BERLIN, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Nearly two months after a gunman opened fire at a high school in Parkland Florida, students from Berlin High School are still finding ways to show their support for the victims.

Students in the school's "Bee Kind" club spent their Tuesday visiting with residents at a retirement home in the area.

It's just one of the many random acts of kindness the students have done to honor the 17 victims killed during the shooting.

"I really enjoy it and listening to their little bit of advice they get to pass down to us," said Mariah Weiss, a committee member of the club.

Students in the club have also been selling wristbands to help raise money for those affected by the shooting.

Amy Wenig, a staff member at Berlin High School, tells FOX 11....

"And our plan is to take the money that we receive from the proceeds and send it in the form of a scholarship to Stoneman Douglas High School."

Knowing that what happened in Parkland could, unfortunately, happen in Berlin is why Weiss continues to plant seeds of change throughout her community.

"I think it scares people a little bit because they didn't think it could happen to them and we don't think it could happen to us. But it is kind of a reality that we might have to face and we hope we never have to."

Along with sending the scholarship to Parkland, the club said they also plan to plant a tree at their school in honor of the 17 victims.

On March 14, students in Oconto students honored the Parkland shooting victims in a similar way, focusing on doing 17 random acts of kindness.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - In an effort to cut down OWI arrests, the Brown County Traffic Safety Commission is taking action.

They've conducted a new study, called "Place of Last Drink."

Capt. Dan Sandberg of the Brown County Sheriff's Office, tells FOX 11...

"We need a cultural change in our society when it comes to OWI's, and people drinking and driving."

Sandberg, who is the commission chairman, says eight different law enforcement agencies participated.

Each asking an OWI offender where they had their last drink.

"The big component is the over-serving part that the study is looking at."

The "Place of Last Drink" results showed:

January-March there were 227 OWI arrests in Brown County

59-percent reported drinking at a bar or restaurant

A total of eight bars were mentioned by drunk drivers

Four in Green Bay

Two in Ashwaubenon

One in Wrightstown

One in Greenleaf

Sandberg says the results are only for the first quarter of what will be a year-long study.

"The biggest part of that is, as we get more information, the study is going to evolve. And hopefully, help us make those changes that are needed."

The commission is working in partnership with the Brown County Tavern League.

Tavern League President, Don Mjelde....

"The numbers are fresh right now, it's only the first quarter; there are other counties that have had a lot of bigger problems when they first unveiled the place of last drink study, so we look forward to seeing more of these, seeing if there is a problem."

Sandberg says the goal is to bring awareness and provide training at those bars who may be over-serving.

"The educational component, a tavern owner can't be there 24/7, and they might not even be aware of some of the issues that they're having."

Looking ahead, both agencies say their work has just begun.

"In order to succeed, we have to make sure people are being responsible, I'm excited to take the necessary steps," Mjelde explained.

"We want to make them aware of the situation and work with us, so we can solve this problem," Sandberg said.

The commission is scheduled to meet again in July.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course land that Oshkosh Corporation doesn't use for its new headquarters will be used for a city park.

Oshkosh's common council passed a resolution supporting the move Tuesday night.

“It's a sport that's dwindling in its appeal,” said Steve Cummings, Oshkosh’s mayor.

“I think we have to look at the entire community and the uses of that piece of land.”

Oshkosh Corporation plans to use about 35 acres of the course for its new headquarters.

In an online survey, Oshkosh residents were asked if they'd like the rest of the course to be turned into an executive 9-hole course or be used as a community park.

Of the 1,072 voters, 72 percent chose a park.

Tony Dirth, an Oshkosh resident spoke to the council and says the numbers speak for themselves..

“This is the right decision based on public input, that poll, and just the overall cost.”

And while city parks director Ray Maurer says the survey was a proper representation of the community, Deputy Mayor Steve Herman disagreed.

“We always ask them to be engaged, get involved. That didn't happen here.”

Herman also argued the process of deciding what to do with the land was rushed.

“We don't know what we've got out there until Corp is done until the roads are in until the river walk is in.”

Ultimately, Herman and five others supported the resolution to make the land a community park. No one voted against it and one council member did not vote.

“The golf course, 18 holes, was a money loser,” said Cummings.

“I can't help but think 9 holes would be an even bigger money loser.”

The city will now spend the next nine months coming up with a master plan for the new park.

SHAWANO- Shawano Police Chief Dan Mauel says a 14-year-old will be referred to the Shawano County District Attorney after admitting to creating a school threat in the snow at Sturgeon Park earlier this month.

Police say the threat appears to have been a joke, and there was never any intent to harm anyone. 

Police say at this time, they do not believe that this threat was related to the first threat found written on a picnic table at Memorial Park a week earlier. 

The Shawano School District and Shawano Police Department continue to work together in the investigation.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) -  Green Bay Police say three people are in custody, and one person is still at large, after a shooting Wednesday afternoon in the 900 block of Shawano Avenue.

"The investigation is still active," Green Bay Police Captain Kevin Warych said. "They did find evidence on the scene that a shooting did occur."

Warych says Police located a suspect vehicle near Green Bay West High School.

While officers attempted a traffic stop, three people got out and ran, while the driver remained with the vehicle.

Two of the runaways and the driver of the vehicle were taken into custody.

Police say they have recovered a handgun, but they are still searching for another gun involved.

At this time, it is unknown if the suspect is armed.

Four schools were placed on lockdown and have been lifted.

"Once the shooting was reported, we contacted Green Bay School District as fast as we could to put the schools on lockdown.

Police say residents in the area that see any damage to property from gunshots, or have a video surveillance that might aid the investigation, should contact police.

"At this point were are looking for property damage, and (investigators ) are going to understand why the shooting occurred, try to recover the weapons and hold one or all of the people involved responsible for their actions."

Warych says no injuries have been reported.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ)- Manitowoc Police are investigating a robbery done by a clown.

Police say a suspect with a clown mask forced his way into, and robbed, the A&W on Harbor Town Lane on March 25 in the early morning hours.

The suspect was reported to have stolen bank bags with an undisclosed amount of money.

The same suspect was last seen walking through the Manitowoc Shell parking lot, wearing a black jacket, a gray colored sweatshirt, tan or gray pants, dark shoes, blue latex gloves and a clown mask.

Manitowoc Police are offering a $500 dollar reward for anyone who can help them locate the suspect. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective David McCue of Manitowoc Police Department at (920) 686-6570 or can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (920) 683-4466. 

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ)- An annual charity softball game lives on.

Clay Matthews and Davante Adams will be the captains of the Green and Gold Charity Softball game in June. The event was previously led by Jordy Nelson, prior to him being released and signing with Oakland.

“I’ve really enjoyed hosting the softball game the last four years and I’m glad to see it’s in good hands with Clay and Davante as co-captains,” said Nelson. “I also appreciate that the game will continue to support Young Life as it has in the past. Enjoy the game, Packers fans. I know it will be entertaining as always!”

Donald Driver ran the event prior to Jordy.

The teams will be determined in the form of a draft that Matthews and Adams will be captains for. 

The event will take place June 2nd at Fox Cities Stadium.

Proceeds from the event will benefit charity including Young Life.

Tickets are still available.

TOWN OF EMPIRE, WI (WTAQ)- Fond Du Lac County Sheriff Deputies say they had to use Narcan to revive a man that was found unconscious after a crash Wednesday morning.

Officials say he was found with a hypodermic needle in his hand.

Deputies responded to a crash on Rienzi Road in the Town of Empire.

The 35-year-old was arrested after he regained consciousness but was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation.

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - Shawano Police Chief Dan Mauel says a 14-year-old will be referred to the Shawano County District Attorney after admitting to creating a school threat in the snow at Sturgeon Park earlier this month.

Police say the April 4th threat appears to have been a joke, and there was never any intent to harm anyone, but nobody is laughing.

"In this case, we are going to do the maximum that we can."

He says they chose to go that route, rather than just issuing a citation.

Chief Mauel says he felt a message needed to be sent to the teen, and to anyone thinking about threatening school safety.

"Anymore of these type of threats will be met with the same consequences. If the attempt is to close the schools down, that is not going to happen." 

He says that is the maximum that they can do as a police department, and the rest is up to the District Attorney's office.

"Very serious charges could be issued here."

He says one key element to the process will be having social services involved to make help the teen learn from the mistake.

"We don't want to just throw a consequence at a 14-year-old and not have them understand why it was wrong and what to do in the future."

He says the hope would be that once the teen becomes an adult, that they would be able to make good decisions in the future.

Police say at this time, they do not believe that this threat was related to the first threat found written on a picnic table at Memorial Park a week earlier. 

The Shawano School District and Shawano Police Department continue to work together in the investigation.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ)- April is Sexual Assualt Awareness Month in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel says things are looking better when it comes to combating sexual assault in Wisconsin, and says that is because victims are not staying silent. 

"We have done a lot to change that, and we have done it on the shoulders of the victims who had the courage to come forward and demand justice."

He tells WTAQ's Morning News with Matt and Earl that society is also starting to point the blame in the right direction.

"Society has kind of reacted to all of that by not doing the typical, Why was she dressed that way? Why did she go to that person's room? Why was she drinking?"

He says instead, society is starting to point the finger of blame at the offender.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - There will be no offseason this year for the Green Bay area's homeless.

For the first time, area churches will take turns providing shelter when St. John Evangelist Homeless Shelter closes for six months at the end of April.

St. Matthew Catholic Community in Allouez is one of 17 churches ready to take a turn housing the homeless.

Michael Westenberg, the director of social outreach for St. Matthew, tells FOX 11...

“As we explored our building usage through the summer, we thought that certainly fit within our mission and we had the space available.”

The churches are partnering with St. John Homeless Shelter, which has a permit to operate as an overnight shelter only from November 1st through April 30th.

“Our goal was to get 13 churches on board to each offer us two weeks and people thought we were crazy,” said Alexia Wood, the executive director of St. John Homeless Shelter.

Wood says the effort came about after St. John had four of its guests die on the streets in a 12-month period.

“There was a day we attended two funerals on the same day. “There was a day we received calls an hour apart, just where individuals are losing their lives.”

St. Willebrord, which is just a few blocks from St John’s shelter, will be the first church to host.

The plan is as the weather warms up to gradually transition to churches further away from the downtown.

St. John is providing staff, mats, and rides to and from the churches if they are not on the bus line.

People will be allowed in the shelter from 9 pm to 6:30 am.

Wood estimates there could be 10 users on a typical night.

“We certainly recognize there are some unique needs that may present with an individual struggling with homelessness, but churches are able to offer it as an extension of the ministries they offer within their churches."

Westenberg says St. Matthew plans to be the host for a week or two in July.

“It's a time that the school isn't being utilized and we can certainly carve out a couple of weeks in that July month to devote to that.”

The schedule of what church will be hosting each week will be posted at St. John and the Micah Center.

St. Willebrord, Trinity Lutheran, St. Norbert Parish, Notre Dame Academy, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, St. Mary of the Angels, First Assembly, St. John the Evangelist, Good Shepard Lutheran, and Resurrection Church are among the known churches participating in the program, which is called COTS 2.018.

Other participating churches have asked to not be named at this time.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Students in the Art Agency at the UW- Green Bay hosted their ninth annual Empty Bowls fundraiser Wednesday in the Phoenix Club, at the University's Union.

Brianna Fischer is the co-president of the organization and tells FOX 11 members spent hours making around 300 bowls for the fundraiser.

"Many years back someone had the idea of making bowls to fill the need for hunger. It's been a lot of work, we've been making bowls since September."

Fischer also said the event has become a success over the years and is something students around the campus look forward to.

"I did go to it my freshman year so two years ago, so when I saw the Facebook event I was so excited to go to it because it's just really cool to get stuff that other students have made," said Michelle Ellie a student at UW-Green Bay.

All of the proceeds from the fundraiser go to the Golden House, which helps survivors of domestic violence.

Hollie Fisher, a manager at Golden House, said they will use the money to help develop more programs and resources for those in need.

"General community donations are used to help our agency run. All of our resources are completely free for victims so we rely on our community a lot to make those services available. It feels wonderful to know that people are aware, taking this seriously and want to help. So many times victims don't know how to reach out for help and don't know about the support they have."

All of the soup was donated by four restaurants in the area.

GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A group of veterans returned home Wednesday night from a trip to the nation's capital.

The 44th Old Glory Honor Flight program had more than 100 veterans on board.

It was a homecoming received nearly 65 years later for Mike Maulick.

"This is awesome, parts of the VFW club, my family, it's great, wonderful," said Mike Maulick as he held back tears.

Maulick served in the army during the Korean War.

Like many veterans, Maulick tells FOX 11 he still remembers coming back home from overseas.

"Nothing. Came back from overseas there's nothing. We got mustered out and caught a fairy to Detroit and mustered out and went home and that was it."

Maulick joined a hundred others on a day trip to Washington D.C. for a tour and a visit to their memorials.

"They took care of the vets really really well. I can't say enough; it was just wonderful," said Maulicks son, Greg.

Greg told FOX 11, the support coming from people in Washington D.C also surprised Honor Flight riders.

"When we landed in DC, we were met throughout the airport and all the grade school kids were shaking hands and handing out letters. It was really cool."

Hundreds of supporters in Northeast Wisconsin also came in full force to honor the veterans, including members at Martin Luther Church and School.

Justin Vanderhoof is a teacher there.

"We talked a lot to the school about what this event was, and why we do it, and just to try to educate them on why we need to be thankful for what all these veterans are doing for us.

Vanderhoof said as a way to say 'thank you', all the school kids made a banner and signed their names.

"They fought for our country and all of the wars and gave us freedom and we need to show them some respect for what they've done," said 8-year-old, Jonathan Minzlaff.

The next Honor Flight will be next month at the Appleton International Airport.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ)- Concerns have been raised about the placement of a sex offender that is scheduled to take place on Monday. 

Both Fond Du Lac County and the Eldorado Township are fighting the plans that would place 54-year-old Jeffrey Butler at a residence on Nitschke Road, based on orders placed by a Marinette County Judge.

Fond Du Lac County Sheriff Mick Fink says despite the statute requirements and a new law that requires sex offenders to be placed in the county that they were convicted in, the order was made.

“He’s off the rails on this he’s flying by the seat of the pants. He did not follow the old 980, nor did he follow the new law that Scott Walker signed on the 30th."

Fink says that Butler's crimes were committed in Marinette County.

He also pointed out that Butler's crimes involved young boys and there are young boys living nearby the residence in question.

He says that issue was addressed last year when Washington County tried placing a sex offender there.

“Now when you look back on when we did do a canvass on the road in regards to the Washington County dust-up, you can see that there are young boys 8, 3, and 5 that live within the area.”

Sheriff Fink took a petition to Marinette County on Tuesday.

He says another option is to get a Fond Du Lac County judge to issue a temporary injunction, halting the placement of Butler.

OCONTO, WI (WTAQ)- Oconto Police rescued 8 fishermen after four boats became stuck on the Bay, due to ice shoves blocking the channel.

The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. near La Veau Lane.

Oconto Fire used its Humvee to pull the boats in.

No injuries occurred.

GILLETT, WI (WTAQ)-  Two more arrests were made in relation to Wednesday shooting in Green Bay.

A 28-year old male and 18-year old female were arrested early Thursday morning at a motel in Gillett.

Green Bay Police learned the whereabouts of a suspect that was on the run since a Wednesday afternoon shooting on Shawano Avenue.

Officer requested assistance from the Gillett Police Department in the early morning hours Thursday.

Officer located the vehicle at the motel, and with assistance from the Oconto County Sheriff's Office, evacuated the other occupants and moved in.

Officers got information that other accomplices could be at the motel, and some could be armed.

The arrests were made without incident.

Officers located several items related to the use or distribution of marijuana and methamphetamines in the hotel room.

Gillett police are filing drug charges in Oconto County, and other charges could be filed in Brown County, pending the shooting investigation.

Green Bay Police took three others into custody Wednesday afternoon.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Green Bay's State Representative has launched his campaign for a different seat.

Representative Eric Genrich has kicked off his Green Bay Mayoral campaign.

Despite moving to a smaller level of government, Genrich says he is looking more at the role.

"The appeal for me is to move into an executive position, where you can make more of an immediate impact, or even a larger impact."

Genrich says his time serving at the state level, has not left him blind to what is happening in Green Bay.

He feels from the Mayor's chair, he can help make improvements.

"I, as a citizen of Green Bay have been frustrated. I am hoping that we see a lot less of that in the future. 

Genrich says that may happen with the latest election results.

At this time, Genrich is the only candidate but recently did receive an endorsement from the Green Bay Firefighters.

"These are men and women who put their lives on the line, and for them to put their faith in me means a great deal."

Genrich says he wants to focus on infrastructure, the economy and the dysfunction that was taking place in the council.

FOX CROSSING (WTAQ-WLUK) - Road construction season is coming, and this week serves as a reminder to drivers to stay alert.

During "Work Zone Awareness Week", officials are showing off some of the tools to help drivers do that.

The State Patrol is asking drivers to be more careful in work zones. In 2017, 2.763 work zone crashes were reported, and six of those resulted in a death.

"I have had the unfortunate situation of responding to a crash where a highway worker came out in the morning, doing their job maintaining the highway for us to make sure our commute is smoother and quicker but due to unfortunate circumstances that worker didn't return home that night,"  Sgt. Timothy McGarth told Fox 11.

For construction workers like Mike Frewerd, highway working is still scary,  even after 20 plus years of working in the area.

"We do have different options like lights on vehicles and signing that we try and put out to try and make it as safe as we can, "said Frewerd.

One of those signs is the Traffic Queue System which is used to alert drivers of construction ahead and to slow down before approaching the area.

"A survey and study found that an 18-41 percent reduction in accidents with the queue warning sign in place," said Josh Falk from the WisDOT.

The system will only be used for one construction project in 2018, located in Columbia County.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Snow, rain, and winds are all on the way, and with that, comes concerns. 

While we are usually preparing for tornados this time of year, this year, we still can't put the shovels away.

"It's a battle of the air masses," says Jeff Last of the National Weather Service in Green Bay. "We have had a much more active weather pattern, and the air has been just cold enough to produce snow in some of these storms, including the one that is coming this weekend."

He says it could be more than that, as heavy wet snow could result in tree limbs falling and power outages.

The strong wind poses another concern.

"With the strong northeast winds over a couple day period, we could see some ice shoves on the southern Bay of Green Bay."

This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week, but that focuses on tornado preparation. Last says this has happened in the past, but it is not real common.

Last says there is a real chance that this could be the last winter storm of the year.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - An Appleton-area park is making a splash with a new addition this summer.

Plamann Park on E Broadway Drive is blowing up Wibit inflatable's to put in its lake.

The floating playground features slides and a trampoline.

Outagamie County Parks director, Loren Dieck, told FOX 11, it was time to bring something new to the facility because there hasn't been change in the programming for many years.

"We have a lot of competition from a lot of swimming pools. So, this is something that we could offer that's a little bit different, you know, fresh water settings versus indoor."

And it's different, according to Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau marketing communications manager, Mary Rhode.

"I think it's the first for our area, something like that and something that large, and like I said, it's just another great activity."

Dieck said the area the inflatable will be sitting in is about a third of a football field.

He says about 20 to 40 people can be on it at one time.

"We will monitor that and have kind of a rotation that takes place, that will be administered by our life guards."

Dieck said everyone using the structure will be required to wear a life jacket which will be provided by the park upon entry

Admissions were raised by only 50 cents for both adults and kids.

Adults cost $4 while kids cost $3.50.

Dieck explained that the $40,000 project will be paid through an account dedicated for park improvements, not through levy funds.

"The main goal is to just provide an alternative recreational opportunity in Outagamie County."

The lake opens on June 2 with Kids Day.