SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) - Students and teachers at Bay Port High School went about their day as normal Thursday, despite it being the targeted date for violence earlier in the week.

In a letter sent to families Tuesday, Principal Mike Frieder explained that rumors of a threat started in student conversations and spread through student social media accounts.

Another student created a fake webpage entitled, "Bay Port High School Massacre."

Brian Nicol, communications coordinator for the Howard Suamico School District says things went smoothly Thursday despite attendance being down.

"Our collaboration along with the Brown County Sheriff's Department, in terms of the investigation of the initial threat, really helped us to be as transparent as we could be."

The threats were found to have no credibility and the protocol the district had in place was successful.

"We felt like that process that we adhered to, allowed us to maintain a safe environment today for students," said Nicol.

Nicol focuses on the positive after an event like this.

"There's teachable moment opportunity for students and parents to engage in those crucial conversations about appropriate social media use and the impact of rumors."

Thursday was the 18th anniversary of the Columbine shooting massacre that killed 12 students and one teacher in Littleton, Colorado.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A Brown County Judge receives a statewide honor.

Circuit Court Judge Donald Zuidmulder will be presented with the Wisconsin State Bar's 'lifetime jurist award' at the group's annual meeting and conference in June.

It honors judges who demonstrate 'outstanding, long-time judicial service.'

The 74-year-old has served as a Brown County judge since 1997.

Zuidmulder was previously the county's district attorney in the early 1970's.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsinites get one step closer to Packers' football Thursday night.

The NFL unveils its 2017 regular season schedule at 7 pm.  

Early leaks indicate the Packers will host the Seattle Seahawks Week One. 

One person who is especially enthused by the full release is Lodge Kohler General Manager Dilan Van Ryn.

His facility plans to open in Ashwaubenon's new Titletown District this July, making this fall their first football season in operation.

For the many fans who make the pilgrimage to Lambeau Field, Van Ryn says Lodge Kohler is the perfect place to both sleep and kickoff game day festivities.

“We’ll have terrace suites that will allow for guests to tailgate from their hotel rooms on game days.”

The facility offers 134 guest rooms and ten suites. 

While prices for non-game days start at $170 per night for single occupancy and $195 for double, those minimum costs jump to $438 and $463 on Packers' game days.

When the Green and Gold is in town, a minimum two-night stay is required.

The increased pricing applies to both the night before and night of the game.

When booking a stay, Van Ryn says fans have the option to buy "a game day package so that they can purchase tickets to the game with their hotel stay."

He notes reservations through the end of 2017 are already being accepted. 

Van Ryn says they will start taking 2018 bookings at an unspecified date in the near future, which could affect Week 17 and potential postseason games.

For those who don't make the trip across the street, Van Ryn notes "we will have our 'Tavern in the Sky' restaurant and bar on the fifth floor with a cigar terrace that overlooks Lambeau Field." 

Lodge Kohler will also offer a panoramic restaurant, cafe, outdoor terrace, and full-service spa.

Game day reservations are only accepted by calling 888-4KOHLER (888-456-4537).  Other dates can be booked via phone or by visiting https://www.lodgekohler.com/check-rates.

In addition to Lodge Kohler, Hinterland Brewery opened its Titletown facility last week.  Bellin Health plans to begin operations this fall. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - There are roughly 62,000 vehicles with outstanding recall notices on Green Bay roads.

That's according to Chris Miller, CEO of the automotive communications company Recall Masters.

Miller says a study of local data shows around one in four vehicles in Titletown have an open recall.

He notes the firm has done similar studies in roughly 250 cities nationwide that have six-figure populations, stating Green Bay's numbers were in line with the United States' stats.

Miller claims over 60,000,000 recall notices were issued each of the last three years and states over 63,000,000 recalls are still active nationally.

"Around one-third of vehicle owners are not even aware they have a recall on their vehicle.  We've got another 20-30% that are apathetic to it.  Because of that, our overall recall completion rate has dropped under 50%."

Miller encourages vehicle owners to visit http://www.recallmasters.com/, his company's non-profit site.

The site prompts users for their vehicle's VIN number.

If there is a recall notice, the site tells the owner where the issue can be addressed locally.

Miller claims "tens of thousands of people use the site each month."

While he says Recall Masters does not financially benefit from the website service, Miller notes his company does profit from setting up recall departments for auto dealers.

He claims attracting customers to the dealership for recall repairs, for which the dealer is fully reimbursed by the manufacturer, often leads to future business on repairs, trade-ins, or new vehicle purchases.

Miller does not blame manufacturers for the amount of vehicles with recall notices on Green Bay roads, stating it is often difficult to track down non-original owners.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - State transportation department crews are now providing free roadside assistance on a major area highway for drivers who become stranded on I-43 in Brown and Manitowoc Counties.

The program is staffed with uniformed officers who work with contracted towing companies.

The service includes: providing fuel, changing flat tires, battery jump starts and assisting with traffic control.

The program works while road projects, including construction, along I-43 in those counties.

The D-O-T's Mark Kantola tells WLUK....

"We don't use freeway service teams on all of our projects, we only use them when it's a very impactful highway with lots of traffic on it. We want to have a resource there to make sure that you can get a tow truck or help out to you right away."

This isn't a first...

The DOT has deployed freeway service teams in the past along the I-41 construction project and currently on the 441 project in the Fox Valley.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A recently completed feasibility study is shedding new light on the future of Brown County’s East Branch Library.

Brown County Library Director Brian Simmons tells WLUK they are currently weighing two options: stay put in its Main Street location or move around the corner to the East Town Mall.

“We're trying to do our part in finding the right spot for the library”

A $66,000 study outlined the possibilities for both locations.

For the current location, the study looked at more than doubling its current 6,000 square foot space by taking over the space currently occupied by its neighbor, Gnome Games.

David Lang of HGA Architects conducted the study.

“People have been going there for 30 years, so I think that's one thing and all you have to do is bump through that wall and you have double your space”

The East Town option would take over the space that used to be home to the Budget Cinema.

“There is three theatres in that location, so to make them destinations for the community, we could be creative with how we do that”

The East Town space is larger at 27,325 square feet compared to the expanded Main Street location, which would be 18,230 square feet.

Although, the renovation price tag is more for East Town at $5.6 million compared to $4.2 million for the current location.

However, if the current location is chosen, the county would likely try to purchase the building for somewhere around $1 million.

“The other variable is what is the county board willing to support,” said Simons.

“Would they be willing to support a lot more money per year for rent or would they more likely support with that amount just purchasing and owning.”

There is no deadline for when a library location decision will be made.

Green Bay city leaders are awaiting the county's decision. That's because the new owner of East Town has proposed a redevelopment plan that is contingent on the library moving in.

“We have to do what's right for the library,” said Simons.

The East Town Mall proposal calls for transforming the traditional mall into more of a strip mall.

The developer is still working to find businesses willing and able to move in.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - One local shop expects business will start booming in the coming days, following Thursday's release of the Packers' 2017 schedule.

Ticket King Manager Travis Loftus says sales for away games are typically strongest in the days following the NFL's schedule drop, noting people want to plan their trips early for potential breaks on airfare.

Loftus claims sales also do well in July, when the physical tickets are distributed.

He says the Packers' 2017 road slate makes for plenty of hot sells, starting with the first game.

"We got the Atlanta Falcons the second week of the season.  They're opening up the new stadium.  We just lost to them in the playoffs.  We've got a sour taste in our mouth."

Loftus says a combination of opponent and stadium will likely make trips to Dallas and Minnesota popular tickets, with their homes having opened in 2009 and 2016, respectively.

He notes Pittsburgh's storied franchise and Carolina's climate will add the Steelers and Panthers games to that list.

However, Loftus says not every game will be as easy to sell.

"First one that comes to mind is the Cleveland Browns.  They're not the greatest team in the world."

While he doesn't expect it to be an unpopular ticket, Loftus believes the Bears game in Chicago won't be horribly sought after, based on the Illinois team's recent struggles.

Loftus notes his company goes through anywhere from a handful to 100 tickets per away game, based on opponent and destination.

When it comes to prices, that varies greatly.

"Anywhere from $175 on up to $1,000.  For example, we have some seats for the Cowboys game in the 400 level.  Something like that is running around like $450 per ticket right now."

The Packers' regular season starts Sunday, September 10.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Two people were taken into custody during a Friday morning drug bust in Oshkosh.

The Oshkosh Police Department says its Vice and Narcotics Unit, along with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office Drug Unit, searched a residence on the 1000 block of Jefferson Street, following an investigation.

Investigators say they recovered just under 1/4 pound of methamphetamine. 

The approximate street value is $10,000.

Two people were taken to the Winnebago County Jail.

A 48-year-old Oshkosh woman was arrested on charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Drug Dwelling.

A 30-year-old Oshkosh man was taken into custody on the same two charges, plus an outstanding warrant.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A second teenager has been convicted for phoning in threats against Oshkosh schools.

Eighteen-year-old Dylan Bird of Oshkosh pleaded no contest Friday to one felony count of Making Terrorist Threats, while a second count was dismissed but read into the record.

Last week, 18-year-old Andrew Monroe of Waupaca was convicted of the same charge.

According to the criminal complaint, Bird, Monroe, and a 15-year-old were at Monroe's Waupaca home on January 10.

Monroe dared Bird to phone in a threat against the school so they wouldn't have to go to class the next day.

Officials say Bird stated he was going to 'shoot up Oshkosh North and West.'

The 15-year-old reportedly phoned in a similar threat the next night.

On January 11, the high schools closed early.  They did not open at all on January 12.

Bird will be sentenced June 1 with Monroe's sentencing less than three weeks later.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) -

UPDATE: Oshkosh Police says 38-year-old Eric Tesch is in custody.

*****

The Oshkosh Police Department is asking for information as to the whereabouts of Eric W. Tesch, who has four warrants out for his arrest.

The 38 year old Tesch has warrants for his arrest from probation/parole; two warrants for failure to report to jail; and a warrant for child support.

Tesch is 6’, 200lbs, with brown hair and blue eyes. He is believed to be in the Oshkosh area.

If you know the whereabouts of Tesch, you are asked to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at (920) 236-5700 and give information to Detective Paul Frey.

If you have information, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; Text IGOTYA and your tip to 274637; or go to their website, www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org and submit a tip.

If an arrest is made, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Cheeseheads are not the only ones enthused by Thursday's release of the Packers' 2017 schedule.

Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau President/CEO Brad Toll calls it an "overall terrific schedule, speaking from a tourism perspective."

Toll notes the average economic impact from a Packers' home game is $14,000,000.

He says that is largely due to roughly 87% of the folks who pack Lambeau Field eight times each fall not living in Brown County.

In addition to the increased hotel, restaurant, gas, and retail spending, Toll says the economic impact includes earned wages as "the people that are employed during that time period may not be otherwise.  A lot of places nearby are doubling the staff that they would typically have in during a time period without a game."

While tourism officials do not typically like to see primetime games, which can mean less revenue, Toll is not concerned since this year's three nighttime contests are all against division rivals.

Toll says there is a huge tourism benefit that can come from nationally-televised primetime slots.

"The network may show downtown Green Bay and say 'we're in Green Bay, Wisconsin. What a great place to visit!'"

According to Toll, the national advertisement could plant a seed in viewers' heads to plan a future Green Bay vacation.

He says the free, national exposure is well beyond what the bureau could afford in its advertising budget.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Records may seem like a blast from the past but one local music store says vinyl's are more relevant than ever.

Tom Smith is the manager at The Exclusive Company located in downtown in Green Bay and says record sales have made a resurgence.

"The last, I'd say, 6 or 7 years it's really had a huge comeback here and nationwide."

Even high schoolers are enjoying the throwback of vinyl with Smith saying Adele's "25" album was one of their largest sellers in the past 5 years.

Saturday, April 22, is National Record Store Day and Smith says it's their biggest sales day of the year.

"It's like Christmas and Festivus, you know, in one holiday," said Smith. "Nothing comes close to it anymore."

Black Friday comes in as a distant second.

Smith says there's nothing quite like the feel of vinyl.

"It's just nice having the tangible item in your hand. You can smell a record jacket, you can't smell a download."

The Exclusive Company, located at 423 Dousman Street, has a big celebration planned for the 10th annual event.

Doors will open Saturday from 7am until 10pm with live music from The Short Timers and DJ's spinning vinyl all day.

They also have deals on exclusive record releases from artists like The Ramones, Alice in Chains The Cure, The Lumineers and much more.

Read more about their scheduled events at www.exclusivecompany.com.

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - Three kayakers were rescued Friday after their boats overturned in fast-moving water.

The trio was traveling down Duck Creek, in Pamperin Park, when they encountered a tree.

The kayakers fell out of their boats after efforts to come to a stop were unsuccessful.

At least one of the people grabbed onto the tree and waited for help to arrive.

Emergency responders saved the kayakers, who are said to be doing fine.

Officials remind people to check conditions before hitting the waters.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The lone pipeline that used to serve Northeast Wisconsin will remain closed.

West Shore Pipeline Company officials have reportedly informed Governor Scott Walker's administration they will not reopen the gas and fuel pipeline, which indefinitely shut down in March 2016.

The 110-mile pipeline ran from Milwaukee to Green Bay.

In the 13 months since it stopped operating, state and local officials have collaborated to get fuel to the area.

They are still looking for a long-term solution.  

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - It's a chance for you to give Mother Earth a little love and also help beautify a Green Bay trail system.

The annual Baird Creek Cleanup is Saturday.

It goes from 8:30 until noon at the Triangle Hill Pavilion located at 500 Beverly Road.

Baird Creek Preservation Foundation Board President, Charlie Frisk, says people will be put into groups working on a variety of projects.

"Some people are going to be doing garbage cleanup, some people will be doing plantings, and some people will be doing invasive species removal."

Frisk says tools and garbage bags will be provided but asks that people to bring leather gloves, no flip-flops, and wear old clothes.

He expects around 150 people to be at the event with nice weather expected all day.

But despite it being Earth Day, Frisk says it's important to take care of our planet no matter what day it is.

"Think globally and act locally. This is one thing we can do at this particular site but we need to be thinking about in terms of protecting our environment year round."

Learn more about the event at www.bairdcreek.org.

MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) - Northeast Wisconsin residents had a chance Friday to weigh-in on Governor Scott Walker's proposed two-year state budget.

The legislature's Joint Finance Committee held its sixth and final hearing of the spring at Marinette High School.

Prior to the event, legislators from both sides of the aisle expressed concerns over transportation funding.

River Hills Republican Senator Alberta Darling says "transportation is the biggest challenge, and everything is on the table right now.  We can't let those major highways not be completed, because it is just going to cost us more.  Delays will cost more.  Repairs will cost more."

According to Middleton Democratic Senator Jon Erpenbach "we all know that we need to have a long-term fix and a short-term fix as well.  Hopefully we come up with a fair way to pay for the roads, but in the meantime, the governor is either going to have to bite the bullet and realize that we will have to raise a gas tax or fees."

The committee looks to address a projected $1,000,000,000 shortfall in the transporation budget.

Governor Walker has vowed to veto any budget that includes an increase to the gas tax.

During a Friday stop in Freedom, Walker said "I don't think we need to raise the gas tax, and I don't see a broad base vehicle registration fee.  I don't hear anyone talking about that."

Earlier this month, the Joint Finance Committee said it would scrap the governor's transportation proposal and start from scratch.

Walker has since stated he would allocate another $100,000,000 for transportation.

One item that does not appear to be in jeopardy is the governor's proposed $649,000,000 increase in school funding.

Marinette Representative John Nygren says "I don't see us going back on the governor's committment to K-12 education."

Oshkosh Representative Gordon Hintz adds "we heard from schools that this will help them stay afloat.  They're concerned the commitment isn't going to be there in two years, and this is just more of a re-election budget." 

The committee will now deliberate any potential changes to the budget before it goes to the full House and Senate.

The budget is expected to take effect July 1.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The attorneys for a man accused of killing a Ledgeview woman last spring say they have evidence her boyfriend committed the crime.

A motion filed Friday reveals the arguments George Burch's attorney wants to present at trial.

But first, a judge must decide if the arguments will be allowed.

The attorneys for George Burch believe there is motive, opportunity, and a direct connection to show Douglass Detrie murdered his girlfriend, Nicole VanderHeyden, last May.

Detrie was originally arrested after the murder, but was released from jail two weeks later, and no charges were ever filed against him.

Burch was arrested three months later in September.

At that time, Brown County Sheriff's investigators said Detrie was no longer a suspect.

WLUK reports in the newly filed motion, Burch's attorneys outline why they believe Detrie is responsible for the crime.

In the motion, Burch's attorneys point out that Detrie and VanderHeyden were out drinking the night of the murder and were seen fighting throughout the night.

The court documents state the two separated and then VanderHeyden met Burch at a bar on Broadway.

Burch's attorneys go onto say that after a few drinks, Burch drove VanderHeyden to the Bellevue home she shared with Detrie.

In the court documents, Burch's lawyers say while Burch and VanderHeyden were in Burch's vehicle, Detrie came outside and struck Burch in the back of the head.

The motion states when Burch gathered himself, Detrie was holding a gun to his head and VanderHeyden was unconscious and beaten.

Then, Detrie used his gun to order Burch to drive him and VanderHeyden's body to the Bellevue field where she was eventually found dead.

Burch's attorneys state in the court documents that Burch did not discuss the matter because he knew the police arrested the correct person.

On June 16th, Judge John Zakowski is expected to determine whether the arguments in the motion can be used during the trial.

In the criminal complaint against Burch, investigators say they found Burch's DNA on VanderHeyden's body, clothes, and evidence found at the alleged murder scene outside VanderHeyden's home. The complaint also states Burch's cell phone records put him at the murder scene and the Bellevue field.

ABBOTSFORD, WI (WRN) - Governor Scott Walker says he’s glad to have the federal government getting involved in a trade dispute that’s putting several Wisconsin dairy farms at risk of closing.

The ongoing trade battle is the result of a Canadian pricing policy that’s stopping some imports from the U.S. It’s forced a major Wisconsin distributor to announce it will stop buying milk from about 75 farms at the end of this month, many of which currently have no other customers.

During a stop in Abbotsford Friday, Walker said he’s mindful of the fact that resolving the dispute is not going to be easy, which is why he met with President Donald Trump earlier this week during his stop in Kenosha, and talked with members of the administration afterwards.

“It’s not just enough for me as a governor, I need the president and the White House behind us”

Walker said he would like to see Canada at least delay its policy until a solution can be found.

“People can’t just stop milking, you can’t just dump the milk…there’s a real danger that if we get to the drop dead point and don’t have a resolution, they’re going to have to get out of farming…and that’s just unacceptable”

President Trump said he will immediately start working on a resolution to the problem.

Trump calls the Canadian-imposed import tax "a typical one-sided deal against the United States."

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - It leaves a hole in their hearts they deal with everyday.

But family and friends of the missing gathered in Brown County Saturday to remember their loved ones, support each other...and bring awareness to their cases.

Marsha Loritz is the one of the organizers of the 3rd Missing Persons event.

Tuesday marks 4 years since her mother, Victoria Prokopovitz, went missing from her Pittsfield home.

"Evereyday is a struggle and you try and hold on to hope"

But that's not easy as the years roll by.

"So much time has gone by and I think I worry about will I forget her voice ? I don't want to forget anything about her"

Lori Ahnert has been waiting for news of her niece, Amber Wilde, for 18 years.

"It's frustrating now of course that we don't know where she is, don't know what happened to her. That's all we want to know"

Jenna Wood is Amber's aunt. She says it's a roller-coaster everyday.

"Every news that a body has been found, or that human remains have been found, that definitely puts you on this roller-coaster that maybe it's Amber"

A balloon release, with names of each of Wisconsin's 178 missing persons, concluded a ceremony no one wants to be part of next year.

Governor Scott Walker has declared April to be Missing Persons Awareness Month.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - As the weather warms up, police are reminding people to protect their property.

Area police departments warn thefts from cars, garages and even homes often increase with the rising temperature.

Cops say they can sound like broken records in spring sometimes, but they said the message is important.

"With the warmer weather you're gonna have more thieves out. They like the warm weather as well"

Oshkosh Police Officer Joe Nichols tells WLUK us bicycle thefts have been a particular problem this spring.

He said three were reported stolen in one day.

"It's been an on-going problem for many years, where people are not registering their bikes with the City of Oshkosh. There is an ordinance"

According to Nichols of the bikes that are found, only a small percentage are registered and returned to their owners.

"There is no charge for the bike registration. Takes no more than ten minutes to come in"

Nichols says even more important than the registration, is to take steps to prevent the theft in the first place.

"Put them away in a garage. Lock the garage door. Lock the bikes"

Sgt. Dave Lund with the Appleton Police Department indicates stolen bikes aren't the only concern.

He tells WLUK thefts of electronics and money from cars and even homes go up with warmer weather as well.

"Someone may have that intent to go and steal things, but they're not looking to break windows. They not looking to kick in doors"

Lund calls them crimes of opportunity.

"A lot of times, unfortunately, we're dealing with individuals who are looking to score something quickly so they can go buy drugs"

Lund advises three steps for keeping your stuff secure.

"Shut your doors. Lock your doors. Turn your lights on"

That goes for homes, garages and cars.