Local Rhinelander Headlines

St. Germain Woman Could Face Charges in Overdosing Death

A Northwoods woman already faces three drug-related felony charges. But it could get worse. Twenty six-year-old Jennifer Heiting was in Oneida County court today. She's already accused of posessing and selling heroin. The state could add more charges in the death of a Crescent man. Police think his death might have been caused by a heroin overdose. Heiting admitted she and her boyfriend shipped heroin to David Stahl several times. Full Story: WJFW

All England Cases to be Tried in Oneida County

Slowly but surely, the case against former Oneida and Forest County Medical Examiner Traci England moves forward. England is charged with stealing body parts from a total of four victims. It all began in Oneida County last January when police reported England took tissue from a cadaver to train her dog. In May Forest County filed charges against her for the same thing. Full Story: WJFW

Wang Sentenced to Three Years in Prison For Child Porn

EAGLE RIVER - A former Northland Pines teacher will spend the next three years in prison and five years of extended supervision. That's because Michael Wang was using a school computer to look at child pornography. Wednesday the prosecution asked for six to seven years in prison. The state argued that Wang victimized children every time he looked at the pornography. Wang's attorney said sexually deficient thinking doesn't make Wang a bad person. Wang's pastor and current employer spoke on his behalf. Full Story: WJFW

Man Shot Dead by Police in Douglas County

DOUGLAS COUNTY - A sheriff's deputy in Douglas County shot and killed a man who authorities say pointed a rifle at the officer. The deputy was unhurt in the incident early Tuesday. Officers were called to a domestic disturbance with a report of gunfire at about 1:40 a.m. at a home in the Town of Gordon, about 40 miles south of Superior. Sheriff Tom Dalbec says the suspect fled the residence, but was found a short time later walking along a highway. When a deputy confronted the man, the suspect allegedly pointed a rifle at him which prompted the deputy to fire his weapon at the suspect. Full Story: WJFW

Sentencing Date Wed. for Teacher Convicted of Possessing Child Pornography

A former Eagle River middle school teacher convicted of possessing child pornography is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday. In November, Michael Wang, 47, reached a plea deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to two count of possessing child pornography. As result, eight similar charges were dismissed. Full Story: WSAW

New Fire Chief in Merrill

MERRILL - The New Year brings new leadership to Merrill. Dave Savone is the fire department's new chief. He took the oath of office last week. Savone came to Merrill after 3-decades of fire-fighting experience. He's most excited about playing an active role in the community. "It's very important that people receive from the community, that's important and that's what excites me about Merrill." Full Story: WJFW

UPDATE: Teenager Commits Suicide in Forest County Jail

CRANDON - We now know the name of a girl who killed herself in the Forest County Jail. Cody Lynne Wolfe was 17 years old when she hanged herself on December 23rd. Wolfe was in jail because she had been charged with stealing a car, obstructing an officer, and disorderly conduct. She didn't appear for her hearing on December 5, so Vilas County deputies arrested her December 13. Full Story: WJFW

Phillips Aquatic Foundation Looks to Make Splash with New Rock Wall

PHILLIPS - Winters in the Northwoods can make staying active a difficult task. A community pool in Phillips might have you covered for fitness away from freezing temperatures. In this small town of 1400, holds a hidden gem for Northern Wisconsin. A gem that one organization is using to help draw in more people and hopes it will help by-pass economic turbulence amid ramped fiscal cliff talk. Full Story: WJFW

Slick Roads Cause Car-Semi Truck Crash on Highway 47

RHINELANDER - One look outside Friday night and you can tell the roads are rather slick. Snow flurries started falling in the Northwoods early this afternoon and winds pushed a lot of that snow around. That made for some treacherousdriving in the viewing area, including on Highway 47 Friday night. Around 6 p.m. Newswatch 12 got a report of a car and semi crash on Highway 47 near Newbold. Full Story: WJFW

Region's Waterways Get Financial Boost

Onieda County's A-I-S (Aquatic Invasive Species) program will be fully funded in the coming year, thanks to a recent financial boost. Grants from D-N-R (Department of Natural Resources) and the state's enviromental educational board totaled a little over $50,000. Michelle Sadauskas, the current A-I-S program coordinator,knows how important outside contributions are in preserving the region's waterways. Full Story: WJFW

Lion's Club Serves 'Christmas Not Alone' for 25 Years

For 25 years the Rhinelander Lions Club has served up smiles and turkey on Christmas day- and this year was no exception. "Dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, corn, pie, cookies, cranberry sauce…" said Tom O'Rourke, Chairman of the Rhinelander Lions Club. - And lots of turkey. This year the Lions club and volunteers from around the community served up 30 turkeys. They expect to feed around 300 people. It started as a way to get people together with a warm meal for the holidays. Full Story: WJFW

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