CALUMET COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A two- vehicle head on crash closed County Highway KK between Darboy and Kaukauna in Calumet County.

The crash happened last night (Wednesday) at 7:30 p.m. near State Park Road.

A vehicle crossed the centerline and hit another vehicle head on.

One vehicle was being driven by a 28 year old woman believed to be from DePere.

She was flown to Theda Clark Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The other vehicle was driven by a 22 year old woman from the Reedsville area. She had a 22 year old female passenger.

Both were sent to Theda Clark Hospital with serious injuries.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - The home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will look a little different this coming season.

The team announced Wednesday it will be installing a new video board at Fox Cities Stadium, just in time for home opener on Saturday, April 7th.

The new video board will be more than 10 feet taller and 20 feet wider than the current one.

“Our goal each season is to upgrade the overall fan experience and this new video display will surely provide a wow factor to all in attendance,” said Wisconsin Timber Rattlers president Rob Zerjav.

“The new video board will be roughly three times larger in screen size than our previous board and, in conjunction with upgrading all cameras to HD, will allow for a crisper picture and greater functionality.”

There will also be a new video display on Casaloma Drive to greet fans as they enter the parking lot, as well as new video displays above the ticket windows.

Installation of the main video board will begin in March and all new displays will be completed before the season begins.

The Timber Rattlers kick off the 2018 season at Beloit on Thursday, April 5th.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – Brian Flatoff will be allowed to represent himself at his upcoming trial for allegedly initiating a 2015 standoff at Eagle Nation Cycles in Neenah that resulted in police fatally shooting a man.

A Winnebago County judge Wednesday approved the motion from Flatoff’s attorneys -- the ninth and tenth lawyers assigned to the case -- to withdraw, and for Flatoff to defend himself.

The two-week trial is scheduled to start March 5, more than two years after the December, 2015 event.

The incident ended after police officers shot and killed one of the hostages, M.L. Funk.

Flatoff faces 16 charges, including two counts of attempted homicide, for allegedly firing at police officers, and felony murder for allegedly initiating the sequence of events which led to Funk’s death.

A defense motion to dismiss one count of conspiracy to commit murder was denied.

However, two of the counts -- one for possession of a firearm by a felon, another of recklessly endangering safety -- are for an incident hours before the standoff at a woman’s home and will be handled separately.

The Neenah police officers who fired at Funk were cleared of any criminal liability.

A wrongful death suit brought by Funk’s widow against the city was dismissed.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - "Homelessness is definitely a big issue, it's a growing issue, and it's hidden."

Robyn Hallet, with the Brown County Homeless and Housing Coalition, was just one of those on hand to examine the problem and look for solutions.

Community leaders gathered for a round-table discussion Wednesday, hoping to come up with a plan.

Hallet tells FOX 11 the coalition organized the event.

"The goal is to educate the community about the issue, and how together as a community, we can ban together, to help improve the problem."

The New Community Shelter conducted its latest homelessness count last month:

On Dec. 27, 2017, there were 489 people using housing assistance in Brown County.

On Dec. 27, 2016, there were a total of 507.

Officials say the slight decrease is a reflection, of more programs becoming available.

Working to combat the issue the coalition is partnering with programs like NewCap, which provides permanent housing.

"We are serving individuals with the highest barriers, so they're people on the street the longest, some ten plus years," said Debbie Bushman of NewCap.

Bushman, the housing director with the program, says the need has continued to grow.

"We found out that we could expand, expand the grant probably 15 to 30 slots larger."

While looking to find a solid solution.

"What we're hoping is that community members will come to the table," said Hallet.

Hunt says she is grateful for the resources that are available, "Having someone to help, it really makes all difference."

Community leaders plan to host another discussion sometime in the months ahead.

LEDGEVIEW, WI (WTAQ) - A Ledgeview man is weighing his options after he lost an appeal challenging an order to remove a van from his property.

John Knaus has been cited for having a junked vehicle on his property, but he claims it is a lawn ornament.

Knaus says the van's red, white, and blue paint scheme is a show of patriotism.

A state appeals court has ruled that "abandoned, junked, or hazardous" vehicles are not protected by the First Amendment.

Knaus notes the van, which was purchased brand new in 1975, has not been started in years, noting he's unsure if it would start.  

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - With influenza activity increasing, Brown County Public Health officials are offering some advice.

"This year, we are seeing more Influenza A, the H3N2, which is the predominant flu.  It has been associated with more severe illness, especially among children and adults age 65 and older."

Nurse Manager Ann Steinberger says they've investigated 59 reports of flu-related hospitalizations so far this season. 

That compared to 160 last year. 

She notes that's an increase, since the season is typically at its worst in January and February.

Steinberger notes influenza symptoms are similar to cold symptoms, but come on more swiftly and are more pronounced.

"Cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, chills, feelings of extreme tiredness, or fever."

She says there are multiple ways to guard against the flu.

"If you are ill, stay home.  Wash your hands and cover your cough, it's not too late to get a flu shot."

Healthcare professionals have offered up a list of things people should avoid touching in an effort to guard against the flu.

It includes common items like office water coolers and coffee pots, liquid soap dispensers, and salt and pepper shakers in restaurants.

Steinberger says there are ways to the keep those items from becoming flu hazards.

"Wash your hands, avoid touching your face, cover your cought.  The biggest thing is before you eat, wash your hands off."

She notes treatment with antiviral medications can sometimes lessen the effects of influenza, if treatment starts within 48 hours of onset.  

Antibiotics are not effective against influenza.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- The man accused of causing a disturbance in the Lambeau Field parking lot last month, has been ordered to stand trial.

Chay Vang is facing seven counts, including first-degree recklessly endangering safety when he allegedly rammed his vehicle in the vehicle of a former co-worker, before chasing after him.

Testimony was heard during the hearting.

According to a criminal complaint, one of the former co-workers told police he felt scared for his life and thought that Vang was going to start shooting at people, but he never saw him with a weapon.

Police did respond to the scene for an active shooter call, but no weapon was found.

 Arraignment is scheduled for January 29th.

Update: Green Bay Police have taken one person into custody after responding to what was described as a suicidal subject. Jefferson Elementary School went on lock down, but has now cancelled it.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay school has been placed on a precautionary lockdown as police investigate a suicidal subject.

Jefferson Elementary School has been affected, with officers called to a welfare check in the 1000 block of Shea Avenue.

No further information was immediately made available.

WAUPACA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 39-year-old Weyauwega man has been arrested on child pornography charges.

Investigators say a New Zealand watchdog group spotted a child porn video online and contacted U.S. officials.

The investigation led them to Daniel Vaughn, whose home address reportedly matches the IP address for the uploaded video.

Detectives say they also found drug materials as they were collecting evidence from Vaughn's residence.

Formal charges have not been filed, but Vaughn is expected to appear in court on Friday.  

KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Plenty of opposition to Kaukauna Utilities' proposed electric rate increase at a Thursday public hearing.

Jerry Kavanaugh is among those who oppose the bump the power company has requested to the Public Service Commission.

"It's going to be a burden to a lot of people who are lower-middle income people."

Leon Lutje isn't a fan either.

"Okay, let's do this...we're losing this big customer, so why don't we take the slack and just kind of cram it down the throats of the current customers. It doesn't work that way. You're panicking, you're punting. It's fourth down and you're punting. Well, the problem is, the citizens of Kaukauna do not want to be your football."

Jeff Feldt is Kaukauna Utilities' general manager.

"When we filed for the rate increase, we filed for the overall average across all classes and that was 9.51%. Some classes will see a higher increase, some classes will see a lower increase."

This after its largest customer, Appleton Coated, was sold last year and left debt.

Feldt says they now want that money to be paid by their current utility customers.

"We're asking for the $2.2-million dollars over a period of 10 years so that we would [recuperate] $220,000 a year for 10 years."

No word on when a final ruling will be made.

Another hearing is set for January 23 in Madison. It begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, 610 N. Whitney Way.

If you can't make it to Madison, a conference call of the hearing will be held at 777 Island St. in Kaukauna. 

FOX VALLEY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Hospitals across the country are dealing with a shortage of IV bags and fluid. That's because Hurricane Maria cut into production of the bags in Puerto Rico.

Because of the shortage, hospitals in northeast Wisconsin have taken steps to ensure patient safety.

Hospitals rely on IV bags to keep patients hydrated and administer medications safely.

Katherine Vergos, chief operating and chief nursing officer for St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, tells FOX 11 the bags are especially important during flu season.

"Our winter months are always a challenge, even when there isn't a shortage."

Vergos says staff at St. Agnes realized a shortage was on the horizon at about the time Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico.

"And so back then we started planning for the shortage."

And at Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology staff is dealing with the same issues for patients.

"We have actually been getting in about half of our normal volume that we get in daily to weekly," said Melissa Johnson, a registered nurse for Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology.

To ensure patients are protected, the hospital and clinic say constant communication between the pharmacy and other staff is key.

"What the medication is gonna go in that day, how it's gonna be administered, putting the patients' safety first," explained Kassandra Beckmann, the lead pharmacy tech for Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology.

Staff is getting creative to conserve the IV fluid.

For example, Vergos says St. Agnes nurses are now administering some antibiotics without the bags.

"Put directly into an IV line and not necessarily have to be mixed with IV solution.".

Johnson says they're taking similar measures at Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology with chemotherapy.

"We are flushing with ten CC syringes instead of flushing with a bag in between the medication. We're also us a bulb-type of system where we can put the medication in and it's infused that way instead of a bigger volume of fluid."

The measures mean extra work and stress, but luckily Beckman says an end is on the horizon.

"We think the shortage is gonna last about, maybe, another couple months here. So we're just doing all we can to save fluids during that time."

Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology always recommends its chemo patients drink lots of fluids. That can help alleviate the need for even more IV solution.

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - There are three options for De Pere's new aquatic center: one with all the bells and whistles and two scaled-back versions.

Marty Kosobucki spoke to FOX 11. He's Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director for De Pere.

“We want to find out from our community what they like, what they don't like, then start being cost effective on how we handle it.”

For me, I'm just worried that the options we have here, I don't know, something I would bring my kids to every once in a while, but I wouldn't bring them as often as I do to our current pool,” said Adrianne Burns of De Pere.

Burns’ current neighborhood pool is at VFW Park, which is planned to be replaced with the new aquatic center.

The current plan also calls for the elimination of east De Pere's neighborhood pool at Legion Park. However, residents are pushing the city to find a way to repair and keep that facility open.

“As a parent, I would not send my kids just biking over the bridge on their own,” said Burns. “It is a little sad for me to see if things continue on the path that they are to see us lose one of these neighborhood pools.”

“We have direction from the city council on what we're supposed to do,” said Kosobucki. “Until we're told otherwise, we need to follow that direction from the city council.”

There isn't a timeline for when a final concept will be chosen.

Kosobucki says there also isn't a plan for how a new aquatic center will be paid for.

“Is it going to be a combination of fundraising and bonding? All bonding? That is a decision the city council has to make.”

That decision is expected to be made once a price tag is figured out, which early projections have anywhere between $4 million and $9 million.

The city council is expected to hear a proposal at its next meeting to build a scaled-back aquatic center, and use the money not spent to save Legion Pool.

TOWN OF PITTSFIELD, WI (WTAQ) - A house on County Highway B, east off Pulaski is being labled a total loss after a fire in the first level of the home Friday morning.

It is believed that the fire spread to the second level of the home.

Roads in the area were closed while crews were on scene.

Details about the cause of the fire the fire and if anybody was in the home at time are expected to be released late Friday afternoon.

The fire is under investgation by the State fire marshall's office.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A string of recent daytime burglaries from Green Bay's west side are under investigation.

Police officials say the affected areas include Hickory Hill and Ridge Road, the 1700 block of Arnold, and the 300 block of Wilson.

Folks are urged to keep doors and windows locked, pay attention to happenings in their neighborhood, and watch for and report suspicious activity.

Anyone with information is asked to call Green Bay Police at 920-448-3208 or Crime Stoppers at 920-432-7867.

WAUPACA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Formal charges have been filed against a Weyauwega man accused of possessing child porn.

Prosecutors say local police was tipped by New Zealand authorities about Daniel Vaughn's illegal online activity.

The IP address to a child porn video was reportedly traced to the 39-year-old's home.

In addition to the felony count of Possession of Child Pornography, Vaughn faces felony counts of Manufacture/Deliver Psilocin and Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place.

An initial appearance is scheduled for Friday afternoon.  

TOWN OF MANITOWOC RAPIDS (WTAQ) - A 75-year old man was found dead near his home. 

Manitowoc County Sheriff officials say they recieved information that James Schneck did not attend a scheduled meeting, launching the investigation.

Schneck was found in a partially frozen pond. Rescue crews pulled his body out the water, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Sheriff Officials continue to investigate. 

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - Two men have been arrested in connection with the September death of a man found in a Fond du Lac parking lot. 

Police believe the 22 and 23 year old suspects were responsible for the death of 30-year-old Logan Foster. 

Foster's body was found near the Press Box Tavern on Forest Avenue.  

Investigators say community tips and surveillance images led them to the pair.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A May 14 trial date has been set for the 27-year-old Green Bay man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and her mother. 

Prosecutors say Jacob Cayer  stabbed Sabrina Teague and her mother Heesun Teague in a Hobart home in 2016. 

A judge has denied a request to modify Cayer's $5-million dollar cash bond.  

Pre-trial motions hearings are set to begin April 9.  

TOWN OF HOLLAND (WTAQ) - A 54-year-old Manitowoc woman was killed in a two vehicle accident on County D in the Town of Holland Friday.

Brown County Sheriff's office said the woman was traveling on Man Cal Road, and failed to stop for a stop sign.

The van she was driving was struck by an SUV that was traveling north on Highway D. 

The woman was ejected from the vehicle, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the SUV, a 44-year-old Kaukauna man, was not injured.

Roads in the area of the crash were shutdown to investigate and recreate the accident.