Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Three Lakes, Florence and Forest County.

District Dialogue

December 22, 2015

Please click the image above for Christmas greetings from my family to yours!

In November, a deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Three Lakes.  This positive test was the first deer to be detected of CWD in Oneida County.  The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed that since CWD was found in Oneida County, baiting will be illegal beginning in January 2016.  To combat the spread of CWD in 2003, a rule to ban baiting was promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources and codified within Wisconsin law.  The state statute below, which has been in place for over a decade, regulates a ban on feeding and baiting when a deer tests positive for CWD.

29.336, Wis. Stats, the department is required to enact a ban on the feeding and baiting of deer in any county that is within 10 miles of any captive or free-roaming deer that tests positive for CWD would take effect in January 2016.

This ban will also affect surrounding counties because both Vilas and Forest are within a ten mile radius of Three Lakes.  Beginning January, deer baiting and feeding will be illegal in this tri-county area.  The feeding ban in Oneida, Vilas, and Forest joins a list of 38 other counties in the state that are also banned from deer feeding as a result of a CWD positive deer.

I do have concerns about the length of the ban, but there are a large number of residents and sportsmen in Vilas, Oneida, and Forest counties who wanted to ban baiting and feeding before CWD was found in Three Lakes.  Keep in mind, at the 2015 Conservation Congress Spring Hearing, a majority of voters in each of the aforementioned counties and statewide believed deer baiting and feeding should be banned during certain dates.  More specifically, 63 of the 72 counties in Wisconsin agreed to banning deer baiting on certain dates (2,532 in favor of banning deer baiting – 1,303 against banning deer baiting).

I believe that this could potentially have a long lasting negative impact on not only our local tourism efforts, but also on local businesses.

For more information on Chronic Wasting Disease, please follow this link. 
 

On Friday December 11, I attended the Vilas County Economic Development Annual Meeting with Senator Tom Tiffany.  It was great to travel to Eagle River to meet with Bob Egan (Vilas County Economic Development - Executive Director) and many other community members involved in making Vilas County a more competitive and appealing county for businesses to start, flourish and expand.  Thank you for the invite and keep up the good work Vilas County Economic Development! 

From Left to Right: Senator Tiffany, Ann Derber (Executive President of Camp Manitowish), Dennis Reuss (Town Chairman - Boulder Junction), and Rep. Swearingen.

Left to Right: Bill Lochte, Jim Mulladey, and Rep. Swearingen.                      Great to see Carl Ruedebusch and my old friend Dick Leinenkugel.  

On Friday, December 18, Nicolet College held a completion ceremony for students in the Fall Semester Jump Start program. Jump Start is an innovative approach to inclusive post-secondary education for adult learners with intellectual disabilities based at Nicolet College in Rhinelander and is designed for students who require more than the traditional level of support in order to be successful in a college environment. 

The program is a partnership among Nicolet College, the Northland Pines and Rhinelander School Districts, Headwaters, Inc., the Human Service Center, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.  I was happy to attend to meet with a number of students and faculty. 

The Rhinelander School District will hold a binding referendum on February 16, 2016.  In an effort to keep the residents and taxpayers of the Rhinelander School District informed, please follow the link below for more information.  The website will update periodically to include the newest information.  The link will help inform residents on all aspects of the referendum this Spring.

Rhinelander School District Referendum

On Monday, December 14, I traveled throughout Vilas and Oneida County dropping off the new 2015-16 Blue Book at various town halls.  It was great to talk with local government officials who work so diligently to serve their communities.  Thank you for all that you do.

The Blue Book includes information about Wisconsin state government, including profiles of the current members of the legislature, district maps, demographics as well as information on both the Executive Branch and State Supreme Court.

My office will be happy to provide you with a copy. Supplies are limited, please send me an e-mail or call my office to reserve your copy. My office number is 608-266-7141 or call toll-free at 888-534-0034. As always, feel free to e-mail my office at Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov.

Please provide your name, home address, and phone number when you request your Blue Book.

Rep. Swearingen making a delivery stop in Land 'O Lakes.

                             Rob and Minocqua Town Board Chairman Mark Hartzheim.        Rob and Dennis Reuss, Boulder Junction Town Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 8, 2015
Contact: Rep. John Nygren (888) 534-0089

Latest HOPE Agenda Bill Signed into Law

Legislation allows certain pharmacies to offer Narcan without prescription

Green Bay – Tuesday, Governor Walker signed the latest Heroin, Opiate Prevention and Education (HOPE) Agenda bill, Assembly Bill 427, into law at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay. Representative John Nygren (R- Marinette) released the following statement regarding the bill signing:

“I’m proud to have been part of the signing of AB 427 in Green Bay today. As a continuation of the Heroin, Opiate Prevention and Education (HOPE) Agenda, this law will expand Wisconsinites’ access to opioid antagonists like Narcan by offering the drug for purchase from certain pharmacies without a prescription.
 

“We are continuing the fight against our state’s heroin and opiate epidemic by further expanding access to this life saving drug. This change will certainly prevent even more unnecessary loss of life in our state.
 

“Many times, heroin addiction begins with an addiction to prescription medications. The transition from legal drugs to heroin is very dangerous and it’s our goal to stop addiction before it begins. As we move forward to limit instances of overprescribing of scheduled medications, we will be actively lessening the number of Wisconsinites who become addicted to heroin. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues, the medical community, law enforcement, and advocates statewide on these important measures in the coming months.
 

“Thank you to Aurora BayCare Medical Center and Aurora Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Andy Anderson, for hosting the bill signing event. Additional thanks to all who attended today’s event and those who have been strong advocates in the fight against Wisconsin’s heroin and opiate epidemic.
 

“Making Narcan more readily available will not be the silver bullet that fixes our state’s heroin and opiate problem, but it’s an important step in the right direction. If this change saves just one life, it’s worth it.”
 

Northern Region

Superior DNR Service Center area

Brule River State Forest - A wet blanket of snow fell on the Brule area over the past 24 hours. Warm temperatures remain, making roads slick and slushy. Although many people are thankful for this prolonged fall weather of warmer temperatures and good driving conditions, many are hoping for at least enough snow to make it a white Christmas. We are still waiting for enough snow to quench the thirst of cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. The ground is still very soft so a few days of cold weather would also be helpful to create a solid base before we can start grooming and prepping the trails. - Edwin Koepp, visitor services associate

Spooner DNR Service Center area

Crex Meadows State Wildlife - Winter is here, although the flowages are not iced over due to the warmer weather we have been experiencing. The roadways are clear and easy to travel, and winter birds are here. A few sandhill cranes are lingering in the farmland along Highway 87 south of Grantsburg near Assembly Road. Colder weather should make these birds leave soon. Trumpeter swans and Canada geese can be found in open water and in farm fields during the day. Rough-legged hawks have been seen. Bald eagles, crows and ravens are common. Lots of deer carcasses are along the roadways in and around the wildlife areas and these are popular sites to see these carrion feeders. Sharp-tailed grouse were reported along East Refuge Road. Common redpolls and American tree sparrows have been seen along the roadsides and at area feeders. Northern shrikes are present. Otters are easier to find during the winter months as they play and feed on the ice. Wolves have been active in and around the wildlife area - look for their tracks on sandy roads and freshly covered snowy roadways. - Kristi Pupak, natural resources educator

Park Falls DNR Service Center area

Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - With the mild weather of the last two weeks, most lakes have lost their ice cover and this put an end to any sort of early-season ice fishing. Some of the smaller lakes still held a thin layer of very soft ice, but it was not even close to a thickness that would support any kind of ice travel. Colder temperatures are predicted for the next week and should give the lakes a re-start on this winter's ice cover. But, it will take several nights of single-digit low temperatures to get the 3 to 4 inches of ice needed to support a person on foot. With the re-opening of many area lakes, there were a few anglers that took advantage of the situation and gave open-water fishing a try. Conditions have been rather windy and brisk, and success was generally low with just a few perch, crappie and small walleye being caught. Most anglers though are just biding their time until good ice re-forms on their favorite waters. - Skip Sommerfeldt, senior fisheries biologist, Park Falls
Flambeau River State Forest - One of these days, we will get enough snow so we can open our snowmobile trails and the ski trail! All of our grooming equipment is ready to go. We have had about 2 inches of rain the past few days and about 1.5 inches of snow on Monday. Otherwise the hiking trails throughout the forest are open but you will want to wear your rubber boots. The snow we received sure helped to pick up our holiday spirit. The Flambeau River is high and moving fast. Kayak and canoe enthusiasts need to put on their dry suits. Little Falls/Slough Gundy Scenic Area is beautiful with the snowfall. The lakes and river are open. Not much activity out there because of the precipitous weather. The chickadees are out in force investigating anybody in their territory with their round little black heads and little busy bodies and the pine siskins are flittering from branch to branch feeding on small seeds and cones. Lots of birds out there! It's easy to catch their movement without the leaf cover and the white layer of snow. The forecast for this week and weekend includes snow and colder temps then we have had lately and lows in the teens and single digits Friday morning. There have been a few grouse hunters out there and the archery and crossbow deer season is still open. Come north and enjoy the Flambeau River State Forest. Both Lake of the Pines and Connors Lake are closed till next season. - Diane Stowell, forestry technician

Woodruff DNR Service Center area

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - Ski season is off to a slow start. All cross-country ski trails have been cleared and are ready for enough snow to groom, but there has not been enough so far this season. Snow is in the forecast this week and next. - Tony Martinez, forestry facilities worker

Antigo DNR Service Center area

Langlade County - In the Antigo Area - Lakes that were iced over have opened up again with the recent rains and warm temps. Rivers and streams are either at or near record levels for this time of year. The unusually mild weather has provided for some good late season grouse hunting. Hunters are finding near ideal conditions to work their dogs one last time before the snow falls. - Eric J. Borchert, wildlife technician, Antigo

Upcoming Community Events

Please click the following links for upcoming community events!

Holiday Model Train Show: December 22-31, Minocqua

WinMan Moon-Shoe: December 22, Manitowish Waters

Night in Bethlehem: December 23, Conover

Rhinelander Lions Club Annual Christmas Not Alone Dinner: December 24-25, Rhinelander

Marvel in Manitowish Waters: December 26 - January 1, Manitowish Waters

13th Annual Candlelight Ski: December 26, Rhinelander

Indoor Farmers Market At The YMCA: December 26 & January 2, Rhinelander

Marvel in MW: December 27-30 & January 1-2, Manitowish Waters

2nd Annual Black and White at The White Oak Grill: December 27, Manitowish Waters

State of WI Snowmobile Certification Class: December 28-29, Manitowish Waters

Snowmobile Safety Class: December 29-30, St. Germain

Free Snowshoe Day: December 29, Manitowish Waters

Candlelit Snowshoe: December 30, Manitowish Waters

American Legion New Year's Eve Party: December 31, Woodruff

Red Hot New Year's Eve Celebration: December 31, Woodruff

Aqualand’s New Year’s Eve Dinner: December 31, Boulder Junction

New Years Party: December 31, Land O' Lakes

Light Up the Night Concet Party: December 31, Minocqua

Minocqua Winter Farmers Market: January 1, Minocqua

10th Annual Chill Out Polar Plunge: January 2, Minocqua

16th Annual Polar Bear Plunge: January 2, Three Lakes

Fibber's Tundra Plunge: January 2, St. Germain

Moose Tracks Snowshoe Race: January 3, Minocqua

53rd Annual Amsoil World Championship Snowmobile Derby Week: January 8-10, Eagle River

Boulder Junction Snowmobile Club Brat Fry: January 9, Boulder Junction

Please contact me at Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov if you would like to UNSUBSCRIBE from my E-Updates

Office of Representative Rob Swearingen

Room 123 West

PO Box 8953, Madison WI 53708

Office: 608-266-7141

Toll Free: 888-534-0034