ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - An overnight crash on Highway 41 leaves three people injured.

Authorities say it happened around 12:20 a.m. Sunday in Ashwaubenon. Brown County Sheriff's say a vehicle driven by a 26-year-old Appleton man was going north in the southbound lane on 41.

He collided with two southbound vehicles near the Oneida Street exit.

All three vehicles had one occupant and all three people were taken to area hospitals, where they were treated and released, according to officials.

The southbound vehicles were driven by a 24-year-old Pulaski woman and a 26-year-old Plover man.

Southbound lanes of Highway 41 had to be shut down for about four hours. They re-opened around 4:30 a.m. Sunday. 

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Local communities would cover the cost of aesthetic improvements for highway projects under Wisconsin's Community Sensitive Design program, under a bill proposal by a local representative.

Kaukauna Republican Jim Steineke says he'll introduce the plan on Tuesday. It removes the state Department of Transportation's ability to add landscaping and other aesthetic improvements to state road projects.

The DOT is spending about $21 million on landscaping, decorative concrete and murals on overpasses and bridges on the U.S. Highway 41 project in Brown and Winnebago counties. Total estimated cost of the project is $1.6 billion.

Steineke says it's not fair for taxpayers in other parts of the state to pay for what he says are purely aesthetic improvements to projects in our area. 

DOT officials say it works with local communities on the Community Sensitive Design program. They also say the project strikes a balance between enhancing a project for communities without going overboard.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police say they've arrested a man for allegedly calling in a bomb threat to a Shopk store last month.

Police say they arrested the 56-year-old man at his home in the 400 block of Sullivan Street around 1 p.m. Friday. 

Investigators believe he made the March 21st call to the Shopko store at 1300 S. Koeller Street.

A 56-year-old Oshkosh man has been arrested for allegedly calling in a bomb threat to a store. The store was closed for about an hour after the 3:30 p.m. call.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - A state lawmaker is asking his colleagues to help sponsor a bill to control the sea lamprey, a parasite that kills fish in the Great Lakes.

Senate Republican Rob Cowles of Green Bay says he wants to give the DNR more funding to increase its management of the sea lamprey in Lakes Michigan and Superior.

The measure would also create a new barrier on the Nemadji River, to prevent the lamprey from going into Lake Superior. And Cowles says he wants to fix a broken barrier on the Kewaunee River near Lake Michigan.

He calls the sea lamprey a “rotten invasive species.”

Several environmental groups say they’re more concerned about other invasive species, but they’re not against what Cowles is trying to do.

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County Sheriff's need your help finding the suspects behind a rash of damaged and stolen highway signs.

Authorities say 18 signs have been pushed over and two signs have been stolen since Sunday, March 24. 

Sheriff’s officials believe a person driving either a pickup truck or SUV is responsible for the damages. Investigators say at two sites dark blue metallic paint markings and chips were found. That evidence will be reviewed at the State of Wisconsin Crime Lab. 

Officials are not only concerned about the damage, but say a missing sign could cause a serious crash. 

"You're talking about missing stop signs," says Lt. Scott Semb. "If any of these missing signs, and we can prove that it led to a traffic crash before the sign can be replaced and injuries result, serious additional charges will be referred to the District Attorney's office."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Brown County Sheriff’s Office at (920) 448-4230. Callers can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (920) 432-7867. 

Below is a list of the dates and locations where the damage and thefts occurred:

3/24  Dead End  N. Vandenberg Road @ CTH QQ 3/24  CTH QQ  N. Vandenberg @ Courier 3/24  Keep Right  CTH V @ Erie Road 3/24  Keep Right  CTH V @ Erie Road (not a duplicate) 3/24  Route Marker  CTH JJ @ CTH QQ 3/24  45 Speed Limit  Mercier Road, south of Delcore 3/26  Keep Right  CTH JJ @ I-43 S/B Ramp Entrance 3/26  40 Speed Limit  CTH V, west of Grandview Road 3/26  Left Curve  CTH V,  west of Grandview Road 3/26  Left Reverse Curve CTH V, west of Grandview Road 3/27  Left Turn Lane  CTH V, west of Erie Road 3/27  Route marker  CTH QQ (N/B) @ CTH V 3/27  Bellevue Pop.  CTH JJ (W/B) at the Village limits 3/27  35 Speed Limit  CTH JJ, west of Oriole 3/28  Route Marker  CTH QQ (N/B) @ CTH VV   (Same sign repaired from 03/27) 3/28  Keep Right  CTH VV @ Erie Road (Same sign repaired from 03/27) 3/28  Keep Right  CTH VV @ Erie Road   (Same sign repaired from 03/27) 3/28  Stop Sign  CTH QQ @ Willow Road

WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - The son of a bar owner near Waupaca is home from the hospital, after he was wounded in a drive-by shooting last month.

35-year-old Rickey Stoflet Jr. was released Monday from a medical center in Neenah.

He was in an apartment attached to the Wally World Tavern, when bullets were fired through both the bar and the living quarters around 3:30 a.m. on March 23rd.

Waupaca County sheriff’s deputies are still trying to find two suspects, who were caught on a surveillance camera in a light-colored 2000 to ’05 Chevy Impala.

The tavern is owned by the victim’s father, Rickey Stoflet Sr., and his son helps with the business. Sheriff’s deputies are still asking the public for information.

DODGE, WI (WTAQ) - Three rivers in the Badger State have flood warnings Tuesday, due mostly to melting snow.

In western Wisconsin, the Trempealeau River at Dodge was about 2.5 inches above its flood stage at 1 a.m. It’s expected to keep rising Tuesday, then drop below the flood stage Wednesday morning with only minor flooding expected.

In Rock County, the Rock River at Newville reached its flood stage overnight. A forecast was not immediately issued.

In Kenosha County, the Fox River at New Munster is a tenth-of-a-foot below its flood stage, but it’s expected to rise slightly Tuesday morning with minor flooding projected.

Meanwhile, Duck Creek near Green Bay is under a flood advisory. It was seven-tenths of a foot above its flood stage Monday night, with widespread floods on lowlands.

There’s no rain in the statewide forecast until at least Saturday. But temperatures will stay below normal until Thursday, when highs near 50 are expected.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - A long-time critic of wind energy is drafting a bill to make it easier for Wisconsinites to sue for damages, if they can prove they’ve been harmed by wind turbines.

State Senate Republican Frank Lasee of De Pere wants to let residents sue for a variety of losses caused by industrial windmills close to their homes and property.

An aide to Lasee says wind energy providers could no longer be protected from lawsuits just by stating that their wind farms were created legally.

The senator is specifically trying to help neighbors of the Shirley Wind Farm near Glenmore in Brown County, where 50 residents have told the state’s Public Service Commission about health problems. The PSC said recent tests at the wind farm did not prove that low-level sounds from the turbines caused the neighbors’ health problems. But the commission ordered more tests.

Lasee’s staff says it’s working with three residents who claimed they were forced to move.

Last month, the PSC rejected a proposed new wind farm in St. Croix County, saying it would violate noise standards.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Voters in 10 percent of Wisconsin’s school districts are deciding referendums Tuesday.

43 school systems are asking voters for millions of dollars for either building improvements, or approvals to exceed their state revenue caps to continue their current programs.

It’s the largest array of school referendums in several years in the Badger State.

The improving economy has apparently made school boards more confident in asking voters to borrow money for long-delayed repairs or replacements – or to pay higher taxes to keep what they have.

Columbus has the largest referendum – almost $40 million for a new high school, and a conversion of the current high school to a middle school. Menomonie has the second-largest project – $36 million for elementary and high school construction, plus a host of repairs, replacements, and maintenance projects in all of its buildings.

Sheboygan Falls wants to borrow almost $34 million for a new middle school, and an elementary expansion. Menasha school voters are deciding on almost $30 million for various upgrades, renovations, and land acquisition.

Beloit Turner is proposing a new $28 million dollar high school facility. Arcadia, Blair-Taylor, Cashton, Johnson Creek, Pulaski, and Hortonville all have building proposals of over $10 million each.

VILLAGE OF PULASKI, WI (WTAQ) - Unofficial election results show three of four referendum questions failed for the Pulaski Community School District.

Question two passed by only seven votes, but that could change after canvassing. 

Question two would provide $4.37 million for building upgrades and maintenance. 

The district was vying for $34 million in additional revenue for technology upgrades, new construction and a community pool.  “You are never disappointed when people speak,  because voters and citizens give you what they want” said Superintendent Mel Lightner.  This was the district’s second referendum attempt in recent months. 

Back in November, two thirds of residents voted down a single question.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - There is some light at the end of the election tunnel after Tuesday’s general election for city clerks and election officials. 

Voters won’t be heading to the polls again until next spring. 

There have been eight primaries and general elections over the past 14-months.  Appleton Clerk Char Peterson says she and her staff have hardly had a single day off, much less work a normal eight hour day during the election cycle. 

They also have to multi-task, like handle licensing, permits and work with the city council. 

The break is welcomed relief for volunteer election poll workers.

Peterson says prep work for next spring’s election begins in November.

Clerk's offices will spend the next couple months finishing Tuesdady's election paperwork and reporting. 

BLACK CREEK, WI (WTAQ) - A girl is injured after being hit by a truck in Outagamie County.

Authorities say it happened just before 4 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 47 near Pine Street in Black Creek.

Officials say the 6-year-old girl ran into traffic. The girl was airlifted to an area hospital.

Police say she was treated and released and is back home.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A Fox Valley burglary suspect told police she was sleep walking at the time her neighbor’s apartment was entered.

52-year-old Julie Angell of Kaukauna is charged in Outagamie County with felony burglary and misdemeanor theft.

According to prosecutors, Angell first told officers she couldn’t remember stealing anything because she was sleep walking. But she reportedly changed her story later, saying she heard noises from the neighbor’s apartment – and she went in to take some items for safe keeping.

The victims told police they noticed some of their possessions were gone, while they were planning to move. And one of the victims reportedly noticed that some of the missing items were in Angell’s apartment.

Angell is scheduled to make her first court appearance on April 18th.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The man who shot and paralyzed his brother-in-law on Christmas Eve in 2011 has been sent to a mental institution for 30 years.

A Winnebago County judge sentenced Christopher Andreas of Oshkosh on Wednesday.

Andreas had been convicted of four counts of recklessly endangering safety. Last month, a judge ruled that Andreas was insane.

His sister's husband, Christopher Garland, was paralyzed by the shooting.

Andreas’ placement at a mental health facility is still being worked out. In the meantime, he will remain in the county jail.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Downtown Green Bay's Ray Nitscke Memorial bridge is back open.

The bridge was stuck in the open position for a couple hours Wednesday afternoon.

City officials say the automatic controls on the bridge, also known as the Main Street bridge, weren't working.

Late last year, the bridge was closed for about two months because of a rust problem.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay metropolitan area’s unemployment worsened in February after skyrocketing in January. 

The jobless rate increased from 7.3% to 7.6% in February. 

That’s according to new numbers from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development released Wednesday.  The unemployment rate is based on a household survey. 

There was a net loss of 100 jobs in February.  That data is derived from a very small survey of employers. 

The data is preliminary and local jobs numbers are not seasonally adjusted.  The data is typically revised months later. 

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities are looking for a man who stole a purse at an Appleton tavern.

Police say it happened March 24 around 11:15 p.m. at Grumpy's Bar & Grill, 1501 North Richmond Street.

The thief was described as a white man in his late 30s to early 40s. He is between 5'9" and 6-foot tall with an average build. He was wearing glasses, a red hat, white athletic shoes and jeans. The purse that was stolen was black.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Ollwerther at (920) 832-5500.

TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ) - City officials in Two Rivers say there are some potential redevelopment opportunities for Thermo Fisher's downtown wood plant.

Those include completely tearing the buildings down.

But company officials right now say there's still a long way to go.

The plant shut down last fall, leaving nearly 200 people out of work. Despite the loss, city officials say the property has potential.

The 1.2 million square foot complex has been a staple in Two Rivers for more than a century, but the quiet facilities' days could be numbered.

"It's been a huge part of the history and the economy of this community," City Manager Greg Buckley tells FOX 11.  "It was a body blow to Two Rivers to lose this employer. By the same token, we think it's a phenomenal redevelopment site."

Buckley says the company is considering removing the buildings on the 12 acre property, opening it up for redevelopment.

"Just on the other side of this building, there is a new $14 million lift bridge being constructed over the river. This summer, there will be dredging, so all along the river front of this site, there's a viable, navigable channel, we thought those things together right next to the downtown, makes this a compelling redevelopment site, so it's not just going to be part of our past, we think it'll be part of our future," Buckley explained.

However, the company says nothing is set in stone.

The company's Director of Public Relations, Ron O'Brien, told FOX 11 in a statement:  "No decision has been in made in regard to the former Hamilton property in Two Rivers. We are evaluating a number of options including the demolition of the existing buildings. Once a final decision is made, we will promptly inform the community of our plan."

The city and the company are scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss their options.

The city manager says if the buildings are removed, the property has either commercial or residential potential.

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - The De Pere City Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to keep its health department around, despite last month’s 3-2 recommendation by the De Pere Health Board to disband. 

Council members felt the cost of nearly $5 per home valued at $100,000 was a value for residents to keep local health services around. 

Right now there are numerous vacancies in the department and the move would save the city $83,000 annually. 

Brown County Health would have take over services, which was a concern for council members. 

Alderman Dan Robinson says while they would gain services, they would also lose unique services that the city provides and the county would not. 

The county doesn’t provide programs like school vision and hearing programs and prenatal and parenting classes. 

Alderman Kevin Bauer was worried about the relationships developed over the years with organizations like St. Norbert College, which would not exsist anymore after disbanding. 

There was also a fear that if the city health department disbanded, there was no turning back. 

Current state law would not allow it.  Back in 2005, residents came out in favor of keeping the unique health department. The meeting saw no residents come out to testify in favor or against, except stakeholders.

The advantage of local services and local solutions could be echoed in comments from of the council members.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - On the heels of several high profile murders and attempted murders of prosecutors and law enforcement nationwide, Wisconsin officials are thinking about their own safety and security.

In Winnebago County, District Attorney Christian Gossett told FOX 11 that he gets threats regularly. Gossett says it's an inherent danger for his job and others like it.

"Most people do just get mad, it rolls off and they're over it," said Gossett, but some don't.

Gossett says the recent violence against prosecutors and law enforcement officers in other parts of the country is a reminder to take those threats seriously.

"It can be a victim or someone related to a victim who's unhappy with an outcome.  It can be an offender or somebody related to the offender," said Gossett.

Winnebago County Sheriff's Lieutenant Joe Kroncke is in charge of courthouse security staff.  He says his department investigates every threat.  

"We have the information, we're on top of it.  We can get ahead of the problem and then we can take care of it," explained Kroncke.

Gossett said the recent incidents have prompted conversations about upgrading security at the courthouse, but he's not comfortable sharing what exactly those conversations entail.

Courthouse employees recently practiced safety drills, which Kroncke told us have helped too.

"Our communication has gotten better," said Kroncke. "Basically situational awareness, 'that car isn't usually parked here, when I go home do I take the same route every night?'"

Kroncke adds they must trust their instincts if something seems wrong.

Gossett is continuing to work to make it legal for district attorneys to carry guns on the job.  A group of judges denied his request several months ago, saying it would make courtrooms less safe.