Local Rhinelander Headlines

Wisconsin court to rule on John Doe probe's validity

MADISON - The Wisconsin Supreme Court is set to rule Thursday on whether a secret probe can continue into whether Gov. Scott Walker's 2012 recall campaign illegally coordinated with conservative groups.

Unnamed petitioners have filed two lawsuits seeking to halt the John Doe proceeding, Wisconsin's version of a grand jury investigation where information is tightly controlled.

Prosecutors have filed their own action seeking to reinstate quashed subpoenas in the probe. The high court is expected to rule in all three lawsuits.

Full story: WJFW

Activists plan to meet with GM over Kid Rock sponsorship

DETROIT - Activists in Detroit trying to persuade Kid Rock to stop displaying the Confederate flag at concerts plan to meet this week with General Motors over the Chevrolet brand's sponsorship of the musician's summer tour.

National Action Network Detroit chapter president, the Rev. Charles Williams II, told The Associated Press Tuesday that "the best resolution is for GM to pull their sponsorship" of Kid Rock.

South Carolina removed the flag from its Statehouse weeks after the shooting deaths of nine people at a historically black church. The man charged in the shooting is shown in pictures with the flag.

Full story: WJFW

Rhinelander figure skaters to compete in national competition

RHINELANDER - The guidance of athletes can help younger ones follow the same success.

A pair of local figure skaters will head to a national competition this month with two younger athletes they have mentored.

RHS junior Lauren Cook and RHS senior Grace Hoger have built a friendly atmosphere for the Rhinelander Figure Skating Club.

Full story: WJFW

Walker reminds voters of union, recall victories as he joins crowded 2016 Republican field

WAUKESHA - Scott Walker is vowing to fight for America's interests abroad and for his conservative policies in Washington.

The Wisconsin governor has launched his 2016 Republican presidential bid by highlighting his clashes with labor unions as his campaign taunted his Democratic critics.

The 47-year-old Walker embraced his "fighter" reputation as he formally declared his candidacy in Waukesha with his family at his side.

Full story: WJFW

Residents call weeds on Little St. Germain Lake worst in years

ST. GERMAIN - Fishermen know weeds are part of the challenge of fishing, but how many is too many? Some people say weeds on a Northwoods lake are the worst they've seen.

Little Saint Germain Lake has always had weeds, but they're especially thick this season, making a part of the lake known as the South Bay a menace to travel through.

"It's been terrible," says Pat Stejskal, a concerned citizen. "The weed just gets stuck in all the motors and they have to back it up. You can hear them revving it up over here trying to get rid of the weeds."

Full story: WJFW

Feingold makes Northwoods campaign stop

Former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold took time to rip Gov. Scott Walker while traveling through several Northwoods communities Monday.

Feingold stopped by the Rhinelander Cafe and Pub Monday afternoon. He was in Eagle River earlier in the day. The stops were part of Feingold's plan to visit all 72 Wisconsin counties during the first leg of his Senate campaign.

Feingold mainly talked about his opponent, Senator Ron Johnson, but also hammered Walker for dividing the state.

Full story: WJFW

Bless This Mess features unique items

RHINELANDER - The store can look like a jumbled mess, but that mess is only part of the charm and inspiration for Bless This Mess, a unique jewelry and vintage home décor store on Highway 17 in Rhinelander.

The store, which sits on the location of a former chapel church, originally sold only wholesale jewelry, but in the past four years, co-owners Kim Wolle and Dave Klotz have expanded the selection to include vintage and re-purposed items.

Klotz says a friend helped them find the unique name for their unique store.

Full story: WJFW

Marinette based company to launch another ship bound for Far East

MARINETTE - Wisconsin-based Marinette Marine Corp. is playing a crucial role in a strategic and volatile region in the Far East.

HTR Media (http://htrne.ws/1RtXlM4 ) reports that the company's ships used by the U.S. Navy have been involved in power struggles between Asian countries in disputed waters near the South China Sea.

The crew of the USS Little Rock may face a similar situation after the vessel launches from Marinette Marine Corp.'s production facility along the Menominee River on Saturday.

Full story: WJFW

Local Boy Scout camp to close after 85 years

LAONA - Boy scouts travel up to the Northwoods for camp every year. One camp in Laona seems to be very special to many people. But next week, it's closing its doors.

"It's life-changing. There's nothing else like this anywhere else," says Camp Director Adam Rabe.

Tucked deep in the Northwoods lies Camp LeFeber. The Boy Scout camp in Laona has been open for 85 years.

Full story: WJFW

Major clean-up begins following 2015 Hodag Country Festival

RHINELANDER - All good things come to an end eventually. Monday, the 39th annual Hodag Country Festival wrapped up.

Motor homes started leaving the grounds well before dawn Monday morning. Cleaning crews were right behind them starting to pick up the pieces. The Rhinelander Boy Scout Troop had members out helping with the cleanup.

"We're responsible for picking up all of the main field here where all the people are," said Patrick Baker, one of the many people helping with the clean-up. "Then we have to, when all the campers leave, we pick up the campsites too, whatever's left. This year is looking pretty clean in the campsites actually compared to previous years from what I've heard. It entails a lot of hard work, and a lot of energy."

Full story: WJFW

Columbus hit hard by storm damage

COLUMBUS, WI - One city hit hard by severe thunderstorms that blew through Wisconsin is Columbus where many streets are littered with tree branches and debris.

The strong wind toppled large trees, tearing some off their roots. And it was powerful enough to bend the flagpole outside Columbus High School. The roof collapsed into a pole barn between Columbus and Beaver Dam.

A temporary aid station has been set up at Columbus Middle School. Local fire officials advised against traveling in the city until downed power lines could be cleared. The storms also brought torrential rain to the area, flooding farms and residential yards.

Full story: WJFW

Converted church features unique items

RHINELANDER - The store can look like a jumbled mess, but that mess is only part of the charm and inspiration for Bless This Mess, a unique jewelry and vintage home décor store on Highway 17 in Rhinelander.

The store, which sits on the location of a former chapel church, originally sold only wholesale jewelry, but in the past four years, co-owners Kim Wolle and Dave Klotz have expanded the selection to include vintage and re-purposed items.

Klotz says a friend helped them find the unique name for their unique store.

Full story: WJFW

Colleagues search for missing doctor in Door County

EPHRAIM, WI - Colleagues and co-workers have joined the search for a missing doctor in Door County.

According to authorities, 63-year-old Jeffrey Whiteside of Grand Chute was last seen June 29 after walking away from the marina in Ephraim after a disagreement with his wife.

Post-Crescent Media (http://post.cr/1SiAnmt ) reports a group of 18 people, mostly colleagues and co-workers, searched for Whiteside for more than six hours Sunday, including in part of Peninsula State Park.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin-based company building ships bound for Far East

MARINETTE - Wisconsin-based Marinette Marine Corp. is playing a crucial role in a strategic and volatile region in the Far East.

HTR Media (http://htrne.ws/1RtXlM4 ) reports that the company's ships used by the U.S. Navy have been involved in power struggles between Asian countries in disputed waters near the South China Sea.

The crew of the USS Little Rock may face a similar situation after the vessel launches from Marinette Marine Corp.'s production facility along the Menominee River on Saturday.

Full story: WJFW

Gov. Walker set to make presidential run official

WAUKESHA - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has announced on social media he's running for president. Walker built a national profile largely due to his clashes with labor unions. He also released a campaign video at the same time declaring his entry in the race.

The video comes just ahead of his official announcement about his presidential run. The video shows Walker talking about what he says are his "big, bold ideas from outside Washington." Walker talks about "fresh leadership" and promotes himself as a "reformer, fighter and winner."

Governor Walker will make his formal presidential announcement Monday night in Waukesha. He's set to take the stage at the Expo Center around 5:15 p.m.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin Gov. Walker signs 2015-17 state budget

MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker has signed the Wisconsin state budget into law.

The governor approved the $73 billion two-year spending plan Sunday, a day before he officially announces on Monday that he is running for the Republican nomination for president.

Walker introduced the budget in February and hoped to have it signed by the end of May, saying he wouldn't announce whether he intended to seek the White House until after it was done.

Full story: WJFW

Balloon Rally draws large crowd to Wausau Sunday

WAUSAU - Getting up early in the morning didn't stop people from going out to see the Balloon Rally in Wausau.

It was the last time the hot air balloons would launch after a weekend of activities at the 14th Annual Balloon Rally and Glow.

Colorful balloons by different groups took to the skies around 6:30 Sunday morning. Kids from across central Wisconsin shared with us why they love coming out to the event each year.

Full story: WJFW

Lambeau Field officers change tactics to reduce disruption

GREEN BAY - Police officers providing security for concerts and Packers games at Lambeau Field are making changes to reduce the chance the troublemakers will ruin the experience for the majority.

Press-Gazette Media reports (http://gbpg.net/1ShrSIl ) the changes over the last year or two range from collecting data on the level of intoxication of problem fans and changing gear so that officers are more visible yet can be more comfortable.

They are also having a transport van on site to speed the time in which troublemakers are moved to the Brown County Jail.

Full story: WJFW

12th annual Chalkfest brings hundreds to Wausau

WAUSAU - Artists from across Wisconsin weren't afraid to get their hands dirty Saturday afternoon. They sketched their work into the sidewalk for the 12th annual Chalkfest art festival in Wausau.

"Once you learn how to blend it, I've been using some water to kind of get it into the pores of the concrete, and then I just kind of go over it and blend it with my fingers," said Wausau resident Tom Lambrecht.

Artists got a space and a box of chalk to create their masterpiece. Both kids and adults could be a part of the weekend event.

Full story: WJFW

Island Art Walk draws artists from around the Northwoods

MINOCQUA - The Kiwanis Club held their annual Island Art Walk Saturday in Minocqua.

Artists and crafters from all over came to showcase their work.

"It is my first time at the island art walk," said crafter vendor Amy Jones. "I've been in the area my whole life, but we do a lot of farmers markets and a few other craft shows get stuck in here and there. But, I'm always trying something new, see how it goes."

Full story: WJFW

Walker blames GOP lawmakers for abortive open records plan

MILWAUKEE - Gov. Scott Walker has blamed Republican lawmakers for an abortive proposal to roll back Wisconsin's open records law.

In a radio interview Friday, the Republican governor said the idea was a "huge mistake" that didn't come from him.

He told conservative talk show host Charlie Sykes on WTMJ-AM that the plan should not have been inserted into the budget.

Full story: WJFW

Health Department warns of swimmer's itch when in lakes

WISCONSIN - The health department wants people to be safe from any bacteria while they swim in area lakes. Swimmers itch is a common, yet painful rash that can come from parasites in lakes.

Health department workers say that swimmers itch isn't contagious, but it will give an intense burning feeling. While no lakes here in the Northwoods have reported swimmer itch yet, the health department wants people to be aware.

If you have swimmers itch, you'll see red bumps on your skin that look like blisters. The rash starts from a microscopic parasite looking for a place to live.

Full story: WJFW

Sheriff's Office looking for robbery suspect after car chase & extensive search

PORTAGE COUNTY - The Portage County Sheriff's Office wants people to look out for a suspect on the run.

The 34-year-old led police on a high-speed car chase Thursday, and escaped an air and ground search for him Friday morning.

The Portage County Sheriff's Office wants to find Bruce L. Vossekuil. He's wanted for an armed robbery and parole warrant.

Full story: WJFW

False start for Walker after premature Twitter announcement

WASHINGTON - How excited is Scott Walker about running for president?

So excited that he announced accidentally on Twitter three days early. Wisconsin's Republican governor posted and soon deleted a message on his verified Twitter account Friday evening that said, "Scott Walker is running for president."

It's no secret that Walker will enter the 2016 presidential race in Wisconsin on Monday afternoon. Yet before Friday, he hadn't formally declared it himself.

Full story: WJFW

Hodag Country Fest Breakfast and a Shower

RHINELANDER - Hodag Country Fest just started Friday night, but some people have been camping out since last Saturday.

That made it high time for a shower for some missing the comforts of home.
Members of the Rhinelander High School Student Council and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America hosted the "Hodag Country Fest Breakfast and a Shower" event Friday morning.

Full story: WJFW

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