ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Christmas tree growers in Wisconsin are helping bring the holidays to service members.

The annual 'Trees for Troops' collection took place Tuesday in the Lambeau Field parking lot.

The trees were loaded onto FedEx trucks, which will deliver them to military families across the country, and those stationed overseas.

John Grutza is the co-owner of North Country Christmas Trees.

"I personally have family and friends that are serving in the military, along with numerous people in this industry who have served in the past. It makes us feel like we can do our small part to make them feel at home."

Last season, more than 17,000 trees were delivered to a total of 63 military bases.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - One local fire department is urging people to follow safety practices when it comes to their Christmas trees.

Fond du Lac Fire is distributing informational ornaments at participating tree sellers.

They remind buyers to keep trees well-watered and consistently check lights for frayed wires.

The department's Jason Roberts says it's important to keep trees from drying out.

"It's important when you get them home, if they haven't already, had the base cut off to increase that water absorption.  And when they are getting dried out, that people dispose of them properly."

Roberts also suggests that tree lights be unplugged when going to bed or leaving the house.

KEWUANEE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The issue of possible dairy farm expansion and environmental concerns took center stage in Kewaunee County at a public hearing Tuesday morning, as the DNR weighs permits for five large operations.

Ahead of that hearing, though, one of the farmers up for renewal, hosted reporters at his farm, near Casco.

During the news conference, Lee Kinnard told about 75 members of the local farming community, the dairy industry is vital to the area.

Kinnard Farms is home to about 10,000 dairy animals.

As a concentrated animal feeding operation, or CAFO, the farm needs a Department of Natural Resources permit every five years.

As part of that process, Kinnard is asking to possibly expand to potentially house 12,800 animals.

"We're leaving our options open to go to that many animal units," Kinnard said.

Kinnard Farms is one of five CAFO farms looking to either renew its permit, expand its herd, or establish itself as a new farm.

The DNR's public hearing drew about 100 people.

Many on hand wanted to talk about the environment, spreading cow manure and possible groundwater contamination.

"It's our water. We share this resource," said Susan Marks of Sturgeon Bay. "It's not just about business expansion, it's about survival here for everybody."

"Adding that many cows would just add a load of manure that our land is not capable of handling," said John Beck of Sturgeon Bay.

But there was also some support.

"We're going to do what it takes to do the right things moving forward," said Larry Dufek of New Franken.

"To say no, and to stop these dairies from doing their business and bringing their money to the community, it's a shame," said Nathan Nysse, an agronomist.

Meanwhile, Kinnard says he and his family are here to stay.

"Oh, absolutely. Absolutely," Kinnard said when asked if he drinks the water. "I got 13 wells on my dairy, they're all tested every single year. They're all great."

The DNR will take written comments for another week. A decision is expected by the end of the year.

Comments or objections may be submitted to the DNR by email at Casey.Jones@wi.gov or by mail at:

Casey Jones, Oshkosh Service Center625 E. County Road YOshkosh, WI, 54901

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Fishing, is what usually brings, Rich Mitchell to the Brown County Fairgrounds.

"Past 30 years there hasn't been much here, other than the boat launch."

Last month, Brown County officials put out a public survey asking for input, like Mitchell's.

County Parks Director, Matt Kriese, says the feedback will be used to help improve the fairgrounds.

"We received approximately 830 responses from the community, and from surrounding communities."

It'll be funded by an $80,000 grant.

Kriese says the project will be a collaborative effort.

"The 36-acres of Brown County property, as well as the roughly 15 to 20 acres of De Pere property, and then Ashwaubomay Park."

He says majority of the feedback suggested redeveloping and better utilizing the property along the riverfront.

"So we're looking at how can we can utilize that. Whether that's a recreational trail, whether that's seeding, we're not sure, but we heard a lot of different comments."

He says that includes continuing to bring events to the fairgrounds.

"A need to market and leverage the property in a better, stronger fashion. So, that's something that's going to be looked at."

As for Mitchell, he says, he's looking forward to what the future holds.

"We do like the outdoors, and we're here for the fishing."

County officials hope to have a plan to share by the spring.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Many have enjoyed the nice weather, but it just a matter of time before winter weather makes the city snow removal crew busy once again.

When the cold and snow hit, Green Bay Public Works will be ready.

Steve Grenier, Director of Public Works says this years November was similar to last year.

"But as we know, that can change real quickly, and we are watching with anticipation."

While a three days notice before the storm is preferred, they can't count on that, so early preperation, forecasting and studying previous years storms helps prepare the battle plan.

"Different factors go into that, so we go back and take a look at previous years."

Grenier said the trucks have already been out once, and once winter rears it's face, another battle begins."A couple of weeks ago, we actually did have some cold weather and included precipitation."

Grenier said if snow fell with less than three days notice, their preperation would allow them to get the job done without problems.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)-- It's more than a 51 billion dollar industry, and a common Christmas gift, but even Gift Cards are not safe from scams. Scam artists are stealing gift cards, and they are doing it without even leaving the store with them. "Scam artists may obtain all the information they need from gift cards racks that are in the middle of the store, and are usually unmonitored." Michelle Reinen, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection says all the crooks need is the card number, pin number, and the card is as good as theirs once you put your money on the card. "They could either photograph the back of the card or just write the numbers down." Reinen says before you buy a gift card, check it over to make sure nothing was removed or scratched off. "If you can see everything, then you know something is not right." Reinen says always ask for an activation receipt when you purchase your gift card. "That way you have verification that you have activated that gift card." If you receive a gift card, Reinen says it is best to use it as soon as possible, and find out when it was purchased, incase the card depreciates value in time.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The prices are in for how much it will cost to sled and skate in the shadow of Lambeau Field.

The Titletown District's ice skating rink is set to welcome skaters this week during the district's Winter Jubilee, while the Ariens snow hill is still waiting on favorable weather conditions for snow making.

The Winter Jubilee will kick off Thursday with the grand-opening of the ice staking rink, 46 Below bistro and Rockwood Terrace event space.

The first day of the month-long celebration will also include an inaugural Winter Jubilee Light Show, a visit from Santa Claus and ice sculptors.

All Winter Jubilee events are open to the public.

Individual weekday admission to ice skate at Titletown is $5. The weekend cost is $7 and a holiday or gameday is $9. To rent skates is $5.

A few select Mondays there will be reduced prices for community nights.

A family of four package to ice skate is $38 during the week and $45 on weekends.

Aaron Popkey, the Packers Director of Public Affairs, tells FOX 11.....

“The time you have is unlimited, so say you come over and you skate a couple hours and then you want to grab a meal and skate for a couple more hours after that, you can do that here.”

Sledding isn't open yet, but a single ride down the hill is $5, expect on a holiday or gameday when it is $7. Unlimited sledding costs $10, except it is capped at three hours on weekends.

A family of four sledding package is $35 and $38 on weekends.

“To sled all day for $10 is an awesome deal,” said Susan Tegen of Howard.

“The ice skating doesn't seem too bad, but the single ride for the sledding definitely seems a little bit pricey at least for one,” said Drew Greaves of Green Bay. “I almost feel like I'm forced to get the unlimited.”

“It's something that we looked at with respect to what was available at similar facilities across the country, elsewhere around the state and really in our community,” said Popkey.

One similar sledding hill is Kewaunee County's Winter Park.

Its web site says it has 2 hours unlimited sledding for $8. The Packers is $10. The two hills both have family packages at $35.

Tubing Hill details here

Ice skating details here

Winter Jubilee schedule here

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - An Omro man has been charged for allegedly threatening to shoot his co-workers

In Outagamie County Court Tuesday.

Christopher DeJesus was charged with making terrorist threats.

According to the sheriff's department DeJesus threatened his workplace last week.

Staff Sergeant Ryan Carpenter tells FOX 11 DeJesus was working at Oshkosh Corporation in Greenville as a contracted employee from Ryder System.

"The employee was getting laid off and he did not like the circumstances surrounding it and he indicated that he was going to get a gun and shoot up the place."

The criminal complaint quotes DeJesus saying to a shift leader, "this place is going to burn in hell," and that he was going to come back and, "start shooting." That employee reported the threats.

"We take all reports of workplace violence seriously," said Carpenter.

According to the criminal complaint the other employee felt specifically threatened by DeJesus's comments and was very frightened.

"Absolutely, they were very scared," according to Carpenter.

A statement from Oshkosh Corporation says in part: "We do not tolerate threats to our team members or facilities. As a precaution, we have increased security at the impacted facility."

According to Carpenter DeJesus admitted making the threat.

"He indicated he was very frustrated and made a mistake".

But Carpenter says, mistake or not, what happened was serious.

"You need to think about what you're saying and how that's gonna affect people and what people are gonna believe."

Because, he says threats of any kind need to be followed up on, the possible consequences could be dire.

"Cases all throughout the nation that there've been workplace violence, people taking weapons into a building and hurting people."

DeJesus's bond was set at $5,000 cash. If convicted, he faces three and a half years in prison.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ)-- A former Hortonville school teacher is facing three counts of theft in a business setting for allegedly stealing over $12,000 from a PTO group and Girl Scout Troops.

According to the complaint, unauthorized transactions totaled over $12,000 dollars.

Police say they located 57 unauthorized transactions that totaled $7,040.60 from the Greenville Middle School Parent Teacher Organization.

Unathorized charges on a debit card across a three year span was also identified in one Girl Scout Troop's account. 

The total charges were $3,680.48. 

A second Girl Scout Troop account had a loss of $1,921.05.

Police reports indicate that Lafleur-Linder admitted to the purchases because se had credit card debt and wanted to make clothing purchaes with out her husband finding out.

According to School Board minutes Renee Lafleur-Linder resigned in February from her special education teaching position.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ)- A man accused of making a terrorist threat that led to the evacuation of the Fox River Mall last December has been convicted.

Christoper Hawkins pleaded no contest in court on Wednesday.

Hawkins made a threat to shoot up a hotel, his girlfriend and himself, according to police records.

APPLETON (WLUK) – A man whose actions led to the closure of the Fox River Mallwas convicted Wednesday of making a terrorist threat.

Hawkins got into an argument with a woman, left the parking garage, and threatened shoot people.

After he called his girlfriend to say he was going to the mall, she called authorities, and the mall was evacuated.

Hawkins will be sentenced Jan. 12 in Outagamie County court after pleading no contest Wednesday.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Local residents are reacting to the latest development in the wave of recent sexual assault or misconduct allegations against high-profile men.

NBC News announced Wednesday that it fired 'Today' show host Matt Lauer, citing "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace."

One Stadium View customer reacts to the allegations against Lauer.

"I feel sorry for him, but he's a grown man, and he should know what he's doing.  He's a married man.  He's got a family.  You don't do that kind of thing."

She is asked if something can be done to try and prevent sexual misconduct going forward.

"That really isn't for me to say.  It's (the perpetrator's) own conscience.  It's their own conscience."   

One Green Bay Distillery patron believes something good can come from all of the developments of recent weeks.

"The women speaking out now and all of the publicity about it and making sure that everyone is sure that they can come forward will be helpful in the future."

She says she doesn't immediately believe all allegations 100%.

"I'm just hoping the allegations are true, that people aren't just coming out for their ten minutes of fame.  Women that really have been put through those situations need to be able to come forward."

Also Wednesday, Minnesota Public Radio fired Garrison Keillor, citing 'inappropriate behavior.' 

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Ground has been broken on a building expansion for a Fox Valley organization that provides limited financial assistance to struggling families.

The Limited Emergency Assistance Valley Ecumenical Network, or LEAVEN, is a non-profit that specializes in referring people to available resources.

Executive Director Mary Parsons hopes expanding with community partners will aid their clients.

"We started compiling this sort of one source resource model, where it changes the whole process from a referral to a warm hand-off and we really have seen the value of being able to walk our clients down the hall now and make those connections."

LEAVEN serves roughly 7,000 households each year.

The organization has had a presence in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago counties for three decades.  

DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Deer Hunt 2017 is in the books, but Door County officials say the area still has too many deer.

This, despite efforts to get hunters to shoot more does.

However, despite harvest totals being down less than one percent statewide, Door County was one of nine area counties with more deer shot over the nine day hunt.

Not long before the start of the nine-day gun season, bucks were chasing does in a Door County field. Not far away, does and more does were spotted feeding and roaming the landscape.

County deer managers say in many areas, deer densities are two to three times too high.

"Door County has a fairly high deer population, and the CDAC has been trying for the last three years to get hunters to harvest more antlerless deer," said Dick Baudhuin, Door County Deer Advisory Council Chair.

The deer advisory council explored the possibility of having an antlerless season for Door County, but came up with something different instead. For the first time, each hunting license came with the option of five additional antlerless permits.

So did it work? The harvest statewide was down slightly from 2016, but in Door County, hunters took 15.8% more deer than a year ago.

But wildlife biologists say the buck-to-doe harvest ratio is a critical consideration for overall herd health.

"Two antlerless deer for every buck. We're not there yet. Things had gotten better last year, again the kill is up this year, But we're still a long ways from that two to one ratio that we're really looking for," said Jeff Pritzl, DNR District Wildlife Supervisor.

In Door County, gun hunters took about 21 percent more does than bucks.

"Basically no change as far as the impact on the reproductive capabilities of the herd," said Baudhuin.

Baudhuin says offering more tags may not help.

"We'll have to wait for Mother Nature to do it. Whether it's starvation, or disease, or whatever. It doesn't look like the hunters are willing to do it," he said.

There will still be opportunities to shoot more antlerless deer.

The late archery season runs through the first week in January.

And Door County, which had the fifth largest harvest in the area, is offering a Holiday Hunt from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - As the list of prominent men accused of sexual misconduct in the United States grows, experts are discussing what constitutes as workplace sexual harassment.

Trainer Denise Knutson of workplace ethics organization H.S. Group says some forms are easy to spot.

"If you don't go out with me, or have this relationship with me, there will be consequences on the job."

But she says some forms aren't so obvious.

"Things like offensive posters, offensive jokes that may not be offensive to one person, or a group, but is offense to another."

A local sexual assault advocate says education is key to stopping workplace sexual harassment.  

"There will be one or two people that have that 'aha' moment and say, 'I never thought of it that way.'"

Carrie Burke says they seen local implications from the allegations out of Hollywood and Washington D.C.

"We definitely have been feeling the effects, the ripple effect of that, again giving that victim more courage."

The state Department of Workforce Development says there were 186 reports of sexual harassment in Wisconsin workplaces in 2016, up slightly from the year prior.

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Someone stole the baby Jesus figurine from a Menasha church's Nativity and now parishioners are asking for its return.

You might not notice at first glance, but Craig Quick tells FOX 11 something very important is missing from the Nativity scene outside St. Patrick's Catholic Church...

"We don't know, but somebody took Jesus and did a little damage in rearranging the Nativity statues."

According to Menasha Police someone took the baby Jesus figurine between Sunday night and Monday morning.

It's a move that Quick says has dampened the holiday spirit for parishioners.

"Disappointed. The Nativity has been at the parish almost 20 years."

Police are investigating, but don't have much to go on at the moment.

"At this point we don't know who stole the figurine, but we are asking for the public's help," explained Lieutenant Nick Thorn.

And, he says this is not the first time something was taken from this, specific Nativity scene.

"They have had things missing from the church, from the figurine set."

The thought is the theft might be a prank...but no one's laughing.

"It's not at all funny. It's disrespectful and this incident was very unfortunate," said Thorn.

"I don't know that they put a whole lot of thought into what they were doing. So it was probably thoughtless and careless more than anything else," added Quick.

And topping parishioners' Christmas list is getting the figurine back. They're just asking for its safe return.

"You can drop it off any time, no questions asked. Just put him back where you found him. We'd just like to get it back."

Police say this is a reminder for your own, personal Christmas decorations. They say it can't hurt to put up surveillance cameras this time of year.

If you have any information about the missing figurine you're asked to call Officer Adam Schulz at the Menasha police Department, 920-967-3500 or email him at aschulz@ci.menasha.wi.us.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A safe place to sleep no matter what time of year, that's the goal of St. John's Homeless Shelter.

Right now, it's a seasonal shelter open November through April.

St. John's executive director, Lexie Wood, tells FOX 11 she feels more needs to be done.

"April 29, the last night the shelter was in operation, we had 39 guests in our doors which means when our doors closed for the season, we had 39 people turning out to the streets without a place to go."

Wood says what happens then is kind of a hodge-podge of options.

"The plan for the summer is that we would essentially just use those overflow sites, local churches on a rotating basis just to ensure people have access to safe housing 12 months a year."

St. John's would also provide staffing for the overnight shelter.

St. John's is in Alderman Randy Scannell's district. He says when he first started, he received complaints about homeless people in his district.

But once St. John's opened the Micah Center, a daytime resource center for the homeless, things changed.

"Once we got the Micah Center up and running, that dealt with a lot of that, I don't know if it's completely gone away but I haven't been getting any complaints."

St. John's overnight housing initiative comes after four homeless people died in Green Bay within a 12 month span.

Wood says the shelter talked about those deaths in a letter sent to its supporters.

"We look at all four of these deaths, of our homeless brothers and we say every single one was a preventable tragedy. Even if they died of natural causes, the fact that they died alone and unaccounted for on the streets of Green Bay."

Wood adds, the new overnight shelter would run from April 30 to October 31 and cost about $75,000.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A city committee voted Wednesday night to wait two weeks to discuss a new $15-wheel tax proposal for Green Bay drivers.

Council members have talked about the idea for more than a year as a way to pay for road repairs. They've voted down two $20 proposals in the last four months.

“I've had over 25 calls or emails on this in the past month or so,” Barbara Dorff, a Green Bay Alderperson, tells FOX 11.

“That is really a lot. People don't call or email a lot. I think that was a significant number in my experience.”

A wheel tax would replace bills sent to property owners for work done on their street. The bills, called special assessments, can often cost thousands of dollars.

“It is a complex issue because you're dealing with special assessments for residential properties, but our original recommendation was also to reduce the special assessments for other classes,” said David Nennig, a Green Bay Alderperson.

The Improvement and Services Committee decided to wait two weeks to discuss the latest proposal. Alderperson Chris Wery, who brought forward the plan, was unable to attend Wednesday’s meeting.

Part of Wery's proposal includes doubling the amount of road work the city currently does.

However, Public Works Director Steve Grenier says that isn't possible.

“The engineering staff in public works is taxed to the limit right now,” said Grenier.

“They are pushing as much work as humanly possible out the door. Asking them to double their output simply is not an option, so we need to also be prepared for additional staff.”

Where the money for more staff might come from is just one of the questions council members hope to cover when the issue is discussed again.

Council members say if a wheel tax is agreed upon, there would be another three-month wait before collections would start.19 municipalities and six counties in Wisconsin currently have a wheel tax.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - An Appleton man is accused of fraud after officials say he faked a disability in order to obtain thousands of dollars from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Court documents say Daniel Kososki, 53, received $150,000 in individual unemployablity benefits to which he was not entitled to.

Kososki faces charges of wire fraud and submitting a false statement.

Kososki served in the United States Army from November 1982 to June 1987.

Court documents read, "it was then he applied for and was awarded disability benefits for injuries stemming from a car accident in which he was the passenger while on active duty."

Kososki continued to apply for IU benefits based on a claim that head trauma caused from the car accident gave him severe headaches and prevented him from working, court documents say.

According to various VA forms, Kososki said his headaches caused depression and anxiety, and stated he had not worked since Oct. 2005.

Investigators say they found evidence that Kososki had worked as an independent contractor for a branch of Harbor Investments in Appleton from March 2006 to May 2008.

Investigators learned Koskoski's employment ended because of a business dispute and not a injury or illness.

Court records say between 2008 and 2016, Kososki had been operating and managing a Packers-themed bar, "Coconutz" in Costa Rica.

Court documents say Kososki paid approximately $20,000 towards the purchase price of the bar and his friend and business partner paid $160,000.

In August of 2017, Kososki submitted a written statement to the VA acknowledging he owned a small percentage of a bar in Costa Rica but never worked there.

If convicted on all charges, Kososki could face up to 30 years in prison and $500,000 in fines.

Kososki is due back in federal court in Milwaukee Dec. 20.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay man who sped off in his car while deputies were trying to taser him is now facing multiple drug charges.

57 year old Jacob Didier was charged with nine counts Wednesday afternoon.

In the criminal complaint, deputies say they made multiple undercover drug buys from Didier since August.

The complaint says the drug task force tried to arrest Didier on Monday, but he took off in his car while a deputy was deploying his taser.

The complaint says investigators found drugs in Didier's abandoned car and found him later in an Ashwaubenon hotel.

Inside the room, officers say they found more drugs, including cocaine, meth, and heroin.

SEYMOUR, WI (WTAQ)-- A Seymour business is a finalist for a state award that focuses on minorities, woman and veteran owned businesses in Wisconsin.

White Buffalo Trucking LLC hauls construction and road project materials for companies.   "We did not start a business for awards, we were just trying to put food on our table."   Amy Hacker, does all the work but the physical hauling. "I take care of the paper work, the calling, negotiating and I go to the conferences."   Her husband and brother are the companies two truck drivers.   "Right now we have two quad axel dump trucks that haul for other companies."   White Buffalo Trucking LLC is one of 21 companies for the 2017 Marketplace Governor's award, and made the list of finalist out of more than 400 nominations.   Amy and her business are up for te Rising Star Award, which honors businesses established after 2012 that have demonstrated growth potential.   "Not only do I own it as a female, but also own a business as a member of a Native American Tribe" Hacker said.   Hacker is an Oneida tribal member.   "I think it gives other Native Americans and women the ability to see that if you have goals to go out on business on your own that you can be successful at it."

White Buffalo Trucking LLC was established in 2013. 

After starting small, the company has grown through the years, and hope to grow more in the future.

"It is more recogniztion for us, when we work with these bigger companies with Highway projects and DOT projects."

The winners of this years awards will be announced at a luncheon in Milwaukee in December.