at a pizza place, yelling at officers who approached him.  

Court records say McSweeney shouted "do you believe in Jesus Christ" at one officer and 'aggressively inched closer' to the officers before being tased.

When McSweeney ran off, the officers say they chased, tackled, and arrested him.

McSweeney's uncle, reportedly contacted police about the 29-year-old Chicago resident's unusual behavior, saying these kind of incidents often happen when he does not take medications for his mental illness.

In Marathon County, McSweeney has been charged with Disorderly Conduct (x2), Resisting/Obstructing an Officer, and Criminal Damage to Property.

He faces felony counts of Theft and Criminal Damage to Personal Property and one misdemeanor count of Disorderly Conduct in Brown County.

Multiple Injuries In Outagamie County Crash

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TOWN OF BUCHANAN (WTAQ) - Six people, including five juveniles were injured in an Outagamie County crash Monday morning. 

The crash occurred around 11:50am at the intersection of Highway GG and Highway Z.

According to offiicals on scene, a vehicle, containing give juveniles, was heading north on GG, and failed to stop at the intersection, hitting a pickup truck that was traveling on Z.

All five of the juveniles were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, and four had to be removed from the vehicle by the jaws of life.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 24-year old woman from Plainfield was taken to the hospital, but is expected to survive.

 

 

Officers: Liquor Store Menace Arrested

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MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Officers say they've arrested the man who drove his car through the front door of a Menasha convenience store and stole beer. 

The January 28 incident caused thousands of dollars in damage to JS Foods. 

The man's identity has not been released.     

Shipyard Plans Moving Forward

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Plans are moving forward for Green Bay's Shipyard project. 

Even though the Bullfrogs snubbed it in favor of a move to Ashwaubenon, City Economic Development Director Kevin Vonck says they're not scrapping the effort.

"I think there's some opportunities for sports, music, and community events.  I think it's still very important that we improve the waterfront, providing some public access.  We still think a full-service restaurant, an indoor concert venue...those would be great amenities that would fit in with any type of facility down there."

Since no solid proposals are in place, Vonck says it's too early to tell if the project's scope will change.  

"We either need to find a tenant with a similar type of agreement and revenue to bring in the same type of stadium.  Otherwise, we'll look at, perhaps, a smaller venue or a different venue."  

With the city's redevelopment authority expected to consider the matter Tueday afternoon (1:30 pm at City Hall), Vonck discusses their timeline.

"If we'd like to have a facility open in 2019, I think we need to bring back a package and have some approvals by June for sure."

Vonck says they've reached out to the other parties in the original Shipyard talks, expressing a desire to move forward.

New Engineering School Named After Large Donation

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- A new school at UW-Green Bay has received a generous donation and a name.

The Richard Resch School of Engineering will soon be home to four engineering degree opportunities at UW-Green Bay.

Resch announced his donation on Monday.

" I am pleased to announce that I will be making a personal five million dolllar gift to the University of Wisconsin Green Bay to support the new Richard Resch School of Engineering."

Resch added that he hopes through this new oppertunity, students make Green Bay their home, much like he did.

"It is my hope that the Resch School of Engineering, will create a path for many others to do the same."

UW-Green Bay Chancellor Gary Miller said this was a hope for quite some time.

"We needed a school of engeneering, we needed a mechanical engeneering degree, and we needed a design for building public-private partnerships, and folks, we got them all."

Chancellor Gary Miller said this will allow students to get their foundation in a career path that is needed.

"Students will develop a relationship with potential employeers that will keep them in the area. One of the things we want to do is keep potential employees in this area."

Wisconsin Public Service also made a $1 million dollar donation. President Kevin Fletcher says they he sees this a beneift for the industry.

"A specific program for engineering is something that is an interest to us, because we need engineers in our industry as well."

Chancellor Miller says the project is about halfway funded. Groundbreaking will take place in Spring of 2019, but students will enroll this fall. The UW System Board of Regents approved the new program last week.

 


Pulaski Bakery Preps For Busiest Day

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PULASKI, WI (WTAQ)- A Pulaski bakery had many hands hard at work Monday, preparing for their biggest day of the year.

Thousands of Paczkis to be carried out their doors of Smurawa's Bakery Tuesday, as many be sure to get their polish pastry for Paczki Day.

Greg Smurawa says because of that, Monday is a full day of baking and prepping, and he took all the help he could get.

"Our group is about 25 to 30 people. A lot of them are former employees that come out to help and others are family members that take a day off of work."

Smurawa says the delicious polish pastry is not quick to turn out.

"Your talking at least two and a half hours a batch from start to finish."

Smurawa says it also takes time to fill them and display them.

As time consuming as that sounds, they have to turn out a lot of batches.

"Last year we through over 36,000 Paczkis."

Smurawa says Tuesday is even more work, as many are lined up outside the Pulaski bakery before the doors open and as crazy at it seems, everyone who comes gets their polish pastry. 

 

A Tale Of Two Spearing Seasons

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The sturgeon spearing season on the upriver lakes of Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts is nearing an end.

The state Department of Natural Resources says 61 sturgeon were speared on those lakes Monday.

Of those, 21 were adult females, which brings the season total to 95 adult females -- just two away from the 90 percent harvest cap trigger that would close the season on those lakes after another day of spearing.

The number is also 11 away from the 100 percent trigger, which would close the season at the end of the same day.

The largest fish speared on the upriver lakes was a 153.7-pound, 79-inch fish registered at Boom Bay by Colton Dunham.

Meanwhile, on Lake Winnebago, 48 sturgeon were speared as murky waters continue to challenge spearers.

Spearing on Lake Winnebago is far from any harvest caps.

The largest sturgeon speared on Lake Winnebago was a 147.7-pound, 74.6-inch fish registered at Stockbridge by Jeffrey Dreher.

So far this season, 452 sturgeon have been speared overall. That includes 187 on Lake Winnebago and 265 on the upriver lakes.

Film Spotlights Human-Trafficking

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A preview of 'Innocence Sold' was shown Monday in the Outagamie County board room.

The full film will be shown at the 17th annual Wildwood Film Festival, which is set for Friday and Saturday at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton.

Paul Evansen is the moderator for the Wildwood Film Festival.

He told FOX 11 that human-trafficking is a personal topic for him.

"The topic of human trafficking became a very personal development in my life not that long ago when my paths crossed a young woman in distress."

Evansen noticed that young woman was walking alone and under-dressed.

"Those simple fact alone and a gut reaction is what caused me to turn around and gave me a way to circle back and at least initiate a conversation with that lady. We were able to get this woman out of a potentially very dangerous situation."

The average age of a person coerced into the sex trade is between 8 and 14.

Outagamie County Youth and Family Services Social Worker Abby Persons says signs of human trafficking include drug and alcohol issues, unexplained absences from class, and signs of physical abuse.

"Any sort of having possessions that they may have not before, so like an increase of clothing, their hairs done, nails done, multiple cell phones."

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline 4,460 human trafficking cases were reported last year. Forty-seven of those cases were in Wisconsin.

By showcasing this film organizers of the Wildwood Film Festival hope it helps combat human trafficking.

Wildwood Film Festivals director, Jason Buss, said "It touches on, engages and educates people and is currently used as a tool by various non-profits including 5-Stone."

The festival will have a community conversation revolving the issue of human-trafficking on Friday.

Recommendation For Golf Course Property

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Oshkosh Corporation will use around 35-acres of the current Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course in Oshkosh and ciity leaders are looking to make sure the remaining land is still accessible to the public.

Monday evening there were two choices before Oshkosh's Advisory Parks Board.

"Either look at having a nine-hole golf course out at the remainder of the acreage at Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course, or to have it a community park with the reaming, roughly 70 acres," explained city parks director Ray Maurer.

Six people spoke to the board Monday. Five were in favor of a new, nine-hole golf course.

"I've got five young kids at home that I plan to get into golf one day. This would be where I would plan to start them in the game of golf. Taking away a golf course, that is a bell that cannot easily be un-rung," said Dan Buttke.

David Borusk asked the board to vote for a more traditional park.

"What I favor is taking the remainder of the property and turning that into green space and passive park. What we need to look at is what best meets the needs of this community. I know that we're deficient in park land."

The board also shared the results of a community survey. Of the 1,072 responses, 72% voted for a park, 28% voted for a nine-hole golf course.

The board voted five to two in favor of a traditional park.

Now, Mauer tells FOX 11 the final decision is still in the full city council's hands.

"If it's a community park we'll have the park master planning sessions for, probably, the next six to nine months, take input from the community on what they'd like to see at the 70 acres."

The city council is expected to discuss the plans at its meeting later this month.

Firefighter Injured, Taken To The Hospital

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LITTLE CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A Little Chute firefighter was taken to the hospital after battling a house fire.

The call went out around around 5:30 last night (Monday) on Rolling Meadows Drive.

When crews arrived, smoke and flames were pouring out of the garage.

The firefighter taken to the hospital was treated for smoke inhalation. No one else was hurt.

At this point, officials haven't said what caused the fire.

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