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RHINELANDER - Hundreds of unique cars will line the streets of downtown Rhinelander soon. It's all for the Second Saturday in June car show.
The show's organizers say the event has grown every year. This year, they've added more trophy classes. That means people can compete in more unique categories.
Organizers expect a lot of people to come and look at the cars.
MINOCQUA - Northwoods Wildlife Center will see a lot of orphaned wildlife this spring. This is the birthing season.
The center could use your help preparing for the babies.
"It's springtime so all of our baby animals come in cycles. We usually start off with a bunch of cottontails. Then, we get a lot of squirrel species. Then, of course, raccoons, and fawns as well," said Advanced Wildlife Rehabilitator Amanda Walsh.
MADISON - Researchers hope to improve panfish populations by limiting the harvest.
Now, the project has a green light on close to 100 lakes.
The state natural resources board approved going ahead with changes in bag limits yesterday.
MERRILL - A Rhinelander man went to the hospital after his motorcycle hit a deer near Merrill.
Lincoln County deputies tell us a call came in just before nine Wednesday night.
The caller did not have an exact location, but believed they were on State Highway 107.
WAUSAU - The future was the focus of a public forum at the UW-Extension building in Wausau on Wednesday night.
Community members gathered with workers to discuss what the group needs to do to evolve and cater to the next generation of Wisconsinites. They also needed to figure out how the group would move forward with possible budget cuts looming. Less funding for UW-Extension might end up hurting rural areas the most here in Wisconsin.
UW-Extension workers had formed three options going into the meeting, which is one of many around the state. Option one included growing visibility and reach by using online and digital technologies.
RHINELANDER - Students at Rhinelander High School hoped they would be driving home in a new car Wednesday afternoon. The prize was part of the school's year-end celebration. The car was the top prize connected to the school's Positive Behavior Initiatives and Supports initiative.
This is the third year that the school district has been involved with the initiative. Throughout the year students who display good behaviors such as being on time and assisting others in the classroom can receive special green cards.
These cards are collected and are put into drawings where students can win prizes such as free pizzas from Dominos. The drawings are a weekly event but the green cards are also held over the year for an end of the year grand prize drawing.
MERRILL - A one-of-a kind business opened in Merrill this month. Again and Again is part resale and part online auction, using its own website. The owner moved the business from Wausau after three years partly due to competition.
"In Wausau, I would say yes, the market was already full," said Again and Again Owner Jody Malsack. "You were competing against people that were friends of yours and you knew, and you don't want to step on too many toes. So here (Merrill) it's kind of unique to this area, and I like it that way."
This is the only local business in Merrill to have its own website for online auctions. Items for bid online can also be viewed in person. Owner Jody Malsack decided on Merrill for her business for a special reason.
MONTREAL, WI - Three-year-old Kolton Ouellette spends his days in a crib, a chair, or a piece of equipment that looks like it belongs in a hospital.
Kolton is not like most three-year-olds. He can't walk, he can't talk, and in fact, he can't even open his eyes fully.
Nineteen months have passed since the crime that put Kolton in this state, suffering from severe and permanent brain damage.
RHINELANDER - The rainy weather could be hurting some golf courses in the Northwoods. The Northwood Golf Club in Rhinelander has had fewer golfers than normal this month.
The club usually has many people pre-book their tee-times for the summer. But this year, not as many people are doing that. The club says it actually had more golfers playing in April than in May this year.
"This year we had an early arrival," says the club's gold pro Dan Buckley. "The weather was terrific and we got going early and players were out. We had a very, very good April. Mild temperatures [and] minimal rain."
WISCONSIN - You might save some money if you decide to go hiking or fishing next weekend. Free Fun Weekend happens statewide on June 6th and 7th. The DNR lets people fish without a license on state waters both days and state parks also waive entrance fees.
"We seem to have a lot more users that want to come in and see what the park is about, take a trip on one of the trails," said Council Ground State Park Superintendent Dawn Bishop. "We do see an increase in use for that weekend."
Tackle loan programs will be held at some DNR offices and state parks. Hiking and biking on state trails will also be free both days. State land managers use these days to encourage people to explore the land.
EAGLE RIVER - People usually go to the Eagle River Derby Track to take in snowmobile races.
This summer, you'll be able to watch more than that on the same track.
It'll play host to the first annual UTV & ATV World Championship Derby.
SHAWANO - A minivan hit and killed a construction worker in Shawano County Tuesday.
30-year-old Derek Stempa of Shawano had been flagging traffic.
68-year-old Dennis St. John of Hurley was driving the minivan when he struck Stempa.
RHINELANDER - State lawmakers will make a decision on whether blaze pink hunting clothing is as good as blaze orange apparel.
On Tuesday, members of the Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus introduced a bill that would allow hunters to wear blaze pink.
If it passes, the bill would likely make Wisconsin the first state in the nation to allow blaze pink.
MADISON - Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says efforts to take up prevailing wage repeal could hinder attempts to reform the program.
A Wisconsin state Assembly Labor Committee has scheduled a public hearing and vote Wednesday on a bill to repeal the prevailing wage.
Vos says there isn't enough support in the Republican-controlled Legislature for a full repeal of the law that that requires construction workers on certain government projects be paid wages equivalent to what they would earn working on other projects in the area.
MADISON - The state lawmaker who authored a measure that would allow private, home-schooled and online charter students to participate in public school district athletics and activities says he drafted the proposal to give children more options.
Rep. Bob Kulp, a Stratford Republican, said Tuesday that his children and other home-schooled children in the state wanted to play on public school sports teams. Kulp says state residents pay taxes that benefit public schools and students in other schools should benefit from their athletic programs and activities.
Opponents say the measure inserted into the state budget would create additional regulation for home-schooled students and would drain dollars from public school districts.
WAUKESHA - Defense experts say one of two Wisconsin girls charged as adults with trying to kill a friend to please a fictional horror character has a very low risk of future criminal behavior and a high likelihood of success in treatment.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (http://bit.ly/1RlXXQD ) the testimony came Tuesday at the start of a two-day hearing in which the 13-year-old's attorneys are trying to show she should be transferred to juvenile court for plotting with a 12-year-old to kill Payton Leutner. The 12-year-old Leutner survived 19 stab wounds last May at a Waukesha park.
RHINELANDER - Prosecutors hope evidence from a garbage bag will help convict a 48-year-old Rhinelander woman of trying to make meth. Andrea Healy was bound over for trial after a preliminary hearing in Rhinelander on Tuesday.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators found a meth making manual titled "Methamphetamine Shake and Bake Guide" inside the garbage bag in late March. They also found prescription drugs for Healy and 49-year-old Richard Nitschke.
Healy faces charges for allegedly having meth and trying to make the drug. Healy had already been arrested in January for similar charges. Her defense lawyer, Richard Shawl, argued in court Tuesday that the garbage bag doesn't tie her to meth charges.
MINOCQUA - Lakeland Union High School will undergo a major renovation project this summer.
The school's auditorium will be completely updated starting in June. Many organizations that use the auditorium had input on what they would like to see improved.
"The community was involved, and all the different groups were involved in developing a 'wish list' I guess for what we'd like to have in the project," said LUHS Building and Grounds Supervisor David Arnold. "And then we paired that all down to what we could afford and what would best suit, I guess get the most 'bang for our buck' on the project and still have a really nice, wonderful facility."
ONEIDA COUNTY - Cranberry growers in the Northwoods hope this season will be better than last year's.
The later spring and cool summer we saw last year didn't help cranberry crops.
Growers at Lake Nokomis Cranberries in northern Oneida County think this season will be better.
"Well we're hoping for a better season than last year. Most of the state was down last year, very cool summer," says Lake Nokomis Cranberries manager Michael O'Brien. "We're hoping we get some heat units this year and I think the potential is there for a pretty good crop. The budding looks good, and things look to have come through the winter pretty well."
MADISON - Many visitors to Wisconsin want to learn more about the native people who live here.
The head of tourism for Wisconsin's 11 American Indian tribes is trying to develop a series of TV shows.
They will highlight the reservations as attractive places to visit.
EDGAR - Marathon County authorities say a woman has died from drowning in a pool in Edgar in central Wisconsin.
Lt. Tim Burkholder of the Marathon County Sheriff's Department says it happened sometime after midnight Monday.
While the investigation is ongoing, he says the drowning appears to be accidental.
HAZELHURST - A two-car crash made the slow stream of traffic heading south on Monday even slower. Two SUVs were heading south on Highway 51 when they hit each other near Hazelhurst at about 1:30 this afternoon. That caused damage to both cars.
"One person apparently came over the hill and hit a car that was slowed in the road. It appears to be minor injuries," said Hazelhurst Fire Chief Pat Winger.
The driver of one car was taken to Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff. The crash forced emergency responders to put in even tighter traffic controls in the area.
MINOCQUA - Many golf courses in the Northwoods need to work hard to make a profit each year. Cold northern springs and falls mean a shorter playing season than other parts of the state. Many increase their rates near the peak of tourism season.
One Northwoods course went the other direction during the last week of April and tried something new. Timber Ridge Golf Club in Minocqua offered something unheard of - completely free golf for everyone.
"We all just kind of thought, what a nice idea, to just say thank you to all of our customers. (We thought,) come on out for a free week of golf," said Timber Ridge PGA Professional Jerry Collins.
MERRILL - Hundreds of people gathered in Merrill on Monday to honor the lives of the service men and women lost over the years.
"From the Second World War, there were over 400,000 men and women who lost their lives, and it took a tremendous toll on our young people," said World War II veteran Richard Bjorklund.
The ceremony featured a guest speaker and acknowledged those still alive who served. People young and old remembered friends and family who are no longer here.
ST. GERMAIN - A popular Northwoods tradition kicked off its 40th season today. The St. Germain Flea Market draws thousands of bargain hunters each week during the summer.
The market attracts nearly 400 vendors every week. Vendors showcase everything from homemade crafts and artwork to plants and homemade treats.
"You can find just about anything," said Flea Market Coordinator Randy Goodrum. "You can find things that you don't expect that you would ever find at a flea market. Anything from used antiques, new items, we've got homemade ice cream. You just never know what you're going to find out here."
ONEIDA COUNTY - Last Thursday, 15 members of the Oneida County community graduated from Leadership Oneida County. The nine-month program aims to give participants a better understanding of the county's resources and to improve participation in organizations throughout the county.
"You just don't know what can happen when people get into the same room and start talking," said Demmer Memorial Library Executive Director Erica Brewster.
That talking led Brewster to a new job and greater involvement in the Oneida County community. She was a member of the first Leadership Oneida County class.
RHINELANDER - A Northwoods veterans group wants people to remember those who died serving our country.
The Oneida County Veterans Council held a Memorial Day ceremony in Rhinelander on Monday.
The Rhinelander High School band and choir performed at the ceremony.
EDGAR - Marathon County authorities say a woman has died from drowning in a pool in Edgar in central Wisconsin.
Lt. Tim Burkholder of the Marathon County Sheriff's Department says it happened sometime after midnight Monday.
While the investigation is ongoing, he says the drowning appears to be accidental.
WISCONSIN - The Wisconsin DNR wants to know if it has the right plans for beavers in the state. The final public feedback period is open for the new beaver management plan.
The document will guide decisions on beavers through 2025. The final draft touches on topics like population, habitat, and damage management. The current draft recommends keeping beaver populations mostly stable in the state.
Public input for the final beaver management plan is open through June 22. The DNR will also host a public meeting on June 16 from 6-8 p.m. at the DNR Service Center in Rhinelander to take comments.
RHINELANDER - A local outdoor sports club hopes the second annual RASTA (Rhinelander Area Silent Trails Association) Rally at Washburn Lake will be even more successful than the first. This Sunday's mountain bike races are some of the earliest in the year in the Northwoods.
Bikers will race on the trails at Washburn Lake west of Rhinelander. Multiple races target different experience levels of mountain bikers, from beginner to expert.
