Local Rhinelander Headlines

RHINELANDER - The Northwoods Chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters couldn't make things work over the last few years. The organization crumbled and dissolved. But leaders hope a new chapter serving Oneida, Vilas, Price, and Taylor Counties will come back even stronger. Full story: WJFW

ANTIGO - Forestry leaders in Langlade County believe a new plot of land will help boost timber sales and recreation. The county will buy 2,352 acres of land from the land owning company Plum Creek near Lily in northwestern Langlade County. Full story: WJFW

ANTIGO - You could well be feeling stress if you heat your home with propane. Prices are still at record highs. Propane dealers also feel the pressure. Full story: WJFW

BISMARCK, N.D. - Xcel energy customers can crank the thermostat back up. The company lifted its conservation request for Western Wisconsin following a pipeline rupture in Canada. Full story: WJFW

MADISON - Wisconsin tribes get to share their views on the state next month. The Menominee Nation's chairman is set to deliver the annual State of the Tribes speech February 13th. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - A family will use a benefit tomorrow in Rhinelander to remember one teenage girls struggle. Leanna Kossack suffered from a rare form of cancer. Full story: WJFW

ONTONAGON COUNTY - A father and son finally feel safe after disappearing in Blizzard conditions Sunday. -Benjamin M. Jenney Sr and Benjamin M. Jenney Jr. of Albertville, MN were last seen Sunday afternoon leaving a restaurant in Ontanogon County. Full story: WJFW

TOMAHAWK - Record high propane costs can be too much for some people in Northwoods. That’s forced many to look for other ways to heat their homes this winter. There was a packed crowd at the Tomahawk Pellet Stove Junction today. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Nearly all schools in the Northwoods closed today because of the cold weather. So did all six of the Northcentral Technical College campuses. But Nicolet College in Rhinelander didn’t follow the pattern. Full story: WJFW

WITTENBERG - A barn in Shawano county went up in flames Sunday. The Shawano County Sheriff's office got word of the barn fire just south of Wittenberg just before 5:00 p.m. yesterday. Full story: WJFW

MADISON - Governor Scott Walker declared a State of Emergency Saturday. He did so due to the propane shortage ahead of the cold temperatures we're supposed to get this week. The shortage has led to record high natural gas prices in many regions. Full story: WJFW

WASHINGTON - It's going to cost you a few pennies more to mail a letter. The cost of a first-class postage stamp is now 49 cents - 3 cents more than before. Read more: WJFW

WAUSAU - Competition is stiff for kids in the Wisconsin Kids Snowmobile Racing Association. They travel all over the Midwest to race. “All the families come out and we are all friends. As much as we’re competitive with each other on the race track after the races we go out to dinner and have fun and the kids are all friends. Read more: WJFW

EAGLE RIVER - A community's love for one woman showed tonight. People packed a benefit for Paula Jenks. She was diagnosed with Leukemia in September. Full story: WJFW