RHS Sports recap: Tuesday, Dec. 30
Boys’ basketball: Rhinelander 69, Waupaca 44 | Girls’ basketball: Menomonie 54, Rhinelander 44 | Boys’ hockey: Manistique, Mich. 7, Rhinelander 1
Rhinelander’s overtime Peewee state triumph top local game of ‘25
There’s something special about overtime playoff hockey, especially when it comes in an elimination game. The notion that the result of a season hangs in the balance with every rush up and down the ice creates drama that is hard to match.
Observing at the open house
Four-year-old Colton Holom views train displays during the Railroad Museum Christmas Open House on Friday, Dec. 19, at the Pioneer Park Historical Complex in Rhinelander.
Dome’s collapse, return top local sports story of ‘25
The deflation of the Hodag Dome, its aftermath and reopening, is our top local sports story of 2025, by a landslide.
Northland Pines girls’ hockey co-op falls 3-1 to Wis. Valley Union
The Northland Pines girls’ hockey co-op were unable to make it two straight wins with a 3-1 loss to Wisconsin Valley Union on Monday, Dec. 22.
Speck DeByle, pillar of Rhinelander community, passes away at 92
The name Speck DeByle has been synonymous with downtown Rhinelander for decades. Most Rhinelander natives over a certain age can say they shopped at DeByle’s Clothing Store for back-to-school, work and play for years.
RHS Key Club, National Honor Society support local families and food pantry
The School District of Rhinelander is proud to recognize the outstanding efforts of the Rhinelander High School (RHS) Key Club, in partnership with the RHS National Honor Society (NHS), for their recent work supporting families in need and the Rhinelander Food Pantry.
Rhinelander Community Foundation continues to grow
After reaching a major milestone in 2024 by granting more than $1 million to the community since its inception, the Rhinelander Community Foundation (RCF) continued its momentum in 2025 with the establishment of two new funds, according to a press release.
St. Augustines to host ‘Epiph-a-tea’ Jan. 6 and Jan. 10
A new ecumenical event to celebrate the Epiphany will be hosted at St. Augustine Episcopal Church. Two identical sessions of an “Epiph-a-tea” will be offered: Tuesday, Jan. 6, and Saturday, Jan. 10, both at 2 p.m. in the church’s Guild Hall.
Legislative audit finds nearly $1B DOT accounting error
Wisconsin’s annual audit of state finances has revealed a nearly $1 billion accounting error at the Department of Transportation, as well as ongoing information technology security deficiencies and statutory noncompliance at the Department of Administration.
DNR to host career fair in Woodruff Jan. 21
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting six career fairs across the state in early 2026, one of which will be in Woodruff.
Robert “Bobby” F. Nelson
Robert “Bobby” Nelson, 71 from Tomahawk. Passed away peacefully on Dec. 11, 2025 surrounded by his family. Robert was born on May 8, 1954 to Robert and Gloria “Jean” Nelson.
Loathsome POTUS: This is no person for this job
“The presidency,” former President Franklin Roosevelt observed, “is not merely an administrative office. That is the least part of it. It is preeminently a place of moral leadership.” We learn as children to respect the office of the president and to pay attention to the conduct and the words of …
Oneida County Court Report
The following cases were recently filed or heard in Oneida County Circuit Court from Dec. 16 to Dec. 22:
DeWayne “Speck” DeByle
DeWayne “Speck” DeByle passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on Dec. 24, 2025. Speck was born April 2, 1933 in Rhinelander to Mabel and Murly DeByle.
Trump plays Mr. New York Christmas only in the movies
Fifth Avenue swarms with tourists grinning at the fabulous scene as retailers cash in on the cheer. Christmas in New York is a Rockettes kick line of store windows awash in fantasy and light spectaculars. But something is missing from the big show this year.
RHS Sports recap: Monday, Dec. 29
Girls’ basketball: St. Croix Central 72, Rhinelander 38 | Boys’ hockey: Rhinelander vs. Manistique, Mich., ppd.
DeWayne “Speck” DeByle
DeWayne “Speck” DeByle passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on Dec. 24, 2025.
Speck DeByle, pillar of Rhinelander community, passes away at 92
DeWayne “Speck” DeByle, 92, passed away on Christmas Eve.
