SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - Sometimes when it snows, 50 miles can make all the difference when it comes to how much falls in an area.

Sheboygan County is seeing its first snowfall of the season Saturday.  However, by 6 a.m. snow was just starting to cover grassy areas in Sheboygan while paved surfaces remain wet.  Both the Sheboygan Police and Sheboygan County Sheriff's departments reported no problems with travel Friday night into early Saturday morning due to the weather.

Still, the National Weather Service has a Winter Weather Advisory in place for Sheboygan County until noon.  There is a chance for up to three inches of snow to fall in portions of the county.  Breezy winds could also cause reduced visibility, and increases the chances of blowing and drifting in areas prone to these conditions.

The story is different depending on which way you go from Sheboygan County.  As forecasted, the snow totals got higher the closer you got to the Wisconsin/Illinois border.  Locations along a line from Prairie du Chien to Madison to Milwaukee south are expected to get at least a half foot by this evening.  The National Weather Service has already gotten reports of a few locations around one foot.

Meanwhile, locations north of Sheboygan are seeing less snow, or none at all.

KOHLER, WI (WHBL) - Despite the light snow that made travel difficult for some, people who support the efforts United Auto Workers Local 833 have done over the past week joined them out on the picket line in Kohler Saturday.

Around 21-hundred members of the union have been off the job since authorizing a strike November 15, rejecting a contract offer from the company that they said was unfair to all their members.

Support ranged from nearby, like Adam who works at Bemis and is a member of another union.  “I’m here to support the community and these other union members that feel that they deserve a better shake in the situation."

Others came from an hour's drive away, like Curt Brauer from Milwaukee who is a leader in the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.  “We’re out here to show our support to our UAW brothers and sisters from Kohler Company that are striking because of an unfair contract negotiations, wages; just showing our support.  We’re all in it together, for solidarity, for union.”

Also from outside the area was Patrick Kelly of Green Bay, a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers that covers the entire state of Wisconsin.  “Unions have to stick together.  We have to stop this continual destruction of our benefits, and our wages, and of our middle class.  These guys are on the very front line in the fight right now and we have to be here with them.”

The crowd also included several retired teachers like Jan.  “In 2011 when there was the Act 10 issue, trade unions came out in abundance for us.  I learned at that time we need to work together, and so this is where I should be.”

One could see in the picket line Saturday striking Kohler workers with the family members.  Blake brought his kids and even his dog to stand out in the elements, saying the fight is about the family tradition the company creates.  “If they’re going to end up working here, we’re out here fighting for their future wages.  You’ve got to be out here, you’ve got to come out and support the small guys.  Us middle class guys is what build the Kohler Company into what it is today, not the guys sitting in their office, not making the parts; we are.”

Union leaders did not say how many non-members joined them out on the picket line Saturday.  There was at one point a demonstration outside the company's headquarters off Highland Drive, then a march of people from there north to Emil Mazey Hall.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Click on the link below to listen and watch the latest "A Closer Look" program, a public affairs show on WHBL and WSCS.

This week the show takes a closer look at the group Project Angel Hugs.  Chari Perl, Carol Reineking, and Amy Guse tell us how the group came about, what they do to help children with cancer and their families, and what opportunities are available to help them in both time and donations.

A Closer Look Replay: Project Angel Hugs

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - A Fredonia man will be spending eight months in the local jail after he threatened the life of a person and their dog earlier this year.  56 year old Jerome Benson was sentenced last week by Judge Angela Sutkiewicz after he pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct misdemeanor.

The criminal complaint against him states Sheboygan County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a home in Adell back in August over messages a person received from Benson.  The messages included threats to physically harm the victim, and that the person’s dog would also be killed.

After deputies were able to find Benson and warn him, he reportedly continued his threats.

While in jail, Benson will be eligible for Huber release and treatment.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - A Sheboygan man will serve 60 days in jail for causing an accident while driving drunk.

Judge L. Edward Stengel sentenced 36 year old Nohl Depies last week after he pleaded no contest to an OWI causing injury, second plus offense.  The charge, plus a PAC causing injury offense that was dismissed, came after Depies was arrested for an incident involving his vehicle on Sheboygan’s north side June 27th.

According to the criminal complaint, Sheboygan Police were called to investigate an accident between two vehicles at North Ninth Street and Geele Avenue.  Depies suffered fractures to his face, while a 55-year-old woman in the other vehicle suffered a broken sternum.  An investigation found witnesses seeing the vehicle Depies was in striking a tree, a stop sign, and narrowly missing several other vehicles before the two-vehicle accident.  When interviewed, Depies reportedly said he had a number of drinks prior to driving.

In addition to the jail time, Depies was ordered to spend two years on probation, had his license revoked for 24 months, and must use an ignition interlock for 36 months.

KOHLER, WI (WHBL) - The strike by United Auto Workers Local 833 against the Kohler Company is now into its second week.  No public word has been made regarding progress for a new contract between the two, so that is keeping hundreds of employees out on the picket line outside the company's two plants in Sheboygan County.  They were joined by others on the picket line Saturday who support their cause to get a fair contract.

As the strikes continues, law enforcement in the area are keeping a close eye on any possible problems that could come up.  Sheboygan County Sheriff Todd Priebe tells WHBL News there has not been much need for them other than assisting Kohler Police in their village, and at the company's plant in the Town of Mosel.  “It’s been going well from a law enforcement perspective outside of maybe some of the parking issues that the (Kohler) Chief has, but nevertheless they have been very cooperative, and our role has been just making sure people can get in and out.”

Still, Priebe says his department is ready in case a situation occurs that will require a proper law enforcement response.  “We had already had discussions and plans in place in case it would rise to that level.  We’re hoping it’s not.  Also it is something that years back that agencies received training in that type of response in these types of scenarios.  So our agency, because (they have) been through this, we have command staff that has been through this schooling, even though it has been a while back, and they can be ready at a minute’s notice now.

If a situation becomes too much for Kohler Police and the Sheriff’s departments, Priebe says he can call for mutual aid.  “I can make a phone call to the state, and they can tap into other agencies that will bring manpower in.  So if manpower is an issue, I have the ability to make that phone call and get the resources that are needed.  And that’s not only manpower, that’s even equipment.  So there’s no shortage on our side.  I just have to make that call.”

For now, there have only been issues regarding vehicles around the Kohler plant in Kohler regarding traffic flow, parking, and the honking of horns.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Sunday evening was the first of three days where local law enforcement will be conducting a special task force to deter drunk driving through mid-December.

Ten officers from the Wisconsin State Patrol, Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department, and police departments in Sheboygan, Elkhart Lake and Plymouth, led a High-Visibility Education and Enforcement Task Force effort in Sheboygan for four hours Sunday evening.

Sheboygan Police Joel Kaczynski tells WHBL News the officers were out from 6 to 10 p.m.  "So in the four hours there were 51 traffic stops.  Of those traffic stops there were two OWI arrests.  One of those arrests were of a person who was drinking at a restaurant.  Later on in the night after 10 o’clock we had an additional two OWIs, and one of those parties was at a tavern which happened to receive the educational information that we gave to them."

In addition to the traffic stops, the new task force also includes officers educating the public more with giving information to establishments that sell alcohol, and conducting a tweet along as an officer rode with a patrol vehicle and described what happened at traffic stops.

"I think overall, when you look at the fact that we had ten additional officers working specifically to enforce OWI laws in that four hour period,  I think that this initiative was a success," says Kaczynski.

The task force will be back out in force for six hours starting at 10 p.m. Wednesday.  "Traditionally that has been one of our busiest days of the year, that Wednesday before Thanksgiving," says Kaczynski.  "A lot of people return home from college and other places that they live.  (They) come to Sheboygan, and a lot of people go to the bars.  It's one of our busier nights, so I'm guessing it's going to be a busy night."  Similar efforts are expected for this time period, including one more on December 13.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - In response to requests from local residents, the Sheboygan chapter of the Salvation Army is starting their annual Red Kettle campaign a little later than last year.

That kick off is today, November 23, and that includes a special event from 4 to 7 p.m. at Festival Food in Sheboygan. The event will feature an appearance from Tinker, the bell ringing miniature horse, and his pal Tula the Chihuahua, the world’s largest kettle, live music, a bounce house, hot cocoa and face painting.

The Salvation Army chapter has a goal to raise over half-a-million dollars through Christmas to fund their services at their Sheboygan location, with 150-thousand coming from the red kettles.

They are asking for volunteers to run two-hour shifts at 15 locations in Sheboygan, Howards Grove, Kohler and Sheboygan Falls.

Sign up can be done online here.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - For a Sheboygan man, making threats to people’s lives both in person and through Facebook will cause him to spend two years on probation.

25 year old Gregory Walker Jr. was sentenced last week after he pleaded no contest to counts of disorderly conduct, criminal damage to property, and threatening to harm/injure a person via computer message.

The charges stem from two incidents in an eight day period.

According to the criminal complaints, the first occurred September 22, involving Walker, a teenage girl, and her boyfriend. The three got into an expletive-laced argument on Facebook, and Walker was found to have made a threat to the two.

The other incident occurred at Champs Sports Bar and Grill on September 29.  Walker is said to have reacted to a job offer at the business by flipping a table and preparing to fight before he was removed.  Several witnesses said Walker returned and threatened to shoot everyone in the bar.

The final charge was due to damage caused by Walker to his former apartment as he asked to move out.

In her sentence, Judge Angela Sutkiewicz also ordered 60 days in jail, but that was stayed.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - A Sheboygan man will not be able to get away as easily from confinement after his last attempt earlier this year.

Judge Angela Sutkiewicz sentenced 34 year old Travis Sonneman to two-and-a-half years in a state prison last week.

The criminal complaint against him states Sonneman was allowed to leave the Sheboygan County Detention Center July 9th, but failed to return.

Online court records show a warrant for his arrest was issued August 13th, with the warrant served October 6th.  The records also show Sonneman has been serving local jail and probation time for other criminal offenses such as retail theft, disorderly conduct, impersonating a police officer, resisting an officer, and escape.

Following his jail time, Sonneman will serve two years extended supervision.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Sheboygan County has seen several high speed chases this year, and last week saw one of the suspects connected to one of them sentenced.

A Manitowoc woman will serve three years probation and 30 days in jail for leading Sheboygan County law enforcement on a high speed chase back in May.  Judge James Bolgert last week sentenced 23 year old Mary Rasmussen after she pleaded no contest to charges of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, fleeing officers with a vehicle, and possession of narcotics.  Six misdemeanors for theft and bail jumping, plus over a half dozen traffic violations were dismissed.

The criminal complaint against her states law enforcement began looking for Rasmussen after she was seen stealing a purse at Sheboygan’s southside Wal-Mart.  After her vehicle was spotted, it began a chase that went from I-43 to Highway 23 west, and Highway 57 south that at times reached speeds of 120 miles per hour.  The chase ended in Ozaukee County when spike strips were used to stop the vehicle and arrest Rasmussen.

As part of her sentence, Rasmussen will be allowed release from jail for work, child care, and counseling.

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - Sheboygan County’s roller coaster year for home sales continued in October.

According to the latest numbers from the Wisconsin Realtors Association this week, the county had its first month of lower homes sales since March, when compared to the same month in 2014. The number of homes sold was 13 fewer in October, a decline of over 11 percent.  Still, the median price for homes sold increased by just over 11-percent last month to 130-thousand-25.

With cooler weather in the state, Wisconsin’s monthly numbers continued to improve statewide in October, with higher home sales and prices.

As for 2015 thus far, Sheboygan County has seen home sales increase by just under five-percent when compared to 2014, with the median price up three-point-seven percent.  Those numbers are below the statewide growth for the year.  They are at 11-point-seven percent for units sold and five-point-seven percent for median price.  The state is seeing its best home sales year through the first ten months of the calendar year since 2005.

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - Preliminary numbers are in for the opening weekend of the state’s 164th gun deer season.  They show hunters were more successful than last year, with total deer registration up by over 15 percent statewide.  A majority of counties saw an increase in deer taken in compared to 2014.  One of them was Sheboygan County, where the 1,199 registered is up around 33-percent.

The effort for hunters in our area seems to be mixed, according to Plymouth-based DNR Wildlife Biologist Dan Weidert.  He says the weather played a factor for some.  "I’ve heard stories of little to no shooting until the snow calmed down on Saturday morning to pretty active in certain areas.  One comment was that once the snow stopped it seemed like the deer were a little more active."

Weidert also asked hunters about the new electronic registration system for the hunt.  For the first time this season, hunters are able to register their deer online or over the phone instead of going to a deer registration site to conduct registration in person.  The process has gone somewhat smoothly, but finding out numbers in time has been slowed due to the volume of registrations made Sunday evening through Monday.

Weidert says of the system, there were more positives than negatives.  “They like the convenience of it.  They like to be able to get it done right away.  A couple comments I received were along the lines of they thought it was a little disheartening now that they couldn’t congregate somewhere and show off their deer while they were registering and swap stories, but they felt that the system overall worked really well for them and they actually liked the convenience of it.”

As for the rest of the season, Weidert says the success of it will depend on the weather, since that influences if hunters head out and if deer are active.  The rain in the forecast for Thanksgiving could be bad news since he describes the holiday as a second opening weekend for the season.  “If it's kind of rainy and snowy and cold, you may not see the hunting pressure.  But typically there’s always good opportunities out there further on in the season, especially towards the second weekend, which tends to be a second opener.”

KOHLER, WI (WHBL) - It is now day nine of the United Auto Workers Local 833 Strike against the Kohler Company, as a waiting game continues for about 21-hundreds workers regarding a new contract between the two.  As has been the case since November 15th, no public word on any progress on a deal that would end the strike.

Those on strike continue to put time on the picket line outside the company’s two plants in Sheboygan County, as they fight for a fair contract with Kohler.

WHBL News has asked several striking workers what it is like to be off the job for a week, and what impact this experience has had on them.

Debra, who was with Kohler when the last strike took place in 1983, says the situation has a different feel compared to over 30 years ago.  "Everybody’s on edge, but we’re still going to continue fighting.  We’re going to fight until we can’t no more."

Jay says the strike has given him strength.  "To know that what I believe I’m doing is going to benefit somebody in the future.  What I have as a Tier A employee was fought for me by people that worked here before me, and it’s kind of my job.  I mean if my son or my son’s spouse were to get hired under these terms, their chances of being able to afford a house in the near future would be very hard to do, much less provide without having to pick up a part time job."

Judy says the strike has shown her the power that a group can have when they work as one.  "Together we are all supporting each other.  Anybody who needs anything; on Facebook we’ve been sharing if anybody needs donations, message me, go to the union hall.  There’s plenty of stuff that’s been dropped off."

Striking workers say their will continue to make their presence known to the public no matter the weather, nor the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  Larry will be one of them, saying he will spend a few hours Thursday morning on the picket line.  "I'm going to put the turkey in the oven, and I've got three hours to play around with.  A lot of people are going to be out here on Thanksgiving day."

Town of Wilson, WI (WHBL) -   Burglary and theft charges have been filed against 38-year old David A Bub of Random Lake, WI., following a months- long investigation  into a Town of Wilson home burglary.

A criminal complaint filed in Sheboygan County court reveals that when William J Styer returned to his home on the night of April 5, 2015, the place had been ransacked and a number of items were missing. 

Styer, an avid mountain biker, immediately noticed that five high-end mountain bikes were gone.  He told Sheboygan County Sheriff’s deputies that four of the bikes were valued at $7,000-$8,000 each.

 Also missing from the home were; a shotgun, a Bose home theater system, a Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner, a Milwaukee Drill and Impact set, two large- screen TVs, a laptop computer, and many other items – all said to be valued at $75,600.

Styer had been gone from his home on an extended trip to Tucson Arizona, and knew something was wrong as soon as he walked into his home that night.

The first thing investigators noticed was there was no sign of forced entry.

When deputies asked Styer whether he had any idea who may have burglarized his home, Styer’s mind immediately went to a man he hired to remodel his bathroom, and an associate of the contractor whom Styer believes may have stolen from his home before. Matthew Stift had been given a garage code in order to enter the home to work on the bathroom.

It should be noted that Stift was incarcerated on child support related charges from March 28, 2015 through Wednesday, April 8, 2015.

Roughly a month after the break-in, investigators working the case went back and listened to Stift’s recorded jail phone conversations. It took little time for detectives to establish links to the Bleyer Drive burglary.

One call in particular raised red flags. It was a conversation between Stift and David Bub, who was known to assist Stift on some remodeling jobs.  Court records indicate that hours before the burglary was reported, Stift is reportedly heard asking Bub if he had, “Any word on Bleyer Drive yet, or no?”

 Bub replied, “No, I drove past the other day you know- it all look good, you know what I mean?”

That exchange led investigators to listen to more of Stift’s recorded conversation and the trail would also lead deputies to 37-year-old Daniel Lee Atterberry - Hughes.

Hughes’ name first came up when Bub acknowledged to Stift in a phone conversation that he had been getting a lot of questions about “Black Dan,” which is an apparent reference to Daniel Atterberry-Hughes.

Stift said that the questions were probably because he sold “Black Dan” a drill. The drill is believed to be the same Milwaukee drill and impact set that was stolen from William Styer’s home.

Over the course of the investigation deputies continued to connect the dots and recovered the stolen mountain bikes that were reported stolen. Hughes and his girlfriend reportedly pawned the bikes at Pawn America shops in West Allis and in Ashwaubenon. But, when deputies confronted the couple with surveillance footage of the pawn transactions, both denied having knowledge that the items were stolen, and stated that the bikes belonged to David Bud. They also told the deputy they were pawning the bikes in order to get electricity restored inside their home. But, deputies contacted Alliant energy and learned that the utilities were actually paid with funds from energy assistance.

Deputies also recovered the stolen Bose stereo system and the Milwaukee drill set.

Hughes is facing three counts of felony theft in connection with the items stolen from the Bleyer Drive home.

Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) - 21-year-old Alexis E Woiak calls herself the worst person ever for allegedly throwing a five-month-old Chihuahua against a wall, because she was annoyed with the dog.

Alexis is a roommate at the dog owner’s home.

On Monday, November 23, 2015, Sheboygan police were called to the Sheboygan veterinary clinic where the Chihuahua had been taken for emergency care. But, It was already too late.

The dog’s owner, Paiton Foelske told police that she learned of the vicious attack when she received a phone call from Alexis stating that she was sorry. Alex said that she threw the dog after becoming annoyed and it was not moving or breathing. Foelske’s account of the conversation is documented in a criminal complaint filed in Sheboygan County court.

Foelske told police that at the time she received a phone call, she was out running errands. She further states that when she received the disturbing phone call, she was too upset to go home alone, so she picked up a cousin to help her go back to the house to tend to the puppy.

All Foelske remembers about that horrible day was walking into her apartment and seeing the dog lying motionless with its tongue sticking out. He wasn’t breathing.

Foelske also recalls seeing Alexis sitting in the middle of the floor crying and saying that she was sorry.

Then, a litany of text messages were reportedly sent from Alexis to Foelske saying, “oh my God, I am seriously the worst person ever, I am so sorry, I’ll understand if you won’t ever forgive me, I’m so sorry.”

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, I’ll replace her, I’ll give you $200.

When police interviewed Alexis Woiak, she reportedly told police that she became annoyed with the Chihuahua when he tipped over her drink. That’s when she grabbed the dog and threw it down the hallway.

Woiak says she did not intend to hurt the Chihuahua, but then noticed it was neither moving nor coming back.

She is charged with one count of mistreating animals and could face up to nine months behind bars if convicted, plus fines of up to $10,000.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - A Random Lake man will have to spend 18 months on probation and give up his guns after he caused a tactical situation with law enforcement last year.

Judge James Bolgert sentenced 50 year old Daniel Guckenberger last week after he pleaded no contest to charges of intentionally pointing a firearm to law enforcement, and possession of cocaine.

The criminal complaint against him details what happened at his home on Stoney Birch Road the night of October 26, 2014.  Sheriff deputies were called to do a welfare check on Guckenberger, and when deputies arrived he was seen pointing a long gun at law enforcement.  For the next hour, deputies waited as Guckenberger would remain in the home with occasional appearances with the gun.

Eventually, Guckenberger left the home and went towards deputies with two knifes.  A taser was used to subdue Guckenberger and he was taken into custody.

As part of a plea deal, Guckenberger had a 60 day jail sentenced stayed, a charge of resisting an officer dismissed, and a requirement that he take counseling.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - A Sheboygan man is facing his fifth OWI offense following a traffic stop in the city last weekend.  43 year old Kevin Giese was charged Monday after his vehicle was stopped by Sheboygan Police last Saturday.

According to the criminal complaint, an officer noticed the vehicle speeding on the city’s north side, and that the owner of the vehicle had a suspended license. When approached by the officer, the driver - Giese - reportedly said he thought the stop was for his vehicle’s muffler.

Giese also admitted to drinking alcohol when asked by the officer.  Following field sobriety tests, plus a preliminary breath test of point-22, Giese was taken into custody.

He now faces up to six years in prison if found guilty of the OWI offense.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - An Elkhart Lake area man will have to spend 50 days in jail for causing injuries to himself and another person while driving drunk earlier this year.

Judge Timothy Van Akkeren sentenced Kevin Neese last week to the jail time and two years probation, after the 49 year old pleaded no contest to a third OWI causing injury felony. 

The criminal complaint against Neese details how the 49 year old tried to get out of a ticket when Sheboygan County Sheriff’s deputies investigated a one vehicle accident in the Town of Mosel last July.

Neese told officials he was returning home after taking his dogs to the beach along Lake Michigan when he swerved to miss a deer, causing the vehicle to crash.  He added he only drank alcohol after the accident, waiting for help.

However, a passenger with Neese told investigators they both drank prior to and while on the beach.

Also part of Neese’s sentence is two years each of having his license revoked and a requirement to use an ignition interlock.

SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - A business on Sheboygan’s west side suffered around 50-thousand dollars worth of damage due to a fire early Tuesday morning.

Sheboygan Fire Department Battalion Chief Dean Klein says they got word around 2:20 a.m. of the fire at Heritage Showcase Antiques on Indiana Avenue.  When fire crews arrived, heavy smoke was seen, along with flames visible on the ground level and roof.

Crews were able to put out the visible flames, and worked for several hours to put out smoldering inside the ceiling and wall coverings and ventilated the building.

Klein says the fire was contained to a repair/shop area of the business, but the entire building had smoke damage.

An investigation continues into what caused the fire.