Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) - 20-year-old Andrew J Becker is facing two counts of repeated sexual assault of a child and two counts of first-degree, felony child sexual assault.

According to a criminal complaint filed against Becker last week in Sheboygan County court, Sheboygan police were contacted by a social worker with Child Protective Services on September 22, 2015. The social worker reported that two 10-year-old girls and a nine-year-old all claim that Becker engaged in sex acts with them on numerous occasions. The girls are all related to Becker, but it is unclear how.

 One of the victims alleges that the abuse began when she was only in the second grade. Another says Becker would use candy to lure her to a downstairs area under the guise of playing a game. But, the child says they never played a game. Instead, another relative alleges that Becker sexually assaulted the child.

Sheboygan police interviewed Becker on September 25, and informed him of the allegations made against him. Initially Becker only said that he did not remember having inappropriate contact with the girls, but when pressed by investigators Becker began to confess.

The criminal complaint states that Becker corroborated two of the girls’ versions of the abuse. He further stated all of the sexual incidents happened around the same time- shortly after he graduated from high school between June of 2012 and 2013.  However Becker denies having inappropriate contact with one of the 10-year-olds.

An investigator asked Becker whether he ever gave a second thought to the actions he committed, or if it weighed on him, “What he did to the girls.” Becker reportedly said no, adding he only sexually assaulted the girls because he was curious.

If found guilty, Becker could face more than 60 years in prison on the combined charges.

Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) -  Early last Sunday morning, Sheboygan police were called to a home in the 900 block of Michigan Avenue after witnesses claim that a man was seen carrying a switchblade knife, and was heard yelling that he was going to, “Kill the cops.”

Police spotted a man matching the description given to them near N. 10^th St. and Michigan Avenue. He is identified as 32-year-old Tyler M Metzner of Sheboygan.

The criminal complaint filed in Sheboygan County court states that when Metzner spotted police, he began to walk in the direction of Vreek’s Tavern. By then a number of witnesses approached police offering more accounts of Metzner’s bizarre behavior which prompted the 911 call -including one witness who claims Metzner was Rrandomly threatening people  with a switchblade.”

A second witness interviewed by police alleges that he saw Metzner emerge from Rewind Tavern earlier yelling, “KKK for life, I love my brothers!” The witness claims that he looked at Metzner after hearing the comments and Metzner pulled a knife on him in a threatening manner. The man flagged down two Sheboygan police officers who were in the area. The officers retrieved a 5” spring- assisted pushbutton style knife, and arrested Metzner on disorderly conduct, carrying a concealed weapon, and three counts of misdemeanor bail jumping

The charges violate the terms of three bail bonds Metzner faces for previous convictions.  The conditions of the bonds restrict Metzner from possessing any dangerous weapons or committing any new criminal violations.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - For the second time in three days, Sheboygan firefighters dealt with a fire in the city.

Just after 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, the department got word of smoke coming from the basement of the home at 1906 Washington Avenue.

Battalion Chief Keith Risse says firefighters were there in two minutes and found several items had caught fire, creating a thick black smoke in the basement.  Crews were able to put out the small fire quickly, but the blaze and the smoke caused damage totaling around 55-hundred dollars.

The lone occupant of the home was able to get out safely, but was taken to Sheboygan Memorial Hospital as a precaution for smoke inhalation.

Risse says the cause of the fire was likely an electrical malfunction of an appliance.

Fond du Lac, WI (WHBL- KFIZ) -   Former Fond du Lac Police K9 Grendel was put down today. 

His long-time partner Officer Ryan Williams says it was a tough thing to do, but the right thing to do for the 12-year-old German Sheppard who had developed nerve problems in his back.

Grendel and Williams recovered from critical wounds when they were shot during the same stand off incident in March of 2011 that claimed the life of Officer Craig Birkholz. Their recovery gave the community hope when it needed it most.

TOWN OF CALUMET, WI (WHBL/KFIZ) - A female died and three others were hurt in a two-vehicle crash near Mount Calvary in northeast Fond du Lac County Wednesday.

It happened at an intersection of County Trunk "W" and Calmar Road in the town of Calumet.

Officials say a westbound vehicle drove through a stop sign and collided with a southbound pick-up truck.

One woman was taken to a Neenah hospital with critical injuries. Two others had non-life-threatening injuries.

PLYMOUTH, WI (WHBL) - The Plymouth School District will hold the first of two events this evening in honor of its new Food Science and Agriculture Center.

The new 51-hundred square foot structure, consisting of a classroom with multiple lab areas and a greenhouse, opened to students and faculty last month.

Superintendent Carrie Dassow tells WHBL News today’s event is to honor those who helped to make the project possible.  "The grand opening is a celebration with the donors and the supporters of the Food Science and Ag Center, and of course the teachers."

The event will include a ribbon cutting, tours, and a ceremonial first seed planting to the donors who helped the Plymouth Education Foundation get the project fundraising underway.

Foundation Executive Director Anne Troka says they helped to fundraise because of the impact it will have for local education.  "It will reach over three-quarters of our student population at the high schools, and then we also are encouraging our middle school and our elementary school students, as well as our other students in our community to come and tour and do field trips of the facility."

Troka says it took the foundation about ten months to reach and surpass their one-million dollar fundraising goal.  That allowed the building to be built on schedule this summer.

Superintendent Dassow agrees on the impact the center will have. “It really does complement our local economy here in Plymouth because of the emphasis of food and agriculture that we have.”

The public will have its chance to see the new building up close during next week's Homecoming.  An open house is scheduled for next Friday, October 9th, from 5 to 8 p.m.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - A Plymouth man will spend 18 months in state prison, followed by two years extended supervision, for leading Sheboygan County law enforcement on a high speed chase last June.

35 year old Jedidiah Bridwell was sentenced Wednesday by Judge James Bolgert after he was found guilty in August of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, attempting to flee an officer, and a felon in possession of a firearm.  Additional charges of possessing a short-barreled shotgun, disorderly conduct, and violating a domestic abuse injunction were dismissed.

Bridwell was arrested after leading law enforcement on a chase in northwest Sheboygan County June 2nd.

It all began when Sheboygan County Sheriff deputies were informed Bridwell reportedly threatened to kill his wife and brother in law.  When Plymouth Police found him, Bridwell led them on a chase in and around the city, at times reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour.  The chase ended north of Elkhart Lake after spike strips and a pit maneuver were used to disabled Bridwell’s vehicle.

When they searched Bridwell's vehicle, law enforcement found a sawed-off shotgun and five rounds of ammunition.

Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) – On Monday, a Q-Mart gas station on Taylor Drive reported receiving counterfeit money. More calls poured into the Sheboygan Police Department on Tuesday when the Petro gas station on South Business Drive received the fake cash. Then, on Wednesday and Thursday a bank on Kohler Memorial Drive reported receiving a large number of $100 bills.

Sheboygan police Lieutenant Mike Williams says this now marks the eleventh case of counterfeit bills being passed through Sheboygan within the past several days. Investigators do not believe the perpetrators are from Sheboygan.

“We do have some leads that we're following up on it this time unfortunately I’m not able to give you information concerning those busy investigation is ongoing at this time.  We believe that the same parties passed all these bills so they are all related.”

Lt. Williams says investigators believe all of the cases are related, and says it is likely the people involved are spreading the fake cash in several other cities along Interstate 43. “Information has been passed to other cities, particularly along the I- 43 corridor and any other locations that have been hit by counterfeit bills.”

How to Detect Counterfeit Money:

Clearly many of the bills have made it past the initial test for abnormality, which is typically the use of a marker that detects whether or not the currency is authentic. But, Williams says those markers are not always fool-proof.

“That’s the most important thing. When people are getting fifty and hundred dollar bills- especially in higher quantities, they need to take the proper procedures in order to check them. Many of the businesses have the pen that is used to detect whether it’s a counterfeit bill. That’s not always fail-safe, because sometimes they (criminals) use the paper bills such as a five dollar bill or different type of currency and reuse it to make these hundred dollar bills. So, the pen can be defeated this way by using that same kind of paper. However, people still need to make sure they are following whatever procedures they may have been trained in, such as looking for a security strip that’s in the bill or looking for the waterpark that’s in the bill to make sure that they are the right ones that go with the hundred dollar bill."

Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) - One of his friends told Sheboygan police that 25-year-old Gregory K. Walker Junior was likely high on meth when he reacted violently to being offered a job by a patron at Champs Sports Bar and Grill on Indiana Avenue, Tuesday night.

Whatever the case, obviously something set off Walker, who reportedly responded to the job offer by flipping over a plastic table and preparing to fight. The patron who offered Walker the job alleges that Walker put up his fists and had to be restrained by other patrons, and then removed from the bar.

The criminal complaint filed in Sheboygan County court  states that several witnesses reported seeing Walker return to the bar through a back door with his hand inside his jacket -threatening to shoot everyone in the bar. One witness quotes Walker as saying, “I’ll shoot every M-Fer in here.” That witness alleges that Walker was heard twice making the threat.

Another witness alleges that Walker threatened to blow off everyone’s head.

The following day Sheboygan police were called to Walker’s home after the landlord failed to make contact with him. Walker was due to move out of the home by noon. The landlord had to gain entry into the apartment via the police, and that’s when they discovered damage left behind. The landlord alleges Walker cut the cord to the refrigerator, wiring to an intercom system, damaged the doorknobs and left the place in complete disarray.

Walker faces one count of disorderly conduct and one count of criminal damage to property. The combined charges could land him up to one year in jail and fines of up to $11,000, if convicted.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - It’s a tradition that has been around Sheboygan since 1974.  The Sheboygan Jaycees are ready to run their Dominion of Terror haunted house, with the first of 13 nights this Friday.  For the 11th year in a row, people can get their scare at RCS on the city’s north side.

Chairperson Jodie Zajkowski says the tradition continues with having nothing in the 27 rooms matching what was done last year.  "There’s no theme to the house this year.  There are groups of rooms that are themed together.  There’s quite a few brand new rooms that have never been done before."

Zajkowski wants to keep the contents of the house as much of a secret as possible, but did say people will see rooms resembling an asylum and a room for a clown scare.  "Some very creepy dark mazes with different surprises in them.  Lots of the rooms have secret exits ways, so you’ll be searching for your way out.  A lot of dark areas, a lot of very bright and startling areas."

There is a returning item this year - the Last Ride. “You get your final trip in a coffin," says Zajkowski.  "It’s a real coffin, and you go inside.  The door closes, different sounds and smells and shaking happens.  It basically tells the story of you getting buried alive.”  There will be a camera inside to show people outside the reaction of the people inside the coffin as the experience happens.

The scare is for a good cause, as all proceeds goes to the Jaycees to fund the services they provide in the area.

Cost is 15 dollars a night or 10 dollars for the throwback weekend October 9 and 10.  Hours are 7 to 10 p.m., and everyone in line by 10 p.m. will be allowed in.

More details can be found by clicking here.

RANDOM LAKE, WI (WHBL) - Anyone attending the Random Lake/Cedar Grove-Belgium football game Friday evening in Random Lake will be asked to help out in a fundraiser for a Random Lake alumnus.

Robert Ross was a coach for the Rams’ track team when he suffered a seizure at an event last spring.  Tests revealed he had a cancerous brain tumor.  Since then, surgery was done to remove nearly all of the tumor, and Robert had radiation as part of treatment that is ongoing.

The Rams Booster Club is stepping up to help the Ross family by donating all concession stand proceeds from tonight’s game to the family to help them pay some of the medical costs.  Also, soccer and track athletes will be running a 50/50 raffle with proceeds also going to the Ross family.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) -  It was nearly one year ago when local government leaders, local manufacturing heads, and officials with UW-Sheboygan and throughout the UW-System gathered in Sheboygan to break ground on a new learning space for the two year campus.

On Thursday, many of the same people gathered to open the Plastics Engineering Company Center for Engineering Studies.

The new space consists of a classroom and several lab rooms, consisting of equipment and technology that the campus had and some that is new.

Dr. Jacquelyn Joseph-Silverstein, campus Dean and CEO, says the center gives a growing number of students learning mechanical and electrical engineering the space they need to learn.  “This wonderful learning environment will finally bring our engineering students, whether they be freshmen or seniors, together to form a community of learners with similar educational goals and aspirations that will grow and flourish right here in Sheboygan County.”

She, along with Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne, UW Colleges/Extension Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finances Steve Wildeck, UW-Sheboygan Foundation President Dr. Tom Ries, and Plastics Engineering Company President and CEO Mike Brotz, all said that the new center would not have been possible without the collaborative work between all of them.

The center will be the main location for learning for students who are working to earn one of several engineering degree through a partnership with UW-Platteville.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - When the announcement was made, staff at HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital let out a collective gasp, and then applauded what they had just seen and heard.

The hospital’s foundation received a one-million dollar donation from the ACUITY Charitable Foundation Thursday for its 125th Anniversary Capital Progress Campaign.

ACUITY President and CEO Ben Salzmann says his company has always had a history of supporting facilities that provide health care in the Sheboygan community, and advancing the level of care.  He adds they are hopeful that this donation, and others made in the future will do just that.

Hospital President and CEO Andy Bagnall says the donation will be used to fund the new ACUITY Intensive Care and Intermediate Care Unit.  The 11 million dollar project will see the hospital’s fifth floor to accommodate the new unit.

The reason for the change is to update the hospital’s intensive care unit, which has remained mostly the same since it was first put in back in the late 1970s, to match current and future technology and patient needs.  “We’re seeing more complex cases, those that are patients that are our facility and our hospital today.  As we look forward to the aging population, critical care, we believe, is going to be very important as we look to grow our services in our community.”

The renovations, which also include a redesign of the hospital’s operating rooms, are expected to begin in early December.  Bagnall says all work should be completed by this time next year.  He also adds that the hospital may be performing other upgrades and renovations in the future, but that is all in the planning stages for now.

Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) - Students and faculty at Sheboygan's South High School were unnerved today as Sheboygan Police stepped up security at the school amid threats that were reportedly posted on social media.

Captain Kurt Brasser with the Sheboygan Police Department says the additional security was given out of an abundance of caution."Last night we received a call from a parent who was concerned about  potential threats floating around on social media. We immediately initiated an investigation, in conjunction with the school administration, and were unable to substantiate any sort of viable threat."

The Captain says Police remained on the premises of South High for the entirety of the school day to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

The incident falls in the backdrop of a mass shooting at the Umpqua Community College in Oregon one day earlier that leaves ten people dead, including the alleged gunman.

Closer to home , the Pewaukee School District cancelled classes amid threats of a school shooting there on Friday, October 2,2015. An investigation is ongoing into those threats.

Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) -  When the mother of a four-year-old boy left her son in the care of 21-year-old David B Rhynes on Wednesday, September 30,2015, she expected to return home to normal circumstances. That was not the case. Instead, Rhynes, her boyfriend and roommate informed the woman that her son had some injuries resulting from the two wrestling.

The mother called Sheboygan police to investigate after discovering that her son was covered in bruises and abrasions on his forehead, his back, and on his chest.

A criminal complaint filed in Sheboygan County Court states that when the child was taken to a Sheboygan Hospital emergency room, he told police, “David hit me.”

Officers interviewed Rhynes and he admitted to wrestling the four-year-old. Rynes told the officers that he had taken the child to a park earlier in the day and when they returned home, the child was still, “rambunctious.”  So, he asked the child if he wanted to wrestle. Rhynes says he has a wrestling background and is aware that it only takes 5lbs of pressure to break a bone. He says that is why he only used half the pressure when wrestling the four-year-old. Rhynes also told the cops that the child was crying at times and complaining of being in pain, but he aslo says the child laughed sometimes too.

Rhynes demonstrated on a doll for police the various wrestling moves that he used on the child. They included a headlock and pinning the child to the floor, among other moves.

Apparently, this is not Rhynes' first time wrestling young children, nor the first time the wrestling children resulted in injury. According to the criminal complaint, Rhynes says he has wrestled with children before, including his relatives. He says those children usually, “got scraped” as well.

Rynes is charged with one count of physical abuse of a child-intentionally causing bodily harm. He could face up to six years in jail and fines of up to $10,000, if convicted.

Sheboygan,Wi (WHBL) - Its Complicated.

22-year old Alan Rodriguez has an upcoming trial in Sheboygan County Court on sexual assault charges.  That’s apparently at the center of charges Alan’s mother is now facing.

47-year old Carol L. Rodriguez is facing one count of battery or threat to a witness for allegedly threatening the woman who accuses her son of sexual assault.

First, it should be pointed out that as a condition of Alan’s current case, he is restricted from contact with the victim,either directly or indirectly.

A criminal complaint filed in Sheboygan County court alleges that on September 30, 2015, the alleged victim, an 18 year old, reported to police that she received a call from Carol Rodriguez’s phone, while she (the victim) was in the hospital.

The woman says Alan Rodriguez made the call, and alleges that Alan’s mother Carol could be heard making comments in the background that were directed at her.

She states that Carol could be heard saying, “If you testify at the trial, I’ll have my people from Chicago come up and take care of you.”

The woman says the call abruptly ended after the threat was made.

A woman who was with the victim at the time says that she returned the call to the mother’s phone and says Alan answered, apologized- saying his mother was drunk, and asked her not to call the police. She called the police.

Police questioned Alan and the mother about the allegations.

In the criminal complaint, Alan claims that he and the teen have been in contact numerous times and says that the victim has also picked him up since the charges were filed.

Carol denies making threats against the teen, and says she only warned her son about talking to her, because he could get in more trouble,

Carol could face up to six years in prison, and fines of up to $10,000 if convicted.

Fond du Lac, WI (WHBL - KFIZ) -Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s officials are investigating a daytime residential burglary that occurred on Winnebago Drive early Thursday afternoon.

A woman who was visiting her neighbors walked home and discovered things had been gone through. She heard a patio door open and close as someone fled from the residence.  As she took stock of her belongings she discovered medications and money were missing. The woman says that she  had only been gone for 45 minutes. 

Similar incidents have occurred in the Fond du Lac area over the past few weeks. Sheriff’s officials say the person or persons committing the home entries have gotten very bold entering residences during the day when people are home or in the immediate vicinity of their residence.

Police  are reminding residents to be vigilant, and be sure to lock your doors whenever you leave, even if you are working in your yard or just going to a neighbor’s. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Click on the link below to re-listen and re-watch the most recent episode of "A Closer Look", a public affairs program on WHBL and WSCS.

This week's episode is a focus on the 4-H program in Sheboygan County, in honor of National 4-H Week.  Linda Lueder and Sarah Tarjeson from the UW-Extension office in Sheboygan County describe what opportunities are available for members, how adults help educate members, and if the program will see any changes due to state funding cuts for the UW-Extension.

A Closer Look Replay: 4-H in Sheboygan County

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Not every public school can even be considered to be a Spotlight School for the state Department of Public Instruction.  Since the state agency began this program, no more than ten have been selected in a school year.

For the second year in a row, Grant Elementary in Sheboygan was selected for this honor.  The school was selected for its consistently high test scores given their higher than state average low-income student population.  This allowed the school to apply for this recognition.

Guidance Counselor Lisa Bieman says the school has a focus on two practices that help with student achievement.  One focus is on how teachers interact with students.  "How we work with kids who are below or above the grade level skills and what they need in terms of enhancing their instruction, so how to give additional instruction for everybody who needs it."  The other spotlight is on how to improve student behaviors in the classroom.

For receiving this honor, the school receives a $25,000 grant from D-P-I.  Principal Jim Renzelman says the money will be used to pay for three other schools to visit and view what they do.

The rest will go towards continuing their student education and student behavior practices that earn them this honor.  "So we’re utilizing some things with our after school program and implementing PBIS there," says Renzelman.  "We have a homework club, so trying to help some of those students get that intervention and that extra help on homework"

Renzelman adds the rest of the money will go towards improve book selection in classrooms to grow reading skills.

Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) -  25-year-old  Gregory K. Walker Jr. is facing criminal charges after being accused of  threatening to kill a Sheboygan woman.

A criminal complaint filed in Sheboygan County court alleges that on Tuesday, September 22, Sheboygan police were called to the home of an 18-year-old female after she received the threatening messages in a Facebook posting.

The teen tells police that she and Walker are friends on Facebook. However, she says she does not recall the circumstances surrounding the social media friendship. Add- to- that the teen says she does not personally know Walker, making the exchange of messages on the night in question so troubling and rather weird.

An officer who viewed the messages transcribed the following expletive-laced Facebook exchange between Walker, the teen, and her boyfriend - who intercepted the conversation;

Walker: “What’s Up?”

Teen:  “No.”

Walker: “Yes”

Boyfriend: “The f**k ! UR ugly a**  want?”

Walker: F**k you c**t!  I’ll F****ng kill you! I know where you live, slut a**   b***h   c**t!  

This is the second time in as many weeks that Walker is accused of making death threats. He is accused of threatening to shoot everyone inside the Champs Sports Bar and Grill on Indiana Avenue , after receiving a job offer last month,

Walker is charged with one count of computer message threatening injury or harm. If convicted, he could face up to 90 days in jail and a fine of $1000.