10 year prison term for Christopher Royer in 2010 fatal crash

November 22, 2013, 2:14 pm

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WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - A Waupaca County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing a traffic crash which killed two people in 2010.

Authorities say Christopher Royer's car hit another vehicle near Royalton on October 23, 2010. A passenger in Royer's car, Danielle Belanger, died in the crash. 

Milton Barnhart, who was in the other vehicle died from his injuries a month later.

Police said all 3 people in Royer's car were smoking marijuana at the time, while taking corners quickly and speeding up and down hillcrests to make their stomachs drop.

Waupaca County Judge John Hoffman also placed Royer on 10 years of extended supervision, according to online court records.

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Prosecutor: No charges filed in officer-involved shooting in Wautoma

November 22, 2013, 3:30 pm

≫ Next: Bond set for Mark Sperber ahead of retrial

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WAUTOMA, WI (WTAQ) - Criminal charges will not be filed in an officer-involved shooting in Wautoma this summer.

Special prosecutor Tania Bonnett, the Adams County District Attorney, made that determination after conducting an investigation.

Back on August 14, 33-year-old Timothy Pawlacyk was found dead after a standoff with officers. Pawlacyk had allegedly robbed a pharmacy at gunpoint, then led officers on a chase into Wautoma.

Bonnett’s investigation showed that Waushara Co. Sheriff’s Lt. Timothy Ganzel fired a shot at the covered cab portion of Pawlacyk’s truck to try to disable the vehicle. When his vehicle got stuck in a construction area, Pawlacyk got out and ran.

Investigators also say that, during the chase, Det. Lt. Randy Thurley saw Pawlacyk point what looked like a handgun at him. Thurley fired several shots at Pawlacyk. Thurley then saw Pawlacyk breaking in to a house. Thurley fired three rounds at Pawlacyk. Investigators believe one of the shots hit the back of Pawlacyk’s right leg, breaking his femur.

Pawlacyk was holed up in the house for several hours. The owners of the house were away on vacation.

Later that night, SWAT teams went into the house and found Pawlacyk dead in the basement. He had a rifle between his legs and an apparent gunshot wound to his head. After an autopsy, the Fond du Lac County medical examiner’s office determined that Pawlacyk shot himself. Tests showed he had high levels of oxycodone and oxymorphone in his blood.

Blood samples from Thurley and Ganzel were negative for any alcohol, controlled substances or prescription drugs.

Bond set for Mark Sperber ahead of retrial

November 22, 2013, 3:37 pm

≫ Next: FIRST LOOK: New sculpture featuring Starr, Hinkle at Packers Heritage Trail

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man convicted in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Green Bay appeared in court today to try and get out of prison.

An appeals court gave 42-year-old Mark Sperber a new trial, after he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing 23-year-old John Kennedy nearly three years ago. Kennedy was in a wheelchair at the time of the incident.

The Brown County judge set Sperber's bond at $25,000. If he's able to post bond, Sperber will live with his parents. The judge said Sperber also must not drink alcohol or drive, and he has a 9 p.m. curfew.

The appeals court ruled the record was unclear if the jury decided when Sperber knew the crash involved a person. Sperber said he thought he had hit a garbage can.

Sperber returns to court in January.

FIRST LOOK: New sculpture featuring Starr, Hinkle at Packers Heritage Trail

November 22, 2013, 3:43 pm

≫ Next: Civil suit filed by Halbach family against killers dropped

≪ Previous: Bond set for Mark Sperber ahead of retrial

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - WTAQ has the first look at two additional statues dedicated by the Packers Heritage Trail Foundation.

The statues, which you can see in the video above, features Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr signing an autograph for a young girl. The other statue shows Hall of Fame fullback Clarke Hinkle walking hand-in-hand with a young boy.

The dedication ceremony is Saturday at noon at the Packers Heritage Trail Plaza. That's on the northeast corner of Washington and Cherry streets.

The unveiling will include comments by Bart and Cherry Starr, Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy and Mayor Jim Schmitt. Sculptors Omri Amrany, Lou Cella, Gary Tillery and Sean Bell will be on hand to unveil the statues and answer questions. In addition, the Rawhide Boys Ranch will have their color guard stand in formation in honor of Bart Starr.

It was a time-honored tradition at City Stadium for Packers players to grab young kids by the hand and smuggle them through the back gate so they could watch the games for free. City Stadium was home to the Packers from 1925 to 1956. Another touching custom that grew in popularity especially during the Vince Lombardi era was players signing autographs that kids collected as keepsakes.

The statues of Starr and Hinkle and their young fans were made possible through generous gifts from the Packers and Phil Hendrickson, a local businessman and former Packers treasurer. Mary Heather Hendrickson, the late daughter of Phil and Betsy Hendrickson, is the young girl asking Starr for his autograph. The boy walking with Hinkle was Donald Hamacher, who grew up in the shadows of City Stadium and served his country in three wars.

Civil suit filed by Halbach family against killers dropped

November 23, 2013, 4:24 am

≫ Next: Green Bay police warn about prepaid phone card scam

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MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - A civil lawsuit filed against Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey by the victim's family has been dropped.

Both men are currently serving life prison terms for killing Teresa Halbach in 2006.

The family of Halbach filed the lawsuit that year, but those proceedings have been on hold while both men appealed their convictions.    

A hearing for the lawsuit was scheduled for Monday.

However, the Halbach family released a statement Friday which reads in part:

"While we continue to be affected by the loss of Teresa, we know that following through on the pursuit of the civil case would likely be a time-consuming, painful experience. We feel that now is the right time to move on from this and to continue to live life like Teresa."

Green Bay police warn about prepaid phone card scam

November 23, 2013, 4:27 am

≫ Next: Green Bay police see rise in BB gun shootings city-wide

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Green Bay are warning about someone illegally tapping into prepaid calling cards.

Police say a man has called two convenience stores on the city's west side claiming to work for T-Mobile and Verizon.

In the call, the man says there's a problem with the cards and asks for the PIN numbers. Employees say he is very convincing.

Green Bay Police say to be leery and to call them at (920) 448-3208 if you have any questions.

Green Bay police see rise in BB gun shootings city-wide

November 23, 2013, 4:30 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police says people armed with BB guns are apparently randomly targeting businesses, homes and vehicles across the city.

Over the past two to three weeks, the P.D. has received 23 reports of damage to windows.

Bullet holes are still visible in a front window at Tidy Cleaners and Laundry on South Broadway. Police say the suspect or suspects also shot at Funky Monkey on West Walnut Street.

Officers say the shootings happen overnight.

"We're suspecting it's more than likely teenagers out causing trouble, however we're just putting notices out to the neighborhoods and the businesses, if they see any suspicious vehicles or suspicious people in the area, to give us a call," Green Bay Police Lt. Jeff Brester told FOX 11.

Police say no one has been injured. However, there has been thousands of dollars in property damage.

Formal charges filed against Manitowoc man in road rage incident

November 24, 2013, 6:22 am

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MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - A Manitowoc man faces several felony charges in an alleged road rage crash that killed a 19-year-old man.

Authorities says a disagreement between 22-year-old Shawn Lischka and the victim, Eric Neuman, led to a chase which ended in Neuman losing control and crashing into a guardrail on Tuesday night.

Preliminary tests indicated that drugs and alcohol were factors in the crash.

Lischka was charged on Friday with hit and run involving a death, homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, and recklessly endangering safety.

He is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

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Green Bay Packers host Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field

November 24, 2013, 6:33 am

≫ Next: Denmark man shoots himself in leg accidentally

≪ Previous: Formal charges filed against Manitowoc man in road rage incident

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is ruled out for today’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Head coach Mike McCarthy made the announcement after practice on Friday.

Once again, it’s up to Scott Tolzien to fill some big shoes. In two games, Tolzien has thrown five interceptions this season, something he will have to avoid if the Packers want to snap a three-game losing skid.

On the defensive side of the ball, M.D. Jennings and Morgan Burnett will get the start at safety. The two safeties had some communication issues during last week’s game, but coaches believe that’s behind them.

Packers and Vikings kickoff at noon, with Packers Preview at 10 a.m. on 1360/97.5 WTAQ News Talk Sports.

Denmark man shoots himself in leg accidentally

November 24, 2013, 7:06 am

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KEWAUNEE, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities in Kewaunee County say a man accidentally shot and injured himself on Saturday.

Sheriff's deputies were called around 9:45 a.m. to a 41-year-old Denmark man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound on private property in the Township of Franklin.

The man was transported from the scene by ATV and treated prior to being taken to a Green Bay medical facility.

Officials say he appeared to have non-life threatening injuries to his lower leg.

The incident remains under investigation by the sheriff's department along with the DNR.

Two arrested following standoff on Green Bay's west side

November 24, 2013, 7:16 am

≫ Next: Light snow, winds arrive across Wisconsin overnight

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police say two men are in custody following a standoff early Saturday.

Police say a man allegedly threatened a woman with a gun at a west side residence before leaving in a vehicle. After attempts to pull the man over failed, the man got into a home in the 1200 block of Mather Street.

Officials were at the scene since 3:30 a.m. with the SWAT Team, attempting to get the man to come out. They apprehended two male suspects several hours later.

No one was injured in the incident. The investigation is ongoing.

Light snow, winds arrive across Wisconsin overnight

November 25, 2013, 7:21 am

≫ Next: Wisconsin DMV offices closed Thanksgiving, Black Friday

≪ Previous: Two arrested following standoff on Green Bay's west side

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Some parts of Wisconsin are 30 degrees warmer than the same time Sunday -- but you might not know it, after the winds picked up. 

Southwest winds came in during the night, causing the mercury to rise in many places.

At the same time, the winds got stronger. They were gusting to 35 miles an hour close to Lake Michigan overnight. 

6 a.m. temperatures ranged from 22 in Fond du Lac to 32 at Superior. At the same time Sunday, it was 9 below-zero as far south as Lublin in Taylor County. 

Some parts of the far north had a heaping of snow during the weekend. Winchester in Vilas County picked up five inches since Friday night. 

Light snow is in the statewide forecast for Monday, with a chance of freezing drizzle as temperatures rise to the mid-30's. Scattered snow showers are possible Monday night and Tuesday. 

Another burst of cold is expected Tuesday with highs in the teens and 20's. A slight warm up to around 30 is predicted for Thanksgiving and Black Friday. 

Wisconsin DMV offices closed Thanksgiving, Black Friday

November 25, 2013, 7:24 am

≫ Next: UPDATE: Phone outage in Kewaunee County

≪ Previous: Light snow, winds arrive across Wisconsin overnight

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - You can shop at a lot of places on Black Friday -- but not the customer service counters at the state Division of Motor Vehicles. 

They'll be closed on both Thanksgiving and the Friday after. 

Folks can still make appointments for road tests and get recorded information anytime on the DMV's automated phone line -- as well as the agency's Web site. 

Officials say people can renew their license plates, and get vehicle titles online or by mail. Third-party providers also have those services. They include grocery stores, financial institutions, and some police offices. 

You can get more information at the DMV's Web site, accessible at Wisconsin.Gov. All DMV facilities will re-open next Monday after the holiday.

UPDATE: Phone outage in Kewaunee County

November 25, 2013, 11:17 am

≫ Next: Not guilty plea entered by Frank Bagniefski

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LUXEMBURG, WI (WTAQ) - Residents in Kewaunee County are dealing with a phone outage for both incoming and outgoing calls.

It's affecting Century Link lines beginning with 845 and 837. Kewaunee County residents will need to call 911 on their cell phones. 

There's currently no time frame for repairs announced for Kewaunee County.

Meantime, 911 service in Brown County has been restored Monday afternoon after an earlier outage to Century Link customers.

Not guilty plea entered by Frank Bagniefski

November 25, 2013, 11:25 am

≫ Next: Shopko names Peter McMahon as new CEO

≪ Previous: UPDATE: Phone outage in Kewaunee County

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man accused of defrauding more than $150,000 from investors pled not guilty Monday.

Frank Bagniefski is facing nine counts of theft by false represenation.

He was employed by First Rate Lending, but investigators say he misled people to invest in a fake business he created. Officials at First Rate Lending were unaware of the fraud.

According to online court records, Bagniefski returns to court on December 20. No trial date has been set.

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Shopko names Peter McMahon as new CEO

November 25, 2013, 11:28 am

≫ Next: Costs rising for air travelers at regional Wisconsin airports

≪ Previous: Not guilty plea entered by Frank Bagniefski

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Ashwaubenon-based retailer Shopko has named Peter McMahon as its new CEO.

McMahon, who has over 30 years of retail experience, most recently was the COO at Loblaws, Canada's largest food retailer.

Before working at Loblaws, McMahon held various upper level positions with some of the world's largest retailers, including Tesco and Walmart.

Shopko is owned by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.

Shopko currently operates 134 Shopko stores, 176 Shopko Hometown locations, 18 Shopko Pharmacy locations and 5 Shopko Express stores.

Costs rising for air travelers at regional Wisconsin airports

November 25, 2013, 12:13 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - It's getting more expensive for Wisconsin Thanksgiving air travelers to fly from their regional airports, than from the state's largest airport in Milwaukee. 

The Appleton Post-Crescent says the average fare at that city's airport has risen by almost $80 since 2005, while the cost of Milwaukee flights has held virtually steady. 

Madison's average air fares are up $42 over the last eight years -- $98 at the Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee, and $126 in Green Bay. 

Milwaukee's Mitchell International is the only one in the state served by all of the remaining domestic carriers. Officials say it has kept average fares steady, while other places throughout the country have seen a 6 percent increase. 

Officials at smaller airports say their price gap is due to fewer planes, and the need by carriers to fly full airplanes to cover things like their rising fuel costs. 

The Outagamie County Regional Airport at Appleton sells convenience. Director Abe Weber his airport offers time for its local residents -- time they can spend with their families instead of driving to Milwaukee. 

Other leaders of smaller airports say their residents can save on parking and hotel costs, and they should figure those things in when shopping for air fares. 

Pair of Highway 41 crashes injures three people Monday

November 25, 2013, 1:18 pm

≫ Next: Two men arrested in connection with Grand Chute car part thefts

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GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - A pair of crashes on Monday morning left three people injured.

The State Patrol says the crashes occurred around 9 a.m. on northbound Highway 41, just south of Gillett Street in Grand Chute.

Authorities say the first crash happened when an SUV went off the right side of the road and rolled over several times, before coming to rest against a tree. The driver, a 66-year-old Appleton woman, wasn't wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle into the tree. She was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

While other vehicles were slowing down to avoid that crash, a car rear-ended a pickup truck. A 56-year-old Appleton man and a 24-year-old Omro woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say neither crash was weather-related.

Two men arrested in connection with Grand Chute car part thefts

November 25, 2013, 2:56 pm

≫ Next: DNR: Opening weekend deer harvest down 18% from 2012

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GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - Grand Chute police say two men from Illinois have been arrested for allegedly stealing car parts in the town.

Over the weekend, Quintohn Holmes and Reese Bell were taken into custody in connection with the catalytic converter thefts.

Each were charged with over a dozen counts, including 8 felonies on Monday.

According to Grand Chute police, the suspects were caught in Fond du Lac, thanks to a tip from police in Illinois.

The thefts have been on going since summer. Thieves sell the catalytic converters because they're made of precious metals like platinum.

Officers say Illinois police have been tracking the suspects for a while.

"We're told there's a possible ring down in Illinois and we don't even know how many people are involved there. We thought it was just the two as of yesterday, but with more people coming forward it's probably a bigger ring," Amanda Gollner with the Grand Chute Police Department tells FOX 11.

Gollner says since the suspects have been in jail, about 12 people have reported their converters were stolen in the past 24 hours.

If you have any information, call the Grand Chute Police Department at (920) 832-1575.

DNR: Opening weekend deer harvest down 18% from 2012

November 25, 2013, 3:05 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says preliminary numbers from the opening weekend of the gun-deer season is down almost 18 percent.

The DNR says over 110,000 deer were killed, including about 54,000 bucks. The buck total is down 25 percent from 2012.

The number of antlerless killed, roughly 57,000, is down 9 percent from last year.

In our region, harvest numbers dropped in every county except Outagamie, where it was up two percent. Hunters in Oconto and Sheboygan counties may have fared the worst with totals down 24 percent.

“It's going to be down from last year opening weekend, but it seems to be varying from 10 to 25 percent,” Jeff Pritzl, DNR regional program manager, tells FOX 11.

The DNR says cold and windy conditions made it difficult for many hunters.

The DNR adds the late start to the season also means the deer's mating time, or the rut, is winding down.

“Traditionally that has had a somewhat depressing effect on the harvest sometimes up to 10 percent in and of itself,” said Pritzl.

Wildlife biologists say if the wind dies down, hunting will get better.

“It might lend to some better hunting over the Thanksgiving weekend. Frozen conditions might improve some areas. And a little bit less harvest this weekend, might mean a few more that are still there next weekend,” said Pritzl.