RHS Sports recap: Tuesday, Feb. 3
Boys’ basketball: Rhinelander 63, Wisconsin Rapids 44 | Girls’ basketball: Rhinelander 42, Wisconsin Rapids 26 | Boys’ hockey: Lakeland 3, Rhinelander 1 | Girls’ wrestling: Rhinelander 8th/18, CWWWL Finale at Merrill
Chiamulera sworn in as Rhinelander’s new police chief
For only the 15th time in almost 150 years, Rhinelander has a new police chief. Josh Chiamulera was sworn in as the new chief of the Rhinelander Police Department (RPD) on Thursday morning, Jan. 29, at Rhinelander City Hall.
Lady Hodags race past Antigo 74-18
Rhinelander blitzed Antigo from the start and led wire-to-wire in a 74-18 victory over the Red Robins in Great Northern Conference play at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium.
Strong first half sends Hodag Hoops past Antigo
Devon Feck scored 22 points to lead all scorers, and Abe Gretzinger added 13, as the Hodags got past Antigo 69-46 at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium in Great Northern Conference play.
Hodag swimmers cruise in home finale
The Rhinelander High School boys’ swim team cruised Thursday, Jan. 29 in its final home meet of the season.
Hodag wrestlers go 1-2 in Antigo Quad
The Rhinelander High School boys’ wrestling team dropped its first two matches Thursday, Jan. 29 before picking up a win over Clintonville to salvage a third-place finish in a quadrangular meet in Antigo.
Five podium for Hodag Nordic at WNSL Northern Conference meet
The Hodag Nordic Ski Team was back at Minocqua Winter Park on Tuesday, Jan. 27 for the Wisconsin Nordic Ski League Northern Conference meet. It was a successful day as five of the 16 skiers who competed reached the podium by scoring top-10 finishes in their divisions.
Police collective bargaining approved, demolition ordinance discussed at city council
New business filled much of the regular biweekly meeting of the Rhinelander Common Council last Monday, Jan. 26. After hearing a presentation proposing the installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box at the Rhinelander Fire Department (detailed in the Northwoods River News Jan. 30 edition), the council turned to new …
Taste of Chocolate fundraising effort begins in downtown Rhinelander
Do you love chocolate? Now is the perfect time to get some delicious locally made chocolate and support local businesses! According to a press release, Jan. 26 was the launch of the 2026 Downtown Rhinelander Inc. (DRI) Taste of Chocolate fundraising event sponsored by Nicolet National Bank and Da Bar. …
OVTC to advertise for surveyor quotes again
Oneida County and the Oneida Vilas Transit Commission (OVTC) are seeking a survey of a 4‑acre parcel in the town of Pelican as part of efforts to establish a new home for Northwoods Transit Connections. The parcel is part of 37.5 acres of land the county has and has offered …
Congressional candidate visits with the Times
Paul Wassgren, a Republican candidate for Tom Tiffany’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, stopped by The Lakeland Times recently to introduce himself and elaborate on his political positions more. Wassgren, 49, was born in Ashland and spent his summers there while growing up. He went to high school …
Ribbon cutting at JWMS April 20
The James Williams Middle School is having a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 20 at 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the completion of its construction project. The project was approved by voters in April 2024 when a capital project referendum was approved in order to “modernizing learning spaces,” according to a …
Tri-County Council re-opens after short closure
According to Casey Wagner, the new executive director of the Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the council is once again open after a closure of over a month. The organization underwent a restaffing and restructuring period, but is now open and ready to help community members that …
School Choice rally draws hundreds to Capitol
This past week was National School Choice Week, with hundreds of parents, students, and educators rallying in Madison to celebrate the movement’s achievements and lay out goals for the coming year. The January 27 event was organized by School Choice Wisconsin.
City issues running water notice to utility customers
City of Rhinelander utility customers who have experienced problems with water and sewer lines freezing should start running water at their property if the property address is approved to do so, the city stated in a press release Friday.
Patricia Anne “Pat” Simmons
Patricia Anne “Pat” Simmons (formerly Miazga) died on January 29, 2026. Pat was born in Rhinelander just before midnight on December 31, 1952 to Laura (Bixby) Miazga and Henry Luke Miazga. She attended West Side Elementary School, Saint Mary’s School, and was a 1971 graduate of Rhinelander High School.
Russell J. Rocke
Russell J. Rocke, 69, was taken to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. He was born in Antigo, to Leonard and Collette (Early) Rocke and was raised in Neva, a small farming community. Russ began driving truck at a young age for his father’s bulk milk business, …
Eldri Guldan-Zahn
If you’re reading this, it means I’m gone. Please don’t grieve; the last thing I want is to cause anybody any pain. I have led an almost magical life, full of wonderful people and moments, but my time has come to an end. I passed away in my beautiful home …
