Green Bay News

In depth: Baltimore riots

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 10:25am

Take an in-depth look at the unrest in Baltimore.

Preschooler not allowed to eat Oreos packed in her lunchbox

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 10:12am

AURORA, Colo. (AP) — Aurora 4-year-old Natalee Pearson came home disappointed, with untouched Oreos and a note from her teacher.

KMGH-TV in Denver reports that the preschooler told her mom Friday that she wasn’t allowed to eat the cookies in her lunchbox.

She brought a note telling parents to pack nutritious lunch that includes a fruit, vegetable and healthy snack.

Natalee’s mother, Leeza Pearson, says she doesn’t agree with the Children’s Academy decision.

She says Natalie also had a sandwich and cheese and that the school took things over the top.

A spokeswoman with Aurora Public Schools says they gave Natalee a healthy alternative to the cookies.

Pearson says she is sending her daughter to The Children’s Academy as a public school student under the state’s preschool option program.

Vos says he doesn’t have votes to repeal prevailing wage

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 9:58am

MADISON (AP) – Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he doesn’t have the votes to repeal prevailing wage but will look to reform it.

Vos spoke on WISN-AM in Milwaukee on Wednesday morning that he supports a full repeal of prevailing wage but it’s likely that lawmakers will insert changes to prevailing wage law into Gov. Scott Walker’s budget. He did not elaborate.

Under current Wisconsin law, workers on state or local public works projects or on highway projects must be paid wages equivalent to wages paid for similar projects.

A Republican bill introduced in February would end that requirement and block local governments from enacting their own prevailing wage laws or ordinances.

A Vos spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Prisoner accused in attack on inmate, guard

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 9:56am

WAUPUN (AP) – A state prison inmate is charged with trying kill another prisoner and with attacking a corrections officer.

A criminal complaint says 28-year-old Eric Conner attacked another inmate at the Waupun prison Monday because he continued to call him names. The two exchanged punches. The complaint says the prison guard approached the two and saw Conner had a homemade knife. Authorities say Conner attacked the guard before the officer was able to incapacitate him.

The injured guard was taken to Waupun Memorial Hospital. The Beaver Dam Daily Citizen reports Conner told investigators he planned to stab the other prisoner in the throat with a knife he had made from a hanger. Conner is at Waupun for fatally stabbing John Remmy of Menasha. Court records do no list a defense attorney.

Fewer than 2 of 10 possible voters cast ballots in election

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 9:52am

MADISON (AP) – Final election results show that fewer than two out of every 10 possible voters cast ballots in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race earlier this month.

Official results certified Wednesday by the chairman of the Government Accountability Board shows that 18.4 percent of the voting-age population cast ballots in the Supreme Court race.

State elections officials had predicted 20 percent turnout.

The actual turnout is on par with previous spring elections for state Supreme Court.

Turnout in 2007, 2008 and 2009 ranged from 18.2 percent to 19.3 percent. It spiked to 34.3 percent in 2011, an election that came in the middle of protests over Act 10, Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining proposal.

Justice Ann Walsh Bradley defeated challenger Rock County Circuit Judge James Daley to win re-election on April 7.

Wisconsin Supreme Court change, other results certified

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 9:49am

MADISON (AP) – Results of the April 7 election have been certified, including a constitutional amendment that gives justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court the ability to elect who will serve as chief justice.

The Government Accountability Board chairman on Wednesday approved the canvas of the election results. About 18.4 percent of the voting-age population cast ballots in the election.

Now that approval of the Supreme Court constitutional amendment has been officially certified, justices have the power to elect a new chief justice. Current Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson has filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the amendment can’t take effect until her current term ends in four years.

But five of the six other justices argue that as of now, there is no chief justice until a new one is chosen.

1-day cycling event to go across southern Wisconsin

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 9:48am

MADISON (AP) – Cycling enthusiasts are planning a new bike riding event across southern Wisconsin from Dubuque, Iowa, to Kenosha.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports the first Ride Across Wisconsin is set to take place Aug. 29. The ride will last one day and go for 175 miles. It’s being organized by the Wisconsin Bike Fed and Waterloo-based Trek Bicycle.

The ride will cost $175 for members of the Wisconsin Bike Fed and $200 for everyone else. Proceeds will go to the federation.

Dave Schlabowske, deputy director of the biking federation, said the event will be the longest organized ride in the state. He said the ride is the result of discussions on Wisconsin’s lack of a marque biking event that also benefits the cycling community.

“We want it to be a singular, bucket-list event that people will want to participate in from around the country and around the world,” Schlabowske said.

Long-distance rides elsewhere include the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic and a seven-day ride across Iowa. Dave Cieslewicz, the Wisconsin federation’s executive director and former mayor of Madison, said he thinks the Ride Across Wisconsin could become as popular as the Seattle to Portland ride, which draws 10,000 participants.

The route won’t pass through Madison the first year, though Schlabowske said that could happen in the future. There are plans to add an option for people to complete the ride in two days, making for a more leisurely trip.

Schlabowske said they’re planning for hundreds of participants this year, with the typical rider taking 10 to 14 hours to finish.

Competency exam ordered for man accused of threatening judge

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 8:48am

A competency exam has been ordered for a Brookfield man charged with making a threat to a judge for allegedly leaving a threatening message for Waushara County Judge Guy Dutcher.

Scott Dummert faces one count for the message left on an answering machine.

The psychiatric review will determine if Dummert is mentally competent to stand trial and able to assist in his own defense. No date has been set for the court to review the results.

Dummert appeared in Marquette County court Tuesday for an expected preliminary hearing, but instead the competency issue was raised, according to online court records.

What’s NEW at the Zoo?

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 8:36am

SUAMICO – The otters are always fun to watch at the NEW Zoo in Suamico.

Neil Anderson joined us on Good Day Wisconsin Wednesday to talk about some improvements the zoo has made on the otter exhibit and we got an update on the bald eagle.

Judge to decide if Berit Beck’s alleged killer will go to trial

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 8:32am

FOND DU LAC – A Kenosha man charged with the 1990 murder of a teenager in Fond du Lac County is scheduled to appear in court this morning.

Dennis Brantner, 61, is charged with 1st Degree Murder in the death of 18-year-old Berit Beck.

Brantner is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 9:30. The hearing is for the judge to decide whether there is enough evidence for the case go to trial.

Beck disappeared on her way from her home near Racine to work in Appleton. Police say his fingerprints in her van tie Branter to the crime.

His attorney has said his client is innocent and the evidence is not compelling.

Brantner is being held in the Fond du Lac County jail on a $1 million cash bond.

FOX 11’s Laura Smith is working on this story and will have a full report tonight on FOX 11 News at 9.

Daredevil completes 400-foot walk in Florida

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 7:47am

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Daredevil performer Nik Wallenda successfully completed a walk across the rim of the 400-foot Orlando Eye observation wheel in Florida.

The 36-year-old started his walk shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday atop the city’s newest attraction, which is set to open to the public early next month.

Wallenda rode to the top of the wheel, then navigated up ladders and around sections of the structure before beginning his walk, which lasted a few minutes.

In November, Wallenda made two Chicago skyscraper crossings on high wires. Other previous tightrope walks took him to the brink of Niagara Falls in 2012 and across a Grand Canyon-area garage in 2013.

Florida Gov. Rick Scot was among those gathered to watch Wallenda.

Wallenda will face his longest wire-walking challenge at the Wisconsin State Fair. He’ll walk from the south entrance to the north entrance on August 11th.

A view of lakes in northern Wisconsin

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 7:46am

The inland fishing season starts Saturday, May 2.

FOX 11’s Eric Peterson took a trip to northern Wisconsin this week.

He snapped some pictures of Lake Minocqua, High Falls Reservoir west of Crivitz and Lake Lucerne near Crandon.

Eric will have a few stories that will air Wednesday through Friday.

Wednesday: New rules
Thursday: Catch and release in Minocqua
Friday: Ice free opener on many northern lakes

Listeria concerns spark Hy-Vee recall of pasta salad

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 7:37am

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Hy-Vee Inc. says it is recalling Hy-Vee Summer Fresh Pasta because of a potential listeria contamination.

The West Des Moines-based grocer said Tuesday that the company has learned that frozen vegetables in the salad could be contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.

The company sold the salad from April 9 to April 27. Hy-Vee has pulled the salad from stores in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Hy-Vee says people who bought the pasta salad between those dates should dispose of it or return it for a refund.

The company says there are no known listeria infections linked to the recall.

Listeria generally only affects the elderly, people with compromised immune systems and pregnant women. It can cause fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms and even death.

Jailer accused of assaulting 5 inmates

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 7:32am

BALSAM LAKE, Wis. (AP) – A former Polk County jailer is due in court Friday on charges of sexually assaulting at least five female inmates.

Forty-eight-year-old Darryl Christensen, of Amery, is facing five felony counts of second-degree sexual assault by a corrections officer. Prosecutors say the jailer had sex with the women while they were incarcerated at the Polk County Jail between 2011 and 2014.

A criminal complaint says the jailer would take the inmates to a secluded area where there were no video cameras.

Christensen resigned in October 2014. KARE-TV says he had been a jailer in Polk County since 1995. Christensen’s defense attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Iowa woman dies in accidental fire escape fall

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 6:58am

LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) – Authorities say the woman whose body was found in an alley in downtown La Crosse died when she fell from a building’s third-floor fire escape.

Investigators say 32-year-old Robin Krabill, of Waverly, Iowa, was apparently drinking before she climbed the fire escape. Officials say her death is accidental.

Her body was found Monday morning behind Digger’s Sting restaurant. Police say she was visiting friends downtown.

Dry conditions throughout Wisconsin

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 6:47am

The fire danger remains high throughout all of Wisconsin because of dry conditions.

FOX 11 Director of Meteorology, Pete Petoniak says we are in a moderate drought.

Our precipitation level is about three inches below normal for the year.

There is a chance of an isolated shower today and Friday.

Accused Madison high school coach on the run

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 5:59am

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Madison high school coach accused of sexually assaulting a minor is on the run.

Police say 43-year-old Shelton Kingcade fled from officers Tuesday. The Madison Metropolitan School District says the coach has been suspended from the city’s recreation program while police investigate.

WKOW-TV says the suspect was also a part-time employee at the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. The organization has also suspended the coach.

Police are recommending charges of second-degree sexual assault of a child, engaging in repeated acts of sexual assault involving the same child and exposing a child to harmful materials.

Exploring “From Above Youth Center & Bakery” in Green Bay

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 5:10am

GREEN BAY – A local non-profit it Making a Difference for youth in Green Bay.

“From Above Youth Center and Bakery” is set to open this month.

It will be a place for middle school and high school Catholic students to go to after school to be mentored in their faith.

The proceeds from the bakery will help to fund the center.

There are still a few things the members with the non-profit say they need before opening their doors:

*Monetary donations

*Two Door Commercial Cooler

*Glass Front

*Board Games for the Kids

*Chairs and Couches for the Youth Center

*Shelving for the Storage Closet

Click here to learn more about “From Above Youth Center and Bakery”.

Nepal quake toll tops 5,000 as aid reaches epicenter area

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 5:01am

PASLANG, Nepal (AP) – Aid reached a hilly district near the epicenter of Nepal’s earthquake for the first time Wednesday, four days after the quake struck and as the death toll from the disaster passed the 5,000 mark.

But it will still take time for the food and other supplies to reach survivors in remote communities who have been cut off by landslides, warned said Geoff Pinnock, a World Food Program emergencies officer.

“It doesn’t happen overnight,” said Pinnock from the village of Majuwa, 20 kilometers (16 miles) downhill from Gorkha town, a staging area for relief efforts to areas worst-hit by Saturday’s magnitude-7.8 earthquake.

Nearby, five cargo trucks filled with rice, cooking oil and sugar stood on a grassy field fringed with banana and acacia trees beneath the soaring Himalayas, waiting for a helicopter carry the supplies to remote, quake-hit villages.

Soon, the U.N. food agency was expected to deliver shipments of high-energy food biscuits to be sent out to areas without enough water for cooking, Pinnock said. The first aid shipments had reached Dhading district, just east of Gorhka, near the epicenter, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Kathmandu.

Nepalese police said Wednesday the death toll from the quake had reached 4,989. Another 18 were killed on the slopes of Mount Everest, while 61 died in neighboring India, and China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported 25 dead in Tibet, putting the total over 5,000.

The disaster also injured more than 10,000, police said, and rendered thousands more homeless. The U.N. says the disaster has affected 8.1 million people – more than a fourth of Nepal’s population of 27.8 million – and that 1.4 million needed food assistance.

“Under normal circumstances, a government would have the capacity to respond to maybe 10, or 20, or 30,000 people in need. But if you’re looking at 8 million as we are here, you need a bit of time to scale everything up,” Pinnock said.

Planes carrying food and other supplies have been steadily arriving at Kathmandu’s small airport, but the aid distribution process remains fairly chaotic, with Nepalese officials having difficulty directing the flow of emergency supplies.

About 200 people blocked traffic in the capital Wednesday to protest the slow pace of aid delivery. The protesters faced off with police and there were minor scuffles but no arrests were made.

Police arrested dozens of people on suspicion of looting abandoned homes as well as causing panic by spreading rumors of another big quake. Police official Bigyan Raj Sharma said 27 people were detained for stealing.

But in a sign that life was inching back to normal, banks in Kathmandu opened for a few hours Wednesday and stuffed their ATMs with cash, giving people access to money.

Thousands of people lined up at bus stations in the capital, hoping to reach their hometowns in rural areas. Some have had little news of family and loved ones since Saturday’s quake. Others are scared of staying close to the epicenter, northwest of Kathmandu.

“I am hoping to get on a bus, any bus heading out of Kathmandu. I am too scared to be staying in Kathmandu,” said Raja Gurung, who wanted to get to his home in western Nepal. “The house near my rented apartment collapsed. It was horrible. I have not gone indoors in many days. I would rather leave than a live a life of fear in Kathmandu.”

In some heartening news, French rescuers freed a man from the ruins of a three-story Kathmandu hotel more than three days after the quake. Rishi Khanal, 27, said he drank his own urine to survive.

Khanal had just finished lunch at a hotel last Saturday and had gone up to the second floor when everything suddenly started moving and falling. He was struck by falling masonry and trapped with his foot crushed under rubble.

“I had some hope but by yesterday I’d given up. My nails went all white and my lips cracked … I was sure no one was coming for me. I was certain I was going to die,” he told The Associated Press from his hospital bed on Wednesday.

Khanal said he was surrounded by dead people and a terrible smell. But he kept banging on the rubble all around him and eventually this brought a French rescue team that extracted him after being trapped for 82 hours.

“I am thankful,” he said.

Moose stabbed to death in Alaska park; suspects in custody

Wed, 04/29/2015 - 4:47am

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Police say they arrested three suspects after a moose was stabbed to death in an Alaska park.

Anchorage police spokeswoman Jennifer Castro says that three males were apprehended Tuesday night after the animal was killed near a bike trail in Russian Jack Springs Park.

A bicyclist called police around 7:30 p.m. reporting that the three were harassing and then stabbing the animal.

The moose was described by police in a news release as “smaller in size.”

Castro says officers located the three suspects near the scene. The animal was found dead.

No other details were immediately available, including information about the suspects.

Moose are a fairly common sight in Anchorage.

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