Innovative Public Advisors selected by city council to recruit next city administrator
Proposes Gitter to serve in interim
With scarcely a week left of city administrator Patrick Reagan’s time in the role before he leaves for a similar position in Sault Ste. Marie, the Rhinelander common council held a special meeting last Thursday, July 30, at Rhinelander city hall.
Group from Mirror View Lane asks Pelican town board to take over, maintain their road
A contingent from Mirror View Lane and its vicinity filled an impressive section of the town hall’s floor at the July 27 meeting of the Pelican town board.
Sixth OWI charge for Rhinelander man
A Rhinelander man with five prior OWI convictions will be arraigned this month after having been charged with one count of the Class G felony of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence - 5th or 6th Offense.
Search underway for new city administrator
More parking planned for Hodag Park
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.
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 Drive and North Birchwood Drive in the town of Pine Lake.
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 Humanity Northwoods Wisconsin.
Stella town board hears of possible right-of-way encroachment, start of ARIP culvert installations
The search is on for the official location of a road in the town of Stella. At the July 14 regular monthly meeting of the Stella town board, resident Kate Easton and Oneida County Planning and Zoning director Karl Jennrich were on hand for an agenda item regarding the alleged encroachment of Easton’s garage on the town’s right-of-way on Cambria Point Road.
Rhinelander man charged with substantial battery felony
A Rhinelander man is currently in custody in the Oneida County Jail with a $3,000 signature bond set. Michael Allen Ruesch, 48, is alleged to have beaten a woman bloody on July 16 in the town of Pine Lake. According to the officer’s supplemental report that accompanied the criminal complaint, he is said to have been dating the woman for two months.
Robinson swinging for the fences with Northwoods Dream Initiative
Tomorrow’s Northwoods Benefit Concert first ticketed event in history of Hodag Park Ampitheater
Like that ol’ song goes, “a dream is a wish your heart makes.” Tomorrow, July 25, a dream that Jesse Robinson’s heart has been wishing for years will become reality when the Northwoods Benefit Concert: An Evening of Dreams opens its gates at 2 p.m. for a day of family fun and top-caliber country music.
$1M cash bond set for Stasik after drug, firearm charges
A cash bond of $1 million has been set for a Pelican Lake man currently in the Oneida County Jail. Frank Joseph Stasik, 59, whose record of felony convictions extends back to 2003, was the driver of a vehicle found to be carrying approximately 249.48 grams of methamphetamine and 33.89 grams of fentanyl in a traffic stop in Antigo June 30.
Bartelme sentenced to 10 years for sexually related crimes
A Rhinelander man has been sentenced after being convicted on charges of sexually related computer crimes involving minors. The case against Thomas Bartelme, 43, goes back to July of 2022 when he was arrested and charged with one count of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, a Class C felony, and attempting the sexual assault of a child under 16 years old, also a Class C felony.
Frustrations aired over Reagan resignation at city council meeting
Barnett: Lack of communication ‘demonstrated a lack of professionalism’
A pair of passionate complaints in its public comment portion got the July 13 Rhinelander Common Council meeting off to a startling start. On July 7, city administrator Patrick Reagan submitted his letter of resignation to mayor Kris Hanus, city clerk Austyn Zarda, and common council president Carrie Mikalauski. The Northwoods River News broke the story in its July 10 edition, and it was news to Alderperson Tom Barnett.
Baby Boxes proceed, revaluation looms for city
The Rhinelander Common Council unanimously passed Resolution 2036-62 approving, authorizing and directing the mayor to sign a lease and service agreement between the City of Rhinelander and Safe Haven Baby Boxes, Inc. during its July 13 meeting.
‘Exemplary Citizen’ Lamers goes to Washington
Not long ago, Truman Lamers was a singular scholar-athlete in the Rhinelander High School Class of 2025. As academically nimble as he was physically athletic, he kept up a 4.563 GPA while leading the Hodags’ football, basketball and track teams as captain, earning all-conference honors in each and competing at state in high jump.
Rhinelander PFC makes conditional offer to promising entry-level patrol officer candidate
A hopeful step toward welcoming a new entry-level patrol officer was taken at the Rhinelander Police and Fire Commission meeting Wednesday morning, July 15.
UTVs get OK to use Lincoln St. starting Jan. 1
Speeding pedal to the metal through less than three months of research and debate, Rhinelander’s new ordinance allowing utility terrain vehicles on Lincoln Street found victory lane at Monday’s meeting of the Rhinelander Common Council.
Newbold approves Adopt-A-Road program, will percolate on town employee discretionary merit idea
An Adopt-A-Road program will soon help keep some Newbold road segments tidy. The Two Sisters Lake Property Owners Association (TSLPOA) will provide that program, and a resolution to support them was approved at the Newbold town board’s meeting July 9.
Momentum builds for Legacy Preserve with Crescent town board approval
At its regular monthly meeting July 8, the Crescent town board kept progress rolling for Legacy Preserve, the prospective 37.19-acre subdivision hoped to bring additional housing to Rhinelander. The three-parcel property’s preliminary plat is broken down into 36 lots for commercial and residential uses, 10 outlots, and new streets. Eight of those outlots are along a 10-foot-wide strip of land in the town of Crescent, so are made up of land from both Rhinelander and Crescent. As a result, the preliminary plat has to be approved by both Rhinelander and Crescent.
Town board hears details of Newbold’s pilot role in stewardship program
With their town a pilot community in a stewardship initiative, the Newbold town board heard an encouraging report on the program’s progress during their regular meeting last Thursday, July 9, at the Newbold Community Center.
An experience steeped in history
Competition finalist Lindgren shares highlights of her trip to DC
This year’s National History Day competition is now, well, history — but that June 14-18 event was an experience Amelia Lindgren, 14, and her family will remember the rest of their lives.
City administrator to resign effective Aug. 7
Reagan has accepted similar role in Sault Ste. Marie
Rhinelander is once again going to be in need of a city administrator. Patrick Reagan, who served in that role since February 2023, has resigned effective Aug. 7. “It’s been my honor and my pleasure to serve the residents of Rhinelander and to work with some truly outstanding department heads here at the city,” Reagan told the River News Wednesday morning.
Legacy Preserve preliminary plat approved at Rhinelander Plan Commission meeting
Legacy Preserve, the prospective 37.19-acre subdivision that would affect Rhinelander’s West Wind Drive neighborhood, made another leap forward when its preliminary plat was unanimously approved at Tuesday’s meeting of the Rhinelander Plan Commission.
Two tourist house applications OKed by Newbold Plan Commission
In what town chairman Dan Hess termed “a nice, short meeting,” the Newbold Plan Commission gathered on Thursday, July 2, at the Newbold Community Center. There they approved a pair of town initial tourist rooming house permits to be forwarded to the town board.
His Honor hangs it up
Portrait of retired Judge Bloom is installed where he presided 12 years
Joined by a room full of wellwishers, retired judge Michael Bloom witnessed the unveiling of his portrait on a wall of the Branch II courtroom at the Oneida County Courthouse on Tuesday, July 1.
Council gives go-ahead for senior housing project in special meeting
A developer’s agreement planned to bring Rhinelander a low-income senior housing project was approved at a special meeting of the Rhinelander Common Council last Wednesday, July 1. Passed unanimously by the council, the resolution approves a developer’s agreement between the city of Rhinelander and Riverview Senior Living, LLC/Crown Court Properties, Ltd. for a senior housing project at 903 Boyce Drive, within Tax Incremental District (TID) No. 11.
Road plans in spotlight at Pelican town board meeting
With construction season gearing up, the town of Pelican’s road projects for this year, as well as its five-year road plan, led the agenda at the Pelican town board meeting last Monday, June 29. Repaving of Bergman Road, which town chairman Nick Scholtes noted has already been let, should begin in September.
Winning patriotism
Four Rhinelander youth honored for written expressions on America’s 250th year of independence
As part of Rhinelander’s America 250 celebration, a special contest was held from mid-May to June 17 for community members to share their thoughts, reflections and feelings in a written expression of up to 300 words on the topic of “Our Country’s 250th Year of Independence.”
Newbold town board agrees to seek grants, welcomes benefit event back to Rookery Run
The Newbold town board has welcomed a popular event back to the Newbold Outdoor Recreation Area’s Rookery Run for a second year, giving the town’s blessing with a solid approval at the board’s regular meeting June 24.
Pine Lake board selects this year’s road projects
Last Wednesday, June 24, the Pine Lake town board held a special meeting to open bids for road work this year on a dozen town roads. By meeting’s end, though, the list of roads had narrowed to 10.
Another person’s treasure?
Council approves first reading of ordinance accelerating removal of unwanted items in city right of way
Unwanted items offered for free but languishing for weeks in front of Rhinelander dwellings have prompted the creation of a proposed ordinance which received a first reading by the Rhinelander Common Council at their meeting last Monday, June 22.
Johnson earns full-time police officer status at Rhinelander Police and Fire Commission meeting
The Rhinelander Police Department now has a new permanent full-time officer. Officer Connor Johnson was praised as “a good man” by Rhinelander Police and Fire Commission chairman Todd McEldowney after the commission approved ending Johnson’s probationary period at their June 23 meeting.
Court appearances continue for high-speed teens alleged to have fired shots in Hodag Park
The next court dates have been set for a trio of teens formally charged with allegedly shooting a firearm in Hodag Park and subsequently leading a chase of up to 100 mph with area law enforcement May 22.
Lack of quorum, but no shortage of insights at Rhinelander Ethics Committee meeting
Although unable to take official action due to a lack of quorum, the Rhinelander Ethics Committee meeting Monday, June 22, at Rhinelander City Hall yielded discussions with some candid insights into the role of the committee and its procedures.
First reading approved for proposed ordinance paving way for UTVs on Lincoln St.
The road toward Rhinelander possibly allowing UTVs on Lincoln Street rounded a curve at the Monday, June 22 meeting of the city’s common council. Both the need to update the city’s existing ATV/UTV ordinance, and the pros and cons of lifting the prohibition that currently keeps ATVs and UTVs off Lincoln Street, have been discussed in the council’s last few meetings.
Chiefs Chiamulera, Johnson share candid views on how Rhinelander is protected and served
It may have been called “Meet the Chiefs,” but at the community forum held June 10 at Rhinelander City Hall, Police Chief Joshua Chiamulera and Fire Chief Adam “A.J.” Johnson steered the spotlight onto other introductions. It was an eye-opening hour packed with details on the missions of their departments and the means by which they are executed.
Discussions on Pine Lake financial matters fill much of town board meeting
A nearly 45-minute discussion on a possible policy for limiting the amount spent by the town and fire department on items prior to board approval dominated the agenda at this month’s meeting of the Pine Lake town board on Wednesday, June 17.
Newbold getting details in place for next year’s revaluation
With the town of Newbold’s revaluation looming in 2027, how to inform its citizens both then and now was among the topics discussed at the June 11 Newbold town board meeting, held at the Newbold Community Center.
American Legion Post 318 is home again
Local soldier Jopek joins Shultz in post’s name at rededication ceremony in Lake Tomahawk
A time of renewal and remembrance, last Sunday’s rededication of American Legion Post 318 was a celebration two years in the making. The post’s longtime home at 7986 Choate Boulevard in Lake Tomahawk was nearly lost to a basement blaze on Feb. 13, 2024. Thanks to the fire departments of Lake Tomahawk, Woodruff and Newbold, the flames were mainly contained on the concrete lower level, where they even melted the overhead lights, but pervasive smoke damage damaged the upper floor too.
City council adopts amended zoning map
There’s now one less hurdle between a proposed future housing development and reality. At its regular meeting June 8, the Rhinelander common council approved the second reading and adoption of proposed ordinance 2026-1, after having approved the first reading May 26.
Stella prepares for a pair of road projects
Road project season is upon us, and a pair of those projects led the agenda at this month’s meeting of the Stella town board, held Tuesday, June 9 at Stella Town Hall.
Crescent works on town utility policy, considers online tax payments
The latest area town to see the need for a town utility permit and policy, Crescent made progress toward that goal in its town board meeting June 10. Town chairman Grady Hartman brought a first draft for the board to discuss.
Jury trial in Oneida County court set for Minnesota man charged with sexually related felonies
Mithaugen also indicted by federal grand jury
A jury trial on Oct. 29-30 has been scheduled in Oneida County Circuit Court for a 37-year-old Minnesota man accused of sexually related crimes. Arrested in Rhinelander Feb. 14, Creighton Mithaugen of Faribault, Minn., was charged with one count apiece of the Class C felonies of attempting 2nd degree sexual assault of a child and using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.
SDR board approves preliminary budget roughly 2% larger than last year’s
Board hears annual survey results
The School District of Rhinelander board of education approved the 2026-2027 preliminary budget, with total revenues of $53,352,382 and total expenditures of $55,826,276. That’s an increase of more than 36% over the 2025-26 budget approved last October.
Council starts process for ATV/UTV ordinance on city streets
Another mile has been logged on the long road toward possibly allowing UTVs on Lincoln Street. In a major portion of its marathon meeting last Monday, June 8, the Rhinelander common council discussed a draft of an ATV/UTV ordinance drawn up by city attorney Steve Sorensen.
Heading for U.S. history’s hallowed ground
Rhinelander ‘history nerd’ to represent state in national competition June 14-18
Looking to make some history as well as celebrate it, 14-year-old Amelia Lindgren of Rhinelander will leave Wisconsin tomorrow for quite an adventure. A student at SOAR Charter Middle School, Amelia earned the trip by blending her fascination with our nation’s past happenings with her creativity, writing skill, and tech savvy in creating websites.
Exploration ahead for Crescent silent sport recreation options
The possibility of adding silent sports opportunities in the town of Crescent will be getting a close look this summer. At its meeting June 3, the Crescent plan commission accepted an offer that will make that possible.
Rhinelander plan commission hears latest update for comprehensive plan
It’s been a decade since the city of Rhinelander’s comprehensive plan was last updated. With state statutes requiring Wisconsin cities’ plans to have a thorough update at least once every 10 years, the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC) has been carefully combing through Rhinelander’s plan this year.
Rhinelander man charged with sexual assault
A Rhinelander man is facing up to $20,000 in fines and up to a year and a half in prison after having been charged with two counts of fourth degree sexual assault. James Aaron Lubinski, 31, is alleged to have inappropriately touched an Auto Zone employee several times despite being told by that person to not do it. He was arrested May 23.
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