BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 19-year-old Green Bay man has been convicted of fatally shooting his friend. 

Bryant Ellis has pleaded no contest to killing Andrew Tohulka at a Green Bay residence in February. 

Two other counts were dismissed.

Ellis reportedly told officers that the two were drinking and smoking marijuana that night, claiming he didn't know the gun was loaded. 

He will be sentenced in March.  

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Area municipal leaders gathered in Ashwaubenon Monday to voice support for a bill that could end the 'Dark Store Strategy.' 

That practice involves commercial property owners arguing for the same lower tax assessment that vacant stores are given.  

Village of Howard President Burt McIntyre was among those on hand for the 'Dark Store Day' news conference.

"I would hate to see local communities get into a conflict with developers and big box stores because they are important to communities, but they're not going to be important if they're going to be doing this, if they're going to expect us to pay their bill." 

Governor Scott Walker says he hears what the municipalities are saying.

"I think they're legitimate concerns that local governments have, and we're trying to find the best way to help them deal with it."

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce says the bill is merely a way of raising taxes on employers.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) --Gift mailing continues to be popular during the Holidays, but getting gifts sent in time, means following the calendar.

Recommended deadlines are approaching to get your Christmas packages in the mail in time for Christmas.

Tim Lewis, Green Bay Post Office Postmaster said the first deadline is this week.

"Retail Ground service is recommended to be sent by Friday"

First Class Mail deadline is December 20th and Priority Mail deadline is the 21st.

If you miss those dates, Lewis says packages can be sent by Priority Mail by December 21 and by Priority Express Mail by December 23rd. 

Even if packages are mailed by deadline, package senders can also run into a problem if they don't pay attention to one key detail.

"It is important that the zipcode is correct. The zipcode is where it all starts, and with the wrong zipcode, you can send your package to the wrong processing facility in wrong parts of the country.

Lewis says that will almost guarentee a delay in your shipment.

Other advice for getting you gifts to their home for Christmas, allow time for bad weather, pack your items carefully, and identify the contents when you arrive at the post office so the correct markings can be made on the package.

"The system does get quite jammed before Christmas, so any bad weather can affect delivery date."

Any details on shipping for the holidays can be found at usps.com

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - More information has been released on Sunday's train-versus-pedestrian accident in Neenah.

Investigators believe Timothy Miller, a passenger, got out of a vehicle that stopped for a northbound train, wanting to get to the other side by foot.

After climbing through the stopped northbound train, they believe he was struck on a second set of tracks by an approaching southbound train.

Investigators say all warning devices at the crossing appear to have been working properly.

The 28-year-old Menasha man remains hospitalized.

HOBART, WI (WTAQ) - A 78-year-old Hobart woman was killed while crossing the road Monday.

Police were called just before 6 last night to the 2100 block of S. Pine Tree Road.

The Hobart-Lawrence P-D says it appears a vehicle, being driven by a 57-year-old Green Bay man, struck the woman as she attempted crossed the street.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Members of the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department, the Hobart Fire Department, Brown County Rescue, the Oneida Police Department, and the Brown County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.

Authorities say they may have more information on the accident later today.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Some cooking students at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College are making a difference for the area's homeless.

The class of 10 culinary arts students spent Monday baking and decorating hundreds of cookies.

The cookies will soon be delivered to a Green Bay homeless shelter.

Inside the culinary lab at NWTC, students combined a mixture of butter, eggs, sugar, flour, and sour cream to make sugar cookie dough.

Abby Norman tells FOX 11 she feels right at home in the kitchen.

"I absolutely love cooking. It's is one of my most favorite things to do.".

The students cut out hundreds of cookies Monday morning. From snowmen, to evergreen trees, and stars too.

The soon-to-be snacks went into the oven, 325 degrees for about eight minutes.

"This is actually part of their curriculum. This is baking class too. The subject is baking, or cookies. So that's what we're doing today, is cookies," said David Crawford, NWTC Culinary Instructor.

Crawford says 240 of the sugary shapes were earmarked for the homeless at the New Community Shelter in Green Bay.

"We kind of have an alliance with the shelter. We've done some things, we've created some menus for them through our nutrition class. It's the holidays, and those people, being a chef, feeding people just makes you happy. So going down there, being able to feed anybody makes me happy, especially the New Community Shelter."

Culinary program students like Chantel Scott say the cause is contagious.

"I thought it was pretty nice. I never really got to be a part of something like that. To contribute to the community, in that kind of way. It's pretty nice. Especially around the holidays."

Abby Norman agrees...

"Don't put yourself before others, because there is someone who is going to need more help who might be down on their luck than you are. And if you can help them out, you'll feel more fulfilled in your life I think."

The cookies will be delivered today.

This is the first time NWTC has offered holiday cookies to the shelter.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police are investigating an armed robbery.

It happened around 9:30 last night (Monday) at the Dollar General on South Military Avenue.

Cops say the suspect showed a knife and got away with some money.

No one was injured.

Police have provided a limited description: A light skinned male, about 5'8" and heavyset. He was hearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.

Anyone with information can call Green Bay Police at (920) 448-3208.

FOX CROSSING, (WTAQ) - The manager of a Fox Crossing mobile phone store faces theft and disorderly conduct charges for allegedly stealing 'selfie' images of women from phones they traded in.

25 year old Arron Hoch 25 returns to court Dec. 14 for a status conference, and Dec. 18 for a preliminary hearing.

A cash bond of $2,000 was set at his initial court appearance last week.

This starts when a burglary was reported at the A Wireless store, 1395 W. American Dr., on Sept. 1st.

However, police in a new release say "An investigation revealed that the store manager, identified as Arron Hoch, had been involved in ongoing thefts from the store for several months, and the burglary had been staged to cover his involvement. Hoch was found to have personally sold numerous reported stolen items to an Appleton man, as well as additional items at area resale stores."

A search of Hoch's home also resulted in the recovery of numerous electronic items that were reported as stolen in the burglary report from the store, as well as additional company property.

According to the criminal complaint, approximately 65 items from store worth $50,000 were stolen.

According to Fox Crossing police.

"Investigators recovered electronic storage devices, containing what appeared to be the personal photos, or “selfies” of numerous women. Many of the photos included women in various states of clothing, including full nudity. Four of the women were eventually identified, and allege that the images in Hoch’s possession were stolen without their consent or knowledge, during a time in which they had traded in, or transferred data from an old phone at the ... store."

Police are looking to identify several other victims whose photos were found.

If anyone feels that they may fall into this category, they are asked to contact Detective Anderson at 920-720-7109.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Green Bay Police are investigating a suspicious death of a man on the East side of Green Bay.

A 26-year old man was found dead in a home in the 1000 block of Reber Street. 

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - New screening procedures are being rolled out at Green Bay's airport. 

"Take out electronics that are larger than your cell phone.  Take those out and put them in the bin so we can get a better look at them on the x-ray machine."

TSA Spokeswoman Carrie Harmon notes the policy has been partially rolled out at Austin Straubel International within the past couple weeks. 

Full implementation is expected early next year.

She says those items should be placed in separate bins, with nothing on top or below them.

Harmon notes not all items need to be removed from the carry-on when arriving at the checkpoint.

"Items such as curling irons, blow dryers, and your charger cords, those do not have to come out."

She explains why these revisions have been made, noting there are no changes to what items can be brought through TSA checkpoints.   

"TSA is always looking at our screening procedures and making changes and adjustments to stay ahead of evolving threats."

With the holidays approaching, Harmon also reminds travelers that it's best not to bring wrapped gifts.

"It's not prohibited but the problem is if that gets alarmed, then we have to unwrap it."

Harmon suggests putting gifts in something where it can be easily removed, like a gift bag or gift box.  Otherwise, she advises wrapping the items upon arrival or mailing the gifts ahead of time. 

TSA expects some of the travel days around Christmas to be busy, as was last month's Thanksgiving weekend.  

Harmon notes the 2.6-million people screened nationwide on November 26 was the fifth-busiest day at TSA checkpoints in history.  

UPDATE: Neenah Police say Timothy Miller has died from injuries suffered after being struck by a train in Neenah on Sunday. 

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - More information has been released on Sunday's train-versus-pedestrian accident in Neenah.

Investigators believe Timothy Miller, a passenger, got out of a vehicle that stopped for a northbound train, wanting to get to the other side by foot.

After climbing through the stopped northbound train, they believe he was struck on a second set of tracks by an approaching southbound train.

Investigators say all warning devices at the crossing appear to have been working properly.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay aldermanic candidate shares his opinion of the man he is looking to unseat. 

On Broadway Inc. Executive Director Brian Johnson has announced plans to run against Alderman Guy Zima in the city's ninth district. 

Johnson comments on a special set for rules that was recently created for Zima meeting with city staffers, following allegations of Zima yelling at and using disparaging language toward employees.

"One of the things that (Zima) does really well is that he takes care of the voters in the district.  I feel like not only can I do that, but I can take it a step further: forge those relationships that will actually propel us into something much stronger and better.  Bring a different level of professionalism, a sense of decorum, being able to have, I guess, a representative in this district, that's capable of working with people with different personalities."

The rules require Zima to meet with employees in an office, with at least two workers present.

Zima has denied the accusations against him, having filed an open records request for more information on the individual complaints that were made.

Johnson also weighs in on the controversy surrounding the Hotel Northland project.

He comments on allegations five aldermen, including Zima, made against Mayor Jim Schmitt, claiming Schmitt mishandled funds in connection with the hotel reconstruction.

"Transparency in government is critically important, ethics in government is critically important.  If those come back in such a way that it's not favorable for some of the things that have occurred through city hall, then of course the city council is going to have to take action on those things, and they have to be decisive about that."

Schmitt has also denied the accusations against him.

Johnson says the Northland project needs to get done, citing the money that the city has invested in the effort.

"Support that project the best we can, that's the best way that the city is going to recover their investment." 

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities are looking into a weekend armed robbery at an Ashwaubenon restaurant Sunday night.

Investigators say the suspect fled the Subway on Commanche Avenue after demanding an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspect was reported to have been carrying a knife, and was described as a white or Native American man, wearing a black hoodie, black mask and blue jeans.

According to Ashwaubenon Public Safety, they are working with the Green Bay Police Department and the De Pere Police Department, who have reported similar incidents. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at www.432STOP.com or via phone at (920) 432 STOP.

You may remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward.

LITTLE CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - A Fox Valley charter school is taking part in a national foundation's effort to help children this holiday season.

Flex Academy in Little Chute is working with the Snowdrop Foundation to collect toys and fleece.

Students and their families went door-to-door to get roughly 400 donations and more than 50 tie blankets for kids at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee.

Laura Gruender is with Snowdrop Foundation Wisconsin.

"It's a wonderful feeling when you can see children selflessly give away toys, because of all the things kids can collect, these probably are the most difficult for them to give away, and all of these kids have been just so happy to provide a Christmas for other kids."

The donations will be presented on December 16.  

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay's Shipyard project is one step closer to becoming a reality. 

The city's redevelopment authority has approved the development agreements to build the stadium, along with a concert hall and Anduzzi's restaurant, on the Fox River's west shore. 

The city would front $12-million dollars in non-taxpayer funds for the $13.5-million dollar project.

Those funds would instead come from a rent agreement with the Green Bay Bullfrogs owners and from tax generated from new development in the area that would help pay back a bank loan.

The project's price tag has jumped $2.5-million dollars in the past two months, with city staff citing the need to purchase additional properties to double the amount of parking in the area.  

Alderman Guy Zima is unhappy that all ticket, parking, and concession revenue would go to the Bullfrogs, not the city. 

"I don't think that's in the best interest of the community.  I think that is a very ultra-sweetheart agreement.”

Mayor Jim Schmitt says he supports the deal being considered.

"We've got a guaranteed backed lease for $225,000, which helps us with our payments and if they get the revenues from naming rights and concessions, that's part of their business plan, and we respect that."

The city council is scheduled to vote on the development agreements next week.

Schmitt says the Shipyard idea will be dead if the council votes 'no.'

If the council gives the green light, city staff expects everything will be in place for the start of the Bullfrogs' 2019 season. 

MANAWA, WI (WTAQ)- Police in Manawa are actively investigating a threat that was found on a bathroom wall at Little Wolf Junior/Senior High School.

Police Chief Jim Gorman says the threat was noticed late in the school day Monday.

Students were contained in their classroom and then released to home as they were escorted to busses. 

Gorman said they acted in an urgent way. 

"It was determined through conversation and planning that we would secure the students in their classrooms, and then we went classroom to classroom and released them home to make sure they were in route."

Gorman said after the investigation, the all-clear was given.

"No current dangers. We have everything under control. Everyone is safe and nobody was injured."

Gorman said the investigation will continue until they find a suspect.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A winter weather advisory has been issued for much of Northeast Wisconsin.

FOX 11 Chief Meteorologist Patrick Powell expects much of the listening area will receive 4-7 inches of snow Wednesday, with a band from Oshkosh to Green Bay likely being hit hardest.  

Light snow is expected to start falling before dawn on Wednesday, with the heaviest snow anticipated between 8 am-Noon.

The white stuff is projected to taper off into the afternoon.

However, winds are expected to pick up in the afternoon, meaning blowing could reduce visibility and cause drifting on the roads.  

In addition, Powell shares another concern.

"If this comes a bit north, the north side of the low is going to have some banding.  Right now, I'm worried that somebody could end up with some thundershow or 8-9 inches."

The advisory is in effect Wednesday from 4 am to 6 pm.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay's Austin Straubel Airport is a busy place during a winter snowstorm.

Plowing and keeping the runways clear and the planes de-iced is a round the clock operation.

Airport director Tom Miller says surprisingly today's snowfall hasn't affected arrivals or departures.

"All flight presently operating in and out of GRB on on time or even arriving early today."

Making sure commercial and private flights can safely take off and land in this weather becomes a bit more work intensive, because they can't use the same tools the high and public works departments can.

"The biggest thing that people don't understand is because of the corrosiveness we can't use salt on the airfield."

That means every piece of equipment, from shovels to plows, are being used almost around the clock, as long the snow keeps coming.

"Virtually everything has to be plowed or broomed off in order to get down to bare pavement for the aircraft to land and takeoff."

Because of the volume of flights coming in and going out of Austin Straubel keeping the runways safe takes some coordination.

"Typically we watch the schedule very closely with the airlines and coordinate with the air traffic control tower."

But even with all they have going for them to keep the airport open, Miller suggests people picking someone up at the airport, or have their own travel plans, check to make sure the flights are on time.

GREEN BAY (WTAQ) - Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Aaron Rodgers is preparing to play Sunday in Carolina.

"The next step is preparing to play this week. He has been preparing himself for this moment, and he is preparing himself to play in the game."

Rodgers has not played since Week 6, when he suffered a broken collarbone in Minnesota.

Since that day, Rodgers has been in communication with medical staff, and doing everything to stay on schedule.

He posted on Instagram Tuesday night that doctors cleared him to play after a final round of testing.

"Injuries are part of this game and I think Pat McKenzie did an excellent job in the process, he coordinated the decision process and a decision was made last night."

The Packers are in a must win situation for the rest of the year, but even with their quarterback under center, McCarthy said nothing is a given.

"We are not going to go to Carolina with a bunch of false confidence. We understand the impact that Aaron Rodgers makes on our football team, but we are in the position that we are in and we clearly understand what is on the line here."

McCarthy said that is a full team effort.

"We have to play better."

The Packes are 3-4 under backup quarterback Brett Hundley. 

They are one of four teams with seven wins and are chasing Atlanta for the final Wild Card spot.

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - A local political science professor discusses how the results of Tuesday's special Senate election in Alabama could effect next year's contest in the Badger State.

St. Norbert College's Charley Jacobs says Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin can take notes from Doug Jones victory over Republican Roy Moore.

"In Alabama, get out to vote was incredibly important, especially among the African American community.  I think if Tammy Baldwin creates a solid campaign with the kind of resources necessary to hit the ground running, she should be in okay shape."

He says Baldwin should focus her campaign on issues like taxation and the budget, not more recent social ones that have divided the country.  

Jacobs weighs in on what Republicans need to do ahead of 2018 races, such as the challenge for Baldwin's seat in Wisconsin, where candidates like State Senator Leah Vukmir and Marine Corps veteran Kevin Nicholson have already expressed interest.

"(The Republican Party) is going to have to vett these candidates well, and they're going have to find individuals who are squeaky clean and willing to toe the line when it comes to Congressional Republican politics."

Jacobs notes the party will likely be best off avoiding candidates who are closely associated with President Trump, since they will likely draw more scrutiny from the media and the Democratic Party.

He expects many legislative candidates may keep their distance from the president.  

Jacobs says Tuesday's result sends a clear message to the White House.

"It is a signal that the public is willing to listen to alternatives to Trump, as well as the establishment voices in Congress."

However, with Moore spending weeks having to deny sexual misconduct allegations from several women and with Republicans having been a perfect 4-0 in special elections to fill Trump Administration officials' seats in the legislature, Jacobs says the president's endorsement of Moore can't be analyzed too heavily.

"I think that there was a unique case here with unique conditions.  As a result, I'm not sure how much we should take away from the injection of the administration and the president."