GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Students and faculty at U-W Green Bay got to virtually experience what it's like to be a police officer Thursday afternoon. 

In an effort to engage constructive conversation about policing around the city, Green Bay Police set up a special simulator computer program in the union on campus.

The simulator is the actual system used on officers in training at Northeast Wisconsin Technical Colleges. 

Captain Kevin Warych was on hand to explain the process and how to use the fake weapons as folks volunteered to try the realistic experience. 

Thursday night, the Green Bay Police Department will be holding a Community Panel Discussion: Race Relations and the Local Police "Let's Speak to our Community" from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the UWGB University Union Phoenix Room. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Comic-Con is coming to downtown Green Bay.

On Saturday, October 8, 2016 Brown County Central Library will be holding its first ever family-friendly Library Comic-Con from 10am until 4pm.

Library Manager Sue Lagerman says there's fun for everyone.

"We'll have Mario-Cart set up on the big screen. There is a costume contest where people are welcome to come in costume, have their photo taken and awarding the winner at the end of the day,"

Lagerman says this has been a very popular attraction in cities around the country as well as in Green Bay, so why not try it for themselves.

"There have been some large ones in the Green Bay area. We thought we wanted to try it but again we wanted to keep it a fun-family event," says Lagerman.

There will be plenty of food to enjoy as well with four food trucks behind the library from 11a.m. until 1p.m. The food trucks will include: Green Boys Gyros, Le Prince Crepes, Taqueria Maldonado's Taco Truck, and Peace, Love and BBQ.

Find out more details on the weekend event at www.browncountylibrary.org.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - If you're thirsty for a craft beer, then Shopko Hall in Green Bay is where you need to be on Saturday.

The third annual Northeast Wisconsin Craft Beer Festival will feature about 200 beers and 50 breweries under one roof. 

"We are ahead of schedule for the past number of years, things are really looking positive," says Terry Charles with PMI Entertainment Group. "It's always been a good event, but this year advance (ticket) sales are better."

Charles says a new twist this year is their "first call" admission tickets ($55 in advance, $60 at the door), which gets you in one hour before the general public to sample everything and a souvenir growler. There are just 300 of those tickets available.

That also means first crack at the unique pins and firkins like these:

• One Barrel Brewing Company- Madison, WI : Commuter Kolsch Infused with basil and lemon verbena
• Fox River Brewing Company- Oshkosh, WI : Orange Dreamsicle with coriander
• Door County Brewing Company-Baileys Harbor, WI- Belgian Golden Strong Ale
• Badger State Brewing- Green Bay, WI : Pecan & Vanilla Bean Pumpkin Ale with Brown Sugar
• Hinterland Brewing- Green Bay, WI: Passion Fruit Tart ( Berliner Wiesse infused with passion fruit)
• Stillmank Brewing Company – Green Bay, WI: Chocolate Porter with Dominican cocoa nibs
• Stillmank Brewing Company – Green Bay, WI: Experimental IPA with Simcoe and Mosaic hops

"You get first crack at those, and if those are gone before the general public gets in then they're gone," Charles says. 

General admission tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. Designated driver tickets are also available ($20 in advance, $25 at the door). The event runs from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

You can buy tickets online, or at the Ticket Star box office in the Resch Center. They are also available at the following participating Festival Food Stores: Green Bay East, Green Bay West, Suamico, De Pere, Appleton and Darboy.

Much more information can be found here.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A new initiative at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College will try to help future students from lower income families avoid student debt.

The NWTC Promise is offered by the NWTC Educational Foundation and is paid for by donations.

To qualify for consideration, students have to have at least a "C" average and fill out the financial aid forms and their expected family contribution must be less than $3,000.

The program will then cover the remaining cost that financial aid, scholarships and grants don't cover.

NWTC President Jeff Rafn says the goal is to remind students that education beyond high school is possible.

"This is trying to make sure that people understand that everybody needs to go to college and that we will make that possible. Our foundation is promising that we will cover that balance for them."

NWTC says a recent survey of 2, 500 new students found 63-percent expect to work at least 20 hours per week while they go to school to help cover expenses.

STEPHENSON, MI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A lot of people spoke out Thursday night at Stephenson High School about a proposed gold, zinc, and copper mine along the Menominee River in Upper Michigan.

Last month, the mine, known as the "Back Forty Project", received preliminary permit approval from the state of Michigan.

Joe Maki, with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, spoke to WLUK

“We feel though our statute is strong enough that with our requirements that if they do have say an oil spill or something from a truck that its identified early enough before it becomes a widespread problem”

For the past several years, Toronto-based Aquila Resources has spent about $70 million investigating putting an open air mine on the edge in Lake Township.

Before issuing final decisions on the permits, Michigan officials wanted to hear from the public. One hundred people signed up to speak during the four-hour public hearing.

Cindy Ives was one of them.

“I'm thinking the DEQ really should hear us out. It's water. Water is something we all need. It's very important.”

Based on the speakers and applause, most people at the hearing share similar environmental concerns about the mine.

Ada Deer is former chairperson for the Menominee Indian Tribe.

“A mine will destroy the land, the environment, the animals, the water”

Mine supporters were also at the meeting. Wayne Erickson sees plenty of benefits.

“I think it's going to be good for our community. It's going to bring people in. It's going to create jobs for those that are unemployed here. They are going to be good paying jobs.”

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality must make a final decision on the permits on or before December 1st.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - No one is in custody after an armed robbery at a gas station on Green Bay's east side.

According to the Brown County Sheriff's Office, authorities were called to the Pit Row Shell station just before midnight Thursday.

The gas station is located on the 2000 block of University Avenue.

Sheriff's deputies say no one was injured.

Authorities are still investigating this incident.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - Chicken wings are a popular food in America, and not just during football season.

When the two come together, it can be a match made in heaven. However, Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook felt more like he was served wings from hell on Tuesday.

In a tweet posted to his account, Cook showed a photo of a chicken head he got in his order of lemon pepper wings at a Buffalo Wild Wings.

TMZ reports that Cook spoke with staff at Buffalo Wild Wings about the issue, with one telling him, "Sorry unfortunately this happens because the chicken is fresh."

Cook is in his first year with the Packers, and has 6 receptions for 53 yards.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police need your help locating the driver involved in a hit-and-run crash after striking a boy biking to school.

Police say it happened at the intersection of Military Avenue and Dousman Street around 8 a.m. Friday. 

The video above is from a surveillance camera at a nearby business.

Officials believe the boy began to cross Military Avenue on a red light. A car struck the boy, knocking him to the ground, then continued north on Military without stopping to check on the boy.

The driver's vision may have been obscured by a school bus also stopped at the intersection, police believe.

The boy continued east toward his school. He was treated there for minor injuries.

Police are looking for the vehicle, which is a newer, silver four-door sedan. Witnesses were unable to get the license plate number.

Anyone with information is asked to call Green Bay police at (920) 448-3200. Police also recommend parents talk with their children about how to safely cross at intersections.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A local family is pitching in to help those in Florida and surrounding regions affected by Hurricane Matthew.

Father and son duo, Dennis and Jesse Nagan, left Green Bay Friday as American Red Cross volunteers heading to the Tallahassee area.

Dennis Nagan of Appleton says this will be his third deployment in recent years.

"I was at Katrina and Isaac so I kind of know what we're looking for. We need to make sure we have everything we need to be safe to get down there and then be safe when we're helping people."

Dennis says there are several reasons why he serves.

"In life there are always people worse off than you. These people are going to lose their houses, everything they could be losing, so to give back and you're right it is brutal if you truly do what you're supposed to there, which is give everything you got, you could be going 20 hours straight."

Unlike his father, this is Jesse's first time helping during a large disaster. He's a little nervous but proud to be going with his father.

"It's really going to be cool to be right next to him helping him out and taking charge myself a little bit...really helping organize things and get people what they need."

So, what's it like having not just one family member but two on deployment at the same time. Just ask Darlene Nagan, Dennis' wife and Jesse's mom. She was on hand to see her family take off.

"It is emotional and I'm really proud of my boys."

The Nagan boys will be assisting those affected by the natural disaster until October 17th.

Wisconsin has currently deployed 29 trained volunteers to help with hurricane efforts.

Find more details on becoming an American Red Cross volunteer at www.redcross.org.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay man will spend over a year in prison for committing social security disability fraud.

Prosecutors say 58-year-old Randall Frisque kept collecting social security disability payments all while working 50 to 60 hours per week as a dump truck driver.

According to witnesses, Frisque often bragged about collecting the fraudulent payments.

Frisque plead guilty to a charge of theft of government property.

He was also sentenced to 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay approximately $130,000 in restitution to the Social Security Administration and Medicare.

UNDATED (WTAQ) - Beginning November 1, baiting and feeding deer will no longer be allowed in Oconto and Menominee counties.

The ban is being implemented by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources following the discovery of chronic wasting disease in a deer killed at Apple Creek Game Farm in Gillett.

According to state law, the DNR is required to impose a baiting and feeding ban for any county within a 10-mile radius of a location where a CWD-infected deer is found.

Both Menominee and Shawano counties are within 10 miles of the game farm, however there has been a ban on baiting and feeding in Shawano County since 2014.

CWD attacks the brains of deer, causing the animals to grow thin, act strangely and eventually die.

The ban, however, does not restrict the sale of bait and feed in the counties for other uses or for use elsewhere. It is also still legal to feed birds and small mammals as long as feeding stations are within 50 yards of a human dwelling and too high for deer or otherwise designed to prevent deer from getting into them.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Law enforcement officials are warning the public to be on the lookout for a dangerous fugitive.

28-year-old Edwin D. Hughes has several active warrants through Calumet, Outagamie and Dane counties for multiple counts of kidnapping, armed robbery, battery, burglary and theft. Hughes is black, 6'6", 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

According to a crime alert, Hughes was released from prison in July 2015. Hughes’ last has contact with his parole agent was on August 5.

His last known address was 1731 Oshkosh Avenue, Apartment A in Oshkosh and was believed to be living with 25-year-old Deanna P. Hargrove.

This alert was sent out statewide due to his violent past criminal history in several counties throughout Wisconsin. If you know of Hughes' whereabouts, contact your local law enforcement agency.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The man accused of killing Nicole VanderHeyden earlier this year will stand trial.

On Friday, a judge ordered George Stephen Burch to stand trial on a count of first-degree intentional homicide. Burch will enter a plea on November 4.

VanderHeyden's body was found back on May 21 in a Bellevue field.

Police used DNA tests and cell phone tracking records to link Burch to her death.

The criminal complaint does not mention any witnesses seeing Burch with VanderHeyden, nor does it offer a motive for her killing.

SHAWANO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - One person is dead, and another is injured, after a two vehicle crash in Shawano County.

Officials responded to the scene just before 8:00 p.m. in the Town of Herman.

They say a vehicle traveling northbound on County Trunk U was attempting to cross State Highway 29 when another vehicle traveling westbound crashed into it.

The westbound vehicle was driven by a 63-year-old male from Bowler.

He died from his injuries.

His 11-year-old passenger was taken to a local hospital.

The northbound vehicle had two occupants, an 18-year-old driver from Clintonville, and a 17-year-old passenger from Manawa.

Officials did not say if they were injured.

The crash is under investigation.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police are investigating after a teenager showed up to a hospital Saturday night with a minor gunshot wound in Green Bay.

The incident happened between Sam's Club and Walmart on W. Mason Street just before 8 p.m.

Officials say a 17-year-old boy is the victim and the wound could be from a BB or pellet gun.

As a precaution, the hospital was put on lockdown. No arrests have been made.

Police say the public is not in danger and that the shooting doesn't appear to be a random act.

GREEN BAY/ DE PERE (WTAQ-WLUK) - A social media post, with a clown photo, threatened 10 Brown County schools Sunday morning.

The post reads:Schools that WE will be targeting on Monday October,10,2016 areGreen Bay Southwest-

Green Bay East-

Green Bay West-

Green Bay Preble-

Washington-

Franklin-

Lombardi-

Edison-

East Depere-

West Depere-

As of 3:22 p.m. Sunday, the post was shared more than 400 times with more than 300 comments. The Green Bay Police Department said it's investigating the post and went on to say it found no specific threat and the post did not describe any specific actions.

Capt Jeremy Muraski spoke with WLUK.

"Both the Green Bay Police Department and the school district take the safety of students very seriously and we are therefore taking precautions to ensure the safety of students, staff, and families"

Muraski added, the department will have more officers around area schools Monday.

"This is a precautionary measure and should not be cause for alarm. We will continue to monitor the situation and are closely coordinating our efforts with the Green Bay Area Public Schools."

The Green Bay Area Public School District released the following message to parents:

Dear Parents & Guardians:This message is to inform you that tomorrow morning the Green Bay Police Department will have extra presence at your child's school tomorrow as a precautionary measure to a "creepy clown" Facebook message targeting several schools in the area.While there was no specific threat identified and is believed to be a hoax, student safety is our highest priority.If you have any questions, please contact your principal tomorrow morning.

The Unified School District of De Pere and School District of West De Pere released the following statement to parents:

This message is to inform you that the West De Pere School District and the De Pere School District are working with the De Pere Police Department to take coordinated action with respect to a "Creepy Clown" facebook message targeting several schools in the area. This is a precautionary measure and should not be cause for alarm.While there was no specific threat identified and it is believed to be a hoax, student safety is our highest priority. If you have any questions, please contact your principal tomorrow morning. As always, if you see anything suspicious please contact the police department immediately.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The season to scare has arrived.

“We've been rocking and rolling for a few weeks now," Miranda Schutt with Ashwaubenon's Terror on the Fox spoke with WLUK.

They've have been open since late September.

"Every weekend has been really busy, this past weekend was probably one of our busiest weekends and it's just going to increase as we get closer to Halloween.”

This year will mark the haunted house’s 20th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, Schutt says employees at Terror on the Fox are preparing some extra scares for visitors.

"This year we probably had the biggest redesign”

She said they have been working since the spring to get ready for this Halloween season.

“We built a new haunted house out in the woods, we really redesigned the main haunt. We have new costumes, new makeup, new characters. We're really trying to amp it up this year"

And for all the screams it produces, Terror on the Fox gives back a lot.

"Throughout the 20 years we've actually donated over a million dollars to local programs and charities. I don't think a lot of people realize that, it's a pretty special thing that this haunted house does for the local community."

Terror on the Fox will be open until October 30.

GREEN BAY (WLUK) - A life prison sentence without parole was upheld by a judge against a man convicted of murder when he was 14.

Back in 1998, Omer Ninham was convicted of intentional homicide for tossing 13-year-old Zong Vang off the St. Vincent Hospital parking ramp.

The U.S. Supreme Court rule this past January that people serving mandatory life terms without parole for murders they committed as teenagers must have a chance to seek their freedom.

The now-32-year-old Ninham used that case as the basis for his appeal, arguing for a change in his sentence at a hearing in June. However, Judge Kendell Kelly rejected the motion in a two-part, 11-page decision stating the Supreme Court decision doesn't apply to Ninham.

"Based on the foregoing analysis, the Court is satisfied that Ninham is not entitled to resentencing under Miller because his life-without-parole sentence was discretionary, not mandatory. Nevertheless, the court will examine whether, at the time of sentencing, the Court sufficiently considered Ninham's age and related circumstances when imposing a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole," Kelley wrote.

Kelly, who took over the case from the retiring Judge J.D. McKay, also reviewed McKay's handling of the case, and deemed the sentence appropriate:

"The Court expressed, in various ways, the belief that Ninham was one of those rarest, irreparably corrupt juvenile offenders deserving of the harshest possible punishment," Kelley said. "Upon examination of the entire record, the Court is therefore satisfied that the sentencing Court appropriately considered Ninham's youth and related characteristics when imposing this sentence. Notably, even if the Court were compelled to resentence Ninham, the Court would be obligated to assess the same factors considered by the Court at Ninham's sentencing in 2000 - and, although the Court may now use terminology more consistent with Miller and related decisions, the only conceivable conclusion is that sentencing Ninham to life in prison without parole for Vang's murder is just (as) warranted in 2016 as it was in 2000."

Then-13-year-old Richard Crapeau was also sentenced to life in prison for Vang's death, but his parole eligibility is after serving 50 years.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice says Ninham's case is the only one in the state with someone serving a life sentence with no chance at parole for a crime committed as a teenager.

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - A teenage girl has been sent to the hospital after being struck by a pickup truck just outside of De Pere High School Monday morning.

According to police, the incident happened just east of the intersection of Chicago Street and Crestview Lane around 7:30 a.m.

The 16-year-old girl was heading across Chicago Street in a marked crosswalk, according to investigators. A 32-year-old woman driving the truck was heading west on Chicago Street when it happened.

Officials say the girl's injuries are not life-threatening and the driver of the truck was not hurt.

The crash is still under investigation and traffic had to be detoured on Chicago Street for about 30 minutes.

UNDATED (Wisconsin Radio Network) - U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan says he will not defend Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump or campaign with him before the election next month.

The comment came on a call with House Republicans this morning. According to someone on the call, Ryan also told members that they need to do what’s best for them in their districts and the he plans to spend his entire energy making sure Hillary Clinton does not have a “blank check” with a Congress controlled by Democrats.

“The speaker is going to spend the next month focused entirely on protecting our congressional majorities,” said Ryan spokesman Zack Roday.

The Janesville Republican has been keeping his distance from Trump for much of the campaign, often criticizing the GOP nominee for comments made on the campaign trail.

The two were set to make their first appearance together over the weekend at a rally in Elkhorn, but Trump’s stop was cancelled after a video surfaced Friday that shows the nominee making several lewd comments about women.

Ryan said in a statement released Friday night that he was “sickened” by what Trump had said.

Trump has apologized for his remarks, which he described as “locker room” talk. However, many Republicans pulled their support for the nominee over the weekend. As for whether Ryan plans to rescind his endorsement, Roday only said “There is no update in his position at this time.”