Local Rhinelander Headlines

VILAS COUNTY - It can be difficult to get people involved in county government. Vilas County Board chairman Steve Favorite wanted to get more people interested in running for the board there. Board members decided just this year to schedule some of their meetings in the evenings. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - The city of Rhinelander could get a grant to help the downtown area. The USDA grant would help repair the sewer system downtown. Full story: WJFW

NORTHWOODS - Heating bills cost a lot, and there a lot of people behind on their payments. Wisconsin Public Service will start disconnecting service from customers behind on their payments starting April 15th. According to WPS nearly 26,000 customers are 4 months or more behind on payments. The number of people behind on payments is slightly higher than last year. Full story: WJFW

STEVENS POINT - A man committed to a mental health institute after his grandfather was fatally stabbed with a scissors in Stevens Point is petitioning a judge for his release. Full story: WJFW

MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker has quietly signed into law a bill that limits in-person absentee voting to no later than 7 p.m. during the week and no weekend hours. Walker vetoed a portion of the bill Thursday that limited the hours of early voting to no more than 45 in each of the two weeks prior to an election. Full story: WJFW

FORT MCCOY - About 160 members of the Wisconsin National Guard are getting ready to leave for a deployment in Afghanistan. Members of the 829th Engineer Company will be sent off with a ceremony Friday morning at Fort McCoy. Full story: WJFW

ACROSS WISCONSIN - Unemployment in Wisconsin dipped slightly in February to 6.1 percent. The state Department of Workforce Development released the latest figures Thursday. They show the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February dropped from 6.2 percent the month before to 6.1 percent. Full story: WJFW

PHILLIPS - Northwoods communities want more people to visit the area. But they're also working on attracting more people to live here. Many counties in Northern Wisconsin need to make changes to keep people in the area. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Most of you know that there are few health benefits in soda. That's why some cities have taxed or restricted the size of soft drinks. A new UW-Madison study says that might not lead to weight loss. Full story: WJFW

MERRILL - Merrill business owner Sandy Gipple could not believe it when she found out the salon she owned was now in a condemned building. Gipple has been cutting hair for 32 years. She hoped she could retire in her current salon, but that's not the case anymore. Full story: WJFW

ONEIDA COUNTY - The Oneida County Public Health Department worked hard over the past year. They wanted to improve their standing against other counties in Wisconsin. Counties across the state were ranked on the annual University of Wisconsin Population Health rankings. Full story: WJFW

EAGLE RIVER - The senior nutrition program in Vilas County helps feed seniors who can't cook for themselves or who need to spend time around their peers. But most of the meals are prepared for home delivery. For the seniors who can't get out, the Meals on Wheels program is a huge help. Full story: WJFW

WAUSAU - Stray cats in Wausau needed a place to go. Now the city of Wausau has reached a deal with its local Humane Society that will allow police to resume picking up stray cats. Full story: WJFW

MADISON - People thinking they hit it big with a Powerball prize may instead find out someone scammed them. If someone calls and says you're eligible for unclaimed Powerball prizes, Wisconsin officials warn that's most likely a scam. Full story: WJFW