Election clerks tell it like it is
Local clerks answer questions at forum prior to Tuesday’s primary
Postponed for two weeks when the area was socked with mid-month snow, the presentation “What Election Clerks Want Voters to Know: A Community Conversation” finally brought a trio of municipal clerks together with an attentive crowd last Friday, March 27 at the Rhinelander District Library. The event was co-sponsored by the library and the League of Women Voters of the Northwoods (LWVNW).
Windy, dry conditions lead to brushfire battle in Woodboro Township
Gusty winds helped turn a firepit burn into a threat to three Woodboro Township structures last Sunday afternoon, March 29. The Crescent volunteer fire department responded to the call, with the assistance of the Cassian volunteer fire department and Wisconsin DNR units, to fight a spreading brush fire on the hillside behind 7373 U.S. Highway 8.
Clure and Cody arraigned on Fentanyl charge
An Eagle River man and woman, each charged in January with one count apiece of possession with intent to deliver more than 50 grams of Fentanyl, have been arraigned in Oneida County Court with judge Mary Sowinski.
Stella approves tree removal bid at special meeting
In preparation for the June start of a $4 million Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) project, funded by a grant for projects that directly impact roads used for purposes such as agriculture and forestry, the Stella town board held a special meeting on March 24 to open bids for tree removal.
Frodesen charged with firearm felony
A preliminary hearing in Oneida County Court was held March 24 for a Rhinelander man accused of intentionally pointing a firearm at a law enforcement officer.
SDR board hears JWMS news, school forest timber sale plans and more in busy session
James Williams Middle School earned a sizeable share of the spotlight during the March 23 School District of Rhinelander school board meeting.
Questions on Haymeadow Bridge create quandary for Pelican town board
A ticklish situation regarding the Haymeadow Bridge has made for quite a quandary for the Pelican town board. That quandary was front and center at the board’s regular monthly meeting March 23, as well as at a special meeting on March 13.
City Council OKs Messer Street Project expansion
Council members got the latest scoop on city projects galore at Monday’s Rhinelander Common Council meeting. Delivered by Mark Barden of Town and Country Engineering, the update filled much of the meeting, held at Rhinelander City Hall.
SDR board approves upgrades to tracks and tennis courts
Approvals of some six-digit purchases to benefit students both physically and mentally were among the highlights of Monday’s meeting of School District of Rhinelander school board, held at Rhinelander High School’s Superior Diesel Advanced Learning Center.
Pine Lake eyes city’s water and sewer extension plan
A potential development’s impact to Shepard Lake Road’s right of way made for a lively discussion at the Pine Lake town board meeting on Wednesday, March 18. With chairman Jim Flory absent, the meeting at the Pine Lake Community Building was chaired by Tim Oestreich.
Helke seeks court review of Rhinelander commission’s police captain promotion
A Rhinelander Police Department officer who was interviewed last month for the role of police captain, but was not offered the promotion, is taking legal action. Patrol sergeant Kurt Helke was one of only two candidates for the police captain position, together with then-fellow patrol sergeant Chad Brown. Each was interviewed separately in the executive board room behind the council chamber at Rhinelander City Hall in a closed session of the Rhinelander Police and Fire Commission the morning of Feb. 5.
Rhinelander Housing Authority receives $50,000 WHEDA grant, updates pet policy for tenants
After a trio of previous tries, the Rhinelander Housing Authority has at last been awarded a $50,000 Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority grant, the RHA board of commissioners heard at their regular bimonthly meeting March 17 at Evergreen Manor.
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.
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.
The men who would be mayor
Incumbent Hanus, challenger Barnett open up in Nicolet forum
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.
That’s all she wrote: City council balks at idea to hire full-time grant writer
Run up the flagpole but finding few salutes, an idea to add a full-time grant writer for the city made for much of the discussion at Monday’s Rhinelander common council meeting.
Pelican town board approves replacement for short-lived pressure washer
A new pressure washer will soon be in the works for Pelican’s town shop, after the town board’s regular meeting Monday at the Pelican Town Hall. With town chairman Nick Scholtes absent due to illness, supervisor Walter Dahlquist Jr. led the brief meeting.
Generations generate a fine forum
SDR board candidates deliver in event presented by student council and League of Women Voters
Whether a passionate candidate, a curious audience member, or an inspired student helping it happen, last Wednesday’s Rhinelander School Board Candidate Forum offered quite an educational opportunity.
Fee-less weight limit permit, upcoming road maintenance projects discussed by Stella town board
Unusual circumstances this year for the town of Stella’s seasonal rate limits led the agenda at last Tuesday’s meeting of the town board. Revisiting a decision made at the board’s November meeting, town chairman William “Casey” Crump observed 2026 weight limit permits must be completed and submitted to exceed the posted weight limits, but this year no fees will be required for those permits.
New TID proposed for North Stevens St. area
Mixed-use district would include residential, light industrial, and commercial uses
Rhinelander’s latest Tax Incremental District, TID 13, took its first steps toward becoming a reality Tuesday morning with the convening of the Joint Review Board. The proposed district includes 25 contiguous parcels in the North Stevens Street area.
Town utility permit policy, road projects among topics discussed by Newbold town board
The Newbold town board made strides toward a new town utility permit policy and weighing a slate of possible road projects at its regular meeting last Thursday, Feb. 26. Supervisor Petra Pietrzak was absent.
Newbold repurposes outdoor ballot box to improve indoor drop box
The April 7 spring election is on the way, and the town of Newbold has made some improvements on where absentee ballots will be deposited: its triple-locked new drop box. After the newly built Newbold Community Center opened about two years ago, town clerk Kim Gauthier and treasurer Jodie Hess found its drop box was a little too small to hold all the tax payments and absentee ballots entering through the slot in the building’s outside wall.
Treacherous ice sends Escort into rollover on U.S. Highway 8 in Pelican
Icy conditions have contributed to another crash on U.S. Highway 8. On Tuesday at 4:40 p.m., a Ford Escort was traveling westbound on Hwy. 8 through the town of Pelican when it slid across the median and hit the opposite ditch, rolling onto its roof.
Shoplifting sprees lead to Florence woman facing fines of up to $20,000
A Florence woman charged with a pair of drug-related felonies in October was arrested again Wednesday and charged with felony bail jumping, a class H felony, and class A misdemeanor retail theft after allegedly shoplifting $277.87 in items at the Rhinelander Walmart Supercenter.
Rhinelander honors volunteer forester as council reviews golf course finances
Presentations on an honored urban forester and the city’s municipal golf course led the agenda at the Rhinelander Common Council meeting Monday, Feb. 23. Council member Steven Jopek was absent.
High-speed chase closes U.S. Hwy. 8 for almost an hour
Zarda charged in Forest County, with more to come
A court date of March 3 is expected for a 41-year-old Crandon man after a high-speed chase down U.S. Highway 8 on Feb. 18. Driving a 2009 black Ford Edge reportedly “all over the road” at speeds of up to 95 mph, Daniel Lee Zarda Jr. led Crandon police officers into Oneida County at nearly half past noon. There, his vehicle lost a tire and came to a stop in a ditch near the highway’s intersection with Browns Road.
Firearms charges brought against Pelican Lake man
A Pelican Lake man is in the custody of the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, facing charges related to firearms. Ian Sandison, 28, was arrested Feb. 19 in the town of Pelican. According to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office supplemental report submitted with the complaint, Sandison allegedly pointed an AR-style rifle at a man while stopped in a vehicle, and was found to be carrying a loaded revolver. More firearms and ammunition were in his Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, including a loaded Smith & Wesson, AR-style MP-15 rifle.
Newbold town board nixes Rookery Run tower proposal, hears finance update
A proposal to place a 100-foot service tower on Rookery Run found little support at the Feb. 12 Newbold town board meeting, held at the Newbold Community Center.
Slippery, slushy conditions lead to rollover in Pelican
In the freezing drizzle Wednesday morning, an Argonne woman sustained injuries when her vehicle rolled over, landing upside-down in a ditch on U.S. Highway 8 in Pelican.
Fourth OWI and officer obstruction charges for Baraboo man
A Baraboo man was arrested in Three Lakes last Monday night for a 4th OWI offense and obstructing an officer. Kendall J. Meyer, 56, was charged with one count of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence-4th offense, a class H felony, and one count of resisting or obstructing an officer, a class A misdemeanor.
At least 1,656 Wisconsin child labor violations allegedly amassed by Chicago-based Burger King franchise operator
A Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development audit of child labor violations against the operator of over 100 Burger King franchises in Wisconsin — including one in Rhinelander — is under administrative review, pushing back a deadline to pay more than $1 million for what state officials say is “the largest determination of child labor and wage payment violations in modern Wisconsin history.”
SDR board renews Burke’s contract
Board hears update on $26M referendum construction project
Eric Burke has earned another two years at the helm of the School District of Rhinelander. The superintendent’s contract renewal, spanning July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, was approved by the SDR Board of Education at its regular monthly meeting on Monday, Feb. 16. Board clerk Mary Peterson and board treasurer Mike Roberts were absent.
Revaluation angles discussed by town assessor at Newbold meeting
Revaluation, looming next year for the town of Newbold, dominated the discussion in Jef Muelver’s monthly town assessor report at the Feb. 12 Newbold town board meeting. Newbold has fallen out of compliance with the state’s value. To be in compliance, valuation has to be within 10 percent above or below. “Tentatively, we’re ratioed at 66 percent (of market value) for 2025,” Muelver told the board.
Bond set for Minnesota man arrested in Rhinelander
Mithaugen charged with sexually related felonies
Bond of $20,000 has been set in Oneida County circuit court for a 37-year-old Minnesota man accused of sexually related crimes. On Feb. 14, Creighton Mithaugen of Faribault, Minn., was arrested in Rhinelander and charged with one count of attempting 2nd degree sexual assault of a child and one count of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. Both are Class C felonies.
Car fire temporarily closes U.S. Highway 8 Monday
Traffic on U.S. Highway 8 near the Oneida/Lincoln county line encountered an unexpected detour Monday after a car fire prompted the road’s temporary closure. A Chevrolet Equinox, driven by Matthew Pritzl of Presque Isle, was traveling east toward Rhinelander on Hwy. 8 when the vehicle’s “check engine” light came on, according to Crescent fire chief Kevin Mahner.
Blinding angle of sun contributes to Sunday crash in Crescent
Glare from the late-day sun was a factor in an accident Sunday that temporarily closed a section of U.S. Highway 8 in Crescent. Brett Glebke, 46, Rhinelander, was traveling west shortly before 5 p.m. when his 2006 Subaru Legacy sedan struck the trailer of a 1990 Ford F700 stake truck legally parked at the side of the road.
Crescent town board moves to improve town shop buildings
Harrelson appointed to town plan commission
The town of Crescent’s drafty town shop buildings, overdue for improvements, will soon be getting attention. A proposal from Jeff R. Musson Architect, LLC, to provide architectural design services to evaluate the town’s shop buildings has been accepted by the Crescent town board. The decision was made at the board’s regular monthly meeting last Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Two Eagle River men face drug-related charges in Oneida County
Court dates have been set for a pair of Eagle River men arrested in Woodruff Feb. 6 on drug-related charges. According to an Oneida County Sheriff’s Office supplemental report submitted with the criminal complaint, an after-midnight traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Edward Falcetta, 58, led to the arrests of passengers Scott Rich, 39, and Larry Veach III, 29.
Stella updated by MSA on road project details and lurking peat
The town of Stella’s $4 million Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) grant road project is about a month behind schedule, but a June start to its construction is still square in the sights of engineer MSA Professional Services, the town board learned at its meeting last Tuesday, Feb. 10.
City projects, budget amendments highlight Rhinelander council meeting
There’s a busy slate of city projects being readied for Rhinelander. Mark Barden of Town and Country Engineering, LLC delivered a preview of what’s to come this year and next in a presentation at the Rhinelander Common Council meeting Monday, Feb. 9. Plans are being finalized for construction this year on Brown, Frederick, Timber, Alban and Phillip streets.
Called in caution, lockdown at Crescent Elementary carried out smoothly
A sound like a gunshot tested the safety training of Crescent Elementary students, school staff, and area law enforcement Monday morning. Less than two minutes after the sound, heard to the north by concerned school staff during recess, was reported, the school was placed in lockdown.
Pelican starts the process to say no to enhanced wake boats
Earning applause from over two dozen residents on hand to voice their views, the Pelican town board has decided to take the first step toward enacting an ordinance to prevent enhanced wake boating on the town’s five lakes. The unanimous choice was made at Monday’s regular meeting, held at Pelican Town Hall.
Nitty-gritty of Newbold’s subdivision and platting ordinance being reviewed by town plan commission
Proposed updates would be the first since 2012
The Newbold plan commission has begun the line-by-line process of reviewing, discussing and proposing revisions to Newbold Town Ordinance Chapter 13 Subdivision and Platting. The discussion filled much of the commission’s meeting last Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Newbold Community Center.
New police captain chosen at Rhinelander police and fire commission meeting
Fire chief position addressed
The Rhinelander police and fire commission has selected Chad Brown to be the next police captain of the Rhinelander Police Department. Brown’s appointment took place at a meeting Thursday, Feb. 5, after a closed session in which the commission interviewed candidates for the role.
Mother and daughter meet gluten-free need with treats and eats at Almond & Berry
Gluten-free goodies aren’t the easiest to find. That fact alone earns Almond & Berry, a gluten-free bakery and juice bar in Rhinelander, a place on the must-visit list for those with celiac disease or other gluten sensitivity. It’s the sheer deliciousness of Almond & Berry’s delights, served up by their friendly staff, that keeps folks coming back, though.
Free laptops narrowing the digital gap
Giveaways at Rhinelander District Library, other area organizations, open the door to online access from home
An effort is underway to bridge the digital divide in the Northwoods, laptop by laptop. Last Friday, Jan. 30, the Rhinelander District Library welcomed 50 pre-registered Oneida County residents to a distribution event giving away free laptops. As RDL IT coordinator Ashley Greenhaw checked in the recipients, John Potters, a contracted project manager for Human-I-T, passed out each boxed, refurbished machine.
Stella to receive bottled water from Ahlstrom, but has other ideas
Rhinelander paper mill owner Ahlstrom, named along with former mill owner Wausau Paper Company by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as the responsible parties for PFAS contamination in dozens of wells in the town of Stella, has announced a program to supply bottled water to residents within a three-mile radius of the Stella Town Hall.
Newbold hears proposal for new use of former school
The possibility of re-zoning the former Newbold School, from rural residential to a classification suitable for a range of businesses Newbold resident Eric Borchardt wants to bring to the building, was one of the major topics at the Newbold town board’s regular meeting last Thursday, Jan. 29.
Chiamulera sworn in as Rhinelander’s new police chief
For only the 15th time in almost 150 years, Rhinelander has a new police chief. Josh Chiamulera was sworn in as the new chief of the Rhinelander Police Department (RPD) on Thursday morning, Jan. 29, at Rhinelander City Hall.
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