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Operation Green Light: Sending Message of Support to Local Veterans

Published on 11/06/2026 under News If you notice green lights shining in the Northwoods this November, it may be a message of support for veterans. Operation Green Light is a national effort to salute local veterans and support them as they transition back to civilian life. For the past four years, the Lincoln County Board has approved a resolution backing the initiative. In addition to turning select lights on county buildings green, it encourages residents and local businesses to participate by replacing a traditional bulb with a green light, either outside where neighbors can see it, or inside to spark conversation. The goal is to shine a light on the unique challenges service members face when transitioning to civilian life while raising awareness for local, state, and federal resources. Lincoln County Veterans Service Officer Matthew Pultz, who drafted the resolution, noted that more than 2,000 veterans call Lincoln County home. The resolution states, in part, that the contributions and sacrifices of those who served have been vital in maintaining our freedoms and way of life. Studies show nearly three-quarters of service members experience high stress during their first year back in civilian life. While Operation Green Light originally centered around Veterans Day week, organizers are encouraging community members to keep their green lights burning through the entire month of November.

Published on 11/06/2026 under News With Wisconsin's nine-day gun deer season opener just two weeks away, hunters across the state are preparing to head into the woods. However, health experts at Aspirus Health remind hunters that preparing their hearts is just as vital as sighting in their scopes. Cardiologists warn that jumping from a mostly sedentary routine into a week of intense outdoor activity creates a sharp spike in heart rate and blood pressure. This includes strenuous tasks like hiking to a tree stand, climbing up, the surge of excitement after bagging a buck, and dragging the deer out of the woods. Aspirus Cardiologist Dr. Daniel Krause compares the season to a new workout routine. "You wouldn't walk into a gym and immediately try to bench 400 pounds," Dr. Krause says. "You start slowly and gradually increase your activity level." According to the CDC, roughly 5% of American adults over 20 have coronary artery disease—a condition that restricts blood flow and can trigger heart attacks under sudden strain. Cold temperatures only add to that cardiovascular stress. Doctors urge hunters to know their physical limits, eat well, dress appropriately for cold weather, and listen to their bodies. Anyone experiencing chest pain, unusual shortness of breath, or dizziness in the field should stop immediately and seek medical help.

Published on 11/06/2026 under News Local politics in many communities is defined by familiar faces; long-serving leaders holding municipal seats. But in Eagle River, that's set to change. On Tuesday night, Eagle River residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of a local term limits referendum, passing the measure with nearly three quarters of the 685 votes cast. The vote officially adopts a city ordinance capping consecutive service for both the Mayor and Alderpersons to four two-year terms: an eight-year total limit. Once a city leader completes those four consecutive terms, they must sit out six-years before running for the office again. And for current leaders, the clock is already ticking, the ordinance explicitly counts all past terms served prior to Tuesday's election toward the new limit.

Published on 11/06/2026 under News The tradition of excellence continues for the Tomahawk High School Drama Department! THS has officially advanced to the State One-Act Play Competition, marking an incredible 11th consecutive year the Hatchets have earned a spot at the state festival. This fall, the cast and crew have been bringing Stephen Murray's "Lost in the Woods" to life, described as a comedic tale following a group of tech-free wilderness campers who get lost and encounter mysterious forest creatures and an eccentric counselor. According to the announcement, the milestone reflects the relentless hard work, dedication, creativity, and heart poured into the production by every single student involved, both on stage and behind the scenes. Next up, the THS team will travel to the State Festival at UW-Parkside in Kenosha in two weeks. Congratulations to the entire cast, crew, and directors.

Published on 11/06/2026 under News A historic landmark in downtown Wausau is officially back and brighter than ever. Following a massive 17-million-dollar "Second Century" renovation project, The Grand Theater is set to reopen its doors this weekend. The major overhaul, which began in May, was designed to preserve the venue's rich history while modernizing the overall patron experience. Theatergoers will immediately notice a refreshed color palette of jade, blue and gold, improved sound and lighting, along with custom-built, wider seats complete with cupholders. Beyond the auditorium, the project also revamped backstage dressing rooms, artist lounges, and vital venue infrastructure to keep drawing top-tier national tours and legendary acts to the area. And they'll be re-opening the facility with entertainment royalty, as Wayne Newton will perform to a sold out audience Saturday evening. The excitement continues next week with the boardgame-turned-movie-turned-stage production of the whodunit Clue, followed by a full lineup of holiday performances throughout the month of December. For tickets and more information, head over to grandtheater.org.

Published on 11/06/2026 under News Wisconsin transportation officials and emergency personnel across the state are sending a crucial message to drivers this week: Move Over or Slow Down, as lives are on the line. Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed November 2nd through the 6th as Crash Responder Safety Week. Nearly 140 Wisconsin municipalities and counties are participating in the campaign to raise awareness about the constant hazards roadside workers face on the job. Over the last five years alone, 72 emergency responders were struck by passing vehicles while working along the side of the road. Whether it's emergency responders, utility crews, or stranded motorists, state law requires drivers to move over a lane for flashing lights, or slow down if changing lanes isn't safe. WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman warns that moving over isn't just a traffic rule, but may also be a life-saving decision.

Published on 11/05/2026 under News Some of the top billiard players in the Northwoods and beyond will face off in Tomahawk this weekend, all to support a great cause. With Veterans Day approaching, the community is hosting a mixed-doubles, 8-ball pool tournament. Proceeds will benefit the local Never Forgotten Honor Flight, an organization dedicated to transporting local veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor. Ahead of the event, we spoke with organizers, including Misty Bergsrud. The mission hits close to home for her family: Bergsrud served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, where she met her husband, a fellow service member. That background makes raising funds for veteran organizations, especially those serving older veterans, deeply meaningful to her. After nearly doubling proceeds in each of the tournament's first two years, organizers hope to build on that momentum with strong community and business support. This year's event features more than 70 raffle baskets, including several high-ticket items. Though player spots in the tournament are fully booked, organizers encourage community members to come out, cheer on the players, and buy raffle tickets. The local VFW will serve as raffle headquarters, with pool matches hosted across roughly a dozen area taverns.

Published on 11/05/2026 under News With the holiday shopping season right around the corner, the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging community members to keep their dollars close to home. Throughout the month of November, the Chamber is bringing back its annual "Loyal to Local" campaign. While the program previously ran during the summer, organizers shifted the focus to November to highlight local spending during the peak holiday shopping months. The initiative aims to showcase how everyday purchasing decisions impact the local economy. Studies show that approximately sixty-eight dollars of every one hundred dollars spent at an independent local business remains in the community, compared to just forty-three dollars spent at a chain store. Chamber C-E-O Lauren Sackett emphasizes that shopping small is an opportunity to explore everything the area has to offer. She says,"We encourage residents and visitors to find new favorites and remember local businesses when making everyday spending decisions." Residents are also invited to take the "Loyal to Local" pledge by committing to spend at least fifty dollars at a business they don't typically visit. Organizers estimate that if every Rhinelander resident took the pledge, it would generate over four hundred fourteen thousand dollars in local revenue. Community members who complete the pledge will be entered into a drawing for a local prize package. Beyond the pledge, the Chamber notes other ways to participate include sharing favorite businesses on social media, leaving positive reviews, and giving the gift of Chamber bucks which keeps spending within the community.

Published on 11/05/2026 under News Despite a challenging Election Day for Republicans statewide, Representative Calvin Callahan won re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly, though he will return to Madison under a vastly different political landscape. Callahan's victory on Tuesday secures his fourth term representing the 35th Assembly District. However, with Democrats taking control of the Capitol, Callahan will serve in the Assembly minority for the first time in his political career. Speaking after his win, Callahan thanked Northwoods voters for continuing to trust him to bring their voices to Madison, crediting his campaign's focus on local cost-of-living issues. He said, "This race was about affordability, lower taxes, lower utility bills, and lower health care costs." Looking ahead to his new role in the minority, Callahan pledged to remain a strong advocate for his constituents. "With a Democrat trifecta, I'll keep standing up for your home," Callahan said. "I'll vote no on tax increases, keep pushing to lower costs, and work across the aisle to do what's right for the Northwoods."

Published on 11/05/2026 under News Fresh off another busy election week, the Town of Nokomis is preparing for a major transition in local leadership. Though her name was not on the ballot on Tuesday, longtime Town Clerk Wendi Smith has announced she is stepping down after nearly 19 years of service to the township. Over the past two decades, Smith has served as a steady administrative pillar in Nokomis, overseeing municipal recordkeeping, town board operations, and dozens of local elections. In a farewell message to the community, Smith expressed her deep appreciation to residents for their support, trust, and cooperation throughout her tenure. "Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives and to serve this community," Smith said. "I leave with a grateful heart and treasured memories." As town officials prepare for the upcoming administrative transition, Smith extended her best wishes for the community's continued success and prosperity, capping off nearly two decades of commitment to the people of Nokomis.

Published on 11/05/2026 under News The Tomahawk City Council has officially given its final stamp of approval to the city's updated Emergency Management ordinance. Council members voted unanimously and without further discussion at their Tuesday meeting to adopt the measure, which modernizes local disaster response guidelines and cleans up the language in the municipal code. The updated ordinance establishes a clear chain of command during widespread emergencies, naming the Mayor as the city's Local Emergency Management Director. Delegating overall direction to the mayor ensures police and fire chiefs can stay focused on hands-on operational duties when disaster strikes. The measure also better defines when and how a local state of emergency can be declared. The measure was recommended by the Health and Safety Committee at their meeting in September, and introduced to the Council at their meeting last month.The vote followed a public hearing in which no members of the public spoke.

Published on 11/05/2026 under News A major fundraising effort is paving the way for a brand-new neonatal intensive care unit at Marshfield Children's Hospital. Thanks to community support and donations led by the Sanford Health Foundation, more than 12.5 million dollars has been raised to construct a modern, family-centered N-I-C-U. The effort included more than 1.6 million dollars committed by emeritus physicians and leaders. The new facility will feature 26 private rooms—more than double the size of the current unit—allowing parents to stay overnight with their infants. The space will also incorporate cutting-edge medical technology, research integration with the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, and support services like music therapy and child life programs in partnership with the Children's Miracle Network. Marshfield Clinic President and C-E-O Dr. Brian Hoerneman says the project reflects a shared commitment to local families, ensuring infants receive world-class care close to home in Northern and Central Wisconsin. Construction on the new N-I-C-U is scheduled to begin in late 2027.

Published on 11/04/2026 under News Despite a strong blue wave across the country, seats in Northern Wisconsin are staying red. Starting in the 7th congressional district, twenty-six-year-old Republican Michael Alfonso defeated Democrat Fred Clark, holding the seat for the GOP. Alfonso becomes the youngest member of the House, making history as the first Gen Z member of Congress born in the 21st century. In a statement following his victory, Alfonso thanked voters across the Northwoods, emphasizing his primary goal of keeping the region affordable so young families can stay, work, and thrive. He also noted that his age provides a fresh perspective on the issues facing everyday Americans. While new to Capitol Hill, Alfonso enters office with family ties in this district. His father-in-law, former Congressman Sean Duffy, represented the Northwoods for eight years before stepping down in 2019. Alfonso succeeds outgoing Congressman Tom Tiffany, who did not seek re-election, instead turning his attention towards his ultimately unsuccessful bid for governor. It ends a fifteen year stretch representing Northern Wisconsin across the State Assembly, State Senate, and U.S. House. Wisconsin's overall congressional delegation now stands at 4-4 after Democratic flips in District 1 and 3. Republican incumbents also won a pair of local assembly seats with Calvin Callahan defeating Elizabeth McCrank in the 35th district, while Rob Swearingen surpassed Merlin Van Buren in the 34th.

Published on 11/04/2026 under News Preliminary election results point to mixed outcomes for North Central Wisconsin schools seeking additional funding. In the Edgar School District, voters approved a five-year extension of their existing one-point-four million dollar annual referendum. In the Athens School District, voters leaned in favor of a six hundred thousand dollar annual operational referendum over the next four years. Meanwhile, preliminary numbers show the Minocqua J1 School District's three-point-five million dollar recurring operational referendum was defeated. The measure sought to exceed state revenue limits starting in 2027 to support MHLT and its partner charter schools. Statewide, more than seventy Wisconsin school districts had funding questions on Tuesday's ballot, reflecting a growing rely on local referendums to cover operational costs across the state.

Published on 11/04/2026 under News We are still roughly 50 days from Christmas, but Northwoods volunteers are already busy preparing a global gift-giving outreach. While simple in concept, Operation Christmas Child makes a massive impact on children around the world. Ahead of every holiday season, volunteers fill shoeboxes with small gifts, school supplies, toys, and hygiene items, which are then distributed to children in need. Maria Nakala is the regional coordinator overseeing collections across six Northwoods counties. She stopped by the WJJQ studios this week to drop off supplies and talk about the program, which she has been part of for roughly 25 years, getting involved, she says, simply "to bring joy." Nakala noted that everyday items we often take for granted, like a washcloth or a notebook, can be deeply meaningful to a child. Even what she calls a "wow item" can be as simple as a stuffed animal or a soccer ball. When it comes to packing the boxes, Nakala added that hosting a packing afternoon is a great group activity for friends and family, noting that she often packs boxes alongside her own children and grandchildren. To ensure all gifts arrive in time for Christmas, local effort is already underway. Instructional pamphlets are available now at the WJJQ office, and full details can be found online at the Operation Christmas Child website. The Rock Church on Kaphaem Rd will serve as a local collection point.

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