APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A celebration for a state championship winning basketball team.

Appleton North High School held a Tuesday pep rally for its girls team, which won the Division Two title last weekend.

The Lightning beat Mukwonago 45-32.

Senior Kari Brekke says "we had our ups and downs, and I think a lot of people doubted us, but we stuck with it, stuck through it, and I think this gold ball was sweeter than last year's."

This is the Appleton North girls' second consecutive state championship.

OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Charges have been filed against the 50-year-old Lena man accused of firing at officers during a Sunday standoff at his home. 

Prosecutors say Thomas Benser choked and threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend on Saturday.

She allegedly called police the following day, saying Benser sent her a voicemail where he threatened to kill himself and any cops who tried to arrest him. 

Officers say Benser fired at them, with the standoff lasting roughly ten hours. 

No details on how the standoff ended.

Benser faces 14 counts: Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide (x5), First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety (x5), Strangulation and Suffication, Substantial Battery, Failing to Comply with an Officer, and Disorderly Conduct.  All charges except for the disorderly conduct are felonies.  

If convicted on all counts, Benser faces more than 320 years in prison.

A $500,000 cash bond has been set.  Benser is due back in court April 12.  

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - For the second time this school year, the Green Bay Area Public School District is issuing a climate survey.

The spring survey will be emailed to parents by March 27, which is the same day 3rd through 12th grade students start taking it in school.

"This one will focus on safety questions, as well as classroom instruction, teaching and learning type questions."

Communications Director Lori Blakeslee notes they received the results of the fall survey, explaining the safety concerns that were expressed in that one.

"Perceptions around fairness in how consequences were delivered for inappropriate behavior.  The other one was whether or not they felt their personal property was safe."

Blakeslee says the other focus of that fall survey was relationships between students and staffers.

"The one area that was not as strong (in reported relationships between students and staffers) was secondary school, so that would be middle school and high school." 

Parents should receive a link to the survey by email on March 27.

Those who would like a paper copy of the survey can contact their school secretary, with copies available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.

Parents can fill out a survey for each school their children attend, or just fill out the survey for the school their youngest child attends.

The deadline to return it is May 2.

Students in grades 3-12 will take the survey during the school day beginning March 27.

The online survey is anonymous and does not ask about a child's personal experiences, but rather asks about perceptions of safety, student engagement, and school environment.

The survey is voluntary. Any parents who do not want their children to participate can fill out a form and return it to the school principal by March 16.

Safety has been a topic of conversation in Green Bay schools over the past year.

Last June, a teacher resigned from Washington Middle School, citing safety concerns.

Then last month, in the wake of a deadly shooting in Parkland, Florida, Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith proposed posting armed security guards in each Green Bay school.

The district held a public meeting last weekend for feedback on safety concerns. A second meeting is set for April 16 at West High School.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - An Emmy-winning composer and electric violinist gives a special music lesson for Oshkosh high school students. 

It's part of Mark Wood's 'Electrify Your Strings' tour. 

He's traveling the nation to add rock n' roll into school's traditional music education.

"I believe just like academics and athletics, the arts are on the same level of importance, especially music."

Orchestra Teacher Yukiko Grine says nearly 500 students will have the chance to play alongside Wood at a Friday concert.  

"This year we are including about a hundred choir students here from the two high schools in Oshkosh, so its gonna be strings and choir."

Grine is grateful for Wood's stop.

"He really got our staff and students to think outside the box and really step outside the comfort zone and really got us to express ourselves in a way we haven't done before."

Oshkosh West Senior Pax Lynch shares in the excitement.

"It's not just classical music, but rock music and pop music can also be played really well on these instruments."

Wood spent decades playing music for the rock group, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and has played alongside both Celine Dion and Billy Joel.

Friday's Menominee Nation Arena concert gets underway at 7 pm. 

Purchase tickets by clicking here or calling the box office 920-744-2035.

Proceeds benefit the Oshkosh School Orchestra Program.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The mother of a man shot and killed by Green Bay police officers filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit in federal court late Tuesday.

Toni Biegert, acting as the administrator for the estate of Joseph Biegert, filed the suit against the City of Green Bay, then-Chief Tom Molitor and a dozen police officers.

The city has not been formally served with the lawsuit yet.

It was filed electronically after regular business hours Tuesday. No comment yet from the city.

According to the lawsuit, Biegert was "unlawfully subjected to excessive force when he was shot and killed on February 24, 2015."

The 22-page suit says police responded to an apartment on Plymouth Lane for a welfare check.

It says it was "widely known" by police that he had a mental illness but was non-violent in encounters with police.

He resisted when the officers prepared to take him into custody without any probable cause.

Police said Biegert stabbed an officer, who then returned fire. According to Dept. of Justice review a second officer also shot Biegert.

The Brown County District Attorney's office reviewed the case, and determined the officers would not face criminal charges.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh city council voted unanimously Tuesday to pass an ordinance dealing with minors sharing illicit photos.

Under the current state, law teens who share nude photos can be charged with child pornography, which can land them on the sex offender registry.

The new ordinance passed in Oshkosh will allow to police to write the teens tickets and send them to a program for first-time offenders.

The Winnebago County District Attorney and the Oshkosh Police Department are behind the measure.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Experts say childhood trauma can have a strong link to addiction later in life.

As a child, Jesse Heffernan tells FOX 11 he suffered abuse.

"There was a lot of things that happened at a young age that I just wasn't able to process, right? Things definitely out of my control".

Heffernan said that trauma was part of the reason he developed a serious addiction later in life.

He is now 17 years sober and shared his story during a Heroin Highway Lecture Tuesday.

"And so, for me, substance abuse was a self-medication, dealing with mental health and trauma issues."

Bev Kelley-Miller, who is behind the lecture series, lost her daughter Megan to a heroin overdose.

She tells FOX 11 her daughter also faced trauma, a sexual assault, as a child.

"So there really is a high correlation between them and substance abuse."

According to the CDC, Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, like abuse, do increase a person's likelihood of developing addictions down the road.

"Their rates for heroin use, cocaine use are significantly higher than for those that don't have that," said Heffernan.

Kelley-Miller and Heffernan say to combat this problem is to address childhood trauma head on.

"A lot of it's hidden. So if we can openly talk about it and get it out in the open it's less likely to make that impact," explained Kelley-Miller.

"We're trying to develop a community and a culture where people can talk about them and heal from them and then find their own pathway of recovery," added Heffernan.

According to Heffernan, the state is actually taking steps to address ACEs.

"The governor's wife has started a new initiative around trauma-informed care within the state as well and our state's actually been applauded for some of the things that we're doing."

But, he said, this is only the beginning.

The 4th in the series of seven Heroin Highway lectures will be at Fox Valley Tech April 12th.

VILLAGE of KIMBERLY, WI (WTAQ) - Officers from the Fox Valley Metro Police Department were dispatched to the 600 block of W. Kimberly Avenue in the Village of Kimberly last night for a report of an armed robbery.

Upon arrival FVMPD officers contacted two victims, one of which sustained minor injuries. The victim was treated at a local hospital and was released.

The Fox Valley Metro Police Department has identified 28 year old Phillip R. Wyngaard as a person of interest associated with this incident and would like to speak with him.

Additionally, there is a warrant for Wyngaard’s arrest through the Wisconsin Department of Community Corrections.

This incident was not a random act as the parties are known to each other.

The FVMPD does not believe that the public is in any danger because of this incident.

This investigation is on-going.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident, to contact Officer Michael Lambie by calling (920)788-7505 or michael.lambie@fvmpd.org.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Students from several area schools participated in a “National School Walkout” today.

The walkout is part of a national debate about school safety and gun violence.

The plan was for students to have a 17-minute walkout. Many of the walkouts started at 10 a.m.

Seventeen is not an arbitrary number. It’s the number of students killed by Nikolas Cruz at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Cruz is currently facing 17 first-degree murder charges.

The school shooting sparked outrage from students at the Florida high school.

Many of the surviving students have urged Congress to pass stricter gun laws.

Thirteen schools in Northeast Wisconsin are listed as walkout participants on this website.

The Appleton Area School District sent an email to parents,which said in part:

“If a walkout does occur, classes will continue according to the regular schedule for the day." The email also suggests parents, "have a conversation with (their) child about this important topic."

So far, no reports of any problems at area schools.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A traveling Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit is coming to the Fox Valley.

The 'Home Town Tribute,' which features Packers' history and highlights the team's legendary players, will be on display in Appleton.

It also includes an interactive 'instant replay feature,' which allows people to complete challenges throughout the exhibit.

The History Museum at the Castle will welcome Gridiron Glory this June.

The museum's executive director, Matt Carpenter, says he's been working to attract the exhibit for years, starting discussions with the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.  

Other sponsors and the Packers organization got on board.

The exhibit will arrive ahead of the franchise's 100th season, with it expected to open somewhere around the start of training camp.

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) - The expected expansion of a De Pere-based maker of custom enclosures and other metal products to Manitowoc has been made official.

Robinson Metal hopes to be in the former home of Manitowoc Crane by May.

"First was facility that could accommodate us from a square footage perspective. And then also from an overhead lifting capability, crane size, things like that."

Robinson Metal OPS Manager Sam Thomas says business for them is good.

They've been looking for a place, all over the state, to expand operations for nearly a year. The found what they needed close by.

"To be able to bring a company back in and be able to use that and have an opportunity to use that building for the workforce is critical."

Peter Wills, with Progress Lakeshore, says finding someone to move onto the property has been a priority since Manitowoc Crane left nearly two years ago.

It's been high on the list for Manitiwoc Community Development Director Nick Sparacio too.

"There's only so many potential users for buildings that size. It's just a great fit."

But Thomas says for Robinson Metal it's more than just the building....the workforce is the right fit as well.

"That midwestern work ethic that our customers come to us for is as vibrant in Manitowoc as it is in Green Bay."

Robinson Metal brings 30 jobs to the lakeshore to start.. and hopes to expand on that.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities are looking for two suspects in the Tuesday burglary of an Ashwaubenon jewelry store.

Investigators say the pair broke out the front door of D&M Jewelers on Oneida Street, smashing cases inside the store.

The suspects got away with some merchandise.

One of the men is described as heavy set.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ashwaubenon Public Safety at (920) 492-2995 or Crimestoppers at (920) 432-STOP.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Excitement at Green Bay's Bay Beach Amusement Park as a rehabbed eagle is released on Wednesday.

The bird was rehabbed at Bay Beach's Wildlife Sanctuary.

The release is in memory of longtime environmental advocate Irene Kress, whose family helps keep the sanctuary's exhibits free to the public.

Mike Reed is the sanctuary's director.

"Without those donations, we wouldn't be able to have the opportunities for people to come and enjoy nature and learn about the environment."

Reed says they welcome nearly 400,000 visitors per year.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - An Appleton business gets a visit from the stars of a hit television show.

The cast of Discovery Channel's "Gold Rush" stopped by Miller Electric, meeting makers of the equipment they use in their show and seeing how that equipment is made.

Cast Member Tony Beets says he was already asking for the new equipment they were shown Wednesday to use in his next excursion.

"We like to have the newest and the best for us, and Miller supplied us with that. We were in the lab, testing some of the equipment and I tell you what there man, we're gonna have that stuff out there this summer."

The cast also signed memorabilia for the Miller Electric workers.

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A 27-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with Monday's fatal Outagamie County fire.

Sheriff's officials say Dana Nachtrab is in custody on Arson and First Degree Reckless Homicide charges.

The blaze at W10721 Pine Road claimed the life of one resident, 23-year-old Cody Nachtrab.

No further details have been released.

Anyone with further information is asked to call Lieutenant Christopher Proietti at 920-832-5629.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Two people are in custody after officers say they shot out a panel of glass in the front door of an Appleton business. 

Police responded Wednesday afternoon to Menards, with a citizen leading them to the residence where the 27-year-old man and 20-year-old woman were arrested. 

The couple was angry they were kicked out of the store for suspicious activity, reportedly using a U-haul truck and BB gun for the drive-by shooting.  

Charges of Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Damage to Property are expected.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - For the past decade, Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson has been a fan favorite on the football field, and that led to opportunities off the field.

With Nelson gone, groups are looking at ways to move forward without number "87."

Since 2014, The Jordy Nelson Charity Softball Game has been a popular draw.

The event raised money off the field too. Last year, Nelson presented the faith-based organization Young Life, a check for $130,000.

Heather Faulkner, Young Life Green Bay Director. tells FOX 11...

"That's not typical of the donations we get for Young Life, So that's was a huge, huge thing for us. So we were able to make a legacy fund out of that money, so that we can continue to send kids to camp every year out of that money."

Faulkner says Nelson worked with Young Life in Green Bay for the past six years. She says it is unclear if Nelson will attend this year's game.

"The Timber Rattlers are figuring it out. But there will be an event on June 2nd. And announcements are going to follow after that."

Nelson was also the pitchman for many products.

"It still gives me goosebumps, because it's so real," said David Sengkhammee, Bellin Health Marketing Director.

Included was the comeback campaign for Bellin Health.

Sengkhammee tells FOX 11 Nelson was more than a top Packers player.

"People that have high integrity. People that understand, hard work. People that can remain humble despite their success.

Bellin Health says no new Jordy ads are planned, but the current Nelson campaign will continue.

Meanwhile, Faulkner says there will always be a place at Young Life for the Nelsons.

"I talked to Jordy and Emily last night. They're in good spirits, you know. They're great people, so they have a great foundation, and we're excited for whatever the future holds for them."

Tickets for the June softball game went on sale four months ago.

More than 4,000 have already been sold.

KIMBERLY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Fox Valley Metro Police say drugs and drug paraphernalia were discovered, while searching two vehicles at Sunset Park in Kimberly.

It happened Monday night, and now they're looking for some help.

Lt. Mark Wery tells FOX 11 it's been ongoing issue.

"Complaints from different citizens, either who were vising the park, or neighbors of the park, we're noticing a lot of traffic consistent to drug activity."

Over the last year, Wery says the department has increased patrols at park, which have led to a handful of arrests.

But he says the types of drugs officers have been finding have changed.

"Started off with marijuana related arrests, or THC related arrests, but the most recent arrest was for methamphetamine."

Which is why he says his department is spreading the news, in hopes of combating the issue.

"Can lead to other bigger problems, not to mention anything that is discarded. Whether, that is needles or glass smoking devices."

He says they’re also working to make people think twice.

"These people or these individuals, that are down there doing this activity, understand that this is not going to be tolerated.”

Authorities say if you see anything suspicious at the park, to report it to the Fox Valley Metro Police Department at (920) 788-7505.

MANITOWOC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Two men have been taken to the hospital with serious injuries following a Thursday morning crash in Manitowoc County.

It happened on Interstate 43, just north of Cleveland around 8:15 am.

Investigators say a southbound truck driver lost control, going through the median, crossing both northbound lanes, and going over the overpass's concrete barrier.

The driver was thrown from the truck, and his passenger was also injured.

The crash remains under investigation.  

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A Green Bay book festival is coming back and has expanded from last year.

The UntitledTown Book Festival is geared toward both writers and readers, growing to 150 events with 120 authors.

The festival is scheduled to take place throughout the city from April 19-22.

Organizer Brian Simons says it's a way to bring the community together.

"When we first thought of the idea two years ago, it really was a sense that we got where we know there’s a lot of authors in our community but they don’t even know each other." 

Click here to sign up for the events that require pre-registration.