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Police Looking for Missing Man

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DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A Door County man has been reported missing.

51-year-old Timothy Wessel left his home in the village of Forestville on Sunday at around 4 PM and never returned home, according to police.

Wessel is described as being 5'11" tall and 185 pounds with green eyes and brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a brown Carhartt jacket, sweatpants and gray Nike shoes with an orange stripe.

Please contact the Door County Communication Center at (920) 746-2416 or your local authorities if you have any information about Wessel's whereabouts.


WATCH: Packers Get In the Holiday Spirit

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers are getting into the holiday spirit as the 2018 Festival of Lights tree was harvested Monday morning.

The mammoth balsam fir was donated by Jan and Joe Monday of Green Bay.

"It's been here for about 50 years and they told us it's roughly 52-feet high," says Jan Monday.

Having a tree of that size brings some pride, but also some headaches.

"We love the tree, but when we come out of the garage it scratches the car a little on one side," says Jan. "You can hardly get through to go to the backyard anymore it got so big."

She also notes that they've had trouble trimming the tree as it continued to grow.

The tree was taken from the Monday's residence to the Harlan Plaza at Lambeau Field where it awaits the Festival of Lights event this Saturday evening.

What do you have to do in order to have your tree selected by the Green Bay Packers? Well first, some pitching is required.

"They said [to] write an essay and I said 'I haven't written an essay for a long, long time,'" she explains.

Jan says their tree advanced to a group of around five total trees before their font yard giant was determined to be the best of the bunch.

The Monday's are receiving four tickets to the Packers game on December 30th against the Detroit Lions in recognition for providing their tree.

The 2018 Festival of Lights event at Lambeau Field is being hosted by the Green Bay Packers and Festival Foods this Saturday starting at 5 PM.

The event begins in the Lambeau Field Atrium and features a number of family-friendly activities, such as holiday movies, holiday card making, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.

Festival Foods will be providing sugar cookies that can be decorated by families.

The event will transition outside to Harlan Plaza at 6:30 PM for the formal lighting of the tree.

While it remains unknown what's next for the Monday's and if they will look to immediately fill the giant void left in the front of their home.

"We haven't really decided yet," explains Jan. "If we do we're going to put it out a little way because this one was too close to the garage."

Man Dies from Injuries in Traffic Crash

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OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The Oconto County Sheriff's Office says that 75-year-old Wayne Trudel of Mountain has passed away from injuries he sustained in a vehicle traffic earlier this year.

Trudell was injured in a crash at the southern junction of highways 32 and 64 in the town of Mountain on October 31.

The driver of the second vehicle sustained no apparent injuries.

Affordable Tickets Easy to Find

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The Packers disappointing season thus far has provided one unintended benefit to fans, which is tickets into Lambeau Field that are cheaper than they've been for years.

Travis Loftus, Manager of Ticket King in Ashwaubenon, describes the team's situation as the perfect storm for affordable tickets. 

The Packers are a sub .500 team for the first time since Aaron Rodgers rookie season, they are entering into cold weather December games at Lambeau, and they're set to play non-playoff contending teams.

"With how the teams performing the price has dipped down," explains Loftus. "We have tickets anywhere from $65 to $150."

And with the holiday season fast approaching this could be a prime opportunity to get family and friends a chance to visit Lambeau Field without breaking the bank.

"It makes for a good Christmas present," he explains. "I mean if you're looking for a gift that's something that you could do."

While cheaper tickets emerging in the colder months aren't unusual, it is unusual for them to dip to this extent.

"Usually cold weather games are a little more affordable, but not below face value," he says.

While some Lambeau Field veterans may have their first opportunity to sit up front and close to the action on the field.

"We've got some seats within three rows of the field," Loftus says. "We have 50-yard line seats all right around face value or below."

With this good of an opportunity though, it's not advised to wait too long.

"Especially for the Lions game, just because it's right around the holidays and families are in town looking for something to do," he says. "So I would buy tickets a little earlier for that one."

Additional ticket information can be found here.

Kangaroo On The Loose

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SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - Residents in Shawano County are hopping on a search for a baby kangaroo that is on the run in Shawano County.

"Just keeping our eyes open hoping that somebody will spot it."

Owner John Mondus said their baby kangaroo Lulu hopped the fence of their Bonduel property Sunday night. After posting the lost kangaroo on Facebook, many have offered support by starting a search party.

"We had people out looking with searchlights on their vehicles and flashlights. Even the Sheriffs Department has been out a couple of times."

Mondus says tracking down a kangaroo may sound easy, but it comes with some challenges.

"It is very fast and right now it is still young," Mondus says it has been out of the pouch for six to eight months.

The ways kangaroos move also make it difficult to spot.

"It is only about two and a half feet tall and they do not stand up but are hunched over."

With temperatures dropping, Mondus says they have limited time to find Lulu as Kangaroos are not conditioned for colder weather.

"The biggest thing we worry about is frostbite on the ears."

Those searching for Lulu have asked what to do if they come across it. Mondus says they can contact them directly or call the Shawano County Sheriff's Office, but if possible, try to call its name and catch it.

"They can call it by its name, Lulu. It does not bite. They can approach it but it might be a little scared so that may not be as easy as it was before," he said. "When they do grab it, grab it by its tail. It is the easiest place to grab it from, then hold it by its tail and hold it like a baby."

He says the community support in finding Lulu is overwhelming. 

John and his wife Rita own a small petting zoo that is located on the property of a restaurant that they own in Shawano.

Robbery at Green Bay Subway

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Police Department continues to investigate a robbery at a Subway in the 2600 block of West Mason Street Sunday night.

No weapon was shown, but the suspect did get away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

"The clerk did not see any weapons but thought that the suspect may have had a weapon."

Police will be looking at surveillance cameras both in and around the Subway.

Captain Kevin Warych says when officers arrived on scene, they set up a perimeter around the building, but came up empty.

"A K-9 was called in and the track was stopped, so the suspect was able to get away."

Warych says part of the investigation will also include looking at past robberies in Green Bay.

"Investigators are going to work to determine if this suspect is the same suspect in the others robberies that we have had in the city of Green Bay."

He says the investigation will include looking at surveillance in and around the Subway.

No other information has been released.

 

Good Hunting Thanks To Near Perfect Conditions

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Many Wisconsin hunters have a lot that they are smiling about at the close of the 9-day-gun season.

"I think people would chalk this up as one of the better deer seasons that they can remember."

Final registration numbers will be released later today, but DNR Regional Wildlife Biologist Jeff Pritzl says the lack of snow was the only disappointment when it came to conditions.

"We missed out on that in the Eastern Counties. That is really the only thing that could have been better."

He says given the conditions, we had probably one of the better 9-day hunts.

Part of that was because it was early in the season and rut was still going on for the most of the season.

He says the other factor in a successful hunting season is safety.

"Three accidents throughout the entire state and none of them in Northeast Wisconsin," he said. "Obviously the best story would be no accidents, but the number of accidents is quite low this year and they have been low for a number of years and that is great."

 After opening weekend, some of the best hunting was once again in Northeast Wisconsin with Waupaca and Shawano County having the most registrations.

Suspect Charged After Dangerous Chemicals Found in Home

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - One of the individuals arrested last week when police found large amounts of dangerous chemicals in a Green Bay home was charged in Brown County Court Monday afternoon.

Jennifer Gross, the girlfriend of Michael Anderson who was also arrested at the home in the 1200 block of Redwood Drive, is charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer.

The couple lived in the basement of the home, which belongs to Anderson's mother.

According to the complaint, a Drug Task Force alarm sounded after officers initially walked five feet into the home, which alerted them that the air was unsafe.

It was difficult to move inside because chemicals were everywhere and an officer compared the basement to that of a hoarder, according to the complaint. 

Gross told officers she was going to blow up the courthouse and it was her dream to do so, according to the complaint.

Anderson is being held on probable cause and charges still haven't been filed against him.


Victim Helps Track Accused Car-Jacker

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OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The 32-year-old Grand Chute man who went on a hit-and-run spree Thanksgiving night in Outagamie County has been identified.

Jonathon Harper was arrested after police said he went on a rampage throughout Outagamie County.

Investigators believe Harper caused a number of crashes and stole at least two vehicles, one of which had a teenage girl and a rifle inside. They said a phone app played a crucial role in his arrest.

FOX 11 is not naming the witnesses involved to protect their identities. Those witnesses were a mom and her 14-year-old-daughter.

“The day before, I lost my phone, and it was just in my bed, but I remembered that you can use the ‘Find My iPhone’ app.” said one teen who was in the car at the time of the carjacking.

Coincidence or fate had the teen not lost her phone and installed that app one day earlier, she probably wouldn’t have been able to help investigators as much as she did Thursday night.

“It would have delayed us greatly,” said Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office Staff Sergeant Ryan Carpenter.

“We had a location; a general area of where he fled but, beyond that, we didn’t know.”

The 14-year-old girl was in one of the vehicles Jonathon Harper's accused of stealing in Greenville. She managed to jump out of the truck while he started driving away, leaving her phone inside.

Her best friend who was also in the vehicle wasn't so lucky. Child safety locks kept her locked inside the truck.

Harper eventually let her go at a nearby gas station.

“They didn’t know where he was, but my phone was with him, so they could trace him with that, so I was like telling everybody, ‘You have to like, give me a phone!’” the teen said.

Using her friend’s phone, she was able to sign into the “Find My iPhone” application, and locate where the device was at, which eventually led to police finding and locating the suspect, as well as the vehicle.

“The ultimate location ended up being about eight miles away from where she was dropped off, so that would be like looking for a needle in a haystack,” Carpenter said.

Deputies found both Harper and the stolen truck near Highway 96 and Industrial Drive in the Town of Dale.

“She literally tracked it the whole entire time, so the law enforcement kind of surrounded her, and she showed them where it was,” the teen's mother and a witness herself said. “It was incredible.”

Harper could face a slew of charges, including multiple counts of vehicle theft and kidnapping.

Outagamie County sheriff's deputies also said Harper rammed a car into a home in Greenville, injuring one person and hit at least three vehicles.

Meth was found on him, and officials believe drugs were a factor in these incidents.

He’s set to appear in Outagamie County Court Tuesday afternoon.

Debate Over Downtown Parking Rates

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Business owners and employees voiced their opposition Monday night to new parking fees being proposed for downtown Green Bay.

The city is looking at charging people who want to park downtown on nights and weeknights. Right now, it's free between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

While city leaders say the revenue is needed, businesses say customers will go elsewhere.

“People don't want to have to pay money to spend money,” said Madeline Vasiliev, an employee at The Haberdasher Limited and whose family used to own Lou’s Bootery when it was in downtown Green Bay.

Based off recommendations from a national agency that specializes in parking, Green Bay is looking at charging $2 to park in city parking ramps on nights and weekends. The first hour would be free.

Parking meters would also start collecting on nights and Saturdays.

It's also being recommended to reinstall parking meters in the Broadway District. They were removed in the late 90s in an effort to lure people to the district.

“It would be a lot more equitable solution to have those night and weekend patrons contribute something toward the long-term maintenance of our parking system,” said Steve Grenier, Green Bay’s Public Works Director.

Grenier also points out that the city's parking division is an independent entity. It does not benefit from any tax dollars.

Grenier says the city will need to spend more than $36 million in the next five years to replace a parking ramp, and it currently doesn't have a revenue stream to make that happen.

Grenier tells FOX 11 parking structures typically last 50 years and the Main Street ramp will be that age in 2026.

“We are as interested as anybody in making sure businesses here thrive. We're not going to make a recommendation that we believe is going to be detrimental.”

Grenier says Broadway businesses have also complained to him about a lack of convenient on-street parking for customers.

The city has found the employees of those businesses have been taking up those spots.

While Grenier says reinstalling parking meters could remedy the situation, On Broadway Incorporated Executive Director Brian Johnson, who is also an alderman, says businesses are overwhelmingly against the idea.

With 2 to 1 support, the city's Improvement and Services committee voted Monday to receive and place the parking proposal on file, essentially saying the changes shouldn't be made.

The full city council will vote on it next Tuesday.

High Speed Chase Leads To Arrest

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TOWN OF FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - A Monday night highway pursuit leads to a man under arrest for allegedly driving under the influence and leading deputies on a high-speed chase in Fond du Lac County.

Sheriff's Department says around 7:30 a deputy noticed a vehicle traveling at in excess of 100 mph on Interstate 41, near Highway 151 in the town of Fond du Lac.

When the deputy tried to get the vehicle to stop, it continued into Dodge County.

Tire deflation devices were put down and helped reduce the vehicle's speed.

When the vehicle stopped, the driver, a 27-year-old Sussex man, was taken into custody.

His passenger, a 30-year-old woman, was also arrested on suspicion of drug paraphernalia possession and bail jumping.

Deputies say they are recommending felony eluding, recklessly endangering safety and operating while under the influence charges against the driver.

Authorities say the chase spanned 12 miles and there were no reported injuries.

One civilian vehicle was damaged after it was unable to avoid the tire deflation devices.

Former Coach To Stand Trial

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MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) - A former Coleman High School volleyball coach has pleaded not guilty to charges of having a sexual relationship with a teenage girl.

41-year-old Jason Nieminski of Pound was ordered to stand trial and faces multiple felony counts that include child exploitation and possession of child pornography.

He is also facing a felony count of second-degree sexual assault of a child.

No trial date has been set, but he is scheduled to return to court in January.

Nieminski is accused of exchanging sexually-explicit texts and photos and having sex on multiple occasions with the girl who was 15 at the time.

The complaint also states that Nieminski provided birth control for the girl.

Nieminski’s wife said he confessed to exchanging inappropriate messages with the girl, according to the complaint.

He  resigned from the Coleman School District in February, according to school board minutes.

Packers Take Part in Giving Tuesday

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers were active participants in "Giving Tuesday" as they helped stock-up a local food pantry.

Paul's Pantry in Green Bay has been caring for the communities less fortunate for decades and they got a little help on Tuesday.

The Green Bay Packers and the Packers Women's Association teamed up to present a $15,000 check and partnered with Campbell's to donate 50,000 bowls of soup.

"Obviously with it being Giving Tuesday what better time to be able to come during the holidays and just show our support from the Packers and Campbell Soup," says Green Bay Wide Receiver Randall Cobb.

Audi Perry, the wife of Nick Perry and member of the Packers Women's Association, says they've partnered with Paul's Pantry for over 30 years and are especially happy to help during the holiday season.

"Paul's Pantry serves a crucial need for local families in the community," she says. "We appreciate the opportunity to join them in the fight against hunger in our community."

Both Cobb and Perry received a tour of Paul's Pantry facility and had the chance to help package some of the food intended for recipients.

The soup that was donated and the partnership with Randall Cobb is part of Cambell's Chunky Soup community giving program in part with the NFL.

For those at Paul's Pantry, a non-profit organization operating in Green Bay since 1984, they were overjoyed with the outpouring of support they received.

"This donation will go a long way," explains Director Craig Robbins.

Donations are appreciated by the organization year-round but the timing of this gift couldn't have been better.

"Especially this Winter giving people something nutritious and warm to eat," he says.

The Packers did their part, but so can you. Paul's Pantry is always in search of donations and almost anything is appreciated.

"Really anything that you put on your table we could use here," says Robbins.

Some of the specific items that are in high-demand are protein-rich foods such as tuna fish and peanut butter.

Non-perishable items and canned vegetables are other types of food that the pantry can always utilize.

Most of all they rely on the good-natured hearts of the people living in the greater Green Bay area.

"We couldn't do what we're doing here without the communities generosity," he explains.

More information on donating to Paul's Pantry can be found here.

Man Enters Plea Deal for Double Stabbings

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A man was convicted in a plea deal on Monday of an Oshkosh double-stabbing.

Court records show that Jesse McComb pleaded no contest to two counts of first-degree reckless injury, which were originally attempted homicide charges stemming from the July 1 incident.

Court records show his sentencing is scheduled for January 29.

McComb became upset with Mark Haima outside of a bar after being unable to buy a cigarette from him, according to the criminal complaint. 

McComb was knocked out after a bar patron punched him, following his stabbing of both Haima and Michelle Gebauer.

The complaint states that Haima was stabbed three times: twice in the abdomen and once on the arm, while Gebauer was stabbed twice in the abdomen.

Local Companies Give Warmth

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Many companies are doing their best to give back to the community on Giving Tuesday, including J.J. Keller Foundation and Thrivent Financial who distributed free hats, mittens, and snow pants. 

The event took place during St. Vincent de Paul Appleton's shopping event, where the store is offering 30 percent off all merchandise with the goal of raising $15,000 for the community.

Becca Merklein, director of operations of St. Vincent De Paul Appleton, told Fox 11 News that it’s a great way to give back to the community.

"We are an organization that helps out all kinds of families and individuals, whether it’s rent or utilities, medical bills, we really have no end to the services we provide," she says.

US Ventures pledged to match up to $15,000, AZCO and Menasha Corp Foundation each agreed to match up to $5,000 and Catholic Financial Life pledged to match up to $500 in order to help St. Vincent de Paul reach its $15,000 goal.


Arrest Made in Robbery Investigation

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police have a man in custody that they believe is connected to recent store robberies.

 

A heavy Police presence was needed to take the 26-year-old man into custody after he was located inside a residence on 2700 block of Osha-He-Ta Trail.

"Those officers called in additional officers and set up a perimeter around the house so the suspect would not flee."

 Police Captain Kevin Warych says the heavy presence was needed to keep officers and the surrounding community safe, and officers even took time to alert nearby neighbors of what was going on.

"We were able to eventually call out that individual and he eventually surrendered."

Officers then turned their attention to protecting nearby children.

"Officers had also contacted Green Bay schools and put them on lockdown."

Warych says that lockdown was released after a little more than an hour.

King Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, MacArthur Elementary, Lombardi Middle School and Green Bay Southwest High School were included in the lockdown.

Warych says investigators received intel of who the suspect might be, and now with a suspect, the investigation takes the next step.

"Now in the investigation is going to turn to, is this suspect responsible for one, none or all of the robberies that have taken place in Green Bay?"

He says they will also investigate to see if the suspect may be connected to other robberies in nearby communities.

Higher Harvest Numbers and Fewer Injuries Means Successful Hunt

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A 6.9 increase in harvest numbers and the safest season on record highlight the nine-day gun hunt.

The DNR reported 211,430 deer registered during the nine-day season. That is up from the 197,733 registered in 2017.

Hunters shot 104,388 bucks which is up 5.4 percent, and 107,042 antlerless deer. That's up 8.4 percent from last year.

Marathon, Shawano and Waupaca County once again led the state.

Marathon County had 7,642. Shawano County had 6,702 and Waupaca County was third with 6,520.

John Hoff, Area Wildlife Supervisor says that is no surprise.

"Those are counties with a lot of deer and a lot of hunters and that is what we kind of expect from those counties."

Huff says the numbers tell a positive story especially since license sales were down at the start of the season, signifying fewer hunters in the woods.

"That indicates that the folks that are still in the game maybe had a little better chance this year."

He says while it is not a major concern, he would like to see hunters to their part to encourage others to join them to increase license sales.

"We would like to see that turn around in the future."

DNR officials say good weather, early season and no Packer game to compete with were all factors.

"I guess the numbers that we see now are really encouraging, but they are by no means the whole story."

 

Bell Sounds Again

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STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Some Sturgeon Bay Residents will be able to ditch their alarm clocks as they'll have the opportunity to wake up the "old fashioned" way.

That's because holiday bells won't be the only thing heard this winter in Sturgeon Bay, thanks to the restoration of the "Old Bell" tower located downtown.

The 118-year-old bell had been silent for more than a decade before restoration was completed by the Door County Community Foundation.

Bret Bicoy, the President and CEO of the Door County Community Foundation, thinks the bell has symbolic significance.

"Once upon a time the bell was how we kept time," he says. "It would call us together as a community, but unfortunately it hasn't worked for many years."

The bell has been moved across the street from its original location, which was in a bell tower of the Bank of Sturgeon Bay.

The bell's history and restoration are significant to John Herlache of Sturgeon Bay.

"My father was the CEO of the Bank of Sturgeon Bay, and in 1989 when they had their 100th anniversary, they wanted to do something special for Sturgeon Bay," he explains. "So right away he knew what that should be, and that should be a bell tower with a clock."

The Door County Community Foundation was able to restore the bell through a donation from Herlache's parents' foundation.

The final price tag for the restoration wasn't astronomical, which is a tip of the cap to the townspeople's benevolence.

"The thing about it is the actual cost of restoring the bell was about $25,000, but it would've cost more had it not been for the generosity of the people in the community," explains Bicoy.

And no matter the cost, hearing the bell sound again was worth every penny to community members like John Herlache.

The bell will ring on the hour from 8 in the morning to 8 at night every day. 

Proposed Correctional Facility Creating Unrest

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HORTONIA, WI (WTAQ) - Some homeowners in Outagamie County are voicing their concerns about a proposed location for a new juvenile correctional facility.

The proposition comes after the state announced plans to open five youth prisons to replace the controversial Lincoln Hills facility.

One recommended site is in the town of Hortonia near Highway 15 and US 45.

Nearby resident Kevin Mckeever is less than enthused about the idea.

"There's got to be better suitable places,' he says. "I talked to neighbors, they're against it too."

One common concern among families with young children is that the juveniles from the facility will escape. McKeever has a six-year-old son and says he's worried about that possibility.

New London's Mayor, Gary Henke, doesn't see the logic in that notion.

"They’re very secure, and the thing is if they do escape, they don’t want to stick around here, they want to go as far as possible," he says.

Mayor Henke doesn't believe the facility is only safe, but he also believes it's good for area commerce.

"I would assume they’ll be purchasing things locally, causing people to move into the area, more homes being sold, more rental properties filling up," he explains.

Other local politicians agree with his big-picture analysis, but think some upgrades would first be necessary before moving forward.

The Hortonia town chairman, Bob Luedtke, thinks Highway 15 needs to be the target.

"We've been trying to get that road resolved for eight years," he explains.

While some residents, like McKeever, remain unmoved and skeptical about the proposition. For him, the land itself provides a fundamental problem to the idea.

"One, it's swamp area, its low ground, and stuff, I think they can find better land, better parking," he says.

Hortonia has been ranked as the no. 3 site behind Union Grove and Milwaukee by the Juvenile Corrections Study Committee.

Locations near schools, family and community resources were generally supported by the panel.

Further study on the town of Winchester, and the Fox Valley region have been recommended by the committee. 

Up to $80 million for the facilities has been committed by the state.

Tragic End In Kangaroo Search

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BONDUEL, WI (WTAQ) - A three-day search for a missing baby kangaroo in Shawano County was just seconds away from a happy ending.

"Lulu was just hit by a white car as she was coming into our arms," Rita Mondus posted on Facebook Tuesday evening. 

Mondus said the vehicle was speeding and hit the gentleman that was with them in the foot and in the shoulder before hitting Lulu. 

The Kangaroo went missing after hopping over a fence Sunday night at the Mondus home in Bonduel.

Rita and John Mondus own a petting zoo in Shawano, and many of their animals stay at their home in the winter months.

Rita Mondus, although heartbroken said the community support in helping to find her baby was more than she could imagine.

"I wanna thank everybody for all your kind thoughts and prayers in helping me find LouLou."

Mondus said she did alert authorities about the hit and run.

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