News

It's the golden anniversary year for School of the Arts at Rhinelander and special events are planned. The school runs this year from Saturday, July 20 through Wednesday, July 24 at James Williams Middle School in Rhinelander.

Director Lynn Tarnoff says the 50th anniversary has a number of events..

What a difference a year makes. Last year, Wisconsin River reservoirs were very low due to the effects of an extended drought in the Northwoods. This year, with one exception, all the reservoirs feeding the river are full.

That word from Peter Hansen...the operations manager for Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company in Wausau...given the responsiblity for maintaining water flow on the state's largest river.

Last year several Northwoods reservoirs were well below full. But this year...

State Representative Mandy Wright is questioning the tactics of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee as the committee proposes selling off state land and property.

The Wausau Democrat says she was left in the dark prior to last Tuesday's committee vote...

"....how come I as a legislator have heard little or nothing about it. Suddenly its passed through the budget and I haven't had any chance to talk to my consituents, get their feedback and have a vote in this decision..."

Rhinelander police are notifying the public of the release of a convicted sex offender to the community next month.

Police Chief Michael Steffes says 51 year old Dennis Williams will be released from custody this Saturday. He was convicted in July of 1998 of second-degree sexual assault of a child. Williams was sentenced to 15 years for a sexual assault in the Town of Minocqua within 90 days of release from prison by threatening a 14 year old female with a screwdriver.

WXPR is expanding our news coverage. If you have a passion for local news, arts, and interesting stories about people and happenings in your area, consider becoming a contributor on WXPR.

We're recruiting volunteer citizen journalists to cover local news and events from Ironwood to Wausau-Merrill and Park Falls to Iron Mountain. Modern technology makes it possible for you to contribute from anywhere in the WXPR listening area.

WXPR is hosting a community listening session in Eagle River on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 4:30 pm at Eagle River Roasters.

News Director Ken Krall and WXPR's new Community Features Editor, Natalie Jablonski, will be on hand to tell you more about exciting opportunities to become a contributor journalist. As WXPR expands our news service, we're looking for people with an interest in covering local news in their communities.

State ATV officials hope to curb a quick climb in the number of ATV deaths in Wisconsin. Four people have died so far this year. One death was a Rhinelander man in an ATV crash near Merrill.

DNR Warden and ATV Administrator Gary Eddy says with summer here, more people will be on the trails. He says in some cases some people with limited experience will be driving....

State Representative Rob Swearingen joined several legislators last week to get additional money for Forest county law enforcement and for domestic violence victims.

Swearingen joined with fellow Republican Jeff Mursau of Crivitz to restore funding for additional law enforcement near tribal casinos. He says the county has two Native American casinos at the eastern and western most points...

In the past 10 days, 7 county boards have written the Joint Finance Committee preparing the budget to accept federal Medicaid dollars to help fund Wisconsin's BadgerCare program.

Three of the boards included Oneida, Lincoln and Marathon counties.

Kevin Kane from the group Citizen Action of Wisconsin says the counties know they are likely to see first hand what will happen if those dollars don't come in....

A deputy with the Vilas County Sheriff's Department will be receiving the nation's third-highest military combat decoration on Memorial Day.

Deputy Greg Fulton, also a First Sergeant in the U.S. Army, will get the Silver Star from the Army Monday at Volk Field during a ceremony. The Silver Star is being awarded to First Sergeant Fulton for his leadership and participation in combat operations in Afghanistan.

He's worked for Vilas county for 13 years. He is also certified as a law enforcement trainer.