Local Rhinelander Headlines

Local Hi-Tech Company, Microscopy Innovations, gets international attention for novel technology

MARSHFIELD - A Hi-Tech company in Marshfield makes products to handle things that are very, very small. Microscopy Innovations gets big attention for its life science technology inventions. Microscopy Innovation was founded in 2007. Since that time, the company's received six patents on their life science technology inventions.

"Microscopy is a fancy word for the art and science of using microscopes to look at things in fine detail," said Microscopy Innovations President Mark T. Nelson.

Microscopy Innovations has customers throughout the world and U-S, including the National Institutes of Health, and NASA. Their new mPrep System is useful for a large variety of microscopy samples like tissue samples. The company's president is from Marshfield. Mark Nelson, decided to put the company in his hometown. So far, the decision's been a good one.

Full story: WJFW

Conover-Phelps trail to start construction in July

CONOVER/PHELPS - The first part of the walking and biking trail is about three miles long.

In the beginning of May, the towns of Conover and Phelps officially signed on to complete the trail.
The trail will cost more than what was originally expected, but it also promises to help local economies.

Supporters say that trails like this have boosted other local economies by up to about 40%.

Full story: WJFW

Hundreds went out to Three Lakes for the 8th Annual Shoot Out and Fly-in Races

THREE LAKES - Hundreds of people grabbed their friends and their boats for the 8th Annual Three Lakes Shoot Out and Fly-In Race Saturday afternoon. The popular event is hosted every year by the Three Lakes Fire Department.

"The purpose has always been to benefit our fire department which is all volunteer," said Event Chairman Jim Leatzow. "We started with the primary purpose to build a second fire house, which is now accomplished. Now we're equipping it and helping other fire departments in the area as well."

Racers came anywhere from Texas to Canada and New York just to be a part of the two day event. The goal for racers was to have the fastest time from a standing start in 1,000 feet.

Full story: WJFW

Annual carhop event raises money for world hunger

RHINELANDER - Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rhinelander hosted its annual carhop fundraiser Saturday afternoon. All the money raised will be donated to support hunger relief locally and around the world.

More than 100 people came for burgers, hot dogs, and malts while enjoying classic '50s music.

Church workers think they raised a little more than $1,000 to help the cause.

Full story: WJFW

Local vendors will continue to sell but not display confederate battle flags

RHINELANDER - The Northwoods lies well above the Mason-Dixon line, but people can find confederate battle flags at local flea markets.

However, the flags may not be out on display.

Some of the vendors used to display the confederate flag among all the other ones. Then, vendors received a few complaints saying the flag was a symbol of racism. The vendors say they disagree but ultimately the best decision for them was to take the confederate flag down.

Full story: WJFW

Smell of gunpowder led to escaped inmate

MALONE, N.Y. - Police looking for a murder convict who escaped from a maximum-security upstate New York prison three weeks ago have narrowed the search area after killing an inmate who escaped with him.

Police are using officers, dogs and helicopters in an area about 22 square miles centered on Titusville Mountain State Forest in Malone. Just days ago the search area was up to 75 square miles.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer says escapee Richard Matt was killed Friday afternoon by a border patrol agent from Vermont. Fellow escapee David Sweat is on the loose.

Full story: WJFW

Former UW-Oshkosh student sentenced to 3 years in ricin case

GREEN BAY - A former University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh student has been sentenced to three years and four months in prison for possessing the deadly poison ricin.

Twenty-one-year-old Kyle Allen Smith of Oshkosh pleaded guilty in March. He admitted growing castor beans and extracting ricin from them. A count of developing a toxin for use as a weapon was dropped in a plea agreement.

Smith was arrested and charged in November after two professors became concerned over what they said were his questions about producing ricin.

Full story: WJFW

Pioneering Northwoods hospice organization celebrates milestones

WOODRUFF - On many days, Dr. Kate Hospice cares for more than 60 people in the Northwoods near the end of life. Three decades ago, there was no such option in the area.

This year marks 30 years since Dr. Kate Hospice started to bring people to a peaceful and comfortable end of life.

"When people are at the end of their life, they don't want to spend time in a hospital," said Ministry Home Care Director Ann Ovsak. "They want to be in homes surrounded by loved ones or, if they aren't comfortable being in their home, they want to be in a facility that's really supportive to them at the end of their life."

Full story: WJFW

Northwoods Animal Hospital embezzlement defendant pleads to felony charge

RHINELANDER - Brenda Wigglesworth could face jail time for embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from the Northwoods Animal Hospital in Minocqua. The 48-year-old Wigglesworth pled no contest in Oneida County Court on Friday.

Wigglesworth had worked at the veterinary clinic for 14 years. She is charged with embezzling about $30,000 as an office manager. Despite the plea, she did not admit guilt on Friday.

"She understands the elements of the crime," said Lindsay Erickson, Wigglesworth's defense attorney. "She pled no contest, not indicating that she's guilty of those elements, but indicating that she did not wish to contest the charges any further."

Full story: WJFW

Figure skaters practice new skills at 41st annual Summer Skating School

EAGLE RIVER - On Friday, skaters from all over the Midwest finished a two week figure skating program called "Learn to Skate," at the Eagle River Figure Skating Club. More than 90 skaters from 4 to 70 years old came out for the program.

"I think what's really unique about this camp is that the kids come from all over the place," said Eagle River Figure Skating Club Summer Director Jacqui Monge. "They develop friendships and they keep coming back because of those friendships."

Skaters work to perfect their skills during the program. The small class sizes let them learn more from coaches and from other skaters.

Full story: WJFW

Bucks take UNLV guard Rashad Vaughn at No. 17 in draft

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Bucks have selected UNLV shooting guard Rashad Vaughn with the No. 17 overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft.

The 6-foot-6, 210 pound Vaughn will be expected to provide additional outside scoring for the Bucks, who are coming off a surprising turnaround last season _ their first under head coach Jason Kidd.

Vaughn is coming off a season-ending injury to his left knee but averaged 17.8 points per game in 23 games as a freshman, shooting 43.9 percent from the floor and 38.3 percent from 3-point range.

Full story: WJFW

Bucks deal UCLA's Powell, pick to Raptors for Vasquez

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Bucks made a draft-night deal for a veteran point guard, trading UCLA shooting guard Norman Powell and a first-round pick in 2017 to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for backup guard Greivis Vasquez.

The Bucks finalized the deal shortly after they made Powell the 46th overall pick in the second round Thursday night.

General manager John Hammond says the Bucks have always liked Vasquez, who is 28 and has playoff experience.

Full story: WJFW

Walker calls gay marriage ruling 'grave mistake'

WISCONSIN - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide is a ``grave mistake.''

Walker issued a statement Friday reaffirming his support for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution allowing the states to define marriage.

Walker has been a longtime opponent of gay marriage, but last year during his re-election campaign he said his opinion didn't matter.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin gay marriage plaintiff praises ruling

WISCONSIN - A gay woman who successfully sued to overturn Wisconsin's ban on gay marriage is praising the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that same-sex couples have a right to marry in all 50 states.

Judi Trampf of Madison and her partner, Katy Heyning, were among a group of eight gay couples who sued to overturn Wisconsin's ban last year. They married this past January.

Trampf says she's ecstatic that the high court has recognized same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry.

Full story: WJFW

Economic workers moving forward after Wausau Chemical move gets voted down

WAUSAU - City and economic workers will move forward after the Wausau Common Council rejected a relocation package for Wausau Chemical on Monday night.

The company operates a facility on the Wisconsin River just north of Bridge Street on the east bank of the river. It also sits just north of the Wausau River District Development, which is a more than 15 acre area that has been cleared for redevelopment after years of collaboration between Wausau, Wisconsin and other state and federal groups.

The city is making room along the river to attract more people, more business, and more value to the area. Wausau Economic Development Manager Christian Schock says the river is extremely important to the area.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin snowmobilers will need to buy trail passes this winter

WISCONSIN - Most people won't be riding snowmobiles in the Northwoods anytime soon. But a law that goes into effect next month will change how much it costs people to use Wisconsin trails this winter. Everyone will need to buy a trail pass starting this year.

In the past, only people from out of state needed them, but the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs wanted the change.

"They pushed for some legislation there to obtain some more funding for their trail systems which, you know, costs are continuing to go up every year," explains DNR Conservation Warden Supervisor David Walz.

Full story: WJFW

Bucks take UNLV guard Rashad Vaughn at No. 17 in draft

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Bucks have selected UNLV shooting guard Rashad Vaughn with the No. 17 overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft.

The 6-foot-6, 210 pound Vaughn will be expected to provide additional outside scoring for the Bucks, who are coming off a surprising turnaround last season — their first under head coach Jason Kidd.

Vaughn is coming off a season-ending injury to his left knee but averaged 17.8 points per game in 23 games as a freshman, shooting 43.9 percent from the floor and 38.3 percent from 3-point range.

Full story: WJFW

Judge sentences Wisconsin man for 'absolute torture' of his baby girl

MILWAUKEE - A judge has sentenced a Milwaukee man to just over 30 years in prison for what she called the "absolute torture" of his baby girl.

The child's injuries included a burn pattern on her back that matched the pattern of a charcoal grill in her family's kitchen, as well as severe burns on her legs and inside her mouth, bites and bruises, and severe brain injuries of the sort that come from being violently shaken, slammed down or thrown.

Twenty-one-year-old Corey Burns, who pleaded guilty last month, was sentenced by Judge Rebecca Dallet on Thursday. He apologized and said he took full responsibility for his actions.

Full story: WJFW

Camp 5 Logging Museum opens for the summer, offers new tourism incentive

LAONA - Camp 5 Logging Museum in Laona opened for the 2015 season on June 25. The historic Lumberjack Steam train has been riding the rails for 99 years. This year, the museum has partnered with several other museums across the Northwoods to help increase tourism.

"W.D. Connor bought the 4-Spot from the Fairchild Lumber Company in Eau Claire," said Sara Connor, Executive Director of the Camp 5 Logging Museum. "It was used as a logging railroad; it went from the sawmill out to the junction, and it was about a 17-mile hauling of lumber and finished products."

Now, the Lumberjack Special serves as a ride to a museum dedicated to Wisconsin's logging history.

Full story: WJFW

Hodag MASH Blood Drive seeks donors to support local hospitals

RHINELANDER - Not all blood donated in the Northwoods stays in the Northwoods. But the blood from the Hodag MASH Blood Drive in early July will go to community hospitals right here at home.

The event in Rhinelander encourages people to give blood that will help someone in the area. Pioneer Park transforms into an Army MASH unit for the day as a fun way to increase donations.

"You've heard of 'Buy Local.' We like to think we're the Give Local organization," said event organizer Jerry Shidell. "When I donate blood to the Community Blood Center, somebody that I know may need it. I may need it. I like that feeling."

Full story: WJFW

Camp American Legion in Lake Tomahawk will expand

LAKE TOMAHAWK - Camp American Legion in Lake Tomahawk will expand. The camp gives veterans and their families a place to relax. The American Legion leases the land from the Wisconsin DNR.

Since 1964 the DNR has leased about 75 acres to the legion. Now, it will lease almost 300.

"We're going to clear a path, you know, a nature trail so that veterans and their families will be able to enjoy the nature," says Wisconsin American Legion Adjutant David Kurtz.

Full story: WJFW

Walker, Feingold, Johnson react to health care decision

MADISON - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says a U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the federal health care overhaul means Republicans in Congress must "redouble their efforts to repeal and replace" the law.

Walker issued a statement Thursday through the committee he set up to explore a presidential bid. Walker is a longtime opponent of the law and has frequently called for it to be repealed.

Walker says the law has been a failure and that "we need real leadership in Washington, and Congress needs to repeal and replace" it.

Full story: WJFW

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders plans Madison rally next week

MADISON - Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is coming to Wisconsin to host a town hall meeting in Madison.

The Vermont senator announced on his website that he plans to host an hour-long meeting on Wednesday night. Sanders is mounting an underdog campaign against Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, is expected to officially launch his presidential campaign within days of Sanders' town hall event.

Full story: WJFW

TV actor Dustin Diamond gets 4 months jail for stabbing

PORT WASHINGTON, WI - A Wisconsin judge has sentenced TV actor Dustin Diamond to 4 months in jail for a barroom stabbing.

Judge Paul Malloy on Thursday ordered Diamond to report to jail Sunday. Diamond was convicted earlier this month on two misdemeanor counts that stemmed from a Christmas Day barroom fight.

Diamond is best known for his role as Screech on TV comedy ``Saved by the Bell.''

Full story: WJFW

Rockets select Wisconsin's Dekker with 18th pick in draft

HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets have selected Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker with the 18th overall pick in the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-9 Dekker averaged 12.1 points and 5 rebounds in a three-year career at Wisconsin where the team reached the NCAA Final Four twice, including the title game this season. He's a good outside shooter and made 142 3-pointers in his college career.

He averaged a career-high 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds this season and was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in helping the team to a school-record 36 wins.

Full story: WJFW

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