Government

Northwoods unemployment  levels are falling into traditional patterns says a state economist, but one county in this area now tops the list for joblessness.

In the Northwoods, figures from the Department of Workforce Development find Price county with the lowest rate at 5.1 percent, Oneida at 6.9 percent, Lincoln at seven percent, Langlade at 7.2, Vilas at 7.8 percent, and Forest at 7.9 percent. Iron county has the state's highest rate at 12.1 percent.

The state noticed something about Rhinelander's drunk driving arrests and decided to fund stepped up enforcement.

Police Chief Michael Steffes says the DOT has given the city more than $17,000 to up patrols through next September....

"...the DOT actually contacted us...they had collected statistics about accidents and traffic stop data and selected us for our population size compared to the number of vehicles(they) assumed were operating under the influence. So they gave us the grant based on that selection criteria..."

Wisconsin's six Chippewa tribes met last week in Mole Lake with state officials to talk about natural resource issues within the ceded territory.

Lac du Flambeau tribal spokesperson Brandon Thoms says the tribes and the state meet to keep communication open.

Oneida county and regional law enforcement officials report nearly 20 new arrests this week for drug-related crimes. This follows another large number of drug-related arrests earlier this week in Forest county.

The Oneida County Sheriff's Office and the Northcentral Drug Enforcement Group made the nineteen arrests as part of a continued investigation.

Most charges relate to possession and distribution of methamphetamines and prescription drugs. Other charges include child abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia.

As the Oneida County Board recently wrestled to balance its 2014 budget, a proposed cut would have struck $10,000 from the county tourism council's budget.

Rhinelander Chamber Director Lara Reed said cutting the promotional budget for tourism could hurt the local economy as tourism revenue generates tax base...

"....travelers in Oneida county spent $185 million dollars(this year)...that's $5,193 dollars for every man, woman and child in the county. Traveler spending supports 2,070 full-time equivalent jobs..."

The former Rhinelander high school English teacher will enter a plea next month to several charges related to an alleged theft, drug possession and growing marijuana.

Joshua Juergens' attorney Maggie Hogan and District Attorney Michael Schiek said at a hearing in Rhinelander Thursday that Juergens will enter a plea December 5 and be available for sentencing.

  Saying he's the eyes and ears in this region for the state DNR Secretary, the Northern Region Director held office hours in Tomahawk. He says they will be doing more of this type of interaction with the public.

John Gozdzialski met with the public at Tomahawk city hall. He says city of Tomahawk officials talked about what they needed in upcoming projects, but also heard from other members of the public...

No decision was made, but a work team has recommended a possible referendum involving three projects deemed critical and five other projects at the Nicolet College LRC building.

The Board of Trustees assembled the team this summer after a proposal arose to use the maximum allowed borrowing authority without a referendum to remodel parts of the Learning Resources Center. When opposition to that approach surfaced, the work team met to recommend a course.

16 people have been arrested and three more are being sought in connection with an undercover drug investigation in Forest county.

Sheriff John Dennee reports confidential informants allegedly purchase marijuana, cocaine, and prescription meds from county residents and people not in Forest county.

Nine of the suspects are from Crandon ...Steven Polar, Laurie Olds, Kyler Williams,Mackenzi McGhesick, Candice Holmes, Alexander VanZile, Ahshoni Daniels, Tonya Malone and Jodie Burnett. Two others are from Wabeno.. John Powless and Sheenah White.

After 33 years, Rhinelander will have a new city attorney beginning next month.

The city council Monday night hired Carrie Miljevich of Rhinelander to succeed Phil Parkinson. Parkinson began as city attorney in 1980 and is retiring next month.

Mayor Dick Johns says Miljevich is qualified for the position..