Local Rhinelander Headlines

TOMAHAWK - We usually think of study abroad as something college kids do. But in Tomahawk, the school board is bringing it right into their middle and high school classrooms. Two teachers from Kazakhstan and Russia will visit for five weeks in February. They'll rotate between classrooms so all teachers and students can benefit. Full Story: WJFW

EAGLE RIVER - An emotionally disturbed man created a frightening scene in Eagle River Tuesday afternoon. Police responded to the Marshfield Clinic on Commerce Loop in Eagle River around 2:15. Employees say a 60-year-old man showed up crying hysterically demanding help. At nearly the same time, Police received a call from a home near Eagle River. That caller said a suicidal man left with a loaded gun. Full Story: WJFW

A St. Germain woman will stay in jail for now, facing serious charges for selling heroin. 26-year-old Jennifer Heiting was back in Oneida County Court Tuesday to try and have her bond lowered. She faces three drug-related felonies, including manufacturing and delivering more than 50 grams of heroin. Full Story: WJFW

A Northwoods manufacturer will grow next year, adding more jobs to the Rhinelander area. But it might not have happened without a some help from the state. The ABX plant outside of Rhinelander does something very complex, making films for plastic food containers that lengthen shelf life. Soon, they'll have the capacity to do twice as much of "it" as before. Full Story: WJFW

GLIDDEN - The Glidden School building went into lockdown yesterday. Some custodians outside the building heard sounds similar to gunshots. The Ashland County Sheriff's Office investigated and continues to do so today. Patrol Lieutenant Michael Malmberg says they were all on higher alert after last week's tragedy in Connecticut but their response was typical. "We were concerned with the possibility of a copycat or someone attempting to play off of what happened last week," Malmberg said. Full Story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Adam Lanza killed 20 children with a replica of a military rifle in Newtown, Connecticut last week. Just a few days later, that type of gun is a popular buy in the Northwoods. It may seem counterintuitive - the style of gun used in the Connecticut massacre suddenly becoming more popular. But at Hodag Gun and Loan in Rhinelander, owner Mike Hoerchler told us they were especially popular on Monday. Full Story: WJFW

CRANDON - The Forest County Humane Society needs the community's help to care for pets without a home. This weekend, their thousand-dollar raffle and bake sale helped raise money going to a very specific place. "It's the veterinary relief fund because our veterinary bills are so extensive, that we have to raise money for spaying and neutering and shots," say Tonya and Tinya Walerko of the Humane Society. Full Story: WJFW

We're learning more about the early morning stabbing on Spring Lake Road in Rhinelander that happened Wednesday. We've learned from the district attorney's office the 16-year-old suspect will be tried as an adult. Michael Thimm was charged today with first degree attempted intentional homicide, and first degree recklessly endangering safety. The stabbing happened at 7:30 Wednesday morning. Full Story: WJFW

A City Council vote in January will determine whether gas stations located within the city limits will be allowed to sell alcohol. A city ordinance governing liquor licenses currently prohibits the practice but city officials are revisiting the prohibition, partially because Kwik Trip has shown interest in locating as many as three stores in Rhinelander. At a meeting of the city's Protection of Persons and Property (PPP) Committee last month, a Kwik Trip representative explained the company wants to be able to sell beer as well as other items, which is typical of the Kwik Trip brand. Full Story: River News Online

There's no resolution yet in the case of two women suspected by police in connection with a theft and property damage incident that occurred at the Rhinelander Walmart in September. Tara Hoppe, 30, and Kelsey Zastrow, 23, are each facing one count of felony retail theft as well as misdemeanor counts of retail theft and criminal damage to property. They appeared in Oneida County Circuit Court Tuesday afternoon, but Oneida County Assistant District Attorney Steven Michlig explained that defense counsel had just been provided new Walmart surveillance videos and hadn't had a chance to review them yet. Both cases were rescheduled for pretrial conferences Feb. 5. Full Story: River News Online

A Minocqua man will have to spend at least the next 8 months in a group home. 33-year-old Scott Zeinert faced four felonies for sexual assault on a child under 13. Prosecutors agreed to amend two of the counts to child enticement and drop two more. Zeinert turned himself into police in August after his mother found out he molested an 8-year-old girl. Full Story: WJFW

During the season of giving, the Rhinelander District Library gives back to its users. "Well, we did this last year, were giving out fine forgiveness for people bringing in non-perishable food items for the Food Pantry. We'll write off their overdue fines," said Ed Hughes, Library Director Full Story: WJFW

A stabbing in Rhinelander this morning put two people in the hospital, and a 16 year old in police custody. It happened around 7:30 this morning on the 500 block of Spring Lake Road in Rhinelander. "At approximately 7:26 this morning, there were 2 victims involved in a stabbing, and we have one male youth in custody at this time," said Rhinelander Police Chief, Mike Steffes. Police say the 16 year old cut a woman on the throat with a folding buck knife. A man was also cut on the neck, and ribs, and had defensive wounds to his hands. Full Story: WJFW

A St. Germain woman could be held responsible for the possible drug overdose of an Oneida County man. Police arrested 26-year-old Jennifer Heiting this week. She's accused of possessing and delivering heroin. Her arrest was part of an investigation into the death of David Stahl of Crescent. Police think Stahl may have overdosed on heroin. Full Story: WJFW