GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - In light of the recent active shooter events throughout the country, the Green Bay Police Department urges private or public organizations to take part in a free training.

The Civilian Active Shooter Response Training started after the Stoneman Douglas shooting earlier this year.

Lt. Jeff Engelbrecht is in charge of the program and says the first step is to imagine yourself in a similar situation. 

"There has to be, in this day and age, a mental blueprint for how to respond to something like this. There has to be a plan that they've thought about... that they've mentally rehearsed before, maybe they've physically rehearsed before," he said.

He says they train to determine if you are able to leave the area, have to barricade yourself or become a protector.

"They're protecting themselves and potentially the people that are entrusted to their care and using that mental image of being a protector when we're forced to and fight back," he said.

So far over 1,200 people have gone through the course. 

The Civilian Active Shooter Response Training started after the Stoneman Douglas shooting earlier this year.

"I think it's important to realize that there are folks out there that, when these situations have happened, that have successfully defended themselves, that have successfully defeated sometimes the bad people that are doing these things." 

If your organization is interested in training call 920-448-3200 Ext. 0917.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A previously stalled tax-break bill is back at the forefront of discussion after the mid-term elections.

The $100-million bill is intended to keep an Appleton-area plant of the Kimberly Clark Corporation from closing.

That bill passed through the State Assembly earlier this year, before eventually stalling in the Senate.

Democratic State Senator Dave Hansen doesn't think it's a wise move after the tax break package given to Foxconn.

"Who's next and how much can we afford to give away?" asks Hansen. "After we gave away 3 billion to a foreign company, the biggest boondoggle in U.S. history in my opinion."

Republican State Senator Roger Roth said if Democrats don't support the bill, they'll be blamed for losing the company and losing the jobs

"I think he's being a little disingenuous," says Hansen. "It's not the first time, probably not the last time."

For him, the bill isn't a slam dunk.

"I have concerns," explains Hansen. "Among them, the fact that they used the millions they got from the Trump tax cut and used it to close mills and fire workers."

And Hansen says he's received mutually concerned input from many people.

"We've gotten calls from people that say don't support this because we're being cut $14,000 to $20,000 a year," he explains.

A public hearing will take place in the Legislature on Tuesday, but it's uncertain if the Senate will vote on the bill. 

Kimberly-Clark plans to close their Fox Crossings plant, which employs about 500 workers, if the bill doesn't pass.

Following the mid-term election, there still isn't enough Republican votes to pass the measure.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - In 2019, the Cellcom Marathon will move to downtown Green Bay. 

Start and finish lines will be at Leicht Memorial Park on Dousman Street instead of Lambeau Field. 

The 5K run on Saturday, May 18 is moving near the Green Bay Distillery in Ashwaubenon.

The course will still include a signature lap around Lambeau Field

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - As Veterans will be honored this Veterans Day, scammers are going to great lengths to target their money and benefits.

Veteran scams are common this time of year.  

Susan Bach of the Better Busines Bureau of Northeast Wisconsin says scams come in multiple forms, including scamming those who are trying to help Veterans.  

"They donate to them thinking that they are going to donate to a good cause and help Veterans, when in fact they are not reputable charities."

Bach says it is important to know who you are donating to before you send the money off. 

"There are a lot of charities out there that we just consider to be copycat charities and they are just taking advantage of the word Veteran."

Examples of scams that have been identified are:  

Expensive Life Insurance Policies: Members of the military are often targets. Solicitors will make false statements regarding the benefits of their policies.  

VA Phising: Someone calls or emails the Veteran claiming to be from the Department of Veterans Affairs. They claim to be reaching out to update information in their files. They claim they need social security numbers, bank account numbers and other personal information for the purpose of identity theft.  

Fake Charities: They have real-sounding names and have the purpose of swindling good people looking to help Veterans.   

The BBB says you should look for Copycats that have similar names to other organizations, Vague descriptions, and aggressive telemarketers.  

The BBB offers a couple of sites to research the charity before sending money.  

"It will tell you how it rates compared to our 20 standards of charity accountability."  

They are www.give.org  and www.charitynavigator.org

CLINTONVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Officially it's a few weeks early, but a special sendoff Thursday in Clintonville.

Staff Sergeant Adam Zuehl is deploying to Afghanistan with Wisconsin's Army National Guard.

Zuehl's two young children said farewell, along with hundreds of their classmates.

“All of a sudden, all of this is going on now and I was like, ‘Wow!’”

It was a hero-worthy send-off in Clintonville.

About 400 kids from Rexford-Longfellow Elementary lined the streets on Thursday, cheering and waving their American flags as Zeuhl and his family lead a procession.

Zeuhl tells FOX 11 he's humbled by the tremendous support of his community.

“At first, I was a little leery about it. I was like, ‘Ohhh, you know, I don’t want it to be, you know, about me personally,’ but I kinda went through it and, you know, it’s not really about me, it’s for everybody. You know so that people in the community still know that there are people serving, and people are still deploying. So, it was nice.”

Before the quick ride around town, teachers rallied their troops at a special assembly.

Students sang songs, celebrating veterans, active duty military members, and their families.

Zuehl’s wife Tanya Zuehl tells FOX 11 this means everything!

“I think it’s more meaningful for me for my kids, just because they’re so young, and they really have no idea what’s coming, so I think this helps make it a little more real for them.”

The school also wrapping their arms around Zuehl's son and daughter, as their dad prepares to deploy.

“They’re going to be, you know, for a long time without their father, and we want to rally behind them as well, as a school community,” said Rexford-Longfellow Elementary School associate principal Vanessa Moran.

For one teacher and veteran in attendance, Zuehl’s sendoff took him back in time.

“When I found out that Adam was deploying, it meant a lot to me, because he was an 8th-grade student of mine about 15 years ago,” said retired Army Maj. Todd Taylor. \

“It’s kind of special that he has three kids now and, when I left I had young children, so it’s come full-circle.”

It's come full-circle for Zuehl too. He got a tearful goodbye from his old kindergarten teacher, who now teaches his little girl.

Staff Sgt. Adam Zuehl will be leaving in the next few weeks with other members of his unit.

NEW LONDON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A group of veterans in New London are upset with city officials, over their decision to construct a garbage collection site just 25 feet from their new memorial.

Members of the New London Veterans Memorial Foundation feel the action of the city is disrespectful to the 980 veterans who have their names on the wall.

Foundation chair James Jaeger tells FOX 11 they're concerned about spillage of garbage and odors potentially coming from the area.

"We've asked them what their plan is for this and what they're going to do to control the things we are concerned about, and the Mayor said we are not in the garbage business."

On Saturday, the foundation plans to hold an event at the park from 10 to 2.

Jaeger says they're protesting the location of the garbage site and the cities lack of communication to address their concerns.

"If this does not work after this, we are going to communicate with the city and see what the requirements are to get this on the next April election."

Jaeger says they hope to collect at least 1,500 signatures from community members to present at the next city council meeting.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A victory for Democrats in the Governors race paired with Republican victories in the State Senate and Assembly has many fearful of a political stalemate on the horizon.

Rick Esenberg, the President of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, joined WTAQ's Morning News with Matt & Earl on Friday and said it's not that easy.

He said in some regards specific legislation to curtail the Governor's powers may be legit.

"Over the past five or six years, the Legislature has passed laws which limited the ability of the heads of agencies to make rules," he explains.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has received criticism for possibly changing laws, which would limit Governor-elect Tony Evers power. Esenberg thinks he might be justified in considering changes to past laws.

"I think one of the things that the Speaker [Vos] proposes to do is to review those changes and see if additional adjustments are necessary," he explains.

He says the Legislature reviewing those changes and possibly making adjustments is understandable, while any adjustments made simply because of a switch in the party of the governorship would lack transparency.

"I think it could be more legitimately criticized as something that is driven more by the election results, than good public policy," Esenberg explains.

Whether the Legislation enacts changes or not is secondary, according to Esenberg, because the newly elected Governor is going to face problems purely based on the number of Republicans.

"Tony Evers is not going to be able to implement any type of broadened impressive agenda that requires legislation," he says.

Governor-elect Evers took to Twitter on Wednesday warning Republicans and Vos that they should stop any attempts to limit the powers of his office.

"Let me be clear: the Republicans and Speaker Vos should stop any and all attempts to play politics and weaken the powers of the governor’s office in Wisconsin before I take the oath."

Any sort of change would have to be signed and passed by Governor Walker prior to January 7th, before Tony Evers is sworn-in.

Evers will be able to veto any legislation, according to Republican representatives.

A two-thirds majority would be needed by Republicans to override any vetoes.

The entire conversation with Rick Esenberg can be heard here.

ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ) - Following an inmate-on-staff assault the Green Bay Correctional Institution is on lockdown.

Officials are investigating the incident that happened on Friday morning and resulted in an employee being injured.

The condition of the employee is unknown and they are receiving medical attention.

The prison will remain on lockdown as the State Department of Corrections investigates.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - A couple of brave local kids were given the opportunity on Friday to meet their larger than life heroes.

It was a special opportunity for Brody and Miguel. Both boys have been affected by cancer and were able to spend the afternoon hanging out with their favorite Monster Truck drivers at the Resch Center.

The jaws of both kids were on the dirt floor when they stepped into the arena and saw the giant trucks.

"I think what they're used to seeing is the size of their little Hot Wheels," quipped Arlene Duran, the mother of Miguel.

Brandon Vinson, the driver of Gravedigger, was on-hand to take pictures with both boys and to let them get into the driver seat.

He says these opportunities to put a smile on kids faces are always special to him.

"It's always cool to get inside a 12,000-pound Monster Jam Truck, let alone Gravedigger," he says. "It's like a 36-year legacy and they'll remember that the rest of their lives."

The meet-and-greet and opportunity to get behind the wheel was set up by apparel brand "Love you Melon," which has a partnership with Monster Jam. The Resch Center provided tickets and lodging for the families.

Arlene Duran says her family was thrilled when they were contacted. The most rewarding aspect was seeing Miguel run around with his heroes.

"It's awesome," she says. "I love seeing him have his energy back."

Arlene had her doubts if Miguel would physically be up to their all-day schedule, but it turned out that wasn't a problem.

"I was a little worried because he just had his big round of Kemothereopy on Monday, but he perked up to come here," she explains.

For Brandon Vinson, the opportunity to connect with kids reminds him why he got involved in this career in the first place.

"I always said, if I was ever to become a driver in Monster Jam I would love to do that," he says. "Here I am right here in Green Bay giving back to these kids, it's a cool thing."

A limited-edition Monster Jam Love Your Melon beanie is available only with an advance Monster Jam ticket purchase.

The fight against pediatric cancer is supported by fifty percent of all net profits from the sale of all Love Your Melon products being given to Love Your Melon nonprofit partners.

Monster Jam at the Resch Center is taking place Friday, November 9 at 7 PM and Saturday, November 10 at both 1 PM and 7 PM.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The newest member of the Green Bay Police Department was sworn in with a special ceremony on Friday.

Marco Rodriguez, a NWTC Police Recruit Academy graduate, will be serving another cause.

Rodriguez will be deployed to Afghanistan for one year with the Army National Guard, starting next week.

In part, Green Bay Police released the following statement:

"We thank Marco for his hard work and service to the United States of America. We want him to know that we support him, and we will be holding open a police officer position for him upon his return. We wish Marco the best and we pray for his and all service member’s safe return."

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Walnut Street Bridge and Ray Nitschke Memorial Bridge will be green as a way to pay tribute to three Girl Scouts and a leader who were all killed while doing roadside clean-up in Chippewa Falls last weekend.

The City of Green Bay recently installed color LED light bulbs in order to change the bridge color for different occasions earlier this year.

The driver off the vehicle 21-year-old Colten Treu has been charged with vehicular homicide after admitting to huffing before losing control of the vehicle.

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - The familiar ring of the Salvation Army bell can be heard again out in front of local grocery stores and businesses. 

One of those already out volunteering is Carl Prill who's been doing it for more than 20 years. He explains why he keeps coming back.

"Well you know it's just a joy to see the faces when they smile at you," says Prill. "You see these little ones come to the pot and put in the money, they know what it's all about."

Cristal Knudtson with the Salvation Army explains the difference they make.

"We feed about 3,000 families a month and for our food pantry we feed over 2,400 individuals a month," says Knudtson."

The Fox Cities Salvation Army is looking to collect more than $200,000 in the next four to five weeks.

And to do that, they'll need people out there ringing the bell.

"We need a lot more volunteers and we have over 50 spots in the Appleton-Fox Cities area that we need to fill their spots," she says.

Additional information about volunteering in the area can be found here.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Winter arrived Friday morning as many drivers had to commute on snow for the first time this year.

Experts say preparation is the key to safe winter driving.

Before 8 AM, nearly every county in Northeast Wisconsin had minor crashes or cars in ditches.

"We started preparing for winter believe it or not before last winter was done," said Chris Pirlot of Green Bay Public Works.

"We didn't get any calls from the police department who have their patrol guys out there 24/7, so... and if they see conditions they will call and let us know and we'll respond right away," said Pirlot. 

Just the day before, Pirlot says they were still doing fall cleanup.

"Snow season is right here and now we have an overlap of snow and leaf season," said Pirlot. "Yesterday we had most people on leaves but some shifted to winter side, so there's a transition back and forth."

Pomps Tires and Auto was another busy place on Friday.

Manager Pete Allen says that is typical as people start to react to the conditions.

"People realize how bad their tires are and what they've been driving on and then becomes more of a crisis mode instead of just a 'I've got to get ready for winter mode.'," said Allen.

He says there is more to a safe tire than just tread.

"Anything over 4 years is hard and dried and isn't going to adhere to the ice very so there's other issues.

He says there are other things that also need to be checked before winter takes over.

"Cold weather batteries, anti-freeze, all these other things that are involved wiper blades, all the things that need to be checked before you start driving in the winter.

Law Enforcement says it serves as a reminder to slow down and leave extra time to get to your destination.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - We're celebrating 100 years of the Green Bay Packers all season long with team historian Cliff Christl.

This week we look at forgotten history nuggets.

Christl says it comes down to the top three storylines; the coaches they did not hire, Paul Hornung's role and legacy and Starr and Lombardi's relationship.

When it comes to the coaches that they did not hire, Christl says the list has some pretty big names. 

Dan Devine was hired over Joe Paterno. Barry Alvarez and Bill Parcells were also considered, and even Lindy Infante and Vince Lombardi's hirings almost did not happen.

"Lombardi was really their second choice." 

The job was first offered to University of Iowa Coach Forest Evashevski.

Christl also pointed to how Paul Hornung was remembered. 

Paul Hornung's role on the Lombardi Packers was not necessarily forgotten, but muddled according to Christl, 

"History doesn't treat him as well as it should, partly because his statistics don't necessarily translate to today's game."

Christl says he is known for running the power sweep, but Hornung had other talents that were not used as much.

"He was also able to throw the option pass. He didn't throw it often but Lombardi called it the greatest play in football."

The final fact was that Bart Starr was not the man for the job early on.

Bart Starr started his pro career as a third-string quarterback.  He worked his way to a starting position his first but had a bad game in the opener against the Bears in 1960 and Lombardi benched him.  Says Christl, "It wasn't until late in the 1961 season that Starr really solidified himself in that position." 

He says the Packers were even considering trading Starr before he earned Lombardi's confidence.

The Packers continue their 100th season with a home game against Miami on Sunday.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay officers are saying that a pizza delivery man was robbed at gunpoint last night.

The incident happened just before 9 PM on Friday at the Pizza Hut on Lombardi Avenue.

The boys aged 17 and 15 years old both had handguns.

They were taken into custody after running from officers and the delivery driver wasn't hurt.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office is reporting that a hit-and-run took place in the Town of Grand Chute early Saturday morning.

The hit and crash happened on I-41 northbound North of  Prospect Avenue at 4:35 AM.

A 54-year-old male from Grand Chute in a white pickup truck was rear-ended by what he believed to be a semi-truck.

The semi, which continued northbound, should have significant front end damage.

The driver of the pickup truck was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the crash is encouraged to contact the Outagamie County Sheriff's Office.

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Even though De Pere firefighters were able to put out a house fire in less than ten minutes, it didn't stop 2 family members from being sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

The fire also caused an estimated $33,000 in damage.

At 6:23 p.m. on Friday night, the De Pere Fire Rescue Department was called to 819 Sunrise Court, where firefighters saw fire coming out of a window of the home, and a family that was able to escape.

The fire began in a bedroom, which then extended into a hallway, and a second bedroom.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A local Girl Scout troop paid tribute to three fellow Girl Scouts, and a mother killed last week.

Troop 4029 held a vigil at the Brown County Courthouse Saturday.

They collected cards and donations to hand deliver to the victims' families.

The troop is also creating a special community service badge in memory of the girls.

The troop says the goal of the vigil is to make the world a better place in the victims' honor.

"We're honoring the girls and it's kind of like respecting them and being nice," said Arabelle Steffel with Girl Scout troop 4029. 

Three Girl Scouts and a mother were picking up trash on the side of the road when they were hit and killed by a car.

Six hundred additional troops had vigils at the same time Saturday, in honor of the four killed.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers (4-4-1) rode two passing touchdowns by Aaron Rodgers, two rushing touchdowns by Aaron Jones, and six sacks from a swarming defense to a 31-12 victory at home against the Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins (5-5) fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter and never led throughout the game. Quarterback Brock Osweiler finished with 213 passing yards, zero tochdowns, and one interception.

Aaron Jones ran for a career-high 145 yards on fifteen carries and provided the Packers offense with some much needed balance. 

Aaron Rodgers finished 19 for 28 with two touchdowns, a 7 yard completion to Davante Adams in the first quarter and another 25 yard touchdown to Davante Adams in the third quarter.

The Green Bay defense allowed Dolphins rookie kicker Jason Sanders to tie a Miami franchise record with four made field goals, but denied the Dolphin offense from ever finding the endzone.

Cornerback Bashaud Breeland burned Brock Osweiler with a third quarter interception and six differant Green Bay defenders registered a sack.

An already banged up Green Bay defense lost two more starters when safety Kentrell Brice and linebacker Nick Perry both exited with injuries. 

On a short week the Packers will travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks next on Thursday Night Football. 

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - Residents in the City of Shawano will be paying more out of pocket in taxes this year.

For the first time in years, the city is reporting a significant increase due to increases in the city, county, school district, and Vo-Tech college level.

What city taxpayers will pay in approximately 90 cents more per $1000 dollar valuation," said Shawano City Administrator Brian Knapp. 

He says once again, the cities portion of the tax bill in an increase from last year.

"The cities increase is much less than it was last year, but the other entities have increased theirs quite a bit more."  

Knapp says the final numbers for increases were reported by the city council, county board, school board and the board for NWTC.  

Assessments of manufacturing properties in the city also came in lower than anticipated, leading to a higher than expected increase.  

Knapp says they also made a change in their administrative structure which played a role.

"Adding a full-time administrator is about $150,000 dollars."   

In the past, Knapp was getting paid half as City Administrator and half as Shawano Municipal Utilities General Manager.  

The City is also adding a full-time financial position.