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DNR Study Shows Grouse Can Survive West Nile Virus Published on 10/23/2019 under News

Results of a three state study show that some ruffed grouse can survive after contracting the West Nile virus.

The DNR announced the results of that research yesterday. The three year study was a collaboration between the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources, along with the Ruffed Grouse Society.

Researchers tested blood samples from more than 700 grouse harvested during the 2018 hunting season. More than 230 birds were submitted from Wisconsin.

The blood tests from Wisconsin samples found 29 percent of the birds showed antibodies indicating the birds had carried the virus, but were otherwise healthy. Tests from Minnesota and Michigan showed similar findings, but at a lower rate of 13%.

DNR upland game ecologist Mark Witecha thanked the hunters who submitted samples and noted those hunters who provided contact information will be provided test results this week regardless of whether the results were positive or negative.

In Other News

WPS Power Restoration Update: 95,000 Restored, Efforts Ongoing

Published on 04/01/2025 under News Restoration efforts continue across the Northwoods following a weekend ice storm which left tens of thousands without power. Wisconsin Public Service provided another update Monday evening. In that report, they said they had restored power to more than 108,000 customers across their region. As of Tuesday morning, their outage tracker showed approximately 30,000 customers without power, and that number has been dropping through the morning hours. Crews are working around the clock, and the company has also brought in line workers from elsewhere in Wisconsin and neighboring states to help in the massive effort to repair snapped utility poles, downed power lines and damaged electric equipment. According to the report, there have been more than 1,600 outage locations. While final details are still being gathered, WPS believes this response will be one of the largest restoration efforts in company history. As for restoration timelines, their goal is to restore power to more than 90% of affected customers by the end of Tuesday.

Published on 04/01/2025 under News It's Election Day in the state of Wisconsin, with voters heading to the polls on a variety of races and questions. There are a pair of high-profile state races including Supreme Court Justice and State Superintendent, and an amendment related to the state constitution related to voter ID. But the spring election also includes non-partisan local races like school boards, town boards, city councils and mayoral races. Ballots will differ based on where you live. Voters can visit myvote.wi.gov to preview their ballot. Here in Tomahawk specifically, the school board race features just two candidates for three seats, meaning a write-in will determine the third. Tomahawk City Council; three incumbents run unopposed. The City of Tomahawk has also placed an advisory question on the ballot related to the fluoridation of the city's water supply. Around the state, there are more than 85 school funding referendum questions on the ballot. Here in Northern Wisconsin, that includes voters in the Rhinelander, Elcho, Three Lakes and Wausau school districts. A quick reminder for voters up in Rhinelander. Due to storm damage at the Hodag Dome, they have moved their polls to James Williams Middle School, right across the parking lot.

Published on 04/01/2025 under News With thousands of people without power, and refrigerators, local health officials are reminding about food safety amid the outages. General guidance is perhaps the simplest, "When in doubt, throw it out." They recommend throwing out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture. Never taste food to determine if it is safe to eat. To keep food safe, a refrigerator should maintain a temperature below 40 degrees, the freezer zero degrees. According to the CDC, perishable foods can go without refrigeration from around 4 hours. Danger items include meats, poultry, dairy and some produce. As for freezers, that actually depends on how much food is in there at the time. A half-full freezer will last about day without power, while a full freezer may last for two days as the frozen food provides its own insulation. Of course, to maintain the cold in your fridge or freezer, minimize opening and closing the doors while the power is out. The Oneida County Health Department has some additional tips, graphics, and information on their Facebook page.

Published on 04/01/2025 under News The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is seeking information on a hit and run crash over the weekend. Deputies were dispatched to an area of Highway 64/107 and County E in the Town of Scott on Saturday. The reporting party, a 64 year old Merrill man, said another vehicle struck his vehicle from behind. He said the suspect was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the collision, and left the scene traveling north on County E. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspected vehicle. It is described as red, possibly a Nissan, with Illinois tags. The Sheriff's Office says it would have sustained substantial front end damage. No other information was provided. Anyone with information about the crash or the that vehicle are encouraged to call the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at 715-536-6272.

Published on 04/01/2025 under News Today marks the official start of the new Wisconsin fishing season. Before casting a line, anglers are reminded to review any new rules that may affect their favorite fishing spots and grab a new license. Although Wisconsin's general inland fishing season doesn't open until May 3, the DNR notes there are still some outstanding angling opportunities available throughout the state. That includes catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, open year round on most inland waters. A number of other locations have species specific opportunities for fish as well. This includes portions of the Wisconsin River starting near Tomahawk, as well as the five lakes that comprise the Northern Highlands Fishery Research Area up in Vilas County. Anglers can check out the DNR regulation guide or the DNR website to see which waters are open. It's also time to purchase a new fishing license, which runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. A single license for a Wisconsin resident will run $20; spouses get a discount when purchased together at $31. And anglers are also encourages to do a preseason check on fishing gear, boats, and trailers to ensure aquatic invasive species aren't being spread.

Published on 04/01/2025 under News Those flying out of the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport this spring will be able to observe pieces of art from a local educator. The airport hosts five rotating displays per year, spotlighting a variety of artists, to entertain weary travelers. It done in collaboration with Art Start, the local non-profit dedicated to art education and cultural engagement. The latest exhibit features the work of Nate Wilson, an art instructor at Nicolet College. The latest artwork on display from Wilson includes twenty paintings and a cluster of small clay sculptures. Wilson says He says he uses art to unwind and relax in the evenings. Wilson has been leading art classes at Nicolet for more than a decade. This includes both students pursuing careers in the arts as well as casual community art classes. Nicolet College has additional information on Wilson on their blog.

Published on 03/31/2025 under News A severe ice storm crossed the Northwoods over the weekend, leaving tens of thousands without power as we start the work week. That weather overnight Saturday into Sunday morning glazed the region with a coating of ice, wreaking havoc on the electrical grid. In an update provided at around 9pm Sunday evening, Wisconsin Public Service Spokesman Brendan Conway says their crews had already restored power to more than 62,000 customers. But there's still plenty of work to be done...As of daybreak Monday, there were still approximately 60,000 customers without power, due to approximately 1,100 outages. The outages were widespread on Monday morning: 12,000 in Oneida County; 8,000 in Forest; 6,000 in Langlade; 3,000 in Lincoln; and 1,600 in Vilas Counties. Conway says they hope to have 80% of customer's power restored by the end of the day, Monday. He says, "We have an army of field crews working around the clock, including technicians from across Wisconsin who are coming to the area to help." During their efforts Sunday found downed lines and damaged equipment, and their restorations efforts were slowed due to slick roads and gusty winds. Just a quick reminder — customers should stay at least 25 feet away from any downed wires, and report to WPS or law enforcement.

Published on 03/31/2025 under News In recent years, the Hodag Dome has become the voting location for Rhinelander residents. With the temporary closure of the dome and an election Tuesday, city leaders had to quickly make a decision to find an alternative location. The City Council held a special meeting Sunday where they finalized plans to hold Tuesday's election at James Williams Middle School, right across the parking lot from the Dome. The decision came after working with the school district, and at the recommendation of City Clerk Austyn Zarda. According to the announcement, Wisconsin State Statutes require that both the municipal clerk, and a majority of the Common Council must agree on a new polling location. They'll utilize the gymnasium at James Williams Middle School, and ask voters to use the parking lots south of Mike Webster Stadium. They do plan to place signs and also staff onsite to redirect voters to the correct locations.

Published on 03/31/2025 under News The Hodag Dome in Rhinelander is temporarily closed after damage sustained during the weekend storm. According to the Rhinelander School District, the facility lost power and the back-up generator failed. This initially resulted in a partial deflation of the dome. As that happened, several tears occurred in the material causing additional damage. As a result, staff completely deflated the Dome on Sunday. The manufacturer is scheduled to be on-site Monday to assess damage and develop a repair plan. The goal is to restore the dome and resume normal operations as quickly as possible. The district says events scheduled to take place in the Dome this week will either be relocated to a new location or canceled. One of the most notable events, spring election voting for City of Rhinelander residents has been moved to the gym at James Williams Middle School.

Published on 03/31/2025 under News A Tennessee man has been arrested in connection with a shooting in Lincoln County last month. That incident happened in the early morning hours of February 7 at X to C Golf Course. At the time, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said the victim, a Gleason man was struck in the shoulder and was hospitalized. No update on his condition was provided. The Sheriff's Office identified the suspect as Bobby Dabbs, 27, of Trenton, Tennesseee. According to the Sheriff's Office, they worked with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Gibson County Sheriff's Office to locate and arrest Dabbs. That happened on March 17. The Sheriff's office says Dabbs has been extradited to Wisconsin. Online court records show charges pending of first degree reckless injury and injury by negligent use of a weapon. Dabbs is scheduled to make an initial appearance in Lincoln County Court today.

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