GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man is being ordered to stand trial after being charged with trying to entice children at a campground.

35-year-old Richard Davenport from North Carolina was ordered to stand trial after a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.

According to the criminal complaint, Davenport offered money to juveniles for sex in August at the Apple Creek Campground in Wrightstown.

He allegedly had interactions with three children. Davenport denies offering one boy money and has stated that a second child never visited his camper. He does admit to offering to buy one girl a slushy in an attempt to be nice, according to the criminal complaint. 

Court records show his arraignment is scheduled for November 30. Davenport has had a count of possession of child pornography changed to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Green Bay Public Works wants drivers to be aware of pending construction that will begin on October 8.

The construction is part of the larger North Webster Avenue utility improvement and signal repair project.

The project, which includes reconstructing sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main, and Radisson Street signals, will be completed in five stages:

Drivers can expect single lane closures on eastbound University Avenue. Both eastbound lanes of University Avenue may be closed between 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Work is anticipated to last up to 7 weeks.

Full intersection closure with detour signed along N Webster Avenue, Radisson, and N Quincy Streets. Work is anticipated to last up to one week.

Full intersection closure with detour signed along N Webster Avenue, Radisson, and N Quincy Streets, lasting up to 10 working days.

Full segment closure with detour signed along N Webster Ave, Radisson, and N Quincy Streets. Limited access to residents and businesses to be provided with 1 lane of traffic in each direction. Alley access will be closed.

Lane closures may occur with detour signed along N Webster Ave, Radisson, and N Quincy Streets.

Work starts on Monday and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with more signal work expected to start next spring.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh High School Students are getting a chance to participate in Manufacturing Month by getting some hands-on experience.

An event sponsored by Oshkosh Corporation, Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce and Fox Valley Technical College are trying to provide kids like Jacob Cutts with experience in a possible career path.

"After high school, I'm looking at doing something in manufacturing or doing something with my hands all day," says Cutts, a sophomore at Oshkosh North.

Most kids his age aren't particularly certain on what they want to professionally in their future.

"There's a lot of kids that are like there are five things I want to do, or I have no idea," says Nicole Peterson, the Career and Technical Education Coordinator at Oshkosh Area School District.

This event tries to provide kids with experience in a possible career path.

"If you like that feeling of being able to [say] hey I produced that and you get that pride, this is a great time," says David Fischer, a welding professor at Fox Valley Tech. "Come to here or even the trade."

Fischer gives some insight into the process they go through with the kids.

"We're bringing them in and splitting them in threes and one talks to a local manufacturer, so SMC and they explain what they do," he says." Another group will go with a welding instructor that will walk them through robotics."

Students from Oshkosh North, West and Winneconne High School participated in the event.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - After a summer full of severe weather surprises across the state Governor Scott Walker sent a letter to the President on Thursday requesting federal disaster aid for 18 counties.

The request includes Adams, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Juneau, La Crosse, Marquette, Monroe, Ozaukee, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon counties for both public assistance and individual assistance; Iron County for Public Assistance only; and Columbia, Jefferson and Washington counties for Individual Assistance only.

After several agencies conducted damage assessments across the state it has been concluded that the estimated cost of repair is over $37 million.

370 private homes were destroyed or severely damaged and 925 received minor damage or were affected. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Brewer fans are coming out in big numbers to take in the historical season.

Whether you are a lifelong Brewer fan, or just started this season, it is hard not to get excited about what the Brewers are doing.

Teague Camps of Oconto got really excited this year.

"I bought this shirt for today. I did not have any Brewers gear until today, I have Brewer Fever."

At Titletown Brewing Company in Green Bay, fans cheered every hit and MVP chants were echoed.

"We have a really good team right now, the MVP on our roster, and I made the prediction that we were going to crush the Rockies," Camps said.

Beer and excitement were both brewing. 

Support for the Brewers was matched with support for the Miracle League of Green Bay. A 50/50 raffle was held for the charity, and for the fans in attendance, the Brewers success saved them money.

Titletown Brewing company reduced the price of an honest pint of beer by $.25 cents after each Brewer hit, and it did not take long for the price to drop to $5.75.

"I take a sip every time they are at bat. If they are at bat, I chug, if they are in the field, I drink slow.

When Christian Yelich hit a home run, Brewer Fever set in and fans requested a dollar discount.

Yelich's home run may not have saved money, but it did save the game for the Brewers.

By the end of the ten inning game, the Brewers were winners and helped the customers save $1.75 a pint.

Fans also packed in at Ashwaubenon's Stadium View.

Jacob Owens of Green Bay says he remembers the 2011 playoff season, but it was nothing like this season.

"It has been an incredible run. We have the MVP and we have a shutdown bullpen."

Some credit the success to the players, but Owens says the credit goes to the man that made the magic happen.

"We have David Stearns, he is a magician and he is getting all the right guys in the right spots. We did not build this team, we brought it in."

Paul Tomaszewski was graduating high school the last time the Brewers won the division, but said this year has a different feel, and was quick to point out why.

"I think having the MVP in your lineup, having Christian Yelich and watching him day in and day out get the big hits."

Win or lose, he and other fans are optimistic about future years in Milwaukee.

"I think they can go the World Series, but next year is our year to win it."

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - As the Packers hit the quarter point of their 100th season, one of the more memorable games in history has quite a few little-known facts.

The Ice Bowl was cold but nobody expected it to be as cold as it was.

Team historian Cliff Christl says it even caused a problem for the electric blanket and many thought the heating system failed.

"First of all, the electric blanket worked," said Packers team historian Cliff Christl, "it's just that it couldn't deal with the severe temperatures."  What caught the Packers off guard the day of the Ice Bowl was an initially mild game day forecast."

Christl says the officials even had an unheard of problem.

"One of the officials blew his whistle and it stuck to his lip and it started to bleed, so the officials did not use whistles during that game."

He says many think the Cowboys were one of the best teams that year, but it was actually the Rams that had the best record.

"The team that the Packers feared that year was the Rams. They had the best record in the league and the Packers were actually underdogs to the Rams the week before."

He says the fact that it played out close in the extreme conditions is why it became an iconic moment in the 100-year history of the team.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police have reopened an intersection after a fatal crash last night (THURSDAY).

Green Bay PD released the following statement:

On Thursday, October 4th at approximately 7:30 pm, Green Bay Police responded to a vehicle vs. pedestrian accident at Manitowoc Rd and Brosig St on Green Bay’s east side. The pedestrian a 36-year-old Green Bay resident was transported to an area hospital where she later died. The driver of the vehicle a 40-year-old female was not injured. The deceased name is being held pending notification of family.

The Green Bay Accident Reconstruction Unit is investigating the accident. At this time alcohol does not appear to be a factor. 

SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) - A series of mountain lion sightings in northern Brown County has authorities investigating. 

Here's the statement Sumaico Police have posted on their Facebook Page:

Since September 1st we have received numerous reports of a Mountain Lion (Cougar) being spotted near Veterans Avenue in the Village of Suamico.

Until now, we have not received any photos or evidence of a Mountain Lion. 

The attached photo was allegedly captured on a trail camera in the Northeast portion of our village; East of US 41 and north of CTH B.

This is NOT a confirmed sighting. In order to be a confirmed sighting, it needs to be investigated by the DNR which has not been done. DNR officials believe the photo may be of a bobcat.

What are your thoughts? Bobcat? Or Cougar? The WI DNR website is a great resource for information on Mountain Lions in WI.

A few tips from the website state:

People hiking in areas where cougars are known to occur are advised to hike in groups and keep small children in sight.

If a cougar approaches and does not immediately flee, stand tall, wave your arms, throw stones or other objects and yell.

Don't run, but slowly back away from the site, keeping an eye on the cougar.

Again, these alleged sightings have NOT been confirmed by the Brown County Sheriffs Office or the WI DNR.

The authenticity of the photo and whether or not it is truly a Mountain Lion has also not been confirmed.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - An alleged ringleader in a cocaine distributing ring has been convicted.

31-year-old Danny Andrews Jr. pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiracy to manufacture and deliver cocaine and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Court records show that three other charges have been dropped and sentencing is scheduled for January 10.

Prosecutors say Andrews was allegedly in control of a cocaine ring, with Nicole Cassola, that sold more than 120 pounds of drugs valued near $10 million across the Fond du Lac area between July 2017 and April 2018. 

The preliminary hearing for Cassola is set for November 9.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Metro Fire Department responded to a business fire early Friday morning.

Crews were called at around 6:30 AM to Alive and Kickin Pizza Crust, which is located at 2050 Walker Drive.

The fire inside a pizza crust oven was quickly extinguished by crews and they were able to start ventilating the building.

An air boat was brought to the scene by the Brown County Sheriff's Office to help assist in air movement and ventilating smoke from the building.

No one was injured in the fire and estimated damage is around $25,000. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Republican Governor Scott Walker, and his Democrat opponent Tony Evers, continue to criss-cross the state in the final month leading up to the November 6th elections.

Both expected to visit NE Wisconsin many times in the coming days.

Evers touting the state's crumbling infrastructure. Walker pointing to the state's excellent business climate.

He says that's designed to fill job openings and keep students here when they graduate.

"Encouraging every one of our graduates to stay in the state of Wisconsin ....and recruit more people to come."

Walker says each of his gubernatorial campaigns has featured a theme. This one is no different.

"To shift from jobs, jobs, jobs, to workforce, workforce, workforce, to growing that workforce."

The Governor says things have changed for the better in Wisconsin.

"I remember back 8, 9 years ago ...the signs we saw were plant closed, pink slips, people being laid off"

But Evers, currently the state school superintendent, points to cuts in education over the years as a Walker weakness.

But Walker points to reinvestment of state dollars in schools at the K-12 level, colleges, universities and tech schools.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after being convicted of possessing child pornography.

Court records show that 35-year-old Lucas DaPra will also be placed on supervised release for 10 years after his release.

The 15-year-term, which is the minimum federal sentence, was jointly recommended by both prosecutors and the defense.

Photo and video files were found in DaPra's home in May, according to investigators. 

DaPra distributed at least 32 images of child porn, which includes compilations of photos, according to prosecutors. 

OCONTO, WI (WTAQ) - An Oconto man was convicted on Friday for recklessly endangering safety.

51-year-old Thomas Benser allegedly fired at multiple law enforcement officers when a standoff occurred on March 10 and 11 at his home in Lena.

Benser pleaded no contest to three counts of recklessly endangering safety, while eleven other counts were dismissed, which includes five counts of attempted homicide.

He will face up to 35 years in prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 29 and the deal avoids a trial, which was originally scheduled to begin on October 17.

The complaint alleges that the incident stemmed from an argument that Benser got into with an ex-girlfriend on the morning of March 10. He allegedly choked her and threatened to kill her.

After receiving a voicemail from Benser the following day, the woman contacted police. On the voicemail Benser said he planned on killing himself and would not go back to jail.

Police made phone contact once they arrived and Benser fired four or five shots from his residence in the direction of officers.

No one was injured by the firing and the Brown County SWAT team was called in. Benser was eventually arrested. 

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - Shawano Police have arrested a woman in connection to an infant that was found deceased at a residence this week.

22-year-old Catherine R. Baker was taken into custody.

Police say they were called out this week for a welfare check of a child but found a 2-month-old infant deceased.

According to the police report, Baker woke to find her child not breathing and performed CPR in attempts to revive him but never contacted 911.

During the investigation, a text discussion was discovered that showed Baker communicating with friends, saying the child died by accidentally covering himself with a blanket, and suffocated.

According to the police report, the text conversation included Baker telling her friends that she did not want to call the police because she would go to jail because she had unpaid fines and warrants out for her. She also stated that funerals cost too much, so she was going to bury the body in the country. 

Police say the friends came forward and showed them the text exchanges.

Baker was charged on Thursday with neglecting a child-consequence death, failure to report the death of a child and attempt to move/hide/bury the corpse of a child.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Cool, damp conditions in northeast Wisconsin has it feeling like fall, but not that far away it looks more like winter already.

That's because there was snowfall in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on Friday.

About an inch of snow mixed with rain was reported in the morning near Marquette.

Jordyne Fletcher of Green Bay isn't enthused.

"I think it's too early, definitely too early for that," she says. "Yeah, I'm not ready for it."

Fortunately, there's plenty of red, yellow, and orange in the area as the leaves on trees have popped with color.

But just how long does that last?

"Usually the process of changing for the trees, once they start going through the changes that lead to the bright colors that we see, the initial phase lasts about 18 days," explains UW-Green Bay Assistant Biology Professor Karen Stahlheber.

She says once a leaf hits peak color it will typically last for about a week before falling from the tree. 

Colors should be peaking locally for the next few weekends, which will give Jordyne Fletcher ample time to do some of her favorite fall activities.

"I usually go to corn mazes, haunted houses, and carve pumpkins," she says.

For those concerned, the first day of Winter is still 11 weeks away.

MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) - The Brewers lead the NLDS 2-0 after a shutout win at home against the Colorado Rockies.

It was another game with a big 8th inning for the Brewers as they scored 3 of their 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th.

Two walks and a single from Ryan Braun had the bases loaded for the Crew after 3 batters in the 8th. Mike Moustakas was then able to single off of Seunghwan Oh, sending Christian Yelich home. After two strikeouts from Perez and Shaw, Erik Kratz hit a line drive single getting Braun and Arcia home.

Milwaukee's first run came in the bottom of the 4th as Hernan Perez hit a ground-rule double off the back wall, sending Mike Moustakas in. It was a well-rounded game on offense for the Crew as Moustakas, Perez, Shaw, and Kratz all had two hits. Perez and Moustakas had an RBI each while Kratz had 2 RBI's. The lone weak spots for the Brewers was leaving 22 runners stranded through 9 innings.

A solid bullpen was again a major factor for the Crew as they had 5 pitchers limit the Rockies to 6 hits and no runs. Jhoulys Chacin grabbed the win for Milwaukee as he pitched 5 innings with 3 strikeouts and allowing 3 hits. Knebel, Soria, Hader, and Jeffress all subbed in for the final 4 innings.

The Brewers get a day off on Saturday to travel to Denver Colorado for Game 3. Game 3 of the NLDS is set for Sunday with first pitch at 3:37 pm on WTAQ.

FREEDOM, WI (WTAQ) - A 68-year-old man has died after a crash in Freedom Friday afternoon.

Outagamie County Sheriff's Department was dispatched to the intersection of County Highway EE and Wege Road.

Officials say the man was struck by a semi-truck.

The driver of the semi was not hurt, but deputies did not say who was responsible.

KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Hundreds of people showed their support for police and sheriff's deputies at a ceremony Friday afternoon.

Company officials said they wanted to change negative feelings some may have about police officers.

“Thinking about, you know, would I want my son or daughter to be a policeman? And, no I wouldn’t, the way things are today,” said Keller president Wayne Stellmacher. “So, I thought we should reach out as individuals, and community leaders and businesses to help them.”

Special guest Attorney General Brad Schimel, who is up for re-election in November, said he sees a lack of appreciation for law enforcement.

“A vocation has chosen them, and they’re doing that every day; they’re doing the best they can,” Schimel said. “Their passion is to keep their community safe, and they don’t expect anything like this.”

One by one, over 300 people shook the hands of the men and women in blue all to say, “Thank you.”

“It’s not something we’re used to,” said Green Bay Police Department chief of staff Captain Jeremy Muraski. “Unfortunately, you know, police don’t always get widespread support like that, or at least maybe we don’t necessarily see it; it might be there, but we don’t necessarily experience it in that real of a manner, so it’s just a really neat experience for us.”

Last year, seven departments were represented at the ceremony. This year 12 were honored from Green Bay to Appleton, all the way down to Sun Prairie.

Each department also got a check from Keller for $2,500.

Keller company officials said their $30,000 donation helps pay for police agencies' community initiatives.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - After September flood waters damaged property in Green Bay area homes, the Public Works Department is offering to pick up flood-damaged items free of charge.

Public Works officials say some people are taking advantage of it.

“We've seen items placed on the curb like completely undamaged cardboard boxes, pristine cardboard boxes, outdoor basketball hoops, children's swimming pools. High water didn't damage any of that.”

Public Works Director Steve Grenier says if they felt items that were placed curbside were not flood damaged, those residents received a bill.

He added if residents feel that the bill is not justified, they can contest it.

“It can be an email, it could be a letter,” said Steve Grenier, the director of public works for Green Bay. “Put something together in writing explaining your side of the story and send it into the Department of Public Works and we'll review those on a case-by-case basis.”

It's recommended you have pictures of your water damage or some sort of documentation of an insurance claim.

The public works department originally said it would only pick up bulk waste through September 25th. However, it has kept picking up items and says it did not send bills when the trash was clearly water damaged.

DETROIT, MI (WTAQ) - The Packers left 13 points on the field in the form of missed field goals, falling to the Lions 31-23 in the Motor City.

Green Bay got themselves in a hole early, trailing 24-0 at the half.

Kicker Mason Crosby missed three first half field goals, and missed a field goal and an extra point in the second half.

Despite having limited receivers, Aaron Rodgers threw for 442 yards.

The Packers also fell behind early when a punt deflected off Kevin King and was recovered by the Lions near the goalline in the first quarter.

Matthew Stafford completed 14-of-24 passes for 183 yards and two touchdown passes.

LeGarrett Blount scored twice.

Linebacker Nick Perry and Defensive Back Kevin King left the game due to injury.

The Packers fall to 2-2-1 with the loss and will host San Francisco next Monday.