Tomahawk Nationals and Antique & Classic Outboard & Boat Show Aug. 4-7
How time flies — it is time for the Tomahawk Nationals Antique & Classic Outboard & Boat Show again. It is a four-day meet, Aug. 4-7, in Sara Park in Tomahawk. The hockey arena will be open every day at 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. except on Friday and the …
Sports Digest
Rhinelander golfers compete in local WPGA Jr. Tour stops | Retzlaff finishes 11th at Indy | Hodag Lanes announces meeting dates for 2026-27 bowling leagues
Hodag Challenge 2026 sees jump in shooters
The Hodag Sports Club pulled in shooters from across the midwest and beyond for the 2026 Hodag Challenge July 18 and 19. This years Hodag Challenge marked just the second time Rhinelander individually hosted the event. In the past, the club hosted it with the Wausau Skeet and Trap Club.
Search underway for new city administrator
Time may be short here for Rhinelander city administrator Patrick Reagan, who has resigned effective Aug. 7 to accept a similar role elsewhere — but his last week promises to be packed full.
Last call for Bangstad? State revokes brewer’s license
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has revoked Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad’s brewer’s permit following a months-long investigation into alleged alcohol law violations. The revocation takes effect August 4 unless Bangstad appeals, which he indicated he would.
Oneida County welcomes visitors for the Saluting Heroes Balloon Rally
Oneida County is preparing to welcome visitors from across Wisconsin and beyond as the Saluting Heroes Balloon Rally returns to the Hodag Country Fest Grounds in Rhinelander July 31 and Aug. 1. The annual event combines breathtaking hot air balloon displays with live entertainment, family activities, and a heartfelt tribute …
Otto reflects on community relationships as a warden in the Northwoods
At the intersection of conversation and dead end roads, there are connections. Connections are what can build trust, and some may say they’re what brings dawn to the duck blind. Long-time Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warden, Tim Otto, has driven down countless roads in nearly 27 years with …
A home with a lake view, or two
At first blush, it might not seem much of a concern if a property owner wants to change the location of his or her lake access and viewing corridor to get a better view. On deeper reflection, though, there might be a problem indeed, especially if the property owner ends …
Interviews of firefighter/EMT candidates yield hopeful results
The Rhinelander Police and Fire Commission interviewed firefighter/EMT candidates at City Hall last Monday morning, July 27 — and the time spent came up aces.
Convicted sex offender arrested after unreported name change on social media account
An Eagle River man, a convicted sex offender reported to have approximately 50 social media accounts, was arrested July 20 for having changed the name on one of his accounts but not informing the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry of the change.
Driver in Pine Lake rollover charged with 4th OWI
A Rhinelander woman is in custody in the Oneida County Jail after having been charged with a fourth OWI offense, a Class H felony. Joann M. Catalano, 67, was found at about 5:10 p.m. last Saturday, July 25, in a vehicle that had rolled and was smoking near West Birchwood …
River News: Our View
They sure do love to talk a big game. That would be the Botch Brothers, Oneida County zoning director Karl Jennrich and county board and zoning committee chairman Scott Holewinski, just in case you haven’t seen them give one of their performances. Jennrich is known for writing tough-talking letters to …
Thomas “Tom” Charles Chariton
Thomas “Tom” Charles Chariton, 69, of Sugar Camp, passed away at home on Saturday morning, July 25, 2026. Tom was born in Rhinelander on March 8, 1957, to William J. and Eleanor G. (Erickson) Chariton. He was raised in Rhinelander, where he attended Rhinelander Public Schools.
Northern Wisconsin sees resilient economy
Federal Reserve District nine, which covers northern Wisconsin and five other states, is seeing a generally resilient economy, according to a mid-year update by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis on July 17.
Three Northwoods bowlers test their skills at Jr. Gold Nationals
Three bowlers from the Northwoods USBC Bowling Association spent the week of July 12-18 competing against the nation’s best at the 2026 Junior Gold Championships, held at multiple bowling centers throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
Camp notebook: Hodag gridders end week with joint practice
Last week was busy at Rhinelander High School as a handful of sports held multi-day camps in preparation for the upcoming season.
Habitat for Humanity helps SDR teacher come home
A year of passion and progress reached its joyful finish this month, when the house that gradually came into being on a lot across from Rhinelander High School became a home. Pelican Elementary 4K teacher Jaiden Thiel was the recipient of that home, the latest Rhinelander success by Habitat for …
Monsters down Whittlesey behind O’Brien’s arm, Schneiders’ bats
The Rhinelander River Monsters assured themselves of at least a .500 regular season record on Wednesday, July 22. Lucas O’Brien struck out five in a complete-game effort and brothers Sam and Joe Schneider combined for seven hits as the Monsters defeated the Whittlesey Reds 10-4 at Stafford Field.
Kowieski wins WPGA Junior event at Trout Lake
Rhinelander High School senior-to-be Hank Kowieski shot a 5-over round of 76 and earned a two-stroke victory in a Wisconsin PGA Junior Tour event at Trout Lake Golf Club in Arbor Vitae Tuesday, July 21.
