Free laptops narrowing the digital gap
An effort is underway to bridge the digital divide in the Northwoods, laptop by laptop. Last Friday, Jan. 30, the Rhinelander District Library welcomed 50 pre-registered Oneida County residents to a distribution event giving away free laptops. As RDL IT coordinator Ashley Greenhaw checked in the recipients, John Potters, a …
Hodag Hoops pulls away from Rapids
Devon Feck knocked down seven 3-pointers, and scored a game-high 28 points, as the Hodags defeated Wisconsin Rapids 63-44 in non-conference play at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium.
RHS Sports recap: Thursday, Feb. 5
Boys’ hockey: Kingsford, Mich. 9, Rhinelander 2 | Gymnastics: Rhinelander 119.9, Lakeland/Northland Pines 112.875
Lady Hodags put clamps on Rapids in road win
A fast start and strong defense were enough for the Rhinelander High School girls’ basketball team to pick up a road victory Tuesday night in non-conference play.
Hodag hockey’s upset bid against Lakeland falls short
After losing 10-0 the first time around to Lakeland, the Rhinelander High School boys’ hockey team gave the Thunderbirds a much different contest Tuesday night in the rematch.
RHS girls grapple in Marshfield, Merrill
The Rhinelander High School girls’ wrestling team took part in its final two tune-ups prior to championship season over the past several days. First, the Hodags were 18th in the 31-team Queen of the Mat Invite in Marshfield on Saturday, Jan. 31. The Hodags followed that up with an eighth-place …
Stella to receive bottled water from Ahlstrom, but has other ideas
Rhinelander paper mill owner Ahlstrom, named along with former mill owner Wausau Paper Company by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as the responsible parties for PFAS contamination in dozens of wells in the town of Stella, has announced a program to supply bottled water to residents within a three-mile …
Enchanted Library after-hours for adults at Rhinelander District Library
The Rhinelander District Library invites the public to Enchanted Library, an after-hours, adults-only celebration of fantasy, folklore, and whimsy on Saturday, Feb. 7, 1 to 3 p.m. Designed to spark nostalgia and imagination, this event offers a magical escape for grown-up guests. Come in and choose your quests!
Hodag gymnasts finish fourth in Antigo
The Rhinelander High School gymnastics team fared well Saturday, Jan. 31 in what could be a primer for when it returns to Antigo at the end of this month, with much higher stakes on the line.
Hodag Nordic competes at state sprints
The Hodag Nordic Ski team had some team and individual successes last weekend at the Wisconsin Nordic Ski League’s State Sprint Championship held at the Ariens Nordic Center in Brillion.
Eagles girls’ hockey co-op wins twice, falls to Valley Union
Having won two straight, the Northland Pines girls’ hockey co-op had a tough task with a Wisconsin Valley Conference road contest.
PHOTOS: JV Basketball vs. Antigo
The Rhinelander High School boys’ junior varsity and JV2 teams, and the girls’ JV team took on Antigo Friday, Jan. 30.
Executive committee approves three-month overlap for Jennrich retirement
By a 5-1 vote, the Oneida County executive committee has approved a three-month overlap training period for the successor to longtime planning and zoning director Karl Jennrich, following an extended debate over precedent and how to fund the transition. The matter now heads back to the zoning committee for further …
Mid-season snowmobile safety reminder
Snowmobile accidents and crashes over the weekend in the Lakeland area are prompting law enforcement and officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to remind snowmobilers about safety while riding the trails. While none of the incidents resulted in fatalities there were injuries.
Newbold hears proposal for new use of former school
The possibility of re-zoning the former Newbold School, from rural residential to a classification suitable for a range of businesses Newbold resident Eric Borchardt wants to bring to the building, was one of the major topics at the Newbold town board’s regular meeting last Thursday, Jan. 29.
Collins’s conviction expunged, but will still have to comply with sex offender registry
A Minocqua man convicted in Oneida County Court of child-related crimes and avoided jail time will also have his conviction expunged as long as he successfully completes his sentence, but he will still have to comply with the state’s Sex Offender Registry Program.
Let the groundhogs hibernate
To the Editor: Groundhogs are wild animals and true hibernators, yet every year they are pulled out of captivity — not their natural dens — for a tradition that has nothing to do with their well‑being. The practice began with German immigrants in the 1800s, who used hedgehogs or badgers …
Oneida County Court Report
The following cases were recently filed or heard in Oneida County Circuit Court from Jan. 27 to Feb. 2:
Harold Ray Bell
Harold Ray Bell, 85, of Rhinelander, passed away Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Rennes Health & Rehab Center. Harold was born on January 24, 1940, to Vernell and Ina Mae Bell. He was raised in Goreville, Ill., and graduated from Goreville High School in 1958. He lived in Kankakee and …
