| UPDATE: Persons found deceased in county forest confirmed to be missing Lincoln County teens |
The deceased persons found Monday evening in the Oneida County Forest are Dakota Brown, 16, and Aiden Grefe, 17, Oneida County sheriff's captain Terri Hook confirmed Tuesday.
Hook made the grim announcement during a brief press conference Tuesday afternoon at the Oneida County Law Enforcement Center.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
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April 17, 2023 18:42
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| Heightened law enforcement presence at JWMS today |
The School District of Rhinelander sent a robocall to James Williams Middle School parents Tuesday morning advising there would be an increased police presence on school grounds today.
Below is a transcript of the message:
On April 17, 2023, staff from the School District of Rhinelander and Oneida County Sheriff's Office received information that a student had threatened to act out violence at James Williams Middle School. The threat was investigated by Oneida County deputies in partnership with Oneida County Department of Social Services. Law enforcement continues to cooperate with the school district to increase security and awareness in this matter.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
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April 17, 2023 11:19
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| Walker: State forestry headquarters
moving to Rhinelander |
Rhinelander has been chosen as the new location for the State Division of Forestry headquarters, Governor Scott Walker announced Wednesday in a visit to the city.
(2 comments)
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
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October 24, 2017 17:28
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| Magistrate narrows scope of plaintiff's claims |
A federal lawsuit filed by a former Oneida County corrections officer alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination by her supervisor is set for trial next month in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, but the scope of the case has been narrowed considerably following a pretrial ruling. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
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October 22, 2017 17:03
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| Oneida County adjusting to rental policy change |
With supervisors Billy Fried and Dave Hintz absent, the Oneida County Planning and Development Committee had zoning director Karl Jennrich present options to the group during their Oct. 18 meeting which could lessen issues arising from short-term rentals in the area. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
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October 22, 2017 17:07
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| Building the Oneida County budget |
In meetings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week, the Oneida County Administration Committee went through the 2018 budget and deliberated on what to remove and what to approve and send onward to the county board in November. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
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October 15, 2017 16:55
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| ATV ordinance to be discussed
at Oct. 26 Newbold meeting |
The Newbold town board held a relatively light meeting on Oct. 13. Discussion and action at the meeting included approval of an aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention grant for Two Sisters Lake and approval of the purchase of a new voting machine. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
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October 15, 2017 17:18
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| Short-term rentals now legal throughout Wisconsin |
Homeowners who have been prevented by their municipalities from renting their homes on a short-term basis can now do so under certain conditions, under a late amendment to the state budget bill that Gov. Scott Walker did not veto. (subscriber access)
Saturday, October 14, 2017
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October 12, 2017 16:44
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| ATV/UTV ordinance discussion at
Cassian board meeting becomes heated |
Monday's Cassian town board meeting featured a brief, heated exchange over ATV/UTV usage on town roads. (Subscriber Access)
Saturday, October 14, 2017
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October 12, 2017 17:02
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| Oneida County sergeant seeks sheriff's post |
The voters won't go to the polls for over a year, but signs are pointing toward a lively race for Oneida County sheriff in 2018. (subscriber access)
Thursday, October 12, 2017
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October 10, 2017 17:38
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| Mining moratorium bill moves forward |
State Sen. Tom Tiffany's bill to repeal Wisconsin's mining moratorium took a major step forward late last week, with the Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining, and Forestry voting 3-2 to move the bill to the full Senate for action. (subscriber access)
(3 comments)
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
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October 8, 2017 16:57
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| In sexual assault case, truth is a hard-won thing |
These days, former Oneida County detective sergeant Sara Welcenbach is fighting battles on multiple, though connected, fronts - she continues to try to clear her name for what she says are trumped up charges of misconduct against her, and she is pursuing justice in the criminal prosecution of the man she says raped her in 2011, former Oneida County deputy Lee Lech. (subscriber access)
Thursday, October 5, 2017
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October 3, 2017 16:49
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| Neuman says he won't compromise
confidential info |
When it comes to internal probes at the Oneida County sheriff's department, sheriff Grady Hartman has turned increasingly to jail administrator Mark Neuman and captain Terri Hook to lead the investigations of their fellow officers. (subscriber access)
(1 comments)
Thursday, October 5, 2017
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October 3, 2017 17:02
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| County highway facility
maintenance pushed to 2019 |
The Oneida County Public Works Committee voted Wednesday to make highway commissioner Bruce Stefonek wait a little longer for key upgrades to his Kemp Street facility in Rhinelander. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
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October 1, 2017 16:37
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| Vilas County supervisors compromise on compensation |
The compensation of county board supervisors is a hot topic this fall.
The Oneida County administration committee is looking to revamp pay and compensation for board supervisors in that county and Vilas County supervisors last week approved a compromise on a resolution regarding supervisor pay. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
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October 1, 2017 17:12
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| Oneida-Vilas transit
commission to get funds |
In an effort to cut costs, the Oneida and Vilas Transit Commission, the board of directors which oversees Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC), last week approved changes in how NTC will operate. (subscriber access)
Saturday, September 30, 2017
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September 28, 2017 17:38
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| Oneida County closer to electronic voting for officials |
In separate meetings on Sept. 20, the Oneida County capital improvement and administration committees discussed a proposal which would cause members of the county board to cast their votes electronically in the future. (subscriber access)
Thursday, September 28, 2017
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September 26, 2017 17:07
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| Northwoods Transit Connections
adjusts 'on call' procedure |
Growing pains.
That's the way Jim Altenburg, the director og Northwoods Transit Connections, describes the current situation with the organization, put together under the umbrella of the Oneida and Vilas Transit Commission. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
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September 25, 2017 09:16
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| Former Oneida sheriff's deputy
charged with sexual assault |
A former Oneida County sheriff's deputy has been charged in Dane County Circuit Court with sexually assaulting a coworker while the two were in Madison for a training session in October 2011. (subscriber access)
Saturday, September 23, 2017
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September 21, 2017 17:03
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| Audit says Oneida County running in strong position |
Oneida County auditors have once again wrapped up their annual tasks, and once again they report the county to be in strong financial position as a new budget year approaches. (subscriber access)
Thursday, September 21, 2017
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September 19, 2017 17:15
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| fall ride |
Participants from this past weekend's 36th Annual Tomahawk Fall Ride for MDA head south on U.S. Highway 51 Sunday morning. The weekend drew tens of thousands of visitors to several sites in Tomahawk and Oneida County. The annual event is a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
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September 17, 2017 16:39
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| County committee hears fair report |
Despite some occasional rain showers, approximately 15,000 people attended the 2017 Oneida County Fair, the Oneida County Conservation and UW-Extension committee learned Sept. 11. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
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September 17, 2017 16:52
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| Trump to consider reductions in J1 visa program |
The Trump administration is considering implementing a reduction or elimination of visas for United States cultural work and exchange programs, specifically for five of the employment-based cultural exchange visas in the J1 visa program, the Wall Street Journal has reported. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
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September 17, 2017 16:58
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| Welcenbach seeks to amend
federal lawsuit |
Following the announcement Monday that the Oneida County Law Enforcement Grievance Committee had heeded the wishes of sheriff Grady Hartman and fired Sara Welcenbach for conduct unbecoming an officer and general ineffiency, the former Oneida County detective sergeant quickly filed a motion to amend her federal lawsuit against both Hartman and the county. (subscriber access)
Saturday, September 16, 2017
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September 14, 2017 16:49
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| Lake Tomahawk town supervisor selected |
Lake Tomahawk's next town supervisor has been chosen.
Saturday, September 16, 2017
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September 14, 2017 16:54
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| Oneida County fires Welcenbach |
Though it made no finding on the most serious charge against Sara Welcenbach, the Oneida County Law Enforcement Grievance Committee found enough grief last week to heed the wishes of sheriff Grady Hartman and fire the detective sergeant formerly known as Sara Gardner. (subscriber access)
Thursday, September 14, 2017
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September 12, 2017 16:37
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| Retired detective contradicts testimony of Hook |
The Oneida County law enforcement grievance committee hearing against former detective sergeant Sara Welcenbach (see related story at top) had its dramatic high points last week, but none more so than when a retired detective sergeant contradicted the sworn testimony of one of the county sheriff's top officers. (subscriber access)
Thursday, September 14, 2017
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September 12, 2017 16:44
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| Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport
has low delay, cancellation rates |
When Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport commission chairman Robert Heck heard that some people are choosing to fly out of other airports because of an impression that Rhinelander has a lot of delays and cancellations he decided to take a close look at the numbers. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
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September 10, 2017 16:33
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| Stefonek seeks fuel tank upgrades |
When safety risks at a government facility are so commonplace every worker knows about them, it's time to spend money on upgrades.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
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September 10, 2017 16:41
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| Timber up in Oneida County |
While speaking to the Oneida County Forestry Committee last Wednesday, county assistant forest director Paul Fiene briefed members on good news he didn't quite understand. (subscriber access)
Saturday, September 9, 2017
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September 7, 2017 17:17
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| Highway shop priorities discussed |
The Oneida County board's public works, highway and solid waste committee last week approved an assessment of the highway department's shop facility on Kemp Street in Rhinelander. (subscriber access)
(1 comments)
Thursday, September 7, 2017
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September 5, 2017 16:50
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| Hartman wants mechanic for sheriff's department |
A proposal from Oneida County Sheriff Grady Hartman to add a mechanic to his department generated considerable discussion Tuesday at a meeting of the county's highway, public works and solid waste committee. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
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September 4, 2017 09:25
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| Speed limit in front of Camp American Legion to be reduced |
Don Grundy, the new director of Camp American Legion in Lake Tomahawk, is one step closer to accomplishing his goal of having the speed limit on County Highway D reduced. (subscriber access)
(1 comments)
Saturday, September 2, 2017
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September 31, 2017 16:53
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| HOPE Consortium tackles opioid epidemic |
About 140 people gathered at the Lake of the Torches Casino in Lac du Flambeau Aug. 24 and 25 for a HOPE (Heroin, Opioid, Prevention and Education) Consortium meeting. (Subscriber access)
Saturday, September 2, 2017
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September 31, 2017 17:12
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| Rape allegation went unreported
to sheriff for three years |
At least two Oneida County sheriff's department officers failed to report a sexual assault allegation against former deputy Lee Lech to the county sheriff for almost three years after learning of it in 2011, despite civil service requirements that officers report other officers engaged in crime and despite the sheriff's own assertion that it is important to investigate such allegations immediately, recent testimony in the Sara Welcenbach hearing asserts. (subscriber access)
Thursday, August 31, 2017
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August 29, 2017 16:38
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| Stepp resigns to take EPA position |
DNR secretary Cathy Stepp has resigned from the agency to take a deputy administrator position with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Stepp announced this week. (subscriber access)
Thursday, August 31, 2017
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August 29, 2017 16:40
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| Stenz rules in favor of Carlin Lake Association |
Forest County circuit court judge Leon Stenz ruled Friday Carlin Club Properties LLC violated a temporary injunction he issued against the company in March. (subscriber access)
Thursday, August 31, 2017
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August 29, 2017 17:11
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| Pine Lake board discusses
roadwork, voting machines |
The Pine Lake Town Board took a recommendation from its highway department last week and accepted a per unit bid from Pitlik and Wick for work to be done on Shepard Lake Road. (subscriber access)
Saturday, August 26, 2017
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August 24, 2017 16:46
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| Massive fire destroys spa |
A spa and retreat center in the town of Crescent was destroyed by fire early Thursday morning. (subscriber access)
Friday, August 25, 2017
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August 24, 2017 16:37
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| Tiffany pushes end to state's mining moratorium |
State Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) and Rep. Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield) have introduced a bill to repeal the state's moratorium on nonferrous metallic mining, a ban that came about because of the Crandon mine struggles of the 1990s and before. (subscriber access)
(2 comments)
Thursday, August 24, 2017
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August 23, 2017 09:15
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| UW-Extension committee grapples with budget |
As fall moves ever closer, and budget time approaches, the Oneida County Land and Water Conservation and UW-Extension committee must make some hard decisions about future UW-Extension system programming. (subscriber access)
Thursday, August 24, 2017
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August 22, 2017 17:34
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| Oneida committee approves deputy medical examiner |
Superman once famously sang that "it isn't easy being me" and on some days the Oneida County medical examiner says he can relate.
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
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August 20, 2017 16:36
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| Woodboro board discusses ATV/UTV trail in wildlife area |
As ATV use increases across the Northwoods, more and more Oneida County towns have had to make difficult decisions about where to allow the vehicles. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
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August 20, 2017 16:38
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| Oneida board votes to integrate ADRC, Department on Aging |
The Oneida County Board of Supervisors followed in Vilas County's footsteps and pulled a trigger Tuesday, authorizing the Oneida County Department on Aging to give the state notice that it intends to submit an application to operate an integrated Aging and Disability Resource Center. (subscriber access)
Thursday, August 17, 2017
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August 15, 2017 17:09
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| Cassian board discusses liability
issues related to bike route signage |
One of the items on the agenda for the Cassian town board's monthly meeting Monday was whether to allow bike trail signage on a portion of Ole Lake Road.
Thursday, August 17, 2017
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August 15, 2017 17:06
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| Construction of Newbold disc golf course on final lap |
Since gaining town board approval in April of 2015, the Newbold Outdoor Recreation's disc golf course, known as "Rookery Run," has been under construction with organizers hoping to open the course to players in September 2017. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
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August 13, 2017 16:56
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| DOT: July was the deadliest month
on Wisconsin roads this year |
July was the deadliest month on Wisconsin roads this year, prompting transportation safety officials to issue a "call to action" urging all motorists to be safe/responsible.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
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August 13, 2017 17:00
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| Crescent board resolves ATV trail, speed limit issues |
The Crescent town board met Wednesday night to make a final decision on where to allow ATV/UTV traffic and to address what some feel is an unsafe speed limit. (subscriber access)
Saturday, August 12, 2017
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August 10, 2017 16:47
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| Sorensen pushing county to consider 200-foot minimum width lots |
An Oneida County supervisor wants the county to consider requiring larger minimum frontages in the shoreland zone, but to get his way means that minimum-width requirements would have to be imposed on every new subdivision in the same zoning district, off water as well as on water. (subscriber access)
Thursday, August 10, 2017
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August 8, 2017 16:47
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| Conservation and UW-Extension Education committee calls special meeting |
The Oneida County Conservation and UW-Extension Education committee is getting down to brass tacks as it prepares for the upcoming reorganization of the UW-Extension system. (subscriber access)
Thursday, August 10, 2017
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August 8, 2017 17:21
