Summer Cookout Costs about ~15% Published on 06/30/2022 under News
A Fourth of July cookout may cost a few extra dollars this year.

According to the latest Wisconsin Farm Bureau Marketbasket survey, the average cost of a summer cookout for ten is just shy of $70.($69.74) That's up about $10 from last year's survey, and in line with the national average. The survey utilizes a 12-item menu of popular cookout foods like burgers and hot dogs, sides, and desserts, and the costs at more than two dozen stores around the state.

According to the survey, agriculture has been greatly impacted by a variety of factors including rising fuel prices, supply chain issues and the war in Ukraine.

They did offer a few tips to help keep those cookout costs down. Shop for sales as the holiday approaches. Plan a menu and stick to it. Avoid food waste. Consider a pot luck to help spread out the costs.

The July Cookout Survey is part of the Farm Bureau's Marketbasket series. They conduct a similar survey in the fall for a Thanksgiving meal.

In Other News

Aspirus Announces Renovation/Expansion to Merrill Hospital
Published on 03/28/2024 under News Aspirus Merrill Hospital will undergo a major makeover this summer. On Wednesday, the provider announced plans for a $40 million renovation and expansion project at the facility. The project is scheduled to start this summer and officials say it will greatly improve efficiency, access and the patient experience. One key feature is the doubling of inpatient beds, going from 10 to 20. All inpatient rooms will be completely reconstructed. Additional improvements include enhancements to the imaging, rehab, lab, and pharmacy spaces and updates to the main floor, stairwells and offices. Jeff Wicklander, Aspirus SVP & Central Region President says, "This investment is a clear indication of our commitment to leveraging resources for the greatest possible impact." He added, "We are excited to improve and expand care locally while providing a boost to the local economy." A specific timeline for the project wasn't immediately provided.
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Oneida County Groups Distributing Hi-Vis Vests for Outdoor Recreation
Published on 03/28/2024 under News The Oneida County Traffic Safety Commission is looking to make outdoor recreationists a bit safer by making them more visible. With spring upon us, and summer right around the corner, more people will enjoy the outdoors whether on trails, walkways or roadways. Visibility, particularly for motorists, can make these outdoor activities much safer. The Commission is inviting area walkers, bikers, and hikers to stop by and pick up free reflective safety vests. They are free to Oneida County residents.  The vests can be picked up at the Oneida County Highway Shop in Rhinelander Monday through Thursday 6:00 am. to 4:00 pm.
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DNR/Conservation Congress Fish and Wildlife Hearings and Surveys Return in April
Published on 03/28/2024 under News Each spring Wisconsin Conservation Congress and the DNR offer an opportunity for interested parties to weigh in all things outdoors. The annual Fish and Wildlife Spring Hearings are right around the corner, and the partners recently shared some of the details. A familiar format will return with hearings held simultaneously across all 72 counties. DNR staff and WCC delegates will be on hand at these spring hearings to discuss local issues, answer questions and open dialogue. Later that week, April 10-13, an online public input survey will go live. It's currently available for review on the DNR website. There are nearly 50 questions, covering a wide variety of topics. Just a few examples include: season structures, statewide or lake-specific fishing proposals, wake boats, lead ammunition, and fall deer shining. We'll include the times and locations for the Northwoods hearing locations in the online version of the story. We'll also offer a reminder as that date approaches. April 8 Hearing Locations (all begin at 6pm):•Lincoln County - Lincoln County Service Center in the County Board Meeting Room•Langlade County - Antigo High School in Volm Theater•Oneida County - James Williams Middle School in the auditorium•Price County - Price County Court House in the County Board Meeting Room•Taylor County - Medford High School in the library •Vilas County - Boulder Jct. Community Center
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New Mountain Bay Metro PD Announces First Police Chief
Published on 03/28/2024 under News A newly formed police department in Marathon County wasted little time in finding its first leader. The Mountain Bay Metropolitan Police Department was formed through the merger of the Everest Metro and Rothschild Police Department. The final municipal approval came on Monday. The transition will be overseen by the Mountain Bay Metro Police Commission. On Wednesday, they announced that current Rothschild Police Chief Jeremy Hunt will become the new department's first chief, officially on May 1. The Commission also continued to discuss other details of the transition process including the re-branding as well as new police contracts. The combined department will include around 40 officers.
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Lincoln County Rescue Dog Heads to Foster Home for Continued Recovery
Published on 03/28/2024 under News A stray dog found in Lincoln County is on his way to recovery, thanks in part to an outpouring of support from the community. Gunther's story quickly spread across the Northwoods after he was brought to the Lincoln County Humane Society last week severely underweight and in poor health. After a few days under the care of a vet, he'll be heading to a foster home for the next stage of recovery. When he was brought to the Humane Society last week, staff said Gunther, believed to be an adult chocolate lab mix, weighed just 15 pounds, along with a number of other health concerns requiring veterinary care. Just a few days later, he's heading to a temporary home for recovery. After posting Gunther's story online the Humane Society says they received donations from as far away as Hawaii and Alaska to help with the costs. On Wednesday, Gunther made a quick stop back at the Humane Society for a staff visit. He'll spend the next month or so with a foster family as he continues to regain weight and additional care. The Humane Society says they will continue to provide updates via their Facebook page, including once they begin the process of finding Gunther a permanent home.
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Northwoods Raise Your Voice Club Students Talk Mental Health with State Elected Officials
Published on 03/27/2024 under News Northwoods students continue to prioritize mental health. A local contingent recently traveling to Madison to meet with state lawmakers. Across the Northwoods, students have been establishing Raise Your Voice clubs at their respective schools. Among the goals of these student-organizations is to end the stigma around mental health, while advocating for change, sharing resources and support. Both Lakeland Union High School and Rhinelander High School have chapters. They were recently invited to the capital by the Wisconsin chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) to discuss concerns related to youth mental health. That included a visit with State Senator Mary Felzkowski and Representative Rob Swearingen. Sharon Krause, with the Oneida County UW-Extension, works with the students as an adviser. She says the students used the opportunity to press the lawmakers for increased funding for mental health representatives on campus. This, they noted, would help make mental health more accessible for students while cutting down on delays in care. Krause echoed those thoughts comparing mental health to a physical injury. She says, "If someone breaks a bone, it's best to set it right away. Otherwise, it will heal in the wrong position and fixing it will be much more difficult." The students also shared results of a recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey which showed the prevalence of mental health affecting Oneida County students. They're hoping this recent visit helps raise awareness among elected officials to help address youth mental health. -Submitted photo: Raise Your Voice club participants from Rhinelander and Lakeland traveled to Madison to discuss youth mental health with elected officials-
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World Diabetes Day; Knowing Risk Factors
Published on 03/27/2024 under News Tuesday was World Diabetes Day, and local health officials used the opportunity to encourage people to learn potential risk factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 133 million people in the U.S. have diabetes or prediabetes. Of those adults, one in five did not even know they had the condition. Dr. Johnathon Justice, an Aspirus family medicine physician says, "If we don't catch prediabetes early or manage it properly, it can progress into Type 2 diabetes." He added, "I would encourage people to understand the risks of and be screened for prediabetes and diabetes." Some of those risk factors including being overweight or a lack of physical activity, but also ethnicity and hereditary. Justice did note some good news in that Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or even prevented by modest lifestyle changes such as diet or increased physical activity. Those interested in making a life style change can discuss with their health care provider.
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Researchers Studying Viruses in Wisconsin Fish; No Risk to Humans
Published on 03/27/2024 under News Researchers at UW-Madison detected groups of new viruses when studying popular fish in Wisconsin. Fortunately the virus don't pose a threat to humans or the fish population. The findings are part of a Wisconsin Sea Grant-funded study of the natural diversity of viruses (or virome) of fish in Wisconsin and is the first project of its kind in North America. They recently summarized the study via a news release. Tony Goldberg, a professor in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, said his research group identified 19 viruses in blood samples from 103 Wisconsin bluegills, brown trout, lake sturgeon, northern pike and walleye. Seventeen were new to science, and one was typically associated with birds. While the findings are novel, Goldberg stressed that anglers should not be worried. He says, "None of these viruses can infect people. It's not a risk for people to catch, handle and eat fish because of these viruses. There's no evidence that these viruses are causing any problems. They may just be part of the natural ecosystem of these fish." Goldberg did note that it serves as a good reminder not to transport fish between waters. He says, "If you move a fish from one water body to another, you're moving everything that lives on and in that fish, and potentially causing problems." He also plans to develop a "Fish Get Sick, Too," educational program. Goldberg said that fish are "animals, like anything else, and they get sick, too. I think if people were more aware of that, it might help reinforce some of the best-handling practices we do for catch-and-release fishing, some of the harvest practices, and food safety things we do." The results were recently published in the journal "Pathogens."
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Early Closure for Otter Trapping Season in Northern Wisconsin, Quota Reached
Published on 03/27/2024 under News A mild winter may have played a role in an early end to a successful river otter trapping season in the Northwoods. The DNR announced that the otter trapping season in the Northern Zone, areas north of Highway 64, will come to a close on April 1. Trappers are projected to reach the harvest quota of 2,500 river otters within the next week. In the announcement, the DNR noted the winter's unusually warm conditions and stable water levels provided excellent opportunities for licensed trappers across the state. The Northern Zone season began back in November and was scheduled to run through April 30. The Northern Zone early closure won't affect the Southern Zone. That season was already scheduled to end on March 31.
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Hodags in 'Mascot Madness' Tournament to Determine Best HS Nickname
Published on 03/27/2024 under News There are plenty of unique mascot around the Northwoods, perhaps none more original than the Hodag. The nickname of Rhinelander High School is once again a contestant in the Mascot Madness. While the Badgers had an early exit from the NCAA Tournament, the Hodag has advanced in a bracket-style, fan-voted contest to determine the best school nickname in the Country. SB Live is once again hosting the tournament which is currently down to 32 teams. The Hodag was the state of Wisconsin representative. The Hodags will face the Polo Marcos of Polo High School in Illinois. Other mascots in the tournament include the Haybalers, the Beetdiggers, the Spongers, the Criminals, and the Konkrete Kids. For those that'd like to vote or simply learn about other state's unique mascots, we'll include a link. Voting will run through April 1.
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