PULASKI, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - More than 100 students with disabilities participated in the 8th annual Goody Triathlon in Pulaski.

Monday's athletic endurance test included a swimming event, a bike race, and a run or walk.

Each student is paired with a peer mentor for support during the race.

Organizer Kare Goodness tells FOX 11 this is something students look forward to every year.

"For a lot of them, this is like the highlight things of the year. They really get excited when we start sending emails to the staff that say hey, time to get ready for the training. Kids get excited about it and they really look forward to the event."

100 staff and volunteers helped coordinate the event.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Kicking off National Police Week, the Grand Chute Police Department held a candlelight vigil.

Monday's event honored the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in 2017.

Grand Chute Police Chief Greg Peterson tells FOX 11 it's important to continue to support the officers even though they're no longer serving.

"These officers, who in 2017 lost their lives, were supported at that time, when they were delivering that service and they are supported to this day. We remember them, we honor them tonight and we continue to support them and their families."

The event wrapped up with the reading of names added to the Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police are asking people to avoid an area near Cherry and Washington Streets.

Police say a person in the Cherry Street Ramp is threatening to harm himself.

Police say there's no danger to the general public....but as of right now, people won't be able to park in that ramp or the general area.

As far as downtown parking, the city of Green Bay says people who use the Cherry Street ramp should use the Pine Street ramp today.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ)- Training exercises to simulate a mass power outage took place in Brown County Tuesday.

With everyone being largely dependant on electricity, Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach says a massive long-term power outage requires a strong emergency response.

Operation Dark Sky is designed to test that response.

"The coordination, communication and the ability for us to respond are going to be the keys for us to be able to have a success if a major event is ever to take place."

The three-day statewide exercise focuses on responding to a cyber threat to natural gas and electrical grid system that would cut out power.

Director of Emergency Management Jared Preston says their exercise had one big focus.

"Public safety is obviously number one. Keeping people safe and helping if people need medical treatment or medical transports."

The scenario tested having no electricity, fuel or natural gas in the county for three or more weeks.

"We are the fourth largest county and third largest city in the state of Wisconsin, I think it is really important for us to prepare for the unknown," said Streckenbach.

Preston says the scenario caused issues that many departments had to work through. Many of those had to deal with the emergency equipment itself.

"No fuel, and with no natural gas, if they don't have a secondary backup system for their fuel, we have to figure out how we are going to get fuel to them if there is no fuel in the county. 

Scenarios took place in multiple counties throughout Wisconsin. Operation Dark Sky runs through Thursday.

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK)- Governor Walker was in Northeast Wisconsin at Mills Fleet Farm in Bellevue, promoting his $100 child tax rebate, as the website for parents to sign up, went live.

Tuesday was the first day to sign up for the rebate.

Parents and guardians throughout the state can take advantage of the money if they have a child under the age of 18.

"Because of the economy, because of the reforms we've done in state government we had a larger than expected surplus," said Walker about where the rebate money came from.

He spoke to employees and customers at the Mills Fleet Farm in Bellevue about details of the rebate.

“And so our thought was, the best way to deal with that was to send it back to the hard-working taxpayers of the state,” said Walker. “And the easiest most effective way to do that was through a child tax rebate.

The money will be given to families just in time to buy back-to-school supplies.

All four of Linda Waldschmidt's kids are older than18 but she remembers how costly the beginning of the school year can be.

“I'm a big proponent of raising the next generation of leaders, and I think this is a wonderful opportunity to do so and to help families to be able to afford to send their children to school," she said.

Many people find that the rebate will be useful, but some would rather see the money go directly to schools.

“The $100 will help towards school supplies, yes, but Governor Walker did take a lot away from the schools,” said Rose Vandenplas. "Funding was taken from music and art, so I'd rather the money go to the extra school."

Walker also addressed the opposition.

“The people who are critics think it's their money. We actually believe it’s your money,” said Walker. “We believe in the individual, they believe in the government. We think when we have a surplus that means we've already fulfilled our priorities, we've already fulfilled our commitments.”

Representative Gordon Hintz said it’s a bad financial decision.

“He sees that he’s in trouble electorally and he out of nowhere announced that he wanted to give $100 to everybody and was adamant that it happens during the election, not the traditional tax period,” said Hintz. “So, I think it really falls under the gimmick category and it’s really been mocked nationally.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 70,000 people already signed up to claim the rebate.

Families have until July 2, 2018.

Find out more.   Everyone with children under the age of 18 as of December 31, 2017, can claim their credit on ChildTaxRebate.wi.gov from today through July 2.”

Those without internet access can call (608) 266-5437 to sign up.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Green Bay Police Department held a special ceremony Tuesday for National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

"It's all about remembering the people that paid the ultimate sacrifice."

All around the county, law enforcement lost in the line of duty are being remembered.

Green Bay Police paid respect to those brothers and sisters in law enforcement on Tuesday.

Police Captain Kevin Warych says it hits close to home.

"One is too many, and when three officers in Wisconsin were killed in the line of duty, that hurts. It really shows that nobody is invincible and that it could happen to anybody. 

He says officers have ways to work through that concern.

"We train every day. We prepare every day to stop that and make sure we do everything we can to prevent that. 

Warych says while the department has received a lot of praise for all they do, this week officers are also thinking of each other.

"Anybody that wears a police uniform in this nation really has a high regard for one another. We are all a big family, and when someone is killed it affects every single officer. When someone is hurt or in distress, we all come together to help that officer."

A 21-gun salute and prayer for officers concluded the ceremony.

Additional tributes for the three fallen Wisconsin officers were held in Madison and Washington D.C.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ)- A Green Bay Packer and a Family from Seymour were among those honored for their willingness to support foster care in Wisconsin.

Ty Montgomery along with Josh and Jamie Blau of Seymour were presented the 2018 Governor's Foster Care award in Madison.

"Foster care is important to Wisconsin and across the country for children who are in a situation where they can't be safely cared for in their home," said Oriana Carey, executive director of children and youth families. "So we need people each and every day to be willing and able to step up and help out our child welfare system."

May is Foster Care Month.

Montgomery's mother Lisa was a Foster parent for 17 children.

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ)- As a way to say thank you, the Salvation Army spent Tuesday giving away bread outside of Fleet Farm in Bellevue.

The store was one of the top red kettle donation locations this past holiday season.

"We just wanted to come back and revisit those customers and say thank you for supporting us during the Christmas season," said Salvation Army marketing coordinator, Nicole Hanley.

This week also marks National Salvation Army week. 

Other events planned for the week are a sidewalk sale at its Thrift Store on West Mason Street on Thursday and on Friday, a morning event at Cabelas and a family fun night at the Kroc Center in Bellevue.

LENA, WI (WTAQ)- A fire early Tuesday morning in Oconto County has turned fatal.

Lena Fire responded to a home engulfed in flames on Beschta Lane.

Firefighters arrived on scene and located a body next to the residence, and later found a second body inside.

The fire is being investigated as suspicious.

The state fire marshal's office was called in to investigate.

STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A blown-out tire has led officers to a suspect on the run in Sturgeon Bay over the weekend.

Police attempted to make a routine traffic stop for speeding, but the driver increased his speed.

Officers eventually ended the pursuit due to safety concerns, but a trail of rim marks on South 18th Avenue and Utah Street led officers to the suspects home.

The man was arrested for his 4th OWI among other offenses.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- State Representative Andre Jacque's road to the State Senate continues after defeating Alex Renard by just 330 votes in Tuesday's primary. 

Jacque received 52 percent of the vote in a highly contested race.

"I'm humbled to be able to continue forward and have the support of his constituents and you know it's not about me, it's about the people of the district. You know we had a lot thrown at us, we had just an enormous amount of expenditures and independent groups it feels good," Jacque said.

Jacque will face Democrat Caleb Frostman in the June 12th general election.

Frostman ran unopposed Tuesday.

Election Results

State Senate District 1

Andre Jacque- 4369Alex Renard- 4039 

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - For more than a decade, the Manitowoc Public School District has talked about sending its 9th graders to Lincoln High School.

A group of more than 50 district employees believes it now has a plan to do that.

Mark Holzman, Manitowoc Public School District Superintendent, tells FOX 11....

“We reviewed 20 different options and as a group we came back with this option.”

Right now, Manitowoc is one of the last public school districts in the state to only have 10th through 12th grades at its high school.

Wisconsin Rapids is moving toward a 9th-12th format next year. Steven Point is also studying the issue.

Under Manitowoc's new proposal, 9th graders would attend the high school. 6th graders would go to the district's two junior highs, which would become middle schools. The district's elementary schools would host 5K through 5th grades.

Right now, all early childhood, 4K and 5K students go to Riverview Early Learning Center. Those 5K students would go to their neighborhood elementary schools because Riverview would change to a regular elementary school. It will be taking on all students from Stangel Elementary School. Stangel would then take on McKinley Academy's alternative high school students.

“I don't know what my future holds,” said Renee Siikarla, a 5K teacher at Riverview.

Concerned teachers from Riverview joined others at a school board meeting Tuesday night to talk about the grade level changes.

“None of us know what our placement will be,” said Siikarla.

“I'm sure the discussion will take place the next year. My concern is there are so many changes and how is the district going to do all that in one year.”

The district has said teacher layoffs are possible, but not a goal and efforts will be made to keep existing staff.

Other views on the plan from people at the meeting were mixed.

Some people are worried about alternative high school students taking over Stangel's building.

“We've lived there for over 20 years with grade school kids and never had an issue and I don't want an issue,” said Margie Vansleet of Manitowoc.

“I think it's a good plan,” said Heather James. “For us, it will improve our proximity to our local grade school.”

As for McKinley Academy, the district isn't sure what its oldest building will be used for.

The school board is scheduled to vote on the proposal next week, on May 24th.

If the board passes the plan, it would take effect in the 2019-2020 school year.

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Customers at a Bellevue store were surprised with free loaves of bread as a thank you for making a difference.

The Salvation Army gave Uncle Mike's Bakery bread away outside Fleet Farm Tuesday morning.

Salvation Army marketing coordinator, Nicole Hanley, tells FOX 11 the store was one of the organization's top Red Kettle locations in the Green Bay area during the holiday season.

"This is a big kettle donation spot for us during the Christmas season and so we just wanted to come back and revisit those customers and say thank you for supporting us during the Christmas season.

This week also marks National Salvation Army Week.

Other events planned for the week are a sidewalk sale at its Thrift Store on West Mason Street on Thursday and on Friday, a morning event at Cabelas and a family fun night at the Kroc Center in Bellevue.

LITTLE CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A Fox Valley hotel reopened its pool area after sustaining damage from a tornado last year.

An F-1 tornado hit the Appleton area last June causing widespread damage, including structural damage to the pool area of Country Inn and Suites in Little Chute.

James J. Calmes and Son's worked on the reconstruction of the building.

Hotel manager, Char Stankowski, tells FOX 11 she's excited about the renovations and is looking forward to people coming back to the hotel.

"I'm excited about getting back open and having people come back out and seeing the hotel with the renovated pool area," she said. "We're looking forward to seeing everyone come out and see us again."

The rebuilding process started in March and was completed in less than 8 weeks.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers and Kwik Trip announced Tuesday they have expanded and enhanced their partnership significantly to include the sponsorship of the stadium’s northwest gate.

The Kwik Trip Gate will serve as an entry point to Lambeau Field on gamedays.

The multi-year partnership also includes serving rights for coffee and hot chocolate, with Kwik Trip’s renowned Café Karuba coffee becoming the “Official Coffee of the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Ashwaubenon Public Safety and fire crews were called to 965 Duchateau Avenue for an overnight house fire.

When officers arrived, they saw smoke and flames coming from the roof of the home.

Chief Eric Dunning said that officers searched the first floor of the home and found no one inside.

When firefighters arrived they did their own extensive search of the property.

Neighbors told officers that the owner of the home was out of state.

Fire crews were at the home for several hours putting out hot spots.

Chief Dunning says the owner will be displaced due to the damage.

Brown County Fire Investigation Task Force will now investigate the cause of the fire.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ)- Training exercises to simulate a mass power outage took place in Brown County Tuesday.

With everyone being largely dependant on electricity, Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach says a massive long-term power outage requires a strong emergency response.

Operation Dark Sky is designed to test that response.

"The coordination, communication and the ability for us to respond are going to be the keys for us to be able to have a success if a major event is ever to take place."

The three-day statewide exercise focuses on responding to a cyber threat to natural gas and electrical grid system that would cut out power.

Director of Emergency Management Jared Preston says their exercise had one big focus.

"Public safety is obviously number one. Keeping people safe and helping if people need medical treatment or medical transports."

The scenario tested having no electricity, fuel or natural gas in the county for three or more weeks.

"We are the fourth largest county and third largest city in the state of Wisconsin, I think it is really important for us to prepare for the unknown," said Streckenbach.

Preston says the scenario caused issues that many departments had to work through. Many of those had to deal with the emergency equipment itself.

"No fuel, and with no natural gas, if they don't have a secondary backup system for their fuel, we have to figure out how we are going to get fuel to them if there is no fuel in the county. 

Scenarios took place in multiple counties throughout Wisconsin. Operation Dark Sky runs through Thursday.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- A day all for the kids returns to Green Bay on June 25. 

The 16th annual Kids' Day will include various activities throughout the city will be free to Green Bay youth.

A wristband is required to particpate in any activity. 

The event brochure can be found here. 

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ)- The man convicted of starting a standoff that led to police fatally shooting a hostage was sentenced to life in prison. 

 In a Winnebago County Courtroom Wednesday, Judge John Jorgensen sentenced Brian Flatoff to 100 years in prison for the Eagles Nation Cycles Standoff in 2015.

The standoff resulted in officers shooting and killing innocent bystander Michael Funk, who officers mistook for Flatoff.  

Before being sentenced, Flatoff continued to avoid taking responsibility for the actions that took place.  

"When I said I wouldn't change what I did, I meant that back then I did the best that I could do. I was having mental health problems."  

Flatoff said he understands that the actions call for consquences.  

"I am going to pay for what I did, even if means dying in prison I am going to pay for that. All I asked for was for the truth to come out, and I don't believe that happend."   J

udge John Jorgenson disagreed.  

"You are one hundred percent responsible for what happend that day. The decisions that you made and the action that you took led to everything that happened that day."  

Judge Jorgensen cited many reasons for his decision.  

"Based on your previous convictions, your horrible character, lack of rehabilitation and lack of accepting responsibility, I am finding that it is necessary to incarcerate you for the remaining years of your life to protect the public and to show the seriousness of this offense."  

Flatoff indicated that he will appeal the sentence.

DARBOY, WI (WTAQ)- For the first time, a Royal Wedding will be shown on the big screen.

The Valley Grand Cinema in Darboy is one of five Wisconsin theaters that will present a showing of the Royal Wedding Saturday.

Julie Caan, Communication Specialist for Marcus Theaters says the idea was presented as a unique way to watch a historical event.

"For those folks that don't want to get up at an early time in the morning, they can come to the theater at 10:00 a.m and see the encore."

Marcus Theaters says the encore is commercial free. 

While watching at home early in the morning is an option, Caan says watching it at the theater with others adds a special social element.

"You can be around others who are Royal Wedding fans."

The atmosphere is just one bonus. Caan says seeing the wedding on a big screen will allow you to see things better than on a TV, and comfort is at a premium with reclining seats. 

"It is all about the social experience."

The cost of the ticket is just $10 dollars.