Government

The Oneida County Sheriff’s office says its investigation into a pair of deaths in Oneida County is far from complete. 

At a press conference Wednesday, Sheriff Grady Hartman said his office would be careful about any further information released to the public. 

“This is an ongoing investigation that only began three days ago.  There is still a great deal that needs to be accomplished before the investigation is complete.  Releasing any more information may compromise the case, and hinder Martinson’s right to a fair trial.”

In a speech to the Wisconsin legislature last week, Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa tribal chair Chris McGeshick asked the legislature to consider allowing the formation of charter schools on Wisconsin native lands. The matter was heard before the legislature(today) Tuesday.

State Representative Jeff Mursau introduced a bill to change the law...

"....right now, a tribe cannot have a charter school. It allows a tribe or tribal college to create a charter school on their reservations...."

Two retired veterans of the U.S. Congress say the cooperation they experienced in the People's House has vanished and it's to the detriment of the country.

Democrat David Obey and Republican Tom Petri stopped at Nicolet College Tuesday as part of a series of stops to discuss the lack of civility and polarization in the public arena.

Investigators have determined the causes of death for two people found dead in Oneida County Sunday.

The Oneida County Sheriff’s office says 37-year-old Thomas Ayers died from firearm injuries, while his wife 40-year-old Jennifer Ayers died from knife wounds.

The suspect in the killings is Jennifer Ayer’s 17-year-old daughter.

The Rhinelander area teen will be charged in Oneida county with two counts of first degree intentional homicide and three counts of false imprisonment when she and another person return here from Indiana. 

The woman and man found dead in Oneida County were the mother and step-father of the 17-year-old suspect arrested Sunday in Indiana.

The victims have been identified as 37-year-old Thomas Ayers and 40-year-old Jennifer Ayers.

They were found dead Sunday morning at 1625 County Highway C, after a 911 call from a juvenile female reported an emergency at her residence.

The Oneida County Sheriff's Office got the call at about 10:40 a.m. Sunday morning.  

A little publicized portion of Governor Walker's budget will have an impact on just who administers services through Aging and Disability Resource Centers and other long term care providers.

Rhinelander has one of the ADRC's, a sort of 'one stop shop' for seniors and those with disabilities to find services. At the local ADRC's statewide, county employees give information about long term care.

Oneida County Department on Aging Director Dianne Jacobson outlines what the state budget would change...

No injuries were reported from a fire early Friday  in the town of Newbold.The home is a complete loss.

Reports indicate the fire call came in about 4:00 a.m. of a house fire at 6530 Highway "K" about a half-mile from North Rifle Road.

When firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed. All persons got out of the house safely according to eyewitnesses.

Fire units from several towns and the Rhinelander Fire Department responded to the blaze.

A cold case that resulted in homicide charges against a former husband and wife continues for both of them.

Oneida County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bloom determined there was enough evidence to continue proceedings against 40 year old Shannon Wolf, currently in the Wisconsin prison system.

Wisconsin’s tribes are asking for dual-language signage and more power over public education in their communities.

Chairman Chris McGeshick of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community gave the State of the Tribes address Thursday in Madison. 

McGeshick emphasized the need for respecting government-to-government relationships between the tribes and the state, including the realm of education.

A crackdown on illegal drug use by state and local authorities has led to another charge in U.S. District Court in Madison.

28 year old Ayla Sunn of Lac du Flambeau has been charged with two counts of distributing Alprazolam, also known as Xanax. The indictment alleges she distributed the drug in June and July last year.

If convicted, Sunn faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count.