'Tis the season

Probably one of my favorite hunting pictures I've taken since moving to Wisconsin. What a hoot... I think this guy needs something else on top of, or in, his car... a mattress, perhaps?

Bill Kron of Waukesha, Wis., returns to his vehicle – complete with mounted Christmas tree and registered deer – after picking up food at McDonald's next to the Bay Beach Shell station in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday afternoon, Nov. 29, 2009. Sunday was the last day of the gun-deer hunting season in Wisconsin.

Black Friday in Green Bay

Black Friday in Green Bay, Wis. from Michael King on Vimeo.

Development on a slow rebound

Zach Spulak of Citywide Insulation installs insulation at a new home construction site at 3509 Sandgate Castle Drive in Howard, Wis., Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 25, 2009.

Green Bay City Deck opens

Members of the University of Wisconsin Badger Band break through a banner officially opening the City of Green Bay's new City Deck along the Fox River in downtown Green Bay, Wis., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.

We take our commissioned ships seriously here

In January, a new Navy ship was commissioned as the U.S.S. Green Bay (LPD-20). It was a pretty big deal to our community and, rightly so, we covered the heck out of it. One of the area middle schools is a "Partner in Education" with LPD-20. Some of the students attended the commissioning, and others have participated in a satellite-linked geography bowl.

The ship's commanding officer paid a visit to the school, yesterday.

Navy Capt. Joe Olson, commanding officer of the U.S.S. Green Bay, gets rock star treatment upon his entrance to an all-school assembly at Lombardi Middle School celebrating the partnership between the ship and school, Friday afternoon, Nov. 20, 2009.

More than 1,000 cupcakes were arranged to show the U.S.S. Green Bay's hull number in the school cafeteria. The treats were distributed to students, staff and guests after an all-school assembly celebrating the partnership between the ship and school.

Random shooting in Green Bay

Two nearby schools were on lock-down after a random shooting at a residence on Green Bay's near-east-side. Reports say that the victim didn't know the suspect who came to the door, asked if somebody lived there, and then just started shooting. Green Bay Police Department's K-9 unit was called to the scene to search for the suspect who fled the scene.

Green Bay Fire Rescue transports the victim of a shooting from a second level residence at 1315 Crooks Street to an ambulance, Thursday afternoon, Nov. 19, 2009.

Green Bay police officers and K-9 unit search the vicinity of 1315 Crooks Street along South Irwin Avenue after the shooting.

Green Bay police officers and K-9 unit search a shed in the vicinity of 1315 Crooks Street after the shooting. The suspect was not inside.

Green Bay Police Officer Matt Secor stands guard outside Washington Middle School during dismissal after the shooting. The school and nearby East High School were put on lock-down past their normally scheduled dismissal times.

First basketball game of the season

Usually the first game of any sports season is a little rusty – for both the players and me covering them. You don't know the players you're covering, your reaction times are a little off... but thankfully things weren't too bad last night covering UW-Green Bay and Northern Michigan at the Resch.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Seth Evans (31) barrels over Northern Michigan's Raymont McElroy (14) for a loose ball in the first half of a game at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Wednesday evening, Nov. 18, 2009.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Pat Nelson (50) wrangles for a rebound with Northern Michigan's Eric Hawley (25), left, and Chris Warner (15), right, in the first half.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Rahmon Fletcher (20) shoots through Northern Michigan defenders in the first half.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Pat Nelson (50) has his shot blocked in the second half.

Stretching the system

Brown County's foster care system will be challenged in the months ahead when a new law will add 50 homes to it's caseload on Jan. 1.

Trisha Rogers gives Lukas, 20 months old – one of her three foster children – a tickle while playing at home in Green Bay, Wis., Saturday morning, Nov. 14, 2009.

Back on the ice

It's hockey time... one of my favorite sports to watch and photograph.

St. Norbert's home venue has a press box directly over the benches about 14 feet above the ice, allowing you to shoot straight down for an overhead view near the boards. The odds of something great happening in that exact spot are slim, but it never hurts to be ready for it with a short lens.

St. Norbert College's Dylan Exton (27) pulls the puck out of the air while defended by University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Kyle Greco (9) in the first period of a game at the Cornerstone Community Center in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Friday evening, Nov. 13, 2009.

St. Norbert College's Justin Favreau (4) puts a big hit on University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Reed Lally (12) in the first period.

St. Norbert College players rush teammate Brandon Longley (23), far right, after his second period shorthanded goal – SNC's first of the season.

Recycling business

Jason Roffers poses for a portrait with collected aluminum cans at his home in Abrams, Wis., Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. The disabled 29-year-old started a recycling non-profit business.

Kimberly steamrolling through the playoffs

What a game! Two-time defending state champions Kimberly High School playing Pulaski High School. Pulaski was unseeded, but beat the first-seeded Shawano 62-23 (no, that's not a typo) and fourth-seeded Menasha 17-7.

Pulaski handled Kimberly admirably in the first two quarters, going into the half up 14-7. But in the second half it was all Kimberly.

Kimberly High School's Colten Heagle (23) gets past Pulaski High School's Race Noeldner (4) for a touchdown late in the first quarter of a WIAA Division 2 Level 3 game in Pulaski, Wis., Saturday afternoon, Nov. 7, 2009.

Kimberly High School's Joe Julian (21) and Ryan Kiel (38) bring down Pulaski High School quarterback Race Noeldner (4) in the first quarter.

Kimberly High School's Craig Koeniger (27) can't stop Pulaski High School's Brett Smith (5) from pulling in a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Kimberly High School's Zach Guckenberger (28) rushes for a touchdown past Pulaski High School's Kyle Kubiak (47) in the third quarter.

Pulaski High School's AJ Huxford (42) and Jake Vanderloop (15) stay on the field together after falling to Kimberly High School.

Humane society founder

The portrait session could have been a total flop. Conditioned to be fearful of guns and clicks, poor Gus was afraid of my camera. In 15 minutes I only made about 30 frames... about 29 of which were terribly lit, or the flashes didn't fire, or the expressions were bad, or the background wasn't clean, or Gus was hiding from me. To boot, the session was cut short because I got called off of it to cover a rollover crash in the vicinity.

I don't know how it happened... but this little moment occurred and somehow got captured. With more time and a calm dog I might have done better (particularly with the lighting), but I doubt I could have asked for a better picture given the circumstances.

Bette Anderson gives Gus, a three year-old Rottweiler-Chow mix, some scratches at Packerland Veterinary Center in Green Bay, Wis., Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, 2009. Anderson was a co-founder of the Bay Area and Oconto Area Human Societies.

Kewaunee knocks off Appleton Xavier

To call it a blustery evening would be an understatement. Near gale force winds made it a challenging environment for a Level 3 WIAA playoff game, but Kewaunee and Appleton Xavier came to play.

The teams kept things close in the first half, but Kewaunee took control in the second half to win 25-14.

It was pretty much the Connor O'Brien and Craig Christman show most of the game – both very talented runners.

Here are a few of my favorites from last night...

Kewaunee High School's Mike Lux (87) and Appleton Xavier High School's Connor O'Brien (20) grab each other's facemasks in the third quarter of a WIAA Division 4 Level 3 playoff game in Kewaunee, Wis., Friday evening, Nov. 6, 2009. No penalties were called on the play.

Kewaunee High School's Craig Christman (26) takes the ball upfield with Appleton Xavier High School defenders in tow during the third quarter.

Kewaunee High School's Alex Schleis (34), Matt Miller (79) and Tyler Wotachek (84) stop Appleton Xavier High School quarterback Chris Kessenich (8) at the line in the first quarter.

Appleton Xavier High School's Connor O'Brien (20) rushes upfield in the second quarter.

Kaukauna girls volleyball advances

Down two games to Fond du Lac in the WIAA Division 1 state quarterfinal, Kaukauna mounted a stunning comeback and won the next three games to advance to the semis against Middleton.

Because of early deadlines, covering the fifth game of the match wasn't a possibility. But the other games afforded ample opportunity to capture some moments that helped tell the story.

Kaukauna High School's Jenni Fassbender (13) hits the ball past Fond du Lac High School's Emily Riese (17) in the first game of a WIAA state quarterfinal match at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Thursday evening, Nov. 5, 2009.

Kaukauna High School's Maria Van Abel (1) reaches for a dig in a WIAA state quarterfinal match against Fond du Lac.

Kaukauna High School's Jenni Fassbender (13), Maria Van Abel (1), and McKinzie Freimuth (3) celebrate a point in the second game of their match against Fond du Lac High School.

Kaukauna High School players celebrate another crucial point.

Kaukauna High School head coach Dan Scharenbroch reacts to his team's comeback against Fond du Lac High School in the fourth game of the WIAA state quarterfinal match.

Kaukauna High School's Leah Van Zeeland (10) cannot contain her joy after a point late in the fourth game to hang on against Fond du Lac High School.