Green Bay News

Green Bay – Click on the video to see highlights of Friday’s state tennis tournament and regional baseball action in the WIAA.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Adam Lind hit a three-run homer among his three hits and drove in six runs to lift the Milwaukee Brewers to a 10-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

Lind connected in the third inning, had an RBI double in the eighth and a two-run single in the ninth. Jean Segura and Jonathan Lucroy also went deep for the Brewers, who had lost nine of 11.

Joe Mauer had two hits, including a three-run homer, for the Twins (32-22). But Torii Hunter and Kurt Suzuki misplayed flyballs in the eighth inning to allow the majors-worst Brewers (19-36) to break a tie and go on to beat the team with the second-best record in the American League.

With two outs and Carlos Gomez on second base, Lind hit a laser off of Blaine Boyer (1-2) to right field that Hunter misjudged. It went over Hunter’s head and Gomez scored easily for a 6-5 lead. Lucroy then hit a popup in front of the mound and the catcher Suzuki was late to go after it. It fell in front of him and Lind hustled around from second base.

Both plays were ruled hits, and the Brewers put three more on the board in the ninth to pull away.

Kyle Gibson struck out a career-high nine in seven innings for Minnesota, but gave up five runs on five hits in his first three innings. Segura opened the game with a shot to left, Lucroy led off the second with one to center and Lind put the Brewers up 5-0 in the third inning.

The Twins scratched two across in the fifth before Mauer, who was asked to bunt in the ninth inning of a tie game against the Red Sox on Thursday, hit his second homer of the season to tie it at 5.

Kyle Lohse gave up five runs and eight hits and struck out four in six innings for Milwaukee. Jeremy Jeffress (2-0) pitched two innings of scoreless relief for the win.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers: Ryan Braun returned after missing the game Wednesday to fly to California for a procedure to try to ease the inflammation in his right thumb. He is expected to be in the lineup on Saturday. Braun had a similar procedure done on his thumb last October. He said that the doctor is hopeful that it will be good for the remainder of the season.

Twins: RHP Ricky Nolasco, on the disabled list with an injured right ankle, will get a cortisone injection to try to relieve the discomfort a bone fragment is causing. GM Terry Ryan said the fragment is from an old injury but surgery has not been considered.

UP NEXT

The Twins will send Rule 5 draft pick J.R. Graham to the mound for his first big league start. Graham is getting a spot start because the Twins played a doubleheader on Wednesday. Graham has a 3.10 ERA with 17 strikeouts and seven walks in 20 1-3 innings in relief this season. The Brewers will send former Twin Matt Garza (3-7, 5.52) to the mound. He is 0-4 with a 7.48 ERA in his last five starts.

La Crosse (WI) – Day one is completed, and some local athletes have already come home with gold, some with more than one, as the state Track and Field Championships take place on UW- La Crosse campus. Click on the video to hear from some of the winners.

One two time winner was Zach Lorbeck for Bay Port. Lorbeck won both the high jump and the long jump to take two gold medals on the first day.

Cole Van Lanen, also from Bay Port, destroyed the field in the shot put, as he had the five longest attempts in the field. He still has the discus to look forward to on Saturday.

Also looking to get multiple titles, Natisha Heideman from Green Bay Southwest won the first leg of her three events, taking the triple jump for the second year in a row. She still has the high jump and the long jump to try for the triple.

Little Chute had a pair of winners, with Scott Hietpas from Little Chute taking the triple jump and Tess Keyzers winning the shot put.

For all the WIAA results, just click on the link.

CHASE – One person died in a crash between a pickup truck and a dump truck on State Highway 32 and County Highway S in Oconto County Friday afternoon.

Deputies say around 3:45 p.m., a dump truck, driven by a 55-year-old man from Marinette, pulled out from the stop sign to cross State Highway 32 and crashed into a northbound pickup truck on County Highway S.

The pickup truck was driven by a 62-year-old man from Oneida, with his 53-year-old wife as passenger.

The woman received non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The man was transported by Eagle 3 with severe injuries.

The man died a short time later at a local hospital.

The driver of the dump truck was not injured.

The crash is under investigation.

At this point, speed or alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash.

ASHWAUBENON – It’s not the kind of greeting any driver wants on the way home from work.

“Afternoon, Officer Delebreau with the sheriff’s office,” said Deputy Dan Delebreau, an officer with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, as he approached a vehicle.

But officers say if you are caught going over the speed limit, you will get a ticket.

“I had you at 46 in a 35, I wrote the citation for 45,” Delebreau told the driver.

This Friday’s Brown County Speed Task Force was out on residential roads throughout Ashwaubenon.

“Right now primarily we’re working in tandem. I’m going to try to catch a speeder and then my partner who is on the other side, he’ll make the traffic stop,” said Delebreau.

The state patrol says the task force is a good reminder for all drivers.

“It’s really as much of an enforcement action as it is educational in sense that we want to get out there and have the officers out there, and realize that speeding is against the law and it’s also dangerous,” said Mike Panosh with the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Delebreau says he is concerned what will happen on the highways next week, when speed limit signs will change from 65 to 70.

“Actually I think we might see a rise in vehicle crashes on those roads where the speed limit is 70. Hopefully I’m wrong, but that’s how I’m anticipating it to be,” said Delebreau.

And the state patrol says no matter what the sign says, drivers need to obey that limit.

“Until the roads are posted 70, the speed limit is still 65. So the limit is 65; not 67, not 68 not 70. It’s 65,” said Panosh.

The speed enforcement task force says it will be out twice a week until the end of August, reminding drivers to play it safe and take it slow.

The Brown County Speed Task Force is funded through a federal grant.

FOND DU LAC – The former Episcopal Convent of the Holy Nativity building in Fond du Lac is a total loss after a fire destroyed the historical building Friday night.

Fire crews were called to the fire, located near East Division and Amory Street, around 7:25 p.m.

Firefighters reported heavy smoke upon arrival.

Fond du Lac Fire Chief, Troy Haase, says the fire was contained to the former convent and no nearby buildings were damaged.

No one is believed to have been in the building and there are no reported injuries. Fire crews are still putting out hot spots from the outside of the building and have not searched the inside.

Chief Haase says the building was closed for years, however there were reports of vandalism and people trespassing in recent weeks.

Crews expect to be on scene for a few more hours.

At this time, the cause of the fire is unknown.

Fond du Lac Fire tweeted this video of them extinguishing the flames:

@fdlfire pic.twitter.com/ABcqlqgsa2

— Fond du Lac Fire (@fdlfire) June 6, 2015

 

 

OSHKOSH – A ribbon cutting ceremony took place in Oshkosh Friday on an all-inclusive playground.

The playground at South Park is fully accessible and features a rubberized surface to allow access for people on foot and those who use wheelchairs and walkers.

Along with the ceremony there were children’s games and other entertainment.

Organizer, Pam Delap, says the park will help accommodate the needs of everyone in the community, “We want everyone in our community to feel welcome here, people with disabilities, or senior citizen population, different ethnic backgrounds, this is a park about bringing an entire community together and learn differences about each other.”

The playground is the result of four years of planning and fundraising by the committee.

Click here to learn more about the project.

 

The Oshkosh Inclusive Park Project is complete and open to the public. The community held a ribbon cutting ceremony June 5, 2015.

GREEN BAY – No one was injured in a house fire in Green Bay Friday afternoon.

Fire crews were dispatched to 2430 Hampton Avenue at 12:23 p.m.

Upon arrival, crews reported fire in the bedroom of the one-story home. The fire was contained to the bedroom.

All residents of the home made it out safely.

Officials say the cause of the fire was candles on the nightstand. They say the candles were near combustibles.

The estimated cost of damage is $17,000.

Three people are displaced by the fire.

 

 

FOND DU LAC – The man accused of strangling 18-year-old Berit Beck to death in 1990, plead not guilty in court Friday.

Dennis Brantner, 61, was arrested in March after investigators were able to link Brantner to the murder case through fingerprints found in Beck’s van.

Beck was traveling to Appleton when she disappeared on July 17, 1990. Her van was found in a Fond du Lac parking lot. Her body was found later, near Waupun.

No new court date was set Friday for Brantner.

 

GREEN BAY – A nationwide search is on for Green Bay’s next top cop.

Police chief Tom Molitor is stepping down, retiring on July 31st.

Some people say the new hire will face some issues.

Molitor’s suggestion for the future of Green Bay’s Police Department is for officers to continue community policing.

“They’re a part of the community, they have to be knowledgeable about the community they have to be engaged with the community. And the problems that we solve need to be the problems that are brought to us with us and the community together,” Molitor said Thursday.

Navarino Neighborhood Association co-president Ann Hartman says the concept’s worked well in combating crime.

“It’s never been better than it is right now,” Hartman said.

But she adds issues still exist.

“We still have some drug dealing going on, we have vandalism the little library in our park the door is gone, just gone. So we’ve had vandalism issues,” said Hartman.

Fireman’s Park Neighborhood Association president Taku Ronsman didn’t want to speak on behalf of the association, but echoed Hartman on Molitor’s initiative.

“There’s a system in place that’s been working very well and we want them to continue to improve it,” said Ronsman.

Ronsman added the biggest issue for the new chief will be dealing with the city council. Molitor cited conflicts with some aldermen as a reason for his retirement.

“The new chief has to be very patient but persistent with the city council,” said Ronsman.

Others say the new chief will face the challenge of communicating with a diverse community.

“We had a good relationship with Tom Molitor, and we was getting a better relationship with him and with him leaving we need somebody to get back into the community and get that relationship back,” said Divine Temple Church of God & Christ Pastor Lesley Green.

FOX 11 also reached out to the police union for this story. President Nate Allen said in an email: “I don’t feel that any comments or story regarding any internal issues we may have helps move the Police Department forward.”

Allen went on to say he looks forward to working with the next chief and the city to continue making the department a progressive one.

As far as hiring, Green Bay’s mayor says while the city does have some internal talent, he says he owes to the city and really the police and fire commission to take a look around the nation.

SHAWANO – A new medical residency training center is in the beginning stages for the city of Shawano.

City officials hope some day the center will bring millions of dollars to  the local economy.

By this fall, construction on the new hospital will be completed and Shawano Medical Center will serve a new role.

The 84-year-old building, east of the Wolf River, will be the new home for future doctors.

“We think it will certainly put Shawano on the map. This is a great thing to be able to bring these future doctors in and to have their training right here,” said Lorna Marquardt, mayor of Shawano.

The city and developer have been working to make this a reality for the past few years. The new medical residency training center will give future physicians the opportunity to work with doctors and patients.

“They’re estimating about 100 jobs to Shawano. That’s wonderful news. It’ll increase our tax base,” Marquardt said.

Here are the facts:

• TheadaCare will donate the old hospital building and six acres of land to the city.
• The developer will buy six residential properties owned by the Shawano Medical Center.
• Once the training center is completed, it will be put on the tax rolls.
• The mayor estimates the center will bring in an additional tax revenue of $180,000.

Marquardt says the center could bring in a $14 million economic boost each year and it could lead to more businesses in the future.

“We looked at it as a great economic development project and one that could help our whole community,” Marquardt said.

Marquart says she hopes some doctors would stay and work in the area, once they finish training.

Right now, the project is in it’s early stages, with a lot of work still to be done.

“It’s too soon, at this point, to know what type of renovations they’re going to need to put into the building to use it,” Marquardt said.

The center is expected to be up and running by 2017.

There’s also a park near the Shawano Medical Center.

The mayor says park will stay where it is with room for expansion.

NEW YORK CITY – The NASDAQ Exchange was closed Friday by executives of our parent company, Sinclair Broadcast Group with Corporate Executive V.P. David Amy leading the group.

Sinclair celebrates 20 years as a publicly-traded company and is now the country’s largest television broadcaster with 161 stations.

And did they have a positive influence on the market? Well, let’s just say the NASDAQ was the only index Friday that closed higher.

ASHWAUBENON – A couple of incidents involving planes at Austin Straubel International Airport happened Friday morning.

In one incident about 7:40 a.m., the pilot of a Minneapolis-bound Delta flight reported possibly hitting a seagull after takeoff.

The plane quickly turned around and landed as a precaution. There were 73 passengers and five crew members on board. The passengers were put on other flights.

And about 40 minutes before that, a twin engine cargo plane lost its engine power about 40 miles south of Green Bay.

The turbo prop plane was able to land safely.

(SBG) – Maryland resident Monique Crawford says she’s not short of cell phones.

“I have about six in my purse now. Each and every one of them work. At home I have about 30 and all of them are on,” Crawford says.

She got them from the Lifeline Program, a government run plan to give free cell phones to low-income Americans, even though each household is supposed to get just one.

“I could go to the same van tomorrow and get another phone,” Crawford said.

The $1.7 billion dollar phone program by the way, is paid for by you – in the Universal Trust Fund surcharge you pay every month on your mobile phone bill.

The FCC Broadband plan, now supported with bills in the House and Senate, would be carried out in a similar way.

Critics say adding onto an already deeply flawed program may be irresponsible.

“Before again expanding the program we need to consider what problems remain and how we can address them,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS).

There are of course, the benefits to providing broadband to those who can’t afford it: increased access to information, education and potentially jobs.

“More than 80% of Fortune 500 companies including huge employers like Wal-mart and Target only accept job applications online,” said Jessica Gonzalez, Exec. V.P., National Hispanic Media.

“This has become a world where without the internet you really do close off opportunities,” said Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey).

Hanging up on the program just because one aspect of it needs work also isn’t the answer says Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), “Some people think we shouldn’t move on to providing broadband service until we fix the phone part of it.  My view is that we ought to be able to do both at the same time.”

An uphill battle to help those who can’t connect.

La Crosse (WI)- A packed house at Roger Harring Stadium means one thing, the 2015 WIAA State Track & Field Championships are underway in La Crosse.

“It’s pretty amazing to see teams from all over wisconsin competing here,” said Menasha senior Jared Geurts.

2800 student athletes from 350 schools putting it all on the line for a piece of gold that will last a lifetime.

“I remember the last couple years we just wanted to podium,” said Freedom senior Eric Schommer. “But now we want to win, we’re going to do it as a team and hopefully win this.”

Little Chute senior Scott Hietpas has been there the last few years, and is hoping to bring home some hardware this weekend. “The first few times I just got my feet wet. Now I’m here and able to relax and compete. I’m ready.”

With the forecast calling for good weather, the WIAA is expected nearly 20,000 fans over the two days. A number that continues to grow with the talent in the state. Marcy Thurwachter, the WIAA Event Director says the crowd will be appreciative of all the athletes. “The thing about Wisconsin fans is, it doesn’t matter where they’re from, they’ll root for a great performance.”

For updated results all weekend, just click here.

SEVASTOPOL – One driver is dead and another is injured after a two vehicle crash in Door County Friday morning.

Deputies in Door County say they responded to a vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway 42-57 and Gordon Road in the Town of Sevastopol at 8:58 a.m.

One of the drivers was pronounced dead at the scene and the other driver was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Authorities say the vehicle traveling eastbound on Gordon Road was stopped at the stop sign at the intersection and attempted to turn northbound on State Highway 42-57 and was hit by a southbound vehicle.

The crash remains under investigation.

State Highway 42-57 was closed for several hours and was re-opened shortly before noon.

 

AMSTERDAM (AP) – Danny Williams scored in the 89th minute and Bobby Wood in the 90th, capping a comeback from a two-goal second-half deficit and leading the United States over the Netherlands 4-3 Friday night for the Americans’ first win against the Dutch.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored on headers in the 27th and 49th minutes in the exhibition and assisted on Memphis Depay’s 53rd-minute goal as the sixth-ranked Netherlands built a 3-1 lead.

Gyasi Zardes got his first international goal in the 33rd as the U.S. reached halftime in a 1-1 tie despite having just 39 percent possession.

John Brooks cut the U.S. deficit in the 71st minute. Williams and Wood, both second-half substitutes who are far down on the American depth shot, then scored their first goals for the national team.

The Americans, ranked 27th, had been 0-4 against the Dutch coming in and had been outscored 7-1. They play at world champion Germany next week in their next-to-last game before starting the defense of their CONCACAF Gold Cup title.

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann previously led the Americans to their first win against Italy and their first victory at Mexico.

NEW YORK (AP) – Will the long, long wait finally end in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday?

If it does, and American Pharoah becomes the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, it may not be enough to help the troubled sport of horse racing stay relevant.

Amid a push to improve drug testing, a dwindling fan base and horse breakdowns, racing is a far cry from the popular sport it used to be in the days of Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed.

The weeks leading to a Triple Crown try always create a buzz in the racing world and draw tons of interest from casual fans hoping to see a little history. But some think the celebration of a Triple Crown would be short lived, and wouldn’t change the sport in the long run.

Watch as FOX 11’s parent company, Sinclair Broadcast Group, rings the closing bell to celebrate 20 years as a publicly traded company.