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WJFW News

Hodag ballers clinch conference title Submitted: 02/12/2013
RHINELANDER - One goal down, plenty to go.

The Rhinelander High School boys basketball team hit their first major goal Tuesday night, downing Lakeland 61-43 to clinch at least a share of the Great Northern Conference crown.

After this, a deep WIAA playoff run is next on the wish list.

Tuesday’s victory at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium was extra satisfying. It meant the Hodags improved to 2-0 this year over rival Lakeland and former coach Rich Fortier. It was Fortier’s first time coaching as a visitor in the gym he used to call home.

RHS senior Brett Mathews poured in 13 points in the second half, finishing with 19 points on the night. Leading scorer Shane White was held to 10, but was helped by four Hodags in double figures.

“Coach Fortier is so good at finding who your top scorers are and making other guys beat you. We’re so fortunate because we have so many guys that can do that,” said RHS coach Derek Lemmens.

Mitch Reinthaler scored 11 points, and Brad Kenote looked his best since returning from a collarbone injury. He also had 11.

Dylan Lerdahl and Bryon Andrews led the Thunderbirds with eight points apiece.

Up just 15-14 after a quarter, the Hodags galloped to a 29-18 lead at the half.

“We came out hot. But it’s a tendency we have, to come out hot, then I think we relax a little too much. They climbed back in, but we got a rhythm in the game, and it flowed a little better,” Lemmens said.

Rhinelander’s lead would never dip below 11 the rest of the way, stretching to 22 at one point in the fourth.

The Hodags mixed man-to-man, 2-3, and 1-3-1 zone looks on defense.

“I like that as an option. It gives us different things to establish our defensive rhythm and eliminate their offensive rhythm, keep them guessing as to what we’re in,” said Lemmens.

RHS visits Tomahawk on Thursday, and returns home to face Northland Pines on Friday. A win in either game would clinch an outright GNC title. The back-to-back games will also be good preparation for attacking their next goal, the playoffs.

“I have no problems with that. We need to get into that mindset. If we’re fortunate enough to get a victory on Friday (in the playoffs), we’ve got to go again Saturday anyway,” Lemmens said.

Rhinelander improved to 16-2 overall and 9-1 in the GNC. Lakeland fell to 14-7, 7-4.

Lakeland vs. Rhinelander
Tuesday, Feb. 12
Lakeland 14 4 10 15 – 43
Rhinelander 15 14 13 19 – 61
Lakeland (43): Dylan Lerdahl 8, Bryon Andrews 8, Matt Hartzheim 7, Thomas Bruckner 6, Jacob Gibson 6, Brad Holcombe 3, Matt Schlicter 3, Michael Fossen 2.
Rhinelander (61): Brett Mathews 19, Mitch Reinthaler 11, Brad Kenote 11, Shane White 10, Colton Volkmann 6, Austin Bowman 2, Ben Eversmann 2.
3-Pointers: L 3 (Hartzheim, Holcombe, Schlicter). R 6 (Mathews 2, Volkmann 2, Kenote, Reinthaler).


Story By: Ben Meyer

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Sponsored in part by HodagSports.com
 In Other News:
Concert Benefits Raising Awareness For Lyme Disease Submitted: 05/19/2013

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CRANDON - We normally go to concerts to enjoy music or see our favorite bands live.

But last night’s concert had a little something extra.

This concert was meant to raise awareness on Lyme disease at Crandon High Scool.

Sue Reeder was recently diagnosed with the disease, 15 years after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

"I always felt like there was something not quite right with that diagnosis," Reeder said.

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Man Killed in ATV Accident Submitted: 05/19/2013

MERRILL - A man died in Merrill last night after an ATV crash.

Just after six last night the Lincoln County Sheriff's office was called to the crash in the Township of Harrison.

A 49-year old man appeared to have lost control of his ATV and crashed into a tree.

He was taken to Ministry Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police say the man was wearing a helmet but wasn't properly secured. Speed may have been a factor, but police believe alcohol was not.

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Victim from Tuesday's SUV, Tanker Crash Dies from Injuries Submitted: 05/19/2013

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BOULDER JUNCTION - The New Auburn woman hospitalized from a crash earlier this week has died from her injuries.

It happened around 1 o'clock Tuesday on Hwy 51 at County Highway H in Manitowish Waters.

Fifty five-year-old Patty Hanson crashed her SUV into a gas tanker. The SUV flipped upside down in a marshy roadside ditch.

The semi truck driver was treated at the hospital and released shortly after. He told sheriff's deputies he was hauling 5-thousand gallons of gasoline.
The Vilas County Sheriff's and Coroner's Offices and the State Patrol are still investigating.

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Early Morning Crash Kills Goodman Man Submitted: 05/19/2013

ARMSTRONG CREEK - At 12:30 this morning a 26-year-old Goodman man died in a car crash.

It happened on Milan Road in the Township of Armstrong Creek.

There were no other cars involved. The Forest County Sheriff's Office is still investigating and won't release his name until his family is notified.

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Man Arrested for Fifth OWI Submitted: 05/19/2013

WAUSAU - Wisconsin State Patrol Wausau Post arrested a Reedsville man for his fifth OWI.

Fifty five-year-old Gerald J Bellin Jr. was stopped for speeding on Highway T and 22 in Waupaca.

It happened Saturday evening. Bellin Jr. was taken to Riverside Medical in Waupaca for a
blood draw. Troopers then took him to the Waupaca county jail.

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WI Not Likely to Go the Way of Other States on Gay Marriage Submitted: 05/18/2013

MADISON - Wisconsin's neighbor Minnesota may have become the 12th state in the country to legalize same-sex unions on Tuesday.

But gay marriage is not on the legislative agenda in Wisconsin, and that's not expected to change in the near future.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse political scientist Joe Heim tells Post-Crescent Media national public opinion seems to lean toward gay marriage but he doesn't see Wisconsin joining that group soon.

Wisconsin's constitution, unlike Minnesota's, bans same-sex marriage.

In November 2006, nearly 60 percent of Wisconsin voters supported an amendment banning gay marriage.

Before Wisconsin lawmakers could consider a bill to allow gay marriage, voters would have to pass an amendment undoing the 2006 amendment language. But before that the Legislature would have to pass the amendment in two consecutive sessions.

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Nicolet College Graduate Makes History Submitted: 05/18/2013

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RHINELANDER - Students around the Northwoods graduated today. One local graduate made history at Nicolet College.

"As a Nicolet Grad, not only will your education enhance you as an individual, but you will enhance the greater good of the Northwoods community as an educated citizen of our democracy," says Nicolet College President Elizabeth Burmaster.

Hundreds of Nicolet College students walked across the stage after accomplishing their goal… earning a college degree. But one student was challenged in a way no other Nicolet graduate has experienced. Jeff Hedberg is legally blind.

"Other people can follow in my foot steps and do exactly what I did. They just need to put one foot in front of the other and believe that there are people out there that will give them a chance and opportunity," says Hedberg.

Jeff's wife Sylvia Hedberg Thomas says it all started a couple of years ago when her husband decided to go back to school. The director of disability service reached out to him to help build a plan that would ensure Jeff reached his goals.

"When Bob told Jeff everything that he would be able to do, Jeff's like 'You really think I can do that?' And I was sitting there going, 'Well yea. Of course you can," says Hedberg Thomas.

Everybody either has or will have a disability to some extent within their lifetime. Technology can and will help most of them get through the challenge of their situation," says Hedberg.

Even though Jeff's tutor Charmaine Jacques helped him out, she says she learned from him as well.

"I learned a little bit of brail from Jeff and I learned a lot about his software that he uses," says Jacques.

This isn't the last stop for Jeff. He plans to get his masters at Stout University.

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