Green Bay News

It’s going to feel like fall today

Tue, 05/19/2015 - 4:26am

GREEN BAY- High temps will be well below normal Tuesday, we’ll be at 53 (normal high is 67).

There will likely be widespread frost Tuesday night as lows drop to the mid 20s in northern counties and low to mid 30s in areas just north of Green Bay and the Fox Cities.

Some counties are under a Frost Advisory or a Freeze Warning.

If you have sensitive plants outside, you will want to bring them in or cover them.

Click here for Director of Meteorology Pete Petoniak’s full forecast.

Gomez bounces back from beaning with a big game for the Brewers

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 10:32pm

DETROIT (AP) – Back in the lineup a day after being beaned, Carlos Gomez led off the game with a home run and added a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning to lift the Milwaukee Brewers to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.

Gomez was hit in the left earflap by a pitch from New York Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard on Sunday, but he played in the series opener at Detroit, and he began the game with a drive to left off Kyle Lobstein (3-4).

With the score tied at 2 and two outs in the seventh, Gomez singled up the middle to score Luis Sardinas from second.

Jeremy Jeffress (1-0) earned the win. Milwaukee’s Jonathan Broxton worked through a jam in the eighth, and Francisco Rodriguez finished for his eighth save in as many chances.

The Tigers had men on first and second with no outs in the eighth against Broxton, but Victor Martinez grounded into a double play and J.D. Martinez struck out.

After Gomez’s homer, Detroit tied it in the bottom of the first when leadoff hitter Anthony Gose singled, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Ian Kinsler’s grounder.

Rajai Davis doubled in the second and stole third for the Tigers. Then James McCann dropped an outstanding bunt up the third-base line with two outs. That infield single gave Detroit a 2-1 lead, and McCann went to second when Milwaukee pitcher Mike Fiers threw wildly to first on the play for an error.

Milwaukee’s Aramis Ramirez tied it with a solo homer in the fourth.

It began to rain hard in the bottom of the sixth, and although many fans cleared out of the lower seating bowl, the game went on. J.D. Martinez doubled to send Miguel Cabrera to third and chase Fiers, but Jeffress came on and struck out Davis to end the inning.

The rain let up in the seventh, although there were still flashes of lightning in the distance. The Tigers failed to turn a double play on a grounder by Sardinas, and that turned out to be crucial three batters later when Gomez came up with men on first and second. His base hit made it 3-2.

Jeffress remained in the game through the seventh before giving way to Broxton.

Fiers allowed two runs and six hits in 5 2-3 innings. Lobstein allowed three runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers: Gomez and Syndergaard exchanged gracious Twitter messages after Sunday’s game. Gomez said he could tell when he watched the replay that Syndergaard was concerned.

Tigers: Detroit RHP Justin Verlander (strained triceps) threw a 45-pitch bullpen session before Monday’s game, and RHP Bruce Rondon (biceptal tendinitis) threw 25 pitches.

UP NEXT

Detroit RHP Anibal Sanchez (3-4) takes the mound Tuesday night against Milwaukee RHP Jimmy Nelson (1-4).

Former UW-Wisconsin football star speaks out after being shot in Milwaukee

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 10:05pm

MILWAUKEE (WITI) – A former University of Wisconsin football star is the latest victim of gun violence in Milwaukee.

Booker Stanley was shot early Friday during an armed robbery and lived to tell about it.

Stanley was a running  back for the Badgers from 2003-2005, then for UW-Whitewater in 2010.

In recent years he’s been doing some work to stop the violence in Milwaukee.

Though he never expected he’d become a victim himself.

Stanley has spent the last three nights at Froedtert Hospital.

“After I gave them everything I had, they shot me,” Stanley says, “At first, I was angry.”

Stanley’s recovering from a collapsed and punctured lung caused by a bullet shot into his back around 1:00 a.m. Friday.

“I was parking and as soon I got out, there was two guys that hopped out, jumped out of their cars,” Stanley explains.

Stanley says he gave the men his money, watch and car keys, “I had put my hands up and laid down on the ground kind of in a, um, surrendering position.”

It was as he laid face down that Stanley says one of the men shot him.

“It’s like, OK, I gave you all of my possessions, of what i have that was valuable, at that moment.  And after I do, you still shoot me?” Stanley says.

Stanley found help nearby at Rickey’s on 25th, “A woman came out and helped stop the bleeding.”

In recent years Stanley has taken an interest in stopping gun violence.

In 2014, there were a total of 11 homicides in Milwaukee.

He released a PSA created by BTS Media and BTS Models, companies he founded with his fiance, Jovan.

“The way Milwaukee is now, it wasn’t like this when I was back in high school.” Stanley says.

Stanley was a stand-out player for Whitefish Bay and Wisconsin before he was tripped up on his way to the end zone.

“Throughout my trials and tribulations, it’s made me strong,” Stanley says.

He spent some time in jail before losing his spot on the Wisconsin football team. He returned to play football at UW-Whitewater and won a national championship.

Since then he’s been focusing on a career in the world of media.

“I feel like I’m being prepared for something greater than me,” said Stanley.

Right now, that means speaking out, “There’s shootings, you know people are dying every day. You know women and children being shot.”

Stanley says he forgives the men who attacked him, “If we were in a different situation in life, I don’t think they’d chose the lifestyle they taking.”

He has this message for young men in the city, “They’re better than the life that they’ve been given or has been chosen for them. You don’t choose this life, but you can change it.”

Stanley is being released from the hospital Monday night.

Doctors say it should take 6 weeks to make a full recovery.

After that, he plans to make more PSA’s. This time about sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Police say no suspects are in custody for the shooting but they are investigating.

 

Gomez returns from beaning to lead Brewers over Tigers 3-2

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 9:31pm

DETROIT — Back in the lineup a day after being beaned, Carlos Gomez led off the game with a home run and added a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning to lift the Milwaukee Brewers to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.

Gomez was hit in the left earflap by a pitch from New York Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard on Sunday, but he played in the series opener at Detroit, and he began the game with a drive to left off Kyle Lobstein (3-4).

With the score tied at 2 and two outs in the seventh, Gomez singled up the middle to score Luis Sardinas from second.

Jeremy Jeffress (1-0) earned the win. Milwaukee’s Jonathan Broxton worked through a jam in the eighth, and Francisco Rodriguez finished for his eighth save in as many chances.

Christian Outreach Thanksgiving meal finds new location

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 9:20pm

GREEN BAY – The KI Convention Center will host a Thanksgiving event typically held at Lambeau Field every year.

The Bears-Packers game scheduled for Thanksgiving night meant the Christian Outreach community meal had to find a new location.

The organization met with KI officials Monday night to work out some of the details.

For more than a decade, Christian Outreach Ecumenical Ministry put on a free, Thanksgiving dinner inside the stadium atrium. The community meal’s origins date back even farther to the 1980’s.

Eight-story building plan approved for downtown Menasha

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 8:59pm

MENASHA – A $12 million downtown development project is moving forward.

The common council approved the plan Monday night for an eight story office building.

It will be built on Main Street where the Hotel Menasha and First National Bank used to be. As part of the deal, the city will kick in $1.75 million in future tax reimbursements.It will also pitch in $4.8 million for a 300-space parking ramp.

City leaders say Faith Technologies will occupy a majority of the building and will create 325 new jobs.

Construction is expected to start next month and be complete in June 2016.

To read the development agreement, click here.

And you can read the amendment to it here.

A look back on Mount St. Helen’s deadly eruption

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 7:39pm

35 years ago Monday was the most powerful volcanic eruption in the continental United States since the 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak in California.

On May 18, 1980 the Mt. St. Helen’s eruption started at 8:32 AM with an earthquake. The earthquake caused the north side of the volcano to slide away and started the eruption. The landslide on the north slope was the largest ever recorded.

As the lava was exposed the pressure dropped rapidly and lead to the explosion of rock, lava, gas, and steam. The eruption reached 80,000 feet high (roughly 15 miles). The volcano dropped ash over 11 states and killed 57 people.

Mt. St. Helen’s reached a 5 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index. Ejecting about 1 cubic kilometer of rock, lava, and ash from the volcano.For some perspective, the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991 (VEI 6) ejected 10 times that, the Mt. Tambora eruption in 1815 (VEI 7) ejected about 100 times that, and the Yellowstone Supervolcano eruption around 600,000 years ago (VEI 8) erupted about 1,000 times that amount.

For information on the current status of Mt. St. Helen’s you can check the USGS Volcano Hazards page here: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/st_helens/geo_hist_2004_2008.html

 

 

Milwaukee school head’s chief of staff on leave for gesture

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 7:14pm

MILWAUKEE (AP) – The chief of staff for the Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent is on paid leave after he allegedly made an obscene hand gesture at a recent school board budget meeting.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that a teachers’ union employee took a picture of Erbert Johnson with his middle finger extended. The picture was shared on social media.

Johnson is chief of staff for Superintendent Darienne Driver. A district spokesman says it’s investigating.

The Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association says Johnson apologized immediately after the May 14 meeting.

Johnson has been chief of staff since last July. His annual salary is $138,671.

Johnson does not have a listed phone number and The Associated Press could not reach him for comment Monday night.

Wingsuit fliers in Yosemite knew they were cheating death

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 7:01pm

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Two wingsuit fliers who leaped from a cliff in Yosemite National Park were trying to zoom through a notch in a ridgeline and were airborne for about 15 seconds when they slammed into a rocky outcropping and were killed, a friend said Monday.

Dean Potter, 43, and Graham Hunt, 29, were experienced at flying in wingsuits – the most extreme form of BASE jumping, a sport so dangerous enthusiasts keep lists of the dead.

On Saturday, wearing the “flying squirrel” outfits that have fabric stitched between the arms and body and between the legs to keep them aloft, Potter and Hunt leaped off Taft Point, 3,500 feet above the valley floor. They would have been traveling at speeds close to 100 mph as they aimed for the narrow gap in the ridge.

Their bodies were found in a notch they had already flown through about a dozen times, professional climber Alex Honnold said. No one knows exactly what went wrong. A gust of wind or a slight miscalculation could have sent them off course, hurtling into rock.

“What they were doing is pretty routine” for them, Honnold said. “Not like a once-in-a-lifetime performance.”

BASE jumping – renegade parachuting off buildings, antennas, spans (such as bridges) and Earth (in this case, the cliffs over Yosemite Valley) – is illegal in national parks. Doing it in a wingsuit is even more dangerous, particularly the form Potter practiced, gliding frighteningly close to cliffs and trees before deploying his chute.

Potter was “the big inspiration to the climbing community in the last generation,” and Hunt “was maybe the most prolific BASE jumper in the valley right now,” said Honnold, whose own free-solo ascents of America’s biggest cliffs have made him one of the world’s most recognized climbers.

But he has never BASE jumped, and he has no desire to try.

Potter, who was originally from New Hampshire and most recently lived near Yosemite, thought he had found ways of safely enjoying some of the world’s riskiest endeavors. He scaled the toughest vertical faces without rope, and walked barefoot across lines suspended between cliffs. If he fell or became exhausted, he would deploy a parachute.

As if that didn’t provide enough adrenaline, Potter wanted to fly.

“Many people consider me crazy for my innovations and changes to climbing saying I’m reckless and taking too many risks,” Potter wrote three weeks ago on Instagram, where he posted a photo of himself leaping from a cliff in Switzerland in 2009 and transforming “dying into flying.”

“I’m still injury free after over 30-years of pursuing some of the most dangerous #OutdoorArts known to man, #KnockOnWood and will continue to take the necessary precautions to stack the odds in my favor in order to live a long and happy life,” Potter wrote. “There is a way to play hard and stay safe!”

In “Fly or Die,” a documentary about his wingsuit jumps that can be seen on National Geographic’s website, he said: “Everyone kinda fantasizes about it – flying. And it’s an amazing place in history right now, that man actually has the skills to pull it off.”

At least five people have died in BASE jumping accidents in national parks since January 2014, including the most recent deaths at Yosemite, said Jeffrey Olson, a National Park Service spokesman. Two of those were at Utah’s Zion and one at Glacier in Montana.

The park service celebrates Yosemite’s role as a climbing mecca, but it struggles to stop people from illegally leaping off the cliffs. Jumpers who are caught get fined and see their equipment confiscated, but Honnold compared that to speeding tickets for race-car drivers.

“For them, BASE jumping was like their art, their passion,” and they faced a much more powerful repercussion in any case, he said: “The potential down side of base jumping is dying.”

In 2009, Potter set a record for completing the longest BASE jump, from the Eiger North Face in Switzerland, by staying in flight in a wingsuit for 2 minutes and 50 seconds. The feat earned him the Adventurer of the Year title by National Geographic magazine.

Potter’s solo ascent of Utah’s iconic Delicate Arch in May 2006 prompted the National Park Service to ban climbing any of the named arches or natural bridges in Arches National Park. The outdoor clothing company Patagonia stopped sponsoring him, saying his actions “compromised access to wild places and generated an inordinate amount of negativity in the climbing community and beyond.”

Clif Bar also withdrew its sponsorship of Potter for taking risks it couldn’t support. But Potter held onto Adidas and other sponsors, even after he packed his miniature Australian cattle dog, Whisper, on his back for some of his jumps and was criticized by animal rights groups. The dog was not with him on Saturday’s fatal jump.

“Dean Potter was an inspiration for many of us. He was an innovator and pioneer, always seeking for new creative solutions, an exceptional athlete and artist, who loved what he was doing,” Adidas said in a statement. “We lost a friend. You will be deeply missed Dean.”

Another sponsor was Five Ten footwear, whose spokeswoman, Nancy Bouchard, said “Dean would have pursued these activities whether he was supported or not. In the back of our minds, we always knew something terrible could happen, but that didn’t and doesn’t diminish our feelings.”

___

Smith reported from Fresno. Daisy Nguyen and Brian Melley contributed from Los Angeles.

Suspicious death investigated in Black River Falls

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 6:38pm

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (AP) – Authorities in Jackson County say they suspect foul play in the death of a woman who was found at a dog park in Black River Falls.

Sheriff’s officials say they received a 911 call about 11 a.m. Sunday about an unconscious person at the dog park. When rescue workers arrived, they found the person was dead.

Sheriff Duane Waldera tells WXOW-TV that evidence at the scene that led authorities to believe the woman’s death was not natural.

Waldera says authorities have identified a person of interest in the case.

Autopsy results are expected this week.

Hacking airplanes

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 5:51pm

(SBG) Did this man successfully hack into a plane’s computer while on a flight, and actually take control of an engine through the in-flight entertainment system?  According to this FBI search warrant request Chris Roberts claimed he did just that: causing one of the engines to climb, resulting in sideways movement.

“We do roll our eyes when we see some of these reports, he made the claim that he made the plane move sideways, well airplanes don’t move sideways to begin with,” said former Captain and aviation consultant from E&A Consulting, Dan Elwell

Elwell says any panic by the traveling public, is premature, “In a computer world if a cyber or computer expert says it very few people can refute it…but in the aviation world flying is flying and a computer is not going to turn your aircraft or climb it without your pilots knowing and intervening.”

An FBI official tells me in part, ‘there’s no credible information to suggest an airplane’s flight control system can be accessed or manipulated from its in flight system.”

Though a recent GAO report to congress mentions the potential and that has some on Capitol Hill worried.

“This is real,” says Sen. Bill Nelson (D) Florida. “This is what cyber-security and cyber-attacks are all about. Now, we have systems to protect against that,  but welcome to the real world of cyber attacks.”

While you heard the FBI cast plenty of doubt on this potential danger, the warrant says there was tampering to the wiring where Roberts sat on the flight.

And they’ve seized his computers and thumb drives.

Recapping Sunday’s weather and tornado warning

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 5:40pm

Headed into Sunday there was some concern over potential severe weather.

But for most of us, it didn’t pan out that way.

There was a lot of heavy rain and some thunder with the storms as they moved into the Green Bay area.

But one storm was a bit stronger than the others, and prompted a tornado warning.

There weren’t any reports of a tornado, but you don’t need an actual report for a warning to be issued.

Jeff Last, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the Green Bay National Weather Service, said, “Our goal is to issue the warning before the tornado forms. So that’s why tornado warnings are sometimes issued before tornadoes are reported. So using radar and our storm sportter network, we get those warnings out as quickly as possible, hopefully before the tornado forms.”

A radar scan at 3:24 PM Sunday shows a small appendage here on the south side of the storm, nothing significant on its own.

But in the velocity product, you see winds moving toward the radar and winds moving away from the radar right next to one another.

This indicates rotation.

The next scan comes in at 3:29 PM.

Here, that small appendage has turned into a hook shape, something that’s a tell-tale sign of a potentially tornadic thunderstorm, and the velocity still shows rotation.

The tornado warning is issued at 3:32 PM.

The next scan at 3:35 shows a continued hook and rotation still present, further confirming that this storm could be capable of spinning up a tornado at any moment, even if it hasn’t done so yet..

So when Last talks about getting ahead of tornado when issuing warnings, even when a tornado has yet to be confirmed, this scenario is what he’s talking about.

Houdini to reappear in downtown Appleton through the magic of television

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 5:09pm


APPLETON – Appleton – or bust? The early 20th century magician Harry Houdini has returned to the city where he grew up.

Well – a bronzed likeness of him. And the roots of the story are made for television.

The premise of the History Channel show Monument Guys, brothers Mark and Steve Palmerton and sculptor Craig Campbell cast bronze statues for small towns all across the United States.

One day, the show’s production company got a hold of Sculpture Valley president Alex Schultz.

“When we got the phone call from Atlas Media (Corp.), and they said, ‘do you guys want a sculpture of Harry?’”

For Schultz, the answer was an unequivocal ‘yes.’

Houdini Plaza in the city’s downtown was renovated several years ago, and the sculpture ‘Metamorphosis’ – based on Houdini’s metamorphosis illusion – was removed. Schultz says the space has since been lacking a more permanent tribute to Hungarian-American Eric Weisz.

You and I know him as Harry Houdini.

The show filmed in the city in October to get an idea of who the famed magician was, as he grew up in the Fox Valley. The show airs Wednesday night.

“(The show’s hosts are) enthusiastic about monuments, but you’re pretty much just as enthusiastic about Harry Houdini?” I asked Tom Boldt.

“Absolutely,” he replied. “I’ve been involved with harry Houdini since about 1986.”

Boldt is a magician, as well as the CEO of Appleton-based Boldt construction.

Worth an estimated $20,000, Boldt says the bust of Houdini wrapped in a straitjacket – one of his most famous escapes – is a good metaphor for the American spirit and an honor for the city. That anyone can escape from adversity – no matter where they come from.

“I think this image of Houdini is universal, and I think it’s something that has distinguished America,” Boldt said. “A land of opportunity, and through your hard work and effort, you can be successful.”

By no piece of magic the bust of Houdini will be installed in Houdini Plaza in late August. But in addition to it, there will be ten new plaques commemorating quotes from Houdini’s life, placed throughout the city of Appleton.

“We’re going to try to pull some of Harry’s direct quotes to really show Harry’s strong connection to the city and his love for Appleton, even long after he left the city,” said Schultz.

A name that endures to this day, nearly 90 years since Houdini’s death.

Pulaski hires Deprey as new wrestling coach

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 4:41pm

Pulaski has announced Ryan Deprey has been hired as the new varsity wrestling coach.

Deprey was the assistant under former coach Terry Manning, who held the post for 10 seasons.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Pulaski Wrestling program,” Deprey said. “I hope to continue the rich tradition that has been established by those who came before me.”

Deprey wrestled at Luxemburg-Casco where he placed at the state tournament three years as an individual and helped the team to a state title his senior year. Furthermore, Deprey was a two-time All-American at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Door County cherry blossoms mark beginning of tourism season

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 4:23pm

DOOR COUNTY – Sunshine, and blue skies. A picture-perfect day for many Door County cherry trees to bloom.

It also marks the beginning of the summer tourism season, which is about a week away.

“The winter was good on the tart cherries. They came through the winter just fine,” said Dave Schartner, Schartner’s Farm Market.

Schartner says the blossoms mark the beginning of his busy season.

“We got five months to really make a living, so it’s a lot of time, and we work a lot of hours, to get this all done,” said Schartner.

Schartner’s Farm Market near Egg Harbor opened last week. Gerri Friedberg is stocking up on produce.

“I have rhubarb, and I have cherry pie, cherry raspberry pie. And I have asparagus, fresh-picked,” said Gerri Friedberg, Egg Harbor.

Summer is almost here.

“This is as early I think as Memorial Day can be in the month of May,” said Jon Jarosh, Door County Visitor Bureau.

Jarosh says Door County ranks number eight in the state in tourism.

$313 million last year alone, in direct spending here in Door County,” he said.

Jarosh says that’s about a five percent increase from the year before.

And visitors are arriving early.

“We’re just taking a four-day break from everything to try to relax a little bit,” said Dick Merlkein, Wauwatosa.

Karen and Dick Merklein have been coming to Door County for decades.

“We like fish, good fresh fish. And you can really get that up here. And we like some hikes. There’s some places around here that a lot of people don’t know about,” said Merklein.

From hiking, to shopping, business leaders say Door County is open for business.

“Pretty much now, through the end of October, there is something going on up here,” said Jarosh.

And how about those cherries?

“It’s kind of early to tell, but I would say it should be an average, to an above average crop,” said Schartner.

The cherry trees should be blooming for about another week. If everything stays on schedule, the crop should be ready to pick by the third week in July.

Medical College of Wisconsin hosts dedication ceremony in De Pere

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 4:11pm

DE PERE – The school year may now be in the past, but the future is now on display in De Pere.

Soon young scientists will be filling a new building on St. Norbert College’s campus.

The Medical College of Wisconsin held their dedication ceremony Monday.

25 future doctors will begin studying at the Gehl-Mulva science center this summer.

The building, which also houses the St. Norbert College science department, cost more than $40 million to construct.

The classrooms are state-of-the-art. Some are built to communicate with the Medical College staff in the Milwaukee area.

Dr. John Raymond, the President of the Medical College of Wisconsin says the demand for enrollment here in Northeast Wisconsin was high, “We’ve had 2,200 applicants for this campus for 25 slots. We have very high admission standards. They’ll be here July 1. Most of them are from Wisconsin and we’re very excited and optimistic.”

Coming up on FOX 11 News at 9, we’ll show you more of the progress on the new science building.

 

Local dentist making a difference in Haiti

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 3:52pm

GREEN BAY – A local dentist is making a difference, by caring for patients a world away.

His group of dental professionals offered their skills and services to people who would otherwise go without.

In some parts of the world, there is no dentist or office.

Instead, clinics in Haiti can offer care a few times a year, thanks to volunteers who make the trip.

“How many came to get care, and how many got care are two different things.  We literally had people beating down the doors,” said Dr. Tom Kaminski.

Earlier this year, Dr. Tom Kaminski, of Green Bay, went on a mission trip to Haiti. He was one of a group of about 15 to offer basic dental care.

For six days, the group did cleanings, fillings and extractions for hundreds of patients.

“And there were windows where we were working and they would be saying, ‘Please take me next,’ begging kind of to get in, so it was interesting,” said Kaminski.

“You kind of made a quick connection, in the time you were there,” said Kasey Bink, dental assistant.

Bink works with Dr. Kaminski.

“It’s very quick pace.  The minute you’re done with a patient, they’re out of the chair.  And you’re cleaning and turning it over, and the next patient is sitting down as you’re grabbing the rest of the supplies that you need,” said Bink.

Some patients traveled for hours, for the chance to sit in these chairs and have their teeth taken care of.

“Some of the people that we treated, especially on the front teeth, we gave them a mirror, and they sat there for a long time, looking into that mirror with big smiles on their faces,” said Kaminski.

Now back at home, Kaminski and Bink say the trip made them more appreciative of the conveniences in their lives and as they look back at the pictures from their experience, they say they are thankful they were able to help.

“It was life-changing. It’s hard to describe how it’s life-changing. It’s the simple things in life, I think, is what really got to you,” said Bink.

“I think I did make a difference over there,” said Kaminski.

The mission trip was put on by Christ the Rock Church in Menasha.  For years, members have had a relationship with Hinche, Haiti.

Another group is getting set to go this month.

Photos: Bust of Harry Houdini ready for Appleton

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 3:51pm

A bust of famed magician and escape artist Harry Houdini is nearly ready to be installed in Appleton, Houdini’s hometown.

Construction wraps up on Veterans Manor in Green Bay

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 3:38pm

GREEN BAY – Some local area veterans will soon have a place to call home.

Veterans Manor in Green Bay will provide veterans with an affordable place to live, as well as supportive services.

The complex includes 50 one-bedroom apartments where all utilities are included in the rent.

Veterans Manor is handicap accessible to satisfy the needs of all different veterans.

Those who plan on living there say it is exciting to see the project take shape.

“It’s amazing. I’ve been driving by watching the construction progress and it’s crazy to think that this is going to be home very soon,” said Jim Weir of Green Bay.

Weir says he looks forward to living with other veterans since they share the common bond.

Final investigative report from Leo Frigo Bridge sagging released

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 3:33pm

GREEN BAY – The state Department of Transportation has released a more than 3,000-page final investigation report on the sagging of the Leo Frig Bridge.

Part of the Green Bay bridge sagged on Sept. 25, 2013. It was closed for repairs for more than three months, reopening on Jan. 5, 2014.

DOT officials said soil conditions corroded steel pilings, causing one to buckle and a pier to sink. The final report confirms the initial findings, and says measures put into place to prevent corrosion should last for 75 years. Future monitoring should ensure the bridge’s safety, the report summary says.

The emergency repairs cost about $15 million.

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