NEWS
Hanus, Barnett square off in Rhinelander mayoral race
Rhinelander’s mayoral election April 7 is a head-to-head match between incumbent Kris Hanus, seeking a second term, and challenger Thomas Barnett, the District 1 alderperson since 2020. The Northwoods River News contacted each of the candidates with the same questions, and their responses follow.
Snow and wind arrive with latest storm, heavier totals elsewhere
After reaching a record high of 56 degrees on March 10, Rhinelander was blanketed with another round of snow squalls late last week and into last weekend. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported less snow than predicted, but windy blizzard conditions remained as forecasted. On top of the …
WisconsinEye remains imperiled
Usually during Sunshine Week, journalists, lawmakers, and open-government advocates tally the year’s victories and defeats in the ongoing struggle to keep government accessible to the public. The scorecard is often mixed but survivable. Some years produce great strides in transparency, while others are more of one-step-forward, two-step-backwards affairs.
Chimney fire in Stella leads to blaze
A spreading chimney fire at a home in the town of Stella prompted assistance from three fire departments Monday afternoon, March 16.
Crescent town board readies for road projects
This year promises to be a busy one for road projects in the town of Crescent. Town supervisor Jonathan Jacobson’s detailed look at potential 2026 road work filled much of this month’s Crescent town board meeting on March 11.
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Amid heavy snow, Oneida snowmobile trails lagged in re-opening
With snow on the ground and heavy snow coming down, all of Oneida County snowmobile trails remained closed through last weekend, even as neighboring Vilas County reopened its extensive trail system to riders on Saturday morning, March 14.
Three Oneida County boards seats at stake in contested races
There aren’t many contested races in the April 7 general election when it comes to the Oneida County board of supervisors. While all 21 seats are up for grabs, only three of those races are contests — will all three encompassing representation in Rhinelander surrounding townships.
Five vie for three seats on Rhinelander school board
This year’s School District of Rhinelander school board race is a hot one. Three of its nine seats are up for election April 7, with five candidates in pursuit: incumbents Duane Frey, Mike Roberts and Merlin Van Buren, and challengers Doug Artus and Bill Freudenberg.
Global Game Jam - Northwoods Showcase program makes for more than ‘just’ a game
With flashing screens and intriguing games everywhere you looked, the fourth annual Global Game Jam - Northwoods Showcase drew an appreciative crowd to Nicolet College’s Lakeshore Center last Wednesday, March 11, to enjoy the creations of its middle and high school student participants.
Rhinelander well-represented on Youth Apprenticeship Day at the state capitol
Six juniors in the School District of Rhinelander’s Youth Apprenticeship program had the opportunity to visit the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison on Wednesday, March 11, for Youth Apprenticeship Day at the Capitol.
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Vietnam War ceremony March 27 in Harshaw
Vietnam Veterans Day is Sunday, March 29 and on Friday, March 27, the Northwoods National Cemetery in Harshaw will host a Vietnam War commemoration and wreath-laying ceremony. The ceremony, intended to honor the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans, is expected to be 20 minutes with the program beginning at …
The men who would be mayor
In preparation for the April 7 spring election, Rhinelander voters had the opportunity to compare and contrast the pair of candidates who hope to helm the city at Thursday night’s Rhinelander Mayoral Forum.
Newbold seeks residential parking revision in county ordinance
The Newbold town board has forwarded its recommendation to the Oneida County planning and zoning department regarding a revision to the county zoning ordinance’s residential parking regulations. During the town board’s March 12 meeting, town chairman Dan Hess said the county wanted input.
Health dept. reports increase in blastomycosis cases
The Oneida County Health Department announced Thursday, March 12 that more cases of blastomycosis, commonly known as “blasto,” in the Northwoods. Health officials ask residents to learn the symptoms and ways to lower their risk.
Grand jury indicts Minnesota man involved in alleged Oneida County sex crimes
A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned an indictment against Creighton Mithaugen, 37, Faribault, Minn., on March 12. He’s charged with traveling in interstate commerce to have illicit sexual conduct. The indictment alleges that on Feb. 13, 2026, Mithaugen traveled to Rhinelander to …
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