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Local News

Local Emergency Responders Upgrade Facilities Submitted: 05/19/2013

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LITTLE RICE - Summer can be a busy time for first responders, especially in places with a great outdoors.

As the demand for emergency services grows, some local fire crews and EMTs are updating their facilities.

The Little Rice Fire Department upgraded their canteen unit.

It's carries water, gatorade and food to keep crews fueled out in the field.

Plum Lake gave the department a $6,000 grant.

Plum Lake Resource supervisor Bill O'Brion also works at the department.

The new unit will be an asset for all neighboring firefighters.

"We've done lots of funding for different fire departments, but this is a unique project where the emergency service unit will respond to any fire department that needs the assistance or surrounding areas if they ask for help." O'Brion said.

Fire Chief Bob Reimert says this is not only essential to the community, but it keeps his staff busy as well.

"It's just what the people needed. It keeps the elderly people on our department busy," said Reimert.

"It gives them something to do. It gives them a part in the department which they need."

The canteen unit is stocked full and ready to go.

And The Crandon Area Rescue Squad can now comfortably house all it's members.

They built a $1 million, 5,200 square foot addition. They also remodeled the existing 2,500 square foot building into sleeping rooms for the EMTs.

About five years ago the squad found itself outgrowing the old building.

"We had people that wanted to join that lived too far out and they either had to stay in town. But there was no place for them to stay because they didn't have relatives or anybody here. So they used to sleep either on the floor or on a couch that was there," says DeElda Okrasinski, Crandon Area Rescue Squad President.

The squad has 21 members who serve Crandon and surrounding areas.

They received a grant that covered about half the million-dollar cost. But they plan to hold some fundraising events in the future to help pay off the rest.

Story By: Shardaa Gray and Lyndsey Stemm
Photo By: Shardaa Gray and Lyndsey Stemm

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Man Arrested for Fifth OWI Submitted: 05/19/2013

WAUSAU - Wisconsin State Patrol Wausau Post arrested a Reedsville man for his fifth OWI.

Fifty five-year-old Gerald J Bellin Jr. was stopped for speeding on Highway T and 22 in Waupaca.

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Early Morning Crash Kills Goodman Man Submitted: 05/19/2013

ARMSTRONG CREEK - At 12:30 this morning a 26-year-old Goodman man died in a car crash.

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Concert Benefits Raising Awareness For Lyme Disease Submitted: 05/19/2013

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CRANDON - We normally go to concerts to enjoy music or see our favorite bands live.

But last night’s concert had a little something extra.

This concert was meant to raise awareness on Lyme disease at Crandon High Scool.

Sue Reeder was recently diagnosed with the disease, 15 years after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

"I always felt like there was something not quite right with that diagnosis," Reeder said.

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Victim from Tuesday's SUV, Tanker Crash Dies from Injuries Submitted: 05/19/2013

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BOULDER JUNCTION - The New Auburn woman hospitalized from a crash earlier this week has died from her injuries.

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Fifty five-year-old Patty Hanson crashed her SUV into a gas tanker. The SUV flipped upside down in a marshy roadside ditch.

The semi truck driver was treated at the hospital and released shortly after. He told sheriff's deputies he was hauling 5-thousand gallons of gasoline.
The Vilas County Sheriff's and Coroner's Offices and the State Patrol are still investigating.

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Man Killed in ATV Accident Submitted: 05/19/2013

MERRILL - A man died in Merrill last night after an ATV crash.

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A 49-year old man appeared to have lost control of his ATV and crashed into a tree.

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Nicolet College Graduate Makes History Submitted: 05/18/2013

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RHINELANDER - Students around the Northwoods graduated today. One local graduate made history at Nicolet College.

"As a Nicolet Grad, not only will your education enhance you as an individual, but you will enhance the greater good of the Northwoods community as an educated citizen of our democracy," says Nicolet College President Elizabeth Burmaster.

Hundreds of Nicolet College students walked across the stage after accomplishing their goal… earning a college degree. But one student was challenged in a way no other Nicolet graduate has experienced. Jeff Hedberg is legally blind.

"Other people can follow in my foot steps and do exactly what I did. They just need to put one foot in front of the other and believe that there are people out there that will give them a chance and opportunity," says Hedberg.

Jeff's wife Sylvia Hedberg Thomas says it all started a couple of years ago when her husband decided to go back to school. The director of disability service reached out to him to help build a plan that would ensure Jeff reached his goals.

"When Bob told Jeff everything that he would be able to do, Jeff's like 'You really think I can do that?' And I was sitting there going, 'Well yea. Of course you can," says Hedberg Thomas.

Everybody either has or will have a disability to some extent within their lifetime. Technology can and will help most of them get through the challenge of their situation," says Hedberg.

Even though Jeff's tutor Charmaine Jacques helped him out, she says she learned from him as well.

"I learned a little bit of brail from Jeff and I learned a lot about his software that he uses," says Jacques.

This isn't the last stop for Jeff. He plans to get his masters at Stout University.

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RHINELANDER - Trees can be found just about everywhere in the northwoods.

But there's one tree that hasn't been in Rhinelander for a while.

Carlson Funeral Service celebrated its 100 year anniversary as part of the Rhinelander community.

Today more than 100 people joined them in planting 100 young Liberty Elm Trees.

After planting the tree, they put a white wrap around them to prevent animals from getting to them.

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