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Rhinelander HS Trick-or-Can Another Success Published on 10/29/2025 under News

The Rhinelander Food Pantry is better stocked thanks to a group of students, and the generosity of the community.

Earlier this month, the student members of the Rhinelander High School FBLA/DECA brought back their annual Trick-or-Can food drive. Rather that the traditional Food Drive where students wait for the community to bring in food, Trick or Can brings the food drive to the people. It also helps raise awareness for food insecurity in the community.

Earlier this month the students distributed collections bags to select neighborhoods, and returned this weekend. They weren't after candy, but non-perishable food items. In the end the students were able to deliver around 750 items to the Rhinelander Food Pantry. That's about 200 more than last year.

Trick-or-Can is actually a statewide campaign, and the Rhinelander students are typically among the upper half of collection each year. While planning for next year won't begin until next school year, they do hope to include more people and neighborhoods involved next October.

In Other News

Lincoln County Sheriff Encourages Public to Report Info About Missing Man During Fall Activities

Published on 10/29/2025 under News The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office continues to search for a missing Fox Valley man whose vehicle was found in the area earlier this year. They're encouraging those participating in any fall recreation to report any clues that may help locate Mitchell Reif. Back in June, deputies investigated an abandoned vehicle in the Town of Somo belonging to Reif. He had been listed as missing in Winnebago County several days prior. During the initial investigation, a property owner near the abandoned car found a trail camera image of a man matching the Reif's description. In an update provided Tuesday, the Sheriff's Office said they have been actively continuing their search, including the use of trained and experienced K9 teams over the last several weeks. During these efforts, they said they were not able to uncover any new or relevant information. They also asked that anyone out hiking, hunting or riding off-road recreational vehicles this fall be on the lookout for and report any information that may lead to the whereabouts of Reif.

Published on 10/29/2025 under News Some property owners in Lincoln County found an unexpected and potentially dangerous item while cleaning a home. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to a property in the Town of Pine River Saturday for an emergency situation. The reporting party said they were getting ready for an estate sale when they came across what they believed to be a WWII Japanese hand grenade. The responding deputy shared those concerns and requested the Marathon County bomb squad. The experts determined it was a grenade with a live fuse, but without the powder. They safely removed and disposed of the object. The Sheriff's Office said the property owners did the right thing in this scenario. They said in the event you find suspected explosive items on your property, you should not handle the items. Instead call law enforcement as soon as possible."_____ A couple other quick notes highlighted in this week's Lincoln County Sheriff Report:Three people were arrested for 1st offense OWI arrests including: 54 year old Merrill woman, a 65 year old Merrill woman and a 45 year old Irma man.The number of vehicle vs. deer collisions remains elevated with another 14 being reported this past week on Lincoln County roadways.

Published on 10/29/2025 under News Communities continue to address the man-made forever chemicals known as PFAS, including Tomahawk which has seen elevated levels. Back in 2023, routine testing of the city water in Tomahawk came back just over the PFAS threshold which required advisories be sent to residents. City officials have been researching mitigation steps, and earlier this year hired engineering firm MSA to conduct a feasibility study. Last month, the Board of Public Works received a summary of the report. It included a half dozen options which could be grouped into two categories, building new wells or building a treatment facility. At their meeting last night, the board began to focus on potentially constructing a treatment plant. This was determined to be the most cost efficient option that would meet the city's typical water demands. Specifically it would be a 1,000 gallon per minute Granular Activated Carbon, or GAC facility. The project carries a hefty price tag, more than $6.2 million. There are funding sources available that could cover up to half the construction costs through the state's Safe Drinking Water Loan program. With more stringent testing and PFAs standards likely on the way, the Board members did note that pursuing the funding early would likely increase the odds of receiving the most dollars. To apply by next June's deadline, there is some design work and pilot testing required. The Board recommended beginning that process. Looking further down the timeline, the grants recipients would be announced next fall, at which point the city could put out bids for the project by 2027. Other Notes from MeetingSafety concerns led to minor changes for a planned winter decoration in Tomahawk. In September, organizers of Hometown Christmas proposed placing a ten foot tall artificial snowman in a boulevard along South Tomahawk Avenue. That segment is also part of State Highway 86 which requires notification to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. While the decision was ultimately up to the city, the DoT did share some concerns with the placement and size of the snowman as originally proposed. This included sight obstruction, distance to the curb, and impacts of snow plowing. Before discussion, the request was amended to feature several smaller snowmen rather than the 10 foot display. The Board approved the amended request on a one year trial basis. The Board agreed to an updated agreement with Verizon which leases space on the city water tower for some of their antennas and equipment. The provider is changing out some of the equipment which requires notification.The Board rejected a request from residents on Kings Road to contract the city to clear the sidewalks of snow during the winter.The Board approved a contract with Cedar Corporation to offer operational assistance at the Waste Water plant while also preparing a Capacity, Management, Operations, and Maintenance or CMOM program.The Finance Committee renewed the property assessment contract for another two years. The firm has worked with the city for more than a decade.

Published on 10/29/2025 under News The Wisconsin State Building Commission released $15 million in funding to begin work on large scale changes to Wisconsin's correctional system including the state's lone youth facility located here in Lincoln County. The comprehensive plan includes what has been described as a domino series of changes. It would close the aging Green Bay Correctional Institution, re-purpose the Waupun Correctional Institution into a state-of-the-art "vocational village." Lincoln Hills would be converted into a 500-bed, medium-security adult prison, by relocating youth offenders to new, smaller regional facilities. While Republicans on the Commission disagreed with some of the process, they ultimately voted in favor of releasing these funds. It includes State Senator Mary Felzkowski. She released a statement saying, "I am cautiously optimistic following today's meeting. Reform at the Department of Corrections must come from bipartisan, ongoing conversations. Governor Evers publicly agreeing to that is a step in the right direction. I hope the Governor keeps his word and I look forward to having productive conversations to move Wisconsin's corrections system in the right direction."

Published on 10/29/2025 under News The Wisconsin Department of Transportation continues to plan for future road projects...the latest a project in eastern Oneida County, still five years away. Coming up this evening, the DoT will host a public involvement meeting to discuss proposed improvements on Highway 32 from Three Lakes to the Forest County Line. Construction is currently scheduled for 2030. Wednesday's meeting will take place at the Three Lakes Municipal Building getting underway at 5pm. Project staff will offer a brief presentation at 5:15pm with the rest of the meeting in an open-house format.

Published on 10/28/2025 under News Throughout this week, a Rhinelander area church is collecting unused wheelchairs and other mobility assistance to distribute to developing nations. For those with limited mobility, a wheel chair is an important tool, but it's something that many take for granted. Wheels for the World is hoping to change that, and they're partnering with Calvary Baptist Church in Rhinelander for a local collection effort. We heard from Pastor Rod Ankrom about the mission. They take used wheel chairs and attempt to restore them to like-new conditions. They're then distributed to those in developing nations. Ankrom noted that those with limited mobility can often be excluded because they have no way of getting around. In addition to wheelchairs, they'll also be accepting crutches, canes, and wheel chair parts that may be of use in the refurbishment process. The drop off will be at Calvary Baptist Church on Lincoln Street in Rhinelander from 9am to 2pm today through Friday. They'll also have collection Saturday morning from 9-noon. If those times don't work, a drop-off can be arranged by calling the church.

Published on 10/28/2025 under News Lincoln County is home to more than 700 lakes and 650 miles of rivers and streams. At their meeting this past week, the Lincoln County Board approved a seven resolutions related to grant funding and donations to help protect these water ways. The grants include funding for Clean Boats, Clean Waters; Lake Monitoring and Protection Network, Surface Water Planning, Surface Water Restoration, and Healthy Lakes and Rivers programs. The additional dollars would be available to expand current educational and outreach programs as well as some restoration and improvement projects. In addition to the grant applications, the series of resolutions also included pledges from local stakeholders to provide the county with the match requirements. Among groups contributing: the Lake Nokomis Lake District, Friends of Lake Mohawksin, the Spirit Reservoir Association, and Trouts Unlimited. Each of the resolutions was approved by a unanimous voice vote with minimal discussion from the supervisors. If all grants are awarded to the county at the maximum amounts, more than $50,000 would be accessible for ongoing or new efforts.

Published on 10/28/2025 under News The DNR is asking the public to check fire danger before conducting any outdoor burning activities, as the fall fire season is underway. The state is typically vulnerable at this time of year, as the leaves have fallen from trees and the plants and grasses begin to go dormant ahead of winter. Crews have responded to more than 50 wildfires around the state this month. Though small in size, the agency notes that nearly all of these fires were human-caused and preventable. Debris burning is the leading cause of fire including brush and leaf piles. Other common causes: sparks from recreational equipment, campfires, and hot ashes from fireplaces and grills. Exacerbating the situation, is a relative lack of rainfall. The latest report from the US Drought Monitor shows much of northern Wisconsin in either abnormally dry or early drought classifications. The DNR will be staffing fire equipment as needed. They ask that people use caution if planning any burning, or better yet, wait until the ground is snow-covered.

Published on 10/28/2025 under News Aspirus Health has announced that their cardiology clinic in Rhinelander has moved into it's new location, now inside Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital. According to the announcement, the expanded space includes nine exam rooms, a new registration area, and convenient proximity to key hospital services such as imaging, laboratory, emergency care and urgent care. Teri Theiler, President, Aspirus Health's North Division says, "This move represents an important step forward in providing comprehensive heart care for the Northwoods community." Theiler added, "By bringing our cardiology team into the hospital, patients will benefit from a more connected experience, with immediate access to additional diagnostic and specialty resources." Dr. Michael Zevitz echoed those sentiments, adding, "That teamwork helps ensure patients receive timely, coordinated, and efficient care—all in one convenient location." This is part of a larger renovation and expansion project at Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital which also includes their Inpatient Behavioral Health Department and a new CT scanner. According to an update provided earlier this month, each is expected to be completed this fall.

Published on 10/28/2025 under News In just under a month, the west end of Tomahawk's Main Street will once again be filled with hungry hunters seeking a bite to eat before the deer season. The organizers of the event have put out their annual call for donations of venison. That tradition is, of course, the Tomahawk Venison Feed, hosted by the Tomahawk Chamber. This year marks the milestone 60th overall. During her visit to the WJJQ studios this past week week, Chamber director Charis Lau noted they are currently accepting donations of cleaned and de-boned venison. They'll once again partner with Geiss Meats who processes the 1,500 venison burgers that will be served up on Friday, November 21. Lau says the donations can be dropped off at the Chamber during their regular hours.

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