Green Bay News

FOX 11 reports the 2015 NFL Draft from the Windy City, April 29-May 2.

De Pere beat Bay Port, 2-0, in a girls soccer game Tuesday.

MILWAUKEE (AP) – The father of a Milwaukee woman missing for 18 months is renewing the call to find her.

Twenty-seven-year-old Kelly Dwyer was last seen in October 2013.

On Wednesday, Dwyer’s farther, Tony Dwyer, said a private investigative firm will soon lead an investigation at three search areas within 45 minutes of Milwaukee.

Volunteers repeatedly searched parts of Milwaukee and posted fliers after Kelly Dwyer disappeared. Police also searched a landfill in suburban Menomonee Falls.

Milwaukee Police Capt. Aaron Raap tells WISN-TV the department had not uncovered new, significant evidence. But he says the department will support the search of public areas that is about to begin.

Dwyer’s mother reported her missing after she failed to show up for work. She hadn’t been back to her apartment and hadn’t been using her cellphone.

MARINETTE COUNTY – The beginning of the sport fishing season is just a couple days away. Thousands of anglers are itching to hit the water.

But before you head out on one of Wisconsin’s 15,000-plus lakes, there may be some new rules and regulations to consider.

The crappies are biting on the High Falls Reservoir west of Crivitz.

“I think everybody’s excited to get out on the water again. It’s been a long winter,” said Tim Werner, D.N.R. Conservation Warden.

But there are some changes for opening day, including a chance to keep more walleye in the ceded territory.

“The bag limit at the beginning of the season will be three fish, 15 inches or greater. I also recommend they look at the boat landing to see if there’s anything specific to that water body that they will be fishing,” said Werner.

The State Natural Resources Board approved the change in Madison, this month.

“So we’re trying to accommodate tribal harvest through angler regulations that are size limits rather than bag limits. That allows anglers greater opportunity to catch three walleyes across the ceded territory,” said Steve Hewett, D.N.R. Fisheries Management Section Chief.

Sokaogon Chippewa Tribal Chairman Chris McGeshick says the rules need increased enforcement.

“We need to have more monitoring. We need to ensure that these regulations are doing what the biologists say they’re going to do,” he said.

Previously, walleye bag limits were adjusted after opening day based on the success of the Chippewa tribal harvest.

At J & J’s Sports in Lake Tomahawk, owner Jeff Smith says consistent bag limits will help people planning trips up north.

“Jumping from one lake to another to get that one fish out of each lake doesn’t sound very good either. But having the three per lake now that’s a lot better. I think people are going to realize that that’s worth coming up for,” said Jeff Smith, J & J’s Sports Owner.

The season starts Saturday morning.

De Pere senior Alek Kleis talks about her team’s 2-0 win over Bay Port on Tuesday.

GREEN BAY – Garritt Bader knew bringing a unique style of housing development to downtown Green Bay would be a challenge. But by the looks of things, the developer has seen his plans become reality – and then some.

“It’s great to see the project and the vision realized – and especially when it’s a success of course,” said Bader of GB Real Estate Investments.

Construction on the three units in phase one started in 2013. Both it and phase two are finished – and fully owned and occupied; including one by Bader himself, which he uses as a model for potential buyers.

Now the project is set to start construction on its third – and final – phase in the 300-block of North Van Buren Street, across from Whitney Park in the northeast corner of the city’s downtown neighborhood this summer. But instead of three townhouses, Bader is adding a fourth. The city’s plan commission approved the change earlier this week. The changes will go before the city council next week.

“Really, the bottom line was we had the demand, we had people approaching us, saying, ‘Hey, we like this product,’” said Bader, “Which this was really a test case – It was to prove that we could support this in this market.”

The total project is being supported, in part, by $420,000 in federal HOME funds, used to help with the redevelopment of the block that was previously home to five, two unit rental properties. When complete, it’s estimated the townhomes will bring in an extra $20,000 in property taxes.

“Same look, same kind of modern square style, same block walls in between (separating the rooftop garage patios), same overall character, there will be just one more.”

With amenities and basic layouts like all the others: three bedroom, two-and-a-half baths, two stall attached garage and basement. Bader says two of the future townhomes are already pre-sold.

“I had a couple people ask me last year, ‘aren’t you afraid that other people are going to come in and copy you and do the same thing?’ I’m like no! I need those people to also believe and to build and encourage more – which it just becomes snowball effect at that point.”

A snowball that will hopefully start construction by June. Bader says police and firefighters will use the two old homes currently on the property for training next month before being torn down.

CINCINNATI (AP) – The music in the Milwaukee Brewers’ clubhouse was cranked so loud that it was hard to hear anything else. And no one minded.

“Don’t turn it down!” pitcher Matt Garza said. “I can talk loud!”

With Ryan Braun finally breaking out of his slump, the Brewers hope they’ve finally put all of their numb, postgame silence in the past.

Braun hit his fourth career grand slam and a solo homer Wednesday, powering the Brewers to an 8-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds that provided a one-day respite from their awful start.

Milwaukee ended a seven-game losing streak on the road and improved to 5-17 overall, the worst start by a National League team since the 1997 Cubs went 4-18.

“Obviously, the wins have been few and far-between,” Braun said. “We’ve been playing terribly in all facets of the game. We’ll take every one we can get.

“Individually it’s nice to have a good game. It’s nice to see some results. I’ve felt good every day, it just hasn’t been there. Hopefully this is something that can get me going, get us going, and get us back on the right track.”

All but one of the 11 combined runs came off homers. The NL Central rivals combined for 12 homers in the final two games, 10 of them solos.

Braun, Adam Lind and Khris Davis had solo shots off Michael Lorenzen (0-1), a 23-year-old making his major league debut. The Reds called him up from Triple-A to fill in for Homer Bailey, who is out indefinitely with a damaged ligament in his pitching elbow.

Braun connected with the bases loaded in the eighth off Jumbo Diaz, his third homer in the last two games. The right fielder had only one homer heading into the series, and had gotten two days off from the starting lineup to rest and heal some minor ailments.

“I think if anybody comes through and starts bashing the ball around and driving in runs, it’s going to pick up the team,” manager Ron Roenicke said.

Garza (2-3) allowed five hits in 6 2-3 innings, including solo shots by Todd Frazier and Tucker Barnhart. Garza has been tough on Cincinnati the last two seasons, going 3-0 in four starts with a 1.26 ERA.

Lind’s homer extended his hitting streak to eight games, the longest by a Brewer this season. He has three homers during that span. Davis homered one out later in the second inning.

The Brewers loaded the bases in the eighth against Diaz, who hit Logan Schafer to drive in a run. Braun followed with his first grand slam since June 14, 2010, against the Angels, making it 8-2.

Jay Bruce hit his second homer of the series in the ninth inning.

HOMER STATS

Milwaukee’s four homers were a season high. Lind’s homer was the 150th of his career. Braun’s grand slam gave him 21 multihomer games in his career.

VOTTO RESTS

Reds first baseman Joey Votto was out of the starting lineup, getting some rest. He pinch hit and struck out, leaving him in a 2-for-20 slump.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers: Center fielder Carlos Gomez is expected back from the 15-day disabled list over the weekend. He’s been sidelined by a strained right hamstring. He’s eligible to return after Thursday.

Reds: Left-handed reliever Manny Parra went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained neck. Bailey was transferred to the 60-day DL with the injured elbow.

UP NEXT

Brewers: Milwaukee is off Thursday before opening a three-game series at Wrigley Field. Wily Peralta (0-3) tries for his first win at Wrigley, where he’s 0-2 in three career starts. The Cubs go with Jon Lester (0-2).

Reds: Mike Leake (0-1) opens a four-game series in Atlanta on Thursday against Shelby Miller (3-0).

ASHWAUBENON – For those on the road it is hard to miss those big orange trucks on the highways.

Schneider, based in Ashwaubenon, is a national trucking company with some 12,000 big rigs on the road. The visible orange is designed to fit right in with the company’s culture of promoting safety.

“Our number one core value at Schneider is safety first and always, so all of the decisions that we make is with an eye towards safety,” said Tom DiSalvi, Vice President of Safety at Schneider.

The company’s safety initiative is what prompted it to voluntarily install electronic logging devices on all of its trucks back in 2009.

“They’re designed to identify how long somebody can drive and how long they can work within a certain period of time and these help for better monitoring,” said DiSalvi.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is a part of the U-S Department of Transportation, wants to cut down on crashes related to overworked drivers.  The agency says more than 750 deaths a year are blamed on fatigued semi drivers.

Fully loaded semis can weigh more than 80,000 pounds making them an extreme danger if the driver’s reaction time is diminished.

Current law allows for drivers to work 14 hour shifts, and within that time be behind the wheel for no more than 11 hours. That’s followed with ten consecutive hours off-duty.

“he driver that’s over his hours of service is just as dangerous as anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” said Sgt. Dan Diedrich, who inspects trucks and drivers as part of his job with the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Two years after Schneider voluntarily installed the electronic logging devices, FMCSA recommended requiring them industry wide. But to date the measure has not been approved.

Critics point to the added cost and possible invasion of privacy for the delay in making electronic logging devices (ELDs) mandatory. Although the new acting director of the agency stated last month he hopes approval to start the implementation of ELDs is in place by October. He called it a “top priority.”

Gary Bakley has driven semis for smaller trucking companies for years and has always used paper logs to document his hours behind the wheel.

The paper logs is a method Bakley says is manipulated to allow drivers and trucking companies to exceed the federally-allowed hours of service. The incentive? More money to be made.

“And the law has got to change for us truck drivers because, see, we’re threatened. And it’s a shame that these companies have to threaten our drivers if you don’t do this then you’re going to be terminated,” said Bakley.

“For me the best reason I can think of for doing paper logs is so you can do that,” said Ron Ross, a driver-instructor for Schneider.

Ross says electronic logging devices help make drivers safe and legal. Schneider is recognize nationwide as one of the safest trucking companies. At Schneider the devices are linked directly to the company dispatchers.

“The dispatcher can see how many hours I have left and they’re not going to give me a load pressuring me to go someplace in a certain amount of time because our computer system won’t even allow them to do that,” explained Ross.

Schneider officials have testified before Congress in support of the devices.

DiSalvi says statistics and studies show if electronic logging devices were mandatory there would be fewer crashes, fewer injuries, fewer deaths on the road.

“For us we found it is certainly contributing to improved safety results but it’s only one initiative,” said DiSalvi.

Schneider officials say in addition to the technology, driver training and education are keys in creating a culture of safety–all aimed at making the roadways safer for all.

OSHKOSH – A widow whose husband and son drowned in an ice-fishing accident on Lake Winnebago this past January, has made a donation to the rescue team who tried to save them.

In memory of her husband Andrew and her eight-year-old son, Derek, Kelly Doro donated $1,000 to the Oshkosh Fire Department Ice Dive and Rescue team.

On the morning of Jan. 25, Andrew and his son Derek were on their way to an ice-fishing spot when their Jeep fell through the ice.

The Oshkosh Fire Department says they would once again like to offer their condolences to the family for their tragic loss and thank them for their generosity.

APPLETON – A Little Chute man has been formally charged with trying to kill his wife after police say he hit her with the family minivan in their driveway.

A minivan involved in a crash the previous night is towed from a garage in the 400 block of E. Elm Dr. in Little Chute, April 28, 2015. (WLUK/Chris Bourassa)

Zohn Yang faces charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and aggravated battery with the intent of causing great bodily harm.

Police were called to the couple’s home on Elm Drive around 10 p.m. Monday. Yang’s wife was airlifted to the hospital with what police called “traumatic lower body injuries.”

Yang is due back in court May 26 for a preliminary hearing.

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) – Authorities have announced charges against dozens of people in an alleged drug-dealing operation in southeastern Wisconsin.

Forty-four people face state or federal charges after a multi-agency investigation into drug dealing in Kenosha and Racine counties.

U.S. Attorney James Santelle said Wednesday that 24 defendants were indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute drugs including heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine.

According to the indictments, some in the group acted as middlemen for other dealers and sold from a bar. The Journal Sentinel reports the location of the bar was not disclosed.

Authorities say many of those arrested are members of the Gangster Disciples gang.

The Kenosha County district attorney’s office charged an additional 12 suspects with narcotics crimes. Eight others were arrested on outstanding state warrants or narcotics charges.

NEW YORK (AP) – The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday it approved an injection designed to melt away double-chin fat.

The agency approved a drug called Kybella for adults with moderate or severe fat below the chin, or submental fat. It’s the first approved drug for Kythera Biopharmaceuticals.

The drug is a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid, a chemical the FDA said is naturally produced by the body and helps it absorb fats. It destroys fat cells by breaking down the cell membrane.

The agency says patients can get up to 50 injections in one sitting, but treatments should be at least one month apart and patients should get no more than six.

Kythera plans to start selling Kybella in the second half of 2015, and said in regulatory filings that it thinks the injection could top $500 million in annual sales.

The Westlake, California, company said deoxycholic acid is a safe ingredient found in several other approved drugs. It has also filed for marketing approval in Australia, Canada and Switzerland and wants to market the drug in other countries.

Citing market research and surveys by dermatologists, Kythera says U.S. consumers spend more than $1 billion a year on cosmetic facial injections like the anti-wrinkle treatment Botox and dermal fillers, and that number is expected to keep growing. Many patients who undergo those treatments would also be willing to have a Kybella injection to eliminate fat under their chins, the company said in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Kybella isn’t approved for injection into any other part of the body. The FDA said the most common side effects of the drug included swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness and hardness in the treatment area, while more serious side effects included trouble swallowing and nerve injury that can cause an uneven smile or muscle weakness.

Shares of  Kythera Biopharmaceuticals Inc. fell $2.05, or 4.3 percent, to $45.59 Wednesday

An FDA advisory panel recommended approving Kybella on March 9. The company’s stock has climbed 15 percent since March 4, a few days before the panel vote.

DE PERE – A summerlong music series connected to Appleton’s Mile of Music festival will help De Pere celebrate its 125th birthday.

Organizers say EastWest Music Fest will include 75 live performances over six Fridays in June, July and August. Venues both east and west of the Fox River will host the concerts.

National touring artist Cory Chisel, an Appleton native, is set to headline the Opening Showcase June 5 at Dudley Birder Hall. Chisel is the music curator for Mile of Music. He’ll be joined by longtime collaborator Ariel Denae. De Pere musician Michael Gillespie is scheduled to open the show. Tickets for that show are $25; the rest of the concerts in the series are free.

The venues hosting the concerts will be: Buddha’s Still, Fire House Bar & Grill, Luna Cafe, Nicky’s, George Street Connection, La Vie Boheme, McGeorge’s and Starry Realty.

“More and more people in our region are looking to De Pere for its arts and hospitality and to enjoy a safe, fun night out,” Definitely De Pere executive director Allyson Watson said in a news release. “We’ve scheduled the times for the music at some venues to complement the dining opportunities for a full artisan experience.”

An Aug. 30 Closing Showcase is set for Nicolet Square, weather permitting.

Other performers to be featured in the series include: Jamie Kent, a fast-rising singer-songwriter originally from Boston; Matthew Szlachetka from Los Angeles; North by North, an indie rock band from Chicago; and Mighty Fox, an alternative rock band from Atlanta. More performers in the concert series are expected to be announced on the festival’s website.

HOWARD-SUAMICO – Imagine receiving something you never dreamed you would. That just happened to a local orchestra instructor.

Others were making a difference in her life, and making sure a dream of hers could come true.

On Tuesday night, Audrey Nowak could hardly wait to get on stage and do what she does best, play and conduct.

The orchestra instructor for the Howard-Suamico school district hit the stage at the Weidner Center but nothing could prepare her for what was about to happen.

At the end of the concert, she was brought to center stage.

Nowak had no idea there was a surprise waiting for her. And when she turned around, she was presented with the gift of a lifetime: a six-foot tall, pedal harp.

After giving out some quick hugs, she eventually ran like a kid at Christmas to her new toy. This $18,000 instrument, something she could never afford on her own, was now hers to play. And that’s exactly what she did.

“I am absolutely stunned, and I have never been so touched in my entire life. I am speechless,” said Nowak.

The harp was a surprise to Nowak, but not to everyone else.

Since January, those who know and love her have been collecting money, in secret. More than 200 people were in on it. The effort began with two parents, as a “thank you” for what how she teaches their children.

“I just appreciate her so much. Why shouldn’t she have a harp, if that’s what she loves? She gives so much to the community and the kids. With her they just blossom. into these amazing orchestra musicians,” said Valerie Doll, who helped organize the surprise harp for Nowak.

“Her passion for the kids. She just has an energy, and it shows in the kids and in their enthusiasm to play in the orchestra,” said Stacey Felton, who also helped organize the surprise harp for Nowak.

The harp surprise started with a private Facebook page.

Messages were sent to all of Nowak’s friends, and in four months, the group raised $8,000, enough to secure the harp. And the entire time, they managed to keep it a secret.

“I had no idea. I don’t know how they did this. I guess even my students knew. I am so impressed!” exclaimed Nowak.

“It was priceless to see the tears, the joy, the smile on her face,” said Felton.

Nowak says her heart was bursting. She felt like she was in a dream, and didn’t want to wake up. But most of all, she can’t wait to pay it forward.

“I’m going to try to make people feel as loved as I do now,” said Nowak.

The group still has some work ahead of it. They need to raise another $10,000, to pay off the harp. But organizers are optimistic, since it’s not a secret any longer.

An event is planned for this weekend.

TOWN OF WINCHESTER – A firefighter was hospitalized while fighting a shed fire in Winnebago County.

A spokesperson from Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah says the 24-year-old man was listed in fair condition Wednesday afternoon. He’s with the Clayton-Winchester Fire Dept.

Meanwhile, the Winnebago Co, Sheriff’s Office says Highway II is closed between Highway M and Steeple Hill Rd.

FOX 11 has a crew on the scene and will have more information as it becomes available.

APPLETON – Members of the Kiwanis Club of Appleton celebrated the 100th anniversary of Kiwanis International by planting 100 trees in Kiwanis Park on Appleton’s northwest side.

The club is hoping to raise $2,000 to help pay for the trees. Organizers say the trees will add to the park for years.

Mike Michlig of Appleton City Forester says, “Adding 100 trees to this park is going to be an awesome addition. We are doing 10 different varieties of trees so it will add a lot of diversity plus a lot of shade in the future, so it is going to be a really nice improvement.”

Appleton West High School Key club members helped dig the dirt and plant the trees.

 

GREEN BAY – Artwork was revealed Wednesday at NWTC’s new artisan and business center in Green Bay.

Teams from around the area came together to reveal their projects in an effort to focus on how to work creatively together.

Members of each project team are pushed to design and illustrate pieces that showcase problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Organizers say this is a great way to showcase talents of local artists.

Jeff Rafn, NWTC President says, “Just having an opportunity to think more broadly and express yourself is a unique and great experience.”

The Artisan and Business Center offers classes and hands-on experiences for all aspiring artists.

Group projects are also highly welcome.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will be adding a second baseman to its roster on Friday, although it won’t be for long.

Milwaukee Brrewers injured second baseman Scooter Gennett will begin his rehabilitation assignment Friday at Fox Cities Stadium when the Rattlers start a six-game homestand, starting against Clinton. Gennett is scheduled to be activated to the Brewers’ roster on Tuesday.

Gennett suffered a laceration of his middle finger on his left hand when he was reaching for an item on a shower caddie.

Gennett is hitting .207 with one RBI for the Brewers this season.

MADISON (AP) – A federal appeals court says the Ho-Chunk Nation can legally offer video poker at its Madison casino.

The state Department of Justice argued that video poker at the facility is a Class III card game and therefore prohibited under the terms of the tribe’s gambling compact with the state. U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Crabb sided with the state last June.

The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, however, reversed Crabb on Wednesday.

The court said the state must criminalize a gambling activity in order to prohibit the tribe from engaging in it. The court pointed out that the state downgraded possession of video poker machines in establishments that serve alcohol from a criminal to civil offense in 1999.

DOJ spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz had no immediate comment.

Click here for more information on Wisconsin DNR fishing regulations.