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USDA Forest Research Station in Rhinelander Hosting Lab Update Ribbon Cutting; Open House Published on 07/14/2023 under News

With an abundance of forests, we affectionately call this the Northwoods. The area also plays an important role in forest sciences, with a USDA Forest Research Station right in our back yard.

The Forest Service Laboratory is located just west of Rhinelander off of County K. Dating back to the 1950's the facility has played an important role in forest research from biotechnology to landscape ecology to wildfire research.

Coming up this afternoon, the researchers and lab officials will be celebrating recent lab upgrades with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by an open house.

Dr. Cynthia West is Station Director. She says, "The lab in Rhinelander has supported decades of important research, and with the recent upgrades it received, we can utilize the facility to bring emerging technologies and research methods to forest management regionally, nationally, and even internationally."

The latest upgrades include a molecular genetics lab, as well as a 'wet lab' to support aquatic research.

West says, "The researchers, and I, look forward to connecting with interested visitors and with the many research partners that have made so many accomplishments possible over the years." She added, Please join us as we celebrate past work and talk about how we will continue to bring cutting edge research, to aid in successful forest management, into the future!"

The ribbon cutting will take place at noon today at their location off of County K. The open house will follow until 2:30pm.

Photo Credit: USDA Forest Service photo by Timothy Paul. Front view of Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Rhinelander, Wisc. (July 6, 2023)

In Other News

Blue-Green Algae Blooms: When in Doubt, Stay Out

Published on 08/27/2025 under News Some area waterways are once again developing blue-green algae blooms. Health officials are offering their annual reminder for the public to avoid affected waters. People may have different terms for blue-green algae blooms including pond scum, or it's official name cyanobacteria. The algae itself is naturally occurring in most Wisconsin waterways, but problems may arise when it goes into bloom. This most commonly occurs in late summer and can be caused by stagnant waters, fertilizer run-off, warm temperatures, and sunlight. Despite the name, blue-green algae can appear in a variety of colors including reds, browns and whites. Its appearance is often described as looking like pea soup or spilled paint on the water surface. Skin exposure or ingestion can lead to illness including skin irritation and rashes, headaches, nausea and other gastrointestinal issues. In addition to humans, pets can also be affected. The Health Department recommends showering or rinsing off immediately, if you have been in affected waters. Eating fish caught in areas where a bloom is present should also be avoided. While some popular swimming areas like beaches may be monitored for algal blooms, it is typically up to swimmers to be on the lookout. The Health Department campaign uses the slogan, "When in doubt, stay out!" The Health Department has additional information on their website.

Published on 08/27/2025 under News Over the past few years, Lincoln County leaders have put an emphasis on outdoor recreation. Now they're making it more convenient to reserve campsites, pavilions, and purchase trail passes. On Tuesday, the Lincoln County Forestry, Land, and Parks Department announced a new, online-only reservation and trail pass purchase system. With the booking of flights, hotels, and rentals second nature for most people, the switch to the online reservation system was a logical step. The website also features up-to-date reservation calendars and property information. According to the announcement, reservations for campsites can be made up to a year in advance. Pavilion rentals can be made for the current calendar year. The system also allows for the purchase of trail passes for the Underdown system. Along with the new system, some fees will increase by a few dollars as they county has invested in improvements at many of these properties. The reservation webpage. can be accessed via a link on the Lincoln County website, and we'll include a link in the online version of the story.

Published on 08/27/2025 under News By next Wednesday, most students in Wisconsin will be back in the classroom. But for this week, officials are hoping to touch on topics that will ensure everyone gets to and from campus safely. The Department of Transportation and Department of Public Instruction are teaming up for a School Transportation Safety Week. The new initiative features a social media campaign focusing on school-related safety tips for drivers, parents, and students. DoT Secretary Kristina Boardman said they were excited about the partnership and hopes that they are able to reach a broader audience. Both agencies will be posting messages and hope their local partners will do the same. The messages serve as a good reminder, but also a conversation starter for parents to have with their children no matter how they get to school. Each day features a new topic such as crossing guards, bus stops, and driving near school buses. Today, they're focused on safe driving in school zones.

Published on 08/27/2025 under News The last Tuesday of the month means committee meetings for the city of Tomahawk, though there wasn't much on the agenda at the meeting last night. First up was Health and Safety. The committee heard regular monthly reports and approved operator licenses. It was a longer-than-usual list of applicants due to the upcoming Fall Ride. Both Finance and Public Works had a topic in common, the King Road sidewalk work. The Finance Committee updated their borrowing resolution from the State Trust Fund loan program to cover the city's portion of the project at $215,000. Street Lead Nick Rosenmeier also discussed the project during his report. He noted it should be wrapping up in the next week, said it has gone smoothly, and praised the contractor for their communication through the work. Board of Public Works briefly discussed a citizen proposal related to a 'railroad quiet zone' to address the train horns at night. The Board members acknowledged the limited ability of municipalities to regulate railroads. They ultimately laid over the topic, as the citizen who initially inquired about the topic was not in attendance. The Board was updated on a force main break that leaked wastewater near County Road S and Military Road on August 7. Crews were able to isolate the leak within three hours of discovery and repaired the following day. The city crews have been working with the DNR on e.coli testing and notified property owners who may have been impacted. Speaking of the City of Tomahawk, they'll hold their annual Dumpster Days a week from Saturday, the morning of September 6. The same rules apply, and they've got all the details on the City Facebook page. We'll offer a preview next week as well.

Published on 08/27/2025 under News Officials are planning a walleye rehabilitation project on a small lake near Eagle River, and they're discussing those plans with the public. The focus is on Franklin Lake. At this evening's meeting, DNR staff and partners are planning to discuss a comprehensive study of the lake including fishery data and trends dating back 50 years. The main focus will be on the declining walleye population specifically; once described as strong, but more recently considered below fishable. To address the decline, they are also planning a walleye spawning reef to improve reproduction and play a role in rehabilitating the walleye production. The meeting will be held at the VFW post in Eagle River. It gets underway at 6pm.

Published on 08/27/2025 under News Artificial Intelligence, or AI can be a tricky topic in the classroom... for some a useful tool, others a way to cut corners. As students head back to campus at North Central Technical College, the school showcased a new AI tutoring program. Known as LearnWise, it will offer students access to a variety of study tools around the clock. This includes lesson summaries, flashcards or even quizzes. The goal is to provide some supplemental learning to keep students more engaged and assist them in their studies. The AI tutor was integrated into the current student platform and will incorporate information uploaded by the instructor. But it may also help instructors as well. LearnWise can also provide feedback to the educators on what topics students are seeking help with. For the fall semester, the AI tutor is available for a limited number of NTC classes, but they're hoping to implement all courses by spring.

Published on 08/26/2025 under News First responders across the region will be better equipped during calls thanks to the continued support of the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation. As part of their Rewarding Responders program, the WPS Foundation will be visiting law enforcement, fire, EMS and rescue agencies around the Northwoods this week providing grants for crucial equipment, safety gear, and training. One of their first stops was at the Rhinelander Oneida County Airport where they met up with the crew of Life Link III medical helicopter. WPS Foundation contributed funds to help purchase what is known as a sapphire pump. Josh Howell CEO of Life Link III explained the new infusion pump plays a vital role in ensuring safe and accurate medication to patients during air medical transport. He says they are honored to receive the generous grant and the investment will directly enhance their ability to provide high quality care. Coming up later this week, we'll take a look at some of the other Northwoods agencies receiving funding this cycle. Including this year, the WPS Foundation Rewarding Responders grants have now surpassed $675,000. Beth Straka, president of WPS foundation says, "We are honored to continue our support of public safety agencies and the invaluable impact they make in our communities every day."

Published on 08/26/2025 under News A Wisconsin Rapids man is facing numerous charges in Lincoln County after deputies investigated a suspicious vehicle this past week. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, a woman initially reported that a vehicle was tailgating her and possibly following her while she drove near Tomahawk. The woman told deputies she had even pulled over at one point in an attempt to allow the other car to pass, however the other driver stopped behind her. The deputy responded to the area and attempted a traffic stop, but the suspected woman continued to follow the woman's vehicle including after she pulled into a private driveway. The deputy also pulled into the driveway. According to the report, the driver, identified as 32 year old Brandon Banuelos of Wisconsin Rapids, was non-compliant and refused field sobriety tests. He was taken into custody and brought to the jail. The reporting party told the deputy she had no idea why Banuelos was following her. Court records show Banuelos has been charged with 5th offense OWI, resisting, failure to stop, and bail jumping. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for September 2.

Published on 08/26/2025 under News An individual was rescued from a house fire in Vilas County. Responders were paged to a house fire on Peace Pipe Road in Lac du Flambeau at shortly before 7pm Monday evening. The homeowner reported they had fallen in the kitchen and wasn't able to evacuate the home. Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police were first on the scene. They reported flames at the back of the structure with the entire home filled with smoke. They were able to help the homeowner get out of the home. The individual brought to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Two pets were also rescued. Fire crews were able to contain the fire. As of the update, they were still assessing damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Published on 08/26/2025 under News It's back to school season; not just for students, but educators as well. Up in Rhinelander, the district held a special orientation day on Monday for around two dozen new staff members which included an introduction to the community. The event was organized by the school district, Rhinelander Partners in Education and the Rhinelander Chamber. Following some on-campus sessions in the morning, the group hopped on a bus for a "Welcome to Rhinelander Tour, " checking out notable spots around the community. That included a visit to the Chamber, where the staff gathered for a group photo in front of the iconic hodag statue. The Chamber also had some welcome bags, a reminder of the community spirit that defines Rhinelander. The day wrapped up at CAVOC, the district's outdoor classroom, for lunch and another session. Local leaders shared additional information about businesses and organizations and potential partnerships to help connect community and classroom.

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