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WJFW News

Pines District Asks Voters for $2.7 Million Referendum Submitted: 12/04/2012
EAGLE RIVER - The Northland Pines School District managed to stretch its money from their last referendum for four years, instead of the intended three.

But that money has run out.

In February, taxpayers will have to decide if they want to give the district money again.

The district is asking for $2.7 million dollars per year for the next three years.


This is the fourth operational referendum the district has asked for and so far, all four have passed.

District administrator Dr. Mike Richie said he doesn't know what programs would be lost if the referendum fails.

"You would see a drastic change in the Northland Pines school district if it doesn't pass," he said. "Currently, the Northland Pines School District is doing very well academically, and we would like to continue that trend."

Richie said the district has been financially responsible.

The property tax levy dropped 18 percent, and the district is asking for less money in this referendum than in 2009.

"That's a huge statement on behalf of the district that we are doing a good job and being very fiscally responsible," Richie said. "It shows that we are trying to do the best job possible with the monies we have available."

In a separate question, the district is asking for $240,000 to build smoke and fire walls at the elementary school.

Story By: Lex Gray

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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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Adams Co. man convicted of killing mother sentenced to life Submitted: 05/24/2013

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FRIENDSHIP, WI - You need to think back several years to remember this case - back to late 2010.

An Adams County man convicted of killing his mother, hiding her body and using her checks and credit cards has been sentenced to life in prison.

61-year-old Larry W. Clark won't be eligible for parole for 30 years.

A jury convicted Clark of seven felonies including first-degree intentional homicide.

Prosecutors say he shot 79-year-old Marcella Clark in the back in 2010 and hid her body in the woods near their Big Flats house.

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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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Help a Northwoods Girl Beat Juvenile Diabetes Submitted: 05/24/2013

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ANTIGO - Despite having to poke her fingers, and inject insulin throughout the day, 7 year old Meredith smiles all the time. Now YOU can make her smile even brighter.

This is the race car Meredith Meidl designed for Ford's "Real Heroes Contest" benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. Meredith knows a lot about diabetes. She's had the disease since she was 2.

"I just (clicks) and then I push it on my finger and I squeeze my finger and then I put my blood into the strip and it reads my blood," said Meredith demonstrating how she tests her blood sugar.

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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.

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15 vendors filled the Minocqua Park Complex on Highway 70.

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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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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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