GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Two northern Wisconsin House districts get some of the highest totals of Social Security benefits in the nation.

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare said the 7th and 8th congressional districts each pull in $2.3 billion in benefits a year.

The committee’s Dan Adcock says the average congressional district gets around a billion dollars a year, and his group was surprised to see the Wisconsin districts get so much.

In the North’s District 7, the benefits go to 167,000 people who are retired, children, and those getting death and disability benefits.

In the 8th District, about 142,000 recipients get benefits.

The committee says the economic impact of Social Security benefits is considerable, especially in northern Wisconsin – and Congress should consider that when it acts on a proposed cut in cost of living increases for Social Security recipients. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The pros won’t be the only football players performing at Lambeau Field Friday night.

Members of the Waukesha Youth Football League will show off their talents at halftime of the Green Bay Packers’ pre-season game against Seattle.

The youth teams will also be on the field for the national anthem, as part of the Packers’ recognition of USA Football Month.

The team donated over 3,000 tickets to youth football leagues throughout Wisconsin for the Pack’s two home exhibitions. 

MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) - A man will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend while she was working at a gas station.

56-year-old Richard Heyer of Crivitz was sentenced Thursday to life with no chance for a supervised release.

The defense asked for the minimum 20 years before a release could be considered. They also asked for a mental health commitment, but the judge said any such treatment would be left up to prison officials.

Authorities said Heyer shot 51-year-old Ann Schueller once in the back at a Citgo station in Wausaukee a year ago on Monday.

Marinette County District Attorney Allen Brey said the murder was planned, and done in cold blood.

Heyer also wounded himself in the shooting incident. 

MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) - A man charged with killing his girlfriend in Marinette County is pleading not guilty.

In court Thursday, Brent Kaempf entered that plea to a charge of first-degree intentional homicide.

Prosecutors say he fatally stabbed Trish Waschbisch last April at the home they shared.

Kaempf will stand trial on January 28.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Two faculty members from Fox Valley Technical College and a meteorologist will be reviewing Outagamie County storm response policy and procedures.

This comes in the wake of six tornadoes tearing through the region on August 7th, when the sirens did not go off.

The controversy has caused a rift between some county leaders. 

County Executive Tom Nelson has asked for an independent review of the policy and procedures at the county's Emergency Management agency.

"Certainly at the forefront will be why the sirens didn't go off, should they have gone off, when should they have gone off," says Outagamie County Corporate Counsel Joe Guidote, who was tasked with putting together the panel. "Those are all questions that this panel will be looking at." 

County officials say there is no time table for the review to be completed or an estimate as to how much it will cost. 

The county executive is responsible for handing out any discipline. 

The issue could come up at an emergency management committee meeting next Wednesday.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - The U.S. Small Business Administration will be in Outagamie County starting Saturday to help residents and businesses affected by the August 7th tornadoes.

Homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered storm damage will have their chance to get in-person help in applying for low-interest disaster loans.

"Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate," says SBA's Field Operations Center East Director Frank Skaggs. "Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property."

These loans will be available to all counties included in the disaster declaration. Outagamie County, along with the surrounding counties of Brown, Calumet, Shawano, Waupaca and Winnebago are eligible.

SBA's customer service reps are available at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help individuals complete their applications.

It's located at the Grand Chute Fire Station, 2250 W. Grand Chute Blvd. On Saturday, the center will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. It will be closed on Sunday. Then Monday through Thursday, the center will be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Despite a quagmire of mistakes, the Seattle Seahawks escaped Lambeau Field with a win - defeating the Packers 17-10.

Both teams combined for 22 penalties in the game.

Quarterback Vince Young, vying for the backup spot to Aaron Rodgers, orchestrated an 11 play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass to fullback Jonathan Amosa.

With the game tied, Seahawks quarterback Brady Quinn sealed the win on a 42-yard touchdown pass with just under nine minutes to play.

Once again, the first-team offense was unable to find the endzone. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was 4-of-7 for 41 yards in passing, while rookie running back Eddie Lacy had 8 carries for negative 5 yards.

Packers will look to work out those offensive woes by Thursday, when the team travels to Arrowhead Stadium for the final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers on Saturday released quarterback Graham Harrell.

The move paves the way for Vince Young to become Aaron Rodgers' backup this season.

Young was impressive in the loss to Seattle on Friday – leading an 11 play, 80-yard drive and throwing a touchdown pass.

The 30-year-old quarterback will likely see a majority of the action in Friday’s preseason finale against Kansas City.

Head coach Mike McCarthy says Young is taking full advantage of the opportunity.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The woman sought in the theft of a donation jar earlier this month in Oshkosh has been arrested.

But the strange part of the story is that the 34-year-old suspect was spotted at the same Kwik Trip store at 215 W. 20th Avenue on Friday night, 5 days after the heist on August 18.

"She was purchasing more lottery tickets," says Oshkosh Police Officer Joe Nichols. "It's kind of odd that she would go back to the same location, be re-identified by pretty much the same employees that she encountered the night of the robbery."

They took down her license plate information and given to the Oshkosh Police Department.

On Sunday, at about 3 p.m., the suspect was reported to be at the BP gas station in the 1500 block of W. 20th Avenue. An officer arrived and was questioned about the donation jar theft. She admitted her involvement in the theft, and some of the money taken was located in her vehicle.

The Oshkosh Police Department has referred one count of theft against the woman to the Winnebago County District Attorney's Office. She has no prior criminal record and has not been identified.

Nichols says the DA could send the case back to them, in which case they would issue citations against her.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - A proposed bill would change the way at least some Wisconsin police departments investigate shootings that involve their own officers.

Assembly Republican Garey Bies of Sister Bay, a former Door County sheriff, said he’s close to introducing the measure.

It would require police forces to bring in at least two people from outside agencies to help determine if an officer broke the law. Bies says there have been public concerns over a number of recent officer-involved shootings in Madison, Milwaukee, and Kenosha.

He says the public does not always have confidence when a police agency investigates its own – like many larger police forces do.

Also, Assembly Democrat Chris Taylor of Madison says many police departments conduct internal investigation to see if their officers violate their policies. Taylor says she’s working on a separate bill to require more independence in those cases as well. 

The Green Bay Phoenix Mens Basketball team defeated the Bahamas All Stars 81-69 in the first of a four game exhibition tour in Nassau, The Bahamas.  The Phoenix were led by Kiefer Sykes with 20 points while Greg Mays added 19.   Green Bay played without center Alec Brown and Daniel Turner who were scratched from the lineup with minor injuries.

MARINETTE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A pair of fires reported in Marinette County overnight.

The first was reported around midnight in the Town of Peshtigo.

Authorities say no one was hurt in the house fire, which is believed to have been caused by lightning.

Another blaze broke out around the same time at a home in the Town of Beaver.

Officials say lightning may also have caused this fire. No one was hurt.

Marinette County dispatch officials say they had lots of lightning around the time of the fires.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Associated Bank-Corp cut the ribbon Monday on their new company headquarters in downtown Green Bay.

They took over the Regency Building at 333 Main Street. The bank relocated from Ashwaubenon, where it has been based for around 15 years.

What was a mostly empty building in downtown Green Bay is now the new home for about 500 Associated Banc-Corp, employees.

“I originally was downtown before we moved out to Ashwaubenon,” said Lisa Kaiser, a project coordination manager at Associated. “Coming back is like coming home.”

Associated closed on the property last fall. On Monday the company celebrated the $20 million move with a ribbon cutting.

“We essentially gutted the inside of the building,” said Philip Flynn, the company’s president and CEO. “We didn't do much to the outside other than put a new roof on, but if you upstairs and take a tour, we took a building that's about 30 years old and made it feel very contemporary, light, modern and open.”

The building brings together employees from six locations. Microwaves were all purposely placed on the first floor as one way of hopefully everyone getting to know each other.

“There's an economic benefit of being in one place, but there's also all these intangible benefits of having everyone working together and seeing each other all day,” said Flynn.

From the color of the carpet to the names of conference rooms, employees had a say in the process.

City leaders hope the move is just the start of companies choosing to relocate downtown.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - An investigation by Appleton's Police Department has found that Outagamie County sheriff's deputies did not use excessive force during a traffic stop in July.

The investigation was sparked after an incident on July 27, when 32-year-old Joshua Peterson of De Pere was stopped in a gas station parking lot for OWI.

For nearly 20 minutes, he refused to exit his vehicle and demanded to know his rights. Peterson filed a complaint with the department about excessive force being used when deputies pulled him out of his vehicle at the gas station in Darboy.

Peterson had his head smashed into the ground. He suffered a concussion and a large gash to his forehead.

Outagamie County sheriff's Capt. Mike Jobe tells FOX 11 the investigation found the deputies used a level of force that was reasonable and in compliance with Wisconsin Department of Justice Defense and Arrest Tactics. It also followed sheriff's department policies.

"This means that the incident occurred, but was justified, lawful and proper under the circumstances," Jobe wrote in a news release.

The deputies involved were not taken off active duty.

Both the Outagamie County Sheriff's Department and Peterson declined to talk with WTAQ because of a pending lawsuit. 

However, Peterson said this in an email response for a request for an interview.

"I'm not surprised the police ruled in favor of the police. Their "investigation" protocols are clearly set in their favor. Without proper checks and balances these incidents will only continue to rise, as statistics have shown in recent years. Anytime an unarmed citizen is injured or killed during an arrest for a minor infraction, regardless of how obstinate that citizen may be, it should set off red flags. The only thing I've learned from this experience is that I have no rights and the police cannot be trusted. The whole system is a corrupt joke."

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A chaplain at the state correctional institution in Oshkosh has been cleared of allegations that she sexually assaulted an inmate.

Winnebago County prosecutors have dropped charges against 54-year-old Jamyi Witch. That’s after officials learned that she was on a medical leave when the alleged victim claimed that she proposed a false hostage situation during which time the chaplain was accused of molesting and drugging the man.

Also, prosecutors said Witch had a prescription for the drug allegedly used – and she could use it as needed.

Witch was hired in 2001 as the state’s first Wiccan chaplain.

She tells FOX 11 she should have never been charged – and she plans to sue the Corrections Department and other agencies because of that. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Packers’ running back DuJuan Harris will be put on the injured reserve list with a knee injury he aggravated in Friday night’s exhibition loss to Seattle.

He’ll be out for the season, unless the Packers name him as their one IR player they’re allowed to bring back in the middle of the campaign.

Coach Mike McCarthy said it’s too early to tell what Harris’ designation will be yet.

With Harris gone, running back James Starks might have increased his chances of making the team. McCarthy said he was excited about the camp Starks had, as he practiced every day and did more on special teams’ than in the past.

The Packers held their final practice of Training Camp Tuesday. Kicker Mason Crosby made a strong case to hold onto his job, as he made all 14 field goals he attempted – including kicks from 64 and 65 yards out.

Zach Ramirez, whom the Packers brought in on Sunday, booted just 6 of 16. McCarthy said both kickers practiced both with and against Tuesday’s wind – and he said he’s not ready to give Crosby the job just yet.

The Packers will play their final exhibition game on Thursday night at Kansas City. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Green Bay are warning people about the latest bank text scam.

Some people have alerted them about getting a text that reads: BAYLAKE ALERT...Your DEBIT CARD has been locked. Please call 920-958-7735.

Police indicate the text comes from the number 715-204-1430.

"We are encouraging citizens receiving this message not to call that number," says Police Lt. Kevin Warych. "And if you do have any concerns with your bank account, call your bank or financial institution directly."

Authorities remind people that any legitimate business or company is not going to text, email, send a letter or call you and ask for information that they already have. If you did give any information, please contact your bank. If you notice unauthorized use on your account, contact your local law enforcement agency.

If you have any information regarding this incident please contact the Green Bay Police Department at 448-3200. If you prefer, you can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at (920) 432-STOP, on the web at www.432stop.com, or by texting GBTIP plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES). 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A new ride will officially open on Friday at Bay Beach Amusement Park. 

The Sea Dragon, a swinging ship ride, will open after an 11 a.m. christening. 

The 19^th ride was purchased in the spring for $670,000 with help from the Friends of Bay Beach, a private fundraising group who has committed to pay for half of planned new rides over the ten years. 

It will cost three tickets to ride or $.75 cents.

After Labor Day Weekend, the park is only open on the weekends through September. 

The Sea Dragon is located on the west end of the park by the Zippin Pippin roller coaster.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Fire investigations are looking into what caused a duplex fire in Green Bay early Wednesday.

The call went out just after midnight to 1361 Smith Street. Fire officials say the building is condemned. 

No one is supposed to be living there, but authorities say it appears someone may have been staying in one of the units.

Fire officials say they are treating it as a possible crime scene, but it's too early to say if the fire was arson. 

Firefighters had the fire out in about 15 minutes, and the damage was limited to one room.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Due to the fallout from the response earlier this month to tornadoes, Outagamie County's public safety committee is recommending a project to improve their siren system be fast-tracked.

On Tuesday, the committee votes to move up a plan to build a back-up repeater tower for the county's tornado sirens. Originally planned for 2014, it now could be done in October.

Currently, there is only one repeater which sends the emergency signal to all tornado sirens in the county.

"Whether it was taken down in a wind storm or whatever, that, automatically, we would be able to sound the sirens through that back up repeater," Outagamie County Emergency Management Director Julie Loeffelholz told FOX 11. 

During the August 7th storms Loeffelholz did not turn on the sirens. She has said that's because the National Weather Service never issued a tornado warning for the county.

However, Loeffelholz also said she could not have sounded the sirens anyway. The sole repeater lost power and the backup generator was not connected to its fuel line.

Loeffelholz told FOX 11 she's wanted to see a back up repeater installed since she took on this job at the beginning of the year. 

Officials with Emergency Management has a site in mind for the repeater. It would go near the solid waste facility off of Highway 441, but that will still need to be tested.

"And ensure that all the sirens can be reached by this back up repeater," explained Loeffelholz. 

The full county board will have the final say whether the project is moved up.  The board is expected to vote on the measure at its meeting in two weeks.