Former school janitor wants sexual assault conviction vacated
Alleges state failed to preserve key video evidence
A former elementary school custodian convicted of pulling a fifth-grade student into a closet and touching her inappropriately has asked an appeals court to vacate his conviction,
SDR educators offer feedback on target-based grading
One semester in, School District of Rhinelander educators recently told the board of education they believe the district is “on the right path” as students, staff and parents adjust to target-based grading. The board’s Feb. 17 meeting featured an update on district’s move from traditional grading to the new assessment method which involves evaluating student performance based on specific learning targets.
District officials explain funding issues, decision to go to referendum
School District of Rhinelander officials have answers for local voters who have questions about the upcoming operational referendum vote on April 1. During an informational meeting at the Hodag Dome Wednesday morning, district superintendent Eric Burke and finance director Bob Thom explained that Rhinelander, like a number of other northern Wisconsin school districts, is headed to referendum due to rising costs, an “outdated and inequitable” funding formula and a lack of state aid to public schools.
Plaintiffs in PFAS lawsuit call defense motion an ‘overreach’
Attorneys for the town of Stella property owners who allege the current and former owners of the Rhinelander paper mill are responsible for PFAS contamination detected in their drinking wells have responded to a recent defense motion to compel discovery.
City council to participate in ethics training
The Rhinelander Common Council will participate in an ethics training session at the recommendation of the city’s independent ethics committee. Ethics committee chairman Dr. Michael Miller explained the concept during the council’s Feb. 10 meeting.
Rhinelander High School senior to play Eponine in ‘Les Mis’
Rhinelander High School senior Elena Larson is set to take the stage this evening as Eponine Thenardier in a Central Wisconsin Children’s Theater production of “Les Miserable: School Edition” at the James Veninga Theatre on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Wausau campus.
Defendants in Stella PFAS lawsuit file motion to compel
The companies defending themselves against a drinking water contamination lawsuit filed by a group of Town of Stella property owners have asked a federal judge to compel all named plaintiffs to respond to requests for production of documents.
A Trip Back in Time
Time capsule provides glimpse of community’s health care history
No matter its size, the role of a hospital in any community cannot be overstated. It’s where the vast majority of townspeople will take their first breath and where many will draw their last. From panicked visits to the emergency room to routine checkups and screenings, visits to the hospital are part of every person’s life.
Bond reduced for Michigan man accused of threatening judge, newspaper publisher
A Michigan man accused of making threats against an Oneida County judge and a newspaper publisher is free after posting $2,000 in cash. Court records show Peter Thomas Gruich was released from custody on Tuesday after Judge Leon Stenz of Forest County agreed to reduce his bond from $40,000 to $2,000 cash.
DOJ identifies sheriff’s deputy, driver involved in fatal Newbold incident
The Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has identified the Oneida County sheriff’s deputy and driver involved in a traffic incident in Newbold earlier this month that resulted in the driver’s death.
Kiwanis Club announces more donations to Hodag Park project
Vancos contributes $150,000; Frasiers donate in memory of daughter
Arguably, the purest melody that exists in this world is the symphony of unfettered joy that erupts when young children are at play. Bill Vancos loves that sound.
Overdose death trial off the calendar
Defense may file motion to suppress statement
The trial of a La Crosse County woman accused of providing a 45-year-old Rhinelander man with the controlled substances that took his life two years ago is off the court calendar following a pretrial conference Thursday afternoon before Judge Mary Sowinski.
Fourth of July fireworks display moved to West Side Park for 2025
For one year only, the City of Rhinelander’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display will move from its traditional home at Hodag Park to West Side Park. The common council chose the west side venue on Monday evening, after city administration explained that the planned road and utility construction project in the Hodag Park neighborhood will make travel to the park for the annual Independence Day event extremely problematic.
Driver charged in connection with fatal accident
The Oneida County district attorney’s office has charged a 23-year-old Arbor Vitae man with two counts of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle in connection with a three-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 51 last July that took the lives of a Hazelhurst couple.
Johnson named assistant fire chief
Adam “AJ” Johnson was promoted to the position of Assistant Chief of the Rhinelander Fire Department Thursday, following a meeting of the city’s police and fire commission. A 15-year veteran of the department, Johnson succeeds Dan Bauer who passed away in early November after suffering a heart attack.
Three Lakes Board of Education approves two-part capital referendum
Several Northwoods school districts planning spring referenda
The School District of Rhinelander is far from the only Northwoods school district holding a referendum this spring. Voters in the Tomahawk and Northland Pines districts will find an operational referendum question on their Feb. 18 ballot and last week the Three Lakes School District Board of Education voted unanimously to place a two-question capital referendum on the April 1 ballot.
One dead in officer-involved incident in Newbold
One person is dead following an officer-involved incident in the Town of Newbold Friday evening. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), at approximately 9:15 p.m. an Oneida County sheriff’s deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on State Highway 47 at Northwestern Avenue in Newbold.
Council signs off on transfer of HazMat team to Rhinelander Fire
The Rhinelander Fire Department is in the process of taking over the leadership duties of the Oneida County Hazardous Materials Response (HazMat) Team. Last week, the city’s common council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city and the Oneida County sheriff’s office establishing a “cooperative framework” between the city and county for the operation of the team.
Hwy. 8 water tower to be repaired
Town of Crescent to improve W. Davenport St.
The city water tower on U.S. Highway 8 is due for interior repainting and other improvements. Last week, the Rhinelander Common Council accepted a quote of $165,900 from Water Tower Clean and Coat of Lodi for completion of the work, as requested by city waste water foreman Curt Johnson.
One dead in officer-involved incident in Newbold
One person is dead following an officer-involved incident in the Town of Newbold Friday evening.
Council declines to authorize appraisal of golf course
GM Staron, superintendent Anderson to continue in their roles
During its first meeting of 2025, the Rhinelander Common Council expressed support for the city’s continued ownership of the 18-hole Northwood Golf Club, at least for the next 12 months.
Town board, county health panel support proposed Stella PFAS study
Funding decision expected by spring
The Stella Town Board and the Oneida County Board of Health have agreed to support a University of Wisconsin environmental epidemiologist’s effort to secure financing for a study focused on examining routes of PFAS exposure in a highly impacted community.
Judge denies request to adjourn overdose death trial
State moves to amend charge
The trial of a La Crosse County woman accused of providing a Rhinelander man with the drugs that ended his life nearly two years ago is still on the calendar for mid-February after a judge last week denied a defense request for an adjournment Defense attorney Stephen A. Sawyer made the request of Judge Mary Sowinski during a status conference in Oneida County Circuit Court Thursday afternoon.
Appeals court upholds conviction in Oneida County drunk driving homicide
The District III Court of Appeals, based in Wausau, has denied an appeal filed by a 40-year-old Stevens Point man serving a prison sentence in connection with a fatal accident in Minocqua in the summer of 2020.
DOT wants input on plan to fix Hwy. 51 intersection
Roundabout under consideration
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) will hold a public involvement meeting later this month to share proposed alternatives for a proposed improvement project on U.S. Highway 51 at the County K/Swamp Lake Road intersection in Oneida County.
Making the grade: School board hears update on district report card
The December meeting of the School District of Rhinelander’s board of education featured a presentation from Director of Instruction Ryan Ourada on the results of the annual state school report card. The district’s overall score was 63.1 which means it “meets expectations” according to the Department of Public Instruction’s rating scale, Ourada reported.
Jury trial scheduled in theft case
A 62-year-old Rhinelander woman accused of taking over $100,000 from an elderly person while serving as his power of attorney is scheduled to stand trial in late June, two years after the Oneida County district attorney’s office charged her with a single felony count of theft of movable property (special facts).
Denny motion filed in overdose death case
Jury trial set for February
The attorney representing La Crosse County woman set to stand trial next month on a charge of first-degree reckless homicide (drug delivery) has asked Oneida County circuit judge Mary Sowinski to allow the defense to present evidence that a “known third-party” may have sold the drugs that caused the death of a Rhinelander man in January 2023.
Bail reduced for defendant charged with recklessly endangering safety
An Oneida County judge has reduced bond in the case of a 51-year-old Neopit man accused of purposefully striking another vehicle on State Highway 17 and then leading local law enforcement on a high-speed chase.
Former Oneida County sergeant appeals stalking conviction
A former sergeant with the Oneida County sheriff’s office is appealing his 2023 conviction for stalking his former spouse. According to online court records, an attorney for Stetson O. Grant filed a 24-page brief on Dec. 9 arguing that Judge Michael Bloom erred when he denied a defense request to include “clarifying language” in the jury instruction on the stalking charge connected to conduct that took place on April 21 and May 1, 2019.
Bond reduced to $10,000 for woman accused in baby’s death
Judge Leon Stenz of Forest County has reduced bond in the case of a Rhinelander woman accused in the death of her infant. According to online court records, Stenz modified Geana L. Terry’s bond from $100,000 to $10,000 following a hearing on Dec. 26.
Loss of community leaders chosen as top story of 2024
As we prepare to bid farewell to 2024, we once again offer our readers a list of the top local stories of the past 12 months. The selection process is often difficult, but not this year. With deep sadness and utmost respect, we must put the untimely loss of a pair of beloved community leaders at the top of the list.
Mayor leans toward running for re-election in 2026
At least six to seek four school board seats up for election in April
The next election cycle for City of Rhinelander elected offices — mayor and city council — does not begin until the fall of 2025 but one current incumbent is starting to look ahead to April 2026.
Rhinelander police chief endorses Chiamulera as potential successor
Gauthier hints at possible retirement in 2025
Lloyd Gauthier is preparing to step down sometime in 2025 and he knows exactly who he would like to see take his place as Rhinelander’s next police chief. During this month’s meeting of the city’s police and fire commission, Gauthier minced no words in throwing his full support behind Capt. Josh Chiamulera as his eventual successor.
Court allows second amended complaint in PFAS contamination case
Motions to dismiss pending
As 2024 draws to a close, it appears a lawsuit pitting a group of Town of Stella property owners against the current and former owners of the Rhinelander paper mill has reached the end of the preliminary pleading stage.
Council approves cart, vehicle purchases for Northwood Golf Club
Former mayor tells alderpersons to ‘sell, sell, sell’
Six days after voting to resume in-house management of Northwood Golf Club, the Rhinelander Common Council on Monday approved lease/purchase agreements to obtain a utility vehicle and 60 golf carts for the city-owned course.
Fire department to receive inflatable rescue craft
The Rhinelander Fire Department will soon have another piece of rescue equipment at its disposal. On Monday evening, the Common Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of a Fortuna inflatable rescue craft at a cost of $7,200.
‘A productive struggle’
School board hears update on transition to target-based grading
Students in the School District of Rhinelander are adjusting to the newly implemented target-based grading system, but it’s going to take time for them to become fully comfortable with an approach that requires them to “chase their learning,” district administrators told the school board during the panel’s Nov. 18 meeting.
No caddie needed: City to manage Northwood G.C. in-house in 2025
Council votes to resume management of city-owned golf course
The long-term future of Northwood Golf Club remains uncertain but the Rhinelander Common Council has determined that the city-owned course will be managed in-house for at least the next year.
Woman charged in death of infant seeks bond modification
A 37-year-old Rhinelander woman charged with first-degree reckless homicide in connection with the death of her four-month-old child in April 2020 has filed a motion requesting a modification of bond.
Council gives administrator high marks in evaluation
The Rhinelander Common Council conducted an employee performance evaluation of city administrator Patrick Reagan as part of its Nov. 25 meeting. The group spent approximately 40 minutes in closed session before emerging with a motion to extend additional hours of vacation to Reagan in 2025 “based on his high evaluation score of 3.4 out of 4,” city council president Carrie Mikalauski announced.
Public hearing leads to potential short-term solution to transit troubles
A public hearing Monday evening on the Rhinelander Common Council’s October vote to discontinue the shared ride program (known as Rhinelander Public Transit) ended on a positive note as two private sector businesses, Hodag Cab and Advanced Medical Transport, pledged to do what they can to fill the void.
Two more roundabouts coming to Rhinelander
Three miles of roadway on U.S. Highway 8 are set to be improved and two intersections — State Highway 17 South/Boyce Drive and County Highway G — are to be converted into single-lane roundabouts in 2026, the Department of Transportation has announced.
Chagnon pleads not guilty to child trafficking
All of the pending felony cases the Oneida County district attorney’s office has filed against Albert J. Chagnon have reached the pretrial conference stage now that the convicted sex offender has entered not guilty pleas to the nine counts of possession of child pornography and one count of child trafficking filed on Oct. 8.
Council hires assistant city attorney
The City of Rhinelander has a new assistant city attorney. As of Dec. 1, local lawyer Lindsay Erickson will handle the prosecution of traffic and municipal ordinance violations. The Common Council approved the new hire during its Nov. 11 meeting.
Utility issue complicates city review of site plan for addition to RHS
2025 fall term to be delayed by one week due to work
The City of Rhinelander plan commission has signed off on the site plans for the technical education-related additions to James Williams Middle School and Rhinelander High School, approved by voters last spring, but there was some debate regarding the RHS portion of the project.
Council to administration: Pursue one-year golf course contract
Like a wayward tee shot, the Rhinelander Common Council’s Nov. 11 discussion regarding the future of the city-owned Northwood Golf Club moved in a number of different directions before the alderpersons landed on a motion directing city administration to pursue a one-year contract with Oliphant Golf Management.
Council approves tax levy
Administrator recommends city investigate public safety millage
The Rhinelander Common Council voted unanimously Monday to adopt the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget and approve a tax levy of $6,172,164. The general levy is listed in the city’s budget overview as $4.8 million, the airport levy is $197,081, the library levy is $295,973 and the debt service levy is $879,110 for a total of $6,172,164.
Fire chief pays tribute to fallen assistant chief
A somber Rhinelander Fire Chief Brian Tonnancour took to the podium during the public comment portion of Monday evening’s common council meeting to speak directly to the community about how the department is coping following the sudden loss of assistant chief Dan Bauer.
$50,000 cash bail set for defendant involved in high-speed chase
Four felony charges have been filed against a 51-year-old Neopit man accused of striking another vehicle on State Highway 17 and then leading local law enforcement on a high-speed chase.
Prev Next