News

Public transportation is returning to at least one part of the Northwoods, thanks to Lac du Flambeau.  

  The tribe is partnering with the Menominee Nation to provide transportation between several stops in Lac du Flambeau and the Minocqua-Woodruff area.  Lac du Flambeau spokesman Brandon Thoms says it will be the only public transit available in the area.

The Lac Courte Oreilles Harvest Camp is celebrating a feast day Thursday.  

The camp formed in the spring of this year in response to a proposed iron mine in the Penokee Hills.  

Five people are spending the winter at the camp…which has already seen more than a foot of snow.  Spokesman Paul DeMain says the camp has visitors every day, and several dozen people could attend the feast.                       

A local astronomer says the comet which some thought would be a big deal could be fizzling out.  WXPR's Ken Krall yesterday had a chance to talk with Frank Kovac who owns a planetarium in Monico. The majesty of the night sky can be enhanced with a visit from a comet passing by. Some have been spectacular, but this one, called ISON, hasn't lived up to the hype.

Astonomer Frank Kovac from Monico. 

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.

Food prices have gone up in the last 13 years, but a Wisconsin farm group spokesperson says the Thanksgiving meal is affordable.

Amy Manske is a  Farm Bureau spokesperson. She talked with Ken Krall about how much it costs to provide a similar meal this Thanksgiving as compared to the year 2000.

Some critics have said food prices have risen as more corn is used to produce ethanol for transportation.

One Wisconsin wolf hunt zone remains open and a top DNR official says no incidents have been reported.

As of today, 213 wolves have been taken in six zones from a maximum quota of 251. Only Zone 3, which includes portions of Price and Taylor counties, is still open. In that zone, 31 animals were taken from a quota of 71.

DNR Northern District leader John Gozdzialski .....

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.

Preparing a Thanksgiving meal can be a big production, and so can following proper food safety procedures.  

WXPR’s Natalie Jablonski spoke with Oneida County Health Department Sanitarian Jody McKinney to find out how to minimize risk of food poisoning…from things like salmonella. 

TAG: That’s Jody McKinney, Sanitarian for the Oneida County Health Department.