NEENAH, WI (WTAQ)- ThedaCare is hoping to save lives by teaching a new course on bleeding control.

OCONTO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Standing at around 20 feet high along Lake Michigan, is a one-of-a-kind winter phenomenon.

"It's amazing how quick the news got around," said Howard Lorenz of Peshtigo.

Ice shoves alongside the Oconto breakwater, brought crowds to the shore Wednesday.

Lorenz tells FOX 11 capturing the sight has become a tradition.

"Taking pictures, I've done it this year, and last year, when the ice was here. It's something to do."

Local historian, Dick Doeren, says the shoves pushed up Monday afternoon.

He heard about it from fishermen who were out on ice at the time, "That's how fast this thing was. I guess, the whole time was five minutes. Quite unusual, and this is early for it."

No one was hurt, but Doeren says for anyone who has seen a shove up close and personal, it can be scary.

"As that ice comes in, there's no stopping it, nothing stops it, and it's real slow and kind of grinds and moves."

He says there is something particularly different about this shove than others.

"Normally, we'll get a shove like this on the end, but never to this extent where it runs as far as it did today."

As for sightseers like Lorenz, he says it’s an act of nature that never seems to disappoint.

"It doesn't happen every year, so when it does, you might as well come and see it."

QUINNEY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The changing weather in the past week is affecting ice conditions on many area lakes.

Water flowed into lake Winnebago Monday afternoon near Quinney, prompting a plea from fishing clubs for people to stay away from the landings.

And ice experts expect a weekend warm-up could bring more of the same.

Water trickled through the ice of Johnson Creek and flowed into Lake Winnebago Wednesday.

Area fishermen, like Jason Boerschinger, gathered at the Quinney Road landing to talk about the conditions.

"Just came to check the ice. It don't look too bad right now."

"Just kind of checking conditions out. The other day it was pretty bad. All the water and everything running into the lake," said Mike Lakin, Chilton.

Ice experts tell FOX 11 two days of colder weather made a difference in the ice in the area.

"After thawing and re-freezing, and now, it's pretty solid out there as of today. I didn't find any soft spots today when I was out there." Mark Ecker, Quinney Fishing Club.

Ecker says he checks ice conditions almost daily. He says vehicles driving from Quinney to Oshkosh should stay north of the tree line.

"On the other side, there's a bridge like two and a half, three miles out. But as of now, there are no bridges on the east shore."

Ecker says when temperatures rise, the landings are some of the first places to deteriorate.

"It's going to be in the mid-40s the way it sounds on Friday, which will probably affect it a little bit, be more cracks forming," he said.

And for those venturing out onto the 22 inches of ice,

"They should hold up. We don't have snow running off now, so it should be all right," said Boerschinger.

"You take the good with the bad. whatever comes, comes. Nothing much you can do about it. Just be careful, and be safe out there, that's the main thing," said Lakin.

Fishermen are hopeful the warm-up is short-lived.

Many are heading out on the lake to scout areas ahead of the Sturgeon Spearing season, which begins February 10th.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A 31-year-old Green Bay man has been arrested on charges that he caused the death of his 23-day-old son.

Investigators say Jeremiah Thomas physically abused the infant at a west-side residence but have not provided further details.

While formal charges had not been filed at last word, Thomas is expected to appear in court Thursday afternoon.

FOX CITIES, WI (WTAQ) - We now have a better idea of the extent of homelessness in the Fox Cities.

Housing Coalition President Tara Prahl says their Wednesday night count showed there were 12 people staying in places not meant for human habitation.

"That's pretty on target for the past few years.  We've been right around the 12 number.  Sometimes our July count does go a little bit higher, because it's warmer."

The semi-annual count is done across the nation, in connection with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"It gives us an opportunity to learn what our numbers are and what our need for resources is and mostly, get them connected to all the resources that our community does offer."

Prahl says there are multiple resources available for the homeless.

"For most immediate needs, we do have the warming shelters - Homeless Connections and Harbor House.  Ongoing, we do have various housing programs with Salvation Army, Housing Partnership of the Fox Cities, Advocate, and COTS."

She notes Homeless Connections plans to open a 'day resource center.'

"Where people can come for resources, so they can come to be connected toward housing or they can be connected with someone to help navigate a social security claim or work through employment pieces."

Prahl says counts of those in emergency shelters or housing programs will be released in the coming weeks. 

MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) - Crews are responding to a large fire at an abandoned building in Marinette.

That building is located at the corner of Daggett Street and Pierce Avenue.

No further details had been provided at last word.  

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- The Green Bay Police Department continues to investigate day time burglaries that are occurring on the west and east side of Green Bay.

Burglaries have been reported at:

2600 block of Englewood

Hickory Hill

Ridge Rd

1700 block of Arnold

300 block of Wilson.

Polie believe that the suspects are checking to see if residents are home, or if doors and windows are unlocked, and then entering homes and taking items.

"There are simple things that people can do to deter this criminal activity from happening at their residence" Police Captain Kevin Warych said.

Those things include keeping their doors and windows locked, being a good neighbor by keeping a watchful eye on all neighbors, especially the elderly. Police say it is also important to watch for suspicious people and take note and report those knocking on doors for illegitimate purposes and report what you see.

"If they wish to remain anonymous, then can call Crime Stoppers or download the Crime Stoppers app.

Warych says if items are stolen, having a sure way of being able to identify is helpful.

"Record all your personal serial number for anything of value."

Green Bay Police will be able to match a serial number with a recovered item if it is recorded.

Those with information relating to the person(s) involved in these crimes or other crimes, are urged to contact Green Bay Police at 920-448-3208. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward by contacting Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers by phone at #920-432-7867, through their website at 432stop.com, or by downloading the P3 tip app through Google Play or the App Store." 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A two-day-old's death is no longer considered suspicious.

Green Bay Police says the boy was dead on arrival, when they responded to a January 6 call of a non-breathing infant in the 1100 block of Marquette Avenue.

The cause of death has not been released.  

GREEN BAY (WTAQ) – An Abrams man has been identified as the victim of a workplace death at Ultra Plating Corporation in Green Bay.

The Brown County Medical Examiner says 34-year-old Peter Fiedler an autopsy confirmed that the man died from injuries sustained in the workplace.

The death remains under investigation by OSHA and the Brown County Medical Examiner's Office.

UPDATE:  The Oconto County Sheriff's Office said at this time the matter has been resolved through court proceedings and the threat that was presented is now stable. We no longer believe that there are significant public safety concerns. We anticipate meeting with representatives of the National Forest Service so they may re-evaluate the closure of the Boulder Lake Campground.

OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ)- The Oconto County Sheriff's Office has released more information about the reason for a temporary closing of a Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Campground.

Officals say they are working with State and Federal counterparts to manage the risks, but stated that the risks are related specifically to a local property owner, who has been identified as a potential threat to the safety off those who utilize the campground.

Oconto County Sheriff Chief Deputy Ed Janke the situation included a use of guns, but were not targeted at the campground.

"The threats were not specific, but one could generalize what the intent of the behaviors were, he said. "Some of those behaviors started to take a turn for the worse."

Janke said too much false information was being spread.

"A good deal of speculation out there, ranging from animals to issues in the neighboorhood."

Officals call the issue stabliazed, and plan to release more information at a later date.

Janke said they will have more information about the plan to reopen the location after court proceedings take place.

"We do believe that we have the situation under control, and we will foward that to the Forest service" Janke said.

Details on the closing were also released by the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest officials, stating plans are to temporarily close Boulder Lake Campground for the 2018 recreation season and no reservations will be accepted until further notice.

Reservations already made will be cancelled and refunds generated.

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has many other recreation sites thatprovide a similar experience including Bagley Rapids, Bear Lake, Boot Lake, FranklinLake, Laura Lake, Luna White Deer, Richardson Lake and Spectacle Lake Campgrounds.

The Forest’s also stated that their number one priority is public safety.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 25-year-old Whitefish Bay man has been charged with committing repeated fraud at a Bellevue retailer.

Prosecutors say Jevon Morgan used 14 different credit cards to make a total of 73 purchases last summer.

Morgan faces five felony counts (2x Forgery, 2x Misappropriate ID Info to Obtain Money, 1x Financial Transaction of a Card for Fraudulent Use).  Additional charges are possible.

He's due back in court February 8.

Meanwhile, Morgan faces six similar charges in Winnebago County for alleged crimes from last June and July.  A jury trial is set to start June 30.  

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - A restructuring at the Green Bay Catholic Diocese aims to increase enrollment in its schools.

Bishop David Ricken has shared his vision for the future of education at the Diocese's 54 schools.

This following an 18-month study, which addressed ways to raise the quality of education and bolster financial support for the schools.

"The endgame is just to really enliven our parishes more with better attendance.  We have lots of plans underneath all of this, it's going to take quite a bit of commitment and work but, we're committed to doing it." 

Ricken also announced a new superintendent among seven new positions within the new Office of Catholic Schools.

MADISON, WI (WISCONSIN RADIO NETWORK) - State lawmakers heard often emotional testimony Thursday on the reasons why legislation that would make it a felony to sexually abuse an animal is needed in Wisconsin.

The bill is a response to the history of Sterling Rachwal, who has been in and out of jail and mental institutions since the 1980s after being caught sexually assaulting horses.

Rachwal was recently given two years of probation and credit for time served in jail, after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges for molesting horses in Brown and Manitowoc Counties.

Stable owner Renee Vandenberg of De Pere told lawmakers during a public hearing that horse owners live in fear whenever he’s free. She recounted sleeping in her stable with a gun years ago, in fear that her horses would be attacked at night. “I just cringe at the thought of what would have happened had he come into my barn,” she said.

Vandenberg says prosecutors have made it clear they are doing all they can under current law, but questioned why the same perpetrator is still on the streets, committing the same crimes after 30 years.

Brown County assistant district attorney Dana Johnson prosecuted Rachwal’s most recent case. He told lawmakers that he was unable to file felony charges against him because of the way the horses were assaulted and because the animals were not injured or killed as a result.

Johnson says he opted for the misdemeanor charges because it would force Rachwal to serve some jail time, and he could be monitored after his release.

“I can only do so much with the penalties I have,” Johnson said. “I did the best I could with it.”

If passed and signed into law, the bill would make Wisconsin the 24th state to make sexual contact with an animal a felony.

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Challenges for those trying to battle the elements to keep trails open in Northeast Wisconsin. 

In Outagamie County near Hortonville, for example, it is the third year in a row, the trails have been closed because of the weather.

But one place is getting ready for some racing this weekend.

At the speed of one sixth of a mile per hour, crews took to the Outagamie Conservation Club ice track Thursday morning trying to save it.

"We do have around 10-11 inches of ice. Right now, we're going to cover it with straw," said Bruce Learman, Outagamie Conservation Club.

Club members started flooding the 1/3 mile oval a month ago, but recent changes in the weather, made keeping the ice a challenge.

"We've had some problems with Mother Nature. We've had two melt downs already on the track. Last Monday, we got an inch of rain on our track. We worked the last two nights, all night. (Thursday) morning, two of us left at 4:00 in the morning," said Learman.

For the second year in a row, crews covered the entire racing surface with a layer of straw. Race officials hope 100 bales will be enough to insulate the track from the warm weather.

The races are also the club's biggest fundraiser of the year. Bringing in about 40% of its annual revenue during the one-day event.

"The money from this helps us put on different events, like take a kid fishing, women's outdoor workshop. We have haunted hayride. We do different youth events, from trap shooting for first year members. We also put on safety classes out here for the DNR," said Sam Dillenberg, Outagamie Conservation Club.

The races typically attract about 1800 people to the event. Snowmobiles, ATVs, and even ice racing motorcycles will take to the track on Saturday starting noon. Crews will remove this year's straw Friday night.

"Saturday morning we will have 10-11 inches of ice. How long it's going to last at 43-44 degrees, we don't know. But we have a great track right now," said Learman.

This is the 47th year of the event, but it won't be the warmest.

Officials say the race actually had to be cancelled once about a decade ago. That's when temperatures reached the 50s leading up to the event.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ)- The Governor is starting 2018 with a big plan to help many Wisconsin families. 

NEWTON, WI (WTAQ) - Three people were killed in a crash on I-43 in Manitowoc County Thursday afternoon.

The crash happened south of County Road C in the Town of Newton around 3:30.

Officials say a 40-year-old Whitelaw man was driving southbound in a pick-up truck and went through the median and crashed into a northbound van.

The van was being driven by a 62-year-old Manitowoc man, with a passenger, a 33-year-old woman.

As a result of the crash, a small fire ignited in the engine of the truck.

All three were trapped and had to be extracted by the Jaws of Life.

The pick-up truck driver and the passenger of the van were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the van was flown to the hospital but died en route.

Northbound lanes of I-43 of the crash site were closed for about four hours.

OCONTO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The man whose behavior resulted in the closure of the Boulder Lake Campground has been ordered to go to a mental health facility for at least six months of treatment.

According to county Register in Probate Pat Pawlak, Judge Jay Conley held a hearing Thursday.

Earlier this month, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest canceled all reservations for the summer and closed the campground, citing safety concerns.

The Oconto County Sheriff’s Department said it agreed with the shutdown decision based on deputies' encounters last year with the property owner, who lives right next to the campground.

The man was basically holding target practice on his property, which is legal, but concerning, said Chief Deputy Ed Janke.

As part of the ruling, Judge Conley suspended the man’s right to possess firearms, so any weapons will be turned over the sheriff’s department. The man could petition to have those rights restored.

No review hearing has been set yet. The county could petition to extend the commitment.

U.S. Forest Service staff are reviewing the latest developments, but have not announced if or when the campground will re-open.

Refunds were issued to anyone who made reservations at Boulder Lake for this year.

The campground is about 15 miles southwest of Mountain.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Like a number of area agencies, Appleton's police department is looking to add to its ranks.

Sergeant Dave Lund says they currently have six entry-level officer openings, noting the reason dates back roughly 30 years.

"The state retirement system opened up a large window of opportunity for officers to retire early, and a lot of officers at that point took advantage of that, which resulted in mass hiring." 

Lund says they're looking to return to full staff as soon as possible, expediting the hiring process for experienced officers down to one month.  

"Combining a number of steps that typically may take place during the course of a 4-6 month hiring process.  We're looking from time of hire to time that they go out on solo patrol in the city, upwards of 8-9 months."

Once hired, Lund says each officer still goes through the required three or four months of field training.  

Anyone interested in joining the agency can click here to learn more.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Attorney's for George Burch are requesting that a judge throw out evidence obtained from Burch's cell phone, stating how it was obtained, was a violation of his Fourth Amendment rights.

Burch has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the 2016 death of Nicole VanderHeyden.

The motion argues Burch allowed Green Bay police to examine the phone in connection with a hit-and-run crash months after the murder. However, the information was saved and eventually shared with the Brown County Sheriff's Department, which was investigating the murder.

"The BCSO’s search of Mr. Burch’s phone data was unreasonable for three reasons: (1) it lacked consent to search the phone data, (2) it exceeded the dates permitted by Mr. Burch’s original consent, and (3) it exceeded the places within the data to be searched permitted by Mr. Burch’s original consent. Brown County provides easy access to neutral magistrates for obtaining warrants. BCSO’s failure to obtain a warrant compounds these errors. Therefore, the Court should exclude the evidence derived from Mr. Burch’s phone."

Attorney's say that information was saved and shared with the Brown County Sheriff's Department's murder investigation team unwillingly.

Prosecution plans to use phone records to pinpoint Burch's locations at the time of Nicole VanderHeyden's murder. They say that phone records place Burch near the bar where she was last sen and at the location where her body was found.

Bruch is planning to argue that he was with VanderHeyden, when her boyfriend Douglass Detrie noticed them together and knocked him out. Burch claims when he awoke, Detrie was holding a gun and forced him to drive to a field to dispose of VanderHeyden's body.

It is still unknown if evidence from a fitbit that Detrie was wearing will be allowed to be used in the trial.

Jury selection is scheduled for February 16.