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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.
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MICHELLE DREW - NEWS EDITOR
Michelle joined the News-Review staff as Lifestyle Editor in March 2017 and was promoted to Assistant Editor in January of 2019 and News Editor in December of 2021. 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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CHRIS BOONE - ADVERTISING CONSULTANT
Chris started at the News-Review in May of 2018 as an Advertising Consultant. She worked in restaurant management for over 20 years in the area before joining the News-Review. A lot of her work experience is in customer service, and she enjoys meeting people and takes pride in doing all she can to make them happy. Chris was born and raised in southern England, and came to the United States in her early 20s. She lived in southern California, working in commercial real estate for several years until her son, James, was born. After her second son, Jason, was born, the family moved to Illinois for a few years. After vacationing at Sunrise Lodge in Phelps, Chris moved to Land O' Lakes, having fallen in love with the area and wanting to raise her boys there. Chris lives with her husband, Joe, on 24 acres of spectacular land and enjoys the wildlife that passes through (even the bears!). She also has a stepson, Brandon, and one grandson, Aiden. Chris enjoys travel, cooking, reading and Wisconsin's beautiful scenic countryside.
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NICOLE PETERSON - ADVERTISING CONSULTANT
NiCole started at the News-Review in early September 2020. She has a degree in business with an emphasis on marketing and supervision. She graduated with top honors and has been very excited/eager to use this knowledge to show various businesses how to market their specialities and boost clientele. She has two children, Michael and Pazia, and one very happy, tenacious grandchild, Michael III. Her hobbies include the outdoors, working in her yard, playing with her flower garden, fishing, cooking, baking, hosting parties, football, baseball, hockey, the beach, and being on the Chain, whether it be Three Lakes or Eagle River, both are breathtakingly beautiful. She looks forward to many years learning all she can from this incredible staff she gets the honor of calling her co-workers.
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MARY JO ADAMOVICH - ADVERTISING CONSULTANT
Mary Jo has worked at the Vilas County News-Review since February 1979, and managed accounts receivable for both the News-Review and Satran Litho. She left in September of 1984 to start raising her children, Chad and Brandon, and returned in May of 1985, performing various duties, including advertising, receptionist and assistant bookkeeper. She enjoys snowshoeing, walking, biking, flower gardening and cooking. If you visit the News-Review office, she is usually the first person to greet you.
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LIZ SCHMIDT - PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN
Liz has been with the Vilas County News-Review since May of 1976. She currently works in the production department.
Click to email Liz