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Local & Area News

City of Tomahawk to Host Three Referendum Informational Sessions in March

Published on 02/04/2026 under News Last month the Tomahawk City Council voted to place a levy referendum on the April ballot. In the lead up to the vote, city leaders will be reaching out to the public. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council scheduled three public informational meetings at SARA Park in March. The goal of the meetings will be to explain why the city is requesting additional funding. The state restricts the ability of municipalities to increase their tax levy without voter approval. The Council is looking for a 20% increase to the base levy going forward, approximately $276,000. If approved, it would result in an increase of around $75 for a $100,000 property. The decision in Tomahawk comes after several consecutive years of difficult budget decisions. At the informational sessions, they plan to review some of the previous cuts, as well as services that could be impacted in the future. In addition to the City Council members, they have also asked department heads to participate. In order to reach as many people as possible, the Council attempted to cover different times and days when scheduling the meetings. They are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday March 4 at 1pm; Saturday March 7 at 10am; and Thursday, March 19 at 6pm. (Dates and times are subject to change, we'll offer a reminder as those dates are confirmed.) In addition to the meetings, they also plan to include a fact sheet in utility bills as well as traditional and social media. Voters will decide on the referendum April 7.

Published on 02/04/2026 under News Aspirus Health Foundation has officially launched the $1 million Building a Healthier Future capital campaign in support of the $40 million renovation of Aspirus Merrill Hospital. As part of the fundraising, they received a $275,000 cornerstone gift from the Bierman Family Foundation. The $40 million renovation project at Aspirus Merrill Hospital is designed to: • Expand facilities to better serve a growing patient population • Modernize technology to support advanced medical care • Enhance patient environments to promote healing and comfort • Increase operational efficiency to deliver faster, more effective services The Bierman Family Foundation's investment brings the momentum needed to launch the Building a Healthier Future campaign. Jane Bentz, is the donor engagement and development specialist with Aspirus Health Foundation. "Their gift will inspire others to come together to support local health care and the community members Aspirus will serve for generations to come." As part of the campaign, Aspirus Health Foundation is offering naming opportunities that allow donors to leave a lasting legacy within Aspirus Merrill Hospital. These named spaces will recognize philanthropic support while reinforcing the hospital's role as a community-centered place of care. Bentz says, "Each named space reflects the heart of Merrill, where neighbors uplift one another, and local businesses invest in the well-being and future of their community."

Published on 02/04/2026 under News Good ice plays a key role in skating experience. The crews up in Boulder Junction have a new tool to help maintain the ice at Winter Park including the Glide Ribbon and the skating rink on site. The Town recently acquired a Kubota tractor equipped with a power broom to help with snow removal and ice preparation efforts. The new equipment will be paired with their pull-behind Zamboni system, allowing the volunteers to maintain a consistent skating surface. Town Chairman, Dennis Reuss said, "This new equipment is an important investment in the success of the Winter Park." He added, "With the continued growth in usage of the Glide, it made sense for the Town to step up and provide tools that help deliver a higher-quality experience for park users while also protecting our volunteers." The Glide debuted last year to great success, even winning awards and national exposure. This year, the team of volunteers have spent significantly more time on ice maintenance according to volunteer coordinator and park board member Steve Weber. The Glide is opening daily from 10am to 10pm when conditions allow. Visitors are encouraged to check Boulder at Play on Facebook for conditions.

Published on 02/04/2026 under News Tax season is upon us, and a local partnership will once again provide free filing assistance in the Northwoods. The ADRC of Oneida County is helping organize the effort in Rhinelander in collaboration with the IRS and AARP. They'll have trained and certified volunteers, with the site volunteers offering more than 100 years of combined Tax Aide experience. According to organizers, the target group for this service is people with low to moderate income, with an emphasis for those 60 and older. The Rhinelander site expects to prepare and e-file approximately 600 returns. The services began this week and will continue through the April filing deadline. They'll be set up at the ADRC of Oneida County on Mondays and Wednesdays. Similar programs will be set up in Eagle River and Minocqua. Those utilizing this assistance need to schedule an appointment. Rhinelander at the ADRC Office- 715-369-6170Eagle River at the Ohlson Public Library on Wednesdays- 715-479-3727 Minocqua Public Library on Fridays- 715-356-4437

Published on 02/04/2026 under News The Super Bowl will be full of ceremony and tradition. A Navy pilot from the Wausau area will be taking part. During the national anthem performance at Sunday's game, members of four U.S. Navy tactical squadrons will join the Air Force for a unified flyover over Levi's Stadium. That includes Lt. Darren Sanchez originally from Weston. Sanchez serves as a pilot assigned to the "Warhawks" of Strike Fighter Squadron 97 and will represent the Navy in the F-35C. Sanchez said of the opportunity, "To participate in the flyover for the Super Bowl is an unbelievable feeling because I've been watching football my entire life." According to the announcement, Sanchez graduated from D.C. Everest in 2015, and earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the UW-Madison in 2019. He joined the Navy six years ago.

Published on 02/04/2026 under News The Tomahawk Main Street calendar is starting to fill in for the new year. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council approved a half dozen special events, each sponsored by Tomahawk Main Street. The applications all came through the city's Health and Safety Committee. And like the committee meeting, it was a quick process, with all of these events already well-established. The first on the docket was the Wine Walk on May 8. There's also the Main Street Memories Car Show-May 24, Oktoberfest-October 10, and Main Street Memories Christmas December 11. While Main Street Mania may sound new, Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz explained it is an updated version of their Customer Appreciation Day and Sidewalk Sale which will take place August 13-15. In addition to the one-off events throughout the year, the Committee also approved the weekly downtown Farmer's Market which will begin in June and continue through the growing season. Due to the larger scale and planning, the Main Street Fall Ride application will be submitted at a later date. Each of the applications was approved unanimously.

Published on 02/03/2026 under News The Harrison Hills trails are a popular attraction in Lincoln County. The ATV/UTV trail system is the focus of another new video promoting the region. Over the past two years, Lincoln County has worked with Discover MediaWorks to produce a series of videos. The current chapter is titled What's Behind the Trees. On Monday, they released a new video short focused Harrison Hills and recreation vehicles. Host Lindsey Hayes spend a fall day riding with a local group to experience what the 60-plus mile trail system has to offer. She highlights the diverse terrain and natural scenery of riding in the Harrison Hills, along with trail access to various amenities including campgrounds, bars and restaurants, and parking areas and gathering spaces. And like many of the videos in the series, it showcases the people behind the place. This video is part of a growing catalog of segments and features on Lincoln County. One of the segments produced last year on sled dogs was selected as the winner of a regional Emmy Award. Many of these videos focus on outdoor recreation, playing on the Lincoln County slogan, "Where the Northwoods Start and Your Adventure Begins." In fact Hayes repeats the line as the latest segment closes. The video is available on Discover Wisconsin's YouTube channel. We'll include a link in the online version of the story.

Published on 02/03/2026 under News While storms and downed trees cause most wide spread power outages, a common backyard critter is another frequent culprit. According to Wisconsin Public Service, squirrels caused power outages to an estimated 5,000 customers this past year. The utility recently highlighted some of the proactive measures they've been taking to help prevent animal-related outages. Their crews add a special coating to some equipment that makes it harder for the squirrels and other animals to climb and gnaw at wires. Transformers and substations are another location for nesting and food storage. WPS places special covers on transformers to prevent access, while adding extra insulation to prevent animals from entering and causing a damage. Although squirrels are the most common wildlife pest, they are not alone. WPS notes that birds, raccoons, snakes and other rodents have all been known to cause power interruptions.

Published on 02/03/2026 under News A new statewide survey shows growing confidence in the Wisconsin Technical College System. Northwoods residents have a pair of tech schools in our back yard with Northcentral Technical College in Wausau and Nicolet College in Rhinelander. A recent survey published in January showed approximately two-thirds of Wisconsin residents hold a favorable opinion of the system and its colleges. That's up from 52% in a similar survey from 2022. Residents overwhelmingly associate technical colleges with real-world value, job outcomes and affordability. System President Layla Merrifield says, "Our colleges provide affordable, flexible pathways to careers and further education, and these survey results affirm that we are meeting the needs of students and employers alike." Merrifield added, "As we look ahead, WTCS remains committed to expanding access, strengthening partnerships with employers and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Published on 02/03/2026 under News Atrial fibrillation, often called AFib, is a common and treatable heart rhythm condition. For some patients, medications alone are not enough to manage symptoms, but there are other options. February is American Heart Month and Aspirus provided some information on Afib while highlighting a relatively new treatment known as Pulse Field Ablation. Dr. Ronnie Ortiz is a cardiac electro-physiologist with Aspirus Heart Care. He explained that atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart beat, where people may notice palpitations, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and most commonly feeling tired. When medications are not effective, physicians may recommend an ablation procedure. Ablation targets areas of heart tissue that contribute to the abnormal rhythm. Pulse field ablation uses targeted electrical energy, allowing physicians to treat the heart more efficiently. Compared to traditional ablation, Ortiz says, "What's different is that it reduces the risk of collateral damage to nearby structures, which is an important benefit for patients." It also reduces the time of the procedure and recovery. Ortiz also emphasized the importance of seeking care when symptoms appear. He says, "The longer atrial fibrillation goes untreated, the more challenging it can be to manage."

Published on 02/03/2026 under News The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is investigating an art theft. According to this week's report, a deputy was sent to a property on County A in the Town of King for a report of a theft that occurred sometime within the last year. The reporting party indicated that while his home was under construction, someone remove a high-value piece of art from the property. According to the report, the owner was able to provide the deputy with possible suspects. At the time of the report, no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing. A few other quick notes from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report… A 67 year old Merrill woman was arrested for 1st offense OWI following a single vehicle crash in the Town of Scott.Two other weekend accidents resulted in injuries that required further medical treatment.The number of vehicle vs deer collisions remains elevated for this time of year with another 9 reported this past week on Lincoln County roadways.

Published on 02/02/2026 under News At their annual awards celebration this weekend, the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized another group of individuals that have contributed their time and talents to the community. The Chamber honors those who have made the Tomahawk area a better place to live, work, and play. And in this community, there is never a shortage of candidates. The Ambassador Award is presented to an individual, organization or business who presents the community in a positive light. It was awarded to Tomahawk Music on the River. They're the group behind the free, weekly concert series in Memorial Park during the summer. Next, the Spirit Award, was presented to Chris Bembinster, a long-term volunteer with WaWui and SARA Park. A new award this year, Small Business of the Year, was voted on by the community. We, at WJJQ Radio, were grateful to accept this award. The final award of the evening was for Lifetime Achievement. It was presented to Patti Hilgendorf. Hilgendorf is the long-time director of the youth mentor program known as Tomahawk Kinship. A congratulations go out to all of this year's recipients.

Published on 02/02/2026 under News A family was displaced following a fire in Vilas County over the weekend. Responders were called to a house fire on Trails End Road in Land O'Lakes at shortly before 1am Sunday morning. The initial report indicated a fire originating in the chimney that was spreading to the roof. Firefighters were unable to save the home, it was considered a total loss. The occupants were able to safely evacuate and no injuries were reported. The fire remains under investigation.

Published on 02/02/2026 under News Those visiting the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest this spring or summer may be asked to complete a short survey and/or interview. The National Visitor Use Monitoring survey is conducted every five years, and this year the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is on the schedule. According to the announcement, the surveys will be conducted at recreation sites and along forest service roads in the forest. Contract employees will wear bright orange vests and there will be signs saying "Traffic Survey Ahead." Questions may include where in the CNNF you visited and how long, along with satisfaction of the visit. Some participants may also be asked to complete a supplemental survey on recreation spending to measure the economic impact on local communities. Surveys are voluntary and all responses are confidential; and last about ten minutes. Surveys will be conducted through Sept. 30, 2026.

Published on 02/02/2026 under News Bob Ross became a household name by painting happy little trees. Now a virtual race in his honor will be returning to Wisconsin to benefit trees in state parks and other properties. The DNR recently announced that the 'Happy Little 5k' will be offered in Wisconsin once again the spring. It's part of a larger event that began in Michigan in 2019 in partnership with Bob Ross, Inc. The program continues to expand each year, with more than 10,000 participants joining the 2025 event. Participants can now choose from 17 states to represent, including Wisconsin. Ross was known for his calming voice and passion for creating scenic landscape paintings on his instructional show on PBS, the Joy of Painting. Ross often referred to 'happy little trees' in his paintings inspiring the name of the race. It is a virtual 5k, so participants can pick their own routes. The race period falls in April, around the week of Earth Day and Arbor Day. By selecting to represent Wisconsin in the race, a portion of the registration fee will go towards tree planting and forest health efforts in Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas. Participants will also receive a shirt, virtual bib number and medal. Registration is now open, we'll include a link.

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