GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Officials are warning people on the dangers of area rivers during this time of the year.

Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers kayak instructor, Ken Braband, paddles through river currents three days a week.

But he tells FOX 11 it's not for everyone, especially this time of the year.

"In the springtime, there is more risk involved. It's not that you can't do it, but you have to be aware of what those risks are, and you have to be trained for it, and equipped for it."

On Saturday, a kayaker was found dead on the shoreline of the Embarrass River, north of Shiocton.

"When he was found, he wasn't found with a life jacket on, so that is obviously a concern for us," said Sgt. Ryan Carpenter with the Outagamie County Sheriffs Department.

Carpenter said it's common to see similar incidents in the spring.

"The current is very high right now, in fact, this weekend is very dangerous; they already issued flood warnings for this weekend."

Zeller's Ski and Sports owner, David Zeller, told FOX 11, not only are the water levels high, but the water is also cold, despite the warm air temperature.

"Be prepared, you don't want to wear cotton clothing's, you want to have waterproof clothing, if not, wear a wetsuit or a dry suit."

Experts say the currents also tend to speed up in the spring.

"Unless you're an experience or expert kayaker, you probably shouldn't be out in the water," Carpenter said.

"To me, experienced kayakers mean someone that has taken classes, knows what the different types of conditions are, the different risks are, and dresses appropriately for those, and have the right gears for those," said Braband.

Braband is encouraging people to take lessons, in hopes of preventing any more deaths.

WEYAUWEGA, WI (WTAQ) - A two-car crash in the town of Weyauwega leaves a woman dead and sent a man sent to the hospital

Waupaca County Sheriff's Department says the crash happened around 3:15 Wednesday afternoon, 

Deputies say an 82-year-old Weyauwega woman pulled out into traffic after stopping at a stop sign on County Road X at Highway 10.

That's when she was hit by a 55-year-old Clintonville man.

The woman was found dead at the scene, while the man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Nearly 2 weeks after a late winter blizzard dumped more than two feet of snow on Northeast Wisconsin, the effects continue.

In Brown County, some outdoor activities are being delayed.

Case in point...Brown County Parks.

Jason Petrella, Brown County Parks Department Program and Natural Resource Coordinator, tells FOX 11.

"The snow is melting, but it's still taking some time. It's just they had a lot of clean up. They're doing a lot of improvements on the campgrounds from last year, they're kind of wrapping up. So it's just pushed all those kind of work events back."

At the boat launch in Bay Shore County Park...

"The hill's still closed off. There's still ice and snow on the hill, and there's still ice in the bay inside the launch areas. So, it's going to take some time for that to get open back up again."

It's a similar situation across the bay.

Snow and ice choked the Suamico Boat Launch Wednesday morning. Park officials expect docks to be installed there today.

Petrella says there's more.

"The Reforestaton Camp. The horse trails and bike trails, they're not open yet. They're just too wet, and flooded in a lot of areas. Same thing at the horse trails at Neshotah Park. Those are really flooded up over there."

Petrella says the Bay Shore Campground is scheduled to open on May 11, which is after the fishing season opener on May 5.

"They might not be able to use the launch lanes by next Saturday. It depends on the weather out here. So it's really going to impact guys that come out here for the opening weekend, where are they potentially going to camp, stay, where they're going to launch stuff like that."

Petrella says camping reservations could be adjusted.

At Potawatomi State Park near Sturgeon Bay, officials say run-off from all the melting snow is causing concerns.

Reservations are not being accepted until May first.

The seasonal roads are still closed, so park workers can clean up from what's left of the blizzard.

FOND DU LAC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The buried remains of an unidentified female, found nearly 10 years ago, will be exhumed today.

The goal?

To perform tests on the bones which the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office says could offer information on where the female lived.

Further testing on Jane Doe could also predict genetic ancestry, along with eye, hair and skin color.

Those tests could lead to her identity.

Jane Doe's remains were found by hunters in a shallow creek in the southern part of Fond du Lac County on Nov. 23, 2008.

Jane Doe is being described as a petite female, approximately 15-21 years old, around 5 feet tall and weighing around 120 pounds.

Her hair was light brown to dark blonde, about 12-14 inches long and is believed to be Caucasian, however, she could be of Hispanic, Asian or Native American descent.

The sheriff's office released new facial images of Jane Doe Monday, hoping the updated images help them solve this case.

Jane Doe's DNA and dental records are on file and checked in numerous databases including missing persons, according to officials.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ)- Ashwaubenon Public Safety responded to a fire in an apartment on Viking Drive Thursday morning.

Crews responded to the 2000 block of Viking Drive around 10:30 a.m.

The fire was in an upper apartment and was contained and quickly extinguished.

The cause of the fire is believed to be a child playing with burning materials and igniting a mattress.

No injuries were reported.

OSHKOSH, WI (Wisconsin Radio Network)-  Two former officials at UW-Oshkosh are charged with illegally shifting money to the UW-Oshkosh Foundation.

The state justice department has charged retired Chancellor Richard Wells and vice chancellor Thomas Sonnleitner with felony misconduct in office.

They’re accused of putting millions of dollars of university money toward projects through the Foundation.

The state started the criminal investigation in August of 2016.

Wells retired in the fall of 2014.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WTAQ)- Sheboygan Police say the death of a 1-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon was an accident. 

Investigators say the child was with a babysitter, and had been put in a crib to take a nap, but managed to crawl out of the crib and suffocated after getting tangled in cords attached to window blinds in a bedroom. 

Emergency crews were called to the home on North 27th Street after the caregiver found the child unresponsive.

He was taken to St. Nicholas hospital, where he was pronounced dead.  

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ)- Shawano County and the DOT are working together to fix unsafe intersections.

The intersection of Highway 29 and County Highway U in Shawano County has become problematic. 

"I think we at least had three last year. I know every year, we tend to have a fatality there," he said.

Bieber added that after many years of requests, the Department of Transportation is finally on board.

"Through the studies that the DOT has done, they realize that they need to make a change there.

Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber says they have made efforts to slow down drivers on 29, and posting signs for people to see before crossing 29, but said they need to tackle the heart of the matter.

"Crossing over 29, that has to be restricted. Installing a J-Turn is a better option."

The DOT is planning on holding a public hearing in the future to discuss the options.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - While the Packers might have had a plan on the first night of the 2018 NFL Draft, for fans watching the draft, it was quite a roller coaster ride.

At 1919 Kitchen and Tap in the Lambeau Field Atrium, fans settling in for the start of the draft were anticipating defense with the Packers' first-round selection.

“I just want them to get faster, get some speed,” Quincy Devine tells FOX 11...

“I'm really hoping they get Derwin James, but any d-back would be good for me.”

Ryan Maki of Green Bay is all in when it comes to helping out the D.

“Being able to bring in another player or two with some of the other veterans we already brought on, along with Coach Mike who is now taking over for the defense, I think we'll be in good shape.”

With coveted defensive players on the board at pick 14, fans weren't happy when TV screens flashed the team had made a trade with the New Orleans Saints.

“We've got to pick the best player available right away,” said Chad Schillinger, a Packers fan from Minnesota. “I know they've got a couple picks next year, but that doesn't solve this year.”

“Simply put, going from 14th to 27th takes us out of the running to take a top defensive back or safety, which is what I feel we needed,” said Maki.

Not long after the trade, the draft took another turn for fans when the team traded again, this time from pick 27 to pick 18.

The team selected cornerback Jaire Alexander out of Louisville.

“It's kind of a good pick,” said Schillinger.

“The Packers do need defense. They have an offense with Aaron Rodgers. Hopefully, this guy can help out.”

“I'm ok with it,” said Wade Hatlestad of Owen. “It wouldn't have been my choice, but I'm ok with it.”

Fans get to do it all over again. Rounds 2 & 3 of the NFL Draft are set for tonight.

PESHTIGO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) -The Peshtigo School District added new security features to all of its classrooms.

The district had already been planning to make the changes when a threat last weekend again highlighted the need after a student made a threat against the schools on Sunday.

Chief Joseph Fitzgerald of the Peshtigo Police Department tells FOX 11 he has a warning.

"The officers were able to locate a couple of witnesses and during the investigation, they were able to identify a suspect in this.If you're going to make a threat then we are going to investigate it, and we are going to find out who you are and arrest you."

The threat came just days after the district received more than 100 door-locking devices for each of its classrooms.

Brian Williams, the director of buildings, grounds and transportation for the district, said the locks were purchased to add an extra layer of security in case of an emergency.

"The teachers have been trained on it, and the nice thing about the device is it can be set up in seconds.

Students and teachers in the district, such as Matt Paris, said the new devices are great.

"You really have to err on the side of caution, and any measures you can have -- whether that's an extra safety measure on the door or lockdown drills -- all tie together to make sure our schools are safe and secure."

The suspect making last weekend's threat was arrested and the case has been turned over to juvenile authorities.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man was rescued after he jumped into the Fox River in downtown Green Bay this morning.

Green Bay Metro Fire says they were called to an area on the Main Street/Nitschke Bridge just after 5.

When crews arrived they found the man in the water, struggling to stay afloat.

A life ring was tossed to the man and two firefighters, dressed in cold water rescue gear, got into the water and brought the man safely to shore.

The man was taken to the hospital.

His condition is unknown.

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ)- A former treasurer for the Shawano FFA Alumni chapter has been charged with stealing money from the organization.

32-year-old Elizabeth Pahlow of Clintonville was charged with a felony count of theft in a business setting. Pahlow is accused of stealing over $30,000 for personal use. 

According to the police report, more than 20 transactions were made in the form of cash withdrawals. 

Pahlow said she was having financial problems, and took the money with the intent of paying it back.

The organization is seeking $32,000 in restitution, the complaint states.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay man will spend 20 years in prison for accidently killing his best friend last year.

19-year-old Bryant Ellis was convicted of shooting and killing Andrew Tohulka in court on Friday.

Ellis took time to take responsibility for his actions.

“He didn't deserve this,” Ellis said of Tohulka. “He was a beautiful human being. He was loving, he was caring, he was generous, and he was respectful.”

Ellis admitted that the two were drinking and smoking marijuana while playing with a handgun. Ellis told police that he did not think the gun was loaded, when it went off, shooting Tohulka in the head.

“When I picked up that gun and I killed Andrew, I died that day too,” said Ellis.

While Ellis asked for forgiveness, Teresa Knoke, Tohulka's mother, asked the judge for the maximum sentence of 60 years in prison.

“My fear is that Mr. Ellis is not ready to rejoin society without conflicting significant pain on other families,” said Knoke.

The judge said his actions were concerning

“It wasn't intentional,” said Judge Marc Hammer. “It was reckless, but it was so grossly reckless, the question is what's the possibility or probability of the defendant engaging in similarly reckless behavior.”

Judge Hammer's decision of 20 years in prison, went beyond the state's recommendation of 17 years, and the defense's request for 7 to 10 years. All three sides agreed on 15 years extended supervision.

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ)- Additional charges have been filed for a woman who admitted to shooting her step father earlier this week.

Felcia Kuehnl was charged with first-degree intentional homicide for shooting and killing Randy Loze.

According to the police report, Kuehnl's mother Dawn Loze, contacted police after she identified Kuehnl as the suspect.

Kuehnl allegedly led police on a short chase before being taken into custody.

The complaint does not offer any information as to a motive for the shooting.

Kuehnl is also charged with recklessly endangering safety and fleeing an officer for the chase.

ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ-WLUK)- The cleanup of a sewage backup on the grounds of the Green Bay Correctional Institution has completed.

The state will spend more than $10,000, after the Village of Allowed pumped more than a half-million gallons of material.

A blockage in the sewer pipe caused a backup to occur earlier this month.

Department of Corrections spokesman Tristian Cooks says it is still unknown how it started.

“We have not been able to definitively determine when the leak began and don’t have a definitive estimate of the amount of material that may have been released,” he said Friday.

One portion of the cleanup, however, was handled by Allouez. Its crews pumped 520,000 gallons of the untreated material back into the sewerage system, according to village administrator Brad Lange.

Between the staff time, pump rental, and replacement of their clothing damaged during the 27 hours of work, the village submitted a bill to the state of $4,834.25, he said.

“As part of our cleanup efforts, standing material was removed from the land, water was pumped from the retention pond into the sewer system, debris and topsoil was excavated for disposal, and a berm was built to prevent additional runoff,” Cook said.

The state paid its contractors $6,800 for the work performed.

SHIOCTON, WI (WTAQ)- We could soon be seeing Sturgeon in the Wolf River.

 It's better late than never.  

DNR Biologist Ryan Koenigs says the water is finally almost warm enough.  

"We are still at least a few days out. It is too early to predict exactly when it will get started. It could be as early as Sunday, but most likely there will be activity sometime next week."  

As long as it has taken to get here, Koenigs says that also means it may be a very short trip.  

"Once you hear that they are spawning somewhere, act as soon as you can and get out there. With a later spawn this spring, we have warmer temperatures when the fish are spawning, so I think it is going to go really fast."  

He says you may only have one or two days to see them.  

This is not the latest that the sturgeon have spawned, but it is one of the later season's recently.  

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ)- An Appleton Police Officer is connecting kids with books.

A Little Free Library is now in the lobby of the Appleton Police Department.  

Officer Matthew Anderson learned of the idea and applied for one.  

"They chose us to receive, not only a stationary library for our lobby, but also a mobile library for us to use to host several events around the city."  

Anderson says it serves multiple purposes.  

"We are going to have a couple of beanbags in the lobby so kids can sit and read while parents are visiting with us, but also, you don't even need to have a reason to be at the police department other than just stopping in an grabbing a book."  

He says the opportunities with the mobile library are endless, and hopes to inspire kids to read while also using books to connect the community together.  

"Impressions that we can give to the younger generation will kind of help mold them and shape them into the future of our community."  

He says this is similar to other Little Free Libraries that are already up in the Fox Valley.  

Anderson says the idea is to take books, share books and leave books.     

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Neenah Joint School District is asking the city to remove polling places in some of its buildings due to security concerns.

Neenah Joint School District communication manager Jim Strick ells FOX 11....

"None of them have a secure entrance, so all of them, the public can walk right into the building without passing through any sort of office or any kind of secure entrance."

Strick is concerned that children could get mixed in the general public.

Mayor Dean Kaufert says police officers are present at each polling place to alleviate those worries.

"Sure they brought concerns a year and a half ago and we thought we addressed it. If we need to look for different alternatives to better protect the students, I'm open to that."

Strick said a busy school day is also interrupted by voting day.

"If a voter wishes to use a bathroom, we can't have any students in there at the time, so we have to clear the area, and it's really a challenge during those days for those schools that serve as a voting site."

Kaufert suggested using teacher in-service days on election days so students wouldn't be present.

"They schedule in-service days, teacher development days, staff development days, regularly at least once a month."

Kaufert said finding alternative polling places could be a problem considering the location, size, parking and handicapped accessibility.

"We try to find places where if it's inclement weather, people can get indoors right away, and schools make the perfect place."

"In Neenah, we currently don't use the city hall, we don't use any of our fire stations or the library for any of our voting sites, so we feel like there are options," said Strick.

Kaufert says churches may be an option.

"Some communities have difficulties in that because if they have a very active separation of a church group, people don't want to go into a denominational church for some reason, so they're reluctant to do that."

Strick says school districts across the state are also removing voting polls from school buildings, including Appleton Area School District and the Green Bay Area School District.

"Again, we just feel like it's a simple change and the city isn't put in a really difficult situation."

"I personally believe that voting is so important to the democratic process that children should be exposed to the importance of voting," Kaufert said.

"I think teachers should take advantage of that day and take their children down to where they're voting so they can get a feel or flavor of people voting and why it's important."

Kaufert added that taxpayers pay for those facilities and should be able to use them.

"That's the hard part about this, is to not seem welcoming, but again from a safety perspective, it just makes sense," Strick said.

If the school board approves the district's recommendation on Tuesday, Neenah will have to find four new locations and Fox Crossing will have to find one before the November 6th election.

FOND DU LAC COUNTY, WI (WLUK) - Since Jane Doe's remains were found in the southern part of Fond du Lac County in the fall of 2008, Leslie Eisenberg has been on the case.

"I am the forensic anthropologist of record who originally examined the remains and analyzed them."

She was at the cemetery Thursday when Jane Doe's remains were exhumed.

"My role yesterday was to harvest or remove certain samples from the remains that could be sent to the lab."

The samples will undergo what's called a stable isotope analysis.

Eisenberg tells FOX 11 stable isotopes as being all around us. You can't see them but they're found in water, soil and the food we eat.

"That all gets accumulated in our bones, in our hair, in our teeth as the dental enamel is forming. And so different regions have different isotope signatures."

Sheriff Mick Fin says that information could offer new details about Jane Doe which the Fond du Lac County sheriff mentioned Thursday.

"We can then push out to the social media those, that geographical area of the country, her new mockup photo that we have of her and anything else we might know. So, we can, kind of, isolate instead of the whole world to a corner of the country."

Eisenberg brings up one other point about what Jane Doe's teeth might reveal.

"The beauty of it is, the teeth, which are formed after birth take up what's in the water, what's in the air, what the mother is eating and the tooth production contains information on where the person grew up."

Investigators say results on the female's remains could take four months.

As previously reported, Jane Doe is being described as a petite female, approximately 15-21 years old, around 5 feet tall and weighing around 120 pounds.

Her hair was light brown to dark blonde, about 12-14 inches long and is believed to be Caucasian, however, she could be of Hispanic, Asian or Native American descent.

If you have any information to give to investigators, please contact the following numbers:

Fond du Lac County Sheriff Tip Line (920-906-4777)

NCMEC Tip Line (1-800-THE LOST)

Detective Ryan Murphy (920-929-3380)

Detective Pete Vergos (920-929-3384)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ)- Green Bay Area School District and Green Bay Police are hosting the second of two roundtable forums at 6:00 tonight at Green Bay West High School.

District Communications Director Lori Blakeslee says it's another chance for the community to address the issue of school safety.

"We will be asking the same list of questions, and asking for input from the community in response to those questions."  

Blakeslee said they had a good turnout during their March forum.  

With this being the final roundtable, the district will take what they learned and look at how that can work into their current safety plan.  

"Taking all of that feedback, we will use that to determine what are the ways we want to move forward."  

Blakeslee added that since the Florida school shooting, there has been some questions on the safety procedures that are taking place in the schools.  

"We had a lot of individuals and vendors reach out to us with their ideas for a solution, or their ideas for school safety. What are areas of concern? What are suggestions for a plan moving forward?"  

She says this is the time to ask those questions.   T

his is the final forum that is scheduled.  

The district plans on taking points from the forums and comments from the community to factor into their safety plan.