GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The turn of the calendar to 2019 means, for a lot of people, a New Year's resolution to get themselves into better shape.

But a trainer at the Greater Green Bay YMCA says a lot of people aren't successful because they don't have a plan.

Kim Elsing expects big crowds at the Y in the days right after January 1st.

"Even our longtime members look at each other and say how long before we get some of our space back"

The regulars get it back within a month or two as many of the newbies stop coming. And Elsing knows why.

"Taking on more than what they can really handle."

She says a lot of people aren't successful because they don't have a plan. And they become frustrated when unrealistic expectations don't pan out.

"They don't necessarily have the knowledge of what is the most effective way to spend their time in the facility."

Elsing says the best advice, and a key to long-term success is to get with a trainer to discuss what your specific goals are.

And talk about the different elements that can show your progress besides what you might see on a scale.

"Even if you don't see the scale move, you can still see what I'm doing is changing things in my life."

After consulting with a trainer they can show you what equipment and group classes will keep you on track.

For more information on programs and classes at the Greater Green Bay YMCA click here

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - 2019 is a little over a day away but that didn't stop kids from celebrating the new year early in Appleton.

The day was filled with countdowns, multiple ball drops along with confetti and noisemakers.

Kids could also enjoy a dance party and plenty of time to play.

When asked why the event is held during the day, Katy Compton with the museum said, "One of the nice things is, you know, most of our friends are a little bit younger so they're probably not up at New Year's Eve at midnight. So, they can have the same fun, the same event. Families can come and they can have this fun New Year's Eve time and not worrying about staying up until midnight or, you know, the kiddos can go to bed and mom and dad can be up until midnight and they can celebrate New Year's Eve that way."

Kids also ate noodles because Noodles and Company sponsored the event.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - An investigation is ongoing after a man was beaten and a gun was shot off at an Oshkosh park early Monday morning. 

It happened around 1:30 a.m. at Menominee Park and several people were arrested.

The man said several individuals had physically assaulted him and one of them fired a gun during the altercation. No one was injured after the gun was fired.

The public is not believed to be in danger as police believe the victim was targeted by the group.

Police would not confirm how many individuals were arrested because of the ongoing investigation.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers paid a special 100 Seasons tribute to a 100-year-old World War II veteran during Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.

It took a hundred years, but Eugene Nordby finally made it onto the field.

"I was very proud to be out there," said Nordby.

It’s part of Operation Fan Mail. Since 2007, the Packers, along with health insurers Wisconsin Physicians Service Health Solutions have offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"For either active military or veterans, for their family members to nominate them to win four tickets to a game to get recognized on the field pre-game," said Megan Gossens with WPS Health Solutions.

This time around, WPS Health Solutions nominated one of its own. For 55 years, Dr. Eugene Nordby, worked as a board member for the company and eventually became chairman.

Before that, he worked as a surgeon in World War II and continued practicing medicine until he retired in 1981.

"As we were driving up to Lambeau he was saying how he hasn’t been here since the 70s," said Gossens. But this Sunday made it worth the wait.

Nordby was the veteran honored at Sunday's game, celebrating a hundred seasons of football and life.

"Well, I’m a hundred and a half, so I’m a little older than they are," said Nordby.

He was introduced just before the national anthem and a flyover.

Fans cheered, and Nordby just took it all in.

"Win or lose I always like the Packers," said Nordby. It's the way he's felt most of his life.

"Ninety years or 80 years, something like that," he said. "I’ve always admired the Packers for being a small-town team with big opportunities."

His son, John Nordby, couldn't be more proud of him.

"It's huge, it’s a great recognition of his accomplishments for his entire life and I'm glad that people noticed," said John Nordby.

While this game didn't end in a win, what stands out most for Nordby is getting a chance to be part of the Packers experience.

Nordby is a Wisconsin native who lives in Madison.

FOX 11 was told by WPS the Packers gave him a gift card to use at the Pro Shop.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - Going out for New Year's Eve?

Before you toast to the new year, area police departments are reminding residents to celebrate responsibly.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation's "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" holiday campaign will continue into New Year's Day. That means additional officers will be out on patrol, cracking down on impaired drivers.

To avoid starting 2019 with a mistake, authorities say to make a plan before going out for the evening and designate a sober ride home.

If you cannot designate a safe ride with a friend or family member, you can download the free "Drive Sober" mobile app from the WisDOT website which includes a "find a ride" feature to help find transportation alternatives.

The Tavern League of Wisconsin also offers its free Safe Ride program, to patrons of participating establishments.

Rideshare programs such as Uber and Lyft are safe options for getting home on New Year's Eve as well.

Last year, Wisconsin saw 169 deaths and more than 3,000 injuries in alcohol-related crashes with more than 24,200 OWI convictions. Officials say while drunk driving remains a concern, they have seen an increase in drugged drivers.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The new year brings with it plenty of resolutions and for those in law enforcement, they're hoping that ice fishermen stay resolute with keeping an eye on ice conditions.

After a pair of stranded fishermen had to be rescued over the weekend the message is once again being sent out by officials to be careful if venturing onto the ice.

One major concern is that the thickness or overall safety of an area of ice can't be perfectly determined by just looking it over.

"You may think that you're on safe ice and then a few feet away there could be some sort of river channel and it's only a half inch," explains Lieutenant Steve Brewer with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department. "That's when you could get yourself into a lot of trouble."

The two stranded fishermen on Sunday morning were both from Illinois and officials add that ice fishing in an unfamiliar area brings with it a series of new dangers.

To help get some insight into the conditions of the ice locally, it's always a good idea to talk with an expert from the area.

"[The] best thing is to check with your fishing clubs in the area," says Lieutenant Brewer. "They generally have the best information on the conditions of the ice."

Even an experienced fisherman would be best served to first gain some information about the lake that they are planning on stepping onto. Once again, individuals associated with local fishing clubs will typically be happy to provide this potentially life-saving information.

"They're generally more of the expert on the conditions of the lake than we are," explains Lieutenant Brewer.

Thankfully the stranded fishermen on Sunday were able to call for help and a boat located them on a chunk of ice about 300 yards from Volk's Landing in the Town of Scott.

Having the means to call for help is just one facet of ice safety that could mean the difference between life or death.

"The buddy system is good, let people know where you're going to go," he says. "Carry a cell phone with you."

Beyond that, it's a good idea to pack some sort of noise making equipment with, such as a whistle.

Also, floatation devices are a good idea to bring with on the ice.

And even when following all the prescribed safety measures, there always will be a sense of risk associated with stepping onto the ice.

"We always say that no ice is one-hundred-percent safe," says Lieutenant Brewer.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - When the Green Bay Packers first went public, it was actually private. 

The team needed help to survive and shares were sold to local businesses to make it happen. 

According to Packers' team historian Cliff Christl, "(in) 1923 and 1935, it was the big companies in town, and as anybody who lived most of their life here knows there's a lot of old money in Green Bay and always has been."  The support of the Green Bay business community kept the team alive through stock purchases and season ticket sales.

One of the companies was Bent Sporting Goods.  In a non-company-approved-moment, a Bent family member had an incident at City Stadium.  Says Christl, "In 1931 there was a fan named Willard Bent, whose family owned the Gorden Bent Sporting Goods Company... he fell out of the stands.  (He) sued for $20,000, got $5,000 in a verdict that was handed down in February 1933."  

This single event put the team at a tipping point. Christl says, "In August, the Packers went into receivership, they basically were out of money because their insurance company had failed and couldn't pay off the lawsuit. It was in January of 1935 when the Green Bay Packers, Incorporated was created. That is the corporation that is in existence today."

The first three sales saved the team.  The last two brought growth to Lambeau Field.

• 1923
• 1935
• 1950
• 1997
• 2011

The 1997 and 2011 stock sales were wildly successful, but how did the League take to it?  " There was some objection," says Christl.  "There were people against it, The Giants and the Bears have always, and the Steelers, have always been strong allies, and I think it was some of the old ownership that helped get it through."

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - A mix of heavy snow and traffic left some drivers in the ditch on New Year's Eve -- many of them sitting there for hours as they waited for assistance from local law enforcement.

Sgt. Ryan Carpenter, with the Outagamie Sheriff's Department, tells FOX 11....

"We were extremely busy yesterday. From a period of noon to midnight, we had 82 crashes we responded to.".

Carpenter said a lot of the calls they responded to were for minor crashes and slide-offs.

"I think the biggest thing is when there is snow, slow down. Keep your distance away from vehicles so you can get to your destination."

If you do happen to find yourself off the road or in a crash, Carpenter said the best thing you should do is stay in your vehicle and call for help.

"If you're able to, state law allows you to move your vehicle to a safe location to allow traffic to pass. So if you can do that you should."

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - For some, it can be dangerous working in frigid, winter temperatures and icy conditions.

And after Monday’s storm, FOX 11 spoke with workers who have some of the toughest jobs during the winter months.

“We’re in the water quite a bit, so it’s a cold and dangerous job, but it’s also a lot of fun,” said Sunk? Dive and Ice Service owner Don Herman.

They’re tough, chilly jobs but someone’s got to do them, and snowplow drivers aren’t the only ones out there working in the cold.

Don Herman has been pulling vehicles, and whatever else falls through the ice, out of lakes for almost 40 years now.

“I’ve pulled just about anything – airplanes, helicopters, we've done just about anything that you can think of that has been in the water.”

About 80 percent of Herman’s jobs are during the winter.

In this line of business, he said, you’re not only dealing with frigid temps, you’re also working in dangerous situations.

“We’re walking around with bad ice all over the place, but most of us have our suits on. We have dive suits on, we wear life jackets, but we’ve all fallen in.”

A cold, risky job but Herman calls it challenging and fulfilling, nonetheless.

“The reward is getting the vehicle out. I’ve never not gotten a vehicle out that I’ve tried to get out.”

If you were feeling the cold again Tuesday, chances are you’ve taken shelter indoors.

But if you’re a dog walker, you don’t really have that luxury.

“They gotta go out! They gotta walk even if the sidewalks aren’t shoveled yet,” owner of Chewie Boots Pet Care Kelly Kernen said.

“Sometimes, early in the morning, I go out and I’m trampling through the sidewalks up to my knees in snow, but I gotta do it for the animals.”

Kernen tells FOX 11 when temperatures drop, her pet sitting and dog business picks up.

But having more animals to watch and walk means spending more time prepping, especially in the winter.

“I’ve got two layers of pants on, and three jackets, and my glove, and hats and everything just to keep myself warm.”

And while their jobs may be vastly different, the one thing both Don Herman and Kelly Kernen have in common is the one thing that keeps them braving those cold temperatures while at work.

Their love for the job.

NE WISCONSIN (WTAQ-WLUK) - Some parents in Northeast Wisconsin rang in the new year with new children.

Along the lakeshore, Aurora Medical Center in Manitowoc County welcomed its first baby at 12:32 a.m.

Norah Jo Werner weighed eight pounds and 12 ounces and measured 21.5 inches long.

In the Fox Valley, ThedaCare in Neenah saw its first baby born in 2019 at 1:01 a.m.

Grayson James weighed six pounds, four ounces and measured 19.5 inches long.

A few hours later, the Green Bay area had its first baby born at 4:02 a.m.

Baby Zayne Tistus Chang was born at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, weighing five pounds, three ounces.

St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton also welcomed a baby around 3 a.m.

According to UNICEF, 395,000 babies will share a Jan. 1, 2019 birthday, worldwide.

JACKSONPORT, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - More than 100 people decided to splash into the new year on the shores of Door County.

Jacksonport held its 33rd annual Polar Bear Plunge on Lake Michigan Tuesday.

With the water temperature at a chilly 32 degrees and the air temperature at an even cooler 22 degrees, some sported bathing suits, costumes and even formal wear for the dip.

“It’s an exuberant way to start the year. Beautiful day on the beach. I think 2019 is going to be a good year," said president and founder of the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club, J.R. Jarosh.

Donning a suit and tie, Jarosh tells FOX 11 he started the New Year's Day tradition in 1986.

"I was curious, curious if I could go in Lake Michigan every month of the year and now clearly, it’s kind of caught on."

Last year, plungers had to face one-degree air temperatures, the coldest on record for the event.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Cellcom will be donating $100,000 to help rebuild the beach at Bay Beach Amusement Park and is looking to collect old cell phones to help the cause.

The company says its donation comes from money generated from sending old phones to be recycled and you can donate your outdated phone by bringing it to any Cellcom location throughout the end of February.

“This is a gift from the community, for the community,” Brighid Riordan, Cellcom chief innovation officer and vice president of emerging services and public affairs, said in a news release. “We like to think of Cellcom’s Green Gift program as a green cycle that starts with people making an environmentally friendly choice to keep their old phones out of landfills. We then reinvest the funds into programs that help our environment and give people opportunities to connect with the outdoors. The restoration of Bay Beach is improving the shoreline and allowing people to enjoy a major waterway right here in the city of Green Bay.”

A $7 million plan to create a sand beach, a boardwalk, bathhouse, pier, new parking lots, and renovations to the pavilion was approved by the city last spring.

Last month, the Packers organization announced it would be donating $250,000 to the project.

You can donate to the Bring Back the Beach project here.

SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) - Following a tragedy in North Carolina a local zoo is saying that safety is paramount for them.

The Northeastern Wisconsin (NEW) Zoo in Suamico is home to some very large animals.

After an intern at a conservative center in North Carolina was killed by a lion, Carmen Murach, Curator of Animals at the NEW Zoo, says it's a reminder that they have a dangerous job.

"I cringe when I hear anyone say that a particular animal would never hurt them," says Murach. "You just can not know that."

Twenty-two-year-old Alexandra Black was killed on Sunday after cleaning an enclosure at the Conservators Center in Burlington, North Carolina. 

Murach says routine work, such as cleaning an area, can become dangerous if the staffer lets their guard down and allows complacency to creep in.

"[Even if] you've been doing this for twenty years and nothing has ever gone wrong, you can not assume that it never will go wrong," she says.

Black had worked at the Conservators Center for ten days before Sunday's incident.

To have an inexperienced staff member in close proximity to such a dangerous animal is unusual and not practice that would take place at the NEW Zoo, according to Murach.

"For instance, an intern here would never have that option," she explains.

For anybody to be put in a position where they would interact with a large and dangerous animal, such as a lion, they need to meet certain requirements.

"Our policy does specify experience level and additional training," says Murach.

And whether it's a twenty-something intern or a zoo veteran with decades of knowledge and experience, the risks will always be there.

"Zookeepers have very good relationships with the animals they care for, but [lions] are a very large cat," she explains. "And I would certainly remain very cautious about ever putting myself in a situation where I was too close to the caging or certainly in a space with a large cat like that."

In regards to keeping visitors and the general public safe from animals, they make sure to check all the boxes and then some.

"We are an AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited zoo," explains Murach. "They have a whole other level of safety and animal welfare priorities that they have requirements for, beyond what the USDA regulating agency has."

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - No need to plan a pilgrimage to Canton, Ohio when hundreds of artifacts from the Pro Football Hall of Fame are on display right now in Appleton.

The traveling exhibit Gridiron Glory was originally going to end its stay at the History Museum at the Castle in Appleton on Sunday, but it's been announced that the exhibit has been extended through March 31.

“With the unprecedented popularity of Gridiron Glory here in Wisconsin, the Hall of Fame and the History Museum agreed to leave the exhibition on display through the winter,” museum executive director Matt Carpenter says in a news release. “People throughout the state and beyond have traveled to the History Museum in order to experience this rare piece of American history.”

Officials say nearly 9,500 people have visited the exhibit since it opened in June.

Dustin Mack, Chief Curator at History Museum at the Castle, explains the traveling exhibit.

"Gridiron Glory, the best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is curated by the Hall of Fame, it travels the country nationally," says Mack.

And they aren't displaying replicas of items in Canton, but rather showcasing the real thing.

"There are over 200 rare artifacts directly from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio that came here to Appleton," he says.

Mack describes some of the national attractions showcased in the exhibit.

"A lot of game-worn jerseys, helmets, footballs," he explains. "Everything that's in here is legit, there are no replicas."

And fittingly, there is a section dedicated to one of the leagues most historic franchises, the Green Bay Packers.

"The Hometown Tribute is designed specifically for the Packers, because we're here in Wisconsin," says Mack.

There also are plenty of interactive components to the exhibit, such as the opportunity to see how your grip on a football compares to that of NFL legends.

TOWNSEND, WI (WTAQ) - A peek outside the window reveals a winter wonderland that was just about a week-or-so too late to provide a White Christmas.

While in some areas, such as Townsend, they haven't seen enough snow to bring in important outdoor recreation dollars.

A recent dusting was just enough for sections of the Nicolet State Trail to open over the weekend.

"Trail conditions are early season, at best," explains Gary Wagner, President of the Red Arrow Snowmobile-ATV Club. "There are some areas that are really nice, good as could be expected, some areas are dangerous, icy."

The sooner those trails can be opened the better to bring in winter traffic that carries with it an economic impact that's vital for the area.

"We were able to get them open for the New Year's vacationers and help the businesses out with some vacationer dollars," he says.

Even with some trails opening and some outdoor enthusiasts trickling through, it's not the same compared to past winters.

"Over the weekend it was really busy, because we had a little bit of snow," explains Jodie Murphy, with Lotter's Townsend Shell. "But, it's not as busy as we normally have it."

And as Murphy would put it simply, more snow equates to more money in the winter destination of Townsend.

"Tourism is a very big deal in the winter up here for us, for all the businesses," she says. "And they're all hurting a little bit, because we don't have enough snow, but hopefully in the next few weeks we'll get more."

Murphy estimated that traffic through Lotter's Townsend Shell is down as much as fifty percent.

Unfortunately, a predicted upcoming forecast of more mild temperatures shouldn't do anything to help improve trail conditions.

"This weekend they're talking about in the '30s again," says Murphy. "Hopefully that doesn't spoil things for us." 

About 60 of the 475 miles of snowmobile trails throughout Oconto County are maintained by the Red Arrow Snowmobile-ATV Club.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The field is set for Green Bay's mayoral race, and it includes a deadline-day entry from former alderman Guy Zima.

The deadline to turn in the necessary paperwork to run was 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Green Bay's clerk tells FOX 11 she has verified the necessary signatures for eight candidates.

Zima, a longtime former alderman and county supervisor became the eighth candidate when he turned in his paperwork Wednesday afternoon.

Zima's candidacy comes as he is suing the city, current Mayor Jim Schmitt, and other city officials. The basis of that lawsuit are allegations of slander and defamation.

Zima tells FOX 11 he is running for mayor to cut special interests out of local politics.

“I don't claim to have a pipeline to God, but I do have the courage of my convictions and I'm going to at least tell it like I think it is. I think real leaders have to say what their true thoughts are.”

It's Zima's fifth time running for mayor.

His former longtime peer on the Brown County Board, Patrick Evans, is running for mayor for a second time.

“The more the merrier,” said Evans, who has been on the Brown County Board for 16 years.

“That is great for the city of Green Bay. I'm going to concentrate on Pat Evans and getting it out there as to why I'm the most qualified candidate.”

Also from the Brown County Board, you'll see Patrick Buckley on the ballot. The mayor's position is nonpartisan, but Buckley has already received support from the Brown County Republican Party.

“I will take multiple parties if they'd like to back me in a nonpartisan race. It is a nonpartisan race and people are free to be backed by whoever is available.”

Former Green Bay Alderman Joe Moore says concerns about partisanship played a role in why he changed his mind, and decided to run for mayor.

“It's a purple city, it's a purple state and I just can't see someone that is beholden to a political party leading the city.”

Outgoing State Representative Eric Genrich served the past six years as a Democrat in the State Assembly.

“I feel like I have a good background and have demonstrated the ability to work with people of all different perspectives, all parties and no parties. So, I plan to bring that spirit of bipartisanship and nonpartisanship to city hall.”

Nick Mortensen, an employee at Jones Sign Company, is running on making Green Bay a smarter city.

“A municipality is like essentially a data gathering organization. If you can use that data to make better decisions about where to put your resources, you're kind of ahead of the game.”

Paul Boucher says he's ready to be mayor after being unemployed for most of the last 15 years.

“There is just not enough opportunities for me, so I've been studying the city and trying to find ways to make the world a better place.”

The race's final candidate, City Council President Mark Steuer says the large field of candidates might have hurt his chances.

“Pat Evans lives four doors down from me, Eric Genrich is also in my district.....So we were kind of competing against each other at least for signatures and the hearts of the people in the neighborhood.”

The hearts of people city-wide will be heard February 19th in a crowded primary race. The top two vote getters will advance to ballots on April 2nd.

The League of Women Voters will be hosting a mayoral forum next Wednesday at the Brown County Central Library at 6 p.m.

SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) - After a successful New Year's Eve fundraiser, a Shawano family is moving forward with their plans to help ease the pressures that families face when their children have to stay in NICU.

"We had grossly underestimated the ability of our community."

Chad Kary and his wife Cheyna plan to purchase a home that is located next to HSHS St. Vincent's Hospital in Green Bay, after the family that owns the property, let them stay there for free while their daughter Georgia was in NICU right after she was born.

Kary says the cost to purchase the home and cover taxes and maintenance so families can stay there for free is around $75,000.

He said the word about their fundraiser spread quickly, and the outcome exceeded his hopes.

"We walked into this thing hoping for $10,000 dollars and we hit $45,000 dollars, he said. "We hit a number that was so far beyond what we were hoping for, it was unreal."

That money was raised in one afternoon from cash donations, bucket raffles, 50/50's, silent auctions and paddle wheels.

Cary said the restaurant was packed from start to finish.

"People out of the kindness of their hearts, just straight community goodwill."

The family went out and got a few donations, but the rest came in as word spread around Shawano and beyond of what the Kary's were hoping to do with the money.

"The biggest difficulty for us was trying to figure out how to utilize all the donations."

The Kary's also have other fundraising events planned and a Go Fund Me page has also brought in over $18,000 dollars. 

The Kary family was inspired by the generosity of Anderson family, who let them stay in a home that owned while they stayed in Green Bay with their daughter Georgia.

Sadly, the Kary's lost their daughter Georgia who passed away due to complications from phenomena after being born premature but were inspired to take what they were given and pay-it-forward.

Kary said he feels that people were looking for a way to reach out and offer support for them during this difficult time.

"Because we were able to find a need that we were able to attach our situation too, it became an outlet that people sometimes need to pick other people up."

He says the response means so much for his family.

"If anything, helping somebody else makes it a little more tolerable." 

The quick fundraising response has also allowed the Kary's to possibly increase their goals, giving them the desire to complete their plans and maybe take it a step further.

"Is this bigger than what we think it is? Is this more than just one house needed, or do we need this in other communities?"

Chad Kary said right now doing more than the original plan is just an idea that he and his wife Cheyna are having, but all big things start small.

"If our little community can open their hearts and feel so connected to our family and our cause, then what is out there for other communities?"

First thing's first, The Kary's plan to start the process of purchasing this home and calling it "Georgia's House" after their daughter.

 I didn't expect that it would be this meaningful for so many. I feel like we have tapped into something that we didn't realize we tapped into.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Wednesday was the deadline for anyone interested in being Green Bay's next Mayor to turn in paperwork.

8 candidates had their paperwork turned in by end of the day.   City Clerk Kris Teske says the work for her department is now verifying the signatures.  

"We go through the addresses and make sure that they are Green Bay residents."  

Teske added that anyone who is from Ashwaubenon or Howard are not eligible to sign, even though their mailing address is Green Bay.  

Candidates themselves can challenge the legitimacy of other candidates signature list for the next three days, which could result in a candidate being found ineligible, but Teske says it hardly ever works that way.  

"I have been here 13 years and I don't remember seeing it."  

She explains what reasons a candidate would provide for launching a challenge.  

"I think that person technically does not have the right amount of signatures so I am going to challenge that candidate."  

Teske will be pulling names from a hat to determine the order the candidates will be placed on the ballot.  

All the candidates that are confirmed on the ballot will be able to participate in a Mayoral Forum that is put on by the League of Women Voters of Greater Green Bay.  

That will take place next Wednesday at the Brown County Library.   By 5:00pm Wednesday, 8 candidates turned in papers.  

· Paul Boucher

· Patrick Buckley

· Patrick M. Evans

· Eric Genrich

· Joe Moore

· Nick Mortensen

· Mark Steuer

. Guy Zima

 APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK ) - The Blue Ramp attached to the City Center Plaza in downtown Appleton is being torn down later this year.

The city said the ramp is old and needs to go down for safety reasons.

400 parking spaces here will be lost, and some people are worried about the long-term effects of not having available parking.

As the city of Appleton prepares to demolish the 55-year-old ramp, there are concerns at the Building for Kids Museum.

Jarrad Bittner, the executive director of the children's museum, tells FOX 11....

"We found that our visitors have said in the survey that about 40% of our visitors will be coming less or not at all because of the construction that's happening to the blue ramp."

Bittner recommends families to park in the next nearest ramp, which is the red ramp. He said the problem, however, is children and families with strollers will have to cross a busy intersection.

"We understand families are concerned to walk further with kids," said Chad Doran with the City of Appleton.

Doran tells FOX 11 if safety is a concern, families can park in the yellow ramp which connects to City Center.

"We got the yellow ramp which is less than a block away from where the blue ramp was, and the green ramp which is less than a block away."

With the loss of hundreds of parking spaces, downtown visitors are also worried about street parking.

"Having the extra cars there too and finding spots, it's going to make everything a lot tougher," said Addisyn Kohlbeck, an Appleton resident.

Doran told FOX 11 there is enough parking available, even without the blue ramp.

"We don't know what will replace the Blue Ramp yet. When it comes down, it’ll be seeded and be green space for time being and will be ready for development."

He also said parking rates have gone up. Visitors will have to pay $2 if they're parked inside a ramp for less than 3 hours. That's compared to the original price of $1 for less than 2 hours.

Doran also said instead of $0.75/ hour for meter parking, now it's $1.00/hour

Despite the cost uptick, visitors say it won't stop them from coming back.

GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) - The Outagamie County Highway Department is hoping a new road treatment method will make things a little easier for drivers.

The highway department is using less salt, and more of an extremely salty liquid called brine.

Recent snowfall gave road crews a great opportunity to see how effective the brine treatment is compared to road salt, and officials said it’s working much better than they expected.

“If we can put something on the road that’s going to work right away, obviously you’re going to notice it faster, and it should make the roads safer,” said Outagamie County Highway Department patrol superintendent Randy Roloff.

Immediately. That’s how fast the department says brine melts ice on the roads.

Roloff tells FOX 11 the faster roads get cleared means workers can move on to treating more areas in the county.

“Most of the operators would tell you, I believe, that they would like to have the ability to spray liquid brine on their roads.”

Outagamie Highway Department would like to make a full transition from a road salt and brine system to brine only.

But, right now, there aren't enough trucks capable of spraying the liquid to cover the entire county, so only a certain area is being treated using this method.

Roloff said the section where brine was used, it was so effective that a snow plow wasn't even needed.

“I noticed that the roads get clearer faster, and they seem to stay cleaner longer. There seems to be less residual on the road, like the white road, it seems to be less on the road than when you have granular and brine.”

More brine means less salt, and Roloff says less salt could save Outagamie county nearly $300,000 a year.

“Which is not only a saving in the amount of salt that we’re buying, but it’s also a saving in the amount salt storage that we need. Long-term, it’s good for everything.”

Officials say about 14,000 tons of granular salt a year is used in Outagamie County but, this year they'll possibly only need 70 percent or less of that.

The bad news is the department said it could take up to 12 years to switch their fleet over to the brine only system.