Local Rhinelander Headlines

Media groups wants records released in investigation of campaign

MADISON - Attorneys representing Wisconsin media groups say a judge should unseal all documents that don't reveal private information about the subjects of a secret investigation into Governor Scott Walker's recall election and others.

The groups filed a motion late Wednesday saying unsealing the documents would allow the public to oversee the actions of its judicial and executive branches of state government.

Full story: WJFW

7 years in prison for killing 2 in OWI crash

STEVENS POINT - A man convicted of driving drunk and killing two central Wisconsin women will go to prison for at least seven years.

Twenty-three-year-old Timothy Saavedra was convicted of driving while intoxicated at 90 mph or more when he crashed his truck last July in Portage County. Passengers Melissa Ann Peterson-Suzda and Stephanie Eberhardt, both 21, died in the crash. A third passenger was seriously injured.

Full story: WJFW

Newswatch 12 Exclusive: Inside the Susan Poupart cold case investigation

VILAS COUNTY - Susan Poupart, a mother with two young children, disappeared 24 years ago Wednesday. She was found murdered six months later. No one has ever been charged for her murder. In a Newswatch 12 exclusive, you'll learn new details about the case, see newly-released photos from the crime scene, and for the first time ever, visit the spot where Poupart's remains were found (click play video). Investigators believe someone knows how she ended up deep in a Northwoods forest. Full story: WJFW

Motel will need to find new place to install dock

MINOCQUA - Next year could be a tough one for the Aqua Aire Motel in Minocqua. This summer will be the last of privilege which has helped their business for years. That's because of lakefront property the town of Minocqua just bought. The motel doesn't have water access on Lake Minocqua. So every year they pay 800 dollars to put their dock across the street to help them attract boaters. Full story: WJFW

Poll shows Wisconsin governor's race a dead heat

MILWAUKEE - A new poll finds that the race between Republican Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic challenger Mary Burke is a statistical dead heat. The Marquette University law school released its poll Wednesday. It says 46 percent of registered voters would vote for Walker and an equal percent support Burke. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Full story: WJFW

Pet experts believe treats from China are safe

RHINELANDER - Some pet owners believe snacks made in China could kill their dogs. The Food and Drug Administration will investigate complaints about certain dog treats. Some pet owners and even pet companies believe one thousand dogs died from eating a certain jerky made in China. But pet experts believe there isn't a link between the snacks and the deaths. Full story: WJFW

Let's Go Fishing Chapter seeks summer volunteers

RHINELANDER - Many people in the Northwoods can tell you how great it is to be out on the water. But not everyone gets the chance to go on a boat ride or go fishing. Let's Go Fishing is an organization that helps people get out on the water. The Rhinelander chapter started last year. With their first full summer ahead, they could use extra help. They need people to volunteer for running the boat rides. Full story: WJFW

Law allowing treatment with marijuana byproduct renamed for girl who died

MADISON - A Wisconsin law that allows limited use of a marijuana byproduct to treat seizures has been renamed after the young girl who was the face of the proposal died this month. Governor Scott Walker issued a proclamation Wednesday renaming the measure Lydia's Law after 7-year-old Lydia Schaeffer, of Burlington. Full story: WJFW

Possible attempted kidnapping, Police want more information

WOODRUFF - The Woodruff Police Department wants to find a man they think tried to kidnap a child on Sunday. They know the man was driving a black, four door car, but they need more information. Investigators don't know what the man wanted from the child. They believe there's a chance this could've been a mistake. But they're not taking any chances. Full story: WJFW

Open wounds remain 24 years after Susan Poupart's murder

LAC DU FLAMBEAU - Tuesday marked the 24th anniversary of Susan Poupart's disappearance. The 29-year-old mother of two was last seen alive in Lac du Flambeau. Her murdered remains were later found in a dense cedar swamp. No one has ever been charged for her murder. Lac du Flambeau Tribal President Tom Maulson says there are still open wounds in the community and people still talk about the cold case on a daily basis. Full story: WJFW

Northwoods firefighters participate in simulation burn

RHINELANDER - Firefighters hope their practice today will help the next time they go out to deal with a fire. 50 firefighters from across the Northwoods participated in the controlled burn simulation in Rhinelander. Throughout the day different sections of the building were set on fire. Groups of firefighters then had to enter the building and control the fire. Full story: WJFW

Boat safety 101

NORTHWOODS - The DNR expects to see a lot of boats out this Memorial Day weekend. They want safety to be your first priority. We spoke to DNR conservation Warden James Jung who says you should always be prepared out on the water. That means planning for every type of situation. "Everybody dresses warm because it's not necessarily the warmest this time of year so just be prepared, wear a life jacket, go through your boat and make sure you have all the legal requirements and life jackets and fire extinguishers and all the safety equipment on board," says DNR Conservation Warden James Jung. Full story: WJFW

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