WJFW News
Cougar Looms in Northwoods
Submitted: 03/30/2012
CRANDON - The DNR confirms a cougar sighting earlier this week near Crandon.
It's the first confirmed sighting in the Northwoods since one in Price County last November.
DNR Wildlife Biologist Jeremy Holtz told us that a couple spotted the cougar on their property just south of Crandon on Monday.
They submitted a picture to the DNR and naturalists verified it was real earlier this week.
If you see rare wildlife like cougars or moose in Wisconsin, report them to the DNR via the Rare Mammal Observation Form on their website.
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In Other News:
Gogebic Taconite submits sampling plans
Submitted: 06/19/2013
MADISON - Gogebic Taconite wants to move quickly to dig an iron mine in Ashland and Iron Counties. This week, they submitted plans for the next step in the state's process. The company is asking the DNR for permission to sample hundreds of thousands of tons of earth, part of a bulk sampling plan. Gogebic Taconite also officially told the DNR it will seek a mining permit. The DNR will tell Gogebic within two weeks whether it can go forward with the sampling.
Forest Co. man gets jail for firing gun in house, pointing it at wife
Submitted: 06/19/2013
CRANDON - The Forest County man who pointed a gun at his wife and fired a shot in their home will serve conditional jail time. Forrest Schaller was originally charged with attempted first degree intentional homicide. But today he agreed to a deal with the State. He pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering safety and felon possession of a firearm. In exchange, the Court dropped the attempted homicide charge. Schaller will serve one year in Forest County jail with work-release privileges. He'll be on probation for eight years.
Budget likely just days away from passge
Submitted: 06/19/2013
MADISON - Wisconsin Republicans want to expand private school vouchers, put forth a huge income tax cut, and reject a federal Medicaid expansion. Those ideas could be just days away from becoming law in Wisconsin. The state Assembly passed the biennial state budget on a 55-42 vote Wednesday. Those proposals are just some of hundreds in the $70 billion budget. Democrats decided not to offer any of the 211 amendments they had ready.
Medford man searches for photo of every Vietnam death from Wisconsin
Submitted: 06/19/2013
MEDFORD - “Our goal is to find them all," says Bryce Kelley. Kelley, a Medford resident, wants to find a picture of every Wisconsin soldier killed in Vietnam. “I know that I will continue to work, and I have enlisted the help of many others that will continue to work until we find them all," he says. Nearly 1,200 Wisconsinites’ names are etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington.
Mapping and controlling Yellow Iris in wetlands
Submitted: 06/19/2013
MINOCQUA - These plants may look pretty but they're taking over our rivers and lakes. Michele Sadauskas is Oneida County's Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator. She is working to map and control the yellow iris, the plant you see here. She and two other conservation workers spent the day weeding Stacks Bay. "They invade our wetlands. They're a really robust, aggressive plant. What they do is they crowd out our native species and make actually the wetland a lot less diverse," says Michele Sadauskas, Oneida County AIS Coordinator. Removing yellow iris is a slow process. It takes three hours of work just to properly map and control 20 feet of shoreline.
Newman High Schools received new solar panels
Submitted: 06/19/2013
WAUSAU - A Wausau high school will go green to save money and teach students about energy conservation. New solar panels will sit on top of the roof. It will save Newman High School approximately $400 a year. The W-P-S foundation donated the system as part of the SolarWise for school program. It's an educational experience for the kids as well.
ArtStart Opens New Exhibit
Submitted: 06/19/2013
RHINELANDER - You don't need to go outside to enjoy the outdoors. The new ArtStart exhibit brings nature indoors. The exhibit features work from artists around the country. It includes artifacts, paintings, and sculptures. Mitch Mode is a guest curator.