Local Rhinelander Headlines

Business invests in locally grown peonies

MERRILL - You may see more locally grown peonies thanks to two Merrill florists. Ovans Peony Farm is one of the few businesses in the state to sell local cut-peonies. Wisconsin's weather gives them an advantage over growers across the country this time of the year.

"The southern state are blooming on Memorial Day or earlier," said Peony Farm Owner Michelle Ovans. "So it's very advantageous for me to be growing these, because nobody's in bloom at the same time, so I don't really have any competition."

The Ovans began their business in 2009 and have sold cut peonies since 2012. It usually takes about four years to grow the plants so flowers can be cut and sold. A warmer Spring played a big role in the early growth this year.

Full story: WJFW

New proposal could weaken restrictions on some Wisconsin lakes

NORTHWOODS - The proposed state budget could take some power away from Wisconsin counties. It would give the state control over shoreline zoning. Some people in the Northwoods don't think that's a good idea.

As of right now, many counties in Wisconsin make their own shoreline zoning laws. This means that they can set limits on how close people can build to the shoreline, as well as what they do with vegetation on their property. Many times, those rules are more restrictive than state rules.

But the proposed state budget would make the looser state rules the only rules allowed.

Full story: WJFW

Northwoods Heritage Fest to be held at new location

THREE LAKES - Thousands of people celebrate their heritage each year in Three Lakes. The tradition continues this Sunday with various foreign cuisines, beers, and live entertainment that celebrate Italian, Polish, German, and American heritage.

"We're going to be serving food from all four of those countries. We're also going to have domestic and foreign beer from those countries. And we're also going to have live entertainment all day long," said Three Lakes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Skip Brunswick.

The live entertainment includes a performance from an Irish step dancing group, and some local bands.

Full story: WJFW

Boating safety course required for people born during or after 1989

RHINELANDER - Tourists and locals alike look forward to getting out on the water during the summer.

However, many boaters don't realize they're required to take a boating safety course if they were born on or after a certain date.

Years ago, the state legislature passed a law requiring people born on or after January 1, 1989 to take a DNR-certified boater safety course.

Full story: WJFW

New name means improvement for Aspirus Langlade Hospital

ANTIGO - In Antigo, a small name change holds a larger meaning. As of nine days ago, the city's hospital is officially Aspirus Langlade Hospital.

The hospital has been affiliated with the Aspirus system since 2008. But the name change puts a greater emphasis on that bond.

"It's a reminder to the community that we remain a Catholic hospital, we'll continue to be a Catholic hospital, but we're also part of the Aspirus system," said Aspirus Langlade Hospital Executive Director Dave Schneider.

Full story: WJFW

School's out; northern Wisconsin libraries fill with children, teens

ANTIGO - Parents in the Northwoods may find themselves in a challenging spot this time of year. Now that school's out, they need to keep kids occupied for the summer.

Libraries often see a flood of children and teenagers as soon as school lets out. That's true in Antigo. The library has seen a big increase in usage since the end of school last week.

"Communities need some place for kids to go to in the summertime," Antigo Public Library Director Cynthia Taylor. "There are a lot more working parents, a lot of kids that, if they don't have someplace to go, they're sitting at home."

Full story: WJFW

UW Madison students research in Northwoods for forest productivity study

PRICE COUNTY - Students from the University of Wisconsin Madison are spending the summer using the Northwoods to work on a study and become better scientists.

"This is a great place to study because we have a lot of great research partners up her," Associate Professor of Atmosphere and Oceanic Sciences Ankur Desai said. "The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has always been very supportive of research."

Desai brought his class to Price County earlier this week. The class uses towers to measure greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide and methane. It's a part of 20 year study on how the forest productivity changes. Productivity is the ability for the forest to absorb carbon dioxide.

Full story: WJFW

Case of Weston armed robbery moves forward

MARATHON COUNTY - Prosecutors believe 20-year-old Thomas McKay held up a Weston business late last month. Wednesday, a Marathon County judge ruled that there is probable cause to move forward with the case.

McKay faces a felony for armed robbery with threat of force.

A man believed to be McKay held up an employee at the Sugar Shack in Weston on May 31. The man wore a mask and was armed with a knife and gun.

Full story: WJFW

Students can get state grant money to cover some costs of CNA course at Nicolet College

RHINELANDER - Northwoods students who want to go to school for nursing can now get grant money to cover some class costs.

A state grant will help students at Nicolet College in Rhinelander to become certified nursing assistants, or CNAs.

Students will still need to pay their tuition, but the grant would cover most additional costs for the CNA training.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin lifts its last 5 bird flu control zones

MADISON - Wisconsin authorities have now lifted the control zones around all farms in the state that had been struck by the Midwest bird flu outbreak.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said Wednesday that the affected farms all remain under quarantine until further notice.

But it says quarantines on other poultry operations in those last five control zones, which were all in Barron County, are now released.

Full story: WJFW

Defendant in 2008 homicide reaches plea deal

MARINETTE - A man accused of running over another man with his car and dumping his dead body in a Marinette County stream has been convicted after reaching a plea deal.

Erik Smith was charged with reckless homicide and three other felonies in the 2008 death of Eric Volp.

Smith was accused of running over Volp with his car multiple times after an argument, then dumping his body in a trout stream.

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

Local group lines up off-road wheelchair for veteran who lost leg during rocket attack

RHINELANDER - A Mosinee veteran will get to hunt again thanks to some local help in Rhinelander Tuesday night.

Dale Cherney lost his leg after a rocket blast in 2007 in Iraq. Cherney spent time outside of military bases during his first two tours in Iraq. He was financial officer. He didn't leave base on his third tour, but that didn't matter.

"Generally, you don't assume that they're going to drop five rockets on a chow hall," Cherney said.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin Senate approves 20-week abortion ban bill

MADISON - The Wisconsin state Senate has advanced a fast-tracked bill that would ban non-emergency abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The Republican-controlled Senate passed the measure Tuesday night on a 19-14 vote on party lines. Republicans voted in favor while Democrats voted against. Senators debated for three hours prior to taking a vote.

The bill's supporters say a 20-week-old fetus can feel pain and shouldn't be subject to abortion procedures. Opponents contend that a fetus can't experience pain until after the third trimester begins at 27 weeks.

Full story: WJFW

Prescribed burns improve habitat for threatened species in Northwoods

PRICE COUNTY - Fire crews in bright yellow jackets, wearing hard hats and sunglasses, creep across wetlands. With driptorches in hand, they light strips of dry vegetation on fire.

This work, this prescribed burn, is mostly for the benefit for one species of bird. Fire helps clear the landscape for the sharp-tailed grouse.

"(It) is a threatened species in the state of Wisconsin," says Ann Dassow, the Wildlife Program Manager for the Medford-Park Falls Ranger District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. "It's on the decline, the populations are on the decline, and the habitat they prefer is very open habitat. Not a lot of trees. They see those as walls, and they won't go through them, or over them. They'll stop."

Full story: WJFW

Man suspected in kidnapping found dead near Eau Claire

TOWN OF SEYMOUR - Authorities have found the body of a 24-year-old man accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint in southeastern Wisconsin.

Eau Claire County Sheriff Ron Cramer says Mitchell Owens killed himself. A rifle was found next to Owens' body.

Owens' body was found Tuesday afternoon. Residents are being allowed to return to their homes.

Full story: WJFW

Northwoods gay marriage show local impact of Supreme Court doing

RHINELANDER - Gay couples in Wisconsin can now legally get married, but they didn't always have that right.

Just a few months ago, Wisconsin had a ban on same-sex marriage. Then, a series of conflicting court rulings left people confused whether gay marriages were legal.

That confusion went away after the US Supreme Court chose to not hear Wisconsin's appeal to keep the ban.

Full story: WJFW

Plover man gets at least 20 years in prison for killing man with baseball bat

STEVENS POINT - A 33-year-old Plover man could spend the rest of his life in prison for killing his stepfather with a baseball bat in May 2014.

A jury found Andrew Pray guilty of first degree intentional homicide in March. He was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday in Portage County court, but he could be eligible for extended supervision in 20 years.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim's wife said Pray hit the 77-year-old man three to four times with the bat in May 2014.

Full story: WJFW

Former Tomahawk volunteer track coach pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges

MERRILL - Prosecutors believe a former Tomahawk High School volunteer track coach had sex with a 16-year-old three times. 24-year-old Colton Chase is charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child.

He pleaded not guilty during his preliminary hearing Tuesday morning. A judge found enough evidence to move forward with the case.

According to the criminal complaint, Chase met with a girl three times to have sex while Chase was a track coach in Tomahawk.

Full story: WJFW

UPDATE: Man suspected in kidnapping located near Eau Claire

TOWN OF SEYMOUR - UPDATE: 6/9/15 2:45PM

Authorities have located the 24-year-old man accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint in southeastern Wisconsin.

The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office said in a Tweet Tuesday that the suspect has been located "and the area is secure and safe." The post says residents are being allowed to return to their homes.

The manhunt for the suspect was in its second day near Eau Claire. Officers from northwestern Polk County are among those who are helping with the investigation.

Full story: WJFW

Authorities: Body of missing man found in Menominee River

KINGSFORD, MI - Authorities say a body found in the Menominee River along the border between Michigan and Wisconsin is that of a man missing since last week.

WLUC-TV and The Daily News of Iron Mountain report the body was discovered Monday.

The Kingsford Public Safety Department says Tuesday that an autopsy is planned on the body of 32-year-old Brian Michael Bush to determine cause of death.

Full story: WJFW

Ex-speaker pleads not guilty

CHICAGO - A federal judge has set the conditions for Dennis Hastert's pretrial release after he pleaded not guilty in a hush-money case.

During Hastert's first court appearance in the case, U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin said he must not violate any laws, cooperate in collection of DNA if authorized by court and advise officials before changing his name or phone number.

Hastert's defense attorney says the former House speaker has already surrendered his passport.

Full story: WJFW

Officials searching for abductor near Eau Claire

MUKWONAGO - Authorities in Eau Claire County are searching for a man suspected of abducting a woman at a Wal-Mart in southeastern Wisconsin.

Sheriff's officials say the man is armed with a rifle or shotgun and fled on foot in the Town of Seymour following a high-speed car chase earlier Monday.

Authorities say the suspect abducted a female employee of the Mukwonago Wal-Mart. Her co-workers called police about 5 a.m. when she failed to return from a break. Store surveillance video showed the suspect's car approach the woman and the driver force her inside.

Full story: WJFW

Deadly shooting near UW-Green Bay investigated

Police are investigating a fatal shooting near the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus.

A university officer on routine patrol discovered the body of a woman with multiple gunshot wounds in Communiversity Park about 2:30 a.m. Monday. Public safety officers say the woman was not a student at the university. WLUK-TV (http://bit.ly/1HWlRuU ) says the case was turned over to Green Bay police.

Authorities say a firearm has not been recovered and there have been no arrests.

Full story: WJFW

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