58°F

56°F

62°F

55°F

62°F

56°F

54°F

61°F

62°F
WJFW News

DNR Tries to Build Forest Corridor Submitted: 12/13/2012

VILAS COUNTY - The DNR wants to build something of a bridge out of forest in the Northwoods.

A new land purchase in Vilas County helps that mission.

The goal is to create a connected corridor between the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest in Wisconsin's Northwoods and the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Wednesday, the Natural Resources Board approved the purchase of about 600 acres to help with the connection.

The price tag?

$1.5 milllion.

"We're able to make those ecological connections to create an ecological corridor between our current ownership and expanses of public ownership in the U.P.," says Steve Petersen, the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest Superintendent

The new land will be open to hunting, fishing, and hiking, but will serve another purpose as well.

"We also will actively manage some of this land where it's appropriate. That contributes to our local economy. It provides jobs in the timber industry. By actively managing forests, we keep the forest healthy too," Petersen says.

The DNR still needs to buy several thousand acres in Vilas County to connect to the Michigan border.


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:
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.

+ Read More
Newman High Schools received new solar panels Submitted: 06/19/2013

Play Video

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.

+ Read More
Plans for next wolf hunt move forward Submitted: 06/19/2013

MADISON - Wisconsin wildlife officials want hunters and trappers kill more wolves this year.

Yesterday the DNR finalized proposed kill quotas for the state's second wolf season.

The quota was set at 275 wolves.

The state's Chippewa tribes are entitled to part of that quota.

+ Read More
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.

+ Read More
Forest Co. man gets jail for firing gun in house, pointing it at wife Submitted: 06/19/2013

Play Video

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.

+ Read More
USDA Merrill Service Center Relocates Submitted: 06/19/2013

MERRILL - Farmers in Lincoln and Langlade Counties may need to make a longer drive or call a different office for USDA services.

The Merrill Service Center will be temporarily split up between Rhinelander, Wausau, and Medford.

The Farm Service Agency will move to the Wausau Service Center and the Natural Resources Conservation Service will be relocated to the Rhinelander and Medford Centers.

These moves will last until further notice.

+ Read More
Merrill City Council plans to at Tomahawk to Municipal Court cases Submitted: 06/19/2013

Play Video

MERRILL - We want our city officials to save money and resources where they can.

In Merrill, the city council is trying to do that with their municipal court.

The new plan means if you get a speeding ticket or citation for disorderly conduct in tomahawk, you'd have to go to court in Merrill.

The timetable is quicker for getting in and out of the municipal court than getting through Lincoln County Circuit Court.

The discussion came up when Merrill's city staff members decided they need to make a decision whether to continue funding the court.

+ Read More
+ More General News
Search: 


Click Here


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: