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WJFW News

Lights Display Brings Awareness About Domestic Violence Submitted: 10/01/2012

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RHINELANDER - The trees are red, orange and yellow - but there's another color to pay attention to this month.

Purple represents Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Tri-County Council has a display of lights traveling between Oneida, Forest and Vilas counties.

Victim advocate Elizabeth Lowenberg hopes it will increase awareness.

"We try to raise awareness all year. But October is when we try to push awareness in the community," she said. "What the lights are about is there are 37 out there in a circle and that represents the 37 victims of domestic violence homicide in the past year."

There is some good news. The number of homicides related to domestic violence in the state is down from 2010, when there were 51.

"We're not sure why that is," Lowenberg said. "We're hoping that because there are more resources in place, that victims or potential victims can get help before it escalates to that."

You can see the display through next Monday at Stevensport Square in Rhinelander.

From there, it moves on to Crandon, Minocqua and Eagle River.

You can also get involved by participating in the Chalk Walk on Monday, October 8 in Stevensport Square from 4:30 to 6:00.

Story By: Lex Gray

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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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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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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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Eight Years Prison Time for Sexually Assaulting a Child Submitted: 05/24/2013

RHINELANDER - A man from Rhinelander will spend the next eight years in prison for sexually assaulting a very young child.

The details of the case are so graphic and so disturbing, we can't put them on television.

What we can show you is edited to protect the victim's identity.

Forty five-year-old Jack Kaufman faced up to 40 years in prison. He insisted to the very end, that what he did was an accident, not sexual assault.

Prosecutors said today Kaufman gave so many versions of the story, they couldn't keep track of them all. One version was that the child walked in on him while masturbating. Then he said he accidentally ejaculated on the child. Although in some interviews, he said it was on purpose.

But the child described a full sexual assault to police, and said it happened, "lots of times".

"Mr. Kaufman provided many versions of his assault of (the victim). When confronted with the overwhelming discrepancies he said (the victim) was telling the truth. But at no time did he say he was sorry. He did say he wished his family wouldn't have reported," says Scott Moller, Oneida County Assistant District Attorney.

Kaufman told investigators he had no interest in sexual activity with anyone, child or adult. Judge Michael Bloom didn't accept that.

"That did not stop him from taking advantage of the presence of a warm, living, breathing person who happened to be nearby when he was engaged in this activity," says Judge Bloom.

Judge Bloom sentenced Kaufman to 14 years prison. He'll spend the first eight behind bars, and the remaining six on extended supervision.

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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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Minocqua Farmers Market Opens for the Season Submitted: 05/24/2013

MINOCQUA - Many of us have been waiting for home-grown fruits and vegetables.

Now they're here at a Northwoods summer market.

It's opening day for the Minocqua Farmers Market.

15 vendors filled the Minocqua Park Complex on Highway 70.

They have vegetable plants, flowers, baked goods and MORE available for purchase.

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