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Local & Area News

Published on 05/08/2024 under News An early spring means an early start to tick season here in Wisconsin. While small in size, a tick can have a big impact on our health, and local healthcare providers are reminding people about the importance of tick checks and prevention. The Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center in Woodruff opened in 2019 to provide advanced care to diagnose, control and treat tick-borne illnesses. Among them Lyme disease, and this past year, Asprius says they saw an increase in the number of cases. It's been a similar trend around the state. Ashley Johnson is a nurse practitioner at the Tick-Borne Illness Center. She offered a few tips for people to remember when it comes to ticks. The pathogen that causes Lyme disease is carried by the deer tick, one of the two most common species in the state. The other being the larger woodtick. Whenever returning from an outdoor activity in tall grass, the woods, fields, and even gardening; she recommends a quick tick check. She says that ticks tend to move toward the 'dark, warm, and cozy' parts of your body. That's why she says you should pay close attention to armpits, belt line, groin, hairline and behind your ears. Taking preventative steps is also important to enjoy the Northwoods. They often attach to people from the ground, so Johnson says tall boots and tucking your pant legs into your socks can help. So does a bug spray with Deet. Once home from an outdoor activity, change out of your clothes and toss them in the dryer for a hot cycle. May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and we'll have a bit more on tick illnesses in the coming days.

Published on 05/08/2024 under News Outside of a few alleyways, the City of Tomahawk doesn't currently have any one-way streets. That could soon change, at least for a single block. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council introduced an ordinance amendment that would establish a one-way street on 5th Avenue between Washington and Lincoln allowing only southbound traffic on that segment. The reason for the proposed change is the ongoing improvement project in Washington Square which includes an all-inclusive playground and a splash pad. With an expected increase in park use, city officials re-imagined the layout, proposing some additional angled parking stalls on 5th Avenue which necessitated the one-way street. The plan was discussed and largely agreed upon at previous meetings, but still need an ordinance amendment to reflect the change. There was minimal discussion at the meeting Tuesday. The item will be back before the Council at their June meeting for a public hearing and vote. Speaking of the Washington Square project, Clerk Amanda Bartz offered a brief update with some good news. She says that some of the new playground equipment has arrived at the park. After breaking ground last fall, they remain on schedule. _____ It was an otherwise routine Tomahawk City Council meeting...the other action items on the agenda were the approval of five special event applications: Music on the River; Powwow Days; Thrilla on the Grilla; the Antique Outboard Motor Show; and the Rodd Timm Memorial Soft Ball Tournament. Each is a returning event with minimal changes. The Council approved each application unanimously.

Published on 05/08/2024 under News Students in the area are joining children across the country in using pedal power to get to campus today. Today is National Bike to School Day, an effort to encourage youth to get out on two wheels safely, while also raising awareness for motorists to be on the look out. There have been a growing number of groups and organizations getting involved in the annual spring outreach. As part of the spotlight, many school districts participate with group rides and corresponding curriculum. Here in Wisconsin, statistics show that kids under the age of 14 making up a disproportionate amount of bicycle-related injuries. That's why there is a emphasis on the safety aspect including the use of helmets, signals, and sharing the road. Other points of emphasis include health and environmental benefits of biking. With an increase in bike and foot traffic today, as well as the remaining weeks of the school year, motorists are also reminded to be especially cautious and alert of commuting students near schools.

Published on 05/08/2024 under News It's an early Mother's Day for a pair of camera-friendly peregrine falcons located here in the Northwoods. Wisconsin Public Service shared that the falcons utilizing the nesting box at the Weston Power Plant near Wausau finally have their first egg this spring. It's a bit behind schedule when compared to past years, and even the falcons at other WPS and WeEnergy facilities this spring where eleven eggs have already been laid. According to WPS, Sheldon and his un-banded and unnamed female partner will take turns incubating this egg and any that follow over the next month or so. The power facilities have played a crucial role in the recovery of the peregrine falcon in Wisconsin. Dating back to 1992, more than 440 chicks have hatched from these nesting boxes. The latest egg arrival is also good timing to remind the public of their ongoing naming contest and tomorrow's deadline. This year the chick's will be named after choices inspired by Wisconsin-based Olympians. Those options are being narrowed via public vote on the WPS website. -Photo provided by Wisconsin Public Service

Published on 05/08/2024 under News The state's Joint Finance Committee approved a plan aimed at expanding the state's oral healthcare workforce and includes an investment at Northcentral Technical College. In the most recent legislative session, State Senator Mary Felzkowski of Tomahawk, authored a package of bills to address rural dental health access. She says, "For some reason, in public policy discussions, we still undervalue the fact that oral healthcare is healthcare. A child with a toothache can't focus in school, and an adult with debilitating oral pain can't function healthily in their daily life." Yesterday's action by the JFC continued those efforts, releasing $20 million to the Wisconsin Technical College System for dental pathways. NTC in Wausau will receive $2 million which will help establish an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary program and a Dental Therapy program. Felzkowski worked with NTC to establish dental therapy in Wisconsin. Dental therapists, as proposed, would serve under the supervision of a dentist to cover limited dental work such as fillings. She says, " NTC has been an invaluable partner over these last 8 years as we have worked together to bring dental therapy to Wisconsin. I'm tremendously proud that they will now get to lead the way in educating our state's first dental therapists." She added, "Putting these dollars into the workforce pipeline is the most effective way to target the oral healthcare access crisis in our state."

Published on 05/08/2024 under News An invasive insect has now been detected in Taylor County, one of the last holdouts in the state. On Tuesday, the DNR announced the presence of the emerald ash borer has been confirmed in both Taylor and Washburn Counties. The Taylor County confirmation was the result of larvae samples collected in the city of Medford. EAB was first detected in southern Wisconsin in 2008, however it has quickly spread across the state. Quarantine efforts did little to slow the spread, and now Burnett County remains the only county in the state without a confirmed detection of EAB. As the population takes hold in a location, it depletes and eventually kills ash trees. For those looking for information or resources on the invasive insect, the DNR has a dedicated EAB website.

Published on 05/07/2024 under News For the second time in a week, we've got some maintenance work on an area dam to pass along. Wisconsin Public Service announced a maintenance and safety project on their hydroelectric power plant in Merrill. The project will result in the temporary closure of some of the recreation areas surrounding the facility. WPS says they will be repaving and installing new asphalt in areas around the hydroelectric facility's powerhouse and substation to ensure WPS employees can continue to safely access the facility going forward. Due to this work, for the next month or so, they will temporarily close some of the nearby recreation areas. This includes the fishing pier downstream of the dam, as well as a short segment of the River Bend Trail. To accommodate trail users, they'll establish an alternative route. They'll post signs near the trail, as well as at the fishing pier with the closure information. According to WPS, the project is getting underway this week, and they hope to finish the work by early June. WVIC Working on Lake Nokomis Dam Last week, we told you about a similar, but separate project on the dam on Lake Nokomis. WVIC will be completing a summer-long maintenance project. As part of the preparation work, the Nokomis Drive Boat Landing will be temporarily closed this week from Wednesday to Friday.

Published on 05/07/2024 under News A recent class project at Tomahawk High School will soon be showing up on store shelves. One of the benefits of the newest tech. ed. curriculum is the opportunity for students to gain real-world experience including some of the business aspects. The Enterprise Wood Products course at THS did just that. According to the district, this project began earlier in the school year, when the students set out to design a product, create a prototype, and pitch it to a local business in the hopes of creating a business partnership. The students came up with a hatchet-shaped cribbage board, and Standard Mercantile agreed to the partnership including selling the cribbage boards. Beyond the mass production which including the students using the modern manufacturing equipment, the lessons also include design and prototyping, cost-benefit analysis, preparation, production, and efficiency. Those interested in purchasing the student cribbage boards, they'll be available at Standard Mercantile on Main Street.

Published on 05/07/2024 under News A Northwoods community is keeping a promotion launched earlier this year to help businesses impacted by the mild winter. Back in February, the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce created a Chamber Bucks Drawing to incentive both residents and tourists to spend at local businesses. Known as the Snowmobile Capital of the World, the community was hit especially hard by the lack of snow which kept the trails closed all season. Other popular attractions include the Ice Castle and the Pond Hockey Tournament were casualties due the weather. With a successful trial run, Chamber Director Kim Emerson announced plans to keep the raffle drawing through the end of the year. She says they were very thankful for all of the support of local businesses, and wanted to continue to bring business to their members throughout the year. As for entry, it's quite simple. People who spend money at an Eagle River Chamber business, whether a product, service, or experience, can bring their receipt to the Chamber to be entered for a chance to win one of four $25 Chamber Bucks certificates each month. The drawings will be held on the first Monday of each month through December. The next drawing is scheduled for June 3.

Published on 05/07/2024 under News A Nicolet student recently earned high marks in a business competition against other students in the Wisconsin Technical College System. Business Management student Katelyn Abbot traveled to Lakeshore Technical College to compete in the New Ideas Regional Pitch Contest. The participants were tasked with with establishing a business concept. Abbott's idea was for Blondie's Bakery in Rhinelander, offering dairy-free, gluten-free, and allergy-free baked goods made with local and organic ingredients. Her idea and presentation earned her a second place finish. She said of the high marks, "My jaw dropped, and I couldn't believe it when I heard my name. I was so happy." She was also quick to credit the student-organization, DECA; her Nicolet classwork and instructor Curt Drumm. Abbott was joined at the event by another Nicolet student John Krueger who pitched a concept for a hydroponic produce business. Nicolet College was also selected to host next year's competition. Photo provided by Nicolet: Students John Krueger and Katelyn Abbott, pictured with Curt Drumm, business management/entrepreneurship instructor, recently competed in the New Ideas Regional Pitch Contest at Lakeshore Technical College.

Published on 05/06/2024 under News Teamwork is key when it comes to an emergency response, and three members of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office were recently recognized by their peers, receiving a state law enforcement award for their life-saving actions during a call last summer. At the annual Wisconsin Professional Police Association Convention last weekend, Sgt. Investigator Logan Lange, Deputy Conner Monk, and Deputy Michael Sundquist were presented with a 'Team Award' for their efforts on August 24, 2023. They were among the responders called to a tree accident last summer. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies arrived to find the man trapped up in a tree, about 12 feet off the ground, with severe lacerations to his arm. Utilizing a bucket, Sundquist assisted in bringing the victim back to the ground, where Lange quickly applied a tourniquet to his arm to slow the severe bleeding. All the while, Monk was clearing a path and setting up a landing zone for the victim. According to the Sheriff's office, without those efforts including the use of the tourniquet, the patient likely would not have survived. Even the trauma center commended the placement, noting there was minimal bleeding present upon arrival at the hospital. In addition to the state recognition, the Sheriff's Office noted that the men received local awards as well, with Sheriff Ken Schneider awarding Lange with the Life Saver medal; Sundquist with the Sheriff Recognition medal, and Monk with a Letter of Recognition.

Published on 05/06/2024 under News Nicolet College has reached a new transfer agreement with UW-Parkside which will allow students to pursue a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from right here in the Northwoods. The agreements focus on two concentrations of the Parkside BA program: General Business Administration and Business Analytics. In both cases, students who have completed the Nicolet Associate of Applied Science in Business Management will be eligible with up to 60 transfer credits. The program can be completed online, allowing students in northern Wisconsin flexibility to continue their education remotely while building upon the academic foundation achieved at Nicolet. Nicolet President Kate Ferrel says, "This marks a significant milestone for Nicolet College and is a major opportunity for our community. It puts bachelor's degrees within reach, while allowing our students to continue living and working right here in the Northwoods." Parkside president Lynn Akey added, "By partnering with Nicolet College, we area extending the impact of UW-Parkside and empowering learners to achieve their academic and professional aspirations." -Photo provided by Nicolet College-

Published on 05/06/2024 under News While a few pennies won't buy much these days, thousands of pennies can make a difference for those in need. Students in Rhinelander are learning that lesson and the importance of clean drinking water. As part of an annual curriculum on water resources around the world, the third grade classes in Rhinelander are once again organizing and leading an elementary-wide fundraiser. The money raised will go towards well-building projects in Africa. They are following in the footsteps of their classmates who, through similar projects over the years, have sponsored wells in Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. As part of the effort, students at Central, Crescent and NCES will be participating in penny challenges, while classmates at Pelican will be selling 'kindness-grams for the project. Last year the students raised more than $2,500 which was boosted by an anonymous donor who chipped in another $1,500.

Published on 05/06/2024 under News Road construction season is in full swing and we've got another project getting underway this week. According to the Department of Transportation, crews will begin work on Highway 8 between Wisconsin 17 and County P in the Rhinelander area. According to the project description, work will include pavement replacement and intersection upgrades. Motorists will encounter single lane closures with the use of temporary traffic signals. Work is scheduled to run through mid-September. As for updates on other ongoing projects here in the Northwoods...•According to the DoT Crews continue their work on Highway 51 between Manitou Park and the Minocqua Lake Bridge. Both directions of traffic continue to share the northbound lanes. •The Lincoln County Highway Department continues work on County K, County A, and Tug Lake Road. That includes a temporary closure of Tug Lake Road on Monday, May 6 until 4pm for culvert work. Otherwise these roads are closed to local traffic only and motorists should utilize alternative routes. •And the Town of Bradley previously announced plans for paving Schmidtbauer Road, Wildwood Road; and Muskellunge Lake Road between Dereg and Nibler Roads this week.

Published on 05/06/2024 under News A Northwoods organization focused on child hunger is raising money for food programs by giving away some money for food. That organization is the Eagle River-based Feed Our Rural Kids or FORK. Over the weekend, they launched their new Grocery Raffle. According to the announcement, they'll be selecting one lucky winner to receive $100 in groceries per week for a full year. The recipient can choose from their favorite store as long as it is locally-owned and with fewer than 10 locations. That could be the Trig's Eagle River location where they kicked off raffle sales this weekend. Throughout the summer, and up until October 6, they'll be have tickets available at dozens of locations and events around the Northwoods. The winner of the contest will be drawn at the Eagle River Cranberry Festival this fall. Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00 FORK, which recently celebrated their 5th anniversary, has made it a mission to ensure Northwoods students have easily prepared food and snacks. That includes their backpack program for elementary students in St. Germain, Sugar Camp, Land O' Lakes, Phelps, Eagle River, and Three Lakes You can visit the FORK website for more information including a full list of places to purchase a raffle ticket.

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