Local Rhinelander Headlines

Author writes biography about Wisconsin native and baseball player Andy Pafko

MERRILL - People came out to Merrill's library Sunday to hear about a successful professional baseball player who grew up in Wisconsin.

Joe Niese wrote a biography about Andy Pafko called "Handy Andy: The Andy Pafko Story." Pafko played center field for the Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Milwaukee Braves. He was a four-time all-star and won the World Series in with the Braves in 1957.

Pafko was originally from Boyceville, Wisconsin, close to Eau Claire. Guests listened to a presentation on Pafko's life and career and could buy signed books.

Full story: WJFW

Eagle River Figure Skating Club hosts Silver Blades Ice Show "Boot Scootin' Boogie" Sunday

EAGLE RIVER - The Eagle River Figure Skating Club hosted the Silver Blades Ice Show "Boot Scootin' Boogie" at the Eagle River Ice Arena on Sunday. More than 30 girls from elementary school through high school participated in the event.

Skaters demonstrated their abilities for the community as a way to showcase all that they've accomplished throughout the year.

"We focused on our testing programs, on our compulsory dances in the field, moves in the field, and then freestyle testing," said club member Vanessa Niemczyk.

Full story: WJFW

One Tomahawk man hurt after crash early Sunday morning

HARRISON - A car crash hurt a Tomahawk man in the town of Harrison early Sunday morning.

The 20-year-old man was driving on Parish Road when he lost control of the car, causing it to go off the road.

As the man stood on the side of the road looking for help, a second car came by and hit the man. The second driver, a 29-year-old Merrill man, then crashed.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin DNR records allege misconduct last year from some employees

WISCONSIN - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources records show misconduct among some employees last year.

According to the records, one employee sexually harassed female co-workers in a bar. Another got in trouble for working on state time as a sex toy company representative.

One employee tried to use his DNR badge to avoid a traffic citation. Another commented on Facebook saying she hated her job and made fun of calls she got from the public.

Full story: WJFW

Alcohol may be factor in Wood County crash

WOOD COUNTY - Police think alcohol might be a factor in a Wood County crash that hurt two people early Sunday morning.

28-year-old Sara Coates was driving with 23-year-old Dylan Houchin on Swanson Road, west of Wisconsin Rapids. Coates lost control of the car around 2:00am.

The car hit a pole and a tree before stopping. The passenger was able to get out of the car, but the Coates needed to be extricated.

Full story: WJFW

Up North 3-on-3 basketball team could preview bright future for Northland Pines basketball

RHINELANDER - A team from Eagle River went undefeated in winning today's three-on-three Hodag Classic basketball tournament, and the team could offer a preview of what's to come for Northland Pines basketball.

"We just love to have fun," said seventh grader Nicklaus Greenberg.

Greenberg's team, Up North, is made up of four seventh graders from Northland Pines Middle School. The name Up North has stuck.

Full story: WJFW

Maple Syrup Fest held Saturday had its largest turnout yet

PHELPS - It's the fourth year the event has been held. Some of the proceeds from Maple Syrup Fest will help area high school graduates with scholarships.

Phelps Maple Syrup fest had its biggest turnout this year. Organizers say that about 2,500 people went to enjoy the many activities that the fest had to offer.

"We have of course our sugar bush tour, we have the maple syrup judging competition. We have over 30 entries this year, and we have judges that are judging based on the sugar content, densities and flavor," said event organizer Lorin Johnson.

Full story: WJFW

Mother of man accused of trying to join ISIS says son mentally ill

MADISON - The mother of the Wisconsin man accused of trying to join ISIS claims her son is a mentally ill loner. She says he makes inflammatory comments to try to win other's acceptance.

Thirty-four-year-old Joshua Van Haften faces charges for allegedly trying to help the terrorist group.

Van Haften's mother, Janice, from Beloit, said her son liked to make wild comments to draw attention to himself or to keep other people away.

Full story: WJFW

The Rhinelander Area Food Pantry celebrated its ten year anniversary Saturday

RHINELANDER - The pantry had an open house with food and drinks.

Rhinelander Area Food Pantry Executive Director Guy Hansen thinks the pantry's welcoming environment is a big part of the reason for its long term success.

"Everybody that comes to the pantry, the customers and the volunteers both just love the arrangement. It's so nice, it's cheery, it's open," said Hansen. "I think we had more volunteers than we had before, partly because it's just a nice place to work."

Full story: WJFW

Try local syrups at Maple Syrup Fest in Phelps this weekend

PHELPS - You can get the chance to taste several different syrups at the fourth annual Maple Syrup Fest Saturday in Phelps.

There are many families in Phelps who tap trees for syrup.

You can taste their different syrups at a maple syrup cafe at the school. There is also a competition where syrup producers, like fifth-generation producer Don Crass, can enter their syrups.

Full story: WJFW

Merrill home shows challenges and dangers of vacant, delinquent and abandoned properties

MERRILL - Drivers might not think much about a certain home on East 2nd Street in Merrill. From the outside, the home looks in decent shape, despite a small tarp covering part of the rear roof.

However, things change quickly once you go inside. Broken glass, trash and even bottles of urine sit inside this home. Most of the floor in the entire home is covered in trash.

Merrill Building & Zoning Administrator Darin Pagel says the roof isn't doing well either.
"When it's raining inside, it's never a good sign," Pagel says as melting snow leaks into the homes infested bathroom.

Full story: WJFW

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest won't open 11 of 53 campgrounds this summer

RHINELANDER - Worker with the CNNF blame growing operational costs and a decrease in visitors as the main reasons for the closures of 11 of 53 campgrounds.

Forest employees announced the news early this week.

Some sites will be entirely closed, while others will only have certain areas blocked off.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin Senate GOP leader wants to restore education cuts

MADISON - Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says his fellow Republican senators want to restore much or all of the $127 million that Gov. Scott Walker has proposed cutting from public schools in the first year of his proposed budget.

The Juneau Republican said Friday at Marquette Law School that the precise amount will depend on updated revenue projections that will be issued in the next few weeks.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin pension fund managers awarded nearly $12 million

MADISON - Wisconsin's pension fund managers and those who work directly with the state's investments will share nearly $12 million in bonuses this year because of strong returns.

The state investment board announced the bonuses on Friday.

The board on Wednesday approved the $11.9 million in bonuses to 142 of its 150 employees. The bonuses are down 10.4 percent from the $13.3 million awarded last year.

Full story: WJFW

We Energies' purchase of WPS parent company moves ahead

MILWAUKEE - We Energies plans to buy WPS's parent company, Integrys, for more than $9 billion.

Earlier this week, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the sale, but more still needs to be done before the sale goes through.

"Because we're a regulated utility, we have four states that we still need to receive the go ahead from the public service commission," said WPS spokesperson Lisa Prunty.

Full story: WJFW

Women meet for second Northwoods Women's Business Conference

WABENO - More than 130 women from around the Northwoods came together on Friday in Wabeno to learn more about business at the second annual Northwoods Women's Business Conference.

"It's just a day of networking and learning and laughter and fun for women in business," said Northwoods Women in Business founder Michelle Madl-Soehren. "Some are business owners, some are working in business, and some have administrative level positions."

Women sat in on speakers to learn on topics ranging from entrepreneurship and social media marketing to financing a business.

Full story: WJFW

"Food for Fines" program gives people an alternative to paying library late fees

MERRILL - A Merrill library will offer a different way to deal with your late fees. Librarians at the T.B. Scott Free Library will hold their "Food for Fines" program. This allows people to donate non-perishables to the library to get rid of late charges.

"The Food for Fines program allows people to be forgive $1 of fines for every item they bring for the Merrill Food Pantry," said Library Assistant Director Don Litzer. "This is an opportunity that the library gives the community to settle up their fines and also to benefit a worthy community charity."

The library hosts the food drive in honor of National Library Week. Librarians forgave more than five hundred dollars in late fees last year. They'll also host other events all week long, including group video games and book chats.

Full story: WJFW

Bird flu confirmed at 4 more Minnesota turkey farms

MINNEAPOLIS - State and federal authorities have confirmed outbreaks of bird flu at four more turkey farms in Minnesota, raising the number of farms affected in the state to 13.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the new cases are in Cottonwood, Lyon, Watonwan and Stearns counties.

The farms housed a combined 189,000 turkeys. Those birds not killed by the virus will be euthanized to prevent the disease from spreading.

Full story: WJFW

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