Hodag gymnasts take down GNC Small champs Ashland
It was far from a perfect night on Tuesday, but the Rhinelander High School gymnastics team had more than enough to pick up a victory and establish itself as the team to beat the Great Northern Conference Small Division.
RHS Sports recap: Thursday, Jan. 9
Boys’ basketball: Rhinelander 72, Merrill 28 | Boys’ hockey: Medford 3, Rhinelander 2, OT | Boys’ swimming: Rhinelander 137, Lakeland 11 | Boys’ wrestling: Tomahawk 61, Rhinelander 12
World Cup aspirations
Baker Schmidt dives to save a ball from going into the net during pop-up hours at the Hodag Dome Saturday, Jan. 3.
RHS girls wrestlers compete in Shiocton
The Rhinelander High School girls’ wrestling Hodags jumped back into action Saturday, Jan. 3 in the Clausen Girls’ Classic at Shiocton. Rhinelander, with just four wrestlers in the lineup, finished 20th in the 29-team field.
Pines co-op falls to Badger, beats Viroqua
The Northland Pines girls’ hockey co-op split a pair of games last weekend, the second of which took place in Minocqua.
Hodag girls’ Nordic third at Lakeland
The Hodag Nordic Ski Team traveled to Minocqua Winter Park Sunday, Jan. 4 for its second race of the 2025-26 season, taking part in the six-team Lakeland Invite.
Hodag varsity bowlers split again in D9 play
The Rhinelander Area Youth Bowling Club’s varsity team split its matches Sunday in Wisconsin High School Bowling Club District 9 play at Dale’s Weston Lanes, defeating Marathon 9-0 to open the day and then falling to Antigo 7-2.
Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport experiences standout year
The Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (RHI), according to a press release, is celebrating a major milestone after passenger boardings climbed to an 18-year high in calendar year 2025, marking one of the most exciting years in the airport’s history.
Retirement bittersweet for police chief
Rhinelander police chief Lloyd Gauthier announced his retirement last month after working for the department since 1990. He formally announced his retirement at the Rhinelander city council meeting in December, receiving a standing ovation.
Youth Sports Roundup
RBA 8th grade boys win Crandon tournament | JV gymnasts compete twice
Beck Family YMCA offers ‘Actively Aging’ balance training program
The Beck Family YMCA in Rhinelander is offering a new small-group exercise program designed to support healthy aging and improved balance. “Actively Aging: Balance Training Combo Class” will be led by retired physical therapist John Sykes, who brings more than 40 years of experience helping individuals improve motor skills and …
Property taxes surge to highest levels in decades
Property taxes in Wisconsin this year are climbing by more than they have since 2007 — school taxes alone have posted their largest increase in more than three decades — causing taxpayers to fume, partisans to finger-point, and touching off a renewed debate about how the state funds public schools …
Hodag Dome Winter Walking Challenge returns
The Hodag Dome Winter Walking Challenge began Jan. 2 and goes until Feb. 27. Stay active and feel great by choosing a 25, 50 or 100 mile goal. Walk at the Dome, outside or anywhere that you’d like. Track your progress in a book at the Hodag Dome desk.
Oneida County land and water conservation reveals new lake classification and protection tool
Over the last several years, the Oneida County land and water conservation department has worked with a team of stakeholders to create a lake classification system, a large undertaking for a county with over 1,100 lakes. Of those, 451 are names lakes, with the rest being small “pot hole” lakes …
Aspirus athletic trainer shares guidance for safely starting new year workout routine
Aspirus athletic trainer Colin Barker is offering practical guidance to help individuals begin new workout routines safely, emphasizing the importance of realistic expectations, proper warm-ups, and understanding the difference between soreness and pain. As more people return to exercise or begin new fitness goals, Barker says many common injuries can …
Eagle River Ice Castle canceled this year
After an optimistic start to the ice making season, the construction of the Eagle River Ice Castle was ultimately canceled. There were special plans for the Ice Castle this year too. Eagle River fire chief Michael Anderson told the city council at a Dec. 10 meeting the plans to build …
Dugan resigns following felony conviction
Milwaukee County circuit judge Hannah Dugan stepped down from the bench this past week after being convicted of a felony for obstructing federal agents and before Republican legislative leaders could follow through on their threat to impeach her.
Eugene “Zak” C. Zacharias
Eugene “Zak” C. Zacharias, of Wild Rose, passed away in the comfort of his home on December 30, 2025, at the age of 74. Eugene was born December 29, 1951, in Rhinelander; son of the late Richard and Jean (Westbrook) Zacharias. He grew up in the area where he attended …
Lynn Ann Kuczmarski
Lynn Ann Kuczmarski, 71, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025 at her beloved home in the Little Rice. Lynn was born November 18, 1954, in Port Washington. She was the daughter to Joy P. Schumacher and Helen (Duchane) Schumacher. She married John P. Kuczmarski in 1987 and was a …
