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Taste of Tomahawk Returns Saturday Published on 03/14/2025 under News

Like other communities here in the Northwoods, the Tomahawk area has plenty of good food and drinks. Coming up this weekend, the Chamber will highlight the local offerings with the return of the Taste of Tomahawk.

As the name implies, Taste of Tomahawk offers participants a chance to sample foods and drinks with a focus on local. Over the past few weeks, the Chamber has been using their Facebook page to highlight the nearly two dozen participants. Chamber Director Charis Lau says, "Taste celebrates local cuisine from desserts and entrees to Wisconsin based breweries and wineries." She described it as "a great event to sip, snack, and socialize."

It's also a good way for people to get out after being cooped up during the winter months, or as Lau called it, 'a cabin fever reliever.'

Those who've attended in the past know that there is typically a theme, and this year is no different. They're actually celebrating the 20th year of Taste by traveling back to the 1920's.

When we spoke with the Chamber a bit earlier this week, they had a few tickets remaining, which can be purchased Friday morning at Trig's or the Chamber. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.

In Other News

Keep Wildlife Wild: Leave Fawns, Other Young Alone

Published on 05/06/2025 under News Spring is upon us and wildlife officials are offering their yearly reminder to leave animals and their newborns alone. It's part of the annual Keep Wildlife Wild campaign. All too often a well-meaning person will come across a fledgling bird, baby rabbit or newborn fawn. While the animal may appear abandoned, the DNR says more likely than not, the mother is nearby or will return soon. Jenna Fastner is a DNR captive wildlife health specialist. She says, "Young fawns are often left alone for most of the day to keep them safe." A fawn's natural behavior is to keep still and quiet. This keeps them safe from predators while their mothers forage for food. Drawing attention to a fawn's location can tip-off predators and also keep the mother away longer than expected. Fastner added, "By the Fourth of July, most fawns are on the move alongside or near their mothers." If you do come across a young animal that appears sick or you feel may be truly abandoned, they instead recommend taking a picture, video and some notes. Share that information with the DNR or a licensed wildlife rehabilitor. They'll be able to provide further guidance based on the information your provide. Avoid the temptation to feed these young or bring others to their location to observe.

Published on 05/06/2025 under News Over the past decade, the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation has awarded more than a half million dollars in grants to first responders across their service footprint. Those agencies have another opportunity to apply. Each summer, the WPS Foundation presents Rewarding Responder grants to help the first responders purchase lifesaving equipment and fund training for first responders across Northern Wisconsin. Last year, the Foundation increased the annual funding pool to $75,000. Dating back to 2014, they've awarded more than $600,000 to 211 public safety agencies. Over the years local grants have gone towards items such as coldwater rescue gear, thermal imaging, and AED units. Last year the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department received funding to purchase two thermal imaging cameras and retractable lanyards to assist firefighters with situational awareness at emergency scenes. Other agencies who received funding including the Vilas County Sheriff's Office; the Oneida County Dive Team; Antigo, Minocqua, and Rhinelander Police Departments; and the Crandon, Sugar Camp and Woodruff Fire Departments. It will be a group of new recipients this year, as last year's selections are not eligible. The application period is currently open and recipients will be announced this summer. Photo provided by WPS: In 2024, the Vilas County Sheriff's Office received a Rewarding Responders grant from the WPS Foundation to purchase a new thermal imaging device.

Published on 05/06/2025 under News The Rhinelander School District shared another positive update on their effort to repair the Hodag Dome. The facility was damaged in an ice storm in late March. In the past week, the district says the dome has been successfully re-inflated allowing for continued repair work on the tears. The update also states that the tennis courts and track sustained damage that will need work. They are also using the opportunity to enhance some of the dome's lighting. They remain optimistic that the Dome will be available for use during the Rhinelander High School graduation. That ceremony is scheduled for June 1. The district says a final determination on graduation location will be made towards the end of next week. Superintendent Eric Burke also expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts that have brought the Dome closer to full functionality: "We are incredibly grateful to our School District of Rhinelander maintenance team, the Arizon team, CD Smith, and the City of Rhinelander for their hard work and continued support throughout this process." He added, "The progress we've made is a testament to the power of collaboration and community."

Published on 05/06/2025 under News Local recreational opportunities are continuing to open up across the Northwoods. We heard from the Oneida County Forestry Land and Recreation Department. They're opening the ATV/UTV trail system as of Thursday at noon. This includes the trails maintained by the Hodag 4-Wheelers, the Pel-Cho Mudd Nutz, the Little Rice ATV Club, the Lakeland ATV Club and the Nokomis ATV club. They note that trails are in early season condition and may be wet in some areas so caution is encouraged. They remind riders to stay on the marked trails and obey all signs and regulations. Along with the ATV/UTV Trails, the County also announced that the Enterprise Campground will open on Thursday as well.

Published on 05/06/2025 under News The Northwoods jobs rates were once again a mixed bag in March. The Department of Workforce Development recently released their latest unemployment estimates. Looking across the state, these rates decreased in 54 counties , stayed the same in seven counties, and increased in the remaining 11 counties when compared to February. Northwoods counties saw similar variance. Lincoln County improved by a tenth of a percentage point and was 4.5 percent in March. Oneida County's rate increased from 4.5% to 4.9%. Vilas County jumped from 5.2% in February to 5.9% in March. Both Lincoln and Vilas Counties rates were higher than March of last year. Oneida County's was identical.

Published on 05/06/2025 under News The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is seeking information on an inmate who failed to return to the facility following a Huber release. According to the Lincoln County Jail, 19 year old David Brown of Milwaukee was released to attend a job interview in the city of Merrill. Officials says Brown did not show up for the interview and failed to return to the jail. They believe he was picked up by 22 year old Earnest Julien of Milwaukee. Both individuals are facing potential charges as a result of the incident. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

Published on 05/06/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's golf squad won their first invite of the season in Marathon Monday afternoon. Tomahawk finished with a team score of 333, five strokes ahead of second-place Marathon. Four of the five top scorers for the Hatchets placed in the top 20 overall. Sawyer Hanna finished with an 81, placing third overall. Oliver Childers finished fifth overall with an 82. Jake Albert placed tenth overall with an 84 and Austin Lamer placed 15th with an 86. Tomahawk's next invite is Tuesday, a Great Northern Conference meet at Bass Lake Country Club in Antigo. Tee-off is at 2:00.

Published on 05/06/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's baseball squad suffered a gut-wrenching defeat in Crandon Monday, losing 8-6. The loss drops Tomahawk to 3-7 on the season and 2-5 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action Tuesday for a GNC showdown with Mosinee. Tomahawk will try to salvage a split in the season series with the defending state runner-up. First pitch from Tyler Kahle Field is at 5:00.

Published on 05/06/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's softball squad continued their struggles in the Great Northern Conference, losing at Antigo, 6-1, Monday. The lone run for the Hatchets came on an RBI double from Averi Petta in the first inning, scoring Anita Ziert. However, the Hatchets committed four errors, leading to three unearned Antigo runs. Sophie Olsen took the loss on the mound, giving up six runs on seven hits. Petta, Ziert, Ellie Micke, and Camryn Kraklow all came away with hits. The loss drops Tomahawk to 4-8 on the season and 2-5 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets continue Great Northern Conference action Tuesday against defending state runner-up Mosinee. First pitch from the Tomahawk Softball Complex is at 5:00.

Published on 05/05/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's baseball squad got their first home win of the season, shutting out the Rhinelander Hodags at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field Friday, 1-0. The lone run of the day came from an RBI Double from Cash Olsen in the third inning. In his first start on the mound in nearly two years, Senior Brody Rigney pitched a complete game shutout. Rigney gave up just four hits, struck out three, walked one, and threw 76 pitches. The win puts Tomahawk at 3-6 on the season and 2-5 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets have a non-conference game coming up Monday night in Crandon. First pitch is at 5:00.

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