EAGLE RIVER - People will get the chance to see three protected areas by land and water this Wednesday.
Volunteers from the Northwoods Land Trust are hosting a Deerskin River Paddle and Preserve float trip that lets people get out of their boats and get up close and personal with protected lands.
Trip coordinator Sandy Lotto says this is the first time the protected lands will be open to the public.
"We're going to highlight three properties that are going to be protected forever from every being split up or developed. And those are just three of the 85 properties that we have," said Lotto.
Lotto also says the float trip will be slow paced so everyone has a chance to experience the wild-life.
"Deerskin River is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse rivers in northern Wisconsin. You just never know what you're going to see in terms of wild-life," explained Lotto.
Participants will meet at the Deerskin River 1:00 P.M. Wednesday.
EAGLE RIVER - Eagle River's Natalie Decker signed with Venturini Motorsports earlier this spring.
When she became a part of the group, she noticed they did a lot of events with PADD, People Against Distracted Driving.
She got involved in that cause by bringing it back to Eagle River for the UTV/ATV Championships.
Her and her family took the annual scavenger hunt and turned it into an event to bring awareness to PADD
Decker thinks her young age can help make an impact on other young drivers.
"It's not like we're 21 yet and drinking and driving. That's another bad thing, but this is becoming even worse. I want to hit all the young kids that follow me, even on my Instagram or Facebook," said Decker.
Once Decker gets across the serious message of PADD, then comes the actual scavenger hunt.
The participants in the event had some funny challenges.
"They had to do crazy stuff like get a picture with a purple sock and a high heel, and all these crazy things and stop at all the bars across Eagle River," said Decker.
If you would like to learn more about PADD, follow the link below.
MERRILL - When you live to be 100, you often often outlive your friends and even family members.
Lenore Ehlert, from Merrill, turned 100 years old on Wednesday.
"Well, actually, it doesn't feel much different, it's just another day," said Ehlert.
While celebrating that milestone, she found herself thinking of her husband who she lost 65 years ago.
Her husband, Merrill Police Captain, Elmer Krueger was shot and killed while on duty in July of 1952.
"July 19th and he died about three days later," said Ehlert.
Records from that time show an officer's death didn't lead to weeks of ceremonies and salutes like it does now.
"After the funeral, everything was just kind of forgotten," said Ehlert.
But decades later, it's not all forgotten. Merrill police officers, members of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and other first responders were all at the party to show that they were bonded for life after the tragedy years ago.
"It really is truly, that Lenore is part of our family," said Michael Caylor with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
In addition to law enforcement, Governor Scott Walker, Congressman Sean Duffy and Attorney General Brad Schimel all wrote Lenore letters wishing her a happy birthday.
"It's quite an honor and I know part of it is for my husband and his memory," said Ehlert.
Elmer's memory was seen all throughout Lenore's special day.
"Know that you're part of the law enforcement family. Elmer was a brother, most of us didn't know him, but he's a brother nonetheless," said Lincoln County Sheriff, Jeff Jaeger.
She was surrounded by friends and family helping her celebrate her 100 years.
"If we're all to live as old and to be as loved as yourself, what a wonderful world this is going to be," said Caylor.
When asked for advice on how to live to be 100, Lenore said to keep your mind and body active, and to eat good food.
PHILLIPS - Gospel, prayers, and reading from scripture are typical practices in many church services. But this week's Sunday service was a bit different for members of the First Presbyterian Church of Phillips.
The congregation got to spend Sunday morning at a church of their own for the first time in six years.
MERRILL - A $5 million facility that just opened in Merrill hopes to give people a place to learn more about heavy equipment and technology.
On Friday, Nortrax, a division of John Deere, celebrated the grand opening of a facility. Dozens of community members and officials were at the ribbon cutting.The process to open up the location on South Pine Ridge started a few years ago.
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