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City of Tomahawk Places Referendum to Increase City Levy on April Ballot

Published on 01/15/2026 under News In addition to the mayoral and city council races, City of Tomahawk voters will also decide on a levy referendum this spring. At a special meeting Wednesday, the Tomahawk City Council voted unanimously to place a levy referendum on the April ballot. The City is seeking a 20% increase to the base levy, which amounts to approximately $276,000. It would result in an increase of $75 for a $100,000 property. The state restricts the ability of municipalities to increase their tax levy without voter approval. The decision in Tomahawk comes after several consecutive years of difficult budget decisions. During last week's Finance meeting, committee members highlighted how costs have outpaced the levy growth. With much of the discussion taking place at previous meetings, the resolution was approved with minimal discussion. Instead, last night's conversation focused on outreach ahead of the vote to explain why the city is seeking additional levy. They have already prepared a fact sheet that will sent out with utility bills and will be posted online. They also are planning to host public informational meetings, however they didn't not set those dates.

Published on 01/15/2026 under News The Heart of Vilas Bike Trail System has been travel destination for decades, and now they have statistics to show it's impact on the region. The Heart of Vilas was one of five participants in the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation; Do-It-Yourself Economic Impact Program. The summer study used surveys, infrared trail counters, and manual trail counts to gather data, while also working with local stakeholders. Based on the data collected, they estimate the Heart of Vilas Bike Trail System generated approximately $25.7 million for the area's economy last year. That's thanks to the more than 160,000 cyclists who rode the trail between May and September. Rider feedback showed nearly 60% came to the area specifically for the trail. On average, day visitors spent approximately $50; overnight trail users $287. Mary Jones, Executive Director of the Boulder Junction Chamber says "We know that tourism is the backbone of our economy here in the Northwoods, and outdoor recreation is the largest tourism driver. Participating in this economic impact study ... has allowed us to not only put a number on the economic impact of this multi-community asset, but also provided the opportunity to discover insightful information about the current trends..." The Heart of Vilas Bike Trail System is made up of over 52 miles of paved, off-road bike trails connecting the communities of St. Germain, Sayner, Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, and Mercer. Other participants in this year's study included Peninsula State Park, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, the Three Eagle Bike Trail, and Oconto County.

Published on 01/15/2026 under News It's Derby Weekend up in Eagle River. Before a champion is crowned, the trophy will be toured through the Northwoods. Thursday marks the return of the 'Ride with the Cup', a spin off from the former Torch Ride. Now, rather than a flame, the participants take the Champion's Cup on the 200-plus mile, two-day tour through the Northwoods. While Eagle River hosts the oval racing, this cup tour is an opportunity to get other Northwoods communities involved in and excited for Derby weekend. Organizers have established a mission of promoting safe snowmobiling in Northern Wisconsin, while showcasing the area as a snowmobile tourism destination across the supporting communities. The event features special guests both in the travel party as well as at the various stops. This includes local snowmobile club representatives, state officials, and AWSC Miss Snowflake – Jena Lenz and Miss Sno Eagle – Brianna Sullivan. The tour begins Thursday morning in Wausau, stops in Merrill mid-morning and arrives in here in Tomahawk around mid-day for three stops at the Knight Owls Snowmobile Club garage, Tomahawk Sports Center, and the Northwoods Passage Shed up in Nokomis. In they afternoon, they'll continue up the Highway 51 corridor to Lakeland area. After pausing for the evening, they'll continue on sleds Friday with the route traveling through St. Germain, Sayner, Rhinelander and Three Lakes. They'll eventually make their way to Eagle River and the Derby Track just in time for the Opening Ceremony tomorrow evening.

Published on 01/15/2026 under News The Tomahawk Public Library has a wide-selection of love stories, but they're currently inviting the public to share their passion about the library itself. During the month of January, the Tomahawk Public Library is collecting stories about how the library has made a difference in their patron's lives big or small. They've dubbed it the Library Love Stories. They invite patrons to share a few sentences or a whole novella about how the library makes their hearts happy. This can be the books, programming, the staff, the location or something else entirely.The campaign offers several benefits to the library by providing valuable feedback on what's successful, but can also be used to promote the library and pursue grants with the comments. People can drop them off their Tomahawk Public Library Love Stories at the front desk or submit them via email.

Published on 01/15/2026 under News Ice fishing season is in full swing, but frozen lakes don't mean that invasive species are hibernating. Officials are reminding ice anglers to take steps to avoid transporting these aquatic invaders. Just like the summer months, there are several ways invasive species jump from lake to lake. Plants, seeds, mud, and debris can attach to equipment. For ice fishing in particular, that includes augers, sleds and lures and even boots and gloves. They recommend wiping down equipment after each use to ensure there aren't any hidden hitchhikers. Another risk comes from the transport of live bait. Anglers should follow Wisconsin's live bait laws and dispose of unused minnows, worms and other live bait properly. As long as no lake or river water has been added to the container, the DNR says minnows may be used on a different waterbody. If lake or river water was added, the minnows cannot be used at other fishing locations and should be disposed of before going to a new site. And a quick reminder it's the DNR's Winter Free Fishing weekend on Saturday and Sunday. We'll have a preview coming up on our Friday show.

Published on 01/14/2026 under News Local snowmobile clubs are encouraging riders 'know before they go' and check routes before heading out. It's International Snowmobile Safety Week, and local stakeholders are sharing messages to ensure a safe ride for everyone on the trails this riding season. A sport like snowmobiling is heavily reliant on conditions and occasionally this requires temporary trail closures or re-routes to accommodate changing conditions. For example, this past weekend, the Northwoods Passage snowmobile club, which maintains trails near Tomahawk, had to move a trail on Lake Nokomis after an area of the channel opened up. Other clubs have had to make similar changes due to factors such as slush and ice heaves. One of the best ways to stay up to date on these types of trail changes is from the local clubs who maintain them. Updates are typically posted to social media accounts, and some clubs also maintain websites or blogs. Whether you're riding your local trails, or visiting a new area to explore, it's a good idea to check-in with the clubs. It's important to stick on the marked trails for not only safety reasons, but to also respect the landowners who allow trails to cross their properties. Northwoods Passage Snowmobile Club Facebook PageKnight Owls Snowmobile Club Facebook Page

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Hockey Team Defeats Wisconsin Rapids

Published on 01/14/2026 under Sports The winning ways continued for Tomahawk Hockey Tuesday night as they would defeat fellow Division 1 opponent Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln at SARA Park, 5-2. After allowing the first goal in the first two minutes of the game, the Hatchets rolled off three in the first period to go ahead for good. Four different Hatchets found the back of the net. Jonah Dickens had two goals on the night. Jake Albert, Beau Stromberg, and Cole Peterson each scored. Tomahawk now stands at 12-3 on the season after the victory. The Hatchets have their fifth game in eight days coming up Thursday at SARA Park against Great Northern Conference foe Medford. Puck drop is at 7:00.

Published on 01/14/2026 under Sports The Hatchet girls' basketball squad would struggle at Great Northern Conference Powerhouse Mosinee Tuesday night, losing 68-20. Tomahawk would struggle offensively, putting up just four points in the first half. Anita Ziert led the way with ten points on the night, The Hatchets played their second game without starting guard Lizzy Long. The Hatchets fall to 8-4 on the season and 3-3 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk heads back out on the road Friday night for another GNC Showdown at Medford. Tip-off is at 7:15.

Published on 01/14/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's boys basketball squad continued their rough season on the court Tuesday night, losing at home to Great Northern Conference foe Mosinee, 75-20. The Hatchets would struggle offensively, scoring just nine first half points. The loss drops Tomahawk to 2-9 on the season and 0-5 in Great Northern Conference action. The Hatchets are back at home Friday night to take on Great Northern Conference foe Medford. Tip is at 7:15.

Published on 01/14/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's female wrestlers came away with their second consecutive first-place scramble finish in back-to-back days at Edgar Tuesday night. The Hatchets came away with five first-place individual finishes. The top finishes came from Kylie Peissig, Abbie Rosenmeier, Lillian Taves, Cadence Thompson, and Aubrey Tollefson. The Hatchets now have three top-two finishes across four invites. The Hatchets travel to the other side of the state for a quad at Shawano Thursday. Events begin at 5:00.

Published on 01/14/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's hockey squad continued their undefeated stretch in Great Northern Conference play at SARA Park Monday with a dominating 8-0 victory over the Antigo Red Robins. After getting off to a slow start in the second period, the Hatchet offense picked up with seven goals in the final two. Jonah Dickens and Jett Reilly chipped in two goals a piece while Jake Albert and Brayden Lamer also found the back of the net. The win improves Tomahawk to 10-3 on the season and 6-0 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets turn right back around tonight and have a showdown with fellow Division I Sectional Opponent Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln at SARA Park. Alex Koch and Zach Garner are in the broadcast booth with the Fehrman Orthodontics Pregame Show at 6:35. Puck drop is at 7:00.

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