APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - For the first time in Wisconsin, a health system will team up with the Mayo Clinic system to treat patients.

ThedaCare CEO Dr. Dean Gruner says they're the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

"It means that patients will have greater piece of mind that they're getting the right care, the best care for their medical conditions," says Dr. Gruner. "I think it allows us another avenue to improve the already great care that we provide."

The partnership has apparently been in the works for about three years.

Doctors affiliated with Appleton-based ThedaCare will be able to get consultations with doctors at the Mayo Clinic for second opinions and questions about rare cases.

"They will be able to access Mayo Clinic specialists electronically and have them give opinions about the care they are receiving and give them a formal consultation," says Dr. Gruner. "The best news about this is it's a very efficient process, usually within 2 or 3 days, and there's no additional charge to our patients."

The specialists, as well as primary care physicians, will also have access to "AskMayoExpert," an online medical resource created by Mayo physicians to help with diagnosing complex medical conditions and care planning.

TOWN OF MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities reopened a stretch of Highway 41 in the Town of Menasha around 6 p.m. Tuesday after loose debris fell from an overpass.

Town of Menasha police say pieces of concrete fell from the overpass and struck some vehicles around 3 p.m. No one was seriously injured.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - On a near unanimous vote the Green Bay City Council has approved St. John’s homeless shelter request to shelter an additional 20 people a night when it opens its doors November 1^st.

Alderman Andy Nicholson was the lone vote against the shelter’s request. 

The shelter of last resort made the request to amend their conditional use permit to reflect the need in the community to serve up to 84 guests during the winter months. 

“The last thing I want to be responsible for is one homeless person dying on the streets of Green Bay because they froze to death" Ald. Joe Moore when making the case on why he voted in favor. 

The shelter was operating under a 64-bed limit as of last year, but the city cited the shelter for being overcapacity in late December. 

Deacon Tim Reilly with the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay serves as the shelter’s board president and says federal guidelines for emergency shelters do not allow them go over 84. 

Reilly stated they would never turn anyone away, saying once they reach the 85^th person or more, they will have to call police for help or rely on the help from others to be able to give them shelter. 

Over the past year, the shelter invested nearly $70,000 to meet building standards required to serve 84 guests. 

TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ) - A single vehicle crash in Manitowoc County leaves one woman dead.

Two Rivers police say it happened near the intersection of 13th and Columbus Streets just after 1 p.m. Tuesday.

First responders pulled the 43-year-old woman out of the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her name has not been released.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A group opposing a potential Wal-Mart store in Green Bay's Broadway District is circulating a petition hoping to rally supporters.

"We think a Wal-Mart would be detrimental to local businesses,” said Eric Gabrielson, the lone spokesperson for a group called B Local.

Made up of people who say they live and shop in the area, B Local says it doesn't want a big box store on Broadway.

“It's not so much how big it is, it's where it is and who it is,” said Gabrielson.

The petition's directed at Wal-Mart's CEO, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt and On Broadway Inc.

Officials with On Broadway Inc. say the petition is premature.

"It's not reacting to a particular proposal. However, the way it's written, it does speak more to a particular concept and that's appropriate,” On Broadway Inc. Executive Director Christopher Naumann told FOX 11.

Wal-Mart has not presented a final proposal for the property on the old Larsen Cannery site.

However, Wal-Mart has shown some aldermen preliminary ideas, including a brick-facade building with a parking lot and a retention pond.

Wal-Mart told those city officials the store would be about two-thirds the size of other area Wal-Mart stores.

On Broadway, Inc. says it's still waiting to hear from Wal-Mart about what the company wants to do with the property. But before a formal proposal comes out, there could be public forums.

“I think the fact that the idea is even out there is an insult to what they've been trying to do down here,” said Alex Pichette of Green Bay, sketching in a notebook outside of Kavarna.

"We want it. All the people in my neighborhood want to see it come in. It's just the businesspeople that don't want it here,” said Elton Deneil, walking past the proposed site, which he says is two blocks from his home.

B Local did not give a time frame for its petition.

On Broadway says it could not give a time estimate for when Wal-Mart must make a proposal by, but says the company is within its 30 day window.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The Mega Millions' jackpot is up to $145 million for the next drawing on Friday night. 

That's after nobody won the top prize Tuesday night. Twelve players won the quarter-million dollar second prize, none from Wisconsin.  A ticket sold in De Pere won $10,000 by matching four regular numbers plus the Mega Ball. 

Tuesday night's numbers were 6, 15, 27, 31, and 39.  The Mega Ball was 25, and the Megaplier was 2.

Friday's cash option is just over $98 million for a single winner who takes the whole prize now instead of in annual installments. 

Meanwhile, Wednesday night's Powerball jackpot is at $400 million.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for starting a house on fire.

43-year-old Frank Jakubiec was also given 10 years extended supervision for setting the blaze at a home on Western Avenue in 2010. 

"The message we want to get out to people considering arson, is that there is a good chance you're going to get caught," says Green Bay Metro Fire Lt. Nick Craig. "It may take some time, but it will happen."

Fire investigators say Jakubiec put a halogen light on combustibles to start the blaze in an attempt to make it appear accidental.

A Green Bay Metro Department fire investigator, detective from the Green Bay Police Department, and a fire investigator from the home owner's insurance company were able to collect enough evidence for a successful conviction.

"A lot of people start arson fires to make it look like an accident, to try to claim insurance money, and that's exactly what happened in this case," says Craig.

The fire caused over $200,000 in damages.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Packers will wear their throwback jerseys and pants on October 20th, when they host the Cleveland Browns. 

But they will not wear the dark brown helmets which go with that uniform. 

The NFL has ordered teams to use their normal helmets, amid concerns that the alternate helmets won't fit as well -- thus raising the risk of concussions.

The Packers' throwback uniform consists of a dark blue jersey with a gold circle on the chest with the number -- plus tan pants and blue socks. It's what the Packers wore in their 1929 NFL championship season. 

The players will stay their regular cheese-gold helmets -- but the "G" decal will be removed, as will the stripe down the middle. 

The throwback is a third uniform for the Packers. They wore it once in 2010 and once in '11. They were not worn last season.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The State Building Commission has signed off on a $2 million grant to cover costs of the expansion at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay. 

A bulk of the $20 expansion project is being paid for by Brown County hotel room tax revenue. 

The city signed a new $2 million naming rights deal with Krueger International last week and is also using $1 million city reserves plus other financing. 

The $2 million grant was included in Governor Walker’s budget earlier this year. The expansion is expected to break ground in November after the city finalizes bonding for the project. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay's Public Works Department says the eastbound Mason Street exit ramp to Monroe Avenue is closing for a few weeks.

City officials say the closure starting Thursday is part of the water and sewer utilities project going on in advance of the 2014 Monroe Avenue reconstruction project.

The work zone along Monroe from Main St. to Cass St. is reduced to one lane in each direction.

Traffic during the ramp closure will be detoured to eastbound Chicago Street and then to Monroe Ave. Alternative truck routes are also available, for example using Webster Ave.

The ramp is set to reopen on October 4.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Three new facilities estimated to cost upward of $17 million dollars are under discussion in Ashwaubenon.  The first of three discussions on proposals to build a new pool and auditorium at Ashwaubenon High School as well as a new community center was held Wednesday night. 

Residents are being asked for their input and a village wide survey will go out in October.

Ashwaubenon Board President Mike Aubinger says if there is a positive response to the survey, a referendum will be considered for the spring ballot. 

Aubinger says all three facilities are nearly 50-years-old and have reached their useful life. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Neville Public Museum is talking about its most success summer exhibit in six years.

The Golden Age of Arcade Video games wrapped up this past weekend.

It's the first exhibit ever to be extended. It ran for an additional two weeks.

Museum Director Rolf Johnson says summer attendance nearly doubled with close to 30,000 visitors through the doors.  During the exhibit's run, the museum secured a $19,000 grant from the state to expand marketing across Wisconsin that included a billboard campaign and other advertising.

Johnson is thanking Green Bay resident Bradley Czech for use of his private collection that inlcudes over 200 arcade games. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A stormy day is ahead for Wisconsin. 

Strong thunderstorms moved into the central part of the state overnight.

The National Weather Service says most of the state will get rain and thunder boomers Thursday morning. Another large wave is expected Thursday afternoon and evening. 

Forecasters say there's only a slight chance that the storms will be severe, with large hail and damaging winds. No storm watches or warnings were posted as of early Thursday morning. 

Highs in the 70's and 80's are predicted for most of Wisconsin Thursday. It could get close to 90 in the far south. 

Once the storms move out early Friday, a cold front is due in -- and that could drop Friday's highs by as much as 15 degrees. Readings in the 60's and 70's are expected Friday. 

A clear weekend is in store, but the mercury might not reach 70 anywhere in the state on Saturday and Sunday. 

The Weather Service says the Fox Valley will get widespread frost on Saturday night, with many places below freezing for the first time this fall.  

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The State Patrol is warning Wisconsinites of yet another scam. 

In this one, a caller claims to be a sergeant from the State Patrol's Green Bay office, and asks for $900 to resolve a car crash involving a relative of the person who was called.

The fake sergeant says the money needs to be wired right away, to repair damages so the other driver does not press charges. 

Patrol Major Brian Rahn says his office would never call somebody to ask for money -- and if you get such a call, you're asked to call the State Patrol's Northeast Regional Post in Fond du Lac.

They say the scam appears to originate in Montreal Canada.

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - In Neenah, the City Council has approved a compromise plan to make sure bartenders are not drunk when serving their customers. 

Aldermen voted Wednesday night to let bartenders drink a little while they're on the job -- but they must stay under the 0.08 blood alcohol limit for drivers. 

It was first proposed in February that servers not be allowed to share a drink with those on the other side of the bar. Tavern owners objected, and that led to the new compromise. 

Alderman Shiloh Ramos said bartenders have to make judgments about whether customers have had one too many -- so it's important that they not be impaired by alcohol themselves. 

Not many places in Wisconsin regulate drinking behind the bar. La Crosse, Madison, and Jackson are among those that do. 

Green Bay considered a total ban on drinking by bartenders -- but an alderman withdrew it after being told in no uncertain terms that, "alcohol is part of the culture" in Wisconsin.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - For the first time, the public will get a chance to hear about Wal-Mart's plans for a store in Green Bay's Broadway district.

Wal-Mart officials have scheduled an informational meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Neville Public Museum, 210 Museum Place.

Wal-Mart spokesperson Lisa Nelson tells FOX 11, "Following conversations with community stakeholders, neighbors and local business owners, we have developed a preliminary concept and are excited to share a proposal that addresses the needs of Green Bay's growing downtown population. We think this store can be part of the solution to offer residents access to fresh, affordable groceries and value-priced general merchandise, conveniently located close to where customers live and work.

This open house will provide the community of Green Bay with the opportunity to have an open dialogue about the proposal and conceptual plans, and allow us to answer any further questions residents may have. We welcome the community to share their feedback with us so that we can plan a store that best meets the needs of our customers and has a lasting, positive impact on the community," said Nelson.

No other details about the store is known at this time, other than it would be on the southeast side of Broadway, between Mather and Kellogg streets.

SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) - Officials with the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection are unveiling their new gas pump inspection services.

During a visit to the Suamico Citgo station Thursday, DATCP Secretary Ben Brancel and Division Administrator Sandy Chalmers introduced the new inspection seal and talked about their streamlined inspection process.

"Instead of having two inspectors doing different processes at two different times, one individual will be able to do all the inspection process at one time," says Secretary Brancel. "It means less inconvenience for owners, more assurance to the public and accountability for us having a date on the inspection sticker."

The most recent state budget consolidated two inspection programs into one under the umbrella of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Brancel says it saves 7-and-a-half jobs in the governmental agency.

The new blue sticker displays the month and year of the latest inspection and a telephone number to call with weights and measures or fuel quality complaints.

"With the new seal, consumers will know exactly when the equipment was tested, which is a big change from our previous system of color-coding the stickers by year," said Chalmers. "Having the weights and measures complaint number prominently placed on the sticker will also be convenient for consumers who have issues with their transactions at the pump or in the store."

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - About 20 Appleton residents plan to protest the state law which allows the open carrying of firearms, by parading a chicken through the downtown farmers' market Saturday.

Group spokesman Mark Scheffler says their goal is to get ticketed. The idea is to show how absurd it is to allow guns to be carried in public, while the city fines people $263.50 for possessing chickens within the city limit. 

Scheffler tells the Appleton Post-Crescent it will, "put the police in an untenable position" by having to "gauge the intent of someone carrying an assault weapon."

He says now is the time for that discussion -- but the farmers' market is not the place for it, according to event organizer Jennifer Stephany. She says people come to shop, and it's not a "political playground."  

Two weeks ago, two Appleton residents were briefly detained by police for walking toward the farmers' market with AR-15s. They were released without being charged, but gun rights' supporters say the men should have never been stopped in the first place. 

The act of civil disobedience by the group hopes it leads to a conversation and change in state law with legislators giving the option for municipalities to ban open carry in their jurisdiction.

One of the gun toting men said he plans to show up with a holster Saturday -- and if he runs into the chicken people, he hopes they'll have a good discussion.  

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Two men are facing felony charges for forging and passing tens of thousands worth of counterfeit one hundred dollar bills in the Green Bay area. 

Authorities have been investigating more than 90 reports of funny money being passes since February.

The counterfeit bills were being passed in other areas, including Milwaukee and the Twin Cities. 

Capt. Todd Thomas says they were able to identify a ring of individuals responsible for washing away the ink on real money and printing a Benjamin Franklin over the top. 

Arrested was 29-year-old Renard Butler and 22-year-old Damien Johnson. 

Capt. Thomas says more work needs to be done and they expect to make more arrests.

NEW LONDON, WI (WTAQ) - A couple from Oshkosh says they caught two strangers inside the building they own in New London.

Not only did Jason and Charlotte Moore catch the two men, but kept them around long enough for the police to show up and arrest them.

The Moores knew they had work to do when they bought the old New London apartment building for their 12 person family to live in.

“We need all the space we can get,” Jason Moore tells FOX 11.

The couple bought the place in December. Since then, the effort to rehab it had become increasingly difficult as copper and electrical wire had been stripped from it.

On Thursday morning, the couple came to check out their future home after its alarm was triggered three times.

“I had a gut feeling that someone was in the house,” said Charlotte Moore. 

“I was listening for noises to see if I could hear anything,” said Jason Moore.

Jason Moore did hear something, looked up and found a man. Moore, wanting evidence, had his phone ready to take a picture in case anyone was inside and tried to run away.

“I asked him if he knew who was the owner or whose building this was,” said Moore. “I was trying to stall him for time so we could get the cops here to get him.”

“When I saw the other person, I panicked,” said Charlotte Moore. “I couldn't dial 911 quick enough.”

“I asked him if there was anybody else in the building with him and he said his friend was in the building with him, so I told him to get his friend and told him to go outside,” said Jason Moore.

“I grabbed him by the arm and told him, you're staying here,” said Charlotte Moore. “You're waiting. We literally convinced them to stick around long enough for the police to show up.”

Police might have showed up at just the right time. They found a knife on one of the men.

“The whole time I had no idea he had a knife,” said Charlotte Moore. “In the photos we were able to snap, you can see that he's got his hands on that knife when I'm grabbing him.”

New London's Police Chief told FOX 11 the department has dealt with these two men in the past.

27-year-old Jason Diem and 24-year-old Scott Sales are now in jail, each with four burglary-related charges.

According to court documents, Sales told police the two would steal copper and wiring to support their drug habits.

The Moores had the copper and electrical damage assessed between $50,000 and $100,000. They say another cost is the extra time it will now take them to fix up and move into their home.

Police were able to reach the building quickly because they were at a nearby house that also reported things missing. Diem and Sales are also charged in that incident.

Diem is on a probation hold.

Sales is being held on a $5,000 signature bond.