Local Rhinelander Headlines

WAUSAU - Some people in Wausau will need to use an alternate route to get to work Monday. That's when construction begins on County K (Business 51). The eastbound and westbound lanes of County K under the US 51 bridges will be closed. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - People love the Northwoods for its undisturbed natural beauty. The Northwoods chapter of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association works to keep it that way. The group recently restored wild rice beds in the Northwoods. Full story: WJFW

LAND O' LAKES - We hear about budget cuts that force schools to get rid of art programs. A local arts organization wants to highlight the importance of arts education. Land O' Lakes Area Artisans (LOLA) is a non-profit arts organization offering art classes and cultural programming to adults and kids. Full story: WJFW

MADISON - State Sen. Fred Risser has been fighting against cigarettes for more than 50 years, but says he's concerned the state is now taking a step backward. A Capital Times report (http://bit.ly/1ibt5kV ) says the Madison Democrat introduced a bill in 1963 that would have barred children under 16 from buying cigarettes. Since then he's helped get smoking banned in the state Capitol and in indoor public places. Full story: WJFW

MADISON - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources records show agency employees watched videos of girls on a state computer, misused a state boat, physically attacked a co-worker and made inappropriate comments to other employees. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - About 1 out of 8 of our neighbors struggle to afford food. Saturday, people used their creativity to help eliminate hunger in our community. 7 teams competed in the 4th annual CANtastic event. Full story: WJFW

TOMAHAWK - We don't see many people fly fishing in the Northwoods. But fly fishing experts want that to change. They believe people don't want to give fly fishing a chance because it's very different than what they're used to. Full story: WJFW

SHEBOYGAN - Public officials in Wisconsin can be fined hundreds of dollars for violating Wisconsin's open government laws. But court records show only seven citations have been imposed in the past five years for open meetings violations, and none for public records cases. Full story: WJFW

ANTIGO - 4-H programs help kids gain leadership skills. Langlade County welcomed a new 4-H leader in February. Krista Otto is the new 4-H youth development educator. Full story: WJFW

WAUSAU - The Northcentral Wisconsin babysitter caught beating a child on camera learned will spend 20 months in prison. She heard her sentencing in Marathon Count court today. Prosecutors told the court Jennifer Cronin, 20 of Rothschild, repeatedly hit a four-month-old baby in the head and face while the infant was in a swing. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - "When you think about our organization, it's about people." Chief Deputy John Sweeney's career in law enforcement spans nearly three decades. From detective sergeant to second-in-command, he's been part of the Oneida County Sheriff's Office since 1985. Full story: WJFW

MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker has signed into law a bill that allows seventh and eighth grade students to get high school credits. Wisconsin law only allowed students in grades nine through 12 to obtain high school credits. Full story: WJFW

PARK FALLS - Movie theatres in the Northwoods need to keep up with the times, but doing so could cost them a lot of money. The movie theatre in Park Falls needs to upgrade their 35 millimeter film projector to a digital projection system. That's because movies will no longer be released on film in the future. It’s a big change for owner and operator Jim Billek. Full story: WJFW

WAUSAU - For the aging population, changes in eyesight means changes in overall health. Dr. Jeffrey Sarazen has been an eye doctor for more than 25 years. He sees between 100-200 patients at Envision Eyecare in Wausau every week. Full story: WJFW