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Remembering A Marina Fire

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ALGOMA, WI (WTAQ) - Lakshore communities in Kewaunee County will be having a special Blessing of the Fleet Friday in Algoma.

The event was put together to remember the June 23, 2016 Algoma Marina fire that damaged boats and caused quite a scare.

Troy Mattson of Kinn's Sport Fishing says they got idea of the Blessing of the Fleet from another community.  

"It is an old accent Mediterranean tradition that pretty much every major port on the eastern sea has taken on."  

The event will honor the work of the Algoma Fire Department and proceeds will go towards the fire department.  

Mattson had four boats damaged that day. Algoma Fire Chief Tom Ackerman says many lessons were learned that day.  

"Limiting the number of people that are on the boats throughout the evening hours. We are looking at appliances that being used to heat their boats and things like that."  

He says he remembered how quickly everyone reacted.  

"We had a number of different individuals that were jumping into the water to move boats from catching on fire."  

Mattson says the idea is to thank those who helped that night and come together as a boating community.  

A trout boil will also take place.   

This is the 1st Annual event.  

The details of the fire remain under investigation even two years later.


Rats Be Gone

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - City Inspectors spent time looking for rat havens in Green Bay.

The rat battle continued Thursday as inspectors like Bill Pappe became the rat pack, traveling home to home looking for places that might welcome rats.

 "So what we're doing is, we're going out and inspecting the exteriors of properties. We're checking for conditions that are conducive to rats," said Community Investment Manager Bill Pappe.  

Keith Hendzel lives on Howard Street and says he has been fighting the battle for quite some time.  

"Last two years it's gotten worse. I used to feed the birds out here but then the rats took over," he said. "I used to put bread out for the birds, and then you could literally just see rats climbing up and eating the bread."  

Pappe says some locations are prime for finding rats, and those are the areas that need to be eliminated.  

"A lot of food sources, water sources that need to be addressed some exterior storage," said Pappe. "A lot of burrows, some deep, and attached to garages that need to get addressed and looked at."  

The efforts were more about giving tips and educating home owners about what they can do to keep the rats away, but ignoring the advice could result in citations in future.  

To help the cause, free rat traps will be passed out at the Neville Museum on June 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m  

School Safety Grants Handed Out

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Several Northeast Wisconsin schools and districts received their share of state school safety grants Thursday.

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel appeared in Appleton to announce $1.7 million in grants.

"After the Parkland High School tragedies, we put our heads together to come up with a solution to keep our students and staff state."

Schimel talks to FOX 11 about some of the uses that money could go to.

"Some will be securing front entry areas with shatter resistant film, others will install security and surveillance systems. In addition to physical security, it requires schools to strengthen their response to student mental health issues."

The money was set aside when Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill in April to make $100 million available for schools.

The measure requires schools to create a safety plan with local police to be eligible to receive the money.

The schools receiving money Thursday are:

Appleton Area School District: $767,207

D.C. Everest Area School District: $239,975

De Pere School District: $62,200

Howards Grove School District: $66,757

Lena School District: $61,720

Menasha Joint School District: $164,600

Mishicot School District: $63,090

Muskego-Norway School District: $33,659

Phelps School District: $23,107

St. Peter Catholic School: $20,000

Sturgeon Bay School District: $103,930

Waupun Area School District: $99,979

Winter School District: $62,385Waupaca Christian Academy: $20,000

The Appleton School District has already been making improvements to their schools.

Judy Baseman, the Superintendent for the District, tells FOX 11 along with the improvements to schools security, each staff member including the school's resource officers will be going through trauma training to better connect with students.

"It's a huge benefit for us, a quarter of a million dollars will make a big difference for us in terms of our security planning."

And Baseman says security improvements are already underway.

"Something we have been doing at all three of our high schools is a program called Sources of Strength to build connections to have kids see there are strengths kids can build upon before doing a violent act."

Schimel has been traveling around the state all month awarding grants to schools.

Legalized Pot Could Go To A Vote

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BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Brown County voters could be asked in November whether they want marijuana to be legal in Wisconsin.

Two Brown County Supervisors, Alex Tran, and Erik Hoyer, are asking their peers on the county board to agree to the advisory referendum for November.

“Personally, myself and Alex, Supervisor Tran, neither of us have any skin in this game,” said Hoyer.

“We're simply asking a question, want the question asked and don't understand why there would be any resistance to at least seeing where we are as a community.”

An advisory referendum is not binding and simply lets lawmakers know voters’ feelings on a certain topic.

The drug can only become legal statewide, yet several other counties are looking at asking the question as well.

Tran tells FOX 11 she sees a number of potential benefits if the drug were legal.

“The tax revenue that the state could get could go to a lot of programs that we have that are unfunded like we need more DAs, we need more public defenders.”

But talking to FOX 11, Supervisor Bernie Erickson has a different view.

“If you're going to use tax revenue from drugs to add to the DA situation, you're probably going to add more cases that the DAs have to handle too in the long run.”

Erickson is one of a few county board members who've already voiced their opposition to asking voters about legalizing marijuana.

“They say the occasional use of marijuana and so forth can lead to the use of stronger drugs. We've got enough of a drug problem right now without making it readily available on the street.”

Statewide, Marquette Law School posed the question two years ago.

59 percent agreed that marijuana should be fully legal and regulated like alcohol and 39 percent disagreed.

“Let's see what the results lie and if there isn't support for it, we have our answer,” said Hoyer.

“If there is support, what can we do with that information?”

The county board could take a vote on posing the question at its next meeting, in July.

Milwaukee's county board has already agreed to an advisory referendum.

It will be on the ballot when voters head to the polls on November 6th.

Mayoral Race To Get Bigger

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The list of Green Bay Mayoral candidates keeps growing.

Brown County Supervisor Patrick Buckley is the latest to show interest.

While he will officially announce his candidacy next week, he has had plenty of time to work on his campaign.

"I have been looking at this since the last mayoral election, but at that time it just wasn't a good fit for my personal life or business life."

Buckley says his focus is on improving two key areas.

"We have to take care of our budget and our infrastructure."

Buckley is the second County Board Supervisor to throw his hat in the ring.

Pat Evans announced his candidacy this week.

Buckley is serving his fifth term as Supervisor and is a former Green Bay Alderman and a police officer.

"It's a good time for me to get into the race and look at taking the city to the next level."

He says he feels he has qualifications that the rest of the field does not.

"When I look at the field, I am the only one with a deep business background. I am the only one that has worked in the city of Green Bay for a number of years both as an employee and as an Alderman."

He would be the fifth candidate to announce. 

He will make his candidacy official next Tuesday at The Cannery in Green Bay.

Old Cars In Green Bay

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - You may have spotted a few pieces of history out on the roads around Green Bay. That's because the Dodge Brothers Club was here for its 32nd International Meet with vintage cars on display.

About 50 Dodge Brothers and Graham Brothers vehicles from the years 1914-1938 filled the parking lot of the Tundra Lodge Resort with their owners standing proudly at their sides.   Some are not restored, some are at various stages of the restoration process and many have been impeccably restored, but all have had a lot of hard work put into them.

"Most of these cars started out in a fair amount of work was required; some rather dismal condition, said Wally Heil, co-chair of Dodge Brothers Meet. "If they'd see before-and-after photos, they would be amazed how nice they turned out."

One of those fully restored vehicles is owned by Canadian resident Harry Reding.

He bought the antique car more than 20 years ago and, while the exterior was already in good shape when he bought it, he had to do all the mechanical work himself to get it running and back on the road again.

Since being restored in 1996, his 1929 DA Roadster has been driven by the owner for over 30,000 miles and across 24 states. Now, that's something to toot your own horn about!

"It has never left us stranded on the road," Reding said. "We've had to fix little problems, but we were always able to fix the problems ourselves and get back on our trip, and get to where we were going. So, I'm most impressed with, I guess, the mechanical ability to keep it running."

Reding says his favorite parts about owning this vintage vehicle are the people he gets to meet because of it, and the reactions he gets, especially from younger generations.

"We're trying to encourage the younger folks to get into appreciating the engineering of these older vehicles and, you know, we're only going to be around for so long, and we need someone to take care of them and love them as much as we have."

Friday was the last day of the meet.

A Strong No For An Answer

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police have released surveillance images of a man who unsuccessfully attempted to rob an Associated Bank Thursday.

Officers say the man entered the West Mason Street location around 9:15 Thursday morning, and asked the teller to open her cash drawer.

Police say the teller told the man "No" and started talking with a co-worker.

 According to officers, the man told the teller that he did not want to make a scene and turned around and left without money.

No weapon was displayed and a K-9 search for the man came up empty.

 

Child Abduction Attempts Investigated

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TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ) - Two Rivers Police say a man attempted two child abductions Thursday morning.

In both cases, the children did not accept a ride.

Officers say a truck pulled up alongside a 14-year-old boy and offered a ride.

The driver then approached three different children and offered them a ride.

Police say the truck is a white full-sized crew-cab pickup that was last seen on Lincoln Avenue.

The driver is described as a white man, possibly in his 30's with short hair and a white t-shirt.


Gun Threat From Road Rage

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FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - A Fond Du Lac man was arrested for allegedly pointing a handgun at a railroad employee.

Sheriff Officials say the incident Thursday afternoon took place at a set of railroad tracks that crosses Kinker Road in the Friendship township.

Deputies say the railroad employee was directing traffic when the man got upset and pulled a gun from his truck.

No shots were fired, and nobody was hurt.

Pharmacy Joins Drug Fight

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - As an effort to help fight the opioid crisis, a drug store chain has installed drug disposal boxes.

CVS Pharmacy says they are committed to helping people on their path to better health.

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel was in Green Bay Friday to unveil the box at the West Mason Street location.

"We know that over 70 percent of the time when people start abusing painkillers they didn't get them from a doctor or a drug trafficker on the street, they got it from a family member or a friend and that's why these efforts and drug take-backs are so important," said Schimel.

Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith says it is the way people can do the right thing without fear.

"About every 2 weeks here in Green Bay we have an incident with Narcan where we have to save someone's life from overdosing with opioids," said Smith. "This gives people another opportunity to give people in this community to bring drugs to the CVS Pharmacy. Obviously, no questions asked, completely anonymous and the police will never follow up with what people put in there," he said.

The boxes offer people a safe and environmentally-friendly way to dispose of unwanted medications. It also prevents others from improperly obtaining them and becoming addicted.

In addition to its Green Bay location, CVS Health has added collection boxes at its stores in Appleton, Barron, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee.

In addition to the ones inside its stores, CVS Health has donated 41 drug collection boxes to law enforcement agencies across the state.

  • Click here to see a list of permanent drug disposal box locations

Volunteers Shine Up Chairs

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Winnebago County hosted a wheelchair wash Friday.

The was was free and the wheelchairs were returned to their owners with a deep cleaning and suggestions to improve the care of the equipment.

"It's a community event to raise awareness about the needs for people with physical disabilities," said Beth Culp of the Winnebago County Aging and Disability Resource Center. "A good opportunity for people in wheelchairs get a wash and know what resources are there for them."

Those who participated were also treated to a free lunch.

Growth Putting A Strain On Water Supply

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HOBART, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The village of Hobart is growing quickly and it's putting added stress on infrastructure.

Village administrator Aaron Kramer tells FOX 11...

"We have a system of pumps that have not caught up to all the growth and development in this part of Hobart."

But, the village's pumping station that supplies the area's water can no longer keep up with the demands.

Becky Stapel moved in seven years ago, and since then she's watched new developments continue to pop up.

"So that's really increased the population out here, and increased population means increased water usage."

Kramer says it's just a temporary issue.

"We're going to do several million dollars' worth of projects over the next year to immediately to address all the water problems."

That includes a new water tower in the development behind Highway 29.

The village will also replace the pumps at the old water tower which should improve the water flow.

In the meantime, Kramer says the village is asking residents to start with just the simple things.

"Cut back on the sprinkling, cut back a little bit on watering the gardens. Do their part to help reduce the capacity."

Many residents like Stapel say they're not concerned, they'll just adjust for now.

Kramer says upgrading the water supply system is just the first of many improvements the village will need to keep up with its growth in Hobart.

He went on to say he hopes simply asking residents to cut back on water will work.

He doesn't foresee village officials needing to put temporary policies in place.

Booze A Factor In Crash

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SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 26-year-old Sheboygan man was injured in an ATV accident early today (Sunday).

It happened around 12:30 this morning.

It happened in Cascade on Harbor Lights Road. Cascade is southwest of Sheboygan.

The man was flown to a hospital. We don't know his condition.

Officials believe alcohol was a factor.

Democrats For Governor On The Stump

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DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Five of the eight remaining Democratic candidates visited De Pere Saturday for a forum.

Supporters gathered at the Kress Family Library in De Pere Saturday morning to ask five of the remaining democratic gubernatorial candidates questions about issues they found important, but with eight remaining democratic hopefuls, even the contenders know how difficult it can be.

Mahlon Mitchell, one of the candidates, tells FOX 11.

"It gets cloudy sometimes with having so many candidates, at times saying the same thing."

The most recent Marquette University Law School poll found that more than 60 percent of respondents don't know or haven't heard enough about any of the candidates.

Public schools Superintendent Tony Evers was the best known of all them; 61 percent said they didn't know enough about him.

“People don’t know who any of us are yet,” said Kelda Roys, another Governor hopeful.

All of the candidates at the forum agreed on one thing.....get a Democrat elected.

Marian Krumberger, chairwoman of the Republican Party of Brown County, tells FOX a democratic governor is unlikely.

"With the record jobs and the great job that Governor Walker is doing, I don't see voters of Wisconsin making the decision to vote Democrat. They're too smart for that."

FOX 11 asked all five candidates what makes them stand out.

"I've got a track record that shows I can get things done. I work my tail off and when I do we have real results I can show people," said Kelda Roys.

"I'm the one candidate that's refusing to take those large bribes. It's been my life’s work to expose and root out that corruption,” said Mike McCabe.

In a time when people aren’t really sure they trust political people. Person to person is the best kind of campaigning, said Kathleen Vinehout.

"I'm the only candidate who has said how I’m going to kill that Foxconn deal,” said Matt Flynn. “It's a terrible deal."

“I like to go in the Belly of the beast.” Said Mitchell. “For people who, maybe, don’t see eye to eye but agree on one thing, we need to get Walker out.”

Two Democratic candidates, Andy Gronik and Dana Wachs, have already dropped out of the race.

The primary is set for August 14th.

The winner will advance to face Republican Gov. Scott Walker on November 6th.

A Search For Fire Cause Centers On Yard Tools

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TOWN OF LIBERTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A house fire west of Shiocton Saturday morning leaves the occupant uninjured.

According to the Outagamie County Sheriff's Department, crews were called to W8790 Lower Road just after 6, where there was smoke coming from the garage.

Firefighters put out the fire and kept it contained to the garage area.

Shiocton-Bovina fire chief Eugene Bunnell tells Fox 11 how the fire may have started.

"There was a charger for a weed-wacker plugged into the wall. And we believe that started it, and as the plastic melted, it started a garbage can, which had a quart of oil on sitting top of it and from there it proceeded to burn."

Officials say one person was in the house at the time and was able to escape the house with no injuries.

There is still no word on how much the damage cost.


Quick Response Limits Fire Damage

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FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - No one was hurt in an early morning fire in Fond du Lac.

It broke out shortly before 1 this morning (Sunday) in the 400 block of Farwell Avenue.

Crews saw smoke and fire coming from the second story when they arrived.

The fire was contained to one room.

No one was injured.

The fire department says it will canvass the area to educate folks on the importance of working smoke detectors and fire safety.

Not Your Average Building

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - NWTC's newest building will be a one of a kind energy saving facility.

A ribbon cutting today recognizes the college's Great Lakes Energy Education Center as a Net-Zero Energy building.  

"It is about maximizing the energy efficiency of the building, so using the least amount of energy possible and saving the operational cost.  

Amy Kox, Associate Dean of the Energy and Agriculture Program says to be net-zero, they need to generate as much energy as they consume each year.  

One way that is done is with lighting.  

"We are using more natural light and reducing our electric load that way."  

The students will play a big role in getting the building to that energy-saving level.  

"The students will work on installing solar on the roof and working on conservation practices for the building so that we get to that net-zero point in the future."  

Other features include electronic energy monitoring, solar panels, and geothermal heating and cooling.  

It is the third net-zero energy capacity building in Wisconsin. 

Camp For Grieving Kids

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Every summer, on the University of Wisconsin Green Bay campus, children between the ages of seven and 14, meet at Camp Lloyd to talk about the loved ones they've lost and deal with their grief, together.

Each camp attendee is buddied with a student from UWGB, who has studied a full semester just to intern as Camp Lloyd counselors.

The program also has five buddies who’ve experienced grief of their own and attended the camp.

It’s Camp Lloyds 13th year helping children who’ve lost someone close to them.

For children like Kaiden DeNiel, it’s a comfortable place to talk about their loss.

DeNiel lost his mom three years ago, and now he is being raised by his grandparents.

They say this camp has had a positive impact on him.

“He was excited to get up every day and come, and he would tell us about the ‘sharing circles’ where they got to talk about their feelings.

Kathy DeNiel tells FOX 11....

“It taught him how to share memories and how to talk about it every day. "

For five days, they participate in activities that help them heal, like a Grief-fiti wall.

Where they each write or draw a message for their loved one.

“The kids you can relate to by... they had someone died in their family,” said Kaiden DeNiel.

Illene Cupit, the program’s director, tells FOX 11 they also participate in regular summer camp activities like parachute games, kayaking, arts and crafts and swimming.

“We tend to feel that children don’t grieve or that they 'they're so adjustable' and that is not the case.”

With twelve previous years of success, this year organizers tried something different.

Families stuck around to hang out with the children. Cupit said the idea came from previous years’ camps.

"Over the years I have had so many of the adults come and say this camp is so wonderful I wish I could go to grief camp."

Sunday was the first day of the camp, and the last day will be Friday.

Radio Geeks Ham It Up

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Fox Cities Amateur Radio Club celebrates National Amateur Radio field day this weekend.

The event is an opportunity for clubs throughout the U.S. and Canada to practice setting up ham radios in case of an emergency.

Stations were set up with different types of alternative power to operate radio stations.

The field day chairman, Terry Schilling, tells FOX 11 what kind of circumstances, having these radios is most important.

"In case of a tornado, if you have a tornado that comes through, wipes out cell phone towers or other communications, then a lot of times we're able to set up quickly different kind of communications. Years ago during the train derailment in Weyauwega, when they had the train derailment we had the amateur radios set up- stations both in the Fremont side and Waupaca side to be able to help communicate with the police department and other emergency vehicles and stuff."

Schilling said his favorite thing about amateur radios are the different aspects that let everyone get involved in some way.

Fatal Crash Remains Under Investigation

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WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - One person is dead after a crash on Highway 21, near Omro, Sunday morning.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department said the crash happened at the intersection of Highway 21 and Reighmoor Road.

An investigation of the crash revealed that three vehicles involved.

Authorities say a car traveling on Highway 21 was trying to turn left onto Reighmoor Road. The car was rear-ended and pushed into the highway's oncoming traffic lanes.

That's when the sheriff says a motorcycle on the highway hit the car.

There were two people on the motorcycle. Police say the passenger died at the scene and the driver was taken to the hospital for serious injuries.

The driver of the car and the vehicle that rear-ended the car were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

There were no passengers in either of those vehicles.

The crash is still being investigated and authorities say more information will be released at a later date.

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