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Two Northwoods Men Indicted on Federal Charges Published on 07/30/2020 under News

A federal grand jury returned indictments on two Northwoods men in unrelated cases, according to the US Attorney's Office of Wisconsin's Western District.

-According to the announcement, the case against 42 year old Richard M. Duellman of Rhinelander, would constitute second degree sexual assault of a child under Wisconsin law. Duellman was arrested last week by the Oneida County Sheriff's Office. He is accused of using text messages and phone calls to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity. At the time of his arrest, the Sheriff's Office noted that Duellman has previous convictions related to sexual abuse of a child. If convicted he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and the possibility of life in federal prison.

-According to the same announcement, a grand jury also returned an indictment against Michael W. Wienandt of Tomahawk. The 26 year old is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The case is the result of an investigation that involved the Marathon County Sheriff's Office and Wausau Police. The indictment alleges that on May 15, 2020, Wienandt illegally possessed a .40 caliber pistol, a violation of a previous felony conviction. Wienandt faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

Overall, eight people were indicted in 7 separate cases.

In Other News

Lincoln County Fire at Maple Syrup Shed

Published on 03/31/2026 under News -Photo provided by Pine River Fire Department A shed used for maple syrup production was burned in a weekend fire in Lincoln County. According to the Pine River Fire Department, crews were called to a structure fire on Highway 64 in the Town of Pine River Sunday evening at shortly before 8pm. Within minutes, a Lincoln County deputy was first on the scene and reported the shed was fully engulfed and beginning to collapse. While no other structures were at immediate risk, the fire began spreading into the nearby woods. Firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire. No injuries were reported. The shed, along with it's contents were a total loss. The homeowner reported the shed was part of his maple syrup production and suspected that was the cause of the fire. This is actually the second recent incident involving a sugar shack or maple syrup production following an incident in Marathon County earlier this month.

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Published on 03/31/2026 under News A shed is a loss following a fire in Oneida County Monday morning. Crews with the Nokomis Fire Department were called to a property on Siemering Drive at shortly before noon for a report of a structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find the building engulfed. They were able to contain the fire to the storage building, and prevent it from spreading to other structures or further into the nearby wooded areas. The shed and its contents, which included a boat, were lost in the fire. It wasn't immediately known what caused the fire.

Published on 03/31/2026 under News As spring arrives in the Northwoods, more riders will be hitting the roads and trails for transportation and recreation. That includes e-bikes, and e-scooters which have been growing in popularity. And it comes a need for extra awareness from both riders and drivers. The Wisconsin State Patrol is reminding everyone to brush up on e-bike and e-scooter safety as part of its March Law of the Month. Preliminary numbers show 64 crashes involving e-bikes and e-scooters across Wisconsin last year, something authorities hope to reduce as the busy spring and summer seasons get underway. According to the State Patrol, e-bikes and e-scooters are considered vehicles under Wisconsin law, meaning riders must follow the same traffic rules as cars, even though no license or registration is required. It's also important to check with any local rules and restrictions. Officials note that safety is a shared responsibility. For riders, that means wearing a helmet, staying visible, using signals, and watching for hazards. For drivers, it's about slowing down, giving riders space, and taking a second look, especially at intersections where smaller vehicles can be easy to miss. With more people expected to explore Northwoods roads, bike paths, and trails in the coming weeks and months, officials say a little extra caution now can go a long way toward keeping everyone safe.

Published on 03/31/2026 under News The Tomahawk Public Library continues to benefit from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. The Foundation recently highlighted an investment in outdoor themed activities at the Tomahawk Public Library thanks, in part, to a NRF grant. The library often takes advantage of its scenic river-side location with nature-themed investments. According to the announcement, the Tomahawk Public Library recently stocked up on new nature-themed books for both the children and adult areas! They also installed a birdfeeder with a camera and led multiple youth reading and library enrichment programs. The Tomahawk Public Library Natural Resources Education Fund established by David and Joyce Weizenicker and continuously supported by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.

Published on 03/31/2026 under News The School District of Rhinelander is asking for community feedback as it plans for the future. District officials have launched their annual Family and Community Survey, inviting residents and families to share their thoughts on local schools. The short survey takes about five minutes to complete and covers topics like academics, school safety, communication, student well-being, and college and career readiness. Leaders with the School District of Rhinelander say the feedback plays an important role in shaping district goals, celebrating successes, and identifying areas for improvement. The survey is open not just to parents of Rhinelander students, but to all adult community members living within district boundaries and will remain available through April 20th.

Published on 03/30/2026 under News As we transition from winter to spring, the risk of wildfires in Wisconsin will likely be on the rise. The Nokomis Fire Department, with mutual aid from several neighboring agencies, responded to their first wildland fire of the season. That call came in Saturday. The fire burned approximately 2.1 acres. Fortunately no one was injured and no structures were impacted. According to the DNR tracker, this was one of 42 wildfires over the weekend, including two in Oneida County, one in Price and one in Lincoln County. Areas are especially vulnerable after the snow cover melts, but before vegetation greens up. Residents are encouraged to use caution with any activity that could lead to a spark. The leading cause of wildfires throughout the year is debris burning. Those looking to do spring yard clean-up are encouraged to hold off on burning or find alternatives for disposal. Other common causes include sparks from recreational equipment, campfires, and hot ashes from fireplaces or grills.

Published on 03/30/2026 under News Road construction season is getting underway across the Northwoods this week, and drivers in the Minocqua and Tomahawk areas should be prepared. Work begins today on Highway 51 in Minocqua, stretching from the Lake Minocqua Bridge to Front Street. Crews will be repairing concrete pavement, updating curb ramps, and refreshing pavement markings. Traffic will stay open in both directions, but drivers should expect slower travel and occasional delays through the work zone. This project is expected to run through the summer.Maps provided by Wisconsin DoT At the same time, an overpass project kicks off in Tomahawk on Highway 86 over Highway 51. That work includes resurfacing the bridge, replacing guardrails, and improving drainage. Unlike the Minocqua project, Highway 86 will be closed at the overpass, with a posted detour using County A or County S. Work is scheduled into early June. Maps provided by Wisconsin DoT Stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the road construction season for previews, updates, and traffic impacts.

Published on 03/30/2026 under News It won't be long before the sound of frogs fill the quiet Northwoods nights. The DNR is looking for citizen scientists to help in one of the longest running research projects of its kind. The Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey was formally launched in 1984, and volunteers have played a crucial role in helping DNR conservation biologists better define populations, distribution and status of all 12 frog and toad species that call Wisconsin home. Research biologist Andrew Badje coordinates the survey. He says, "Our volunteers, lovingly known as 'froggers,' are important advocates for frogs and toads in Wisconsin." Since the survey began, volunteers have collectively spent more than 12,300 nights surveying 120,900 sites across the state. There are actually several different areas of focus with these surveys, including one specific to Northern Wisconsin, the mink frog. In addition to contributing to the research, 'froggers' often share their knowledge and passion. That includes introducing children and grandchildren to these nighttime, frog-calling excursions and leading educational presentations at local libraries and nature centers. Badje saying, "They are the beating heart of frog monitoring and conservation in Wisconsin." For those that would like to get involved, the DNR has more information.

Published on 03/30/2026 under News Several Northwoods educators are being recognized for excellence in the classroom and beyond. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation has announced its 2026 Teacher Fellowship and Principal Leadership award winners, and a handful of local names are on the list. Among them, Gretchen Smart-Hall of Northland Pines Elementary has been honored with a Principal Leadership award, recognizing her work in fostering a positive school environment and setting high standards for students and staff. Three area educators were also named Teacher Fellows: Patricia Darr of Northland Pines, Kelley Hoppe of Minocqua Elementary, and Michael Wojtusik of Rhinelander High School. The award highlights teachers who inspire a love of learning and go above and beyond both in and out of the classroom. Each recipient will receive a six-thousand dollar award, with an additional matching grant going directly to their schools to support student programs and initiatives. Foundation leaders say the awards celebrate the critical role educators play in shaping the next generation. Since 1990, the Herb Kohl Foundation has awarded over $43.5 million to Wisconsin educators, principals, students, and schools.

Published on 03/30/2026 under News A major investment in hands-on learning is coming to North Central Wisconsin, with a boost for young students exploring future careers. The Children's Imaginarium in Wausau has been awarded a $50,000 grant through the T-Mobile Hometown Grants program. The funding will help launch a new STEM Careers in Action Lab aimed at giving elementary-age students real-world exposure to high-demand careers. The interactive space will focus on industries like healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and engineering, allowing kids to learn through hands-on activities, simulations, and problem-solving challenges rather than traditional instruction. Leaders say the lab is designed to address a growing concern that many students lose interest in STEM subjects at an early age. The project is expected to serve up to 10,000 students each year, with a focus on reaching rural and underserved communities. Organizers say the new lab will become a permanent, interactive destination, helping connect education with real-world career opportunities for years to come.

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