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WJFW News

London Calling: Northwoods Man off to Watch Olympics Submitted: 07/25/2012

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RHINELANDER - It's an experience sports fans dream of, but few actually get: going to the Olympics.

In a few days Jon Honkanen will head to London to add to his wealth of Olympic memories.

"The people, the excitement, the colors... it's a really exciting atmosphere," says Honkanen.

His love for the Olympics started in high school, and he's been going as a spectator since 1996.

"This banner here is from Athens, Greece. I was there for the Paralympic games," says Honkanen.

He's been to Olympic events in Atlanta, Sydney, Salt Lake City, Beijing, Athens and Vancouver. It's more than something to do every few years. The Olympics is an ongoing hobby for Honkanen. His home is a representation of that hobby.

"I came up with this design. I basically started last fall. I started putting things together with the wood and stuff like that. And I'm just kind of doing little things throughout the year," says Honkanen.

Take a drive out past the Country Fest grounds in Rhinelander. At first glance you might think someone left their Christmas lights up. But drive past at night and you'll see Honkanen's tribute to the Summer Games.

"It's kind of one of those things that I think everybody can relate to. Why keep it to yourself when you can share it, and everybody else can enjoy it?" says Honkanen.

He makes good use of his photography skills taking as many as 18,000 photos in Vancouver alone. Now he's got his camera ready and his tickets packed for London.

"Human achievement through sport. The feeling, how it affects everybody. Everybody puts their differences aside and comes together. It's just a very special event. I don't think there's any other event that can compare to this," says Honkanen.

Story By: Lyndsey Stemm

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 In Other News:
Walleye Plan Excites Local Fishermen Submitted: 05/23/2013

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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Winning Lottery Ticket Sold in Rhinelander Submitted: 05/23/2013

RHINELANDER -
A ticket sold in Rhinelander matched all the numbers in last night's Badger 5 lotto drawing.

The lucky winner bought the ticket at Trigs in Rhinelander.

The winning numbers last night were 5, 16, 18, 25 and 28.

The winner has 180 days to claim the 293-thousand dollar prize.

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Plan Announced to Boost Walleye Numbers Submitted: 05/23/2013

MADISON - Governor Walker hopes greater walleye numbers can help boost state tourism.

Walker announced a nearly 13-million dollar effort to boost walleye production.

The plan would allow the state to borrow millions to expand hatcheries.

It would also give several million in grants for private walleye production plants.

The plan also includes money for aquaculture work, buying fingerlings from private vendors, and expanding a program that gives tribal youth jobs on natural resources-related projects.

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Unemployment Down for Most of State Submitted: 05/23/2013

MADISON - Some northwoods counties got left behind as unemployment rates IMPROVED almost everywhere in Wisconsin last month.

The state Department of Workforce Development said yesterday that unemployment got worse in April in Price, Menominee and Calumet counties.

Unemployment stayed the same in Iron and Langlade counties.

Rates improved in the other 67 counties.

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Weston man accused of 8th OWI Submitted: 05/22/2013

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WAUSAU - If you drink and drive, don't expect to get away with it. Especially when you've already been caught seven other times. A Weston man is facing his eighth drunken driving charge.

Twenty-nine year-old Cole Knapp appeared in Marathon County Court today. Prosecutors say an officer tried to pull Knapp over for a traffic violation May 11 when Knapp took off.

Knapp eventually stopped and got out of his vehicle with his hands in the air.

During a background check, Knapp fled on foot and was arrested a short time. He has seven previous OWI convictions dating back to 2002 in Bayfield, Ashland, Lincoln and Marathon counties.

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Rhinelander's Open House of Storefronts a Success Submitted: 05/22/2013

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RHINELANDER - Rhinelander needs new businesses to fill empty stores downtown.

This past weekend 26 properties had an open house. It was organized by Downtown Rhinelander, Inc. (DRI) and Flanders Reality Group. Finding the right home for a business can be hard. But the event tried to help those on the hunt.

"This way, you know, your here, you look, your able to talk to someone who knows the property. And you can really make a really good decision right now today," said Maggie Steffen, DRI Executive Director.

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'Wellness Court' Offers Alternate Sentence for Alcohol & Drug Offenders Submitted: 05/22/2013

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LAC DU FLAMBEAU - In Vilas County the courts have a new option for treating drug and alcohol offenders, instead of putting them behind bars.

Today the new Wellness Court was named in Lac du Flambeau. Circuit court judge Neal Neilsen and Tribal Court Judge Gary Smith will work together to help those involved with drugs and alcohol get the treatment they need.

"A traditional court would, more than likely sentence the person to jail or prison, and we've seen studies where that just doesn't work anymore. We need to get creative," said Lac du Flambeau Tribal Chief Judge, Gary Smith.

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