MARINETTE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Residents in Marinette County in need of propane are getting some help.
FOX 11 reports that Larsen Cooperative is sending a representative to Beecher this morning.
The New London-based firm is asking residents in need of propane in that area to go to Mary's Place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday.
They will help set up accounts and hope to make deliveries by Wednesday. Right now, Larsen Cooperative says they have a surplus of propane to make this possible.
BRILLION, WI (WTAQ) - It looks like Christopher Barber will keep his job.
The 32-year-old Two Rivers man was hailed by Governor Scott Walker during his State of the State address last week -- only to learn later that Barber was a sex offender in his former life.
The Ariens snowblower plant in Brillion said it was considering Barber's job status, after both the company and the governor's office failed to check his background before highlighting him.
Company spokeswoman Ann Stilp now says Ariens continues to support Barber as an employee.
ilwaukee area labor law expert Janet Heins tells the Journal Sentinel it would be hard to terminate Barber, as long as he didn't lie on his job application. Heins said people can only be fired for things substantially-related to work -- and she couldn't see how Barber's earlier convictions have anything to do with his job as a welder.
For the State of the State presentation, the governor's office asked employers to nominate workers hired during Walker's term, as an example of how the economy has grown since he's been in office.
Stilp tells the Journal Sentinel that Ariens took the full blame for the oversight of Barber -- and they've told that to the governor's staff.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
WASHINGTON D.C. (WTAQ) - Air Wisconsin will not have to pay a $1.25 million judgment in a defamation lawsuit.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that the Appleton-based carrier was protected under a post-9-11 security law. The law shields airlines from defamation claims, when the incidents that trigger those claims are substantially true.
The case involved veteran pilot William Hoeper, who was rejected four times in getting his company's approval to fly a new aircraft -- and then had angry words with another employee in Virginia. Soon after that, Hoeper was a passenger on a United flight to his Colorado home -- and the plane was returned to its departure gate after Hoeper was identified as a potential threat.
He was removed, but was never charged in court with anything criminal.
The Supreme Court agreed that the law is needed in order to encourage reports of possible threats to the Transportation Security Agency.
The Colorado Supreme Court had ruled that Air Wisconsin was not exempt from legal action on that basis.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay's Plan Commission has voted to change the classification of the site in the Broadway District where Walmart wants to build a store.
However, it was to "downtown" and not "commercial" which isn't what Walmart was seeking.
Going with the recommendation presented by the commission, led by City Planner Nic Sporacio, the committee voted 5-1 with Chairperson Maribeth Conard abstaining to deny the motion amending the Green Bay Smart Growth 2022 Comprehensive Plan by revising the map of Future Land Use.
Instead, they approved the recommendation to change the properties in the 400-600 blocks of N. Broadway Street from general industrial to downtown. Walmart was looking to have the properties classified as commercial for the purpose of building a 150,000 square foot store.
"In this case here, the people have spoke loud and clear and by large quantities," said Alderman Jerry Wiezbiskie after the meeting. "Nothing against Walmart but a big-box down there, there's no place for it down there."
As explained by Sporacio, the "downtown" classification aims to keep the future land use at a medium-box, or between 25,000 and 70,000 square feet. It also allows for mixed-use development, rather than just one particular usage.
"We look forward to working with the city council to look at how our project can continue to move forward," says Walmart spokesperson Lisa Nelson, who wouldn't say if this was the end of the line for the retail giant. "We are proposing a 150,000 square foot store at the site. We've vetted them through many folks within the district and we believe it's a really great plan."
Most in attendance spoke during the public comment period against Walmart building their Supercenter at Broadway and Kellogg Streets. The meeting, which lasted over 4 hours, heard many of the same arguments against the plan.
The Green Bay City Council will take up this amended resolution when they meet on Tuesday February 4th.
WAUPACA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A crash in Waupaca County Monday evening leaves three people hurt.
It happened in the Township of Lebanon around 6 p.m.
Authorities say the crash involved two vehicles. One of the drivers was airlifted to a hospital with critical injuries.
The other two people suffered non-life threatening injuries.
BEECHER, WI (WTAQ) - A New London company did what they could to help out residents in Marinette County going through a propane shortage.
On Monday, at least 100 people visited Mary's Place Restaurant in Beecher as they met with officials from Larsen Cooperative looking to find a way to get much needed propane.
Kim Leisner, a sales representative from Larsen, says the Wisconsin Propane Gas Association asked her company to find propane for people in the Northwoods.
“Things fell into place and we were able to obtain some propane for this area,” Leisner told FOX 11.
Larsen is charging new customers $7 a gallon, which is more than four times the normal cost of propane.
“It is what it is,” said Leisner. “We have to pay the price we have to pay to get it.”
She says most of that cost is due to transportation.
“We’re getting our propane out of Conway, Kansas,” Leisner said. “Our truck drivers that drive down there wait in line from eight to 12 hours, and then they come back. We pay them the whole time.”
Leisner says Larsen has 27,000 gallons of propane earmarked for this area. She hopes customers who signed up Monday will get a delivery of propane by the end of the week.
Leisner says she knows the cost is high. She emphasizes that Larsen is a co-op, so any profits go back to customers.
If people need help to pay for heat, Leisner encourages them to get assistance.
“Don’t be proud, call for assistance,” she said.
People in Marinette County who want to learn more about heating assistance are asked to call the county’s economic support office at (715) 732-7840.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Utility workers in Green Bay are working on several water main breaks due to the extremely cold weather.
Crews are dealing with four breaks, including one at the corner of Main Street and Deckner Avenue. There is also a water main break on Ashland Avenue, near Dousman Street.
According to the Green Bay Water Utility, city crews will re-route traffic on Tuesday so they can fix the problem.
Two smaller water main breaks; one is on North Oneida Street and the other is on Larscheid Road on Green Bay's east side.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - It's brutally cold in Wisconsin Tuesday morning -- but a few degree less brutal than three weeks ago, when the wind chill factors got down to 55-below.
At 7 a.m., the coldest wind chill in the Badger State was 48-below in Rhinelander, with readings in the minus-30's and 40's throughout Wisconsin.
Actual temperatures were predicted to drop to 30-below -- and Sparta came the closest at 29-below at 7 a.m. The southern half of the state was in the minus-teens.
About 350 Wisconsin Public Service electric customers were without power in the Stevens Point and Plover region.
The arctic cold is expected to continue for one more day and night. Wind chill warnings and advisories continue throughout the Badger State until around 10 a.m. Wednesday.
A new weather system is supposed to bring southwest winds into Wisconsin late Wednesday and into Thursday. Look for highs in the teens Wednesday and the 20's on Thursday.
A couple inches of new snow is possible in the southern part of the state.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
CALUMET COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - One man is hurt after his pickup truck hit a train in Calumet County.
Authorities say it happened near Highway 32/57 and Schneider Road in the Town of Rantoul just after 1 p.m. Tuesday.
According to the sheriff's department, the man failed to stop at the train tracks, but slammed on his brakes at the last minute. The driver then struck the train's engine. He suffered non-life threatening injuries.
The train system is locked, according to authorities. The road is being blocked off at this time.
TOWN OF MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Four Appleton teenagers have been arrested in connection with a series of burglaries around the New Year holiday.
According to police in the Town of Menasha, officers investigated two burglaries and one attempted burglary to three homes between December 30 and January 3.
In each case, residents were gone and returned to find their homes had been broken into. They found that jewelry and electronics were taken.
During the investigation detectives were led to the four suspects, an 18-year-old man, two 17-year-old boys and a 16-year-old girl, who admitted to taking part in the heists.
Most of the property taken was returned to its owners. Charges have been referred to the Winnebago County District Attorney's Office.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The Oshkosh Corporation made more money than expected in its last quarter.
Sales have been slipping at the famous military-vehicle maker, with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan becoming a distant memory. But during its most recent quarter, Oshkosh reported strong sales of its aerial equipment for the construction industry. That offset a drop in military vehicle sales.
As a result, Oshkosh netted $54.9 million from October through December, up almost $9 million from the same quarter a year ago. Earnings totaled 63 cents a share, up from 51 cents the previous year.
Total revenues still dropped by over 12 percent, to a little more than $1.5 billion.
Sales and earnings were both higher than what outside analysts from Thomson Reuters had expected. Oshkosh outperformed its projections by 30 cents a share. The firm also raised its full year earnings goal by 25 to 30 cents a share.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - If you're having trouble keeping your home warm during this propane shortage, there's some places out there that can help.
Should you need emergency heating assistance, you can contact your local county or tribal office here.
There's also Wisconsin's Home Energy Assistance Program that you can call at (866) 432-8947 or the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund at (800) 891-9276.
In addition, crisis benefits are also available as part of the $8.5 million released by the state Division of Energy. Crisis benefits include financial assistance to purchase home heating fuel, help in locating fuel providers and temporary lodging. The Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund has agreed to temporarily allow an increase in income limit for propane households; to be eligible, gross household income must be 80% or less of the state median income level. Households can also potentially receive an increased maximum benefit of $600, and potentially receive two benefit payments per year.
STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The conviction of a Door County woman for causing the death of her child has been upheld by a state appeals court.
Melissa Martinez was sentenced to three years in prison after leaving her eight-month-old daughter inside a running, heated SUV for hours.
According to prosecutors, Martinez had a blood alcohol level of almost three times the legal limit to drive when the baby was found.
Martinez was convicted of child neglect causing death.
On Tuesday, an appeals court confirmed the conviction.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Police Department is asking residents to be on the lookout for scammers posing as water department employees.
The P.D. has received two separate complaints about unknown men posing as water department workers looking to get into their homes. The two incidents took place at homes in the 1400 blocks of Day Street and Farlin Avenue on the city's east side.
Green Bay police spoke with Water Department personnel who said that their employees will be dressed in blue uniform pants (no blue jeans) and a dark blue top with their department logo on it. They also said that they normally schedule all of their appointments but have some unplanned stops but those are for properties they’ve sent out letters to but haven’t received a response from.
One of the suspects is described as a white man, about 50-years-old, wearing green Army style clothing and gave the name of “Danny O’Brien”. The other suspect stood outside as a look out and there is no description available.
Authorities are advising the public that if they are ever unsure of the identity of someone at their door and they are concerned about the person, to not hesitate and call police. Green Bay police say they would rather they call us and let us investigate the problem. If you have any information regarding these incidents, 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).
BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - The power is back on in the Green Bay area following a substation failed earlier Wednesday.
Wisconsin Public Service officials say it was weather-related.
At its height, about 7,000 customers were without power in the Allouez and Bellevue areas, forcing traffic lights to not work and the Broadview YMCA to close early.
You can check the latest outages by clicking here.
MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Four companies have agreed to pay the state a total of $136,000 to settle allegations that they called people on the do not call list for telemarketers.
State consumer officials said today that First Midwest Mortgage Company of Madison paid $75,000 -- Universal Windows Direct of West Allis paid $30,000 -- and Easy Mortgage of Madison paid just over $31,000.
Officials said all three firms never registered as telemarketers as required under the no-call law.
The fourth company, Creative Openings of Kaukauna, lost its state telemarketing license. Consumer officials said they were fined $45,000 last May for not registering as a telemarketer and calling over a million consumers anyway.
The state said the company did not comply with the law after being told about 89 complaints over the past decade.
Consumer division administrator Sandy Chalmers said those who take the time to register on the no-call list expect relief from sales pitches. She said it does good to let her agency know about violations because, "We are actively enforcing the law."
Legislators recently voted to drop the state's list, and let people be on the national no-call list. Supporters said it would give the state an even greater ability to go after violators.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County is unveiling new voting machines that is more high-tech than it's ever been.
The biggest for you, the voter, is that you will fill in an oval instead of connecting an arrow. And when you’re done, a screen will guide voters through the process of submitting a ballot.
“Just the fact that they will now have privacy, where they’ll be able to look at this computer screen, and it will communicate with them to let them know if their ballot voted correctly or if they need to make a correction,” Brown County Clerk Sandy Juno told FOX 11.
Juno calls the new machines more secure and reliable. They will scan and record an image of the ballot and store it on a USB drive. So that there is an electronic record in case something happens to the original.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11).
For the new machines, and the training of workers in how to use them, the cost was $600,000.
Brown County will put them into play for the first time on February 18, during the non-partisan spring primary election.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay City Council won't get to decide on changes approved this week to the site of a proposed Walmart store right away.
The city's Plan Commission approved changing the classification of the site in the Broadway District where Walmart wants to build a 150,000 square foot store to "downtown" from general industrial. The retail giant was seeking a change to commercial in order to fit their design.
City planner Nic Sporacio says there are some legal hoops to jump through with this resolution.
"We have to do a public notice that's 30 days prior to the council meeting," says Sporacio. "The council also has to hold a public hearing."
Sporacio says they're following a statutory process, as well as public participation steps that are used by the city of Green Bay.
The "downtown" classification aims to keep the future land use in the 400-600 blocks of N. Broadway Street to a medium-box, or between 25,000 and 70,000 square feet. It also allows for mixed-use development, rather than just one particular usage.
That's another month for this issue to be hanging around town. While Walmart spokesperson Lisa Nelson said Monday night they were sticking with their submitted design, Sporacio says he's willing to meet.
"If they're willing to look at a mixed-use, multi-story or a smaller footprint to the building, something that's more architecturally detailed to fit in with Broadway, that door is still open," Sporacio said.
City council members do have options available to them when they make their decision March 4. That includes ignoring the recommendation, supporting it, or sending it back to the Plan Commission with some guidance as to how they want that parcel to be classified.
For Sporacio, despite not putting any public comment into their recommendation, he feels the public's support is on their side.
"It doesn't always work out that way," says Sporacio. "But as we did hear the comments from the community that weighed in, really confirmed in our minds the long-term potential for that site should outweigh the short-term issues."
One of those issues is $3 million the city of Green Bay would be on the hook for, should the property's ownership be taken in if and when On Broadway, Inc. loses it later this year.
NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - While it's been around for awhile, tech support scams keep popping up all the time.
Last week, Janice Swanek of Neenah became victimized after getting a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft's Technical Department saying her computer was infected with a virus.
"They had been getting alerts stating that I was having error messages indicating infected files," says Swanek. "I start asking questions, and they say when you have Microsoft operating systems it is constantly connection to our tech department and that they are monitoring for such things."
Swanek details that the person gave her a fake name, along with a badge number. They even gained access to her computer and ran scans that found thousands of files that apparently were infected with viruses.
"He had me do a couple things on my computer that got to the point where I could end up trusting him," Swanek said. "And I shouldn't have."
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says allowing these scammers access to your computer, tax information, medical records, banking information and other personal info including Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and banking and routing account numbers all become vulnerable.
"The caller convinced me I needed more anti-viral protection on my computer than I had," said Swanek. "I ended up purchasing from them a senior subscription for up to 5 computers for $199. Yes, indeed they had my credit card number."
These foreign fraudsters, according to Swanek, then could run a scan showing that the malicious software program they downloaded worked. She later called a business and found that the Microsoft Security Essentials she paid money for is actually a free program.
"So that confirmed to me that I had been scammed," Swanek says.
Janice Swanek told this story to WTAQ in order to demonstrate that anyone can become a victim of a scam, especially if it involves your computer.
Wisconsin DATCP officials say if you receive one of these tech support phone calls, simply hang up. If you fear that your system may actually be infected with a virus, contact a trusted local tech support company instead.
You can get more information, or if you want to file a complaint, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau's website here. You can also call the Consumer Information Hotline at (800) 422-7128.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Super Bowl partiers take note, the Brown County OWI Task Force will be on patrol this weekend.
The task force will specifically be on the lookout for drunken drivers Sunday.
In 2013, the Wisconsin State Patrol reports there were 78 OWI arrests on Super Bowl Sunday.
There were 168 OWI arrets made back in 2011 when the Packers played for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
