Local Rhinelander Headlines

INDIANAPOLIS - A newspaper reports that Indiana lawmakers have proposed limited protections for gays and lesbians while they try to quell concerns that a new law that supporters say protects religious liberties would allow discrimination.

A draft of the language obtained by The Indianapolis Star (http://indy.st/1IQs51U) says the new law can't be used as a legal defense for refusing to provide services, goods or accommodations to residents based on their sexual orientation. But it would not make gays and lesbians a protected class under the state's civil rights laws or repeal the law signed by Republican Gov. Mike Pence last week.

Full story: WJFW

MADISON - A new state law will take effect today, greatly expanding the collection of DNA samples by police.

Now DNA will be taken from anyone arrested for a violent felony.

Samples will be sent to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Full story: WJFW

WAUSAU - Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) doesn't like Indiana's new religious freedom law.

The law sets up a legal test to protect religious rights, but opponents argue the wording in the Indiana version gives businesses the power to discriminate against customers, especially based on sexual-orientation.

The Milwaukee Business Journal reports that Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday that he doesn't anticipate a similar law would move forward in Wisconsin.

Full story: WJFW

MERCER - Nature provides creative outlets for many people across the Northwoods.

Mary Burns uses a unique style of weaving while integrating the images of the North Country.

"I have a passion about birds, I have a passion about weaving too, it's like I'm never going to retire," Burns said. "I love what I do; I love all of the aspects of it."

Full story: WJFW

MERRILL - Police used to teach people at schools and public places to stay put and hide if they faced an active shooter situation.

But the Merrill Police Department is helping to change that thinking.

Analysis of mass shootings shows people who run or fight back often have a better chance of survival.

Full story: WJFW

MINOCQUA - The Badgers don't face Kentucky in the Final Four until Saturday, but Northwoods fans are already stocking up on their gear.

Employees at Packerland Plus in Minocqua have already seen plenty of fans come in to buy gear. They usually see their Badgers sales increase between the Elite Eight and Final Four.

"Probably I would say the biggest seller is t-shirts and sweatshirts because it's still kind of cool this time of the year you never know what you're going to find," said owner Brenda Mrotek. "We did bring in some pretty cool Wisconsin Basketball jerseys also that have been a good seller."

Full story: WJFW

RHINELANDER - Some landowners don't want to make changes to their land because they worry those changes will hurt wildlife. But biologists say the opposite is true.

The Wisconsin Young Forest Partnership's goal is to help landowners improve young forest habitat on their properties.

"The basic idea is if people buy land and they are just owning it [and] just using it, they're not managing it, and wildlife doesn't benefit," says Wildlife Biologist Jeremy Holtz. "It's really all about trying to get the land into management to benefit wildlife. When wildlife benefits, people benefit."

Full story: WJFW

WAUSAUKEE - A funeral service is scheduled for the Marinette County man authorities say was killed by a bank robbery suspect who later fatally shot a state trooper.

A visitation and service will be held Tuesday for 59-year-old Thomas Christ at the Presbyterian church in Wausaukee. An online obituary says Christ is survived by his wife of 35 years, Marge, two sons and two grandchildren.

Authorities say Christ was fatally shot March 24 after encountering Steven Snyder, suspected of robbing a bank in Wausaukee.

Full story: WJFW

MAINE - Officials in two Wisconsin towns are looking at their options if they end up incurring more than $3 million in debt of a neighboring village.

Daily Herald Media (http://wdhne.ws/1ywHbUc ) reports the towns of Texas and Maine could take on the village of Brokaw's assets and debt if it decides to dissolve. A paper mill left Brokaw in 2011, and its water utility now costs much more to operate than it brings in from customers.

Texas and Maine officials held a joint meeting Monday that was attended by more than 200 people. Maine Chairman Tad Schult told residents to contact state lawmakers about allowing municipalities to declare bankruptcy, which currently isn't an option for Brokaw or others in Wisconsin.

Full story: WJFW

CRANDON - The case against a Forest County woman accusing her of releasing confidential information as a county jail worker will move forward after a preliminary hearing Monday.

59-year-old Jeanie Pitts faces seven felonies after the Forest County court accepted an amended criminal complaint with one dropped charge and one lowered charge.

Prosecutors believe she used her job at the Forest County Jail to give out confidential information to an informant. That informant had told investigators in September 2014 that Pitts had, in the past, provided him with the names of three other confidential informants cooperating with law enforcement.

Full story: WJFW

PRESQUE ISLE - The art of violin making dates back hundreds of years, and Brian Derber is carrying on the tradition. He wanted to go into furniture making, but fell into instrument design after taking a class in college. In 1999, he opened his own school. It's the only violin making school in Wisconsin.

"The program itself is modeled after a German school of violin making," said New World School of Violin Making Owner Brian Derber. "Students have to fulfill a certain requirement before they can apply to graduate. So the minimum time they are with me is three years."

Students start out by making the body of a violin in their first year. As they progress, they add the scroll and varnish, which can take months for students to finish. Nearing the end of their stay, they can even try to make a cello.

Full story: WJFW

MERRILL - Ron Kautz prepares taxes for more than 800 clients every year from his office in Merrill.

This year, he's watching for something new while filling out their returns.

Kautz needs to know if they have health insurance.

Full story: WJFW

EAGLE RIVER - It's a process that sugar harvester Yukon Jack knows and loves. Jack's been harvesting sap for about 20 years.
He makes 30 to 40 gallons of maple syrup a year.

"I used to hate March and April, and when I started making maple syrup, I can't wait for March and April to come," said Jack.

Jack doesn't tap the trees at the same time each year, but instead waits for the right weather conditions.

Full story: WJFW

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Republican legislative leaders in Indiana say they are working on adding language to a new state law to make it clear that it doesn't allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.

The move comes amid widespread outcry over the measure that prohibits state laws that "substantially burden" a person's ability to follow his or her religious beliefs.

House Speaker Brian Bosma said at a news conference Monday that the law was meant to promote a message of inclusion but has instead led to one of exclusion. He blamed the fallout on a "mischaracterization" of the legislation.

Full story: WJFW