BIRNAMWOOD, WI (WTAQ) - The owner of a central Wisconsin farm vows to prevent future dairy cow abuse, after the group Mercy for Animals brought in an undercover employee who shot video.

The group held a news conference in Milwaukee Wednesday, and released a video from this summer. It showed workers at the Andrus farm near Birnamwood spraying cows in the face, and cutting off their tails with pruning shears.

Farm owner Alan Andrus said his family was shocked to see some of its employees not following appropriate animal-handling practices. They were also shocked that an employee would shoot video without going to the owners first, or taking action to protect the animals.

The group also made sure folks in Cleveland knew about this. That's because Andrus indirectly supplies milk to Great Lakes Cheese in Ohio, which said it would no longer accept cheese made from milk at the Andrus farm.

Shawano County prosecutors said they would not press charges, saying there's not enough evidence that a crime was committed.

Andrus said his farm will increase its oversight of animal handling, and make employees sign a commitment to care for them properly. He said the workers are getting training from local veterinarians.

It was not disclosed whether any employees were fired -- like two people were last year when the same Mercy for Animals group shot undercover video of cow mistreatment at a dairy at Greenleaf.

The group is based in Los Angeles and advocates vegetarian and vegan lifestyle choices. Critics say the firm puts out highly-edited videos which don't represent the dairy industry at large.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - Four of every ten Wisconsin shoppers will spend more on Black Friday than they did a year ago -- and 6 of every 10 say they'll probably bust their budgets.

BMO Harris Bank released a holiday shopping report Thursday morning.

It said Wisconsinites will spend an average of $362 on Black Friday -- less than the national average of $418.

Computer-savvy shoppers are projected to spend $360 on Cyber Monday, right after the Thanksgiving weekend. That's about $13 less than the national projection.

BMO Harris says the percentage of Wisconsinites who plan to increase their spending is about the same as the nation as a whole.

Sal Guatieri, a senior economist for BMO Capital Markets, says the U.S. shopping season will likely be "moderately better" than last year due to lower unemployment, improved consumer confidence, high equity markets, and lower gas prices.

He said the only thing holding back shoppers are sluggish wage increases -- and that's expected to change next year.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - While most of us enjoy the drop in gasoline prices, those who use diesel fuel are getting another dose of pain at the pump.

The Wisconsin AAA said the price of diesel hit $3.89 a gallon Thursday -- 20 cents higher than just one month ago. Regular unleaded dropped to $2.95 a gallon Thursday throughout the state.

That's 28 cents less than this time in October. Diesel fuel costs 93 cents more than what most of us use.

FOX 11 said the difference was only 54 cents at the start of November -- and truckers are surprised at how large the gap has grown.

Travis Weiler of Green Bay said the independent truck owners and operators are feeling the most pain, because it's coming right out of their wallets.

Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy.Com says it all comes down to supply and demand -- and each type of fuel has its own issues. While the demand for most auto fuel is down, DeHaan says the demand for diesel has gone up on an international scale -- and in the U.S., due to rising oil production in North Dakota.

Also, he says the cold weather hurts consumer diesel prices because part of the oil for diesel fuel also makes heating oil -- which is in much bigger demand in the winter, especially in the Northeast U.S. where it's most popular.

DeHaan said the large price gap between diesel and unleaded might not get smaller until next spring.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - A man charged with causing the death of his two-year-old stepson has pled not guilty.

A trial date has not been set for Joseph Jackson of Waupaca. Jackson is due back in court next month on a charge of first-degree reckless homicide.

Jackson admitted to police he held the boy's face down on a bed, to try to get him to stop crying, according to the criminal complaint. The boy stopped breathing and died.

Jackson faces up to 60 years in prison, if convicted.

There’s also another case involving Jackson. In June, he allegedly pushed another stepson to the ground following an argument with his wife. That child suffered scrapes.

(Additional reporting by FOX 11).

BERLIN, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Berlin say two people have been arrested and three kids had to be evacuated from a home after locating a possible meth lab.

On Wednesday around 7 p.m., authorities executed a search warrant at 415 Walkrush Street in conjunction with a burglary investigation. During the search, police found what they believed to be consistent with a clandestine meth lab.

Three children, ages 2, 3 and 9, along with a woman, had to be evacuated. A second search warrant was sought and granted for the materials contained with the lab.

41-year-old Shawn Ellis and 28-year-old Jennie Hetchler were arrested and both charged Thursday with manufacturing and delivering amphetamine, possessing drug paraphernalia and maintaining a drug trafficking place. Ellis is also charged with possessing methamphetamine precursors and 2 counts of burglary-building or dwelling.

A judge set bond for Ellis at $25,000 and $5,000 for Hetchler.

The Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations and a hazardous materials team was called to the scene for cleanup.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday unveiled a new gate on the east side of Lambeau Field and a 50-foot tall replica of the Lombardi Trophy.

The Green Bay Packers say it's the latest renovation work at Lambeau Field.

The trophy stands in the newly opened American Family Insurance gate entrance's lobby.

The sponsorship with the Madison-based firm runs through 2023.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police are warning homeowners to be cautious when inviting people claiming to be a power company employee into their homes.

Police say a homeowner living in the 1300 block of Reed Avenue told them on Tuesday around 9:45 a.m. a man claiming to be from the power company came to his door, and said he needed to do some work after a tree fell a few doors down.

Both the homeowner and the man checked the electrical panel in the basement. After a period of time, the homeowner and the man went back upstairs and the man left. 

The female homeowner said she then checked her belongings and noticed jewelry was missing.

The man is described as being five-and-a-half feet tall wearing a red or orange hooded sweatshirt under a dark jacket. The homeowner said he noticed a white or light colored truck in his driveway with a driver inside when he answered the door.

Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact them at (920) 236-5700.

Police also say if someone does come to your door and states they are from a power company, they should be able to show proper identification. If they refuse to show you an ID, do not let that person into your home and do not go outside with that person. Call 911.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - An outgoing state lawmaker has been collecting his full legislative salary and benefits after moving at least part-time to Alabama last month and starting a business there.

The Wisconsin State Journal said Green Bay Assembly Republican John Klenke has only sought reimbursements for 4 days of government business in Madison since March. That was a month after he said he would not run for re-election.

The Madison news outlet said Klenke and his wife have owned a $570,000 home in Dadeville Alabama for the past year, where he runs an investment firm.

Klenke showed up Wednesday for a Joint Finance Committee meeting, and would not tell the State Journal how much of his time was spent in Alabama while on the state payroll.

He'll end his second two-year term in January, and he said he still serves constituents in Green Bay.

Jay Heck of the group Common Cause said the honorable thing for Klenke to do would have been to resign when he started living in Alabama. He said it shows the need for Wisconsin to go to a part-time Legislature.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says the Badger State is among 10 states with full-time lawmakers -- and it's the second-least populous state in that group behind Alaska.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

MENOMINEE COUNTY, MI (WTAQ) - A Wisconsin man shot to death after he and two others allegedly broke into a home in Upper Michigan has been identified as 19-year-old Hayden Gagnon of Pulaski.

Authorities said he died from multiple gunshot wounds from the 62-year-old homeowner, after the break-in occurred early Monday in Mellen Township in Menominee County in the U.P.

Officials said the homeowner called 911, and deputies arrived to find Gagnon dead and two other suspects hiding in a nearby wooded area.

20-year-old Thomas Hartman and 19-year-old Matthew Franjose, both of Green Bay, were arraigned this week on felony home invasion charges. Both are due back in court November 24th for a preliminary hearing.

Sheriff Kenny Marks said the homeowner "defended himself and his home" in the incident.

The owner's name has not been released, while prosecutors try to determine if the shooting was justified.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

EAU CLAIRE, WI (WTAQ) - It's at least a month too early for this -- sub-zero temperatures are in the forecast for Friday night in far northwest Wisconsin.

The National Weather Service says Hayward will get down to 2-below. The state's mid-section can also expect readings as low as 2-above, the forecast for Eau Claire.

The Weather Service say this will be the coldest night of the current below-normal cold spell. By Sunday morning, it's supposed to remain above 20 degrees in Green Bay -- good news for those attending Sunday afternoon's Packer game against Philadelphia.

In general, tonight's coldest temperatures will be where the most snow fell this week. But even in Milwaukee -- which hardly saw a flake -- it's supposed to get down into the teens.

The state's largest city got up to 31 degrees Thursday, still 16 degrees below the normal high for the date of 47.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - An Appleton man accused of providing the heroin that led to a woman's death will stand trial.

On Thursday, Edward Spangler was bound over for trial following a preliminary hearing in Outagamie County court. Online court records show an arraignment is set for December 1 on six charges, including first-degree reckless homicide.

The investigation began after 20-year-old Alyssa Steward of Appleton died. Police say autopsy results in September showed the woman died of a drug overdose.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police have released surveillance photos of a suspect believed to be connected with stealing credit cards last month from the YMCA.

Authorities are asking for the public's help identifying the man who used the stolen credit cards at a Festival Foods and Walgreen's in Neenah. Also shown is the suspect's vehicle.

The cards were stolen on October 6 from the 20th Avenue YMCA.

If anyone recognizes the man or the vehicle in the photos, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at (920) 236-5700.

If you have information and wish to remain anonymous, contact Winnebago County Wide Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477 or text IGOTYA and you crime tip to 274637 or go to www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org and submit your text via the web. You may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Two locations of Harmony Cafe will close by the end of this year.

Officials say the locations in downtown Appleton, 233 E. College Ave., and west Green Bay, 1660 W. Mason St., are closing due to lack of funds.

However, it is possible the shut downs will be delayed to mid-January to accommodate meetings and events community organizations often hold at those cafe locations.

Harmony Cafe is a program of Goodwill NCW and operates the LGBT Partnership and the Arts and Music program under its umbrella.

The LGBT Partnership will continue after the cafe closings but the Arts and Music program will close.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Packers fans...get ready for self-service beer.

On Sunday during the Packers-Eagles game, Lambeau Field will unveil its new Draftserv self-service beer machine.

The machine allows fans to pour a few ounces more or less in their cup than having to buy it from a concession stand. The service has the same purchase limit that applies to concession stand beer.

Fans can purchase a $20 beer card at a cashier, after showing their ID, and swipe the card at the machines. The beer selections are Miller Lite at 39 cents per ounce and Oktoberfest at 44 cents per ounce.

The Draftserv station is located in the Atrium Leine Lodge at section 315.

Charlie Millerwise, Delaware North General Manager at Lambeau Field, said in a statement, “We are proud to be the first NFL location to offer fans the Draftserv self-serve beer machine. Our goal is to provide premier customer service to Packers fans at Lambeau Field and this new offering adds to that effort.”

Self-service beer was introduced to Miller Park in Milwaukee in September.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A 35-year-old woman was arrested after a hit-and-run accident in Green Bay.

According to Green Bay Police, officers got a report of a hit-and-run accident at Mason Street and Bellevue Street around 2:30 Saturday morning.

Witnesses told officials that a vehicle was t-boned.  Officers caught up with the suspect shortly after the accident.  The driver had crashed her car.

Officials arrested the woman for an OWI.

There were no major injuries.

MONTPELIER, WI (WTAQ) - Two people were rushed to the hospital following a crash Saturday morning in Kewaunee County.

Sheriff's say it happened around 10:40 a.m. at County Highway V and Pine Grove Road in the Township of Montpelier.

Authorities say a 2006 Chevy truck driven by a 16-year-old Denmark boy was heading northbound on County Highway V. It struck a 2008 Ford Fusion driving westbound on Pine Grove Road, which was driven by a 16-year-old Kewaunee girl.

Officials with Luxemburg Fire and Rescue responded to the scene to help extricate one of the drivers from their vehicle.

The boy was taken to Aurora Medical Center, while the girl was airlifted to Aurora.

The current medical status of both drivers is unknown at this time, and the accident remains under investigation by the Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Department.

TOWN OF MAPLE GROVE, WI (WTAQ) - A single vehicle crash in Manitowoc County Saturday leaves two people dead.

Authorities say it happened near the intersection of County Highways K and G around 2:30 a.m.

The vehicle left the roadway and slammed into a tree.

The 21-year-old driver and 23-year-old passenger were both trapped in the vehicle. Both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.

Names have not been released at this time.

Police believe alcohol is a factor in the crash.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County is joining a nationwide effort this week to recognize the needs of folks struggling to put food on the table and find a safe place to live.

It's National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week.

"As much as I'd like to say it's getting better, we're not seeing it getting better yet," said Dean Aherns with the Brown County Food and Hunger Network. "And it's different people that it's happening too, it used to be that it was less common, now it's a lot more common."

Aherns' assessment is backed up but several glaring statistics:

• During the 2013-14 school year, 1,368 students in Brown County schools were identified as being homeless, or lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
• In Brown County, five shelters, 13 transitional living programs, five crisis programs and two rapid rehousing programs reported serving a total of 262 adults and 155 children on September 24, 2014. Currently, these programs have waiting lists resulting in delayed service delivery to individuals and families.
• There are currently 104 families on the waiting list at Freedom House. This includes 108 adults and 226 children.
• In 2013, the Brown County United Way 211 identified the top five unmet needs included: electric service payment assistance, rent payment assistance, community shelters, food pantries and gas money.

"We have been working to educate the community of the needs in Brown County residents; Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week is another opportunity for anyone in the community to learn more about these issues," said Andrea Pasqualucci with the Brown County Homeless & Housing Coalition. "We are having an awareness dinner to kick off the week and encourage community members to consider participating in the events."

Here is a list of events going on in Brown County this week:

• Monday, Nov. 17th -- Hunger and Homeless Awareness Dinner, Riverside Ballroom, 1560 Main Street from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 each or $175 for a table of 8. Guest speakers are Antoinette Wright, community member, and Tony Pichler, Diocese of Green Bay. For tickets contact Deb at (920) 822-6050 or dkschneider@pulaskischools.org.
• Tuesday, Nov. 18th -- Manna for Life Hunger Walk, 1545 University Avenue. Register at 5 p.m. for the short walk to raise awareness of the issues facing those living in poverty. A chili dinner will follow.
• Wednesday, Nov. 19th -- Feeding America Food Drop, East Town Mall parking lot, 2350 E. Mason Street. Food distribution from 12 to 2 p.m. (while supplies last). Feeding America will provide bags of groceries to individuals and families in need. No prequalification required.
• Thursday, Nov. 20th -- Food Insecurity Simulation, 1 to 3 p.m., and Walk in Our Shoes: Understanding the Latino Experience Simulation, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., YWCA, 230 S. Madison Street. The Food Insecurity Simulation will provide an opportunity to understand the challenges faced by low-income individuals and families trying to obtain an adequate daily allowance of food. The Walk in Our Shoes simulation will develop an understanding of what it is like to live as a Latino in our community. To register for either simulation, contact Robin at (920) 448-6732 or RKulkinski@fsc-corp.org.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A domestic disturbance in Green Bay Saturday led to the SWAT Team being called to a home in the 1700 block of Smith Street.

Cops got a call about a disturbance between a husband and wife involving a firearm around 3:30 a.m.

The woman was able to leave the house, but told officers that her 45-year-old husband was still inside. She told police that her husband threatened her with a weapon.

According to police, another 18-year-old man was also in the house. After the men refused to come outside, the SWAT Team arrived on scene.

Eventually, officers were able to get the men to leave the home. No one was injured.

The 45-year-old man was taken into custody and faces multiple charges. The 18-year-old man could also be charged.

ONEIDA, WI (WTAQ) - A large fire Sunday night has destroyed a Town of Oneida barn.

Fire crews were called to the dairy barn on McCabe Road just before 8 p.m.

The fire chief in the Town of Oneida says there were cows inside the bar when the blaze started. The owners were able to get the animals out safely.

It's unclear what sparked the fire and no injuries were reported.

Several nearby fire agencies responded to the scene.