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Resident At Rhinelander Skilled Nursing Facility Tests Positive for COVID-19

A male resident at Rennes Health and Rehab in Rhinelander is one of the people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Oneida County. The test was administered on Friday and Rennes was notified of the result on Sunday. "The facility has been in contact with the resident's family and the Oneida County Public Health Department," said Vikki Baumler, the Digital Media Manager for The Rennes Group. "We continue to follow the recommendations of the Oneida County Public Health Department, the CDC, and...

Wild Instincts Remains Open But Volunteers Not Available

Snow Leaving, COVID Causes Burning Permits To Be Halted

Dairy Farmers Feel Impact As Demand Falls

By WAOW Television Sarah McGrew • 1 hour ago

Dairy farmers in Wisconsin are the latest group to feel the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.

"Market prices for our milk have declined substantially in the last week to two weeks," said dairy farmer James Juedes. "I mean to the tune of three to four dollars per hundredweight."

Juedes said half of the milk produced across the "country is run through the food service industry." With restaurants only able to utilize delivery and carry out, dairy sales are decreasing.

And this is just the latest blow to Wisconsin dairy farmers after years of low prices.

Wild Instincts Remains Open But Volunteers Not Available

By Ken Krall • 2 hours ago

Rhinelander--A Northwoods wildlife rehabilitation facility is still open, doing what they can, though the available supply of help has fallen off sharply.

Wild Instincts on Apperson Drive near Rhinelander continues to be open, rescuing injured wildlife as owner Mark Naniot explains..

Snow Leaving, COVID Causes Burning Permits To Be Halted

By Ken Krall • 16 hours ago

Spring in Wisconsin means a much higher risk of wildfires. People cause 98 percent of all wildfires in the state.

The DNR has stopped issuing burning permits until further notice due to the COVID-19 Safer at Home order.

DNR Wildfire Prevention Specialist Catherine Koele says the time just after the snow leaves and prior to green up is one of the most dangerous times for wildfires....

Resident At Rhinelander Skilled Nursing Facility Tests Positive for COVID-19

By Ben Meyer • 17 hours ago

A male resident at Rennes Health and Rehab in Rhinelander is one of the people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Oneida County.

The test was administered on Friday and Rennes was notified of the result on Sunday.

"The facility has been in contact with the resident's family and the Oneida County Public Health Department," said Vikki Baumler, the Digital Media Manager for The Rennes Group. "We continue to follow the recommendations of the Oneida County Public Health Department, the CDC, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services."

Guild Status Unchanged After Council Meeting Ends Early

By Ken Krall • 18 hours ago

Rhinelander Mayor Chris Frederickson said Monday City Administrator Daniel Guild's status remains unchanged.

Guild is on paid administrative leave after being charged with misconduct in public office. When the common council meeting ended early on Monday after a livestream issue, the board didn't go into closed session to discuss Guild's status.

Guild was placed on administrative leave until March 30. He was arrested following a months-long investigation by the Oneida County Sheriff's Department.

City Loans To Rhinelander Businesses Possible, But Not Yet

By Ken Krall • 18 hours ago

The Rhinelander Common Council has approved investigating whether the city should provide loans to businesses hit hard by the coronavirus crisis.

Alderperson Steve Sauer offered a resolution using $118,000 from the Downtown Works Revolving Loan Fund to be loaned to businesses. The measure asked for the creation of a task force to facilitate the grants. But the matter raised several red flags from City Attorney Steve Sorenson who said the ambiguity of the process, including not having a clear set of rules and bylaws for the process, is a problem. ..

WXPR’s Midday Newscast: Tuesday, March 31, 2020

By Ben Meyer • 19 hours ago

In WXPR news today:

Clerks say "it is not doable" to send absentee ballots to all registered voters
A Wausau nursing home worker has tested positive for COVID-19
Rhinelander City Administrator Daniel Guild will remain on paid leave
Gov. Tony Evers asks companies and schools to donate or sell unused protective equipment

Wausau Nursing Home Worker Sick Diagnosed With COVID-19

By WAOW Television Chris Watkins • Mar 31, 2020

A Mount View Care Center employee in Wausau has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a press release from North Central Health Care.

Per the release, the employee developed symptoms while at work on March 22 before being sent home to self-quarantine. Officials were informed on March 28 of the employee’s positive COVID-19 test result.

Gov. Evers Wants Absentee Ballots Sent Statewide. Local Clerk: 'It Is Not Doable.'

By Ben Meyer • Mar 31, 2020

It’s already been a hectic leadup to next Tuesday’s election for Oneida County Clerk Tracy Hartman.

In April 2016, the last election with a Supreme Court race and presidential primary, 1,400 voters in Oneida County requested absentee ballots.

This year’s number is about three times that.

“It’s a challenge,” Hartman said Monday. “It has become overwhelming.”

Then, last Friday, a message from Madison overwhelmed Hartman even more.

Rhinelander Council Meeting Ends After Livestream Ends

By Ken Krall • Mar 30, 2020

The Rhinelander Common Council held its first meeting in the new era of COVID-19 and the public attended via livestream from WJFW TV for most of the planned open session.

The council room had a maximum of 10 people in all, including the mayor, city attorney, clerk, and council members sitting six feet apart. Others were out in the hall.

Council member Lee Emmer asked City Attorney Steve Sorenson whether this type of meeting was legal. Sorenson thought it was as the agenda had been posted in public and the public allowed to give input....