Snowmobile safety course

RHINELANDER – The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the School District of Rhinelander Community Education Program are co-sponsoring two Wisconsin DNR certified Snowmobile Safety Courses in January.

Class options are Monday, Jan. 8 and Tuesday, Jan. 9, 4-7 p.m.; and  Monday, Jan. 15 and Tuesday, Jan. 16, 4:-7 p.m. Both classes will be held at the Oneida County Sheriff’s office, 2000 E. Winnebago Street in Rhinelander. Students must be 12 years old or older to enroll.

Pre-Registration is required and space is limited. To register for the Snowmobile Safety Course, complete the form in the “Community” section of the School District of Rhinelander webpage, rhinelander.k12.wi.us.

Students are required to obtain a DNR customer ID number for this class. If the participant does not already have this number, please contact the DNR at 888-936-7463 to obtain this number prior to registering.

The fee for the course is $10 per participant, to be made at the first class via cash or check. Checks should be made out to “Oneida County Sheriff’s Office”.

Call Mike Cheslock at 715-365-9745 or email him at [email protected] if you have questions.

Give the ‘lasting gift’ of a tree

RHINELANDER – The Rhinelander Tree Board believes it has the perfect Christmas gift idea this year. Gifting a tree benefits the earth, the city and future generations while providing lasting environmental, aesthetic and financial benefits, according to the Tree Board.

The public is encouraged to consider making a donation to the Urban Forestry Fund as a gift or in honor of a family member this holiday season.

“Now is the perfect time to make a donation because we’re in the planning stages for tree planting next year,” said City Forester Tom Jerow.

The fund is housed at the Rhinelander Community Foundation and all donations are tax-deductible. Dedicated trees can be purchased for $200, which includes the purchase of the tree, planting, and future care and maintenance. Memorial plaques for dedicated trees will be displayed in the future at Rhinelander City Hall.

Donations can be made via check, payable to “Rhinelander Community Foundation” with Urban Forestry Fund in the memo line. Bring or mail checks to Rhinelander City Hall, 135 S Stevens Street or to the Rhinelander Community Foundation, 1634 N Stevens Street. For more information contact Jerow at 715-401-1578 or [email protected].

FBLA/DECA to collect ‘Jeans for Teens’

RHINELANDER – Rhinelander High School FBLA/DECA club is once again collecting gently used jeans for its Jeans for Teens drive. Students note that about 17% of children in the Northwoods live below the poverty level; many of whom lack the food, shelter and clothing to live a healthy life. This latest club service activity aims to collect all sizes, styles and colors of jeans to donate to NATH/Frederick Place for teens and others in the community who need them.

From Dec. 18 to Jan. 8, collection boxes will be available at all School District of Rhinelander schools, Maurices, Rhinelander District Library, A La Mode, Bath and Body Creations and the YMCA of the Northwoods.

Community expo applications available

RHINELANDER – The Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting exhibitor applications for the second annual Up North Community Expo. This free-to-the-community event will take place Thursday, March 7, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Hodag Dome.

 Businesses and organizations throughout the Northwoods are invited to attend and showcase their product or service to the public. Exhibitor benefits include a media marketing package, networking and exposure opportunities, booth space and employment opportunity marketing.

Prices increase after January 1.

“Our initial year was a huge success,” stated RACC’s Community and Member Engagement Director Rachel Boehlen. “We had 75 vendors from seven different counties and we are on track to beat that this year. This all-inclusive event is continually growing and is an amazing resource to collaborate and network.”

An evening event, Expo After Hours, for vendors will be held at the Rouman Cinema and include sampling from food and beverage vendors. The Chamber is also accepting applications for these vendors.    

Visit rhinelanderchamber.com for an application and additional details or call 715-365-7464 for more information.

Invasive species poster contest open

RHINELANDER – The Northwoods Invasive Species Poster Contest is in its 13th year and currently reaches school districts within 18 Northwoods counties. But the Oneida County Land and Water Conservation Department would like to have posters entered from all 72 counties in Wisconsin.

All fourth through eighth grade students in the state are eligible to enter.

“Invasive species do not recognize county lines and neither should this contest,” said Oneida County Conservationist Michele Sadauskas. “Creating and submitting a poster will help students gain a better understanding of how invasive species can impact the environment.”

Topics depicted in the posters can include the emerald ash borer, yellow iris, rusty crayfish, rock snot, or one of many others. 

“Designing a poster about the spotted lanternfly, an invasive that is getting close to the Wisconsin border, can help create awareness about a new invader and allow resource managers to contain its spread,” Sadauskas suggested.

Anyone interested in being a part of the contest, can visit the Oneida County Land and Water Conservation website oclw.org and search for the 2024 Northwoods Invasive Species Poster Contest. Entries are due by 4 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2024.  Posters and poster entry forms may be mailed in or dropped off at any one of 16 drop-off locations. Call 715-369-7835 with questions.

Speaker to address relationships, resiliency, positive school culture

RHINELANDER – The School District of Rhinelander is hosting a presentation on resiliency, campus relationships and how to build a positive school culture. The program, by JC Pohl, will take place Feb. 7 and 8 and will address parents, students, staff and the public.

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m. will feature a parent and public presentation at the John and Dori Brown Performing Arts Center at the Rhinelander High School.

Thursday, Feb. 8, from 8-9 a.m., a high school student assembly at the PAC will take place, followed by a fourth and fifth grade student assembly 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the PAC.

A Rhinelander High School student leadership workshop will take place 11:20 a.m.-1:20 p.m. at the Hodag Dome.

 Invader Crusader award nominations open

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is accepting nominations for the 20th annual Invader Crusaders Awards. Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 18, 2024.

Invader Crusaders are Wisconsin residents and organizations who made significant contributions in 2023 to prevent, control or eradicate invasive species that harm Wisconsin’s native wildlife, wetlands, forests, prairies, lakes and rivers. Nominees can be individuals, groups or organizations who showed exemplary efforts to address issues surrounding terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants and animals.

The Wisconsin Invasive Species Council, an advisory council to the DNR, presents Invader Crusader Awards for volunteer and professional categories.

To nominate an individual or organization, download and complete a nomination form on the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council webpage, at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/invasives and email the completed form to [email protected] by Feb. 18, 2024.

A panel of judges selected by the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council will review the nomination materials and select the award winners. Nominators and winners will be notified by mid-April. Award recipients will be recognized in June during Invasive Species Action Month.

Invasive species are non-native plants and animals that cause great ecological, environmental or economic harm and some can even affect human health. Once an invasive species establishes in an area, it can be difficult to control. To learn more about stopping the spread of invasive species, visit the DNR invasive species webpage.