ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - More than 100-thousand dollars has been donated to the Ashwaubenon School District.

The Ola Adams trust fund was set up to honor the late Ola Adams, who lived in Ashwaubenon.

The foundation is focusing on education and public safety.

The donations have been divided between different schools and programs in the district.

Adams' niece, Brenda Herold, talks to FOX 11 about why giving back was important to Adams.

" She loved education, she loved being involved in the kids' activities. She resided in Ashwaubenon and attended most of the kids' events at the school so education was a big part of her life."

As a result of the Ola Adams donation, the following will be donated to the Ashwaubenon Schools:

$5,000 to APPL Parent Resource program

$10,000 Cormier

$20,000 High School Tech Ed Department

$20,000 Parkview

$20,000 Valley View.

$40,000 to Pioneer.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - For more than a week, UW-Oshkosh has been dealing with norovirus.

"We've been really aggressive with our environmental disinfection of all of our campus buildings and bathrooms and our health sports arena," said Pam MacWilliams, UWO health services director.

Symptoms of the highly contagious bug include diarrhea, throwing up, nausea and stomach pain.

Last Thursday, around 40 students had the virus.

The number of reports jumped to 130 the next day.

On Monday, of this week, 218 people self-reported norovirus-like symptoms over the previous 48 hours.

"The report that we have today is that 114 total cases have been reported in the last 48 hours," MacWilliams said.

UWO created a web page, to keep track of the outbreak and the university has been asking the campus population to fill out a self-reporting of form. Since the outbreak, the university has remained open.

"It's not recommended that you close the campus. There would be no purpose to that. It's really about educating everyone on what to do to prevent the spread," MacWilliams said.

Since the outbreak began, UWO has been working closely with the Winnebago County Health Department.

Alana Erickson, Winnebago County Health communication specialist, tells FOX 11...

"When we suspect that three or more people have the same symptoms over a 72 hour period, that's when the team goes in and does some further investigation to really level it norovirus."

Erickson says the health department says the outbreak can be used as a learning experience.

"UWO's capability to have this self-report mechanism is really what's making this outbreak stand out to us and it's a great tool to help us watch and respond to it."

MacWilliams tells FOX 11 the university plans to continue disinfecting campus for another 10 days.

"After this is over our team will sit down and debrief and I'm sure there will be brought up but at this given point, I feel we've done a great job."

The health department says one of the most effective way to prevent norovirus from spreading is to wash your hands with soap and water.

WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Getting out of school an hour early, one day a week...it sounds like a dream for students, but an area school district is trying this new schedule to help teachers.

At the Waupaca School District, superintendent Greg Nyen tells FOX 11 News it's not an easy time to be a teacher,

"Today, probably more than any other time in public education, our teachers have more demands placed on them."

To help teachers meet those demands, Nyen says the district will release all students an hour early every Wednesday starting next year.

"Professional development opportunities and collaborating with each other, addressing everything from curriculum to assessments."

The district will partner with colleges to further teacher education.

Nyen says this time will create better teachers, and students will reap the benefits.

Now, if parents are unable to pick up their children an hour early the district is going to make accommodations for those students.

"We will be providing opportunities, structured opportunities, for the students to remain at school," Nyen explained.

Nyen told FOX 11 the bus schedule will stay the same so this won't cost the district extra money.

"Our staff members are already under contract during that time, so there are no additional costs."

Parents like Bruce Gibbs say they appreciate the idea of teachers getting more education.

"You have to always keep up on stuff so you can pass it down. So I think it's definitely important."

They said they just want what's best for their children.

"Because their education is very important. So they're furthering their education, they can go on to college," said Emma Trindal.

The district will be adding a few minutes at the beginning and end of each of the other school days.

This will offset the hour of teaching lost.

Bellevue, WI (WTAQ) - The person living inside of a one-person home in Bellevue was able to escape from a house fire, thanks to a smoke detector.

Fire officials say the alarm went off just after 11 last night (Wednesday) at the home on the 2900 block of Tordeur Lane.

Joe Bertler, Battalion Chief Bellevue Fire and Rescue, says the resident got outside and called 911.

"The homeowner woke up to a working smoke detector and thankfully for that was able to escape safely and called 911 and notified us."

Brown County Sheriff's deputies were the first to arrive. They put out the flames with a fire extinguisher.

Officials say the fire was caused by careless use of smoking materials.

No one was hurt.

The fire caused about $25,000 in damage.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The fatal school shooting in southern Florida is resonating with folks in Northeast Wisconsin.

NWTC Training Officer Jason Weber says these incidents serve as an important reminder that people need to be aware of their surroundings and think rationally at all times.

"Gunfire, all too often it's dismissed as firecrackers.  We have to think about it, we're in the middle of a school situation, would it really be fireworks?"

Weber notes situations like the one in Florida can require altering a typical response, based on the circumstances.

"Pulling the fire alarm, our normal reaction that's engrained in us is to get out.  But when we start to hear gunfire, that's something we need to recognize, and then maybe change our reaction."

However, Weber notes the biggest challenge the active shooter situations of recent years present.

"There is no concrete answer for everything.  Every one of these situations is different."

Even though this incident happened halfway across the country, Weber says it is important to apply it to life in Northeast Wisconsin.  

"Think about 'what would I do?  If this were to happen later on today at work, what would I do?  Where are my exits?'" 

Authorities say 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz has been charged with murdering 17 people, in connection with the Wednesday incident in Parkland, Florida.  

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A new initiative is meant to help prevent tragedies in Northeast Wisconsin. 

Following Wednesday's fatal shooting at a Florida school, Green Bay Police says it's offering a free active shooter response training to interested community organizations.

The four-hour session includes a combination of classroom presentations and group exercises.

One of the officers teaching the courses will be Lieutenant Jeff Engelbrecht, who says not having a plan in mind takes time away from the response, with time being of the essence.

"If you don't have a mental blueprint for how you're going to respond to this, I think your brain can shift into what we call psychological void."

In addition to studying previous active shooter situations to dissect warning signs, responses, and outcomes, Engelbrecht says the course will discuss each of the options available to a person.  

"It may be that they barricade themselves.  It may be that they get out of there.  Worst case scenario: we're going to teach you how to protect yourselves and the ones who are entrusted in your care."

Police Chief Andrew Smith says there's an important rule to follow in trying to prevent these horrific events.

"If you know somebody is having an issue.  If you know somebody is making threats.  If you suspect somebody is going to do something like this, contact the police department."

Green Bay Police increased presence at the city's schools Thursday as a precaution.

Superintendent Michelle Langenfeld says she visited some of the district's schools in the morning hours.

"It was typical.  There weren't a lot of questions.  The administration made it a point to be in the hallways.  The teachers were in the hallways, as usual.  I didn't see anything out of the ordinary."

GBAPSD Safety and Security Coordinator Chris Collar says the district and its staff members will work with the police department on security training, noting they have already had an active shooter training program in place for years, explaining the ALICE model. 

"Evacuate the building, lock themselves down in the classroom, barricade the classroom, or take matters into their own hands and counteract what's happening."

Collar says the importance of having a program in place was reaffirmed when he heard one of the students at the affected Florida school say Wednesday's events felt like a drill.  

"The fact that it feels like a drill to him, and not a major incident, tells you that there's lots of places that are already doing the same things that we are." 

Anyone interested in training should contact police headquarters at 920-448-3200.  No definitive end date for scheduling a session has been given.

MEQUON (WTAQ)- Police in Ozaukee County say they found assault rifles and drugs on two Sturgeon Bay teens during a traffic stop in Mequon.

19 year-old Willard Hartman and 19-year old Benjamin Krohn were released on cash bond.

Officers say they smelled marijuana during a February 10 traffic stop. Upon searching the vehicle found three loaded assault rifles and a couple of loaded handguns. Krohn also told officers that they had the guns with them incase they decided to trade or sell them to someone.

According to the criminal complaint, Krohn told officers that the two were in Mequon to watch a basketball game at Homestead High School. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- A Brown County judge has ruled that prosecutors will be allowed to use tracking data from George Burch's cellphone in his upcoming trial.

Burch is accused of killing Nicole VanderHeyden back in 2016 in Bellevue.

Prosecutors say the data would be used to place Burch at certain locations having to do with the murder, including the bar where she was last seen alive, outside her residence where police reported that she was murdered and the field where he body was found.

The defense argued that Burch's Fourth Amendment rights were violated with how law enforcement seized the data. They say the Brown County Sheriff's Department got the information from the Green Bay Police Department investigatoy file from an unrelated hit-and-run crash.

Jury selection for the trial is scheduled for Friday.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Potential jurors for next weeks George Burch murder trial in Brown County, are being asked about their knowledge of a Manitowoc County murder case.

70 people were summoned to Brown County Courthouse. Normally, the pool of candidates is only 35. 

The 22-page questionnaire asks for details in employment, education and media use. It also asks if they are aware of the Netflix series Marking A Murderer, and asks if viewing it has affected their views of the legal system.

It also asks jurors if they believe the views they have about the case will affect their abilty to be fair and impartial in this case.

The questionnaire is supposed to speed up the selection process.

Jury selection is Friday. The group of 70 will be narrowed down to 24 and attorneys will strike names one at a time until the group of 14 is formed.

The jury is being selected from Brown County residents, and will not be sequestered at a hotel during the trial. 

The trial is schduled to go about two weeks.

GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ) - A Greenville man has been recognized for his impact on the community.

AAA and Ford are honoring Nick Van of Fox City's Towing as part of its 'Real Heroes of the Road' contest.

It asked road service providers to share their most rewarding experience.

Van's story involves helping a woman whose car battery died while she was trying to flee an abusive relationship.

"I replaced her battery free of charge out of my pocket, and also filled up her car with gas and gave her some grocery money to help her make it where she needed to make it.  I received a letter from her weeks later of her thanking me and gave her the sense that there was good people in the world when she thought there wasn't."

Van's towing company has received a new Ford F-150 truck as a prize.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Cash bond has been set at $1,000 in a Brown County courtroom for a 29-year-old Chicago man accused of stealing a crucifix from a Green Bay church and using it to damage Fox 11's outdoor digital sign.

Brendan McSweeney also faces charges in Marathon County, for reportedly causing a disturbance at a Wausau pizza restaurant.

All of the alleged incidents happened February 9.

McSweeney, who faces felony counts of Theft, Criminal Damage to Personal Property, and Criminal Damage to Property and a misdemeanor count of Disorderly conduct, is due back in a Brown County courtroom February 28.

An April 12 trial has been ordered on the four misdemeanors McSweeney faces in Marathon County.

LAKE WINNEBAGO (WTAQ) - Another 33 sturgeon were speared Thursday on Lake Winnebago.

That bumps the total to 286, with the season still able to run as long as February 25.

Most of the fish are reportedly being taken on the south end of the lake.

Officials say the day's largest sturgeon was a 131.4-pound, 77-inch fish speared by Nicholas Ludvigsen and registered at Wendt's on the Lake in Van Dyne.

Spearing has already closed on the upriver lakes.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ)- Governor Scott Walker was in Ashwaubenon to share good news for retail stores.

Standing inside Shopko Thursday afternoon, Governor Scott Walker said the ball is rolling to save tax payers a little money in August, and help retail stores.  

"Every family living in the state of Wisconsin that has a child under the age of 18 will get $100 dollars back for the start of the school year, and that is on top of the fact that everyone will beneift from a tax free weekend.  

The Tax Credit and Tax Holiday proposal is made possible by a Wisconsin surplus that Governor Walker wants to give back to the tax payers of Wisconsin.  

"We hope this will help businesses based in Wisconsin that employ people in Wisconsin."  

Walker says the tax holiday, the first weekend of August should bring in many shoppers since they won't have to pay a sales tax.  

He also mentioned that this is proven successful as Ohio has done this and it was so successful, they took steps to make it permanent.   

Along with saving people money this fall, the Governor is hoping proposed legislation passes before the end of the legislative session.  

Governor Scott Walker wants the state to offer the same 17-percent in tax credits on wages to keep Kimberly Clark in the Fox Valley as it did in the Foxconn deal.   

In Ashwaubenon on Thursday, the Governor said things are least in the right direction thanks to area legislatures.  

"We are proud that State Senator Roth and State Representative Jim Steineke are willing to work with us to help provide legislation that would offer the same incentives for Kimberly Clark that was offered for FoxConn.  

The plan is subject to legislative approval, but Thursday the governor said the refundable tax credit would be good for 15 years.   

The move by Kimberly-Clark to close two facilities in the Fox Valley would take away 600 jobs.  

"From our standpoint, we said let's put on the table what we did to get a major employer to come and bring 13,000 jobs to the state of Wisconsin, and we believe that jobs in the paper industry are just as imporant."  

Walker said the paper industry has a large impact in Wisconsin beyond direct employment.  

He says he is hoping the bill passes in this legislative session so he can sign and offer Kimberly Clark the same incentives that FoxConn was offered.  

The Governor also addressed the recent school shooting at a Florida high school.   Governor Scott Walker says Wisconsin is ahead of many states when it comes to school shooting prevention.  

Wednesday's school shooting in Florida hits close to home for governor Scott Walker. Nearly three decades ago, a school shooting led him to work on laws that put restrictions of firearm purchases.  

"I was the author of that bill 25 years ago after a school shooting at Wauwautosa East High School which was not to far from my home."  

Walker says while you never can think it can't happen here, Wisconsin has taken necessary steps to prohibit firearm purchases by anyone on the wrong side of the law or with identified mental health concerns. He says Wisconsin is ahead of many states.

  "Had that shooter in Florida had a problem as a juvenile with run ins with the law or a history of mental health, that law that I authored would have prevented him from purchasing a firearm in Wisconsin."  

Governor Scott Walker says Wisconsin has taken steps ahead of other states to reduce the chances of shootings in schools.  

In Ashwaubenon on Thursday, the Governor said Wisconsin puts a big focus on mental health.  

"We held listening sessions acrss the state and heard from school officials that they were concerned about the rise of mental health issues."  

Walker says he feels that everyone that needs mental health care should be identified by schools, and they should get the help that they need.  

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ)- In the wake of a recent school shooting, law enforcement of all sizes, including smaller departments are feeling the need to be ready.

  Shawano Police Department may not be large, but officers are well aware, active shooters can strike anywhere.  

Chief Dan Mauel says they did not change anything after Wednesday's shooting at a Florida High School, but they work with officers and schools to get them prepared.  

"Every August, we train all new Shawano School District teachers, and within the next few weeks, we are going to train all staff in Gresham as well."  

Mauel says the training that they offer schools is the ALICE response training.   

"I am completley confident in our officers and Shawano county officers that they are prepared to react to a situation" Mauel said. "They would have a very good response and a very good outcome."  

At the County level, Sheriff Adam Bieber says he does his best to have deputies nearby Shawano County schools at the beginning of the day and the end of the day, but they are really only able to react to a threat.  

"That's the problem, we are only reacting to it. There is likely to be casualities because we are reacting and not preventing it from happening."  

Bieber says deputies know that they are to be patroling around schools throughout the county at the start and end of the school day.  

"It is about at proactive as we can get as a department. Maybe if people see us nearby, they will think twice about trying a violent act."  

FeeHe say he feels helpless because all officers can do is respond.   

"We have trained for this situation, but we have not trained to prevent it and that is the scary part.   

Bieber says its time to be proactive, and have armed officers at each school, but that will cost some money.  

"I don't control the money, and I know it is a money issue. You should never have to have an armed guard at schools where kids are present, but in today's world, you have to if you want to protect these kids."  

He also said legislative offficals should look at what kind of violent material kids are being exposed to at a young age.  

"Politicans talk about guns, when they should really be talking about media and things that our kids watch everyday."  

Both Mauel and Bieber said they will continue to perpare their departments to know how to respond in case an unforseen situation occurrs.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Plans are forging ahead for Green Bay's Shipyard project.

The city's redevelopment authority has approved  spending $10,000 of neighborhood enhancement funds to revise the project proposal.

That after the Green Bay Bullfrogs pulled out of the project, in favor for a move to Ashwaubenon.

Mayor Jim Schmitt tells WTAQ's Mid-Morning News that they haven't given up on the concepts of hosting sporting events and concerts, and that's not all.

"There's 81 homes in that area are going to be eligible for some assistance, to maybe upgrade that and maybe get some millenials to come in and buy and say 'this is where we want to live.'"

Schmitt says private businesses who were originally tied to the project, like Anduzzi's and Festival Foods, are still interested in the area.

"People are going to say 'well, is this your second choice?'  I think it's another choice.  I think the investment is still going to be there from the private sector.  Met with them (Thursday) and showed them a bit of the redesign.  They said 'this is awesome.  We actually like this better.'"

Schmitt says the goal is to finalize a revised proposal within the next three months. 

"Some construction on a couple of the entities this fall would be our goal."

Meanwhile, efforts are moving forward to bring a beach back to Green Bay's Bay Beach Amusement Park.

Schmitt claims that the DNR intends to approve the city's plans, but notes a public comment period runs through early March.

"We just want people to spend more time (on the waterfront).  We want people to, when they think of Green Bay - we obviously have the sports- but we want them to think of Bay Beach."

Schmitt says the plans call for a 1,000-foot beach, 400-foot long pier, bath house, and concession stand.

It's expected to cost $5-million dollars. He's proposing the city cover 60% of the cost, with grants and donations paying for the rest.

GREEN LAKE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Human remains have been discovered in a Green Lake County house that burned Friday morning.

Sheriff's officials say it happened around 4 am at a home on Highway 44 near the Town of Green Lake.

Investigators found the remains, which had not been identified at last word, after the fire was put under control.

The state fire marshal's office has been called in to help determine how the fire started.  

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - A 41-year-old man, who officers say was nearly four times the legal limit for driving, has been taken into custody after reportedly being found parked on a street, with two children inside the vehicle.

Officers were dispatched Thursday night to South 37th Street, saying they found Luis Jimenez slumped over the wheel, sleeping.

They claim the two kids, whose ages were reacted from police records, were also asleep.

Police say they got no response when they knocked on the window, opening the door to notice a nearly empty bottle of vodka at Jimenez's feet.

Jimenez allegedly blew a .30, which is well above the legal limit of .08.

The car belonged to Jimenez's aunt, who lived one block away from where he was reportedly parked.

Officers say she came to claim the vehicle and the children.

While formal charges had not been filed at last word, Jimenez is expected to appear in a Manitowoc County Courtroom on Friday. 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Two water mains have broken in Green Bay.

It happened in the 3100 block of Humboldt Road and the 800 block of Fisk Street.

Water Utility officials say fluctuating temperatures, frost, and the remaining snow on nearby lawns were all factors.

GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ)- Around 200 jobs will soon be coming to Appleton.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. is expanding, and that includes a new service center at Appleton International Airport.

"Our fleet continues to grow, so we have over 2,800 aircrafts flying all over the world."

Product Support President Derek Zimmerman says.

A $40 million dollar, 180,000 square foot building is the works.

The plan for the new facility is to use it for repair and overhaul. It will include a hangar, offices, back shops and support space.

Groundbreaking will take place later this year, and the building will open in 2019.

Gulfstream Appleton offers a broad range of services, including major inspections, modifications, and major avionics installations and safety upgrades. 

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ)- Oshkosh Police helped conduct a prostitution sting and arrested eight men on Thursday.

Police worked with Criminal Investigations Division, focusing on individuals who are willing to pay for sexual contact.

Those arrested ranged in age  from 19 to 63, and were from Neenah, Fond Du Lac, Appleton, Sheboygan, Omro and Oshkosh.

Police say they are referring prostitution charges for six.

One man who was arrested was transported to jail for drug possession and delivery, and one was transported to jail on Felony Bail jumping.