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Rhinelander Public Library Launches Plastic Recycling Challenge Published on 05/11/2022 under News

The Rhinelander Public Library is looking to eliminate some plastic waste while also getting a comfortable place to relax.

The library has launched a plastic recycling challenge in partnership with Trex. The company works with organizations to re-purpose plastic waste into furniture like benches. They accept plastics such as grocery bags, bubble wrap, packing material, and certain types of food storage bags. A full list is available on the library website.

According to library director Virginia Roberts, their goal is to collect 500 pounds of plastic over the next six months. Once that goal is reached they'll re-purpose that waste into a comfortable bench for the community.

The plastic recycling challenge is being run in conjunction with the library's Summer Reading Program, Oceans of Possibilities. Of course the impacts of plastic waste on the ocean are frequently highlighted by environmentalists.

The library has placed receptacles at their facility for drop off of acceptable plastic materials. They do ask that the plastic be clean, dry, and free of food residue.

In Other News

DNR Updating Turkey Management Plan; Public Input Session Tuesday in Merrill

Published on 10/12/2026 under News Wisconsin's wild turkey population has made a tremendous recovery, and the public now has an opportunity to help shape its future management. The Department of Natural Resources updates its turkey management plan every decade; and they are currently working on the latest edition. The draft plan focuses on a variety topics including species populations, habitat protection, program funding and hunter satisfaction. Throughout the process, the public has a number of opportunities to get involved. Coming up this week, the DNR is hosting a series of open houses, including one in the Northwoods. An in-person session will take place Tuesday at the Lincoln County Service Center in Merrill from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., with a brief presentation at 6:00 p.m. For those that can't attend, a virtual open house will also take place this Thursday, October 15th. The full draft plan is available on the DNR website, and public comments are open through November 20th.

Published on 10/12/2026 under News Halloween is just around the corner, and the Oneida County Health Department is reminding residents that respiratory illness season can turn a trick into a treat. To protect the community before fall illness activity spikes, health officials are launching a festive campaign titled "Say Boo to the Flu." They're encouraging people to get a flu and covid-19 shot before Halloween. Because it takes about two weeks for the body to build full protection, officials emphasize that now is the time to get vaccinated, especially for high-risk individuals, such as seniors and those with chronic medical conditions. In addition to weekday walk-in availability at its Rhinelander office, the department is hosting mobile vaccine clinics in communities across Oneida County. This includes a clinic Monday, October 12 at the Nokomis Town Hall from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Beyond vaccination, health officials encourage simple preventive habits—such as frequent handwashing, staying home when sick, and covering coughs and sneezes—to keep the Northwoods healthy this season.

Published on 10/12/2026 under News Rooks and pawns, knights and kings were on display in Antigo over the weekend. The Antigo Community Chess Club partnered with the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation to offer an all-day tournament featuring players from ten area schools. The event was held at the NTC-Antigo campus. While the competitors faced-off on the chess board, they also teamed up for a good cause. The theme of this year's tournament was "Checkmate to End Homelessness." Players, families, and spectators were all encouraged to bring donations for William House of Hope, Antigo's local homeless shelter. Shelter board member Nicole Barron says, "Seeing our youth demonstrate such incredible focus, strategic thinking, and genuine sportsmanship was a powerful reminder of what our community can achieve together. We are deeply grateful to everyone who played, supported, and donated to help further our mission at William's House of Hope." There was also some chess to be played on the afternoon. In the end Edgar swept both the open and K-7 team competitions; while Paxton Mueller and Mackenzie Rettinger won their respective individual competitions.

Published on 10/12/2026 under News Some additional funding is being made available to non-profits in Vilas County following summer storm damage. While most of the headlines following the severe weather outbreak on July 27 focused on tornado damage in the Fox Valley, the Northwoods was also in the path of the storm. In addition to Winnebago County, the U.S. Small Business Administration has officially designated Vilas County as eligible for low-interest federal disaster assistance. According to the Friday news release, the funding is available to eligible private nonprofits and faith-based organizations impacted by the July 27 storms. Organizations can apply for physical disaster loans to repair or replace damaged property and equipment, or economic injury loans to help cover ongoing operational expenses. The deadline to apply for physical damage loans is December 7th, while economic injury applications are open through July 7th, 2027.

Published on 10/12/2026 under News A plea agreement has been readched for a Lincoln County woman charged in the death of her 5 year-old daughter. At a hearing Friday in Lincoln County Court, 27 year old Katelyn Nardi pleaded guilty to a felony charge of child neglect resulting in death. In exchange, a charge of reckless homicide was dismissed, but will be considered during sentencing. Nardi was arrested following an investigation into the death of her 5 year old daughter last October. Investigators say the child was left unattended in a bathtub as Nardi was preparing the child for bed. The case had been scheduled to go to trial next June. Following the plea agreement, a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for January 25.

Published on 10/12/2026 under News A Minnesota man was sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison after traveling to Rhinelander to meet a minor for illicit sexual conduct. Creighton Mithaugen, 38, of Faribault, Minnesota, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 97 months in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Mithaugen had previously pleaded guilty to the charge on July 13, 2026. According to court records, Mithaugen engaged in online chats from April 2024 through February 2026 with someone he believed to be a 14- or 15-year-old girl. In reality, he was communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer. Mithaugen was arrested in February, after traveling to Rhinelander to meet with the minor. During sentencing, Judge Conley cited Mithaugen's past criminal history including past similar charges.

Published on 10/11/2026 under Sports At the Great Northern Conference Volleyball Tournament, Tomahawk went 1-2 in their matches Saturday. The Hatchets were swept by Mosinee and Medford in their first two matches. However, Tomahawk would steal a match against Rhinelander, winning in four sets. The Hatchets will finish the 2026 regular season with a 6-28 record and a 1-9 overall Great Northern Conference record. Seeding meetings across the state of Wisconsin will take place Monday. Stay tuned to find out who Tomahawk will play in the first round of the WIAA Division 3 Volleyball Postseason on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ.

Published on 10/10/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's cross country squads finished in the top ten once again, this time at the 50th Annual Hatchet Invitational Saturday. Tomahawk's girls placed fourth overall, behind Prentice/Rib Lake, Rhinelander, and Meet Champion Lakeland. Senior Elise Gibeault would finish fifth with a time of 20:14. Placing second on the Hatchets and 20th overall was Abbie Rosenmeier with a time of 22:46. Tomahawk's boys would place eighth overall in the invite, ahead of Crandon and Antigo. The top finisher was Jordyn Carew, placing 24th with a time of 18:33. Dawson Jones placed 35th with a time of 19:25. The next meet for Tomahawk is the Great Northern Conference Meet, which the Hatchets will host next Saturday. Tune in for the Fehrman Orthodontics Premeet Show at 10:40 and opening events at 11:00. Alex Koch will have live updates on the WJJQ App, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. Girls Team Results: Lakeland - 1st Rhinelander - 2nd Prentice/Rib Lake - 3rd Tomahawk - 4th Chequamegon - 5th Northland Pines - 6th Merrill - 7th Mosinee - 8th Medford - 9th Antigo - 10th Boys Team Results: Lakeland - 1st Rhinelander - 2nd Prentice/Rib Lake - 3rd Mosinee - 4th Medford - 5th Chequamegon - 6th Northland Pines - 7th Tomahawk - 8th Crandon - 9th Antigo - 10th

Published on 10/09/2026 under Sports On Senior Night, the Hatchet football squad fought valiantly but was edged out in the battle for Lincoln County Friday, losing to Merrill, 21-20. Tomahawk scored all of their points in the first half in three different ways. The scoring started with a fake field goal touchdown pass from Aidan Sigl to Hudson Evans. Evans would then run it in from five yards out to put the Hatchets up, 14-0. Tomahawk's final score would come on a fourth-down three-yard touchdown pass from Colin Black to Braxton Stromberg. However, the Hatchets would fail to find the end zone on three drives and allowed Merrill to score the only second-half touchdown of the night early in the fourth quarter. Colin Black went seven-for-13 throwing for 129 yards and a score. The Hatchets were held to just 76 yards on the ground and drop to 3-5 on the season and 3-3 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk will wrap up their regular season at Mosinee next Friday. Tune in for the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:15 and kickoff at 7:00 on the WJJQ app, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ.11-Player Football: 11-Player Football: Lakeland 27, Antigo 6 Medford 35, Mosinee 0 Wausau East 25, Rhinelander 21 Northland Pines 17, Crandon 0 Abbotsford 26, Pittsville 6 8-Player Football: Wausaukee 32, Goodman-Pembine 27 Green Bay New Lutheran/Providence Academy 58, Chequamegon 12 Rib Lake 40, Phillips 34 Owen-Withee 36, Athens 6 Hurley 26, Three Lakes/Phelps 22

Published on 10/09/2026 under Sports Tomahawk Girls Swimmers Finish Regular Season Winless The Hatchet Girls Swimmers wrapped up the 2026 Regular season winless in GNC Duals after losing to Merrill at the Blue Jay Pool, 80-44. In the final GNC Dual, the Hatchets finished with one first-place finish. That top finish was in the 400 yard freestyle Relay to wrap up the night. The team of Kami Gabrich, Kortney Busterud, Aubrey Tollefson, and Kaylee Roberts finished with a time of 4:40.76. Tomahawk wraps up the season with a 0-11 Dual record. The Great Northern Conference Meet will be held in Lakeland October 23rd. Hatchet Volleyball Swept by Wittenberg-Birnamwood The Hatchet Volleyball squad's struggles transferred over to non-conference action as they would get swept by Wittenberg-Birnamwood on Senior Night at the Hatchet House, 25-20, 25-19, 25-10. The Hatchets dropped to 5-25 on the season and 0-7 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk will compete in the Great Northern Conference Volleyball Tournament in Mosinee Saturday morning.

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