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Numbers Confirm Oneida County as Leading Tourism Destination

Published on 06/13/2025 under News It's Friday, and that means a steady stream of visitors are bound for the Northwoods. For many, their destination is Oneida County, which once again saw record setting tourism numbers. Throughout this week, we've been exploring the recent tourism impact data released by the state. Oneida County saw an impressive $303 million in tourism spending. That was up approximately $11 million from 2023, the previous record. Jacqui Sharpe serves as chair of the Oneida County Tourism Council. She says, "Our bustling communities, trails and lakes, beautiful lodging properties, and delicious restaurants are the reason families return year after year. We love welcoming them back and can't thank them enough for their continued support." Sharpe called outdoor recreation the area's 'bread and butter'. She acknowledged that two consecutive mild winters and minimal snow has left an impact. Fortunately, she noted that attractions like the Hodag Dome have been beneficial. The area has also benefited from the growth of ATV and UTV recreation. To serve travelers, there are an estimated 2,200 tourism related jobs supported in the county. Oneida County also collected $24.5 million in state and local sales taxes in 2024. Sharpe closed by saying, "With so many options for where to spend your hard-earned money and time, we feel incredibly grateful that people continue to choose Oneida County. It makes all the difference in our communities!"

Published on 06/13/2025 under News The Tomahawk Kinship team is busy raising money in their efforts to purchase the Historical Bradley Bank building. And this weekend they're teaming up with the Tomahawk Farm and Flea market to put the fun in fundraiser. The two groups will be hosting a mini carnival during Saturday's market. Earlier this week, we heard from Sue Stefanich who has played a key role in connection the two groups. She says the partnership began when the Farm and Flea Market selected Kinship as their monthly benefactor. And since the program benefits kids they came up with a carnival. In just a few weeks, they organized to have games, activities, face painting and live music. Stefanich encouraged regular shoppers to bring their kids and grandkids along for the fun. Stefanich is not only helping organize, she's also the purveyor of Sue's Sourdough. She has also pledged to donate the proceeds from the sales of her popular crackers to the cause. And throughout the month of June the Farm and Flea Market is contributing a portion of vendor fees and onsite donations to the effort. As for the overall Kinship Fundraiser, they're looking to raise approximately $300,000 to purchase the bank building on the corner of South Tomahawk and Wisconsin Avenues. They only have until early July to reach their goal. Then phase two will be re-purposing the bank to better suit their needs as a mentorship program. They've created a GoFundMe and a Facebook page for people to stay up to date on other support opportunities.

Published on 06/13/2025 under News Not only did the traditional school year come to end this past week, the first year of the new Tomahawk Community Education Program also wrapped up. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk School Board heard an update from Taylor Remington, who was tasked with establishing the program from the ground up. The initial goal better utilize the campus and resources with the public, as they often highlight it being the 'community's school.' They offered a wide variety of courses in areas like arts and crafts, fitness, hobbies, personal growth and general interest. While catering to adults, they also have classes that may suit kids like babysitting. Some are single session, others recurring. Remington says they had more than 120 registrants during the spring session. And they had more than 400 participants overall in the first year. And while a success, they're hoping to improve and grow the program. As for the summer, Remington will be compiling survey and feedback data offered by this year's participants. She's also working on the course catalog for next fall. The variety of classes is reliant upon the instructions, and she once again put out a call for anyone interested in doing so. The district has a Community Education Program website with additional information.

Published on 06/13/2025 under News The Langlade County Health Department is launching a new campaign to reduce and prevent substance use. They are partnering with the State Department of Health and the Department of Justice on the Real Talks Wisconsin campaign. Donna Wiegert is a public health nurse in Langlade County. She says, "Substance use is a reality in our community, yet it often goes unspoken or is dismissed due to shame and stigma." That can be a barrier in the individual seeking help. Weigert says, "We have the power to create supportive, stigma-free spaces centered on hope and healing. It starts with open, honest conversations." According to the announcement, Real Talks Wisconsin isn't focused on any specific substance. Instead, the effort is built around strategies that can be used to prevent or reduce any type of drug use. Weigert says, "We all have a role in breaking the stigma surrounding substance use disorder," said Donna. "By educating ourselves on addiction, we can foster understanding, ask thoughtful questions, show empathy, and work toward solutions that support those affected."

Published on 06/13/2025 under News The DNR and the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council recognized fifteen people and one organization for their efforts in keeping our natural resources free of invasive species. Earlier this week we told you about two Northwoods professionals who have made an impact. But conservation also needs volunteers. Two Vilas County men were among these honorees. That includes Dave Mueller. He has spent nearly two decades focused on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes. They highlighted his efforts to combat Eurasian water milfoil. What started as a 300-acre problem has turned into just 33 acres of manual removal annually. Kenneth Frauenhoffer was also honored. His focus has been on the Clean Boats Clean Waters program, specifically on Fence Lake. He educates staff, volunteers, boaters and landowners about AIS, playing an important role in keeping Fence Lake free Eurasian Water milfoil and spiny water flea. The DNR says the winners represent all regions of Wisconsin. They used many different approaches in their efforts, but each winner is united in putting in long hours in the ongoing work against the spread of invasive species. They were recognized at a ceremony earlier this month.

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Sports Headlines

Voermans Competes in WIAA State Track & Field Meet

Published on 06/09/2025 under Sports Hatchet Junior Track and Field Athlete Alicia Voermans finished 13th in the Pole Vault at the WIAA Division 2 State Track and Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Friday. Voermans equaled the school record with a leap of ten feet even. Voermans finished ahead of Angelina Appelbaum of New Berlin Eisenhower, Calee Klein of Clinton, and Amelia Sikri of New Berlin West. Voermans' GNC opponent, Rhinelander's Macy Myers placed eighth with a leap of 11 feet. This concludes the Tomahawk Track and Field Season.

Published on 06/05/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's Sawyer Hanna's Season ended in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Golf Meet at Hayward Golf Course Wednesday in a playoff. Hanna finished with a score of 74 and headed into a three-way playoff with Medford's Zach Hintz and St. Croix Central's Braiden Rasmussen. In the playoff, Hanna and Hintz both pared on the playoff hole. However, Rasmussen chipped in a birdie from 40 feet to be the final individual state qualifier from the Sectional Meet.

Published on 06/03/2025 under Sports The Hatchet baseball team gave #1 seed and #5 in Division 3 Elk Mound their whole effort, but came up just short at Village Park Monday, losing in the WIAA Regional Semifinal in walk-off fashion, 4-3. Tomahawk scored the first two runs of the game and held a 2-1 lead until the fourth inning. After Elk Mound took the lead on an RBI groundout in the fifth, the Hatchets responded with a triple from Cash Olsen and an RBI single from Brody Rigney to tie the game at 3-3. Regardless, the Mounders would get the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to score on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Kaden Moyer, scoring centerfielder Kamron Diermeier. Rigney pitched 5.1 innings of work, giving up just three runs on six hits while striking out six. Rigney also went three for four at the plate with three singles. Olsen finished two for three with a triple. Drew Tollefson went two for four with an RBI as well. Tomahawk finises the 2025 season with a 10-13 record and a 5-7 Great Northern Conference record. The Hatchets graduate four seniors, who are Rigney, Tollefson, Brayden Larson, and Cooper Hetzel.

Published on 05/30/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's Baseball Squad walked off #9 seed Chetek-Weyerhauser in a wild WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal Game at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field Thursday, winning, 11-10. The Hatchets jumped out to a 7-2 lead after two innings, but the Bulldogs jumped ahead. Chetek-Weyerhauser scored eight of the next nine runs, including a five-run sixth inning. The Hatchets trailed, 10-8 in the bottom of the sixth before tying the game with two more runs. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Junior Second Baseman Nick Arndt walked off the game with a fielder's choice, scoring Wally Horabik. Drew Tollefson went three for four with a double and an RBI. The Hatchets came away with 13 hits and took advantage of six Chetek-Weyerhauser errors. The win puts Tomahawk at 10-12 on the season. The Hatchets will play in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Semifinal at #1 Seed and #4 ranked in Division 3 Elk Mound Tuesday. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show is at 4:35 and First pitch is at 5:00 from Elk Mound Village Park on Sports Talk 810 AM and 97.7 FM WJJQ. If Tomahawk wins, they will play at either #4 seed Fall Creek of #5 seed Boyceville Wednesday.

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