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WJFW News

Fire Destorys Three Lakes Strip Club Submitted: 12/31/2011
- Fire officials continue their investigation of what sparked a New Year's Eve blaze destroying a popular Three Lakes strip club.

The fire broke out just after 7 p.m. New Year's Eve at Weasel's Exotic Entertainment just off U.S. Highway 45. The club was closed at the time of the fire.

Three Lakes Fire Chief Herb Stuckart told Newswatch 12 that firefighters saw flames leaping from the roof when the arrived on the scene Saturday evening.

This morning investigators spent their time looking for clues inside the charred remains of the exotic venue. The club had been closed for the holidays and not set to reopen until Thursday.

"It appears the fire may have originated near the stage area in the east part of the building," said Stuckart.

The walls were left standing, but the roof had caved in and everything inside appeared reduced to a char.

Short of calling it a total loss, Stuckart said the fire was intense and spread to all areas of the structure.

"We had 31 firefighters out here, and four personnel from the Vilas County RIT (Rapid Intervention Team)," he said. "Five surrounding departments assisted in the effort, and we used about 10,000 gallons getting the fire under control."

Firefighters took about two hours to put out the flames, staying on the scene until 4:30 a.m. Saturday ensuring the fire didn't rekindle.

Witness Ann Afeldt, dining at a restaurant across the street during the fire, called the scene "frightening".

Although no cause has been determined, Chief Stuckart said the fire appeared to have begun accidentally.

*Picture courtesy of Ann Afeldt.

Story By: Jenn Sullivan

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Woodruff Celebrates 125th Birthday Submitted: 05/25/2013

WOODRUFF - Woodruff also had another big event to celebrate today.

It's the towns 125th anniversary.

The town kicked off the celebration with a 5-k run, car show and of course participating in the parade.

Woodruff has officially been part of the Northwoods since 1888.

Board chairman Mike Timmons says it's a privilege to be a part of this town.

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Fire Levels Garage in Merrill Submitted: 05/25/2013

MERRILL - A Saturday afternoon fire burned a garage to the ground. It happened on Anna Road in Merrill.

At two o'clock fire crews from Merrill, Russell, Pine River and the DNR were called to a home.

The homeowner said he and his wife started a fire in a burn barrel behind the garage hours before.

The garage was totally destroyed along with everything inside. The fire is still being investigated.

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Verdict in Raw Milk Trial Submitted: 05/25/2013

BARABOO - A Wisconsin dairy farmer has been acquitted on three of four counts in a trial related to the sale of raw milk.

Dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger was found guilty on one charge of violating a holding order placed on products at his farm. This was after a 2010 raid.

Hershberger could get up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine.

They found the 41-year-old not guilty of charges that he sold retail food, produced milk and operated a dairy plant without proper state licenses.

His supporters have said he was targeted because he sold raw milk through a private buying club with several hundred members.

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Fire Burns Rhinelander Apartment Building Submitted: 05/24/2013

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RHINELANDER - People jumped from a second story window to escape an early morning fire in Rhinelander.

Just after two this morning, the Rhinelander fire department rushed to 254 Westhill Road.

Half of a four unit apartment building was already in flames when they got there.

Five people living in the building had already gotten out.

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Wolf Gets 12 Years for Stabbing Near Hodag Statue Submitted: 05/24/2013

RHINELANDER - You might remember the name Shannon Wolf. He chased his wife down, stabbed and choked her by the Hodag statue in Rhinelander last February. He'll now spend the next twelve years in prison.

Today Latoya Wolf testified she was partly to blame for what happened. She told the court Shannon Wolf was trying to cut his own wrists. But she got in the way and was cut in the struggle for the knife.

Prosecutors said the violent encounter and the victim's backtracking was a classic example of the domestic abuse cycle.

"I believe that there are significant pressures on Mrs. Wolf," says Assistant District Attorney Scott Moller.

Moller presented Wolf's extensive criminal history. He said there's also a documented history of domestic abuse.

Moller asked Judge Patrick O'Melia to sentence Wolf to 30 years.

Judge O'Melia said he believes this case is one of classic domestic abuse.

He sentenced Wolf to 24 years. He'll spend 12 in prison and 12 years extended supervision.

Wolf is not allowed to have any contact with his wife. He's also not eligible for early release or boot camp.

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Possible End to One Walleye Fight Submitted: 05/24/2013

LAC DU FLAMBEAU - The back-and-forth between state lawmakers and the Lac du Flambeau tribe might be over.

Dean Kaufert is a Republican representing Neenah. He wanted to strip a quarter-million dollars of funding from the tribe. That money would have gone to fund a new cultural center.

His original move was a protest against the Chippewa lowering walleye bag limits. That happened on many lakes in the ceded territory this spring.

"I was kind of having some difficulty with some of my colleagues in the Legislature with convincing them that we needed to play hardball by holding this project back," says Rep. Kaufert.

Walleye spearing season by Chippewa fishermen is almost over. They only took about half as many as they expected. So, the DNR raised limits on 423 lakes in the ceded territory.

Kaufert now will not stand in the way of the cultural center money.

"The Governor asked me if I would consider releasing that project due to their ongoing discussions about trying to create a better environment up north for fish stocking and number of walleyes in our lakes," says Rep. Kaufert.

This week, Governor Scott Walker also proposed a state project to put more walleye in Wisconsin's lakes.

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Little Free Libraries Promote Reading Submitted: 05/24/2013

RHINELANDER - You don't need to get a library card to check out a book theses days. Boxes that look like bird houses are popping up all over.

They're called Little Free Libraries. Anyone can stop by to take or give a book. It's all based on the honor system. Maureen O'Melia put her's up at home last night across from Pioneer Park.

"I contacted Ed Hughes from the library. He was excited about the idea as well and he, a week later, says I built you one Maureen. But I had to stain it and get it ready for the outdoors," says Maureen O'Melia, who built a Little Free Library.

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