Local Rhinelander Headlines

Another Public Radio Station on the Way in Rhinelander

A new public radio affiliate will broadcast in Rhinelander next year. But leaders say head-to-head competition with community radio fixture WXPR is unlikely. The Ideas network of Wisconsin Public Radio will activate a frequency from Rhinelander at 89.9 FM in 2013. "The northeast region of the state has been pretty sparse with the ability to receive any or our frequencies," says Rick Reyer of Wisconsin Public Radio. Full Story: WJFW

The Passing of a Northwoods Icon: Nick Hockings

LAC DU FLAMBEAU - Nick Hockings loved to dance. He was a member of A Call For Peace, a multicultural dance company, and he started the Waswagoning Dance Theatre in Lac du Flambeau. He performed around the world, and danced for Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome. His greatest goal before he passed was to dance in India. He and his daughter Nicole Larson had been invited by members of the Sikh community. Nick Lost his battle with lung cancer the first day of December 2012, but the lessons he taught will live long past that day. Full Story: WJFW

Emergency Concealed Carry Rules Set to Expire

MADISON - The state Justice Department is preparing to enact a second round of emergency rules enabling them to issue concealed carry permits. The emergency rules were put in place last year for issuing and revoking permits. The regulations are set to expire December 15th. The DOJ has already drafted permanent regulations. But the package needs Assembly and Senate approval though, and neither house has acted on it. Full Story: WJFW

3rd Graders Christmas Shop with a Cop

Third graders in Rhinelander had some unusual shopping buddies today. They checked off their holiday gift lists with the help of local police and fire fighters. "Each child was given $100 that they could spend… A lot of the kids were buying presents for parents, siblings, and themselves," said Officer Chad Brown with the Rhinelander Police Department. It's called ‘Shop with a Cop’. For the fourth year Rhinelander Police, firefighters, and even state troopers spent the day with some hardworking, well deserving youngsters. Full Story: WJFW

Chili Contest Heats Up Business

TOMAHAWK - The Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce sweetened the pot for shopping locally. For the second year downtown businesses opened their doors for a chili showdown. Contestants pulled out all the stops- from secret spices, to old family recipes. "Well, I wanted to make something different,” said Michelle Cherney, Chili Chef for Tomahawk Furniture, “A lot of people make the red chili so I decided to go with a White Chicken chili recipe...Chicken, half-and-half, chicken broth, and special seasonings," she said with a smile. Full Story: WJFW

Santa Visits Pelican Fire Department

It's the time of year when Santa makes his rounds to find out what everyone wants for Christmas. He stopped by the Pelican Fire Department today where local kids told him exactly what they most wanted to find under their Christmas tree. For the third year the Pelican Fire Department welcomed area kids to spend the day at the station eating goodies and playing games. "We are a volunteer fire department so we volunteer our time for that. This is just another way we give back to the community," says Nick Strupp, a Pelican Firefighter. Full Story: WJFW

Krusensterna Gets Seven Years for Mole Lake Stabbing

CRANDON - A third teenager will head to prison for his role in a gang related stabbing earlier this year. Eighteen-year-old Preston Krusensterna is one of six men charged with stabbing and beating a Wausau man in February, now he'll spend the next 18 years paying for it. "I accept full responsibility for my actions and my actions alone," said Krusensterna, reading from a letter he wrote to the Judge. He apologized to the victim and his family for his role in the attack. But District Attorney Chuck Simono told the Court Krusensterna repeatedly denied being part of a gang. Full Story: WJFW

New Information About Missing Three Lakes Man

A missing section of a map, a book about the Alaska headwaters, and a diary entry. Sounds like something out of a spy novel but these items could help locate 31-year-old Thomas Seibold. He's been missing since early November. Alaska State Troopers found those things at Seibold's cabin. Tamarack Song directs the Teaching Drum Outdoor School and knows Seibold. Song says Seibold should be prepared for any conditions. Full Story: WJFW

Tomahawk Man Injured After Shooting Himself in Neck While Hunting

TOMAHAWK - Always use caution when handling weapons. That could be the lesson learned from a self-inflicted shooting near Tomahawk Monday. 66-year-old Charles Lawn of Tomahawk arrived at Ministry Sacred Heart Hospital at 4 p.m. with a gunshot wound. He was taken to Aspirus Wausau hospital for more treatment. There, Sheriff's investigators found out Lawn had shot himself in the neck with his .22 long rifle. Full Story: WJFW

Snowmobile Trail Opening Dates

PHELPS - Business owners, tourists and snowmobile club members are anticipating when the flakes will fly and blanket area trails for riding. In Phelps, the club equipment sits idle waiting for winter, but the volunteers prepare with an annual inspection of the trails by Vilas County. Dale Mayo is the Recreation Administrator for Vilas County, "The county actually just goes out there and does the trail inspection. It's the volunteers that do all the work out there. They do all the signing and brushing and grooming. So it's important if you enjoy the sport, join a club." The target for opening this year is Monday the 10th at noon after all trails clear safety and signage checks... Full Story: WJFW

Elcho Fire Adds UTV

ELCHO - The vehicle looks like something out of the movie "Transformers". But its use is practical - helping rescue people in the Northwoods more quickly than before. This is the Elcho Fire Department's new UTV, complete with what are called "Camoplast" tracks. That means it can handle just about any terrain. "Anything that limits our ability to get into the woods, we can use this. It goes through a lot. It's impressive," says Elcho Fire Chief Bob Jensen. Full Story: WJFW

Rhinelander School District Online Budget Information

RHINELANDER - Rhinelander schools want to keep you informed as they to battle with budget cuts. Soon, a helpful video will be posted to the school district website. The video is of a staff meeting held today. The meeting hosted the district's business manager, who evaluated the budget concerns. The school district's webpage also has many other resources for learning about the budget situation. Full Story: WJFW

Man Accused of Stabbing Wife Will Go to Trial

RHINELANDER - The man accused of stabbing and choking his wife outside the Rhinelander Hodag statue will go to trial. Shannon Wolf has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges including first degree attempted intentional homicide. He's accused of chasing his wife down outside the chamber of commerce, leaning into the car she was riding in and choking and stabbing her. Full Story: WJFW

New Business Restarts In Downtown Eagle River

EAGLE RIVER - Can a new business survive without financing, paying all out of pocket? That’s how Scott Lacko plans to build Kozar Technologies in Eagle River. Kozar takes over the former Ogren Electronics building on the corner of Wall Street and Silver Lake Road in Eagle River. The company is 100 percent locally owned, with zero financing from outside of town. Full Story: WJFW

Pines District Asks Voters for $2.7 Million Referendum

EAGLE RIVER - The Northland Pines School District managed to stretch its money from their last referendum for four years, instead of the intended three. But that money has run out. In February, taxpayers will have to decide if they want to give the district money again. The district is asking for $2.7 million dollars per year for the next three years. Full Story: WJFW

Nicolet Forest Partners with Wis. National Guard

RHINELANDER - The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest just finished a project with the National Guard that's the first of its kind. The partnership gets some long needed projects done on National Forest property, and in turn give the battalion training they needed. Suzanne Flory from the U.S. Forest Service says there's a lot more to the National Forests than the land they look after. There's a lot of infrastructure with major maintenance needs. Full Story: WJFW

Schiek Sworn in as Oneida County DA

Oneida County's new District Attorney hit the ground running. Mike Schiek took the oath of office today before beginning his first day on the job. Governor Scott Walker's office asked Schiek if he was willing to start early. The term should start January first, but the District Attorney seat has been vacant since Judge Michael Bloom left in the spring. Schiek spent the last few weeks wrapping up his criminal defense practice at O'Melia, Schiek and McEldowney. Full Story: WJFW

Pages