Hodags stay hot, improve to 5-0

Rhinelander did its part to continue Mosinee’s free fall from the top, winning 5-1 Mondday at Stafford Field. The Hodags improved to 4-0 in the GNC with the win and remained unbeaten overall on the year with a 9-0 win over Marathon in non-conference play on Tuesday.

RHS Sports recap: Thursday, April 23

Baseball: Rhinelander 25, Lakeland 4 | Softball: Lakeland 10, Rhinelander 5 | Girls’ soccer: Rhinelander 14, Antigo 0

Hodag softball wins thriller at home, struggles on the road

The Rhinelander High School softball team’s flair for the dramatic was on display once again at home Monday afternoon.

Hodag soccer fends off Merrill to keep pace in GNC

Following last Thursday’s loss to Lakeland, the Rhinelander High School girls’ soccer team currently has no margin for error if it wants to remain in control of its destiny to claim at least a share of the Great Northern Conference title.

Track: Buchmann breaks discus record again as Hodag girls take 2nd in Wausau

Senior Libbey Buchmann is continuing to show the form that has made her a two-time podium finisher in the discus at the WIAA state meet.

Rhinelander Community Foundation awards more than $76K in grants

The Rhinelander Area Community Foundation (RCF) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Grant Awards, recognizing local and regional organizations that are making a meaningful impact throughout the Rhinelander area.

Power shifts in the politics of autism

After decades of being on the outside looking in, those who believe autism is driven primarily by environmental factors are now not only on the inside but sitting at the table of federal power, and they are reshaping the national debate over the disorder in ways that are quaking through …

RHS boys’ tennis stays strong with win over Ashland

The Rhinelander High School boys’ tennis team defeated Ashland 7-0 in Tuesday’s Great Northern Conference matchup against the Oredockers at the RHS tennis courts.

Rhinelander teams finish strong at Wisconsin State USBC Youth Championships

The 2026 Wisconsin State USBC Youth Championships concluded Sunday, April 12 following two months of competition in the Milwaukee area.

Sports Digest

Lindner earns academic all-state honors in girls’ wrestling

Outdoor burning within Rhinelander suspended until further notice

Citing a lack of rainfall, high winds, and limited green vegetation, the city of Rhinelander on Wednesday afternoon, April 22, suspended all outdoor burning within the city until further notice.

JWMS ribbon-cutting highlights a day to cherish for SDR

With the afternoon’s grand unveiling of improvements at James Williams Middle School (JWMS) dovetailing with a school board meeting at which grateful high schoolers shared profound experiences from recent school trips abroad, Monday, April 20, was a day tough to top for the School District of Rhinelander (SDR).

Riding the trails: Could UTVs be an effective autism therapy?

Imagine riding in a four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle through the wilderness on a rugged, backwoods trail. For most people, the roaring engine, the twists and turns, and the back-to-nature feel of the adventure would be exhilarating, almost therapeutic. But for someone with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one might assume the noise, …

Mayor Hanus sworn in for second term, Mikalauski remains Rhinelander city council president

With one new face among its eight alderpersons, the Rhinelander Common Council held its reorganizational meeting on Tuesday, April 21. Gerald Anderson attended virtually, and Thomas Barnett was absent.

Swearingen running for re-election to state assembly

State Representative Rob Swearingen (R–Rhinelander) announced on April 22 that he is running for an eighth two-year term in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 34th Assembly District, with the election set for November 2026.

Raymond Allen Wiedeman

Raymond Allen Wiedeman, 94, of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, passed away on April 16, 2026. Ray lived a life defined by quiet strength, hard work, and a deep sense of responsibility to those around him. A man of action more than words, he spent his years building, providing, and caring for his …

Andre “Andy” E. Riopel

Andre “Andy” E. Riopel, 82, of Rhinelander, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Surviving are his siblings, Lucy Palm, Viv (Tom) Stevens, Ed Riopel, John (Kathy) Riopel, Yves (Ruth) Riopel, and Robert Riopel. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Timothy “Tim” Francis Pecore

Timothy (Tim) Francis Pecore, 75, passed away of a massive heart attack Friday March 20, 2026. Tim was born in Rhinelander Dec. 19th, 1950, to the late Raymond J. Pecore and Mary Patricia (Pat) O’Neill Pecore. He was the second of six children. Tim was a life- long Rhinelander resident.

The triumph of economic freedom?

Prices rise. People blame capitalism. Politicians promise “solutions.” President Donald Trump wants to cap credit card interest rates. My socialist mayor wants to freeze rents. Elizabeth Warren wants politicians to decide what prices are “excessive.” So I was surprised to see economist Donald J. Boudreaux’s new book titled “The Triumph …

Reader displeased with newspaper’s Sunshine grades for Trump, Tiffany

To the Editor: It seemed it had to be an April Fool’s joke, but no. The River News actually gave Donald Trump and Tom Tiffany A plus for their performance in office. Let’s just address President Trump’s performance.