Wis. Ranks Low in Background Check Compliance
MADISON - Wisconsin lags behind the top-performing states in the number of mental health records it submits to a national database used for background checks on gun purchases.
Full Story: WJFW
Local Rhinelander Headlines
Woman Hospitalized After Lincoln Co. Crash
RUSSELL - A crash in Lincoln County sent a woman to the hospital.
It happened Friday afternoon in the Town of Russell.
Full Story: WJFW
Merrill Kids Not Waiting For Spring to Get Out On Their Bikes
MERRILL - It might not seem like spring in the Northwoods, but at the Smith Center in Merrill, snow and wind was the last thing on these kids and parents minds.
"This is our fifth annual children’s festival out in the Smith Center in Merrill. Great turn out," said Merrill Park and Recreation Administrative Assistant, Dawn Smith.
Full Story: WJFW
Wine and Cheese Tasting For A Good Cause
RHINELANDER - Wine, cheese, beer and chocolate.
That was the menu for people who came out to Holiday Acres to support youth mentoring.
It was the sixth year for the fundraiser.
Full Story: WJFW
Gov. Walker in China for Trade Mission
MADISON - Governor Scott Walker's trade mission to China begins this weekend with business briefings and a visit to the Great Wall.
Walker's trip to China is his first overseas trade mission. China is the third largest export market for Wisconsin, behind Canada and Mexico.
Full Story: WJFW
Sen. Baldwin Highlights Manufacturing in Northwoods Stop
RHINELANDER - If you look at Wisconsin's flag, you see four major symbols - including an arm and a hammer, which shows just how important manufacturing is to our state.
But one of our U.S. Senators thinks we can do even better in that area.
Full Story: WJFW
Man Who Had Toxins in Manitowish Waters Found Dead in Nebraska
NEBRASKA - Almost two years ago, a man who had held dangerous biological toxins in his Manitowish Waters cabin got on a bus to Milwaukee.
But he never arrived.
The body of 64 year old Denys Ray Hughes was identified Thursday near North Platte, Nebraska.
Full Story: WJFW
Delay Your Spring Well Testing
RHINELANDER - You may not exactly have welcomed today's snow, but on the bright side, you can and should put off one of your spring cleaning chores until it warms up.
Spring thaw and rainfall give bacteria and nitrates more opportunities to get into your well water.
Full Story: WJFW
A Northwoods Tourism Department is Tackling Slow Season
EAGLE RIVER - As the snowmobile trails close and ice goes out, people in the Northwoods tend to lay low until spring is in full force. But people in charge of bringing visitors to the area aren't taking any time off.
Full Story: WJFW
Family Tradition keeps over 50 years of Boom Lake Ice Data
RHINELANDER - The calendar say it’s spring but looking around you may not agree. The latest snowfall means a longer wait for one family’s annual tradition. It’s a story that begins over 60 years ago on the shores of Rhinelander’s Boom Lake …
Full Story: WJFW
Brave 8-Year-Old Battles Cancer in Wabeno
WABENO - How much does it cost to fight cancer? Between hospital stays, chemo and experimental medicines, it's hard to keep track. And when the disease is childhood cancer, not all the costs can be measured in dollars.
Full Story: WJFW
Fewer Wolves Wander Michigan's Upper Peninsula
LANSING, MICHIGAN - New population numbers show a smaller number of wolves wandering Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported yesterday that 658 wolves roam the U.P.
Full Story: WJFW
Plans For a Huge Dairy Farm in Wood County Move Forward
WOOD COUNTY - Plans for a huge dairy farm in southern Wood County can keep on going.
Yesterday, Judge Thomas Eagon ordered the town of Saratoga to issue building permits for seven structures for what could be the Golden Sands Dairy near Wisconsin Rapids.
Full Story: WJFW
Ex-Principal, Football Coach Sentenced to Jail
ANTIGO - Witnesses pleaded to keep John Lund out of jail Thursday.
They called him a community leader, a role model, a good father, a good son, and a good husband.
His own emotion was on display before the court.
Full Story: WJFW
Related Blog: Ex-Principal Lund to serve 90 days in jail for drug offenses
Former Principal to be Sentenced Today on Drug Charge
ANTIGO - The former Antigo principal and football coach gets sentenced today for dealing marijuana.
John Lund was originally charged with seven marijuana-related felonies.
Full Story: WJFW
Related Blog - Ex-Principal Lund to serve 90 days in jail for drug offenses
Lincoln County has Safest Snowmobile Season in Years
LINCOLN COUNTY - Wisconsin saw 20 snowmobile related deaths this season.
But one Northwoods County is seeing their safest season in years.
Lincoln County’s snowmobiling season was the longest and safest since 2003.
Full Story: WJFW
Minocqua 7th Grader Wins State Geography Bee
MINOCQUA - Most of us can name some state Capitols, a few major rivers, and hopefully all seven continents. But one Northwoods 7th grader can name all the ports in Africa. And it's that kind of knowledge that took her all the way to the state geography bee.
Full Story: WJFW
Annual Wine, Beer, Cheese and Chocolate Tasting is Back for Kinship of the North
RHINELANDER - The 6th annual Wine, Beer, Cheese, and Chocolate tasting will be back at Holiday Acres in Rhinelander this weekend.
Money raised at the event will go to Kinship of the North. Kinship helps Rhinelander kids by connecting them with adult mentors.
Full Story: WJFW
Nicolet College Names New Student Ambassador
RHINELANDER - Finding the resources you need at a new school can be challenging. Nicolet Technical College Students will soon have a new Student Ambassador to help them learn the ropes.
Full Story: WJFW
American Legion Post 94 Gets a New Home
CRANDON - Moving into a new home can be exciting.
Thanks to a grant from the Home Depot, a group of Northwoods veterans got to move into their new home a whole year early.
Full Story: WJFW
Bears Start Coming Out of Hibernation
MADISON - Wisconsin wildlife officials are warning people to keep an eye out for hungry bears emerging from hibernation.
Department of Natural Resources experts say natural food sources are limited this time of year, forcing bears to turn to bird feeders, garbage cans and grills.
Full Story: WJFW
People Often Cause Movement of Invasive Species
MADISON - Invasive pests that attack flowers, crops, forests and gardens often get moved around by people.
Wisconsin residents are encouraged to be aware of the dangers.
Full Story: WJFW
Three Lakes Veteran Traveling to Washington D.C. on Honor Flight
THREE LAKES - In less than two weeks, more than 100 veterans from northern Wisconsin will fly to the nation's capitol. The Never Forgotten Honor Flight organization gives veterans the chance to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C. Getting dozens of aging vets onto a flight and around the capitol takes a lot of preparation.
Full Story: WJFW
Medford Family Thankful for School's Autism Awareness
MEDFORD - In April millions of Americans recognize Autism Awareness month.
In the Northwoods one family is speaking out for their son Jack, and how their school district is making a difference.
Full Story: WJFW
Lawmaker Walks Out of State of Tribes Address
MADISON - The state Assembly's speaker pro tem walked out of the annual State of the Tribes speech.
Waukesha Republican Bill Kramer is fuming over remarks Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chairman Gordon Thayer made about mining yesterday.
Full Story: WJFW
A Behind the Scenes Look at Being a Jailer
RHINELANDER - Last month's inmate attack on a corrections officer in Marathon County raised concerns about safety in our county jails. But it also made us curious about the responsibility of looking after inmates.
Jailers don't do their jobs out in the open like patrol officers. The average person might not know what the job entails unless they know a jailer, or spend a lot of time in jail.
Full Story: WJFW
Excessive Drinking Costs Northwoods Counties Millions
MERRILL - You probably know how about how much a can of your favorite beer costs.
But do you know how much the problem of excessive drinking costs your community?
A University of Wisconsin group put a dollar figure on the economic cost of excessive alcohol use in each county in the state.
Full Story: WJFW
Lakeland Pantry Directors Recognized for Hard Work
ARBOR VITAE - Tomorrow the North Central Chapter of the American Red Cross honors local heroes. Today we're spotlighting two Northwoods stand-outs making a difference through the Lakeland Pantry.
Full Story: WJFW
Statewide DNR vote shows most hunters support new dog rules for wolf hunts
MADISON - A statewide vote finds a majority of Wisconsin outdoorsmen support the Department of Natural Resources' proposed new rules for using dogs to hunt wolves.
The DNR released vote results Tuesday.
Full Story: WJFW
Antigo man arrested for deadly car incident
ELDERON - An Antigo man with an apparent history of driving under the influence got caught again. This time he may have been responsible for a woman's death.
Police arrested 27-year-old Brandon Bender early Sunday morning.
Full Story: WJFW
