WJJQ Radio

Recent News

Eagle River FD Monitoring Conditions for Ice Castle

Published on 01/01/2026 under News While we have had a good bit of snow in recent weeks, chilly temperatures are needed for the return of a popular tourist attraction up in Eagle River. The Eagle River Ice Castle tradition dates all the way back to the 1930's. When conditions allow, the Eagle River Fire Department and their team of volunteers build a massive castle out of ice blocks taken from Silver Lake. In a typical year, around 2,500 of these frozen bricks are are hand placed into the castle walls. The Eagle River Fire Department provided another update on the ice thickness on Silver Lake earlier this week. They found approximately 10 inches of ice thickness, but they need around 14 inches for the castle to happen. Unfortunately, the slush and snow atop the ice makes it difficult to remove the insulating snow to speed up the ice-making process. According to the update, the build team will reevaluate next week to make a decision. The build has been sporadic in recent years due to varying ice conditions. They were able to build an ice castle in 2025.

Published on 01/01/2026 under News Volunteers continue to play a key role in the development of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and those crews were busy in 2025. The Ice Age Trail spans an impressive 1,200 miles including a stretch through Taylor, Lincoln, Langlade, and Marathon Counties. That takes a lot of work to help develop and maintain the attraction, with much of the manpower provided by volunteers. In their year-end wrap up, the Ice Age Trail Alliance provided a summary. They received a helping hand from 940 volunteers, who logged more than 25,000 service hours. According to the organization, they completed ten organized trail building events. Trail program manager Dave Caliebe said, "Long-contemplated projects finally became reality." Back in June, they had two, multi-day volunteer opportunities in Langlade County which helped open a brand-new trail segment: Antigo Heights. Other projects around the state included trail work, kiosks, bridges, boardwalks, along with invasive species control and native plant seed collection.

Published on 01/01/2026 under News We're in the giving season, and Northwoods food pantries will benefit from donations from Park City Credit Union. Ahead of the Christmas holiday, Park City Cares Foundation divvied up $4,000 to five area food pantries serving Tomahawk, Nokomis, Rhinelander, Lakeland and Merrill. The donations will allow these food pantries to restock their shelves following the holidays and at a time when they've seen a steady increase in use. Melissa Wrycha, President of the Park City Cares Foundation, said, "...we believe in standing alongside our neighbors during times of need. Supporting these essential resources is at the heart of our mission to strengthen and uplift the communities we serve." Monetary donations provide pantries with the flexibility to purchase items that fit the needs of their community. Park City also made a donation to these pantries ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Published on 01/01/2026 under News The City of Tomahawk has been exploring a PFAs treatment facility. As part of the planning process, the city, working with MSA Professional Services, solicited bids for geotechnical exploration and engineering work. At their meeting Tuesday evening, the Board of Public Works recommended a service contract. The work which includes four borings of varying depths; an assessment of existing conditions and recommendations for utility construction, foundation design, and best practices. The City received two bids, which came within $5 of each other. The Board recommended the lower bid with American Engineering Testing Inc. out of Wausau for $7,280. The item is back on the agenda for next week's City Council meeting. Back in the fall of 2023, routing testing for PFAs in the Tomahawk water system came back elevated. The proposed treatment facility would filter these forever chemicals from the water. The price tag is approximately $6.2 million, and the city is pursing funding through the state Clean Drinking Water program.

Published on 01/01/2026 under News The Lights of the Northwoods in Rhinelander has quickly become a holiday tradition. While initially an event around the Christmas holiday, it's now a month-long spectacle. And organizers also welcome in the New Year with a bang. The annual celebration concludes this evening with a special New Year's Day fireworks show. Throughout December, Hodag Park has been decorated with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights and displays. Visitors can either drive or walk through the park to take in the festive atmosphere. They've also been busy supporting local food pantries and community organizations via donations. There is one last chance to check out the lights with a shortened path today. That's to accommodate the fireworks which are scheduled to begin at 7pm. They do recommend arriving early so that everyone can get parked and settled in before the show begins.

+ Read More

Sports Headlines

Hatchet Hockey Team Defeats Middleton at Neenah Tourney

Published on 12/31/2025 under Sports On Tuesday, the Hatchet Hockey Team played their final game of the Neenah Holiday Tournament and defeated Middleton 9-2. The Cardinals scored the first goal of the game, with Tomahawk responding and scoring three goals to end the period and lead 3-1. Brayden Lamer had two of the goals in the first and Jonah Dickens added the other. Assisting on the Lamer goals was Caiden Reichelt, Cold Peterson and Beau Stromberg. The Hatchets would open the second period scoring with two quick power play goals from Jake Albert. The first came 00:52 seconds into the period and was assisted by Lamer and Jett Reilly. Albert's second came 00:46 second later, assisted by Jett Reilly and Tomahawk led 5-1. Jett Reilly would add the third goal of the second, assisted by Lamer and Dickens and Tomahawk led 6-1 after two. Middleton would cut the lead to 6-2, before Tomahawk responded with three goals to close the scoring. Lamer scored his third of the night, assisted by Dickens and Rex Reilly. Jett Reilly got his second of the game 00:22 seconds later on an assist from Dickens and Dickens scored in the closing minutes of the period on a short handed goal. Hudson Seymour had 16 saves for Tomahawk. The Hatchets are now 8-2 overall and will host Antigo on Tuesday night at SARA Park Arena.

Published on 12/29/2025 under Sports The Hatchet Hockey Team would suffer their first loss of the 2025-26 season in the first round of the Rocket Red Nose Classic in Neenah Sunday afternoon, losing to #1 in Division 1 Stevens Point, 10-4. Tomahawk would surrender five goals in the first period after jumping ahead in the first minute of the game. Tomahawk would cut the lead to 6-3 after outscoring SPASH 2-1 in the second period. Jett Reilly found the back of the net twice. Jonah Dickens and Breck Stromberg each contributed a goal. The loss drops Tomahawk to 8-1 on the season and 4-0 in Great Northern Conference Play. The Hatchets will play in the consolation semifinals today of the Tournament against Eau Claire North. The puck drops at 4:30.

Published on 12/22/2025 under Sports The Hatchet Hockey team's undefeated season would continue at SARA Park Saturday afternoon, defeating the West Bend Bears, 9-1. Tomahawk would score at least two goals in every single period during the game. Jonah Dickens notched five goals on the day. However, his biggest achievement came with his fourth goal of the game. Dickens surpasses former teammate Austin Lamer as Tomahawk's all-time leading scorer with now 234 career points. Dickens also has the Hatchet all-time goals record at 155. The Hatchets also got goals from Caiden Reichelt, Rex Reilly, Cole Peterson, and Beau Stromberg. Jett Reilly had four assists, and Rex Reilly and Jake Albert each had two assists. Tomahawk's record improves to 8-0 on the season and 4-0 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets begin the Rocket Red Nose Classic in Neenah December 28th. Their first game is against #1 in Division 1 Stevens Point at 4:30 PM.

Published on 12/19/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's boys' swim squad would finish the 2025 calendar year with a 115-43 loss to Rhinelander at the Hodag Pool Thursday evening. The Hatchets would come away with one first-place finish in the dual meet. Bruce Peetz would win the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 5:32.26. The loss drops Tomahawk's dual record to 1-6 on the season. The Hatchets will take a couple of weeks off before their next meet, a double dual in Medford with the host and Lakeland January 6th

+ Read More

Current Weather

Quick Links

WJJQ Daily Features

5:00 until 10:00AM
Jeff in the Morning
Zach with the News

9:35AM
Monday - Friday
Morning Conversation

8:30am - 9:00am
Monday – Saturday
Trig’s Trading Mart
Call (715) 453-4481 to buy, sell, wanted, trade or help your neighbor.

Listen Live While On The Go!
Stream 92.5FM Live To Your Mobile Device.