Local Rhinelander Headlines

Antigo man sentenced to 45-years of prison for producing child pornography

GREEN BAY - A 45-year-old Antigo man will spend 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of production of child pornography.

Thomas Gervais was arrested in October 2014 after agents arrested a different suspect living out of state, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office release.

That suspect, who was arrested charges involving the sexual exploitation of minors, told police he traded child pornography with other producers, including Gervais.

Full story: WJFW

Northwoods veterinarian responds to canine influenza concerns

RHINELANDER - Scientists and veterinarians don't know if vaccines will effectively prevent influenza in dogs.

The virus has infected more than 1,000 dogs in the Midwest, including many in the Chicago area and one in the Madison area.

The virus hasn't made it to the Northwoods yet, but veterinarians at the Animal Health Care Center in Rhinelander have already received a lot of calls from worried owners.

Full story: WJFW

Northwoods man builds emergency trailer to help accident victims in remote areas

MERCER - Ambulances in the Northwoods sometimes have trouble accessing remote areas deep in the forest. As a result, EMTs can't always immediately help people who are hurt.

In an effort to solve that problem, one Northwoods man built a custom off-road recovery and rescue unit.

"The principle behind this is that anybody can haul it with any SUV, truck, car to the trail head," says inventor Karl Brunell. "They hook up with the ranger or any big UTV."

Full story: WJFW

DNR gives tips as bear hibernation season ends

NORTHWOODS - As spring rolls around, bears come out of hibernation. The DNR wants to a few tips to avoid any problems.

Bears in the Northwoods typically come out in early to mid-April. The DNR says people need to be aware of the possible temptations in their own backyards that could attract a bear.

Bears have a great sense of smell, so be careful while grilling outside. Try to keep any garbage cans tightly closed, or take them indoors if possible.

Full story: WJFW

Man accused of Rhinelander cold-case murder wants jury from out of the area

RHINELANDER - Shannon Wolf's public defender thinks a jury from Oneida County might be biased if his case goes to trial.

Wolf is charged with killing Kenneth Wells in 2003 in Rhinelander.

Wolf's public defender argued on Tuesday that a past Newswatch 12 report could unfairly prejudice potential jurors.

Full story: WJFW

Court upholds dismissal of Sen. Johnson's health care suit

CHICAGO - A federal appeals court in Chicago has upheld a lower court ruling that tossed out U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson's challenge to the federal health care overhaul.

Tuesday's unanimous opinion says the Wisconsin Republican has no standing to sue because he hasn't shown how executive rules adopted after President Barack Obama's reform harmed him personally.

Tuesday's unanimous opinion says the Wisconsin Republican has no standing to sue because he hasn't shown how executive rules adopted after President Barack Obama's reform harmed him personally.

Full story: WJFW

Father of Minnesota boy charged with 2nd-degree murder

MINNEAPOLIS - Authorities in Minneapolis have charged the father of a 10-year-old boy whose body was found in the Mississippi River with 2nd-degree murder.

The criminal complaint charging Pierre Barlee Collins cites cellphone location data that police said places him near the spot in the river where Barway Collins' body was found.

The criminal complaint charging Pierre Barlee Collins cites cellphone location data that police said places him near the spot in the river where Barway Collins' body was found.

Full story: WJFW

Assembly OKs penalties for false military service

MADISON - The state Assembly has passed a bill that would make lying about serving in the military a crime.

The Republican-authored bill would make falsely claiming military service or an award related to military service a misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months in jail and $10,000 in fines.

If someone makes those claims with the intent to commit or aid another crime, he or she would be guilty of a felony punishable by up to six years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Full story: WJFW

Changes coming to DNR spring wildlife, fisheries rules

FOREST COUNTY - The Wisconsin DNR may have some new rules for spring wildlife and fisheries next year in the wake of its annual rules hearings across the state Monday night.

Experts in Forest County say a proposed rule that would allow group hunting for deer sparked some controversy because kids, disabled people, and veterans are already allowed to hunt antlerless deer.

"There's concerns that too many deer are being taken and if there's any way to alter that regulation at all in the future," says Forest County DNR Wildlife Biologist Jason Cotter.

Full story: WJFW

Sokaogon Chippewa, Wisconsin tribes ask for power to open charter schools

MOLE LAKE - Public school districts in Wisconsin can open charter schools. So can one city, a technical college, and two University of Wisconsin system schools.

This school year, more than 240 of those charter schools are teaching students.

But none of Wisconsin's 11 Indian tribes are allowed to open charter schools.

Full story: WJFW

Land O' Lakes moves forward with ATV/UTV access on certain town roads

LAND O' LAKES - Land O' Lakes will move forward opening some roads for ATV/UTV use, after passing the action at a special town board meeting Monday afternoon.

According to the board, Little Portage Lake Road, Evergreen Drive, Spruce Road, and Razorback Road [to the Conover town line] will be open to ATV/UTV travel along the side of the paved portions of the roads. The roads give riders a north/south path, but the town still has work before riders can start using the roads.

Supporters believe the road openings will give riders easier access to trails and businesses. They also think it will mean a boost to the Land O' Lakes local economy.

Full story: WJFW

Walker officially retracts Wisconsin Idea deletion

MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker has officially asked the Legislature to keep the University of Wisconsin's guiding principle known as the "Wisconsin Idea" intact.

Walker was ridiculed in February for adding career readiness to the university's mission statement while dropping references to public service and seeking a broader truth.

Walker called the rewrite an unintentional mistake, even though emails showed his administration clearly ordered the word change.

Full story: WJFW

Walker proposes capping UW System tuition increases

MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker wants to cap the University of Wisconsin System's ability to raise tuition if they decouple from state oversight.

Walker's budget calls for cutting $300 million from the system and extending a freeze on resident undergraduate tuition to July 1, 2017. In exchange the system would be free of state oversight starting in July 2016.

The plan has left students and legislators worried that the Board of Regents could dramatically increase tuition when the freeze ends.

Full story: WJFW

Wildfire forces evacuation of central Wisconsin homes

NECEDAH - Crews have contained a wildlife that forced the evacuation of about 40 homes in Necedah in central Wisconsin.

Juneau County dispatch says firefighters responded to a report of a small fire near railroad tracks at 11:20 a.m. Monday. The fire grew and prompted the evacuation.

Officials said the fire apparently was caused by a passing train.

Full story: WJFW

Land O' Lakes ice cream stand singer retires

LAND O' LAKES - During the warm months - the ice cream months - Bobby Pitts serenades customers at the Dari-Maid in Land O' Lakes. But, no more. After more than half a century of singing, Pitts is retiring.

At his retirement party on Saturday, Pitts began his final performance with one of his favorites: "Puff the Magic Dragon."

It's Barbara Nehring's favorite song that Pitts sings.

Full story: WJFW

Suicide rates for young people in rural areas like northern Wisconsin, are about double that of their urban counterparts

WISCONSIN - A 14 year-long study shows that rural suicide rates are about double that of urban areas.

It's a trend that many experts in our area find concerning.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens and young adults.

Full story: WJFW

Semi-truck collides with overpass Monday

RHINELANDER - A semi-truck got stuck under the overpass of a bridge in Rhinelander Monday afternoon.

The driver was on the corner of Davenport Street and Sutliff Avenue when the truck hit the bridge. The front of the truck cleared the bridge, but it was the trailer that didn't make it.

"I was just going probably about five miles an hour, and I hit the bridge," said driver Jerry LaQua.

Full story: WJFW

Emergency Management encourages planning for severe weather

NORTHWOODS - Many cities in the Midwest struggled with severe weather recently. Northern Illinois saw a tornado just last week. That's why it's always a good idea to have a plan.

Oneida County Emergency Management wants people to always be prepared during severe weather.

Emergency Management says to look for the lowest space in your house during severe weather, away from any windows, and have an emergency kit ready. It could save lives.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin DNR to hold spring wildlife and fisheries rules hearing

RHINELANDER - State rules for spring wildlife and fisheries could look a little different next year.

That's because the DNR is holding their annual spring rules hearing Monday.

You can head to the meeting to give your input on a variety of proposed rule changes, including expansion of inland trout seasons, and expanding waterfowl hunting areas.

Full story: WJFW

Fullback John Kuhn returns to Packers with 1-year deal

GREEN BAY - All-Pro fullback John Kuhn is headed back to the Green Bay Packers.

Kuhn's agent, Kevin Gold, said the veteran signed a one-year deal with Green Bay on Monday for the minimum salary of $870,000. The contract includes a workout and Pro Bowl bonuses.

A fan favorite at Lambeau Field, Kuhn is used primarily as a blocker for lead running back Eddie Lacy.

Full story: WJFW

Conservation Congress to discuss panfish rules at meetings tonight

WISCONSIN - People who want to catch bigger panfish may want to attend tonight's Conservation Congress hearings.

The panel will take advisory votes on fish and game questions of all types.

One of the questions drawing a lot of interest is a proposed plan regarding panfish that would set special regulations on 100 lakes, many of of which are located in Northwoods. The rules would be designed to prevent overharvesting and allow panfish to grow larger.

Full story: WJFW

Marco Rubio makes his run for president official

MIAMI - Sen. Marco Rubio is telling his top donors that he is running for president because he feels "uniquely qualified" to pitch his Republican Party as one that will defend the American Dream.

The first-term Republican from Florida told his biggest backers on a conference call Monday that he sees the coming presidential campaign as a choice between the past and the future.

In a swipe at Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rubio said the former first lady "is a leader from yesterday."

Full story: WJFW

Update: Police investigate double shooting after toddler's death

MILWAUKEE - Update: Monday 4/13 2:55pm

A man who says his son was shot to death after his van struck and killed a toddler on a Milwaukee street says a teenager also shot at the scene was an innocent bystander.

The 15-year-old boy died in surgery.

Archie Brown Sr. says his son, Archie Brown Jr., had got out of his van Sunday after striking the 2-year-old and picked up the boy. Brown says a neighbor riding with his son told him the teenager came out of a house near the scene and was trying to help when both were shot.

Full story: WJFW

Advocates for inmate ask Missouri governor to halt execution

ST. LOUIS - Advocates for a black death row inmate in Missouri say he was unfairly sentenced when African-Americans were excluded from the jury at his St. Louis County trial.

Andre Cole is scheduled to die Tuesday for killing a man in 1998 in a fit of anger over child support payments.

On Monday, members of a coalition that includes Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union called on Gov. Jay Nixon to halt the execution. They also want him to appoint a board to examine concerns that there is racial bias in Missouri's jury selection process.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin records 1st outbreak of dangerous bird flu strain

MADISON - Wisconsin has confirmed its first case of a dangerous bird flu strain that has struck several other Midwest states.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that it has confirmed the highly pathogenic H5N2 strain in a commercial flock of 200,000 chickens in Jefferson County of southeastern Wisconsin.

The USDA says state officials have quarantined the premises and birds there will be killed to prevent the spread of the disease.

Full story: WJFW

Warm weather gives anglers an early start on fishing season

TOMAHAWK - Sunday's weather provided an opportunity for some to get out on the water.
The warm temperatures are melting the ice and making fishing available in some spots.

"It's fun catching fish, people are ready," said Chuck Grigg, owner of Chuck's Sport Shop. "They want to put the tip-ups away and the tip-downs away and get out there and get some sunshine."

Grigg says customers are already coming in to buy fishing supplies.

Full story: WJFW

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