ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The Packers and Verizon are teaming up in an effort to help prevent domestic violence and assist victims.

Used cell phones, charges, and accessories will be collected at Lambeau Field for two hours prior to kickoff of the October 22 game against New Orleans.

Verizon's Steve Van Dinter says donations can be dropped off at the Oneida Nation, Mills Fleet Farm, Verizon, and Miller Lite gates.

"We encourage you to ask family and friends, neighbors, and co-workers to join us and collect and donate those no longer in use devices, accessories and help make a difference to folks right here in Wisconsin."

Verizon has also made a $50-thousand dollar donation to the group 'End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin.'

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A group of more than a dozen people gathered outside Senator Ron Johnson's Oshkosh office Tuesday to call on the Senator to push for new gun laws. 

Organizer Lisa Hansen cites investigators finding more than 20 weapons in Stephen Paddock's Las Vegas hotel room following Sunday's mass shooting, including semiautomatic rifles.

"I don't think the Second Amendment was designed to include weapons of mass destruction for everyday citizens, you know things like silencers and high capacity magazines, that amendment was written when guns had one bullet."

Hansen wants to see change, at least to some degree.

"I think background checks are important and I can't see anybody arguing against tougher background checks."

The NRA has argued against tougher background checks, and Senator Johnson says its too soon after Sunday's tragedy for people to push gun law reform.

The shooting killed 59 people and left more than 500 others injured.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Some Green Bay council members want to continue the process of taking down the city's deteriorating Sept. 11 memorial, even after a committee recently recommended finding a way to fix it.

All council members seem to agree that something needs to be done with the 9/11 memorial, but the council appears split on whether to take down the memorial.

Those who want to take down the memorial want to find out what's inside the memorial's base.

Two weeks ago, Barb Jack, an original fundraiser for the memorial, told the council that Sept. 11th victim remains are in the base. Jack's claim came without any documentation.

Then, last week, Jack stated she had proof that the memorial includes victim DNA, but wouldn't share that proof publicly.

Those who want to keep the memorial are asking for more time to gather information on Jack's claims. They also want an estimate for fixing the monument.

"There is no plan that was presented that includes putting something in that monument. I believe it was done inappropriately without any oversight, without any authorization." said Green Bay alderman, Randy Scannell.

While Green Bay alderman Guy Zima says...

"I think what is disrespectful is tearing it down. This is a big deal. I believe it is a tourist attraction. I believe it is very positive."

The council passed a motion to work toward preserving the monument, coming up with cost estimates, and research what was put into the memorial.

However, that does not necessarily mean the monument will stay up, or be fixed. What it does is allow more time for the two possibilities to be explored more.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - What turned out to be a false-report spread quickly at Appleton West's homecoming dance Saturday.

Juniors Laney Brown and Lily Howard were both there. They spoke to FOX 11

"Two of my friends came up to me, and said, 'Guys somebody has a gun," says Brown.

"I heard there was a gun. I said that's not good. I was kind of sketched out by that," said Howard.

District assistant superintendent, James Huggins, says a student at the dance reported seeing someone with a gun.

"There was a false report that happened at the dance."

Huggins says three Appleton police offficers were at the dance, as part of the district's normal security practices.

"It was investigated quickly and proved to be false."

He says the district has several policies in place to make sure students stay safe.

“There are check-in processes that happen at all of our dances, one of those measures in place."

Appleton West's principal, Mark McQuade, sent a message to parents. Stating in part,

"We take safety and security very seriously, and at no time was anybody at the dance in danger."

Huggins says notifications were also put up on both the district's and school's websites.

"I think it's always important that you can communicate, and provide that information."

Howard and Brown say they won't let this experience stop them from attending future events.

The district would not say anything about the student who reported seeing the gun. That includes any potential disciplinary measures.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Roughly 200 area middle school girls are getting a hands-on look at various careers Wednesday.

NWTC is holding its annual 'Women at Work' event, which introduces girls to the fields of biomedical electronics, masonry, robotics, prototyping, and machine tool.

"It brings them some awareness that these are careers that they may not have thought of.  They are not traditionally female-oriented careers, but they are careers that women can be extremely successful at."

NWTC Apprenticeship Manager Todd Kiel notes the girls go from station to station throughout the day, participating in interactive learning and interacting with employers.

"We try to get some female role models to run the event for us, put them in front of females that have been successful.  Doctor Morna Foy is the first female president of the technical college system, and she does our keynote."

Kiel says NWTC has seen some results from the first seven years of the 'Women at Work' program.

"We do see higher interest from females in some fields (in college applications).  We're not where we would like to be yet."

The federal government has recently announced initiatives to increase female interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.   

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A new assistant chief will be sworn in by the Appleton Police Department Thursday.

Larry Potter is currently a captain and has spent all 24 of years in law enforcement in Appleton, having previously held the roles of school resource officer lieutenant, patrol lieutenant, field training officer, and patrol officer.

Potter believes having held a number of positions in the department will help him in his new role.

"I did a significant amount of time on patrol, which I think is critical.  I've been out working night shifts for an extended period of time.  I know what problems the patrol officers run into, what kind of crimes we respond to."

Potter says he's most excited about expanding a program that he started implementing in his district during the past year.  

"When people call in, and they're concerned about an area or a problem in their neighborhood, I want those tasks officially assigned to somebody.  Then the caller knows we heard them.  The caller sees us and got the response they were looking for." 

Potter notes the program has gotten a very positive response from the community.

Shifting gears, Potter shares what he learned from the man he's replacing, retiring Assistant Chief Todd Olm.

"He was very grounded, very humble, and had a lot of wisdom that he shared along the way too. Not to do a knee-jerk type of reaction, but just calm, gather the information, let's assess it, and respond appropriately." 

Potter says it feels like the right time in his career to pursue this new challenge.

Lieutenant Polly Wilson is assuming Potter's role as captain.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - Manitowoc Police has been dealing with an increased number of complaints at one of the city's parks.

Captain Jason Freiboth shares the year-to-date stats on calls from Red Arrow Park. 

"We've handled 61 incidents at Red Arrow.  In that same time period last year, we only had 43 incidents."

Freiboth notes the issues have included noise violations, drug and alcohol complaints, and domestic disturbances.

"Loud arguments, physical fights, we had some threats that were made involving allegations that somebody pointed at a handgun at somebody (which later turned out to be an airsoft gun)." 

Freiboth says there have also been issues with vandalism and property damage, including to the recently-renovated parking lot area. 

"From some of the vehicles accelerating excessively fast, they have caused some minor damage to that fresh blacktop.

The captain is unaware of the cost estimate for that damage.

Freiboth says the department plans to step up patrol at Red Arrow, taking a 'zero-tolerance approach.'

"We're going to instruct our officers to either make arrests or issue citations (when city ordinances are violated or laws are broken)."

Freiboth notes there is also a city policy that allows for people who violate rules to be suspended from city parks for up to one year, depending on the infraction.

While there have been issues at other parks, Freiboth says the majority of their problems have been at Red Arrow.

CALUMET COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Calumet County authorities have recovered one stolen vehicle but are still looking more two more. 

Sheriff's officials say the three vehicles were reported stolen from Stockbridge on Wednesday morning. 

Those still missing are a black 2015 Jeep Cherokee (WI plate 723TRV) and black four-door 2010 Mazda 31 sedan (WI plate 398XSM). 

The one recovered was found in Milwaukee.  

Anyone with information should call the Calumet County Sheriff's Office at 920-849-2335 or Crime Stoppers at 877-765-8327.

SHAWANO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 20-year-old Clintonville man has pleaded no contest to being under the influence of a controlled substance when he killed three passengers in a vehicle accident. 

Ryan Swadner was reportedly on his way to a drug deal when he caused the Shawano County crash in October 2014. 

Swadner pleaded no contest to three felony counts of Homicide While Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance and one misdemeanor count of Causing Injury While Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance.

Seven other counts were dismissed.

He will be sentenced January 10.

The parents of two of the teens who were killed in the crash filed a wrongful death suit against Swadner earlier this year.  

ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ) - A new piece of artwork has been installed at a local school.

The 'Lifelong' sculpture was unveiled at Webster Elementary on Wednesday.

Local artist Kent Hutchison created the work, which portrays the school's mission as an arts integration elementary school.

Webster Principal Nancy Schultz says "it's the image of holding children up until they can fly on their own.  You can see that the trumpet is at the heart of it.  The arts are at the heart of what we do here.  I'm very excited about it."

Hutchison will become an artist in residence at Webster later this month, teaching students about the design process and creation of an artist statement.

NORTHEAST WISCONSIN (WTAQ-WLUK) - As Foxconn announces that it plans to build its massive plant in Mount Pleasant, south of Milwaukee, business leaders in Northeast Wisconsin are hoping they will have a chance to attract another major project from another major company.

Regional leaders says they're looking to make a proposal to bring the second headquarters for Amazon. 

• A location with more than a million people
• A place close to mass transit, with a 45-minute or less commute to an international airport

Cities like Chicago, and Milwaukee are already composing bids.

"It's a very broad scope that they are looking at basically nationwide, so I think they are just trying to narrow the field," said Bob Mundt, the president and CEO of the Fox Cities Chamber. 

Fox Cities Chamber, along with other economic development groups in the area, are working together on the bid.

"There'd be some changes we'd have to make to our transportation infrastructure, utilities infrastructure, those types of things," said Mundt.

"I think Wisconsin is being certified as a good place to do business," said Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt.

Schmitt says the region's workforce would make it an attractive choice for Amazon.

"At the end of the day, it's the people, and I think Wisconsin can offer some of the best employees around," he said.

Schmitt added that competing against big cities might make it tough to land Amazon; however, he points to Foxconn, saying the state won despite competition from bigger cities.

"The fact that we're even confident in putting a bid in and the fact that we landed Foxconn, that is a statewide success and we just want to capitalize on it," said Schmitt.

Regional leaders say they're still in the starting stages of making a bid proposal.

Amazon has not said when it would narrow down the field of cities before it makes a decision.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - We now have a better idea of what the Lakeshore Golf Course in Oshkosh could look like if part of the course is sold to Oshkosh Corporation.

The corporation would only need about 30 of the more than 100 acres of the city-owned course for its new corporate headquarters.

One question still looming about the possible, partial sale of Lakeshore Golf Course: what happens to the part the city keeps?

Oshkosh's Plan Commission and Parks Board discussed some possibilities with the public Wednesday.

Allen Davis, Oshkosh community development director, tells FOX 11.

"Because the city council has a very important decisions to make and I'm sure they would like as much public input as possible."

There are two concepts at this point that both include the Oshkosh corporate headquarters. One has more open space in it, the other includes some commercial real estate.

Davis says the first concept is the more 'minimal' of the two. It would include some trails and not much else.

"And then it's a lot of park and open space around it."

The second concept has significantly less open space.

"Which adds more commercial, or retail development and more recreational features like ball fields and soccer fields."

Jason White with the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation said getting Oshkosh Corporation part of the golf course is essential for the city.

He tsays creating a new park with access to the water will be a great complement to that.

"Trails, ball fields recreational amenities, picnics,opportunities for families to enjoy a Sunday afternoon."

But residents who do not want to see the golf course sold tells FOX 11 there's no way a new park could replace Lakeshore.

"A lot of us don't play soccer. We don't go to Pollock Pool, but all these little assets are important to any city so that all the constituents are taken care of," Susan Lloyd explained.

At this point Davis says Oshkosh Corporation is considering the course site, along with sites in other communities.

"It's in the City of Oshkosh's hands right now. Are we gonna submit a proposal for their corporate headquarters?"

The council has until October 31st to submit that proposal to still be in the running.

There will be another public-input meeting tonight at the Oshkosh Convention Center from 6 to 8.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Identity theft comes in many forms, and often times, criminals use technology against you.

Robert Harris of Green Bay has learned that first-hand, "My credit card number was stolen from a pump at a gas station."

Harris is also among the millions of people whose information may have been compromised in the Equifax breach.

So what can you do to protect yourself and your information?

Joe Wetzel is a Security Instructor at Fox Valley Technical College. He spoke to FOX 11.

"For example, if a hacker can get control of your email account, they have the ability to reset passwords."

To see if your information was a part of the Equifax security breach click here.

Wetzel says you should be changing your passwords frequently, "The biggest thing is just the fact that, if you're using the same password for multiple accounts, you have to change that."

When it comes to things like your social security number, Wetzel says it's a bit more complicated.

"Once your social security number is out in the wild, then anybody can get your social security and start taking credit cards out in your name."

Weztel says the most effective way to ensure no one is using your social security number is to freeze your accounts.

"The other thing to stop someone from taking advantage of that, you need to put down a security freeze."

Tips aside, Harris says it's still frustrating, "If somebody wants your information, it seems like no matter what you do to protect it, they're just smarter than the consumer."

STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - After Sunday night’s tragedy in Las Vegas, Sturgeon Bay Police Captain Dan Brinkman wanted to share his knowledge on what to do if anyone in his area is ever in a similar situation.

“They have to be proactive and they have to actively protect themselves.”

Last night, Brinkman spoke in front of about two dozen people at Sonny’s Pizzeria.

Brinkman has been teaching civilian response to active shooter situations since becoming certified two and a half years ago.

In that time, he has given countless presentations.

“I’m glad they're doing it again so I can apply it to my new jobs.” said Sue Tong-Fredrickson of Sturgeon Bay.

If people were to only take one thing away, Brinkman would want it be A-D-D: avoid, deny, defend.

“If you can get out, get out. If you're trapped in a building and you can't get out, you have to deny entry into the room that you’re barricaded in. If its imminent that the shooter is coming into that room then you have to defend yourself like your life depended on it, because it does in that situation.”

Brinkman says what to do in an active shooter situation has evolved, especially since the Columbine shooting in 1999.

He says that is when people were advised to hide and police were told to wait for the SWAT team. He tells FOX 11 that is no longer the recommendation.

“If they don't have a plan, history shows that they will become a statistic. If they have a plan and practice it in their mind, they will be successful or have a better chance at surviving.”

“I like to be prepared,” said Tong-Fredrickson. “I want to know what to do at any given time.”

Brinkman hopes that is the case for anyone who sits in on one of his 90-minute presentations.

Brinkman says two and a half years ago, when he was certified to teach civilian response to shooter situations, there were 40,000 certified officers. He believes that number has since doubled to 80,000.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - Grand Chute Police are investigating a robbery at the Microtel Inn on Metro Drive.

It happened around 6:30 Wednesday night.

Police say the suspect demanded money and pointed an unknown object at the clerk.

The suspect is described as 5'4" and slender, wearing a dark hooded jacket,black gloves and panty hose over the face.

Police did not say if the suspect was a male or female.

Anyone with information can call (920) 832-1575.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - UW-Oshkosh officials are responding to the latest case of racially-motivated behavior on campus.

Dean of Students Art Munin says the incident targeted an African American student in one of the dorms.

"An unknown person scratched the 'n-word' into the metal plate that has the room number, outside of her door."

Munin notes other incidents have been reported in the past.

"People either being called the 'n-word' on campus or students reporting other identity-based targeting.  There has not been a pattern to it."

In response to the recent incident, African American and Latino groups on campus held a Wednesday night event so members of the UW-Oshkosh community could make their voices heard on what has been happening on campus and in the world.

"To make some positive, proactive plans for 'what can we do in order to further this dialogue and make this to be a more open and inclusive place.'" 

Munin notes the school offers various programs that teach against this sort of behavior.

"Bystander intervention training.  We have our 'safe training' in order to increase the skill base and the dialogue on campus.  Then we have a host of diversity trainings that occur."

Munin says the graffiti was immediately removed and notes they are still looking to find the person responsible.    

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - A second suspect has been arrested in connection with an August 6 shooting in the Neenah Shopko parking lot.

Officers say 19-year-old Rico Harvest of Menasha was taken into custody Wednesday, nearly two months after 18-year-old Anthony Pitzrick of Neenah was arrested.

Investigators say they also seized three firearms (two 9 mm handguns and a semi-automatic rifle) and 1,403 grams of marijuana.

The two face multiple charges, including: first degree intentional homicide, first degree recklessly endangering safety, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.

Nobody was injured, and no word of what caused the shooting.  More charges are expected.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - The ribbon is cut Thursday on a new affordable housing facility in Grand Chute.

The Appleton Housing Authority has officially opened the Grand View Townhomes on Bluemound Drive.

The building was dedicated in memory of former Appleton Housing Authority Board of Commissioners chairperson Kathy Groat.

Officials say the one to three bedroom units range from $300 to $14-hundred dollars, with residents paying based on income levels.

Brian Schimming of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority says "I don't care how great the economy is, you're still going to have folks who have those challenges -- and they're legitimate challenges. You have a lot of people who've been pressed out of the workforce, trying to get back in. If we can give them a helping hand in projects like this, they're gonna do fine."

Roughly half of the 40 units are already off the market.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Participants in this year's 'Move Greater Green Bay' program logged more than 2-million steps.

More than 1,000 businesses and individuals participated in the challenge, which aimed to both get Green Bay more active and raise money for Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Katie Hess of Big Brothers, Big Sisters says "every dollar is critical to the success of our agency but when money comes in from the community like this, when it's more of a larger scope, it's not just about submitting a check to help a child, it's about taking the initiative as a community to help the rest of our community."

The competition brought in $7,500.

Zepnick Solutions racked up the most steps with 17,000.

COMBINED LOCKS, WI (WTAQ) - The sale of a Combined Locks paper mill to a California-based liquidation company has been approved.

A judge has signed off on Industrial Assets buying Appleton Coated for $21-million dollars.  It is expected to close on Friday.

As part of the sale, there will be a 90-day period to search for a different buyer to run the mill.

A crew of roughly 100 employees will be kept on to keep the building maintained during that time.  

Many of Appleton Coated's 600+ workers were temporarily laid off last month and will remain laid off.

A lot of those folks are feeling uncertain about their futures.

Carrie Thomas is trying to figure out what's next. 

"I know a lot of us have been looking for new jobs, some of us have been starting to think about schooling, not putting all our hopes on this."

Thomas says there is one positive from the sale.

"We're all excited about that, because the purchase agreement was supposed to be done and finalized Friday.  Well, it wasn't, so we were all losing our health insurance Saturday night at midnight."

The high-end commercial printing product maker filed for receivership in August and was auctioned off in September.