GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The first winter storm of the 2014-15 season has arrived throughout much of Wisconsin.

In our region, FOX 11 reports the biggest impact will be in Langlade, northern Oconto, northern Marinette, Menominee County in Michigan, Forest and Florence counties where there is a winter storm warning in effect.

Snow will continue in this area and bring 8 to 16 inches of accumulation by Tuesday evening. Travel in this area will be treacherous. School closings could be a possibility in this region.

Another round of accumulating snow will move into the area Monday night and continue Tuesday for areas just northwest of Green Bay and the Fox Cities. A winter weather advisory is in effect for tomorrow for Shawano, Menominee and southern Oconto counties where they will see an additional 2 to 5 inches of snow by Tuesday evening.

Green Bay and the Fox Cities will see a chance of rain or snow Monday night, then snow Tuesday morning. An additional trace to 2 inches of snow is possible by tomorrow evening.

After this storm finally ends, the forecast will be dry and cold from Wednesday through Friday. Expect highs to struggle to get out of the 20s and lows will be in the teens.

The weekend will continue to be very cold with highs in the low to mid 20s and partly sunny skies.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The man arrested on suspicion of making ricin has been charged in federal court.

The 21-year-old UW-Oshkosh student has been in police custody for a week following his arrest at his home in the 800 block of Frederick Street. 

According to the Winnebago County District Attorney's office, federal prosecutors will handle this case.

A search warrant revealed that a white powdered substance and lab log notebook were taken from that home and are currently being analyzed by the FBI Crime Lab in Quantico, Virginia.

The warrant goes on to say the investigation began after two professors contacted authorities with concerns about the student. They were worried the student was attempting to make ricin, which is manufactured from the bean of the castor plant.

Owning the plant is not illegal, authorities say.

The search warrant says a roommate told police the suspect has three castor plants in the backyard of the home. However, according to the warrant, no plants were recovered.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Bond has set for a man accused of killing a Town of Menasha man during a burglary gone wrong last month.

Sean Oehlke is being held on $100,000 bond, as he's facing charges of first-degree reckless homicide, burglary and felony murder.

On October 24, police say the 42-year-old Oehlke broke into an apartment on Wilson Court. He got into a confrontation with the resident, William Summers, that led to his death. The criminal complaint says Oehlke placed Summers in a headlock until the victim went limp.

Oehlke returns to court on November 20.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - Manitowoc police are investigating a restaurant robbery from last week.

Authorities say it happened around 12:35 p.m. Tuesday November 4 at the Four Seasons Restaurant.

About $280 was taken from the cash register. 

The suspect is described as white, in their late teens to early 20s, about 5'3" and 130 pounds. The thief was wearing a gray sweatshirt, baseball cap and dark pants. 

A person with the thief is being considered a witness. She was wearing a blue sweatshirt.

Anyone with information is asked to call Manitowoc police at (920) 686-6551 and refer to case 2014-00015255.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Metro Fire officials now say four people were sent to the hospital after a house fire on the city's west side.

Fire crews were called just after 6 a.m. Tuesday to a home in the 400 block of 15th Avenue for a fire inside a bedroom. Upon arrival, firefighters could see heavy smoke and fire from the front of the house.

It took about 10 minutes to put out the blaze. None of the injuries appear to be life-threatening.

According to the fire department, the fire started with someone smoking in bed. Officials also say the batteries had been removed from all the smoke detectors.

Also, one of the residents ran back inside after making it out safely. 

The house sustained about $50,000 in damage and is uninhabitable. The Red Cross is helping the four people who were displaced. The fire marshal's office is investigating.

Firefighters warn that in most blazes, those inside the house have less than three-and-a-half minutes to make it safely outside. Anyone who is outside should stay there.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Charges are being sought against two teenagers in connection with an armed robbery in Appleton.

On October 20th around 3:15 p.m., a 74-year-old grocery store owner told authorities he was robbed at knifepoint at his store in the 900 block of W. Elsie Street. The victim was not hurt.

Police say surveillance video led to a tip and they were able to locate two 17-year-old Appleton boys. One was jailed, while the other is being referred to prosecutors.

Formal charges have yet to be filed.

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - The parents of a missing Neenah man are again asking for him to contact them.

22-year-old Kyle Blohm was last seen August 8, and no one has heard from him since August 12. 

Neenah police have said they don't suspect foul play, but Blohm's family says it's odd for him to be gone this long without contacting anyone.

In a new flyer released by the family and the Neenah Police Department, Blohm’s parents write:

“No matter what you are feeling or going through, it cannot compare to the pain your friends and family feels right now, not knowing your wellbeing. Please contact someone and let us know you are alive.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Neenah police at (920) 886-6000.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The UW-Oshkosh student facing federal charges for allegedly possessing ricin has now been banned from school.

Leaders at UW-Oshkosh said Tuesday that 21-year-old senior Kyle Smith was placed on interim suspension as his court case proceeds. That means Smith can't be on campus for the time being.

On Monday, Smith appeared in federal court in Green Bay on charges of knowingly possessing ricin. That's considered a biological weapons offense.

According to prosecutors, two of Smith's professors contacted police late last month expressing concern he was making the deadly toxin ricin. 

The Oshkosh Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard found a vial of white powder and a lab notebook during a search of Smith's home in the 800 block of Frederick Street. Those items were analyzed by the Department of Homeland Security in Maryland. A criminal complaint shows that those tests confirmed the white powder was active ricin.

Ricin is manufactured from the bean of the castor plant, however, owning the plant is not illegal.

The search warrant says Smith’s roommate told police the suspect has 3 castor plants in the backyard. However, according to the search warrant, no plants were recovered.

UW-Oshkosh leaders wouldn't tell FOX 11 whether they have had issues with Smith in the past. They say they don’t know whether Smith ever took ricin to campus, or if he ever discussed his plans with any other students. There is no indication his roommates were involved in his plans.

Court documents say Smith admitted to police he began the process to make ricin. Smith is quoted in the complaint as saying he was fascinated by “using something living to harm something living.” It goes on to say, Smith told police he wanted to test the ricin on mice or insects and that he did not make plans to harm any people with it.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Firefighters in Appleton were able to rescue three dogs from a house fire Tuesday afternoon.

Crews were called to a home at 710 W. Winnebago Street after getting reports of smoke and flames there. Officials were also told that a wheelchair bound resident may be inside.

Firefighters arrived and searched the home, but the resident wasn't there. They did get three dogs out safely. One had to be taken to a veterinary emergency room for treatment.

Officials say the house contained smoke and water damage to all floors and believe it could cost over $50,000.

The blaze remains under investigation.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – The Oshkosh Police Department and the Department of Justice DCI agents are investigating a possible meth lab near the UW-Oshkosh campus.

Officials were called to 815 Franklin Street Tuesday. The residence is about one block away from where authorities discovered the toxin ricin on Halloween night.

The area was closed off to vehicle traffic for equipment necessary for the investigation. The area has since been reopened.

The Oshkosh Police Department says the public’s safety is not in danger.

Theodore Ruetz, a neighbor, says he’s concerned, “Right now I am, actually just because last year when I was here it wasn’t the same. It was way safer and I feel a little scared now to be completely honest with you.”

Police are releasing very few details at this time.

BELLEVUE, WI ( WTAQ) - The Brown County Sheriff says criminal charges are likely against one of his former deputies, for allegedly stealing money from an anti-drug education program. 

Deputies continue to investigate the disappearance of funds from the county's Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, or DARE. 

Kevin Vanden Heuvel was put on an administrative suspension in early October and resigned two days later.  He has not been arrested.  He was a nearly 20-year veteran of the DARE program.

Investigators are not saying how much money was taken -- or how they caught wind of it.

 Brown County sheriff John Gossage says his DARE program does not get local tax dollars.  It accepts donations, plus money raised by parking cars near Lambeau Field for Green Bay Packers' games.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Members of Brown County's board of health last month declared eight wind turbines in the Town of Glenmore a human health hazard.

The head of the board says two studies and dozens of resident complaints led to the declaration for the Shirley Wind Project. It's believed to be the first county or municipality to have made this kind of declaration in the U.S.

“The first thing I want to say is the board of health has never ever said that we are opposed to wind energy,” Board Chair Audrey Murphy told FOX 11. “Our only concern is the health of our citizens of Brown County.”

80 official complaints have been filed by Glenmore area residents between the town and county, according to county officials. In addition, more than 50 affidavits have been filed with Wisconsin's Public Service Commission. Those health complaints range from sleep deprivation and vertigo, to headaches, nauses and ear pain.

“Duke Energy Renewables operates more than 1,100 wind turbines across the country,” said Tammie McGee, a spokesperson for Duke Energy. “The only health complaints we’ve ever received are about the eight we have in Brown County.”

Brown County’s Board of Health says it wants to hear from Duke Energy before it makes any other decisions about the turbines.

“This is just the first step,” said Murphy. “I think we’ll move slowly and we’ll see what happens.”

A lawyer for Duke Energy says the company sent a letter to the county’s lawyer stating the company objects to the board of health taking any action correlating to any restriction and/or regulation to the Shirley wind turbines based on existing Wisconsin law.

The county hopes to meet with Duke Energy at a special meeting in January.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11)

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police say a man and woman have been arrested in connection with a meth bust.

Authorities say they raided a home around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 800 block of Franklin Street. Cops they stopped a vehicle that had left the house, and arrested a 34-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman on possible meth charges.

The woman was also arrested for allegedly possessing marijuana, along with having two warrants out for her arrest.

Fire crews responded to the scene as a precaution until authorities could ensure the public was not in any danger. A hazmat cleanup crew was called in from Chicago.

Police cleared the scene around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Country music fans can now mark Friday, November 21 at 10 a.m. on their calendars because that's when tickets for the Jason Aldean and Kenny Chesney concert at Lambeau Field will go on sale.

PMI Entertainment Group announced Wednesday the pricing structure for the June 20th concert. Tickets are $257 (Sand Bar), $177, $117, $87, $41 (plus applicable fees) and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000 or at the Packers Ticket Office.

Parking lots that day will open at 1 p.m., with gates opening at 4 p.m. and the six-hour show kicks-off at 5 p.m.

Two other special guests have been announced for the concert. Brantley Gilbert and Cole Swindell will also perform on the bill.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Oshkosh need your help locating a person who stole credit cards from a YMCA.

Authorities say the cards were stolen from the 20th Avenue YMCA back on October 6. Investigators say someone used those cards at a Walgreens and Festival Foods in Neenah.

Surveillance images above put out by police show the person they believe used the cards.

Anyone with information is asked to call Oshkosh police at (920) 236-5700. Anonymous tips can be left with Winnebago County Wide Crime Stoppers by phone at (920) 231-8477, by sending a text message to 274637 with the keyword IGOTYA or online.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A man failed to show up for his drug trial Wednesday, and now authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest.

Online court records show that James Parchem, facing charges in connection with a meth lab found at a Grand Chute hotel, didn't appear in court.

Parchem was previously released from custody on a signature bond.

At a prior court hearing, Parchem objected to the charges filed against him and claimed he wasn't involved in the operation. He's charged with making amphetamine, possessing methamphetamine precursors, and knowingly possessing methamphetamine waste. 

Parchem was one of three people arrested back in May at the La Quinta Hotel.

Jason Koski faces similar charges, and is expected to reach a plea deal December 2.

Charges against Karisa Doe were reduced. She will be sentenced December 10 on bail jumping and drug paraphernalia counts.

MENOMINEE, MI (WTAQ) - Initial court appearances were made Wednesday for two Green Bay men arrested following a deadly home break-in.

Menominee County District Court officials say 20-year-old Thomas Hartman and 19-year-old Matthew Franjose are each facing a charge of first-degree home invasion. Both remain jailed on $25,000 cash bonds each.

More details are expected to be released Wednesday about the motive behind the incident at a home in Mellen Township around 5 a.m. Monday.

According to police, a 62-year-old homeowner heard people breaking into his home and he said he defended himself. 

When officers arrived at the home, they found a 19-year-old man dead inside with multiple gunshot wounds. Cops then searched and found Hartman and Franjose in the woods.

Menominee County Sheriff Kenny Marks tells FOX 11 he will not be releasing the names of the homeowner or the deceased 19-year-old right now.

Marks says the investigation into the shooting continues, although he says the homeowner is not considered a suspect. Marks says the homeowner has been at Bay Area Medical Center since Monday, getting treatment for a possible reaction to the shooting.

Marks says an autopsy on the deceased 19-year-old was completed Tuesday. He expects to receive results Wednesday.

Marks believes the suspects broke into one other home in the area Monday morning. He says evidence from that scene has been collected and is part of the investigation.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - The Salvation Army is hoping to raise $1.1 million at red kettles in Brown County this holiday season.  

Bell-ringing has already begun more than two weeks before Thanksgiving. The bells will ring until the Christmas campaign ends December 24th.  

Special events set for this season include Green Bay Packers players ringing bells, plus match days sponsored by Associated Bank and Schneider National.

Salvation Army says there are 65 kettle locations, offering up to 10 hours per day of bell-ringing.  And they can use more volunteer help.

To sign up for a bell ringing shift you can go to www.ringbells.org or call 920-884-3077. 

Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County turned out in big numbers to vote on Election Day last week....but only one community takes the trophy in the "Voter Challenge". 

Project Vote puts on the competition, based on the percentage of voters in a given community that turns out on Election day.

And the winner in the Fall Voter Challenge ?    Why, the Town Of Rockland.  

A little better than 77-percent of those eligible to vote cast a ballot.  

Town of Green Bay, Pittsfield, Scott and the Village of Wrightstown all had better than 73 percent turnout.  The city of Green Bay had 66 percent.

The last time Rockland took the trophy was back in 2007.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The Oshkosh Corporation says it will build a large new factory in Mexico.

But the company insists it will not be at the expense of its U.S. and Canadian employees -- and the plant will not make parts for its acclaimed U.S. military vehicles.

Still, the move could raise at least some eyebrows.

The near $80 million Mexican plant will employ 1,000 people, at a time when Oshkosh is cutting several hundred jobs in its Defense Division due to the winding down of the conflicts in the Middle East.

Oshkosh spokesman John Daggett said the firm has had a joint venture with a Mexican company for 35 years -- and the new plant will be fully managed by the Oshkosh Corporation. It's expected to open next spring, and will make components for things like garbage trucks, concrete mixers, and construction aerial lifts.

Oshkosh officials say the plant is needed to keep up with equipment demands since the end of the Great Recession. They say the new Mexican plant offers cost, capacity, and logistical benefits for products with lower profit margins.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)