APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A renewed push in the Fox Valley to try to provide care for veterans of all ages, even at the end of their lives.

It's part of the vision of a "Veterans Village."

In Fox Valley communities, Katie Heim with the Appleton West Rotary Club tells FOX 11, people hold a lot of pride in their hearts for their veteran neighbors and when vets have a need locally, many try to help.

"I just don't see how you can't get involved when they've, basically, given their lives to help protect and serve."

In the future a group of Grand Chute apartments that are currently part of the Outagamie County Housing Authority could become "Veteran's Village" with housing for single veterans, families and specialized care for older vets.

"Assisted living and hospice and palliative end of life care," explained Jim Strong, the Chair of the Fox Valley Veterans Council.

The council wants to renovate the existing buildings and add to the complex to offer housing and extended services.

The Grand Chute location is close to the John H. Bradley VA Clinic and Fox Valley Technical College.

According to Strong nothing this comprehensive exists in the state, but there is a need.

"So that they're with people that understand who they are and where they're coming from , shared experiences."

Strong says veterans across the country struggle to find and afford housing. It's no different locally, where the veterans population is higher than you might think.

"Within the Fox Cities and focusing on the Appleton area they're 7.4% of the population." Appleton West Rotary held a fundraising event Thursday evening to help jump start the project.

"We're hoping to be around $15,000 for the event."

Heim says "Veterans Village" is still in the very early planning stages. So there is no set cost or budget yet.

Even so, she has no doubt the community will help make it a reality.

"I've never seen a community that's so dedicated, not just to veterans, but to people in need in general."

The idea has been around for a while and no commitments have been made as to when work might begin on the "Veterans Village."

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Rhonda Sitnikau has been appointed to fill the vacant board member position that was created by a resignation.

"What families and children in school are looking for in regards to having further access to safety, food insecurity."

Sitnikau has been active in Green Bay civic issues for a number of years.

She feels that experience can help with school issues inside and even outside the classroom.

"Working with local leaders, people on the city council, to help provide better pedestrian and bike safety."

Safety challenges inside the schools, and curriculum issues, are important as well.

Sitnikau has a daughter in Middle School.

"It is in my best interest to make sure that we're doing the best we can to serve children in the area."

According to state law, the vacated Board position is filled with an appointed member until April 2018, at which time the position will be filled through the general election.

Sitnikau is making plans to run for the position then.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- The Green Bay Packers have activated Linebacker Vince Biegel from the reserve/physially unable to perform list.

Biegel has missed the first half off his rookie season, and as not played in an NFL game.

The Wiconsin Rapids native was a fourth round draft pick.

The Packers also signed Long Snapper Derek Hart and Cornerback Donatello Brown to the active roster from the practice squad.

The team signed Tight End Emanuel Byrd to the practice squad and placed Safety Kentrell Brice and Long Snapper Taybor Pepper on IR.

Donatello Brown was singed as an undrafted free agent back in May. 

Derek Hart was signed by Green Bay in March and releaed in August.

Emanuel Byrd was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by Kansas City.

KESHENA, WI (WTAQ) - A Menominee Tribal Highway Safet officer has been fired over alleged inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old girl.

Menominee Tribal Chairman Gary Besaw said 39-year-old Basil Okimosh Jr. was fired Thursday after he was arrested as a result of an undercover sting operation.

Besaw said "This was a multi-jurisdiction effort."

Tribal leaders say the teen's mother came forward Sunday, claiming her daughter received inappropriate social media messages from Basil Okimosh Jr.

Chairman Besaw sad the messages were being received both by Snapchat and Facebook.

"It is still under investigation, but from what he have heard, the contact was just messaging."

Besaw said he was glad the information was reported.

"Tribal Government admires the courage of the mother and the victim for coming forward with the information, and we are pleased with how quickly and swiftly our Tribal Police Department investigated."

Tribal Chairman Gary Besaw says Okimosh worked for the department from 2010-2016, and resigned citing differences with his supervisor.

Okimosh was then rehired this July after passing an updated background check and psychological exam.

"The first thing that goes through your mind is the safety of the victim, but as we heard the report that police were acting swiftly, then what goes through your mind is that the Tribal Police are here to protect us."

"We remind all parents to take the oppertunity to speak with their kids and monitor their kids."

Formal charges are expected to be filed on Friday. It is believed that the charges will be related to attempted child inticement and attempted sending obscene materials.

Tribal leaders say the investigation is ongoing.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - Another report of tampered with Halloween candy. 

Fond du Lac Police says a 25-year-old woman reported finding what appeared to be two pieces of a pill inside a package of Mike and Ike's that her child was given during Sunday's Trick-or-Treating, noting there was a hole in the packaging.     

The woman says she noticed the matter Thursday, saying the it was a hard, orange-coated pill with a white inside.

Nobody was injured, and officers do not know if the substance was harmful.

An investigation is ongoing.

Problems with Halloween candy were also reported in a handful of other communities, including Keshena, Neenah, and Green Bay.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) -  Ashwaubenon Public Safety says Sunday's Daylight Savings Time can serve as a good reminder to check safety measure in one's home. 

Captain Eric Dunning says that starts with the main detector of a fire.

"Stop by your local store and pick up some new batteries.  Most of them are nine volt.  As you're going around the house changing the clocks, take a minute and change out the batteries inside your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors."

When it comes to dryers, Dunning notes people should check their vent pipe at least once a year.

"You have the lint that will build up in there and then, depending on the venting that's on the outside of the building, animals can also get up there and build nests."

Dunning also encourages people to do an annual inspection and sweep of their chimneys.  

"If you have a wood-burning fireplace, get the creosote out.  During the summer months, animals will go in there and build nests."

Another inspection Dunning encourages for homeowners to do once per year is the furnace.

"Make sure that it's properly ventilated, number one.  And number two, that's it's got the proper burn on it, if you have incomplete combustion or there's a sort of leak within the furnace component, a carbon monoxide issue could result."  

Dunning also encourages people to keep their space heaters away from other combustible items.

At 2 am Sunday, the clocks change back to 1 am.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - More than a dozen vandalism cases involving pumpkins have been reported in Fond du Lac.

Police Chief Steve Thiry says a white van was seen traveling at high speeds while passengers tossed pumpkins at various objects.

"It seems to be pretty much focused on vehicle damage, mostly throwing larger pumpkins through vehicle windows." 

Thiry says mailboxes were another popular target.

Anyone with information is asked to call Fond du Lac Police at 920-906-5555.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The City of Oshkosh is hoping to keep Oshkosh Corporation's headquarters in town.

City officials are proposing to sell 35 acres of the Lakeshore Golf Course property to the company for $3.5-million dollars.

The city would also spend $7.2-million on infrastructure improvements in the area and set up a TIF District, with expectations of capturing at least $6-million in taxes over a 12-year period.

As part of the deal, Oshkosh Corporation would have to complete its headquarters by the end of 2019 and create at least $18.5-million in taxable value.

Oshkosh city officials say losing the company would also mean the loss of 450 current jobs, 200 future jobs, and a number of indirect jobs.

Earlier this year, Oshkosh Corporation said the Lakeshore site is the only one in Oshkosh that meets its criteria for a new headquarters.

The city's Parks Advisory Board and Plan Commission are scheduled to meet at 6 pm Monday at the Oshkosh Convention Center to consider the proposal.

A special city council meeting is set for 5:30 pm Wednesday.

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Construction is underway for a plan to connect existing trails around Little Lake Butte de Morts.

Those trails will also link the cities of Neenah and Menasha.

The $3.5 million dollar project is expected to be completed next year.

• Click here for more information

"We look forward to being out on the trail and using it next summer so it's the final stretch of this project and it's exciting to be here," said Amy Barker.

Barker is the executive director of Future Neenah, which has helped raise money to pay for a portion of the project.

"Initially when the bids came back, they were high. We kept fundraising and fundraised harder. We made a larger commitment to both communities so instead of raising a million dollars, we raised $1,075,000," she said.

Both the Neenah and Menasha mayors support the project and attended Friday's groundbreaking ceremony.

"This is just another project that shows when we're working together as a community, that we get great things done," said Don Merkes, Menasha mayor.

"This 3.2 mile trail is just perfect," said Dean Kaufert, Neenah mayor.

A state grant, Future Neenah donations, and the cities of Neenah and Menasha will help pay for this project, which has been in the works since 2015.

Both cities had to buy two plots of land to help the project along. Those in charge say some of the benefits include having additional water access and the trail being able to be used for many years to come.

"We're going to have probably, a 5K loop probably 80 percent off road so it's going to be a very safe trail and very accessible," Tungate said.

BLOOMINGTON, IN (WTAQ) - Hopes of an undefeated season remain for Badgers fans.

Wisconsin beat Indiana 45-17 Saturday in Bloomington, improving to 9-0 on the year (6-0 Big Ten).

UW fell behind early, with the Hoosiers (3-6, 0-6 Big Ten) scoring the game's first ten points.

However, the Badgers were able to rally in the second quarter, with Alex Hornibrook touchdown passes to Alec Ingold and Quintez Cephus giving them a 14-10 edge at the half.

Following a field goal on the opening drive of the third quarter, Wisconsin extended its lead to 24-10 on a 32-yard touchdown run from freshman sensation Jonathan Taylor.

Indiana brought it within seven late in the third quarter, but two fourth quarter touchdown runs from Ingold blew the game open, 38-17.

A third one-yard TD run of the fourth quarter, this one from Bradrick Shaw, put the contest to bed. 

Hornibrook finished 13-20 for 158 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Taylor racked up 183 yards and a score on 29 carries.

A.J. Taylor led the team in receiving, hauling in three passes for 63 yards.

Wisconsin is back home next weekend to host Iowa.  Indiana visits Illinois.    

JEFFERSON  COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Three lives were reportedly lost in a deadly crash involving a combine.

Jefferson County Sheriff's officials were called to Highway B, west of Stony Creek Road, in Lake Mills around 7 pm Friday.

Investigators say a farming combine and SUV collided but had not released any other details at last word.  

DODGE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 28-year-old man has been taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries following a Saturday night crash in Dodge County.

Sheriff's officials say it happened on W12390 Highway 16/60 around 10:30 pm.

Investigators believe alcohol and speed played a role in Joshua Marks crashing into a tree in a front yard.  

No further details had been released at last word.  

FOX CROSSING, WI (WTAQ) - A 31-year-old Fox Crossing man was arrested Friday night after his erratic driving reportedly caused a head-on collision.

Police say the man crossed the centerline in the area of West American Drive and Cold Spring Road around 6 pm, crashing into a 21-year-old Oshkosh man's vehicle.

Both drivers were trapped in their vehicles and, once rescued, were taken to the hospital.

Authorities do not believe the Oshkosh man's injuries are life-threatening.

The Fox Crossing man was released from the hospital and taken to jail on an outstanding warrant.

Prior to the crash, officers received multiple calls of someone driving erratically, almost causing a couple of crashes.

Investigators are waiting on the results of a blood sample to determine if alcohol played a role in the accident.  Due to his injuries, he was not given a field sobriety test.  

BERLIN, WI (WTAQ) - Shots were fired in a Berlin home Saturday night after an intruder entered the house.

Berlin Police says it happened in the 100 block of West Liberty Street around 7:15 pm.

The suspect is described as a white male with short, blonde hair.  He was wearing a black hoodie and gray sweatpants.

Once the shots were fired, the man left the home.  He is possibly traveling in a light blue minivan.

Investigators believe this was an isolated incident and say the community is not at risk.

Anyone with information is asked to call police headquarters at 920-361-0444.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Today marks the start of the inaugural Wisconsin Startup Week.  

"It's a statewide initiative to connect, educate, and celebrate entrepreneurs throughout the state.  Connect people, whether it's entrepreneurs with investors or service providers with companies that are looking for their assistance."

Co-Founder Matt Cordio says more than 200 events will be held in ten cities throughout the state, including Green Bay, Appleton, and Oshkosh. 

"Filled with a bunch of networking events, hackathons, and educational workshops to really help spark entrepreneurship across the state of Wisconsin."

Cordio cites Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurship research in arguing the week's importance.

"All net new jobs in America really comes from these early-stage firms that are focused on growing and scaling their businesses."

Click here to find a list of events and learn more about how you can participate.   

ONEIDA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - For more than 20 days, smoke has been rising from a teepee at the corner of Hwy 54 and Seminary Road in Oneida.

The smoke is the result of a sacred fire which the Oneida Nation community believes will help keep drugs off their streets.

"This fire is a spiritual battle," Ron Goodeagle Jr. of Oneida tells FOX 11.

"We're praying and we're singing to combat the spirit of the heroin. It's not just a physical battle, it's a spiritual battle."

Initially the community planned to keep the flame going for 30 days, but organizers said it's already making an impact, encouraging members to stay clean and sober.

The plan now is to keep it glowing for as long as they can.

Geronimo Powless of Oneida says, "We're bringing awareness, unity to the youth, young adults, to bring them to this fire, to show them there's another way of life."

Powless said every day at least one person driving by stops at the location to check it out.

"They're coming over and seeing what we're about, and usually everybody has a story about someone who has been on heroin or opiates in their family, you know, so it's been really good."

According to the most recent report from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths are highest among whites and American Indians.

Goodeagle Jr., one of the fire keepers, said he knew someone who was part of that statistic.

"He had a wife, a kid, and no matter how many times he went to rehab and tried to heal and recover from that, you know he would go back to it. He OD and was in a coma and then died."

Goodeagle has a simple answer to the question of what motivates him to continue his job as a firekeeper.

"The people, I want my people to live, I want my people to be healed."

Tribes across the country are also using a sacred fire to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs.

FREEDOM, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Signs can be seen around the Freedom area, some urging people to vote yes, others no.

The Freedom School District will have two questions on Tuesday's ballot.

Freedom District Administrator, Kevin Kilstofte tells Fox 11 most of the money is included in question number one, which asks for $66.7 million dollars.

"We're in a position, where we have to ask the community, to make an investment in our children."

The money would go toward a new high school, as well as, renovations at the district's current buildings.

Kilstofte says, space and security are big issues.

“Basically what we're trying to do is improve safety, and security, on our front entrances trying to prove some flexibility, as we grow in the future."

Under the plan, the district wants to renovate both Freedom Elementary, and the district's combined Middle and High School building.

At the proposed new high school, the district would also build a new outdoor athletic facility.

Kilstofte says the new high school would be built on land the district purchased back in 2006.

A second question of the ballot will also ask voters for an additional $740,000, each year, for five years. It would add up to $3.7 million dollars.

That money would be for up-keep at the new high school, and used only if question number one is approved.

Community members like Dee Spiegel, who volunteers at the district's grade school, say there is a need for improvements.

"If they don't do it now, it's just going to cost a lot more in a couple of years."

But others question the price-tag.

"That's a lot for freedom, it's pretty small town,” said Alexandria Martin of Freedom.

Voters will have the final say on Tuesday. If approved, the district expects construction to start in the Spring.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Two people are in the hospital following a shooting last night in Oshkosh.

Police are investigating the shooting that took place around 9 p.m. on the 800 Block of Waugoo Ave.

Police are not saying how serious their injuries are at this time.

If you have any information about this incident, you are asked to call Oshkosh Police at (920) 236-5700.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A word of warning from the Oshkosh Police Department.

Look through all your children's candy before they eat it.

This after a report of a needled found in Halloween candy.

The candy came from the west side of the city, possibly in the area of Allerton Drive, Covington Drive or Thornton Drive.

If anyone finds anything suspicious in their Halloween candy, call Oshkosh Police at 920-236-5700.

There have been multiple reports of tainted Halloween candy in communities across Northeast Wisconsin this year.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County has taken steps towards helping Missing and Exploited Children

Armed with information, knowledge and resources gained through a partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Brown County Public Safety Communications staff members have been trained and equipped with resources to tackle a growing national problem.

County Safety Communications Supervisor Tracy Ertl says "every 40 seconds nationwide, we have a child go missing, but then we have another half million across the country that go missing that people are not even bothering reporting."

Ertl says the partnership means Brown County is one of five Public Safety Answering Points in the State, and they are one of 279 Missing Kids Readiness Program Agencies in the USA.

"It means that our law enforcement agencies, along with Brown County Public Safety Communications are working in unison to try to protect the kids in our community."

The number of missing children reported nationwide is high, but Brown County is now in better position to be effective when a child's life is at stake.

"To try to recover them more quickly when they go missing, and provide overall safety for our children and our families.

Ertl said numbers are high in runaways and human trafficking.

"If that child is abducted by a stranger, 80 percent of the time that child is gone within 24 hours 

While the County has taken the steps to fill their tool belt with the tools needed to assist a child  whose life may be at stake, Ertl says it really comes down to communication.

"Many of these cases go unreported, so what we need from the public is not to wait to call. Parents are sometimes in denial or they are embarassed to report it. We need them to pick up the phone and call as soon as they are missing."

Ertl said the goal is to deploy resources to keep kids and families safe.

The Missing Kids Readiness Program is designed to help respond to calls of missing, abducted and sexualy exploited children.

To meet requirements, Brown County Public Safety Communications worked with the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and had staff members complete online training.

To learn more about NCMEC and the Missing Kids Readiness Program, go to http://www.missingkids.org/MKRP