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Tomahawk Chamber Hosts Business Roundtable

Published on 01/21/2026 under News Business leaders and other stakeholders from the Tomahawk area recently got together for a wide-ranging discussion this past week. The Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a roundtable conversation covering pressing economic and workforce issues impacting local businesses and the broader community. In addition to locals, the discussions were moderated by Kurt Bauer, president of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Tomahawk Chamber Director Charis Lau said, "This roundtable created an important space for employers to openly share challenges and solutions." Among the topics they covered are business costs and tariffs; workforce demographics, attraction and retention; and even housing and childcare. Lau said, "This groups' discussion brought a lot of insight to better understand what is impacting our businesses today. From here we can work collectively to strengthen our workforce and community for the future." They plan to use insights from these discussions to help inform future planning efforts, advocacy priorities, and initiatives aimed at supporting economic growth, workforce development, and community sustainability in the Tomahawk area. They also hope to have continued conversations to ensure local voices are heard and to help position the region for long-term success.

Published on 01/21/2026 under News Over the past several years, Lincoln County has invested into protecting it's water resources. Some of these projects are being funded through grants and contributions from local stakeholders. At their meeting Tuesday, the Lincoln County Board accepted another donation to continue an ongoing stream crossing assessment. To fund this work, the county has been utilizing DNR Surface Water Planning Grants which do require a 33% match. As outlined in a resolution approved by the board Tuesday, Wisconsin Valley Improvement pledged $1,500. Coupled with a previous donation from Trouts Unlimited and in house work, the match of this grant is being filled with no additional tax levy. We told you about this stream crossing project last month. Lincoln County Land Services initiated a multi-phase project assessing the more than 600 culvert stream crossings at public roadways within the county. The goal is to evaluate the condition, sizing, and placement of the culverts to determine whether maintenance or replacement is needed. Phase 1 completed this spring and summer covered approximately a third of the culverts.

Published on 01/21/2026 under News A man involved in a snowmobile crash in Oneida County earlier this month has now died. The crash happened back on January 3 in Minocqua. According to the DNR, the operator was attempting to cross a state highway when he was struck by a vehicle. The 76 year old was brought to a hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. According to an update, the man died from his injuries over the weekend weekend. The man's name was not immediately released. The crash remains under investigation. This is the sixth fatal snowmobile crash in Wisconsin this riding season; the fourth this month.

Published on 01/21/2026 under News January is National Blood Donor Month, and the Community Blood Center is encouraging donors to tell their story. Earlier this month, the CBC introduced their "I donate because…" initiative, celebrating community members giving blood and platelets. The campaign is simple...cards can be picked up at donation sites or printed off at home. The cards have printed: "I donate because..." with space where individuals can write what motivates them. Completed cards will be displayed by the CBC and selfies of the donor holding the card can be shared on social media. They note that every donor has a unique reason for giving, so they encourage donors to share their stories to help inspire the next generation of lifesavers and remind others why blood donation is so meaningful.

Published on 01/21/2026 under News Local snowmobile clubs regularly urge the importance for riders to stay on the marked trails. The DNR is joining in on that messaging. This past week, the DNR put out a reminder for snowmobile riders to operate only on marked trails, routes or other areas with permission and to stay off closed trails. They note that Wisconsin snowmobile clubs work hard all year to secure one of the best riding experiences in this country, and that is thanks to the large network of snowmobile trails. In fact, Wisconsin has more than 25,000 miles of groomed trails to ride. The DNR shared a number of concerns when straying off trails including rider safety, damage to private lands, and the operation on closed trails is illegal. Lt. Jake Holsclaw, DNR off-highway vehicle administrator, "Wisconsin has thousands of miles of well-maintained trails that are managed by dedicated club members. Please respect their lands, and ride safe and sober."

Published on 01/21/2026 under News The DNR is looking to recruit new team members in the new year. The agency previously announced six career fairs around the state in January and February, including one here in the Northwoods this afternoon. In addition to careers in natural resources and environmental sciences, they also have opportunities in engineering, law enforcement, business, and information technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with current DNR staff and ask questions. Their tour will be making a stop in Woodruff this afternoon, where they'll be set up at the Town Hall from 3pm to 7pm for those interested to drop in.

Published on 01/20/2026 under News A local 4-H club knows a thing or two about ice cream, once again winning a contest that will see their flavor being produced and sold this summer. While it isn't necessarily ice cream weather outside, Cedar Crest Ice Cream announced the finalists for their annual 4-H flavor creation contest. And for the second time in three years, the winning flavor was submitted by the Pesobic Pathfinders 4-H down in Merrill. For years, Cedarberg-based Cedar Crest has partnered with the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation for this contest. They challenge the youth to come up with a name, theme, and even flavors and add-ins for a new ice cream. This year's winning flavor is called Hold Your Horses. It is inspired by starting each day with a fresh cup of coffee, featuring an espresso flavored ice cream with chocolate covered toffee pieces & caramel ribbon. If that sounds enticing, the winning flavor will be available at ice cream shops around the state this summer, including the Windmill up in Nokomis. You'll have to wait a few month to sample Hold Your Horses, the winning flavor typically arrives in July. Two years ago, the Pathfinders also won the contest with their Paul Bunyan flavor, which has also become a regular flavor in the Cedar Crest line.

Published on 01/20/2026 under News It's awards season, and the Lincoln County Sheirff's Office recently recognized four staff members for their actions or their ongoing efforts and service. Lt. Tom Tollefson was presented with the 'Life Saving Award' thanks to his efforts in December. While responding to a welfare check, they said Tollefson found an individual not breathing and with no pulse. He began CPR, and those actions contributed to saving the patient. This isn't the first life-saving award Tollefson has won during his law enforcement career. Ten years ago, while a member of the Tomahawk Police Department, he was presented with a Life Saving Medal for a water rescue. Back to the Lincoln County Awards, Jail Administrator Nicholas Hoeft was presented with the Sheriff's Recognition Award for what was described as selflessness and dedication during a critical incident involving the Dive Team in July 2025. Two others were recognized for ongoing work. Corrections Officer Julie Remington was presented with the Distinguished Service Award while working diligently in the implementation and refinement of the Lincoln County Jail's Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Program. Deputy Mariah Wegmueller was recognized as Deputy Of The Year for her exceptional service and consistently demonstrating the agency's core values (service to the community, integrity, and professionalism). The Sheriff's Office said of the recipients, "Your actions and dedication reflect great credit upon yourselves, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, and the law enforcement community."

Published on 01/20/2026 under News With this frigid forecast, officials are reminding pet owners to make sure four-legged friends are staying warm. Despite their fur, dogs and cats can get frost bite just like humans. They are especially susceptible on exposed areas such as their ears, nose, and paws. While officials say the easiest solution is to keep your pet indoors when temperatures drop, the Lincoln County Humane Society shared some other cold weather tips to keep pets safe. Try to provide a high quality diet which can help maintain a healthy coat and weight. Outdoor water dishes should be heated, and avoid metal bowls during winter months. For animals spending time outdoors, even for a short time, make sure they have an area to avoid the wind. It's best to have an insulated shelter with a door covering and a bedding area is better when elevated. One final caution goes towards chemicals used to melt snow and ice. Anti-freeze and road salts can irritate pet paws. Those items should also be stored out of reach, the compounds can be poisonous if ingested by a curious pet.

Published on 01/20/2026 under News One year after reaching a partnership between Marshfield Clinic and Sanford Health, the combined health system has unveiled a new look and branding. Marshfield Clinic joined Sanford Health in January 2025 in a new partnership bringing together nearly 55,000 employees and 58 medical centers. To support the new brand, the Marshfield Clinic region of Sanford Health has launched a campaign entitled "Here for All. Here for Good," which they said celebrates a commitment to employees, communities, patients, and members. Brian Hoerneman, M.D., president and CEO of the Marshfield Clinic region of Sanford Health says, "The Marshfield Clinic legacy that patients know and trust remains strong, and we're building on it." He added, "The new brand campaign allows us to reintroduce ourselves to our patients and communities, sharing the progress we've made and amplifying the great care that happens in our region every day." The campaign is expected to feature a combination of digital and traditional media.

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Published on 01/20/2026 under News A Gleason man was injured following a snowmobile crash in Lincoln County over the weekend. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, deputies were sent to a report of a snowmobile crash in the Town of Harrison. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the operator, a 61 year old Gleason man, who stated he didn't remember what happened. Other riders in his group didn't witness the crash. Reviewing the scene, deputies believed the rider was traveling south and failed to negotiate a curve. The man sought medical treatment on his own. A few other quick notes from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report… A 31 year old Wausau man was arrested for second offense OWI following a single vehicle roll-over.Deputies were kept busy with a number of vehicle slide-offs and accidents, including several that led to injury.The number of vehicle and deer collisions remains steady with another 6 reported this past week.

Published on 01/19/2026 under News It's been six months since Tomahawk Kinship moved into their new location, and they're inviting the community to check out the new space.The local mentorship program will be hosting an open house this evening, fitting since January is National Mentorship Month. We recently spoke with Kinship Director Patti Hilgendorf and Board President Cheryl Brickner. The youth mentorship program had quietly been on the hunt for a larger space to accommodate their growing needs. In April, Hilgendorf approached the board about exploring the former Bradley Bank on Main Street. Brickner noted there was a little bit of skepticism initially, but they soon hit the ground running. They kicked off a three month fundraising blitz. Hilgendorf recalled, "It's amazing to think we received more than $400,000 in less than 90 days." And while they received a number of large donations and grants, Hilgendorf was impressed by the number of smaller donations and support. Fundraising was just the tip of the iceberg...by July the Kinship board signed purchase papers and they began phase 2, retrofitting the former bank into a kid-friendly space. Hilgendorf says they are about 90% done with the initial interior work. This spring they'll begin work on the back lot include a new green space. As for how the move has been, Hilgendorf said, "It's crazy, it's busy, it's fun. We picked right up where we left off." She says they've been growing by leaps and bounds. Now that they've settled into the new space, they're opening up their doors for an open house this evening from 5pm to 8pm. They'll be offering tours of the building as well as an opportunity to learn more about Tomahawk Kinship and even the different ways people can get involved.

Published on 01/19/2026 under News The Three Eagle Trail connecting Three Lakes and Eagle River continues to grow in popularity, while benefiting the two communities. The Three Eagle Trail was one of five participants in the latest Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation; Do-It-Yourself Economic Impact Program. The summer study helps communities quantify attractions such as multi-use trails while also providing support and analysis. Based on their summer survey, an estimated 10,659 people used the Three Eagle trail between May and October. Surveys showed a near-even split between visitors, seasonal residents, and permanent residents. According to the report, the trail-use generates about $2 million in total local business activity. And while the trail is primarily used for biking, running or walking; segments are also used for snowmobile and cross-country skiing during the winter months. Jacqui Sharpe with the Three Lakes Area Visitors Bureau says, "This report reinforces what we've long understood: the Three Eagle Trail draws people to our communities and supports both economic activity and quality of life." Sharpe added, "These insights give us a strong foundation to strengthen partnerships, improve trail infrastructure and thoughtfully expand biking and recreation opportunities to continue to benefit our communities." Some of the improvement plans including some additional amenities to the existing trail, while also collaborating with local partners for additional opportunities including a possible connection to the nearby Heart of Vilas System. This was the second year the Office of Outdoor Recreation has offered this program. Other participants this summer included: the Heart of Vilas bike trails, Peninsula State Park, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, and fishing in Oconto County.

Published on 01/19/2026 under News With frigid temperatures here in the Northwoods for the next week or so, health officials are reminding residents of the dangers of extreme cold. One of the biggest risks when temperatures drop is frostbite which is damage to body tissue caused by the cold. People, and animals, are most susceptible to frostbite in the extremities like ears and nose; fingers and toes. According to the National Weather Service, frostbite is based on a formula calculated with windspeeds and temperatures. When windchills drop to a range of 20 and 30 below zero, as we saw Monday morning, frostbite can occur in as quickly as a half an hour. One of the best way to avoid frostbite is to simply stay indoors in extreme cold, but this isn't always possible. If you must be outdoors for an extended period of time, officials with Ready Wisconsin say your clothing choices can make a big difference. Minimize exposed skin, dress in layers, stay dry, and avoid the wind. Modern synthetic materials wick moisture and dry more quickly than natural fibers. Covering your mouth and nose can reduce the amount of cold air entering your lungs. Even your diet, nutritious foods and staying hydrated, promotes circulation and blood flow. Keep a winter weather kit in your vehicle. And it's also a good idea to check in on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors.

Published on 01/19/2026 under News Officials are monitoring a manure spill in Northern Marathon County. Late Thursday evening, the DNR was notified of manure discharging from a livestock site to a tributary to Black Creek. The livestock site is located on Creekview Road in Athens. According to the announcement, the spill occurred while the farm was actively transferring manure between waste storage facilities when the transfer system failed, resulting in manure being discharged from the transfer line. They did not immediately have an estimate on the volume that was released. The farm is actively cleaning up the discharge, while working with DNR Staff and the Marathon County Department of Conservation, Planning & Zoning. For more information on manure spills and prevention, visit the DNR's Manure Spills webpage.

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