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Meet The Staff
KURT KRUEGER - PUBLISHER
Kurt has been an editor, reporter and photographer for the News-Review since September 1979, learning the ropes under the expertise of Marquette University journalism graduates Dan and Bob Satran. He’s been the editor since March 1985, when the brothers sold the newspaper, and recently took over as publisher for the retiring Byron McNutt. In the tradition of the News-Review’s quality journalism and award-winning excellence as a community newspaper, Kurt has carried the torch forward by winning numerous state and national awards. Kurt’s passion for the great outdoors and nature photography has boosted the News-Review’s content for wildlife enthusiasts, especially the dozens of unique eagle, osprey, loon, heron, bear and other wildlife photos that appear in the newspaper the year around. He has pledged to continue his award-winning outdoors column and the nature photography that have become favorites for many readers.
Email:kurtk@vcnewsreview.com
GARY RIDDERBUSCH - EDITOR
Gary was named editor at the News-Review in December 2010 after being the assistant editor for the previous 25 years. He has served the community newspaper as a reporter and photographer since April 1985, winning awards for news, sports and outdoors coverage, and photography under the tutelage of former editor Kurt Krueger. Gary grew up in central Wisconsin, graduating from Abbotsford High School in 1978. He is a 1983 graduate of UW-Madison, with a double major in agricultural journalism and resource management. He strives to maintain the News-Review as an award-winning community newspaper. The newspaper was named the Wisconsin Newspaper Association's Newspaper of the Year for large weeklies in 2011, ’13 and ’15 with the combined effort of a great staff. He and his wife, Sue, an English teacher in the Three Lakes School District, have two adult children: Carly, who is attending UW-Platteville, and Taylor, who is employed in Rochester, Minn. Gary enjoys fishing, hunting, camping, sports and taking scenic and wildlife photographs for the newspaper.
Email:garyr@vcnewsreview.com
MICHELLE DREW - ASST. EDITOR / LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Michelle joined the News-Review staff as Lifestyle Editor in March 2017 and was promoted to Assistant Editor in January of 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her husband, Anthony; three cats, Ivan, Suki and Donjiri; and bearded dragon, Lady Admiral. She waits all year for summer, when she can visit the Eagle River Farmers Market, as well as swim and canoe on local lakes. When temperatures start to dip, she can usually be found reading or working on home-improvement projects. She also enjoys completing art projects, especially crafting creepy props and decor for her annual Halloween bash.
Email:michelled@vcnewsreview.com
ERIC JOHNSON - ASST. EDITOR
Eric joined the News-Review staff as Assistant Editor in January 2021, bringing past experience as an editor, associate editor and publisher to his new role. He looks forward to continuing the News-Review's longstanding award-winning tradition. A fourth-generation North Woods vacationer and first-generation North Woods resident, Eric has called Boulder Junction home since 2007. A veteran award-winning reporter and photographer, Eric's byline has appeared in a variety of publications in Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio over his career, including the Racine Journal Times, Lakeland Times, FYI Northwoods News, Sheboygan Press, Sheboygan Falls News, Plymouth Review, Toledo Blade, Toledo City Paper, Ashtabula Star-Beacon, Ashtabula County Gazette, Rockford Magazine and Milwaukee Magazine, among others. A particular professional labor of love has been penning his eclectic, wide-ranging 15-year personal interest, humor and local history column "Not that you asked, but…," which now comes to the News-Review. Eric and his wife, Barbara, both Marquette University alumni, have two adult children: Evelyn, a residential treatment worker at Eau Claire Academy, and Andrew, a political science sophomore at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. A 14-year second-generation Wisconsin volunteer firefighter, Eric serves as fire chief, public information officer and fire prevention officer for the Boulder Junction Volunteer Fire Department. A thrice-published history author currently wrapping up work on his fourth book, Eric enjoys reading, writing, travel, community theater acting, and nature, architectural and vintage neon photography.
Email:ericj@vcnewsreview.com
JEAN DREW - PRODUCTION MANAGER
Jean joined the staff of the Vilas County News-Review in August of 1997. She wears more hats than anyone on staff, dealing with human resources one moment and then troubleshooting computer problems the next. She runs the production department, designs covers for special sections, distributes staff e-mail, manages the computer system, designs self-promotion ads, orders supplies and does the final check on every page that leaves the building — having the final say on quality control. “Jean Drew is an aggressive learner who adapts well to varying challenges on a daily basis,” said Kurt Krueger, News-Review publisher. “There is no project that gets tossed her way that she can’t sort out, and that may be quite the understatement.” As production manager, she knows every job in the department and fills in when staff members take vacations. She also helps out the news staff with special-events photography. Drew and her husband, Bruce, have one son. Her hobbies include reading, photography, canoeing and kayaking.
Email:jeandr@vcnewsreview.com
TONI RUTHVEN - ASST. PRODUCTION MANAGER
Toni joined the News-Review team in March of 2015, the best birthday gift she had received. A transplant to Wisconsin at the age of 3 from Arizona, she has resided in Eagle River since then. She is a home school graduate, as well as a graduate of Nicolet College’s transfer program, with an associate degree. At Nicolet, she focused on writing and literature classes. Along with her job at the News-Review, Toni is a wife and mother and the “singing bellringer” for The Salvation Army during the Christmas season. She is excited to have the opportunity to use her skills to contribute to the field she has chosen her career in. Her hobbies include reading, writing, singing, playing piano and listening to music.
Email:tonir@vcnewsreview.com
ELIZABETH BOULDEN - LEAD PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN
An award-winning graphic designer, Betsy has been a member of the Vilas County News-Review staff since 1981. With an eye for detail, she enjoys the challenge of designing a visual representation of clients’ ideas and messages through typography and artwork.
Email:betsyb@vcnewsreview.com
DAVID WERNER - PHOTO TECHNICIAN
David moved from Milwaukee to the Eagle River area in 2017 where he has been a lifelong summer resident. He is a semi-retired artist whose experience and proficiency with computers has brought him to work at the Vilas County News-Review as a photography technician. In his free time he enjoys biking the trails and back roads, boating on the many charming lakes in the area, hiking in the vast northern forestlands and painting the white arrow signs which occupy many roadway intersections.
Email:davidw@vcnewsreview.com
DAVID HEUSS - PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN
David joined the News-Review in February of 2020. He is a former advertising and branding exec with over 30 years of experience selling to Fortune 500 companies throughout the United States, Latin America and other countries. He is also a prolific writer and accomplished guitarist who enjoys tinkering with old British sports cars.
DOUG ETTEN - ADVERTISING CONSULTANT
Doug started at the News-Review in December 2015, after his most recent stint as marketing director and general manager of Minocqua Brewing Co. He has a background in news as a general reporter and photographer for The Star News in Medford, editor with Swift Communications in Lake Tahoe, Calif., and most recently as the sports and outdoors editor at The Lakeland Times in Minocqua. He comes to the Vilas County News-Review looking to continue the long-standing reputation of high-quality community news coverage. In his spare time, Doug spends time traveling to new cities and eating at different restaurants. He enjoys craft beer and loves hunting and fishing. He also is a Scorpio.
Email:douge@vcnewsreview.com
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