GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Many schools in the area either delayed or canceled classes on Tuesday due to icy conditions on the roads.

So, how do schools decide when it's necessary to cancel classes?

Green Bay Area Public Schools Communications Director Lori Blakeslee says they consult with the National Weather Service and their bus company to make that call.

"Many of the area superintendents get on the phone call, along with the bus companies, because they're already out on the roads checking the conditions. So, they provide feedback to us, such as how slippery it might be, where there are concerns, especially when you get to some of the rural bus routes."

Many Brown County Schools also consult via phone when it comes to cancelling or delaying classes.

"There's a lot of conversation goes into it. Sometimes, especially when we have weather patterns like we've had the last 2 weeks, we'll meet several times through a phone call, either very early in the morning, sometimes a midday conversation, sometimes even a late evening conversation if we think we may need to delay or cancel that following day so we can give parents that notice as soon as possible," said Blakeslee.

The district plans for days like Tuesday and has two snow days built into their yearly calendar.

"Again, everything really comes down to student safety. Can we get kids to school safely? If we get them to school safely, can we get them home safely based on what the weather prediction for the day is," Blakeslee reiterated.

KIMBERLY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - An area that's been considered an "eye-sore" in Kimberly for almost a decade has another chance.

The village now owns the land and wants to move forward with renovation and officials are pledging that improvements will be made this year.

Nearly 10 years after it closed, the site of the former NewPage mill in Kimberly is set to undergo some changes.

Village of Kimberly Administrator Adam Hammatt spoke to WLUK

"The village is now in ownership of the property, and we're going to be moving full steam ahead here very soon"

Jim Peerenboom owns a nearby bar and is anxious for some new activity.

"Anything would be an improvement, that's for sure" Since the NewPage mill site closed in 2008, village officials say they've been working to get the riverfront property to reach its full potential.

Hammatt also says that's because it was owned by an international company that wasn't completely focused on this project.

"It's been dragging on long enough. We need to get in and make some movement"

While the movement has been stagnant since ground broke on the "Cedars at Kimberly" back in August, the plan is still in place.

It will be a mixed use area with businesses, residences, and green spaces.

Now that the work is in the village's hands, Hammatt hopes to bring that life back into Kimberly as soon as possible.

"It used to be a hub of activity, and now it's not. I think a lot of people would like to see it go back to that."

Peerenboom said, "If you got a lot of people, no matter where they work, they're still going to be in the area. And that'll help all of us... they still need a drink."

Kimberly has now borrowed 13 million dollars for the project, that it eventually hopes to collect in future tax revenue from the development.

Village officials say they plan to get some preliminary work done this summer.

MADISON, WI (WRN) - If you’re looking for love, Wisconsin is apparently a great place to find it.

A new study from Michigan State University says Wisconsin, Utah, and Mississippi are essentially tied for first place among the best states to fall in love — while North Dakota was rated the worst.

Data collected from 127,000 adults from around the country shows the best states for lovers have high marriage rates, relatively few people living by themselves, and weather that’s conducive to people getting together.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - The first event has been booked for the still-under-construction Fox Cities Exhibition Center.

Pierce Manufacturing will hold its North American sales meeting Jan. 25-28, 2018, according to Jay Schumerth, senior general manager for the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel.

The event, which is anticipated to draw approximately 500 attendees, will bring more than 1,000 room nights to the area, the news release says.

Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna is excited about the future.

“The goal behind building the Fox Cities Exhibition Center was to attract just this kind of event that previously could not be held in the Fox Cities due to lack of exhibition space. We’re even more excited to see that a local company like Pierce Manufacturing, who has been supportive of the project from the beginning, will be impacting the local economy in this positive way.”

Matt McLeish is Pierce Manufacturing’ssenior vice president of Sales and Marketing of the Fire & Emergency segment.

“The Fox Valley has been home to Pierce Manufacturing for more than a century and, over the course of a typical year, our dealers and their customers cumulatively spend many thousands of nights at the exhibition center’s adjoining Radisson Paper Valley hotel. This new facility is a vitally important resource for the entire region, and we’re proud to support its mission.”

Jay Schumerth is senior general manager for the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel.

"We’ve looked forward to this day when we can accommodate their North American sales meeting in the community where they are located. This contract is further confirmation of the need and the potential that the Fox Cities Exhibition Center provides to the Fox Cities.”

The Fox Cities Exhibition Center is being constructed by the City of Appleton and is being funded by a previously-approved increase in the hotel room tax collected by various Fox Cities municipalities.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Plows have been stolen off vehicles in the parking lots of two Ashwaubenon businesses recently.

Ashwaubenon Public Safety reports the first theft happened on Dec. 20.

A red Ford Super Duty pickup truck drove into the lot of a business on Coronis Circle.

Two people got out, pulled a Boss V-Plow off the front of a truck and attached it to their truck. They also broke into the truck's cab and stole the controllers for the plow.

On Jan. 9, a similar theft took place.

A Ford Super Duty truck that was described as two-toned - dark on the top and light on the bottom - drove into a lot of a business on Partnership Drive.

Again, two people got out, pulled a Western V-Plow off the front of a truck and attached it to their truck. And just as in the December theft, they also broke into the truck's cab and stole the controllers.

Anyone with information is asked to call Ashwuabenon Public Safety at (920) 492-2995. Anonymous tips may be left with Crime Stoppers at (920) 432-7867. Those who send tips through Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a reward.

Authorities recommend those who have plows on their trucks lock them or park them against solid un-moveable objects to prevent thefts.

MINOCQUA, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin DNR is investigating a crash in Minocqua that killed a former owner of a minor-league team.

48-year-old Jeffrey Royle was the majority owner and president of the Green Bay Bullfrogs and the Titletown Baseball Group.

Royle's LinkedIn profile shows that he owned the team from 2006 to 2013.

Officers say Royle was traveling on Lower Kaubashine Road at the intersection of Camp Kaubashine Road when he crashed.

This happened just after 7 p.m. Tuesday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Two Waupaca teens were charged Wednesday with two counts each of making terrorist threats calls involving Oshkosh's high schools.

18-year-old Andrew Moore and 17-year-old Dylan Bird are scheduled to make initial appearances in Winnebago County Circuit Court.

If convicted, each count carries a maximum penalty of 3 years, 6 months in prison.

Oshkosh North and West high schools were closed Thursday. 

Last week, police said there were two days of phone calls to the Waupaca County 9-1-1 system making "unconfirmed threats."

A 15-year-old was also arrested and referred to juvenile authorities.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - A Bellwood, Illinois man was sentenced Wednesday to 65 years in prison for killing a 14-month-old boy and injuring the infant's twin brother.

Fond du Lac County Judge Dale English also sentenced 30-year-old Daniel Griffin to 35 years extended supervision.

English said color never entered any of his decisions on evidence and testimony used during the trial.

District Attorney Eric Toney agrees that Griffin got a fair trial.

"There's no doubt in my mind that a fair trial occurred, that Judge English presided over it and did an excellent job being fair to both sides," Toney said.

Griffin maintained his innocence during a statement during the sentencing.

His lawyer will be appealing the case.

Griffin was found guilty of standing on both baby boys, killing one of them when he and the babies’ mother visited Fond du Lac in July of 2015.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A man who allegedly tried to steal drugs from a Green Bay pharmacy was charged Wednesday, just one week after being released from prison.

23-year-old Joshua Carreras, faces multiple charges, including armed robbery and felon in possession of a firearm.

Police were called to the Walgreens store on E. Mason Street Tuesday morning for an armed robbery.

Police say the suspect ran away from the store with drugs.

A few minutes later, police spotted Carreras on Baird Street. As he was running away from police, Carreras slipped on some ice and the stolen drugs were recovered.

Carreras was recently released from the Fox Lake Correctional Institution on extended supervision.

His prior criminal convictions include theft, disorderly conduct and sexual assault of a child.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Officials say a fire at an Appleton apartment Sunday is now considered to be suspicious.

Crews responded to a fire alarm in the 500 block of E. Winnebago Street at 3:34 a.m.

The apartment's sprinkler system helped reduce the fire which was contained to the first floor of the building.

A 64-year-old male resident was treated for smoke inhalation but did not require hospitalization.

No one was displaced by the fire.

A reward is available for any information leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for the fire.

You can call Sgt. Whitney at the Appleton Police Department at (920) 832-5548. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can text your tip to CRIMES (274-637) with the keyword APDTIPS at the start of the message.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Getting rid of this week's ice has been a challenge for many of us, because of empty store shelves.

Fleet Farm has been having a hard time keeping up with people's demand for ice fighting supplies.

“My husband went looking for a scraper last night down in Appleton and they were sold out down there, so I'm glad to have found one today,” said Luann Skarlupka of De Pere.

Fleet Farm Assistant Manager Ben St. Laurent spoke to WLUK.

“This is where we had our ice melt, do not have any left at the moment. It has been very sporadic as far as what we've been receiving in stock.”

St. Laurent has worked for Fleet Farm for 17 years. He can only remember one other year where sidewalk salt became scarce.

It's not just Fleet Farm either. Customers have been saying other stores are out too.“Doesn't surprise me at all,” says Luann Skarlupka.

“I think this is a challenge right now to everybody to try and get around and it's a week full of warming up during the day, freezing at night. I think everyone is just trying to be prepared.”

“Hopefully it's going to get warm enough that I can at least start chipping away at it,” said Vera Sidders of Hobart.

If you're looking for ice melt or ice choppers, Fleet Farm recommends calling ahead to see if your store has any in stock.

Beaver Dam, WI (WTAQ-KFIZ) - Dodge County Highway crews responded to an unusual clean up Wednesday morning — thousands of Skittles strewn across a county road south of Beaver Dam after an overnight spill.

“Someboy was hauling boxes of candy and one must have broken open,” said Sheriff Dale Schmidt, who used the Skittles “taste the rainbow” tagline in posting a report to his department’s Facebook page.

Were the candies — which appeared a uniform pink after dissolving into the roadway — an effective deicer?

Schmidt says it probably didn't hurt

“I wasn’t out there so I couldn’t tell you how sticky it was, but I would venture to guess some of the stickyness might hold those tires to the pavement a little better”

FOX CROSSING, WI (WTAQ) - St. Mary Catholic high and middle schools in Fox Crossing have closed Thursday.

Police say they found out about the threats just after midnight.

They say a student received several messages on social media that led the student and police to believe there might be an incident at school later in the day.

Officers went to the schools and found an open door at each school.

School leaders made the decision to close for the day "out of (an) abundance of caution," police say.

Investigators were able to find the student who sent the messages. As of 6 a.m., they were interviewing him.

Police say they believe there is no longer an immediate threat to the schools or the area.

Here's the post from the school's website:

A credible threat was received early this morning, Thursday, January 19, 2017. The threat was in reference to something potentially taking place today at our middle and high school campus. In accordance with our emergency crisis plan, we are closing the two campuses in an abundance of caution as law enforcement officials investigate the situation. Once the authorities have determined that the campuses are safe, we will notify you and return to our usual routine.

The safety of our school community is of the utmost importance and we appreciate your understanding.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTAQ) - As Donald Trump is sworn in as the nation's 45th President, a freshman lawmaker from Northeast Wisconsin will have a front row seat to history.

8th District Congressman Mike Gallagher was just sworn into office a couple of weeks ago.

He says you can feel the excitement around D. C.

"A lot of "Make America Great Again" t-shirts and hats. There's certainly an electricity"

There are lots of people from out of town to see the inauguration.

Gallagher says the peaceful hand-off of power is a hallmark of America and it's humbling to see it up close.

"This should be an event that all Americans can celebrate. And I hope we use it as an opportunity to come together and say business as usual isn't working"

He's excited to see Donald Trump officially become President and for Congress to follow his lead.

"The calendar is packed and I sort of wish he would lock us all into a room and force us to get the job and not let us go home until we dot it"

Gallagher is optimistic the result will lead to more jobs, better healthcare and a lot of other accomplishments.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Ahead of this Sunday's NFC Championship game between the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons, the stakes are going to new levels.

The leaders of Brown County and Fulton County, Georgia are betting some of their area's best known products on the outcome.

"You know, a lot of teams never get this opportunity. Communities don't get to enjoy the playoff spirit"

Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach is putting up Ron's cheese, brats from Maplewoods Meats, and beer from Titletown.

But he's expecting to be on the receiving end....

"What we're hoping to enjoy is the peach cobbler they plans on sending up here. The Varsity chili dogs. And the Cocoa-Cola to go with it."

Fulton County Commission Chair John Eaves is planning to enjoy the brats after a Falcons win.

The next Packer Playoff rally is Friday afternoon at the Packers Heritage Plaza downtown.

As for his hoped for winnings from Sunday....

Streckenbach plans to share the goods with the community during a downtown Green Bay Super Bowl rally.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - New protective helmets and vests were distributed to Green Bay Police officers on Thursday.

The gear will provide extra protection for officers when responding to high risk calls.

Chief Andrew Smith says this equipment is a game changer.

"We have to send our officers out into harm’s way. We have to send them into those hot calls where they have an active shooter or where they have an armed suspect or somebody shooting randomly and for us to give them this little bit of extra protection, could mean the difference between life and death for our police officers here in Green Bay," said Smith.

The price tag for the 100 vests and helmets came in at $64,000 but for officers like 29 year veteran, David VanErem, the gear is priceless.

"We go to a lot of calls that we don't know how it's going to end and to be able to put something on, that's going to help me make it home every night, is great...you can't put a price on that."

Smith explains a little more about the high tech vests.

"The vests that we supply our officers with now are going to provide ballistic protection for a rifle round and I believe the ballistic tests were 6 rifle rounds in a six inch diameter area without failure of the product."

The military grade ballistic helmets come with a removable shield.

The purchase of the gear was made possible by a grant from the Green Bay Police Foundation and matching donations from Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and the Packers Corporation, as well as citizen gifts.

Learn more about the Green Bay Police Foundation at www.gbpolicefoundation.com.

MADISIN, WI (WRN) - Preliminary data for December shows Wisconsin’s unemployment rate has fell to four percent – the lowest it’s been in nearly 16 years.

The rate fell a tenth of a point from November, according the figures released by the state Department of Workforce Development.

Wisconsin remains well-below the national unemployment rate, which rose to 4.7 percent in December.

The DWD report shows 125,000 Wisconsinites were unemployed last month, the fewest since February 2001.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin's governor is using things from the backyard to explain his view on public aid.

Governor Walker released his weekly radio address yesterday where he called public aid a "trampoline, not a hammock."

The governor defended FoodShare changes that had people find a job or lose their benefits. 

DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A large crack in the ice has opened up on Green Bay just off the Door County shoreline.

Professional guide JJ Malvitz spoke to WLUK. He says the crack opened up Wednesday night. As of early Thursday afternoon, the crack was about 120 feet wide.

Malvitz says the crack runs from Little Sturgeon Bay in the Town of Gardner north to Sherwood Point in the Town of Nasewaupee, about two and a half miles off shore.

He estimates the crack could be four to five miles long.

“If you look at this pocket of water here, it's about the width of a Great Lakes freighter. So you can kind of correlate this crack because of the ice breaking.”

Malvitz says the ice shanties on the wrong side of the crack should be fine. In fact, he thinks the shanties will be back where they belong in a day or two.

“A little west wind will help and once that west wind comes, a little cold weather, the combination of those two, those shanties will all be back where they need to be and they'll be out there fishing and catching fish”

If you are thinking about coming out on the ice this weekend, it's recommended you know where you are going or go out with someone who knows where they are going.

Most of all, Malvitz says it's important to remember to use common sense.

“If you see a crack that is a foot wide, just know that crack could grow into 10, 15, 20 feet or like here, a couple hundred feet"

“If you're going with a guide, a guide is not going to risk anyone's life going out there,” said Mike Richard, the owner of Howie’s Tackle in Sturgeon Bay.

Malvitz says the ice thickness right now is between eight and 14 inches across the bay.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - Two teenagers from Texas are suspected of hacking the Manitowoc Police Department's Twitter account.

Last October, someone took over the @ManitowocPD account and sent out several inappropriate tweets under the police department's name before it could be shut down.

The department recovered the account and began sending out legitimate tweets in November.

Police now say their investigation led them to two teens in Trophy Club, Texas.

Officials says the teens had also hacked other accounts and had used an illegal service to get the login credentials.

The teens' motivation was financial. 

Manitowoc police are asking prosecutors to charge the teens with disorderly conduct.

Police in Trophy Club continue to investigate the teens.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - It was a battle of the fans: Packers vs the Falcons.

Employees of Georgia-Pacific in Atlanta challenged the employees of Georgia-Pacific in Green Bay via Facebook to see who has the better fans.

Green Bay employees fired back, showing off their Packers pride.

Employees from several Green Bay locations, including the Broadway and Day Street Mills and the Encadria Staffing office joined in on the fun.

Even Broadway's peregrine falcon chicks sported their cheeseheads Friday.

But Georgia-Pacific in Atlanta wasn't all red and black, some employees dared to show off their green and gold as well.

The Packers face off against the Falcons Sunday in the NFC Championship game.

Catch the action on WTAQ. The pregame starts at noon. Kickoff at 2 p.m.