Local Rhinelander Headlines

Budget motion would wipe out bans on hunting within city limits

WISCONSIN - Wisconsin cities wouldn't be allowed to ban certain types of hunting within city limits under a motion now part of the state budget.

Right now, cities and other municipalities have the option to prohibit or restrict hunting with a bow and arrow or crossbow. But a motion added to the state's biennial budget in late May would take away that control from cities. All cities in Wisconsin would have to allow hunting during the DNR-regulated archery season.

"What you end up (with) is trying to strike that balance because we also have the right to hunt in the state of Wisconsin, also, so you have that local control aspect, but you also have the right to hunt," said Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst). Tiffany and Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) introduced the omnibus budget motion on natural resources. It was approved by the Joint Finance Committee on a party-line vote.

Full story: WJFW

The Hammock Hut owner takes passion for hammocks to new level

ST. GERMAIN - Last summer, we introduced you to Hammock Shop owner Shawn Fedema. He hand makes about 1,000 hammocks per year at his shop in St. Germain. People take them on their travels all over the world. He's made some big changes recently – one very personal – that takes his passion for hammocks to a new level.

"Hammocks make people happy and that makes me happy," he said.

So twelve years ago, Shawn Fedema decided to do what makes him happy, and that was making hammocks that make others, well, happy. He opened the Hammock Shop in White Lake, but last year, he moved his business to St. Germain.

Full story: WJFW

Merrill man pleads not guilty to charge of attacking police officers

LINCOLN COUNTY - A Merrill man faces multiple charges for attacking two police officers last weekend.

Twenty-seven-year-old Kristopher Wilmot is charged with battery of a police officer, resisting an officer, and bail jumping.

Wilmot pled not guilty in Lincoln County Court Friday, choosing not to fight the judge's finding that there is enough evidence to move the case forward.

Full story: WJFW

State veterinarian issues guidelines for bird exhibits at fairs following avian flu cases

MADISON - The state veterinarian has issued some new guidelines for showing birds at a fair in Wisconsin this summer.

Wisconsin hasn't reported a new case of avian influenza since May 4. But state veterinarian Paul McGraw says new cases of the bird flu are still popping up in neighboring states.

The new guidelines ban birds from moving to or participating in any swap meets or shows in the state that are not held as part of a county, district or state fair. The second guideline requires fair organizers to have exhibitor's certify that there haven't been any bird deaths on their farms for at least ten days prior to the fair or show.

Full story: WJFW

Iowa Republicans ending straw poll, a tradition born in 1979

DES MOINES, IA - Republican leaders in Iowa have agreed to end the state's straw poll because of waning interest from presidential hopefuls and questions about the contest's relevancy.

Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kauffman says state party officials voted during a Friday morning conference call to end the straw poll, which has been held every summer before a contested presidential caucus since 1979.

For years, the poll has been considered an early but unreliable test of a campaigns' strength.

Full story: WJFW

Scott Walker: GOP senators have yet to accomplish anything

PARK CITY, UT - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says the Republican senators in the 2016 presidential contest may be "fighters," but they haven't accomplished anything in Washington.

The 47-year-old Republican governor draws a sharp contrast between the GOP's Washington-based presidential contenders and governors, such as himself, from outside the Beltway. Walker spoke in Utah, where 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney is hosting a private gathering with 2016 contenders and donors.

Walker encourages his Republican presidential rivals to have a civilized debate. He also calls himself "a winner'' and says Republican senators "have yet to win anything and accomplish anything.''

Full story: WJFW

Rodeo coming to Merrill for 26th straight year

MERRILL - Usually, you see rodeos in the southern part of the country.

This weekend, you'll get to see one in Merrill when the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo comes to the Lincoln County Fair Grounds.

"This weekend is our 26th year of having a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo," says President of Lincoln County Rodeo Association Bryan Bloch. "We're sanctioned by the PRCA and the WPRA, the Women's Professional Rodeo Association."

Full story: WJFW

UPDATE: 11-year-old facing non-life threatening injuries after shot in the face

TOWNSHIP OF REID - An 11-year-old boy is in the hospital with non-life threatening wounds after getting shot in the face Wednesday afternoon in eastern Marathon County.

The shooting happened around noon in the Township of Reid. The child was flown to St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield where he remains in stable condition.

The 11 year old male was shot with a .22 caliber revolver, and the shooter was a 15 year old male, according to the Marathon County Sheriff's Department. The victim and shooter are related.

Full story: WJFW

Logger goes from the Discovery Channel to the Northwoods

ST. GERMAIN - If you watched the Discovery Channel Wednesday night, you would have seen a show called Siberian Cut.

It starred a logger named Zach Sheets, who shortly after the show, moved to the Northwoods.
That meant he would be in logging country and close to the American headquarters of Ponsse.

22 at the time Sheets moved from Oregon to Montana for a month to log before he had an important conversation in a bar.

Full story: WJFW

Northwoods law enforcement hold active shooter training at Lakeland Union High School

MINOCQUA - Northwoods police want to be prepared for the worst.

That's why they held a training Thursday on how to deal with an active shooter at Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua.

The Oneida County Sheriff's Office does an active shooter training every year at different schools.

Full story: WJFW

Tomahawk woman facing federal charges for wire fraud & money laundering

TOMAHAWK - A 63-year-old Tomahawk woman faces 21 federal charges for wire fraud and money laundering, according to the United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

Prosecutors believe Pamela Hass stole $460,831.27 intended for investments.

Federal attorneys say Hass stole from investors by promising returns from an investment in internet pop-up ads. According to the indictment, Hass falsely told investors they would obtain a return of anywhere from 5 to 20 times their original investment, and that if the investment failed, she would personally guarantee the return of the original investment plus 7% interest.

Full story: WJFW

No antlerless deer hunting for archers in the UP

MONROE, MI - Michigan wildlife policymakers have approved restrictions to antlerless deer hunting during bow season in the Upper Peninsula as the whitetail deer population has plummeted.

The Natural Resources Commission voted Thursday at a meeting in Monroe, MI to eliminate antlerless deer hunting for archers.

The action wouldn't affect firearm season, which covers most hunters.

Full story: WJFW

Large-scale marijuana operation busted thanks to Oneida County tip

OSHKOSH - Authorities say it was a confidential informant that helped deputies make a large-scale marijuana bust in Winnebago County.

Sheriff's officials seized nearly 500 plants and more than 40 pounds of marijuana worth as much as $1.5 million this week from a house in the Town of Vinland.

The 64-year-old homeowner with no prior criminal record has been charged with distributing marijuana.

Full story: WJFW

11-year-old injured after shooting in Marathon County

NEAR HATLEY - An 11-year-old boy will need medical attention after a shooting in Marathon County Wednesday, according to the Marathon County Sheriff's Department.

The Marathon County Sheriff's Department says a 15-year-old boy and the 11-year-old were involved in a shooting east of Wausau near Hatley. The 11-year-old was taken to a local hospital.

Full story: WJFW

Girl accused of stabbing classmate for horror character to get Internet access

WAUKESHA - One of the girls charged with trying to kill a friend to please a fictitious horror character will be given limited Internet access.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (http://bit.ly/1f3URTk) that a judge will allow the 13-year-old girl to have supervised access to educational programming recommended by teachers at the West Bend juvenile facility where she's being held.

The girl and her 12-year-old friend are accused of stabbing classmate Payton Leutner 19 times in May 2014 to gain favor with Slender Man, a character they believed could kill them. Leutner survived and is now 13.

Full story: WJFW

Czaja: Provision on teaching licenses will be re-drafted

MADISON - The author of a state budget provision that would allow people who lack bachelor's degrees to teach without any specialized training says she will re-draft the proposal.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported Wednesday (http://bit.ly/1FSRaWo ) that Sen. Mary Czaja said she would re-write the measure to require teachers in non-core subjects to possess at least a high school diploma and limit them to working part-time.

The Irma Republican also plans to tweak the language teachers who work in core subjects such as math and English with a degree but who lack training also would be limited to working part-time.

Full story: WJFW

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