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Oneida County Kicks Off Northwoods Fair Season

Published on 07/30/2026 under News Fair season is officially underway in the Northwoods, and one area fair has never been interested in following a traditional script. Today marks opening day of Oneida County at Pioneer Park in Rhinelander. Organizers have long aimed to create lasting memories while showcasing the best of a Northwoods summer, while leaning heavily into a quirky, high-energy mix that gives the fair its distinct local flavor. The most noticeable change for fairgoers this year is on the midway. The fair has partnered with Spectrum Carnival to introduce an all-new lineup of rides, highlighted by a gondola-style Ferris wheel, a high-altitude drop tower, and a thrilling 360-degree swing pendulum. Yet it is the non-traditional attractions that truly set this fair apart. The schedule features everything from professional wrestling and high-flying aerialists to returning fan favorites like the Cast Iron Skillet Throwing Contest and competitive cheese curd eating. Visitors will also find plenty of live music, family entertainment, and traditional fair food. A complete schedule of events is available on the fair's official website. Consider this weekend a bit of a appetizer, as both the Lincoln County and Wisconsin Valley Fairs are set to launch next week. Opening ceremonies for the Oneida County Fair begin Thursday at 4:00 PM, with festivities continuing straight through Sunday. Best of all for families planning their weekend, admission to the grounds is completely free.

Published on 07/30/2026 under News Officials have released additional details regarding a fatal incident that followed a multi-county vehicle pursuit in the Northwoods earlier this week. The chase began in Lincoln County shortly after noon Tuesday, when deputies requested assistance while following a southbound vehicle into Marathon County. Minutes later, officers located the vehicle on County Highway K in the Village of Maine, just north of Wausau. Upon approaching the vehicle, deputies discovered the driver and sole occupant deceased inside. Authorities have now identified the driver as 48-year-old John Wallace of Oregon, Wisconsin. A preliminary autopsy determined he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to investigators, preliminary findings indicate that no law enforcement officers involved in the pursuit discharged their weapons during the incident. Authorities have not yet released what prompted the initial pursuit. The Wood County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation. All officers involved are cooperating fully. No additional details are available at this time.

Published on 07/30/2026 under News While it remains four years off, planning continues for a major, much-needed road reconstruction project in Tomahawk. During its meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk Board of Public Works discussed the upcoming Highway 86/Somo Avenue project, which is currently scheduled for 2030. Because the stretch doubles as State Highway 86, the city is coordinating the work directly with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and engineering firm MSA Professional Services. The scope of the project recently expanded slightly. City Clerk Amanda Bartz noted officials were informed that construction will now extend to include the first block of South Tomahawk Avenue, spanning between Somo Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue (Main Street). Safety and pedestrian access near local schools are also central to the plans. Because the work zone intersects heavily used routes to the school campus, the project includes sidewalk expansions and upgrades stretching out to Voermans Street. Plans also call for a pedestrian-activated crossing alongside ADA-compliant sidewalk improvements. While the state will oversee the roadway itself, the City of Tomahawk is responsible for underground infrastructure, including water main and sanitary sewer replacements. Earlier this year, crews televised the existing pipelines and presented a map Tuesday identifying specific segments slated for repair or complete replacement. As preliminary design work moves forward, the Board approved a professional service agreement with MSA to handle engineering for the sanitary sewer and water main portions of the project.

Published on 07/30/2026 under News It was a season-high turnout for WaWui Bingo in Tomahawk on Wednesday, and one lucky player walked away with a near-record payout. Tasha Tennant of Brantwood is a regular at the weekly summer bingo sessions, and her dedication paid off in a big way. Tennant filled her card during the night's blackout game to claim a massive $5,529 jackpot. That's one of the top five largest payouts in the history of the progressive game. While the blackout game required players to cover their full card in 59 called numbers or fewer, Tennant managed to complete hers in just 55 calls. As progressive jackpots grow each week, so do the crowds. The volunteers reported 210 players on Wednesday, marking their biggest turnout of the summer season so far. This marks the second progressive jackpot awarded this summer, following opening night in May when two players split a prize of nearly $4,000. Proceeds from WaWui Bingo directly support operations and facility improvements at SARA Park in Tomahawk. Games return next Wednesday, when the progressive jackpot will reset.

Published on 07/30/2026 under News While summer is still in full swing, it won't be long before hunters head out into the field looking to harvest a deer. That includes participants in Wisconsin's special Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced this week that eligible hunters can now contact sponsors to secure land for the upcoming October 3–11 season. Timing for the second weekend, overlaps with the statewide Youth Deer Hunt. On those two days, eligible hunters with disabilities can hunt all lands, even those not enrolled. However, for the first seven days of the season (October 3–9), hunting must take place on an approved sponsor's property. The DNR says more than 70,000 acres have been made available across 47 counties, including several properties right here in the Northwoods. A full sponsor directory is available on the DNR website, and hunters can contact landowners directly to sign up. Because some smaller properties have limited capacity, officials encourage hunters to make arrangements as soon as possible ahead of the September 15 enrollment deadline. The announcement coincides with Disability Pride Month in July, as the DNR highlights its ongoing commitment to expanding accessibility so everyone can enjoy Wisconsin's outdoors.

Published on 07/30/2026 under News No criminal charges will be filed against the officers involved in a fatal shooting in Forest County earlier this summer. Dodge County District Attorney Andrea Will was brought in as an independent prosecutor to review the May 23rd shooting death of 51-year-old Floyd Vanzile Junior in the Town of Nashville. According to state investigators, officers from the Crandon Police Department, Forest County Sheriff's Office, and DNR responded to reports of an active shooter firing a rifle at an occupied housing complex. Two Crandon police officers and a DNR conservation warden returned fire, striking Vanzile. He was pronounced dead at the scene. In her final report, DA Will wrote that Vanzile was an "active shooter firing with complete disregard for human life." She concluded that officers acted in self-defense and that their use of force was objectively reasonable to protect both themselves and the public.No officers or civilians were injured.

Published on 07/29/2026 under News After spending June helping residents strengthen their social connections, the Lincoln County Health Department is now encouraging the community to take the next step toward a healthier lifestyle. The department's new Healthy Lifestyles Passport Challenge kicks off Friday, inviting anyone who lives or works in Lincoln County to complete simple activities throughout the month of August that promote healthy eating and physical activity. Public Health Promotion and Education Specialist Lexi Buntrock says the goal is to help families and individuals build healthy habits they can continue long after the challenge ends. Participants earn points by choosing activities like visiting a farmers market or trying new fruits and vegetables to hiking a local trail or taking a walk with a friend. Other points are awarded by visiting the Health Department booth at a Farmer's Market or National Night Out, or even checking out a book about health and nutrition. (list of examples) Those who complete the Challenge by the end of August have an opportunity to win prizes. Passport forms are available at the Lincoln County Health Department or can be printed off online. Completed forms are due by September 11. Additional information is available on the LCHD website.

Published on 07/29/2026 under News An investigation is underway into the death of a driver following a vehicle pursuit through Lincoln into Marathon County. According to the Marathon County Sheriff's Office, Lincoln County deputies requested assistance shortly after noon while pursuing a southbound vehicle on County Highway K that had crossed the Marathon County line. Minutes later, dispatchers received reports that the vehicle had crashed near the intersection of County Highway K and Rainbow Drive in the Village of Maine, north of Wausau. Deputies arrived at the scene and found the driver, a lone male occupant, deceased inside the vehicle. No additional details have been released, including the identity of the driver or what initiated the pursuit. An outside agency, the Wood County Sheriff's Office, is leading the investigation. Authorities stated that all deputies involved were operating marked squad cars equipped with in-car camera systems and were wearing body-worn cameras. In accordance with department policy, the deputies involved have been placed on administrative duties.

Published on 07/29/2026 under News It's hard to believe, but Tomahawk's summer concert series is winding down. However, there are still two more weeks this season to enjoy live music in Memorial Park. Music on the River enters week six of seven tonight. For the penultimate show of the summer, the Tomahawk community welcomes back a popular series regular: Copperbox. Led by a husband-and-wife duo, this Oshkosh-based foursome plays a wide array of instruments across a variety of styles including jazz, pop, and rock. They have toured the country coast to coast, sharing stages with iconic acts. In fact, they'll be opening for Al Jardine of the Beach Boys tomorrow, and have a gig at the Wisconsin State Fair next month. While tonight was originally scheduled as the season finale, concertgoers get a bonus show on August 12th featuring the rescheduled performance by The Cougars. But first, it's time to welcome Copper Box. As always, music starts at 6:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Tomahawk.

Published on 07/29/2026 under News The City of Tomahawk Finance Committee held preliminary discussions Tuesday to examine room tax management, reviewing proposals to update local ordinances and potentially increase the tax rate. Room taxes apply to hotels, motels, resorts, bed-and-breakfasts, and short-term rentals such as Airbnb. Under Wisconsin law, at least 70% of room tax revenue must be dedicated to local tourism promotion and development, while municipalities may retain up to 30% for general fund purposes or municipal projects. The City contracts with the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce as its designated Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) to manage tourism allocations. In a written proposal, the Chamber made several requests to the committee, including a 1% increase in the room tax rate. At 4%, Tomahawk's rate is lower than neighboring communities such as the Lakeland area (5.5%), Merrill (6%), and Rhinelander (7%). During the meeting, Mayor Michael "Hob" Habeck suggested exploring the creation of a dedicated Tourism Commission to provide additional transparency and oversight regarding how funds are managed. Discussions were preliminary, and no formal action was taken. The Finance Committee scheduled a special meeting for August 19, when the city attorney will be present to address any legal questions and ordinance proposals. A couple of other quick notes from the Finance Committee meeting... The Committee approved a request from Public Works for a series of improvements to the city garage to be paid out of their reserve fund. This included a new lift, garage door track repairs, and new LED lights in the shed which they anticipate could result in saving through energy usage. The Committee also approved a request from the Friends of Tomahawk Airport to release funds from an account for airport purposes to offset some of the recent airport improvements funded by FOTA members.

Published on 07/29/2026 under News Thanks to a series of watch parties hosted by the League of Women Voters, more than 200 voters across Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District gathered last week to evaluate congressional candidates. Those efforts received positive feedback from both attendees and organizers. The candidate forum offered a rare chance for hopefuls from both major parties to share a stage ahead of the partisan primary, with five candidates participating in the nonpartisan broadcast. Seven LWV chapters organized eight watch parties across the district, including the Northwoods Chapter, which hosted 26 community members at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. Post-event surveys revealed that 90% of respondents gained a clearer understanding of the candidates and key issues, while 90% also felt the format offered a fair, balanced platform. Additionally, nearly half of attendees entered the event with little to no prior familiarity with the candidates. League President Debra Durchslag shared that the overwhelmingly positive response reinforces the organization's mission to deliver unbiased voter education.

Published on 07/29/2026 under News As fall hunting season approaches, the DNR is launching a new round of funding through its Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) Grant program. The grants support initiatives that teach safe, ethical hunting and outdoor skills to beginners and seasoned hunters alike. Past funding has helped local organizations build scholastic clay target teams, upgrade archery ranges for youth clubs, host inclusive hunting expos, run Learn to Hunt workshops, and provide adaptive equipment like outdoor wheelchairs. Individuals, community organizations, schools, universities, and Wisconsin tribes are all eligible to apply. Overall, $75,000 is being award, with recipients capped at $25,000. The deadline to submit an application is September 15.

Published on 07/28/2026 under News While the Fox Valley took the brunt of the storm, severe weather swept through the Northwoods on Monday morning, causing widespread property damage and leaving thousands without power. Moving from northwest to southeast, the storm hit northern Oneida, Vilas, and Forest Counties the hardest within our listening area—affecting communities including Eagle River, Land O' Lakes, Crandon, and Three Lakes. Listeners reported skies turning as dark as night, accompanied by frequent lightning, powerful wind gusts, and torrential downpours. Severe hail was also reported, with some stones measuring several inches in diameter. The storm's destructive winds and downed trees triggered widespread power outages. Wisconsin Public Service reported roughly 8,000 customers without power across the Northwoods around midday Monday, concentrated mostly in Vilas County. Crews have been working around the clock, cutting that number down significantly. As of daybreak Tuesday, about 1,000 outages remain, split evenly between Vilas and Oneida counties. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries in the Northwoods.

Published on 07/28/2026 under News As Wisconsin celebrates Disability Pride Month, outdoor recreation is becoming more accessible for visitors of all abilities, and Lincoln County's Council Grounds State Park is among the state parks helping lead the way. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is highlighting accessible features available throughout the state park system, encouraging everyone to enjoy Wisconsin's public lands during July and year-round. The effort coincides with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law in July 1990. At Council Grounds State Park, visitors can take advantage of an accessible fishing pier on the Wisconsin River and Lake Alexander, adaptive kayaks available through the DNR's rental program, and accessible campsites and picnic areas with paved or level paths and modern amenities. Statewide, the DNR also offers amenities such as all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, accessible kayak launches, barrier-free cabins, sensory bags at select nature centers and universally accessible recreation programs. The DNR says accessible outdoor spaces benefit everyone by making it easier for families and visitors of all abilities to enjoy Wisconsin's parks together. They have an interactive map on their website with options to search for accessibility features.

Published on 07/28/2026 under News Ice Age Trail hikers have a brand-new segment to explore in the Northwoods thanks to an impressive volunteer effort, and organizers are already looking for help on their next big project right here in Lincoln County. Crews with the Ice Age Trail Alliance officially wrapped up work on the Antigo Heights Segment in Langlade County earlier this month, marking their second major volunteer project in the county this summer. Despite heat, humidity, and rain, volunteers built over a mile of fresh trail, constructed a 52-foot boardwalk, set up a new backpacker campsite, and installed scavenger-hunt boxes for kids exploring the area's ancient glacial terrain. Alliance officials say the new loop trail is designed for both long-distance hikers and local families looking for a short evening outing. Now, attention turns to Lincoln County. From August 6th through August 9th, the Alliance is hosting its next event on the Underdown Segment. The goal is to build nearly a mile of off-road trail on DNR land to replace a long-standing road walk section. The project will also add three short boardwalks and another backcountry camping area. No prior trail-building experience is required, and all necessary tools and training will be provided on-site. The deadline to sign up for next month's project is Thursday, July 30th, with registration available online through the Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteer portal.

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