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WJFW News

Furniture & Appliance Mart Bucks Black Friday Trend Submitted: 11/23/2012

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RHINELANDER - Here in the Northwoods, some retail chains are resisting the urge to open on Thankgiving or before dawn on Black Friday.

Stevens Point-based Furniture and Appliance Mart has ten stores throughout Wisconsin.

They have Black Friday specials, but up until five years ago, they kept their normal store hours.

"We will never open earlier than 7 a.m. on Black Friday. The temptation is definitely there from a business standpoint. We'd be lying if we said it wasn't," said advertising and marketing director Jon Gadbois. "But our employees are far too important to us for us to take away their Thanksgiving."

The chain extended its hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. five years ago, but they don't plan on extending any further.

Gadbois said Black Friday is still their busiest day of the year.

"It's been something that's been coming up more and more, especially in the last four or five years, opening earlier and earlier," Gadbois said. "Our big-box competitors have continued to do that. Being a family operated company, we don't agree with that from a moral standpoint."

Rhinelander Furniture & Appliance Mart floor manager Butch Somers said he understands that employees need to be at the store when customers want to be there, but he appreciates the limited hours.

"Personally, I agree with those employees that aren't very happy as they're bucking tradition, taking away from family time," Somers said. "There's plenty of time that you can do for sales without getting into family time."

Story By: Lex Gray

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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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Schofield company planning up to 350 new jobs in Central Wisconsin Submitted: 05/24/2013

SCHOFIELD - A Schofield company is planning to expand in central Wisconsin and add several hundred manufacturing jobs over the next few years.

Crystal Finishing Systems has purchased a shuttered manufacturing plant in Mosinee for an undisclosed price. Crystal Finishing President Mark Matthiae says his company will add about 250 to 350 jobs in the next three years. Jobs will range in pay from $10.50 to $25 an hour.

Matthiae says the average annual wage for his employees is $38,700.

The company expects to finalize plans for the Mosinee plant in July. Production should get underway in 2014.

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Panel Blocks Change to Rent-to-Own Rules Submitted: 05/24/2013

MADISON - Consumers will still be told how much interest they will pay at a rent-to-own businesses in Wisconsin.

The Legislature's finance committee has blocked Republican Governor Scott Walker's plan to exempt rent-to-own businesses.

A handful of Republicans, including Senate President Mike Ellis, have been pushing the committee to remove the proposal from the budget.

The committee voted 10-6 yesterday to eliminate the plan.

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Walleye Plan Excites Local Fishermen Submitted: 05/23/2013

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EAGLE RIVER - The initiative will help to rebound what's thought of as a suffering walleye population by adding hundreds of thousands of the fish to Wisconsin lakes.

The project could improve fishing for the state's most popular game fish and tourism in the state. George Langely, a local fishing guide at Eagle Sports bait shop in Eagle River, says walleye fishing isn't what it used to be.

"The walleye population has pretty much suffered in the last twenty years and it's really nice to see Madison recognizing that and taking some steps to do something about it. It will take a while but it's a great start."

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Judge Will Wait to Decide About Trying Teenager as Adult Submitted: 05/23/2013

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RHINELANDER - When a child commits a violent crime sometimes it's serious enough to be tried in adult court.

Today Oneida County Judge Patrick O'Melia had special circumstances to consider.

Sixteen-year-old Michael Thimm was arrested last year for stabbing his mother and her boyfriend after a fight over his computer.

He's charged with attempted first degree intentional homicide. That charge means juveniles are automatically put into adult court.

But today his defense tried to get Thimm put back into the juvenile system. The main reason is because he has Aspergers-- a form of Autism.

A psychologist testified Thimm's disorder keeps him from understanding things like when a person is suffering. He also said emotional distress can cause impulsive reactions.

The doctor said if Thimm gets proper treatment he won't be a threat to the public.

"People with Aspergers or Autism Spectrum Disorder, most of the time they show up in the mental health system. They're very, very rare in the criminal justice system. And so the chances that they would even have the resources to address his needs are pretty slim," says Dr. Michael Caldwell.

But officials from the Department of Corrections also testified they do have resources for people like Thimm.

After three and a half hours of testimony, Judge O'Melia decided to wait on a ruling.

Both sides will submit written briefs before he makes a decision. We'll keep you updated as this develops.

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Phone App Brings High-Tech to Northwoods Camping Submitted: 05/23/2013

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STATEWIDE - Camping in the Northwoods just got a little more high-tech, thanks to a new website and iPhone app. You can download the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest app on your iPhone.

The app lets you see what campsites are available, and reserve your spot online. It also gives information about trails and other activities in the area.

In the “old days” travelers could always call ahead about site availability, but by the time out of town visitors arrive, they might be full.

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Knowing the Symptoms Helps Prevent Lyme Disease Submitted: 05/23/2013

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MINOCQUA - “This disease is called the great imitator for a good reason,” says Jeff Waite.

Lyme disease can be good at hiding.

“Lyme disease is a bacterial type infection spread by a spiral keet, which is also considered a parasite. And it can be carried in the spit glands and intestinal track of ticks in this area. Particularly the deer tick," said Dr. Kurt Landauer.

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