49°F

56°F

46°F

42°F

46°F

46°F

51°F

60°F

46°F
WJFW News

It's A Submitted: 08/10/2012

Play Video
EAGLE RIVER - On this day exactly 150 years ago, the Civil War was raging through the South.

We caught up with one man who's keeping that history alive.

"You can sit in an office and play around on a think tank operation, or you can go out and have a little bit of fun and hear bangs," says Ron Hettwer.

He prefers the second option.

The Vilas County veteran has a few cannon.

The one at the Vilas County Fair this weekend is a Civil War model.

"These were mobile, these were fast, and it scared the bejesus out of them," he says.

Lincoln named this type of cannon the "railsplitter."

It fires four-pound balls.

While cannon like these were popular in the Civil War, they also became very common in wars that came afterward.

"These were so compact and so mobile, they went to the Indian Wars," he says.

More than a hundred years later, Hettwer takes his cannon all over the place.

He's here at the Vilas County Fair now, but he also goes to events like funerals and events for veterans.

He says his mission is more than just Civil War history - it's about honoring all servicemen and women.

"They spend a fair amount of time trying to keep their head on straight, as well as ducking balls," Hettwer mentions.

But it sure is a pretty neat way to respect our veterans.

Story By: Ben Meyer

Text Size: + Increase | Decrease -
 Print Story Print Story | Email Story Email Story
Sponsored in part by HodagSports.com
 In Other News:
Lincoln Co. Sheriff's Office seeks eyewitnesses to fire near Bucki's home Submitted: 06/17/2013

Play Video

LINCOLN COUNTY - The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office needs your help.

Investigators want to talk to anyone who was near Anita Bucki's home between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. on April 26.

That's the day she went missing. Her husband, Mark Bucki, has been charged in her murder.

Lieutenant Tim Fischer says he specifically wants to talk to anyone who may have seen a large fire that morning.

+ Read More
Hospital opens fitness doors to public Submitted: 06/17/2013

Play Video

ANTIGO - Going to the gym can be hard if you have a busy schedule.

It can be even harder if the gym closes early.

But one Northwoods hospital is opening their fitness center 24 hours a day so you can workout out any time.

Langlade Hospital opened the doors to its new fitness center today.

The facility helps patients with rehabilitation.

+ Read More
Local Reps Discuss Budget Submitted: 06/17/2013

Play Video

WAUSAU - The General Assembly takes up the budget Tuesday. Monday, some local representatives and school officials talked to the public about why they believe the budget will hurt schools.

Democratic representatives Mandy Wright and Katrina Shankland spoke in Wausau today.

Shankland, who represents Stevens Point, stated, "In the last session, Republicans took over 1.6 billion dollars from our public education. They robbed our students of $550 in aid per student. And in this budget, they only return $150. That simply is not acceptable."

+ Read More
Man on the run armed and dangerous Submitted: 06/17/2013

Play Video

MERRILL - Police now call a man who simply ran away from his probation officer armed and extremely dangerous.

36-year-old Christopher Meindel has been on the run for just more than a month.

He's listed as 5 foot 10 and 170 pounds.

He has multiple tattoos on both arms.

Meindel was convicted of making and selling meth.

+ Read More
Rhinelander School Board approves technology purchase Submitted: 06/17/2013

Play Video

RHINELANDER - You can find a new smartphone, tablet or computer out every day.

That’s why school districts struggle to keep up with new technology.

The school district of Rhinelander realized that back in 1996.

That's when the community passed a technology referendum.

It gives the district $600,000 a year to spend on technology.

The board unanimously approved the motion to purchase new laptops, desktop computers and chrome books Monday night.

+ Read More
ATVs allowed on streets of Sugar Camp Submitted: 06/17/2013

Play Video

SUGAR CAMP - You can drive an ATV through practically anything; Snow, mud, water and soon, on Sugar Camp's roads.

Monday, the Sugar Camp Town Board decided to allow ATVs on its roads.

All ATV drivers must wear helmets and license their vehicles.

But even with those rules, some residents still think ATVs on the roads will be dangerous.

+ Read More
Making Cheese the Old Fashioned Way Submitted: 06/17/2013

MARATHON - Wisconsin makes up 24 percent of the nation's cheese production.

Helping out that number is Bletsoe's Cheese in Marathon.

Their old fashioned approach to cheese making still proves successful.

Bonnie Bletsoe and her husband David started the business in 1983.

They have a fully operational cheese factory, making cheese, the old way.

+ Read More
+ More General News
Search: 


Click Here
Home | Program Schedule | News | Weather | Sports | WJFW Deals | General Information | Site Map | Closed Caption Concerns | Contact WJFW | EEO Reports | Quarterly FCC DTV Reports

Copyright© 2013 Rockfleet Broadcasting / Northland Television, Inc.
WJFW is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified.
Neither Rockfleet Broadcasting / Northland Television, Inc. nor By Request Web Designs shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, or misprints.

Site Design By: