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WJFW News

New Pope Makes Local Catholics Hopeful Submitted: 03/14/2013

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RHINELANDER - The world spent the last few days looking to the roof of the Sistine Chapel for white smoke. Yesterday we met the new Pope for the first time.

But he takes control of the Catholic Church at a challenging time. Still, Northwoods Catholics are confident.

As tens of thousands of faithful watched for white smoke in St. Peter's square, more than a billion Catholics around the world waited to find out who their new leader would be. That included students right here at Nativity of our Lord Catholic School in Rhinelander.

"The kids were really excited. And then we prayed for him that he would lead us, lead the church in so many wonderful ways into the future," says Mary Mangerson, a Nativity Kindergarten Teacher.

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio from Argentina made history Wednesday in more than one way. He's the first non-European Pope in nearly 2,000 years.

"It's a very positive and very historical change. Because the developing world is being represented now, where many of the poor and marginalized are being left behind," says Father Tom Thakadipuram.

He's also the first Pope to choose the name Francis, after Saint Francis of Assisi. One of the things he represents is rebuilding the Church.

"He heard that call to rebuild the church. I think that is the main message now. Because the Church has been wrought with different issues," says Father Tom.

The Papacy and future of the Catholic Church has been the focal point of international news for weeks. Every network has been on Pope-watch for days. Non Catholics KNOW the Pope's kind of a big deal, but why? What does the Pope mean to Catholics?

"We know that leaders are important to us in our everyday lives and as a Catholic we look to our leaders to guide us in our faith," says Stacie Simkins, a Nativity 2nd Grade Teacher.

"He becomes the face of Christ. He becomes the face of stability and at the same time inspiration to the new world," says Father Tom.

"I think it's a feeling of belonging; everyone belongs to this family, and he is the leader of our family," says Mangerson.

As the world learns more about this reportedly humble man from Buenos Aires, Catholics are hoping for someone up to the task of leading them through the challenges the Church faces.

"I think we need a leader who's pastoral. And he appears to me to be someone who loves people and has a gentle spirit," says Mangerson.

Story By: Lyndsey Stemm

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Filling Prescriptions Gets Easier Submitted: 05/17/2013

MERRILL - You won't find candy bars or chips in the new vending machine at Ministry Good Samaritan in Merrill. This machine dispenses prescription medication.

It won't replace the regular pharmacist. But it will help patients who visit the hospital late at night.

"It allows patients to receive full prescriptions after hours for the local pharmacies. So if you have babe in arms that's sick that needs a prescription, we can fill that full prescription and get you on your way within less than five minutes," says Pharmacy Manager Jim Mason.

The machine has anything you would need for infections or pain; the kind of things a person goes to the ER for.

It's the fifth machine in Ministry facilities. Pharmacy Manager Jim Mason says they have a track record of safety. Each prescription is triple checked before it's dispensed.

"There has never been an error from dispensing the InstyMeds. So it's extremely safe, and it's well over a million prescriptions through InstyMeds," says Mason.

So far the Good Samaritan machine has filled around a hundred prescriptions. Doctors and patients say it's worked out well.

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Meet with Your Local Representative Monday Submitted: 05/17/2013

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WOODRUFF - The capitol may be far away but one of our local legislators wants to bring it closer. Assemblyman Rob Swearingen is meeting with constituents around the 34th district.

He visited Woodruff and Eagle River today.

Swearingen is five months into his freshman term. He wants to make sure people can put a face to his name.

He also wants reach those who might be skeptical of him because of his political party.

"You get that, just because I have the "R" in the back of my name that you're automatically not going to be friendly to those issues. And we encourage you to reach out. I may respond and it may not be the response you want to hear, but if you're going to ask me an honest question I'm going to give you an honest answer," says Rep. Swearingen.

Swearingen says everyone's working hard on the budget in Madison. He's hearing a lot of concerns about school funding locally.

"I just really feel that people should be engaged with their own local legislators so the legislator knows them, and knows how they feel. And I showed him my tax bill and he got a real perspective for someone who's on a fixed income and how all the costs for education impact one of his constituents," says Shirley Kufeldt, from Conover.

"We're looking for more funding for the K-12 funding program. I think there's been a lot of heightened awareness in the capital on both sides of the isle and in the Governor's office. So I'm looking for hopefully some good results to help rural schools as the budget moves forward before the Governor signs it in the first part of July," says Rep. Swearingen.

Swearingen's first budget motion was to allow Nicolet College to be eligible for state aid based on enrollment. That motion passed unanimously.

He says his weekly drive to his office in Madison is a reality check.

"There's the state capitol and you realize that your office is inside that building. It's a really surreal feeling to walk into that building each morning. Every time I press that button, whether it's green or red, I am voting on behalf of over 50,000 people in the 34th Assembly District. And that is something you don't take lightly," says Rep. Swearingen.

Swearingen will continue district dialogues on Monday. He'll be in Florence, Rhinelander and Crandon.

Florence, May 20th 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Maxsells Restaurant Inn & Pub, 209 Central Ave, (US Highway 2)

Crandon, May 20th 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Forest County Courthouse, Board Room

Rhinelander, May20th 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Oneida County Courthouse, Committee Room 1

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Logging Work Started Massive Wildfire Submitted: 05/17/2013

MADISON - A logging operation triggered what became Wisconsin's biggest wildfire in 33 years.

Investigators say negligence was not involved in the blaze in Douglas and Bayfield counties.

A logger noticed smoke coming from equipment while harvesting timber Tuesday afternoon.

Efforts were made to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, while another member of the logging crew called 911.

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Michigan Company Wins Walmart Bid Submitted: 05/17/2013

MERRILL - Micco Construction out of Pontiac, Michigan won the bid to build a new Super Walmart in Merrill.

Workers have surveyed and staked out the site to start working on the store.

Construction should start sometime after June 1.

The Highway 64-Pine Ridge Avenue intersection also has to be rebuilt.

That will start sometime after July 4th and finish up in the fall. Work on the store will go through winter.

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Weather Conditions Create High Fire Risk Across Northern Wisconsin Submitted: 05/17/2013

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ACROSS THE NORTHWOODS - A week with little to no rain pushed fire risks dangerously high across northern Wisconsin. A fire in Bayfield spanning 9-thousand acres destroyed 17 homes. Fire crews want everyone to be smart about burning this time of year.

A small burn got out of control on Loop Heights Road in Pine Lake today. Fire Chief, Brian Gehrig, says the weather conditions make it easy for fires to get out of control.

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CSA Helps Connect Farms and Families Submitted: 05/17/2013

RHINELANDER - You might support a local grocery store by shopping right in your town.

But look at a few labels and you realize, that the oranges come from Mexico, the bananas come from Chile, and the fish from as far away as China.

But it is possible to support local farmers.

A farm in the Northwoods provides fresh and local food for hundreds of families.

EverGood Farm is nestled on 10 acres of land in Rhinelander.

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Wisconsin History on Display at Heritage Days Submitted: 05/17/2013

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PHILLIPS - Fourth graders read about Native American wigwams, pioneer blacksmiths, and ethnic folk music.

All those things form Wisconsin history.

On Friday, every fourth grader in Price County experienced them at Heritage Days.

They traded their textbooks for the chance to see, hear, and feel Wisconsin history.

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