RHS Sports recap: Tuesday, Dec. 16
Boys’ basketball: Rhinelander 61, Wausau West 38 | Girls’ basketball: Stevens Point 61, Rhinelander 32 | Boys’ hockey: Antigo 6, Rhinelander 2 | Boys’ swimming: Rhinelander 136, Lakeland 16 | Girls’ wrestling: Rhinelander 6th/9, GNC/WVC Challenge
Holiday haul
Diane Dodge does some holiday shopping during the Holiday Craft Fair on Friday, Dec. 12, at Rennes Health and Rehab Center in Rhinelander.
Hodag Hoops overcomes outside struggles to down Antigo
Abe Gretzinger scored a game-high 20 points while Evan Shoeder added 13 points and 14 rebounds as the Hodags defeated Antigo 62-42 in Great Northern Conference play Friday night at Sheldon Fieldhouse.
Lady Hodags pull away to down Antigo, snap skid
The Hodags bounced back Friday night and regained a bit of their stride as they steadily pulled away from Antigo en route to a 68-29 win at Sheldon Fieldhouse.
Hodag swimmers cruise past Medford in GNC play
The Rhinelander High School boys’ swim team made short work of Medford Thursday, Dec. 11, sweeping the top two spots in all 11 events as they defeated the Raiders 136-19 in Medford.
Hodag wrestlers fall to Merrill in GNC dual
The Rhinelander High School boys’ wrestling team won the first match of the night against Merrill, but not much else went the Hodags’ way in a 69-12 loss to the Bluejays in Great Northern Conference dual meet play Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium.
Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital announces expanded inpatient behavioral health unit
Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital is pleased to announce the completion of a comprehensive remodel and expansion of its Inpatient Behavioral Health (IPBH) unit, enhancing patient capacity and adding dedicated therapeutic and clinical space to better serve our community.
Nicolet College, Pelican town board work toward mutual facility usage agreement
The Pelican town board and Nicolet College are closer to finalizing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two entities centered around mutual facility usage in special or emergency situations.
What do we do about China?
The United States is confronting an existential threat — but not the kind defined by ships on the horizon or missiles in the air. The danger instead stems from a waning sense of national purpose and a growing doubt about America’s global role. Nowhere is this more apparent than in …
Four-goal third not enough for Hodag hockey at Chequamegon
Despite scoring four times in the third period, the Hodags came up short in a 7-6 loss to Chequamegon/Phillips in a non-conference contest in Park Falls.
Lake Tomahawk town board formally adopts 2026 budget
The Lake Tomahawk town board formally adopted its budget for the upcoming year. Town chairman George DeMet said there wasn’t much change to the budget, which has a property tax levy of $811,914 included, a 1.73 percent increase from the 2025 budget.
Nonprofit businesses to consider with holiday giving
Nonprofit businesses around the area are great places to make donations when residents and visitors alike are thinking about end-of-year and holiday giving. Here is a portion of the organizations in the area that might be a great fit for holiday and year-end donations:
Rhinelander Lions Club Community Christmas Dinner Dec. 25
The Rhinelander Lions Club Community Christmas Dinner, featuring turkey as the main dish, is Thursday, Dec. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pickup is at Trig’s Deli Express entrance, 232 South Courtney Street. There is a home delivery option, call 715-513-9755 before Dec. 24. Please include phone number, address …
Newbold town board reviews enhanced wake ordinance
The Newbold town board at its Dec. 11 meeting reviewed an enhanced wake ordinance it enacted two years ago, which at the time, received overwhelming support from the public.
Rhinelander Chamber welcomes Archer Auto Repair
The Rhinelander Area Chamber Ambassadors recently welcomed Archer Auto Repair to the community with a ribbon cutting celebration. Archer Auto is located at 3846 Country Drive in Rhinelander and is owned by Joe Busche, who has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Archer Auto offers complete mechanical …
Evers vetoes bill to allow new cigar bars
Gov. Tony Evers has vetoed a bill that would have allowed new cigar and pipe-smoking lounges to open in Wisconsin for the first time since the state’s indoor smoking ban took effect almost 17 years ago.
Deborah Winchell
Deborah Jean Winchell, 70, of the Town of Pine Lake, passed away peacefully at home with her husband, Dale, and family at her side and under the care of Compassus Hospice.
Oneida County Court Report
The following cases were recently filed or heard in Oneida County Circuit Court from Dec. 2 to 8:
James Steffan Leonard
James Steffan Leonard, age 74, of Elcho, passed away Dec. 10, 2025 at his home. Jim was born on July 19, 1951 in Antigo to the late Gerald and Catherine (Morse) Leonard. He attended Antigo High School.
