Local Rhinelander Headlines

Local nursery offers tips for planting trees on Arbor Day

NORTHWOODS - You may want to consider planting a tree to celebrate Arbor Day. People in Madison planted a large red oak to honor the holiday today. Though the weather is cool, it could be best to plant a sapling now.

"Planting trees and shrubs right now is not a problem at all. It's a great time to plant," said Hanson's Garden Village owner Brent Hanson. "There's a couple of caveats, those being that you need to make sure it's material that's been locally wintered over. As long as the ground is thawed out and you can get a shovel in the ground, you can plant."

Hanson cautions that you shouldn't plant trees that have large root systems near sidewalks or septic tanks. Experts say river birch and ironwood trees grow well near sidewalks and front yards.

Full story: WJFW

High school golfers enjoy time on course despite chilly weather

TOMAHAWK - The cooler temperatures don't hold back high school golfers from participating in an invitational at Inshalla Country Club in Tomahawk Friday.

The players are just happy when there isn't snow on the ground this time of year.

"Golf is such a loved sport up here too, so the cold weather doesn't bother us," said Prentice's Zachary Gonzalez.

Full story: WJFW

Preventing meningitis

ANTIGO - Students graduating from high school could be at risk for meningitis. Public health experts say now is a good time to make sure high school students are up to date on their meningitis vaccine.

Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Public health nurses say it tends to spread quickly wherever large groups of people gather together. That's why they think students living in college dorms have a higher risk of getting meningitis.

"Often times, you'll hear that it was during spring break or a time where people were clustering together," says Langlade County deputy health officer Karen Hegranes. "Then, one individual who was compromised because of an illness they just had, when [meningitis] was introduced to their body, it made a difference."

Full story: WJFW

Wearing headphones while driving could become illegal in Wisconsin

LANGLADE COUNTY - There could be a ban on wearing headphones while driving in Wisconsin. Some Wisconsin legislators hope to pass a ban.

The bill that would ban driving with headphones was introduced earlier this week. One local sheriff thinks it's good to keep people from driving distracted.

"Eliminate the distractions as much as possible and try and keep people focused on the one thing that's most important, that's maintaining their control of the vehicle on the roadway," says Langlade County Sheriff Bill Greening.

Full story: WJFW

Your bike may need work before you start riding it this spring

NORTHWOODS - As the temperature increases so does the number of people who want to get outside.

A lot of people in the Northwoods like to get out on their bikes. But if your bike has been sitting in storage all winter it probably isn't ready to ride. Bikes that have been collecting dust all winter will decay faster.

"Usually there's always corrosion that occurs internally in the cables, so that's usually what will make it shift or brake incorrectly or not at all," says Al Jozwiak, Owner of Bike-n-Boards in Rhinelander.

Full story: WJFW

Man accused of trying to join terrorists pleads not guilty

A Wisconsin man has pleaded not guilty to a federal charge that he tried to join the Islamic State terror group.

Prosecutors have charged 34-year-old Joshua Van Haften with trying to provide material assistance to a foreign terrorist group.

He was arrested at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago earlier this month. Investigators said he had flown back from Turkey after a failed bid to join the terror group in Syria. He could face up to 15 years in prison and $250,000 in fines if he's convicted.

Full story: WJFW

Slender Man suspect won't be moved for psychiatric treatment

WAUKESHA - A judge has denied a request to move a 12-year-old girl to a psychiatric center after she was accused of stabbing a classmate to please the horror character Slender Man.

The judge also denied a motion to reduce her $500,000 bail to a signature bond. Her attorney, Anthony Cotton, says the defendant needs treatment for schizophrenia.

The judge was concerned about her being a flight risk, but Cotton says she has no friends and no car and couldn't get far.

Full story: WJFW

Oprah's household items going to highest bidder

CHICAGO - Oprah Winfrey is selling the furniture, artwork, household items and clothing that once filled her Chicago home.

In the market for size 10 yellow patent leather designer shoes? How about a hand-painted porcelain soup tureen valued at $6,000 to $8,000?

More than 500 items with price points from $50 to $120,000 are going on the auction block Saturday.

Full story: WJFW

Oneida County Homicides UPDATE: Judge sets $750K cash bond for Martinson

BOONE COUNTY, IN - A judge set a $750,000 cash bond in Oneida County Court Friday for a 17-year-old accused of killing her mother and step-father.

17-year-old Ashlee Martinson is charge with killing 40-year-old Jennifer Ayers and 37-year-old Thomas Ayers in the Town of Piehl in March.

The Oneida County Sheriff's Office reported that she had been transported back to Oneida County on Thursday.

Full story: WJFW

Oneida County Homicides BREAKING: Martinson back in Wisconsin, will make first appearance in Oneida County court Friday

BOONE COUNTY, IN - A 17-year-old accused of killing her mother and step-father in the Town of Piehl in March has been transported back to Oneida County and and will appear in court on Friday, according to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office.

Ashlee Martinson faces two homicide charges for the alleged homicides of Jennifer and Thomas Ayers. She was arrested in March, while traveling through Indiana.

Earlier this month, Martinson decided to waive her right to a formal extradition proceeding in Indiana to return to Wisconsin.

Full story: WJFW

Walker political group to reimburse travel costs

MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker's nonprofit political group says it will reimburse the state for costs related to the likely presidential candidate's political travel.

Our American Revival spokeswoman AshLee Strong said Thursday that the group will pay for the travel costs, including those related to Walker's state patrol security detail.

Strong says taxpayers will not pay for any of the costs on political trips, which include money spent on hotels, flights and rental cars.

Full story: WJFW

Conference raises awareness for lake protection

STEVENS POINT - Lake advocates gathered for the 2015 Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention this week. The meeting allows lake researchers and groups to tackle problems affecting our lakes. Development and recreation have a big impact on lakes across the Northwoods and throughout Wisconsin.

"Education is so important for us in the Northwoods to make people aware of what they need to do to help protect their lakes and keep them clean," said Rollie Alger of the Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association.

UW-Extension, Wisconsin Lakes, and the DNR are hosting the three-day event. The goal of the conference is to share ways to keep Wisconsin lakes healthy.

Full story: WJFW

Students experience dangers of distracted driving, learn how to stay safe on the road

RHINELANDER - Many teens admit they text while they drive. Driving safety experts worry the dangerous trend is on the rise because teens don't really understand how dangerous distracted driving can be.

Some Rhinelander High School students got a better understanding of the dangers after they tested their driving skills with a texting simulator Thursday.

Traffic cones were hit, dragged, and crushed while students were using the simulator. But driving safety experts say that's exactly what some students needed to see to stay safe in the future.

Full story: WJFW

FAB LAB Three Lakes prepares grade schoolers for workforce

THREE LAKES - Last fall, the Three Lakes School District became the first in the state to open a K-12 FAB LAB. It's a place where students can use their imagination to make just about anything with the help of laser engravers, 3D printers, and a mini mill.

"There is a volcanic enthusiasm to come here and make stuff," said Dr. Steve Yahr, the FAB LAB Three Lakes director.

Three Lakes students of all ages can't wait to use the FAB LAB.

Full story: WJFW

Not guilty pleas for Pitts couple

CRANDON - Not guilty pleas now stand on the record for a Forest County jail worker and her husband in their felony cases.

Jeanie and Richard Pitts are charged with tampering with the confidential informant process. They're also charged with buying stolen property.

Richard Pitts chose to "stand mute" at a court hearing in Crandon on Wednesday. That meant the judge automatically entered not guilty pleas for him.

Full story: WJFW

A larger deer population could also mean more ticks this year

RHINELANDER - People in the Northwoods are used to seeing a lot of ticks this time of year.

Wisconsin DNR Wildlife Biologist Jeremy Holtz says deer are just one of many animals that can carry ticks.

"When you live up north it feels like if it's not ice skating season it's tick season. And in fact ticks can even so in fact ticks can even move around in the winter when the temperatures are warm enough so we have basically two peaks of tick activity in the Northwoods, we have a flush of ticks in the spring and we have another flush of ticks in the fall," said Holtz.

Full story: WJFW

Bill to fix problem with marijuana byproduct law circulated

MADISON - A Republican state senator is circulating a proposal designed to help make a marijuana byproduct available to treat people with seizures a year after it was legalized but still not accessible.

The Legislature last year passed a bill allowing the use of cannabidiol oil, but no one has been able to legally access it because of various state and federal law hurdles.

Sen. Van Wanggaard of Racine on Thursday asked for support of his measure that would eliminate the requirement that people have a prescription for the oil in order to use it.

Full story: WJFW

Assembly Republicans to pass school testing pause bill

MADISON - Republicans in control of the state Assembly say they will pass a bill next month that ensures results from the Badger Exam being taken by grade school students this spring will not be used against teachers or schools.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and other Republicans said Thursday they will pass a bill similar to the one that already cleared the Senate that puts off publishing report cards for schools with results from the tests.

The scores would also not be used as part of teacher evaluations.

Full story: WJFW

State gives final approval for high-voltage power line

MADISON - Wisconsin regulators have given final approval to a $580 million high-voltage power line that will run between Madison and La Crosse.

The Public Service Commission approved the 180-mile line on Thursday. American Transmission Co. and Xcel Energy next month plan to begin negotiations with homeowners along the route.

The utilities say the 345,000-volt line will give the state a more robust electrical system as coal plants are retired, provide savings to Wisconsin customers and make it easier to import wind energy from Iowa and Minnesota.

Full story: WJFW

Snowy weather puts spring sports on hold

MERRILL - The snowy weather won't seem to stop, and that's making things tough on the spring sports season.

Sports like baseball and softball have had to delay the start of their season because of the snow and the cold, and thanks to last week's flurries schools have had to cancel even more games.

This isn't the first time weather has cancelled games, but athletic directors say it's different this time around.

Full story: WJFW

Lakeland pushes for girls hockey equity

STEVENS POINT - Next winter, Lakeland's girls hockey team might face a large co-op team to advance in the high school playoffs. Lakeland, like some other Northwoods schools, thinks the girls hockey system is stacked against it.

This week, Marshfield joined a girls hockey co-op with Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, and three smaller schools. The schools will pool their interested students to create a team.

"When it comes time to start the playoff series, the WIAA playoff series, we're going against co-ops that have 8,000 kids, 6,000 kids, 4,000 kids," said Lakeland Athletic Director Don Scharbarth at this week's WIAA Annual Meeting in Stevens Point. "Equity-wise, it's not fair."

Full story: WJFW

Tomahawk park will get shoreland restoration soon

TOMAHAWK - A $100,000 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant will mean shoreland restoration for Sara Park in Tomahawk soon.

Lincoln County will use a part of the grant money to restore hundreds of feet of park shoreland. Langlade and Lincoln County worked together to get a$100,000 grant from the state.

Workers will use part of that money to restore the shoreline at Sara Park with native trees and plants.

Full story: WJFW

Walker says there won't be 'huge amount' of new revenue

APPLETON - Gov. Scott Walker says new tax collection forecasts coming out in May will not provide a windfall, but any additional revenue should first be directed to help K-12 schools.

Walker commented Wednesday in Appleton.

The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau is expected to release new revenue projections the week of May 4. Positive projections will give the Legislature more money to spend or reduce cuts as it works on the state budget.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin DOJ charges trucker with multiple sexual assaults

MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Justice has charged an Oconto-based trucker with multiple counts of child enticement and sexual assault of a child.

According to a criminal complaint, 45-year-old Rodney Enneper assaulted five boys during road trips in his truck, in the Machickanee Forest in Oconto County and in his trailer between 2005 and last August.

Full story: WJFW

WIAA schools reject attempts to change landscape of high school postseason competitions

STEVENS POINT - Many small, public Wisconsin schools didn't get what they wanted on Wednesday.

The way in which urban, private, and high-income schools are classified for postseason competition in high school athletics won't change.

"It's disappointing. Something needs to be happening," said Mercer High School Athletic Director Adam Miller. "It's tough for small schools to even compete."

Full story: WJFW

First responders honor 7-year-old for helping to save home from fire

ARBOR VITAE - Nearly two weeks ago, two homes in Woodruff could've been destroyed by fire. Even worse, someone could have been hurt or killed. However, thanks to the quick thinking of a 7-year-old, two homes are standing, with very little damage.

On Wednesday, members of the Woodruff fire and police departments honored Arbor Vitae-Woodruff Elementary student Sloane Timmerman for her courage and compassion.

"We got a call that said there was a fire burning in one of the walls of a building," Woodruff Police Officer Timothy Cerny explained to the crowd gathered for an assembly.

Full story: WJFW

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