Local Rhinelander Headlines

Snow and ice causing some problems for heating homes

NORTHWOODS - The frigid cold temperatures look like they're here for a while. That means homes and businesses are going to be running their furnaces more often.

During the winter, snow can build up quickly on roofs and around the bases of buildings. WPS and local plumbing and heating companies want people to remember to keep an eye on how deep the snow is getting in certain areas.

"Whether it'd be in your home, or at your ice shanty, out on the lake; our primary concern is carbon monoxide and having proper heating and ventilation of your fossil fuel-burning appliances," said Leah VanZile of Wisconsin Public Service.

Full story: WJFW

2015 Fitness trends will include fitness apps and CrossFit

MERRILL - Many people try new fitness trends during the New Year.

Gyms are filled with people who have made New Year's resolutions.

Some of the trends will help people get back to the basics. CrossFit will continue to gain popularity again this year. People will also add mixes of yoga, ballet barre, and obstacle course races like the Spartan Race.

Full story: WJFW

Retired Oneida County judges receive lasting images for courthouse

RHINELANDER - We don't typically get painted in the age of smart phones and camera's, but an oil version of a retired judge will now hang in the Oneida County courthouse. The subject of the painting was one of two former judges honored Monday.

"I'm really proud of what he did. He's a talented young man," said retired Oneida County judge Mark Mangerson speaking of his son who painted the portrait.

Mangerson, spent plenty of time in the Oneida County courthouse. He was a judge there for more than 20 years. He'll get to hang there longer thanks to his son.

Full story: WJFW

A lifelong antique collector turns to art to jumpstart her unique business

LAKE TOMAHAWK - A lifelong antique collector turns to art to jump start her unique business

Melissa Sovey knows a little bit about business. Her husband owns the Lake Tomahawk Meat Market, but she feels her new business, The Butcher's Wife, provides something especially unique.

"I can remember picking up bits and pieces and things that I could afford with babysitting money as far back as high school," says Sovey.

Full story: WJFW

Former Governor Tommy Thompson says he hopes Governor Scott Walker runs for president

MADISON - Former Gov. Tommy Thompson says now is the time for Gov. Scott Walker to run for president, and if he intends to run he needs to get in the race soon.

Thompson said Monday after Walker's inauguration ceremony that he told Walker to be bold and make a difference in his second term. Thompson says Walker smiled and told him he would do that.

Thompson ran for president briefly after he left public office in 2007, but dropped out after just four months when a straw poll showed him in sixth place.

Full story: WJFW

State Senate majority leader says Senate won't approve gas tax hike

MADISON - Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he doesn't believe Republicans who control the Senate will vote for a gas tax increase to help pay for roads projects.

Fitzgerald said Monday he doesn't think the votes are there for the gas tax hike as proposed by the state Department of Transportation. Raising gas taxes was part of a $751 million package of tax and fee increases proposed by the department to plug a shortfall.

Gov. Scott Walker has not said what he would support.

Full story: WJFW

Making a staple of Three Lakes history new again

THREE LAKES - Dining out in the Northwoods can be memorable. That's especially true if the restaurant has a rich history. When the Black Forest Pub & Grille in Three Lakes shut down more than a year ago, people worried. Now it has a new life.

"To see something that's been so big in our history and a big part of our community in downtown Three Lakes not open, it was really sad," said Three Lakes native and Black Forest Pub & Grille Bar Manager Alicia DalPonte.

The Black Forest Pub & Grille sat vacant for more than a year. It had been a popular tavern and restaurant for about 80 years.

Full story: WJFW

Governor Scott Walker's speech: Focus on goals & growth, trying to draw contrast from federal government

MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker used his inaugural address Monday to show off his record in office, while also trying to compare Wisconsin's successes to the inefficiencies of politics and government in Washington D.C.

Much like his victory speech on November 4th, Walker discussed topics and ideals in the context of a possible run for president.

"In contrast to the politicians along the Potomac, we get things done here in the Badger state," Walker said. "There is a clear contrast between Washington and Wisconsin."

Full story: WJFW

Study shows coyotes are the number one predator of deer in the U.P.

MICHIGAN'S U.P. - A study shows coyotes kill more deer in the U-P than other animals. That's instead of wolves, bobcats and bears.

The Michigan DNR and Mississippi State University are working together on a deer population study. The groups are conducting the study by tracking deer and predators.

Experts say coyote population numbers impact the results.

Full story: WJFW

Snowshoers embrace bone-chilling temperatures in Moose Tracks Snowshoe Race

MINOCQUA - Some people in Northwoods might have cancelled outdoor activities because it was too cold, but snowshoers at Minocqua Winter Park embraced the cold temperatures.

A father and daughter shared a chilly bonding experience Sunday.

"One thing that my dad actually instilled was never leave a runner behind," said Michelle McCarthy of Gladstone, MI.

Full story: WJFW

Wisconsin Assembly members sworn in

MADISON - The Wisconsin Assembly's 99 members are taking the oath of office for the 2015-17 legislative session.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser, himself a former Assembly speaker, swore in the members en masse on Monday afternoon. The representatives then took turns signing the oath of office book. The book has been used on every inauguration day since 1877.

Republicans control the chamber 63-36. Twenty-five representatives, including 18 Republicans and seven Democrats, are freshmen.

Full story: WJFW

Michigan's annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend coming up

LANSING, MI - The state's annual Winter Free Fishing Weekend is coming up next month.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says anyone may fish Michigan waters without a license on Feb. 14 and 15. Related events are planned by groups, schools and businesses for the weekend, as well as by local and state parks. Details are being posted online.

All other fishing regulations still apply.

Full story: WJFW

Northwoods facilities offer 24/7 warming centers

NORTHWOODS - Many people probably didn't leave the house because of the cold temperatures Sunday, but if people need a place to keep warm, there are places throughout the Northwoods that can help.

Trig's in Rhinelander offers a sitting area in its mall. The sitting area is heated and offers a few features.

Trig's service operations manager Reed Kabelowsky says a lot of people use it for the free Wi-Fi service. He hasn't seen a lot of people in the area Sunday, but he does expect more people to take advantage of it.

Full story: WJFW

Police trying to solve Christmas tree ring mystery

GERMANTOWN - Germantown police have a mystery on their hands after finding a diamond ring on a branch of the police department's Christmas tree.

Chief Peter Hoell posted a note on the department's Facebook page Saturday, asking if anyone knew where the ring came from.

He says the diamonds are real. Police think someone intentionally placed the ring on the tree in the police department's lobby.

Full story: WJFW

Officials ID boy killed in Montfort shooting

MONTFORT - Authorities have released the names of a 6-year-old boy who was killed and two other family members who were wounded in a shooting in the southwestern Wisconsin village of Montfort.

Grant County Sheriff Nate Dreckman said Saturday that Jaxon Slaight was killed and his mother, 27-year-old Morgan Slaight, and his 8-year-old brother, Joseph, are in critical but stable condition at UW Hospital. Police said they had no update Sunday.

Dreckman said all three were shot in the head with a .22-caliber pistol. He did not say who was responsible for the shootings, but said authorities are not seeking a suspect.

Full story: WJFW

Doe attacks man after being shot with arrow

FOND DU LAC - Authorities say a 72-year-old bow hunter was hurt in Fond du Lac County where he was attacked by the deer he had wounded with an arrow.

Fond du Lac County sheriff's officer Jeff Bonack says the man was taken by ambulance to a hospital. His condition is unknown.

The man was bow hunting shortly before 7:30 p.m. Friday with a crossbow when he wounded the doe with an arrow and went tracking the animal.

Full story: WJFW

One of first 'revenge porn' cases heads to trial

MILWAUKEE - One of the first so-called revenge porn cases in Wisconsin is heading to trial.

Keslin Jean Jacques, a Milwaukee man who posted nude and seminude photos of his ex-girlfriend on the Internet after a bad breakup, is scheduled to start his trial Wednesday.

Jean Jacques, 31, was charged in April for publishing a sexually explicit image without consent. It was one of the first such cases after Gov. Scott Walker signed a new law banning the practice.

Full story: WJFW

Fire chief pushes for novelty lighter law

PITTSVILLE - A Wisconsin fire chief is continuing to push for state restrictions on novelty lighters.

Six years ago, a group of second-graders asked Pittsville Fire Chief Jerry Minor to help get the law passed.

In 2009, Londa Kuehn's class at Pittsville Elementary School read a story about novelty lighters. The lighters are in shapes that would appeal to children, and many don't have child security devices to stop them from being accidentally lit.

Full story: WJFW

Pregnant woman sues state for jailing her for drug use

MEDFORD - A pregnant Wisconsin woman is challenging the state's "cocaine mom" law that put her in jail for 18 days.

Tamara Loertscher, 30, went to an Eau Claire clinic last summer, where a urine test revealed past drug use and that she was pregnant. Loertcher says she stopped using methamphetamines when she thought she was pregnant.

Medical personnel shared the test with Taylor County officials. A judge jailed Loertscher for refusing to move to a residential treatment center.

Full story: WJFW

Spike in gym memberships

RHINELANDER - Some people think the beginning of a new year is a good time to get healthy. A Northwoods gym saw a spike in membership in the past few days.

The staff at Tone Zone Fitness in Rhinelander saw many people come in to buy memberships for 2015.

"The last couple of weeks, we've seen a really big spike," says personal trainer Sheri Gaber. "Especially New Year's Eve. It was crazy. There were people in here all day."

Full story: WJFW

UPDATE: Naked Oshkosh woman found dead outside downtown Presque Isle

PRESQUE ISLE - Deputies in Vilas County and the State Crime Lab want to know how a 61-year-old woman died. She was found naked outside in the downtown area of Presque Isle Friday morning.

The Vilas County Sheriff's Office got a call at 8:45 a.m. about a naked woman found outside of the Townhouse Store. The woman was identified as 61-year-old Corrine Gerster of Oshkosh.

A forensic autopsy will be scheduled to find out what caused her death.

Full story: WJFW

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