Local Rhinelander Headlines

RHINELANDER - Cold weather keeps some businesses very busy. Frasier's Heating and Plumbing has 11 technicians responding to more than 50 calls a day. The General Manager says this is the busiest they've been in more than 10 years. Full story: WJFW

MILWAUKEE - Imagine going on trial for a crime and seeing the GOVERNOR sitting in the jury box. It could have happened. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker showed up for jury duty Monday. Full story: WJFW

LINCOLN COUNTY - People in the Northwoods funeral home business want scammers to hear a message. Preying on grieving family and friends is out-of-bounds. But that's what happened in Lincoln County just before Christmas. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - The woods can be the only heat and shelter wild animals can get. DNR biologist Jeremy Holtz knows how the cold weather affects animals. "That goes without saying. Anytime you've got severe extremes whether it's hot or cold, you're adding extra stress to wildlife that lives outdoors and can't take refuge from the elements," said Holtz. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - A new police officer will join the force in Rhinelander. Christie Kondzela was sworn into Rhinelander’s Police Department Monday afternoon. Kondzela grew up in Antigo. Full story: WJFW

WAUSAU - We now know who died in a Wausau shooting. Wausau police say 27 year old KC Christopher Elliot had been living in Wausau. He died about 6:00 p.m. Friday after being shot about 1:30 in the morning outside the Sidetracked Bar. Full story: WJFW

GREEN BAY - Phil Dawson kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired, and Colin Kaepernick threw for 227 yards and ran for another 98 to lead the San Francisco 49ers past the Green Bay Packers 23-20 on Sunday night in a frigid NFC wild-card game. Full story: WJFW

WAUSAU - The Wausau Fire Department responded to a roof collapse Saturday night at Graphic Packaging International. The roof collapsed around 10:30. Full story: WJFW

EAGLE RIVER - People can get frostbite and hypothermia in just a short amount of time. So it's important to stay warm. But not everyone can afford heat. Area businesses understand. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Temperatures will soon drastically drop here in the Northwoods. Some schools have already cancelled classes Monday to avoid exposing their students to temperatures that can cause frostbite and hypothermia. Health officials urge people to stay inside. Full story: WJFW

ST. GERMAIN - Bone chilling temperatures didn’t stop people from jumping into an icy lake. It was all to help people affected by cancer. Newswatch 12 takes you to St. Germain for the 14th annual Polar Bear Plunge. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Today, a teacher found out what happens when you steal from Rhinelander High School. "First I’d like to actually apologize to the community as well as the School District of Rhinelander. My behavior was unacceptable and I do take responsibility for that." said Joshua Juergens. Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - When temperatures get down below zero we want to stay inside. With talk of 20 below being possible overnight Sunday, schools in the area of thinking of closing on Monday. Rhinelander district superintendent Kelli Jacobi says the biggest concern is kids waiting for the bus. Full story: WJFW

MERRILL - People in Merrill without cars can turn to an area bus service. All you need to do call the bus. The Merrill bus has been running for 35 years. Full story: WJFW