10/13/2025

RHINELANDER — A La Crosse County woman was sentenced in Oneida County Friday morning for her involvement in the death of a Rhinelander man.  In 2023 Andrea Walker was contacted by Rhinelander man Phillip Puza for help purchasing heroin and methamphetamine.  Days later, Puza was found dead in his home by his minor son. Walker was charged with first degree reckless homicide in July of 2023.  At the end of her jury trial in July and August, Walker was found guilty. And was sentenced to 12 years in confinement with five years of extended supervision with 71 days credit for the time she’s been in custody. 

10/13/2025

SAWYER COUNTY - A man with a history of arson was arrested on Friday.  According to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, 30-year-old Thomas Olson, of Birchwood, was arrested in connection with multiple business and residential fires that occurred in the Sawyer County area over the past year.  Some of the structures were deemed total losses, while others received extensive damage following the fires.  The arrest comes after a nearly year-long investigation into a series of structure fires that began in November 2024. Olson was arrested on multiple felony counts of Arson of Buildings. He is currently being held in the Sawyer County Jail awaiting a bail hearing.

10/13/2025

UPPER MICHIGAN - Michigan’s Hunters Feeding Michigan program processed a record 140,000 pounds of donated venison in fiscal year 2025, which ended September 30th, providing over 560,000 servings of protein to those in need. This collaborative effort, running since 2007, relies on hunters, financial donors, processors, and food banks. Program specialist Joe Presgrove highlights increased hunter participation and the impact of donations, noting that just $3 can provide over four venison meals. The program has supplied over 3 million servings of protein-rich venison since its inception. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/HuntersFeedingMichigan