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Primary Election; Lincoln County Voter Turnout Up Compared to 2024

Published on 08/17/2026 under News Voter participation in Lincoln County increased slightly during last week's Fall Primary, both in total votes cast and the percentage of registered voters who participated. According to preliminary results, turnout reached 41%, up from 39% in the 2024 fall primary. A total of 7,360 ballots were cast, an increase over the roughly 6,500 cast in 2024. Voter turnout was likely driven by several high-profile primary contests on both the Republican and Democratic side. The breakdown included approximately 4,200 Republican ballots, 2,600 Democratic ballots, and 10 ballots cast for third-party candidates, including the Green, Constitution, and Libertarian parties. Lincoln County results mirrored overall totals in most top-of-ticket races: Tom Tiffany-Republican Governor nomination; David Crowley-Democratic Governor nomination; and Michael Alfonso-Republican 7th congressional district nomination. There was an exception in the 7th congressional district Democratic nomination. While Ginger Murray received the most in Lincoln County, Fred Clark scored more votes district-wide to win the nomination. Voter turnout typically increases in the Fall General Election, the first Tuesday in November.

Published on 08/17/2026 under News The City of Merrill officially dedicated its new maintenance hangar at the Merrill Airport with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday. The 100-by-100-foot hangar, located next to the airport's new terminal, is home to Park City Aviation and serves as a hub for aircraft maintenance and repairs. Airport Commission Chair Gary Schwartz says having an aviation maintenance and repair facility makes Merrill a destination for pilots from across the region, while also providing an opportunity to train the next generation of aircraft mechanics. Airport Manager Rich McCullough also uses the facility as a training site for apprentice students learning aircraft repair through the Youth Apprentice Program, which includes students from Merrill-area high schools. The three-million-dollar project was funded through federal and state funding, along with local tax increment financing. Mayor Steve Hass says the funding sources helped keep the cost to local taxpayers to a minimum. Additionally, proceeds from the planned sale of the former terminal will also help offset the project's cost. The new hangar is located immediately north of the NTC Public Safety Center of Excellence.

Published on 08/17/2026 under News A river cleanup effort turned into a community celebration last week when popular social media personality "Ed the Diver" and his partner, Christie B (known to followers as his "Mermaid"), made a special stop in Merrill to clean up a stretch of the Prairie River. Nearly 100 residents turned out to welcome the diving duo with some fans driving nearly three hours just to attend. Among the crowd were local firefighters from the Merrill Fire Department and Mayor Steve Hass, who stopped by to support the river restoration effort. The event was organized by Jeremy Gunther of American Legion Post 46. Ed and Christie delivered plenty of excitement for the crowd who cheered and reacted to each pull from beneath the bridge. Just a few of the sunken treasures include: a Mustang hubcap, a bike, two scooters, an antique stoneware jug, and fittingly a golf ball, inscribed "Hi Ed." The pair spent hours taking photos with fans, handing out stickers and postcards, and answering questions from curious onlookers. In a generous surprise, local resident Bryan Winchell gifted a large collection of fishing rods, reels, and lures to children. You can check out Ed the Diver's Facebook page for a full recap of the effort.

Published on 08/17/2026 under News An Antigo man was sentenced to six and a half years in prison on drug distribution charges. Brady Mevis appeared in Langlade County Court on Friday for his sentencing hearing. Mevis was arrested in August 2023 after first responders were called to a home where the 27 year-old had been shot in the shoulder. During the subsequent investigation, law enforcement officers recovered THC, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia inside the residence. Earlier this year, Mevis pleaded no contest to three charges: maintaining a drug trafficking place, conspiracy to commit delivery of methamphetamine, and possession of THC with intent to deliver as party to a crime. Two additional charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. According to sentencing records, with concurrent sentencing, Mevis received 6.5 years of prison time followed by six years of extended supervision. Having been held in jail since his arrest, he received 980 days of sentence credit.

Published on 08/17/2026 under News The University of Wisconsin–Madison's Kemp Natural Resources Station will host its annual Fungi Fest on Friday, August 21, and Saturday, August 22, offering the public an educational look at the world of wild mushrooms and mycology. The two-day open house features field excursions, research presentations, and interactive demonstrations led by professional mycologists. Events begin Friday afternoon with two hands-on fungi cooking and tasting sessions, followed by an introductory presentation on mushroom biology and current research. On Saturday morning, attendees can participate in guided mushroom foraging walks through the surrounding forest, view high-powered microscopy displays, and discuss native species with experts. While the event is free and open to the public, advance registration is required for the Friday cooking demonstrations due to limited seating. Detailed event schedules and registration information are available on the Kemp Natural Resources Station Website.

Published on 08/14/2026 under News As another successful summer season winds down in Tomahawk, local businesses are celebrating strong crowds with a refreshed downtown event. "Main Street Mania," a newly rebranded celebration that kicked off Thursday and runs through Saturday, combines the town's traditional sidewalk sales and annual customer appreciation day into a single three-day festival. Throughout the weekend, downtown merchants are featuring outdoor sidewalk sales, vendor meet-and-greets, and exclusive store specials. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz notes that downtown foot traffic remained strong all summer, with both locals and visitors filling the district. For organizers, Main Street Mania is both a celebration of a successful season and an open invitation for newcomers to discover what the historic district has to offer. Turkiewicz says, "We want to say thank you for helping keep our downtown vibrant. And for folks who aren't familiar with our downtown, what an amazing opportunity to come take a walk around and see what we have to offer." Today is an ideal day to attend, as organizers are hosting a community picnic and family activities from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. As Turkiewicz puts it, "There's a little something for everybody."

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Sports Headlines

Gibeault Places 3rd in 400 meter dash

Published on 06/06/2026 under Sports In the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this weekend. Elise Gibeault and Ellie Micke competed in three separate events. Gibeault's top finish came in the 400 meter dash, placing third with a time of 56.7 seconds. Gibeault would finish 2.26 seconds behind state champion Harper Sheehan of Hayward. In her final event, the Hatchet Junior would set a brand new school record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.38 seconds, a full second behind Sheehan. As for Micke, her season would end in the High Jump Preliminaries. Micke would finish tied for 12th with Martin Luther's Dynasty Fancher. This concludes the Tomahawk Track & Field Season.

Published on 06/03/2026 under Sports The Hatchet golfing season would end in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet at Spooner Wednesday, placing ninth at the Spooner Golf Club. Tomahawk would finish with a 345, 13 strokes behind St. Croix Central. The top Hatchet golfer in the Sectional meet was Jake Albert, who placed 28th overall with an 82. Rounding out the top three were Rocco Carew with an 83 and Oliver Childers with an 87. Jaxon Kaiser finish with a 93 and Brayden Lamer finished with 100. This concludes the Tomahawk golfing season.

Published on 05/29/2026 under Sports Junior Athlete Elise Gibeault and Sophomore Athlete Ellie Micke would become the only Hatchets to qualify for the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse next weekend. Gibeault would finish second in both the 200 and 400 meter dashes. Gibeault would re-set personal bests and school records in both events. The Junior finished with a run of 25.74 seconds in the 200 meter dash and a run of 56.39 seconds in the 400 meter dash. Gibeault would place behind only Hayward's Harper Sheehan in both events. As for Micke, she was the last qualifier in the field in the High Jump. Micke tied for the 4th spot in the sectional and would advance by way of tiebreaker. Micke's leap in the High Jump was 5'3". Gibeault and Micke will compete in the WIAA Division 2 State Meet in La Crosse Friday. Field Events begin at 3:00 PM. Running events begin at 3:30 PM.

Published on 05/28/2026 under Sports Despite coming back from down four runs in the fifth inning, Tomahawk's baseball squad would fall in extra innings in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field to the Crandon Cardinals, 8-5. The Hatchets trailed 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning before tying the game up behind two-run hits from Nick Arndt and Max Larson. After the Hatchets stranded the winning run on third in the seventh, Crandon rolled off three runs off Hatchet pitcher Logan Norman to take the lead. Tomahawk would bring the tying run to the plate, but Arndt flew out to center to end the game and the season. Arndt finished two for five with a triple and two RBIs. Max Larson finished one for five with a double and two RBIs. Despite pitching five scoreless innings and retiring ten straight, Norman absorbed the loss on the mound. The Hatchets finish the 2026 season with a 9-11 record and a 7-7 Great Northern Conference record. Tomahawk graduates Norman, Arndt, Jonah Dickens, Wally Horabik, Colton Seslar, and Brody Hilgendorf.

Published on 05/27/2026 under Sports The Marawood Conference Champion Prentice Golf Team won the WIAA Regional Championship on Tuesday at the Inshalla Country Club. The Bucs set a school scoring record with a 297. Ladysmith finished 30 strokes behind Prentice. Eliah Harding led the way with an even par 70, Matti Heikkinen shot a 74, Hagan Isaacson a 76, Evan Lord a 78 and Jackson Isaacson shot a 79. Prentice will compete in the WIAA Sectional Meet on Tuesday at Big Fish Golf Club in Hayward. The first tee times are at 9:00 am.

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