Local Rhinelander Headlines

Ribble: proposed long-eared bat rules misidentify forest as part of problem or solution

RHINELANDER - The northern long eared bat might end up on the endangered species list, and that could impact when loggers can harvest trees. The move would restrict cutting during a month long period in the summer.

Researchers think that could help the bat fight white nose syndrome. The disease forces bats to wake up during hibernation. That leads to starvation or dehydration.

Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI 8th District) believes the proposed rules don't identify the right problem.

Full story: WJFW

Couch to Deer Camp encourages hunters to get in shape

WOODRUFF - While hunters prepare their gear for the upcoming gun deer season, they also need to start getting in shape. A new online program is helping hunters prevent injuries.

"Many hunters are going into the season somewhat underprepared for the demands of the activity," said Dr. Jim Mullen, who practices sports medicine at the Marshfield Clinic in Woodruff.

Mullen will start seeing more patients once gun deer season gets underway.

Full story: WJFW

WI Rep. Ribble continues push for West Africa travel ban

RHINELANDER - A number of Wisconsin legislators, including Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI 8th District), want the federal government to ban traveling from West Africa.

Nearly 5,000 people have died from the Ebola virus in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Ribble wants the U.S. House of Representatives to schedule a special session to pass the travel ban, but he says he doesn't want to completely cut off the African nations.

Full story: WJFW

UW-Oshkosh officials urge caution after 5 assaults

OSHKOSH - Administrators at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh are urging students to travel in groups, be aware of their surroundings and walk in well-lighted areas at night after a 5th assault or robbery in the last month.

The latest attack happened Friday night when 2 male students were stabbed while struggling with a robber a couple blocks off campus. Police say the two students were seriously injured and were taken to a local hospital.

Full story: WJFW

Illinois governor says quarantine is in public interest

CHICAGO - Governors in states that are quarantining health care workers who've had contact with Ebola victims are defending those measures.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says those affected should be able to remain home where they'll be more comfortable, but that they'll be forced to stay there. He says, ``In the interest of the public and public health, it will be mandatory.'' Quinn says, ``We have to be on our toes.''

Full story: WJFW

Judge sentences woman to 25 years in kidnapping

MADISON - A federal judge has sentenced a Colorado woman who kidnapped her newborn nephew from a Wisconsin home and left him outside in freezing temperatures in Iowa to 25 years in prison.

Kristen Smith faced anywhere from 25 years to life. U.S. District Judge James Peterson gave her the minimum 25 years on Monday, saying she's a chronic liar but her mental health issues mitigated her sentence.

According to court documents and prosecutors, she took her half-sister's 4-day-old son, Kayden Powell, from a home in the Town of Beloit early on Feb. 5.

Full story: WJFW

Missing Land O' Lakes plane found near Eau Claire

LAND O' LAKES/ EAGLE RIVER - The FAA wants to know what caused a Land O' Lakes plane to crash. The plane went missing Friday afternoon. It was found Saturday evening near Eau Claire. The pilot, 73-year-old Richard Schweitzer, was found dead inside the single engine plane.

Eagle River Civil Air Patrol lieutenant Duke Stepp believes there could have been failure with the engine, but whatever the outcome might be, he believes Schweitzer was an excellent pilot.

Full story: WJFW

Walker, Burke differ on Medicaid expansion money

MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker proudly defends his decision to reject hundreds of millions of federal dollars to pay for expanding Medicaid coverage.

But polls show most Wisconsin residents believe he made the wrong choice and his Democratic gubernatorial opponent Mary Burke decries the move as irresponsible.

How Walker approached Medicaid offers a clear contrast with Burke, who said she would undo Walker's policies and take the money.

Full story: WJFW

Milwaukee police union to hold no-confidence vote

MILWAUKEE - The union representing Milwaukee police officers is holding a no-confidence vote over the police chief's firing of an officer involved in a fatal shooting.

The Milwaukee Police Association will hold the vote Thursday.

Union president Mike Crivello says Chief Edward Flynn's firing of Officer Christopher Manney broke morale among officers.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin fort trains 145,000 military personnel

MADISON - A western Wisconsin military training base taught more personnel in the year that ended Oct. 1.

Fort McCoy officials say 145,000 troops from all branches of the U.S. military trained at the base between Tomah and Sparta in federal fiscal year 2014. That's an increase of 20,000 people from last year.

Fort officials attributed the increase to more weekend and annual training sessions for reserve and National Guard members.

Full story: WJFW

Second year of pumpkin display in Rhinelander

RHINELANDER - Rhinelander continued a Halloween tradition a week before the special day.

You could see pumpkins lined up in front of Trigs Saturday night. This is the second year Downtown Rhinelander Inc. held the pumpkin sighting.

They didn't have as many pumpkins as they did last year, but people still had the chance to judge which pumpkin had the best carving.

Full story: WJFW

Teen building sugar shack to help school's science department, become Eagle Scout

THREE LAKES - A Northwoods teen will build a sugar shack for his high school's science department. Will Starke put up the framework for the shack Saturday.

Starke is a boy scout with troop 601 of Eagle River. He wants to build the shack for his Eagle Project.

Starke thinks the new sugar shack will help students process sap. The school teaches students about the process of making maple syrup.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin insurers signing up same-sex couples

MILWAUKEE - Several Wisconsin insurance companies are holding special sign-ups so same-sex couples can add spouses to their health plans.

The special enrollment period is needed because gays and lesbians who got married this summer were unable to add spouses to their coverage amid the uncertainty surrounding the legal status of their marriages.

People generally can make changes to a health plan during the year only after a ``life-changing'' event, such as a marriage, divorce, or birth or adoption of a child.

Full story: WJFW

A family remembers father's legacy, cycling changed his life

MINOCQUA - 55-year-old Robin Kuzel tragically died early Thursday morning after his bicycle and a truck collided along Highway 51 in Minocqua. The driver of the truck, 28-year-old Adam Lynch, is in jail. He could face multiple charges, but Kuzel's family is focusing on the kind of man he was.

"My dad was a good Christian man. He loved the Lord, he loved his family. A very hard worker. Spent most of his time working," said Robin Kuzel's son, Ken Kuzel.

That's the way Ken remembers his father. 55-year-old Robin Kuzel started biking about 10 years ago to lose weight.

Full story: WJFW

Kids with disabilities tour local businesses, practice networking skills

RHINELANDER - Kids with disabilities can sometimes have a difficult time finding a job.

Special education teachers at Rhinelander High School want to change that. They set up the "Amazing Race To Employment" for their students.

Students with disabilities went to different local businesses today. The race gave them a chance to ask managers questions about working at the business.

Full story: WJFW

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