Possibility of UTVs on Lincoln Street explored further by City Council
The question of whether to allow utility task vehicles (UTVs) on Lincoln Street, tabled at the April 27 meeting to gather more information, topped the agenda at the nearly two-hour meeting of the Rhinelander Common Council on Monday, May 11.
Third graders from SDR, Nativity and Zion take part in annual event
On a day made for recreation, with a bright blue sky and a hint of summer warmth in the air, some 200 Rhinelander area third-graders took to the grounds of the YMCA of the Northwoods for the 8th annual Recreation Rodeo on May 8.
Rezny elevated to Rhinelander police sergeant
After a morning of interviewing candidates in closed session Tuesday, May 12, the Rhinelander Police & Fire Commission has selected Ryan Rezny for promotion to the position of police sergeant.
No surprises in SDR school board’s reorganization
A swift six minutes in length, the School District of Rhinelander school board’s reorganizational meeting May 11, held at Rhinelander High School’s Professional Development Center, was a solid endorsement for keeping on keepin’ on.
Progress continues in Newbold plan commission’s review of town ordinance
The Newbold plan commission is in the midst of the painstaking process of reviewing, discussing and proposing revisions to town ordinance Chapter 13 subdivision and platting. The process continued at the commission’s meeting May 7.
New businesses welcomed by Crescent plan commission
The May 6 meeting of the Crescent plan commission saw applications from two new businesses approved. Aaron Panke and family’s application proposes growing and selling pumpkins and flowers, while Britteny Zettler’s permit application is to operate a massage studio and retail service business. Both will be recommended to the Crescent town board.
Tomahawk man charged with striking girlfriend with pickup truck
A cash bond of $100,000 has been set for a Tomahawk man alleged to have struck his girlfriend with a pickup truck. Robert Richard Cookson, 59, was arrested April 21 in the town of Little Rice.
Crash between pickups, one at highway speed and one stopped for school bus, closes Highway 17
In a crash that closed both lanes of U.S. Highway 17 for 40 minutes, a Ford F150 heading northbound at close to 55 mph rear-ended another vehicle stopped for a school bus dropping off children near Royalwood Lane at 3:52 p.m. on April 21.
Pelican board makes enhanced wake boat ordinance official, opens road project bids
A round of applause from a near-roomful of residents rewarded the Pelican town board at its meeting on May 4. There, the board completed what it had begun at its Feb. 9 meeting, when it had agreed to take the first step toward enacting an ordinance to prevent enhanced wake boating on the town’s 59-acre Buck Lake, 71-acre Fish Lake, 58-acre Hixon Lake, 443-acre Lake George and 401-acre Lake Thompson by submitting a draft ordinance and condition report to local government recreation administrator-conservation warden Robert Kneeland.
Town utility policy ordinance formally enacted at Newbold town meeting
It was smooth sailing for town ordinance Chapter 19 Town Utility Permit Policy at the public hearing and regular meeting of the Newbold town board on April 30. With attendees making no comments at the public hearing, held at the Newbold Community Center, Chapter 19 was formally enacted by the board at the regular meeting that immediately followed.
The goodest boy in Rhinelander gets a well-earned retirement
Two days after sniffing out a drug find in an area school system, his last of some 350 deployments in eight years of service, K-9 Odin and his partner, Rhinelander Police Captain Chad Brown, came to Rhinelander City Hall Friday morning, May 1.
Convicted sex offender released to Rhinelander
A sex offender convicted of possession of child pornography was released from prison last Tuesday, May 5, and will reside in Rhinelander, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office announced that day.
Tinderbox conditions prompt city and county suspensions of all outdoor burning
An ongoing lack of rainfall, coupled with dry vegetation and persistent gusty winds, prompted the city of Rhinelander on May 4 to announce the suspension of all outdoor burning within the city until further notice.
Charges mount for Florence woman, now facing fines up to $110,500 if convicted on drug, other charges
A preliminary hearing date of May 14 has been set at the Oneida County Courthouse for a Florence woman charged with multiple drug-related felonies from October 2025 to March of this year, as well as bail-jumping and shoplifting charges.
Possibility of allowing UTVs on Lincoln Street a hot topic for city council
An agenda item for discussion and action to allow utility task vehicles (UTVs) on Lincoln Street made for some definite differences of opinion in Monday’s meeting of the Rhinelander Common Council.
Crescent town board updates residents, awards projects in dual meetings
Last Tuesday, April 21, nine Crescent residents attended the town’s annual meeting to hear the town board’s overview of the past year and ask questions, and then saw the board in decision-making mode in the special meeting that followed.
Pine Lake holds annual meeting with small but engaged audience
Only two of Pine Lake’s residents took the opportunity to participate at the town’s annual meeting April 21. They joined three Rhinelander residents, all town employees, in the audience for the recap of 2025 and update on 2026 delivered by the Pine Lake town board. Town supervisor Ron Lueneburg was absent.
Newbold board delivers details on past year at annual town meeting
“The less people show up, the more people are happy.” That’s how Newbold town chair Dan Hess said he sees attendance at the town’s annual meeting — and this year, two residents attended.
Man cited in Woodboro crash earlier this month at large from authorities
Freezing rain that coated Oneida County the morning of April 2 made for treacherous road conditions — and in the case of one crash that day — the alleged perpetrator has also proven slippery.
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).
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.
Water and sewer extension plan progresses at Pine Lake board meeting
A proposal by the city of Rhinelander to extend utilities to the site of a potential development south of Shepard Lake Road, impacting that town road’s right of way, moved forward at the Pine Lake town board meeting on Wednesday, April 15.
Pelican board revisits 2025, gives brief bridge update in annual town meeting
With Dr. Walter and Donna Gager on hand to represent the electorate, the annual meeting of the town of Pelican was held last Tuesday, April 14 at Pelican Town Hall. Chairman Nick Scholtes, town supervisors James Cates and Walter Dahlquist Jr., and clerk Mike Ring fielded questions from the Gagers as they proceeded through the agenda.
Nearly three dozen area firefighters band to battle Pelican brushfire
A homeowner burning brush from the day before is believed to have caused a slow-moving brush fire in the town of Pelican on Thursday, April 16. The Pelican Fire Department was dispatched at 4:48 p.m. to the 2170 Easy Drive home of Frank Pyrchalla, with automatic aid from the Pine Lake Fire Department, and assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and Oneida County medics.
State fund distribution to fuel big boost for SDR’s libraries
In a school library, young imaginations soar. Last Friday in Crescent Elementary School’s library, those imaginations got a huge boost of rocket fuel when Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski came by to announce the School District of Rhinelander’s $207,766 share of this year’s record $73.5 million Common School Fund annual Library Aid distribution — funds specifically for the state’s public school libraries.
Holt bids farewell at City Council meeting
Council greenlights Baby Box and Iron Hodag statue
Eight years as District 6 alderperson drew to a close for David Holt at Monday’s meeting of the Rhinelander Common Council, April 13 at Rhinelander City Hall. His message from the podium during public comment was one of the session’s highlights. After a congratulatory handshake with Linnaea Newman, who ran unopposed for the District 6 seat in last week’s spring election, Holt reminisced.
McKenzie and White sworn in, law changes explained by Muelver at Newbold town board meeting
Held two days after the spring election, the April 9 regular meeting of the Newbold town board saw the swearing in of returning town supervisors Mike McKenzie and Brad White for their newest terms by clerk Kim Gauthier. The board was alerted to two recent law changes in town assessor Jef Muelver’s monthly report.
Stella town board reviews East Stella Lake Road project plans at special meeting
With the expected June start of construction nearing for the town of Stella’s East Stella Lake Road project, town supervisors heard the latest update on engineer MSA Profesional Services’ plans from Phil Kriesel of MSA at a special town board meeting last Wednesday, April 8.
Crescent town board opens road and roof project bids
Deferring some decisions until its next meeting made for a relatively short gathering for the Crescent town board Wednesday, April 8. The highlight was the opening of bids for the town’s seven prospective road projects for 2026, which involve Fire Tower Road, Hat Rapids Road, Range Line Road, North Rifle Road, Sterling Road, Long Lake Road and Beyer Road.
Newbold town board tackles a variety of topics in marathon session
The Newbold town board gathered at the Newbold Community Center for its regular meeting on Thursday, March 26 — a meeting that turned out to be not-so-regular in length, topping two and a half hours. One of the discussions contributing to its length was a concern brought to the board by chairman Dan Hess in search of guidance.
Pelican to go forward with Haymeadow Road Bridge project
The Pelican town board has been in a pickle … but at its special meeting March 30, there was hope of a way out. A $133,043 difference between its estimate and total cost to remove and replace the 109-year-old Haymeadow Road Bridge — an overage of more than 20% — has had the board in a difficult place.
Convicted sex offender arrested after failing to update information
A convicted sex offender released to the Rhinelander area in 2022 is in the Oneida County jail after allegedly failing to report a change of address. Timothy S. Henk, 64, was convicted in 2001 of kidnapping/seize or confine without consent and second degree sexual assault/use of force.
Johnson named new Rhinelander fire chief
Police & fire commission hears of positive community outreach by police officers
It’s official — Rhinelander again has a fire chief. Adam “A.J.” Johnson, the city’s interim fire chief since the departure of Brian Tonnancour in January, was formally named the new fire chief at the April 1 meeting of the Rhinelander Police & Fire Commission.
U.S. 8 improvement project in Rhinelander begins April 20
The Rhinelander area will soon gain two new traffic roundabouts — and a substantial road detour during their construction. Construction will start April 20 on a U.S. Highway 8 improvement project that is expected to be completed in early September, representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) and contractor Musson Brothers explained at an information meeting held Thursday, April 2, at Rhinelander City Hall.
Rhinelander Public Art Commission decides location of proposed ‘Iron Hodag’ sculpture
There’s a hefty new Hodag coming to town, and the Rhinelander Public Art Commission had its first meeting of the year March 25 to help smooth its way.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prev Next