Wisconsin

Social Media Threat Against Superior Middle School Resolved By Police

School Will Begin Monday As Normal

SUPERIOR, Wis. –  The following statements were released by the Superior School District and the Superior Police Department after a video surfaced on social media with someone saying they planned to shoot up the middle school on Monday.   That threat has since been investigated and dealt with by the Superior Police Department.  School will go on as usual on Monday…

Seniors Learn How To Outsmart The Scammers

According to the Federal Trade Commission nearly 15 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Fraud rates are on the rise and scammers are becoming sneakier with their approach. One of the reasons many people are subject to a large number of incidents of fraud and identity theft is the lack of education. At the Lew Martin Senior Center in Superior, a financial advisor from Edward Jones Investments stopped by to teach…

Proposed Solar Garden Could Power Over 100 Homes

Superior Water, Light & Power submitted proposal for 470 kilowatt solar garden.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Solar energy could soon be powering a large portion of homes in Superior. Superior Water, Light & Power submitted a proposal to the Public Service Commission last week for a community solar garden. The proposed site is at the corner of Hammond Avenue and 28th Street beside Heritage Park. At 470 kilowatts, it would be large enough to…

Superior Fire Department Sees Youngest Force in Years

Half of the department is in their 20s, with less than a year of experience.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior Fire Department started the new year with a new building and new blood, as this is the youngest the Department has been in years. According to Fire Chief Scott Gordon, the last firefighters to retire took with them years of experience. “The three people that just retired we lost 80 years of experience with those three…

Legal Fight Over Estate of Man Deprived of Water in Jail

MILWAUKEE – A legal battle has developed over the division of the multimillion-dollar estate of a man who died after guards at the Milwaukee County Jail deprived him of water. Seven people have come forward as children of Terrill Thomas. Milwaukee County and the company that provided health care services to the jail, Armor Correctional Health Services, paid $6.7 million…

The DTA Is Giving Free Rides To A Superior Warming Center

The free rides are provided on the first and last trips on route 16.

DULUTH, Minn. – With those cold temperatures rolling in the Duluth Transit Authority is helping to make it easier for the homeless community to have better access to local warming centers. The DTA is now offering free transportation to the Ruth House in Superior, which provides overnight shelter when temperatures drop below 40 degrees. The free rides are provided on…

Superior City Council Votes to Hold Advisory Referendum on Part-Time Mayor, City Administrator Change

Referendum scheduled for November 3rd

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior City Council voted to hold an advisory referendum for the voters to weigh in on whether the city should move to a part-time mayor and city administrator from just a full-time mayor that they have now. This after a consulting group, RW Management Group, recommended that, among other changes, Superior should move to a part-time…

Wisconsin Legislature Seeks to Kill Lawsuit on Voter Purge

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature is asking a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to prevent the purging of up to 209,000 registered voters in the battleground state. The Legislature’s attorneys on Monday asked the court to at least put the lawsuit on hold while a separate case seeking to remove the voters works its…

Milwaukee Driver Shoots Children Who Threw Snowballs at Car

Police Are Looking for the Driver of a White Toyota

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Milwaukee police say a driver shot and wounded two children who threw snowballs at a car. Police say the shooting happened Saturday night. Officers who responded to a shooting report found the injured children and gave them first aid until they were taken to a hospital. The children are a 13-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl. Police…

Waukesha County Courthouse Closed Due to Bomb Threat

All Monday Court Proceedings Have Been Canceled

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) – The Waukesha County Courthouse and Administration Building are closed because of a bomb threat. County Executive Paul Farrow posted on Facebook Monday that all morning court proceedings are canceled and will be rescheduled. The status of afternoon court appearances has yet to be determined. Sheriff’s officials or Farrow did not immediately provide details of the threat,…

Snowmobilers Who Died on Oneida County Lake Identified

RHINELANDER, Wis. (AP) – Sheriff’s officials have identified the snowmobilers who died in an Oneida County lake. Two snowmobilers died and a third survived after their sleds hit open water on Lake Nokomis about 3 a.m. Sunday. Sheriff Grady Hartman said Monday the men were on separate snowmobiles when they hit thin ice and then plunged into the water. Thirty-one-year-old…

Drummond Man Killed in Bayfield County Crash

Photo courtesy: Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office GRAND VIEW, Wis. – A Drummond man was killed in a vehicle crash Friday in Bayfield County. The crash happened at about 4:40 p.m. on U.S. Highway 63, a mile northeast of South Sweden Road in the Town of Grand View. According to the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office, preliminary investigations revealed a passenger car…

Superior Police Increases Ranks by Two: New Officers Sworn In

Two officers attended Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College and UW Superior.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior Police Department increased their ranks by two, as they swore in a pair of new officers at the Government Center. Both of the officers attended both Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College and UW-Superior. One of them, Michael Pitoscia of Duluth, comes from a long line of boys in blue. His two uncles and great…

Flag Presentation Symbolizes Relationship of Solon Springs, Fond Du Lac Band

New flag presented to Solon Springs School District.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Solon Springs School District received a very special gift from the Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. A flag was presented by the Band at an all-school assembly at Solon Springs High School. Sponsored by the Solon Springs Educational Foundation, the event aimed to celebrate what they call the historic and continuing relationship the community…

Wisconsin Elevated to High Flu Category After Spike in Cases

MILWAUKEE – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has elevated Wisconsin to a high flu category after a dramatic increase of cases at the state’s Children’s Hospital. Wisconsin had been in the low flu category but the CDC made the change Thursday. Children’s Wisconsin Hospital said 829 pediatric flu cases were reported in December. That’s an increase of nearly…

Winter Entertainment at Cable Natural History Museum

Cable Natural History Museum is Offering a New Program Request Opportunity in the New Year

CABLE, Wis. – Winter is a busy season for the educators at Cable Natural History Museum in Cable, Wisconsin. From education to entertainment, the center is hosting something for folks of all ages to enjoy. Naturalist and Education Director Emily Stone stopped by FOX 21 Local News to chat about upcoming events. The center is also offering a new program…

Local Junk Removal Company Offering Free Christmas Tree Pickup

Pickups are only available in Duluth, Superior, and Hermantown.

DULUTH, Minn. – Some people may be just getting around to taking down their Christmas trees, but getting rid of it can be an inconvenience. Don’t worry. A local junk removal company, has got you covered. Twin Ports Trailer Trash will be offering free curbside Christmas tree pick up on January 6th and 7th. Residents can call to schedule a…

NYC Official Arrested in Wisconsin, Accused of Facilitating Child Sex Crime

NEENAH, Wis. (AP) – A New York City education official has been arrested in Wisconsin for allegedly using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. Police in Neenah say David Hay was arrested Sunday at the airport in Milwaukee County following an ongoing undercover investigation. Police said in a statement that the 39-year-old Brooklyn, New York, man was booked…

Trump to Counter Iowa Democratic Debate With Wisconsin Rally

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally in Wisconsin next month, countering a Democratic presidential debate set for the same night in Iowa. Trump’s campaign says the rally will be Jan. 14 at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. It’s the same night that CNN and The Des Moines Register are sponsoring the first Democratic debate of 2020…

Hidden Hotel Cameras Spur Wisconsin Agents to Probe Trips

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Department of Justice is looking for information on a Madison high school business club’s past trips after students discovered hidden cameras in their hotel room this month. East High School DECA students found cameras in their room during a trip to Minneapolis on the first weekend in December. The school district placed an unidentified…

Madison Man Charged in Sister’s Fatal Christmas Eve Shooting

MADISON, Wis. – A Madison man is accused of fatally shooting his sister at her home on Christmas Eve. Fifty-seven-year-old Joseph Green is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of 63-year-old Sheila Green of Madison. According to the complaint, after allegedly shooting his sister, Joseph Green went back to his apartment, dropped the gun in a trash bin,…

Minnesota Court Rules Against Planned Power Plant in Wisconsin

The Proposal is Also Making its Way Through The Regulatory Process in Wisconsin

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ordered state regulators to reconsider whether an environmental review is necessary for a proposed natural gas-fired power plant that would be built by Minnesota and Wisconsin utilities. Minnesota Power and Dairyland Power Cooperative are seeking approval in both states for the proposed $700 million Nemadji Trail Energy Center in Superior, Wisconsin….

A Festivus for the Rest of Us at the Spirit Room in Superior

3rd annual Festivus at bar.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- On Sunday, some at the Spirit Room got into the holiday spirit, celebrating a holiday that doesn’t quite exist on the calendar yet. Festivus was popularized on the TV show Seinfeld as an alternate holiday to Christmas. Characters celebrated with the bare “Festivus Pole,”an airing of grievances by everyone present, and a wrestling match called “Feats of Strength.”…

Living Up Shortest Day, Longest Night at Thirsty Pagan Solstice Celebration

Party featured a bonfire, dark beer, and even Krampuses.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- It’s the shortest day of the year, but that didn’t stop some in Superior from celebrating before the days get longer. “Getting together on a cold, dark winter’s night,” said Thirsty Pagan co-owner Steve Knauss. This is one night where the party at Thirsty Pagan is outside the Thirsty Pagan. “What we’re doing is we’re burning the yule…

Jingle Bells For A Good Cause

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Volunteer Salvation Army Bell Ringing Taken To The Next Level

DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Active Adventures Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot and Brett Scott donated their time to help the less fortunate this holiday season. Volunteering to bell ring for Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive at Mount Royal turned out to be a fun experience, check it out. Brittney Merlot wanted to take it to the next level with…

Governor Sued Over Reluctance to Release Public Records

(AP Photo) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Transparency Project is suing Gov. Tony Evers on behalf of WITI-TV over his reluctance to release emails to the Milwaukee station under the state’s open records law. Evers released a day’s worth of emails after initially denying the station’s request. Evers was criticized by open records advocated for initially rejecting the reporter’s…

School Districts Fuel Biggest Property Tax Hike Since 2009

MADISON, Wis. – A new report says Wisconsin school districts are fueling the largest annual increase in property taxes in a decade. The Wisconsin Policy Forum analyzed data from the state Department of Revenue and found school districts are levying about $5 billion in property taxes this year. That’s a 4 1/2 percent increase from last year and the largest…

Wisconsin Governor: No Tax Credits for New Foxconn Plant

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ top aide is warning Foxconn Technology Group that it won’t collect any state incentives for its scaled-down factory in Wisconsin if it doesn’t renegotiate the deal. Foxconn had originally promised to build a massive flat-screen factory in Mount Pleasant that would eventually employ 13,000 people. But the company said this spring that…

Fairlawn Mansion Ready For Holiday Season

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Fairlawn Mansion is all geared up for the holiday season. Volunteers have been hard at work since the beginning of December decking out the historic mansion with holiday decorations. Whether it’s the trees or the period decor, staff say now is the time to visit the museum. “It’s actually the best time to see Fairlawn. It’s so…

2019 Wettest Year Recorded for Wisconsin, Midwest

More Than 43 Inches of Rain & Snow Fell in the Midwest Through November

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin and the Midwest recorded their wettest year ever in 2019 since record-keeping began in 1895, climatologists said. More than 43 inches of rain and snow fell across nine states in the Midwest through November. That breaks the previous record set in 1993 by 2 inches, according to data from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center. Climatologist…

College Athletes Hang Out with Local Kids at UWS Holiday Party

As part of Week of Giving, families were invited to spend the day with Yellowjackets.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- As part of UWS Athletic Department’s 4th Annual Week of Giving, kids could come and use the campus as their playground, as they spent the afternoon with college athletes. “Superior’s obviously a smaller town and we want the community’s support, and in order to get that you gotta support the community,” said Andrew Durham, a Senior on the…

Habitat For Humanity Receives Big Donation

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Western Lake Superior Habitat For Humanity received a big grant this afternoon, which allowed them to purchase two new vehicles for daily operations. Both the Associated Bank and The Ordean Foundation each contributed $20,000 to help purchase the vehicles. The truck will help the construction manager haul equipment, and the car will be used for work…

Hidden Recording Devices Found in Student Rooms at Minnesota Hotel

No Suspects are in Custody at This Time

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A Wisconsin school district has put a staff member on leave after some students from Madison East High School found recording devices in their hotel rooms during a field trip to Minneapolis. A Madison school district spokesman tells the Wisconsin State Journal the response was a cautionary measure that’s standard during a police investigation. The police chief…

$1M Bail for Teen Charged in Wisconsin School Officer Attack

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) – Bail has been set at $1 million for a 16-year-old Wisconsin boy charged with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a school resource officer with a barbecue fork. Grant Fuhrman was charged as an adult Wednesday in last week’s attack on Oshkosh West High School Resource Officer Mike Wissink. Wissink shot and wounded Fuhrman during the attack…

GOP Support Grows to Legalize Medical Marijuana in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The push to legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin is growing. Republican lawmakers for the first time introduced a measure Wednesday to legalize medical marijuana in the state. Democrats have tried to legalize medical marijuana for years, with little to no Republican backing. But in recent years, some Republicans have come to support loosening Wisconsin’s marijuana laws….

Douglas County Historical Society Hosting 4th Annual Christmas Musicale

The Annual Christmas Musical is Happening Thursday, December 12

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Happening Thursday, December 12, the Douglas County Historical Society (DCHS) invites you to the 4th annual Christmas Musicale happening from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. The event will take place at DCHS, located at 1101 John Avenue in Superior. A Christmas Musical serves as a fundraiser for DCHS. Local musician Shane Nelson stopped by FOX 21 Local News…

Mont Du Lac Off To Good Start This Season

Superior, Wis. – The Duluth City Council has now approved 235–thousand dollars in emergency funding to help keep Spirit Mountain operating this winter. At nearby Mont Du Lac, the season is off to a much better start. Mont Du Lac in Superior opened earlier than usual this year, and the resort stayed open throughout the record setting snowfall Thanksgiving weekend. The…

Pay Raises for Wisconsin State Workers up for Approval

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Pay raises for Wisconsin state employees are scheduled to be voted on by a special legislative committee next week. The panel of legislative leaders is scheduled to meet on Dec. 18 to act on pay plans that Gov. Tony Evers’ administration forwarded for approval last month. Democrats had been calling on Republican legislative leaders to set…

Student Accused in Wisconsin Shooting ‘Tired of Being Picked on”

Smith is Due Back in Court on December 17

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin teenager who was shot by a police officer after he allegedly pointed a pellet gun at another student’s head says he was “tired of being picked on.” Eighteen-year-old Tyrone Smith was charged Monday with several counts, including second-degree recklessly endangering safety and dangerous weapons on school premises. Smith was 17 last week when authorities…

Superior Library Helps People Give The Gift Of Literacy

Nearly 1,000 gently used books are up for sale.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – If you are looking for great gift ideas, the Superior Library is hosting its annual Merry Little Christmas Book Sale. Nearly 1,000 gently used books are up for sale. Library staff say this book sale is not as large as their annual book sale in September, but this one gives options to people who are interested in…

Audit Faults Oversight of Wisconsin State-Owned Residential Properties

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A new audit has found that the state of Wisconsin has not properly tracked all residential properties it owns that are leased to state employees like park rangers and University of Wisconsin faculty. The report released Friday by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau says that mismanagement resulted in the undercharging of nearly $63,000 in rent this…

Season of Song Concerts Happening at Cathedral of Christ the King

Season of Song Concerts are Happening Sunday, December 8 and Tuesday, December 10 at Cathedral of Christ the King

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Kicking off Sunday, December 8, the 22nd annual Season of Song Concerts will help ring in the holiday season. Michael Fuchs, UW-Superior Director of Choral Activities, and Tori Thompson, vocal performance major at UW-Superior stopped by FOX 21 Local News to chat about the upcoming event. The first performance is taking place Sunday, December 8 at 4:00…

Perfecting the Snow Angel

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Take A Break From Shoveling & Make A Snow Angel!

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s time to stop stressing about the recent blizzard and heavy snow we’ve been buried in and drop to the ground, take a deep breath and make a snow angel! This may be considered a childhood game but it’s for the adults too. Meteorologist Brittney Merlot says “It’s a great stress reliever. It makes you slow down,…

Woman Sent to Prison for Selling Drugs at Wisconsin ‘Meth Farm’

BUTTERNUT, Wis. (AP) – A woman will spend more than five years in federal prison for selling methamphetamine from a rural property in northern Wisconsin known as the ‘meth farm.’ Investigators say 64-year-old Becky Peterson conspired with Mark Moore to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine at a farm near Butternut in Ashland County over the past several years….