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Langlade County Highlighting Mental Health Resources in May

Published on 05/18/2026 under News As Mental Health Month continues in May, the Langlade County Health Department is working to raise awareness about mental health resources and encourage residents to reach out for support when needed. The department has launched a county-wide awareness campaign featuring informational displays, posters and social media outreach throughout Langlade County including the Health Department, Senior Center, the library, and local business partners. Officials are highlighting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a free and confidential service available 24 hours a day. They are also promoting CredibleMind, a free online mental health platform which offers articles, videos and tools on topics like stress, anxiety, depression, sleep, and building healthy habits. Karen Marten, a public health nurse with Langlade County, said mental health deserves the same attention as physical health. She added, "It is okay to ask for help, and no one should feel alone. Small steps, like talking to someone or using helpful tools, can make a big difference." The Langlade County Health Department encourages residents to check in with loved ones, learn more about available services, and make use of local mental health resources.

Published on 05/18/2026 under News With summer riding season getting underway, the DNR is reminding ATV and UTV operators to make safety a priority before heading out on the trails. That includes taking a safety course and going over new riding rules. The ATV/UTV safety courses are required for operators born in or after 1988, but encouraged about all operators. DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator Lt. Jacob Holsclaw said Wisconsin continues to see a high number of ATV and UTV crashes involving riders who have never taken a safety course. The classes focus on crash prevention and provide practical skills designed to help riders operate safely. Holsclaw compared the safety certification to getting a driver's license. In addition to the safety class, the DNR also highlighted some new regulations related to ATV and UTV operation. That includes a seatbelt requirement for all operators and passengers in a UTV. Operators and passengers are all required to wear a seatbelt in a UTV. Intentionally causing damage with an ATV or UTV can cost you more than a fine – up to three times the cost to repair the damage.ATV or UTV operators may not tow objects bearing any person on a trail or route. Towing persons on ice is limited to 10 mph.UTVs now have window tint restrictions.The DNR will soon release a new regulations pamphlet detailing these updates and more.

Published on 05/18/2026 under News Heading into the weekend, the DNR issued a warning about elevated fire risk. Those conditions kept fire firefighters busy. According to the DNR wildfire tracker, crews responded to 40 wildfires around the state this weekend which burned approximately 51 acres of land. Here in the Northwoods there were four wildfires listed in Vilas County, two in Oneida, and one each in Price, Iron, Forest, and Langlade Counties. Debris burning remains the leading cause of wildfires, accounting for around half Overnight rains in the Northwoods should help improve conditions. The DNR reminds people to check burn restrictions, updated daily at 9am.

Published on 05/18/2026 under News Back in 2024, the Tomahawk School District unveiled the Wall of Honor to recognize students who went on to serve in the military. Now they're inspiring other districts to do the same. The Medford School District recently announced plans to create their own Wall of Honor, citing the Tomahawk School District in the announcement. The concept includes emblems of each service branch, above the names of each student who served. Local veterans including Bill Vach, are working with the district's social studies department to bring the concept to life. That includes securing donations to help fund the project as well as identifying the names of Medford graduates who served. Their goal is to dedicate the Honor Wall during the school's Veterans Day ceremony in November.

Published on 05/18/2026 under News While bicycling is typically a solo sport, Wausau hosted a rally this weekend for those who ride bicycles built for two. And an even larger event is on the schedule for next year. This past weekend, the Couples on Wheels-Wisconsin Tandem Bicycle Club hosted its annual Spring Rally in the Wausau area. Nearly 90 tandem riders were able explore routes around Rib Mountain, downtown Wausau, Lake DuBay and the Big Eau Pleine River area. Next Fall, over Labor Day weekend, Wausau has been selected as the location for the 2027 Midwest Tandem Rally. The four-day event is the largest of it's kind in North America; and is expected to bring more than 400 tandem bicyclists to Northern Wisconsin. Visit Wausau was recently awarded a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to support the event. Visit Wausau Executive Director Tim White said the event will help showcase the region as a growing outdoor recreation destination, while also generating overnight stays and tourism spending. Activities will include daily rides, educational sessions, vendor exhibits and social events.

Published on 05/18/2026 under News A quick update on some local road construction here in the Tomahawk area. Starting with the newest project to the list, work on a bridge replacement on Highway 17 in the Town of Merrill. Crews will remove and replace the existing Barnes Creek bridge with a new concrete girder bridge. Highway 17 will be closed at the bridge with traffic detoured onto County G. Work is scheduled through July 24. A bit further north, work continues on Highway 51 between US Highway 8 and the north end of Oneida County L. That segment remains closed and detoured through noon on Thursday. After the Memorial Day holiday, they will resume work, but Highway 51 will be open to traffic. This project is scheduled to run into mid-June. The Lincoln County Highway Department also has a project on County YY. Crews are working on culverts on the north side of Squaw Creek Avenue this week. This requires a closure at the construction site and no through traffic. Following Memorial Day, they'll be pulverizing and paving, this portion of the project will be local traffic only. Elsewhere in the Northwoods... Up in Minocqua, crews are working on Highway 51 between the Minocqua Bridge and Front Street. They will maintain at least one lane of traffic in each direction throughout the work. They'll continue to work through June 18; then resume Sept. 8. And a project in Rhinelander, they are working Highway 8 between Highway 47 and 17 North. During construction, traffic will be detoured through Rhinelander. Work is schedule to run into September.

Published on 05/15/2026 under News The popularity of food trucks has exploded in recent years with these mobile restaurants now present in most Northwoods communities. Many are heading to Merrill this weekend for the third annual 'Food Truck-a-Palooza.' Organizers said, "The event continues to grow each year and provides a fun opportunity for residents and visitors to experience everything Merrill has to offer." Back in 2024 the city put out a call for food trucks to park at the Merrill Festival Grounds for a day-long smorgasbord. They had around a dozen participants in that first year, doubled in size last year. Now, the third edition, 35 food trucks signed up. Many of the Lincoln County-based trucks will be in attendance, while other chefs will be putting on the miles, coming from the Northwoods, central Wisconsin and even the Fox Valley. Whether you like Mexican, Asian or American classics like burgers and BBQ they'll have something for everyone including drinks and desserts focused-trucks. Between bites, attendees can burn off a few calories by walking through the Merrill Festival Grounds for a craft and vendor show, live entertainment, and other fun activities. The third Annual Food Truck-a-Palooza runs from 11am to 6pm.

Published on 05/15/2026 under News The Tomahawk School Board received an update this week on the district's School Resource Officer (SRO) program, which was first approved in 2018. Now eight years into the initiative, the board heard a presentation from Officer Brett Susa, who served as the district's first SRO and remains the only officer in the role. Susa explained that his mission is to foster a safe learning environment through a three-pronged approach: law enforcement, mentoring, and teaching. In his capacity as an on-campus officer, Susa handles student violations such as truancy and substance use. He shared the positive news that the number of referrals and citations has decreased this year compared to last. Beyond enforcement, Susa's report emphasized the importance of "positive interactions" to build trust with the student body, which he noted is essential for preventing issues before they arise. He highlighted several examples of these efforts, including providing classroom education and participating in a "lunch buddy" program at the elementary school. In addition to his work with students, Susa collaborates with the buildings and grounds crew to assess and address safety concerns across the campus. When school is not in session, he continues his service by working directly with the Tomahawk Police Department.

Published on 05/15/2026 under News The DNR is encouraging fire safety as Northern Wisconsin contends with elevated wildfire conditions through the weekend. Officials say ongoing dry vegetation, low humidity, warm temperatures, and strong winds are all contributing to the increased risk, particularly in Northern and Western Wisconsin. Twelve counties are listed in extreme fire danger as of Friday morning. Crews have already responded to 69 wildfires around the state this week. In coordination with the National Weather Service, a Red Flag Warning has been issued for Friday afternoon and evening in several northern counties, including Vilas and Iron Counties in our listening area. The DNR has already suspended burning permits in 31 counties and says additional restrictions are possible if conditions worsen. People are being asked to avoid debris burning, which is traditionally the cause of half of all wildfires in the state. Officials also ask for caution with other common activities that can lead to sparks, such as using tools like chainsaws and lawnmowers; recreational activities like camping, grilling, and operating ATVs or UTVs; and even ensuring trailer chains are not dragging on pavement. The elevated wildfire conditions are expected to continue through Saturday evening.

Published on 05/15/2026 under News Rhinelander and the Hodag are synonymous. This week has been set aside to celebrate the mythical beast. The Rhinelander Chamber and their many community partners have been busy preparing for the 6th annual Hodag Heritage Festival. The event brings plenty of fun, history, and whimsy with hodag-themed activities. Among the popular returning highlights are the hodag calling contest and Hodag Historical Bus Tours . They also keep it fresh with new attractions, this includes Paul Bunyan Lumberjack shows. The tale of the Hodag emerged from the times when logging reined king in the Northwoods. Rachel Boehlen, Chamber Director of Events and Strategic Initiatives says, "We're so excited to bring these fun and unique features to the Hodag Heritage Festival." Activities are centered around Pioneer Park. Earlier this year, the Chamber also launched a new Hodag Heritage Festival website with information, schedules, and more.

Published on 05/15/2026 under News Earlier this week, a major renovation project began at the century-old Grand Theater in Wausau. Just days into the work, the project received a significant fundraising boost: the Performing Arts Foundation announced it has been awarded a $1.1 million grant from the State of Wisconsin. Sean Wright, Executive Director of The Grand Theater, noted that the state's investment serves as a testament to the theater's vital role as both a cultural and economic driver. He says, "As we approach our 100th anniversary, this funding provides the necessary resources to ensure our facility remains a premier destination for world-class performing arts while maintaining the historic integrity of this community landmark," Wright said. The renovation aims to modernize the venue while preserving its heritage. Key highlights include: • Enhanced Patron Experience: Installation of new seating and upgraded lighting and AV equipment. • Infrastructure Improvements: Significant work on accessibility, structural restoration, and the installation of a new roof. With the addition of the state grant, the campaign has now raised $15.5 million toward its $17.5 million goal. The facility will remain closed throughout the summer to accommodate construction. The community can look forward to the grand reopening, with the first performance in the upgraded theater scheduled for November 7.

Published on 05/15/2026 under News Local lawmakers expressed disappointment after a budget surplus deal fell apart in the State Senate earlier this week. The proposal, crafted by Governor Evers and Republican Legislative leaders would have utilized the surplus to provide a tax rebate, along with an increase in state funding for k-12 schools and special education. While defeated by three votes in the senate, the bill cleared the Assembly. Among the 'yes' votes was Assemblyman Calvin Callahan who represents the 35th district. The local representative provided comments on the bill's demise. He said, "While this deal wasn't perfect, it did provide property tax relief and put money directly back into the pockets of taxpayers, where it never should have left. Many objections to this proposal were that it didn't do enough, and I agree, but you can't get everything you want in a negotiation." Callahan said, "I am disappointed that some people let that stand in the way of delivering affordability to the people of Wisconsin."

Published on 05/14/2026 under News The Lincoln County Health Department continues to target opioids through education and outreach. Coming up this evening, The Lincoln County Health Department, alongside the Lincoln County Opioid Task Force, is hosting another free community training focused on recognizing and responding to an opioid overdose using Naloxone, or Narcan. Narcan can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose within minutes, potentially saving lives. It is most commonly administered as a nasal spray, and can be carried without a prescription. Public Health Nurse Deanna Engel says the goal is simple: to give people the knowledge and confidence to act in a critical moment. They'll walk attendees through how to spot the signs of an overdose and properly administer the medication. Earlier this month, the partners hosted a similar event down in Merrill that was well-received. Tonight they'll be offering a class in Tomahawk, at the Public Library. It begins at 5pm and takes around an hour.

Published on 05/14/2026 under News With construction season now in full swing, another highway project is getting underway in Lincoln County. The Department of Transportation announced a bridge replacement as part of improvements to Highway 17 between Merrill and Rhinelander in the Town of Merrill. Work will include the removal and replacement of the Barnes Creek bridge, with crews installing a new concrete girder bridge. According to the DoT, Sheet Piling Services has been selected for the $870,000 project. During construction, Highway 17 will be closed at the bridge, and traffic will be detoured using County G. Work is scheduled to begin later this month. The project is expected to be completed in August, depending on weather and construction progress.

Published on 05/14/2026 under News An orphaned black bear cub is being cared for thanks to some law enforcement officers and a local animal rehabilitation center. According to the Marathon County Sheriff's office, deputies responded to Highway 29 near Wausau. A bear cub was left alone after the mother was struck by a passing vehicle. With help from Wausau Police, they were able to secure the cub who was turned over to Wild Instincts. The rehabilitators brought the cub back to their Rhinelander facility. In an update, they said the cub is doing well and strong enough to spend time in their outdoor enclosure. Their hope is to eventually return the cub to the wild. And while highlighting this specific situation, the Sheriff's Office also reiterated the Keep Wildlife Wild message. The campaign generally encourages people not to approach young animals in the wild. And if you believe the animal has been abandoned, like this Wausau cub, contact an animal rehabilitation facility for guidance.

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