WJJQ Radio

Story Details

Additional Counties Follow Lincoln County, Pass Redistricting Resolutions Published on 05/19/2017 under News

Back in March, the Lincoln County Board passed an advisory resolution calling on legislators to draw district boundaries in a nonpartisan way. Now a handful of other counties have followed with similar measures.

That resolution aims to end gerrymandering, a process where the party in power redraws irregular political lines to their benefit. Those lines are drawn at the state level, here in Wisconsin by the legislature. Several states in the country use a nonpartisan board to draw those lines including neighboring Iowa.

Hans Breitenmoser, a Lincoln County Supervisor lead the push for the resolution in Lincoln County which passed by an 18-4 margin earlier this spring. At Tuesday's meeting he updated the board on other counties that have passed similar advisory resolutions.

According to a Wisconsin Public Radio report, that list now includes Jefferson, Wood and Dunn Counties.

Whether any changes are made in Madison remains to be seen. The state is currently appealing a ruling that found the 2010 Republican drawn lines as unconstitutional.

In Other News

Fire Prevention Week Emphasizes Safe Electronics Charging

Published on 10/08/2026 under News Yesterday, we highlighted how local firefighters are visiting area schools for Fire Prevention Week. But this year's message isn't just for kids. Local departments are urging everyone to practice safe charging habits at home. This year's Fire Prevention Week theme—"Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower"—focuses on the everyday electronics we rely on. From phones and tablets to power tools and e-bikes, these devices run on powerful lithium-ion batteries. If charged incorrectly or damaged, they can overheat and cause dangerous fires. The Tomahawk Fire Department says prevention comes down to a few simple habits: First, always use the cord and charger approved by the device's manufacturer.Second, charge devices on hard, flat surfaces like tables or desks. Never charge electronics on beds, couches, or under pillows, which trap heat.Third, unplug devices once they're fully charged, and charge larger items like e-bikes and power tools outside and away from exit doors.Finally, if a battery swells, smokes, or feels unusually hot, stop using it immediately and seek a replacement.These tips and more are available on the Fire Prevention Week website at fpw.org. And another reminder the Tomahawk Fire Department will wrap up their week with their annual open house on Saturday with a chance to check out their brand new fire engine.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News As high-speed internet expands across the Northwoods, the need for skilled workers to build and keep those networks running is at an all-time high. To help meet that demand, Nicolet College teamed up with the Sokaogon Chippewa Community and state workforce officials for a special signing ceremony in Rhinelander to launch a new Broadband Service Technician Apprenticeship program. The partnership directly supports major regional projects—including the Sokaogon Chippewa Community's historic investment in the largest off-reservation, tribally owned broadband network in state history. College leaders say the program was built from the ground up to solve local staffing shortages as the digital push grows with more people working from home, using telehealth, and cutting the cord and streaming. With the deal officially sealed, Nicolet College is prepping its hands-on curriculum, and the first group of apprentices will start training in Spring 2027.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News A Merrill man accused of killing his father in March of 2025 has been found competent to stand trial. That trial has also been rescheduled for next summer. 27-year-old Austin Stevenson appeared in Lincoln County Court Wednesday for a competency hearing. Court records show both defense attorneys and state prosecutors agreed with a recent medical report, leading the court to officially rule that Stevenson is now competent to proceed. Stevenson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and burglary. Authorities say deputies found his father, 48-year-old John Stevenson, deceased from two gunshot wounds during a welfare check at a Lincoln County home. Austin Stevenson was located at the home. Criminal proceedings had been suspended since last October after Stevenson was initially found unfit to stand trial. With his competency restored, the judge moved the case forward to trial set to begin on June 28th, 2027.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is warning drivers about a resurgence of a common phone scam targeting people across the state. Scammers are sending calls, texts, and voicemails claiming you have an unpaid traffic citation that requires immediate payment, often including a link to pay the fake fine. State officials want to remind everyone that neither the Wisconsin DMV nor the Wisconsin State Patrol will ever text, email, or call you demanding money. If you get one of these messages, do not click any links or share personal details. Delete the message immediately and mark it as spam on your phone.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News For those that missed out this summer, the Northwoods Art Tour is back for a fall opportunity this weekend. We've previously covered the Northwoods Art Tour, a weekend set aside for local artists to interact with visitors in their galleries, storefronts or work spaces. It provides additional perspectives on creating art from painting and sculpture to glass and wood work. Since it's founding in the year 2000, the tour has nearly doubled in size. This year's event features more than 30 stops across Vilas, Oneida, Iron, and Lincoln counties, including four locations at the southern end in the Tomahawk/Irma area. The tour is self-guided, meaning participants can design their own experience based on the art and artists that interest them most. An added bonus this time of year is a great time to take in the Fall Colors between locations. A digital brochure with maps, studio locations, and artist descriptions is available at northwoodsarttour.com. The Fall Tour runs Friday through Sunday.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News The Wisconsin DNR is encouraging fall campers and hunters to leave firewood at home and "buy local, burn local" instead. October is National Firewood Month, part of an effort to stop invasive pests from hitching a ride. Insects and fungi like the spongy moth, the emerald ash borer, and the fungus that causes oak wilt, frequently hide on or inside firewood and spread to new areas when transported. DNR officials urge people to buy firewood within ten miles of where they plan to burn it, or to use treated and certified wood. In many places, it's not just a recommendation, it's the law. Non-certified firewood originating more than ten miles away is banned at state parks, state forests, and other DNR properties. Many county, federal, and private campgrounds enforce similar rules. These "closer is better" guidelines also apply to heating wood-heated cottages or hunting cabins. At the end of your trip, officials advise leaving any unburned firewood behind rather than bringing it home and potentially introducing invasive species to your own property.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News Lincoln County's popularity is growing as an outdoor recreation destination. Local leaders continue to look for ways to enhance and promote these opportunities. The county was recently selected to participate in the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation's Technical Assistance Program, alongside support from UW-Stout's Center for Sustainable Communities. This state pilot initiative brings local, state, and federal partners together to help communities strengthen recreation assets, support area businesses, and maximize the economic benefits of local trails, waterways, and parks. Sara Guild, Executive Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation, joined our Morning Conversation earlier this week to share details on what this selection means for our area. She emphasized that local input is key to finding practical solutions for recreation infrastructure, trail access, and business growth. There are actually a couple of opportunities later this month for the public to get involved. The teams will be holding a pair of community input workshops, one in Tomahawk and one in Merrill, on October 21 and 22. We'll have a bit more coverage as those dates draw near. And you can hear that conversation with Sara in the WJJQ audio center.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News It's Fire Prevention Week, and area firefighters are working overtime to teach local youth essential fire safety lessons. Crews from the Tomahawk, Nokomis, and Little Rice Fire Departments are teaming up to visit classrooms and community stops, including local libraries and childcare centers. Merrill firefighters are leading a similar outreach program in their community. The goal is to reach students at a young age to help them build lifelong safety habits. In addition to core fire safety basics, Fire Prevention Week highlights a distinct focus area each year. This year, departments are emphasizing a modern concern: the safe charging and use of household electronics. Beyond educating kids, local departments are raising awareness about the ongoing need for volunteers, particularly at rural departments across the Northwoods. The Tomahawk Fire Department will wrap up Fire Prevention Week with its annual open house and family day on Saturday. Attendees will have a chance to tour the station and inspect the department's brand-new fire engine, which arrived last month and will be officially put into service later October.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News The City of Tomahawk has taken another step toward revamping how it spends a key category of visitor dollars. The city currently collects a 4% room tax, which is administered through a partnership with the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce. At its meeting last night, the Common Council introduced a pair of ordinances aimed at establishing a seven-member Tourism Commission to provide added oversight for those funds, while an amendment increased the room tax rate to 5%. State law dictates how room tax revenue can be spent, requiring the vast majority to be earmarked for tourism promotion and development that drives overnight visitors to the area. Both ordinances were recommended by the City's Finance Committee following a special meeting last month and approved by the Council with minimal discussion Tuesday. Implementation of the new Tourism Commission was delayed until January, as several neighboring townships are also exploring room tax proposals.That could ultimately lead to a cooperative committee or commission among participating municipalities.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News Candidates competing for Wisconsin's open 7th Congressional District seat are facing off tonight in their first and only scheduled debate. Republican Michael Alfonso and Democrat Fred Clark will meet tonight from 6 to 7 p.m. to pitch their vision to replace outgoing Congressman Tom Tiffany, and represent the Northwoods in Washington. In an unsual twist, tonight's debate won't actually take place on Wisconsin soil. Broadcast partner WDIO is hosting the event live from its television studios just across the state line in Duluth, Minnesota. In addition to airing on WDIO, the forum will be streamed on their website as well as Wisconsin Eye. The Debate comes as absentee voting is already underway in Wisconsin.

+ Read More