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Primary Election; Lincoln County Voter Turnout Up Compared to 2024

Published on 08/17/2026 under News Voter participation in Lincoln County increased slightly during last week's Fall Primary, both in total votes cast and the percentage of registered voters who participated. According to preliminary results, turnout reached 41%, up from 39% in the 2024 fall primary. A total of 7,360 ballots were cast, an increase over the roughly 6,500 cast in 2024. Voter turnout was likely driven by several high-profile primary contests on both the Republican and Democratic side. The breakdown included approximately 4,200 Republican ballots, 2,600 Democratic ballots, and 10 ballots cast for third-party candidates, including the Green, Constitution, and Libertarian parties. Lincoln County results mirrored overall totals in most top-of-ticket races: Tom Tiffany-Republican Governor nomination; David Crowley-Democratic Governor nomination; and Michael Alfonso-Republican 7th congressional district nomination. There was an exception in the 7th congressional district Democratic nomination. While Ginger Murray received the most in Lincoln County, Fred Clark scored more votes district-wide to win the nomination. Voter turnout typically increases in the Fall General Election, the first Tuesday in November.

Published on 08/17/2026 under News The City of Merrill officially dedicated its new maintenance hangar at the Merrill Airport with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday. The 100-by-100-foot hangar, located next to the airport's new terminal, is home to Park City Aviation and serves as a hub for aircraft maintenance and repairs. Airport Commission Chair Gary Schwartz says having an aviation maintenance and repair facility makes Merrill a destination for pilots from across the region, while also providing an opportunity to train the next generation of aircraft mechanics. Airport Manager Rich McCullough also uses the facility as a training site for apprentice students learning aircraft repair through the Youth Apprentice Program, which includes students from Merrill-area high schools. The three-million-dollar project was funded through federal and state funding, along with local tax increment financing. Mayor Steve Hass says the funding sources helped keep the cost to local taxpayers to a minimum. Additionally, proceeds from the planned sale of the former terminal will also help offset the project's cost. The new hangar is located immediately north of the NTC Public Safety Center of Excellence.

Published on 08/17/2026 under News A river cleanup effort turned into a community celebration last week when popular social media personality "Ed the Diver" and his partner, Christie B (known to followers as his "Mermaid"), made a special stop in Merrill to clean up a stretch of the Prairie River. Nearly 100 residents turned out to welcome the diving duo with some fans driving nearly three hours just to attend. Among the crowd were local firefighters from the Merrill Fire Department and Mayor Steve Hass, who stopped by to support the river restoration effort. The event was organized by Jeremy Gunther of American Legion Post 46. Ed and Christie delivered plenty of excitement for the crowd who cheered and reacted to each pull from beneath the bridge. Just a few of the sunken treasures include: a Mustang hubcap, a bike, two scooters, an antique stoneware jug, and fittingly a golf ball, inscribed "Hi Ed." The pair spent hours taking photos with fans, handing out stickers and postcards, and answering questions from curious onlookers. In a generous surprise, local resident Bryan Winchell gifted a large collection of fishing rods, reels, and lures to children. You can check out Ed the Diver's Facebook page for a full recap of the effort.

Published on 08/17/2026 under News An Antigo man was sentenced to six and a half years in prison on drug distribution charges. Brady Mevis appeared in Langlade County Court on Friday for his sentencing hearing. Mevis was arrested in August 2023 after first responders were called to a home where the 27 year-old had been shot in the shoulder. During the subsequent investigation, law enforcement officers recovered THC, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia inside the residence. Earlier this year, Mevis pleaded no contest to three charges: maintaining a drug trafficking place, conspiracy to commit delivery of methamphetamine, and possession of THC with intent to deliver as party to a crime. Two additional charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. According to sentencing records, with concurrent sentencing, Mevis received 6.5 years of prison time followed by six years of extended supervision. Having been held in jail since his arrest, he received 980 days of sentence credit.

Published on 08/17/2026 under News The University of Wisconsin–Madison's Kemp Natural Resources Station will host its annual Fungi Fest on Friday, August 21, and Saturday, August 22, offering the public an educational look at the world of wild mushrooms and mycology. The two-day open house features field excursions, research presentations, and interactive demonstrations led by professional mycologists. Events begin Friday afternoon with two hands-on fungi cooking and tasting sessions, followed by an introductory presentation on mushroom biology and current research. On Saturday morning, attendees can participate in guided mushroom foraging walks through the surrounding forest, view high-powered microscopy displays, and discuss native species with experts. While the event is free and open to the public, advance registration is required for the Friday cooking demonstrations due to limited seating. Detailed event schedules and registration information are available on the Kemp Natural Resources Station Website.

Published on 08/14/2026 under News As another successful summer season winds down in Tomahawk, local businesses are celebrating strong crowds with a refreshed downtown event. "Main Street Mania," a newly rebranded celebration that kicked off Thursday and runs through Saturday, combines the town's traditional sidewalk sales and annual customer appreciation day into a single three-day festival. Throughout the weekend, downtown merchants are featuring outdoor sidewalk sales, vendor meet-and-greets, and exclusive store specials. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz notes that downtown foot traffic remained strong all summer, with both locals and visitors filling the district. For organizers, Main Street Mania is both a celebration of a successful season and an open invitation for newcomers to discover what the historic district has to offer. Turkiewicz says, "We want to say thank you for helping keep our downtown vibrant. And for folks who aren't familiar with our downtown, what an amazing opportunity to come take a walk around and see what we have to offer." Today is an ideal day to attend, as organizers are hosting a community picnic and family activities from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. As Turkiewicz puts it, "There's a little something for everybody."

Published on 08/14/2026 under News Between school, sports, and busy schedules, getting the entire family around the dinner table can be tricky. However, healthcare providers at Aspirus Health emphasize that families don't need a nightly, formal routine to see real results. Research shows that sharing just three meals together a week, whether a quick Monday breakfast or a weekend pizza night, can make a big difference. While gathering around the table can improve physical health, the benefits extend far beyond nutrition. Sitting down face-to-face helps kids build crucial social skills, navigate conflict, and unplug from screens in an increasingly digital world. Dr. Gretchen Karstens, an Aspirus pediatrician says, "Kids tend to have a significantly lower risk for depression, anxiety, and disordered eating habits when they are able to eat together," says. Kids aren't the only ones who benefit. Studies show that 91% of parents report that family meals reduce stress in their household. Dr. Karstens emphasizes that the atmosphere matters far more than the menu. Simple sandwiches or takeout provide the exact same mental and emotional benefits as an elaborate home-cooked meal.

Published on 08/14/2026 under News Over the past decade, a dedicated group of community organizers has turned a simple backyard cookout into one of the largest regional fundraisers for children facing critical illnesses. The annual Wishes for Kids Pork Roast returns this Saturday to Surewood Forest on Lake Alice. The family-friendly event serves as the organization's primary fundraiser, benefiting the northern chapter of Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. Last year alone, the single-day event drew around 500 attendees and raised a record $30,000. Since its inception, Wishes for Kids has raised over $211,000 and granted wishes for 32 children living right here in the Northwoods. Organizer Dave Duranceau, "We have a beautiful community here that helps make all of this work." For organizers, the heart of the event is captured on the "Wall of Wishes" inside Surewood Forest, which displays framed photos, letters, and stars sent back by wish recipients and their families. While many children request trips to theme parks or sporting events, organizers say other wishes are deeply personal such as wheelchair-accessible home decks or local hunting trips. Festivities for tomorrow's event get underway at 2:00 p.m. with games, raffles, and live entertainment. The cookout-style meal follows at 4:00 p.m., featuring food donated by local sponsors to keep the ticket price locked at $10.

Published on 08/14/2026 under News Lake Minocqua is buzzing all summer long with boats of every shape and size, but this weekend, paddlers hit the water for a purpose. Marking "a decade of the dragon," the 10th Annual Minocqua Dragon Boat Festival takes place this Saturday. Since launching in 2016, the free, family-friendly event has drawn thousands of spectators and hosted more than 100 teams from 13 states and Canada. Powered by 20 side-by-side paddlers, a steerer, and a rhythm-keeping drummer, the 45-foot-long dragon boats will race in heats across Lake Minocqua. The competition features a variety of divisions, including competitive clubs, community teams, and a breast cancer survivors division. Beyond the spectacle, there is a clear mission behind the paddling. Having raised over $1 million for regional healthcare initiatives over the past decade, this year's festival is raising funds for a remote trail ambulance to support local emergency medical services. Festivities actually get underway later today with team practices, food vendors, and live entertainment. The main action takes place throughout the day on Saturday, kicking off at 8:30 a.m. with the opening ceremony, the traditional "Awakening of the Dragon." They race out of Torpy Park in Minocqua, and admission is free for all spectators.

Published on 08/14/2026 under News Persistent dry conditions across the Northwoods continue to expand, according to the latest data released Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Climatologists report that precipitation deficits across the region have grown significantly over the past six weeks, pushing large swaths of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas counties deeper into moderate-to-severe drought status. Overall, dry conditions now cover most of the northern half of the state. Local agricultural producers are reporting stressed crops, while forestry officials warn that drying timber, brush, and leaf litter are creating an elevated wildfire risk. Waterfront property owners across the region have also noted receding shorelines and declining water levels on many inland lakes. With rain chances diminishing in the weekend forecast, residents and visitors are encouraged to exercise extreme caution with outdoor fires, equipment, and anything that could ignite a spark.

Published on 08/14/2026 under News Four local agricultural leaders have been named statewide finalists for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation's prestigious 35 Under 35 Award. Presented by the Young Farmer and Agriculturist (YFA) Program, the awards recognize outstanding young farmers and industry professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to the future of agriculture across five categories. Out of 35 finalists selected across Wisconsin, four represent the Northwoods. From Langlade County, Samantha Solin is a finalist in the Sustainable Future category, which honors those dedicated to preserving generational success and farm sustainability. Fellow Langlade County native Mary Fronek is a finalist in Sustainable Service, recognizing leaders who serve the agricultural industry through trade skills or advisory roles. In the Sustainable Environment category, both Ben Sosnovske (Lincoln County) and Nathan Utecht (Marathon County) are in the running. Ashley Lisowe, Chair of the YFA Program says, "We are excited to recognize these outstanding young leaders who are making a difference on their farms and in their communities." The overall category winners will be announced during the WFBF Annual Meeting and YFA Conference this December.

Published on 08/13/2026 under News Though the new school year hasn't started yet, the Tomahawk School District is already planning ahead for spring 2027. At its meeting Tuesday, the school board approved a calendar update moving the 2027 high school graduation ceremony up one week, from May 28 to May 21. The change was made to avoid a scheduling conflict with the WIAA track and field postseason—a clash that would have forced senior student-athletes to choose between competing or attending their own commencement. District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry explained that administrators discussed several options with staff before bringing forward a recommendation. Considerations included moving the ceremony back to Saturday( where it had been held in the past) or keeping the Friday night setup on a different weekend. Ultimately, administrators recommended keeping the Friday tradition on May 21. The shift to Friday night graduation seven years ago has been popular with local families because it gives out-of-town guests the full weekend to travel and celebrate. Because track sectional dates rotate between divisions annually, district officials anticipate this scheduling conflict will come up every few years and require similar adjustments down the road.

Published on 08/13/2026 under News Ceremonial shovels hit the ground in Rhinelander today as local leaders kicked off work on a major housing initiative. City officials and project partners broke ground on a 3.7-acre Boyce Drive lot, the future site of the Riverview Senior Housing Development. Located near local parks and the Pelican River, the mid-rise building will feature 48 affordable apartments, including six units set aside for aging veterans, alongside space for senior and veteran support services. Local leaders say Riverview delivers a dual benefit for the Northwoods: providing accessible, low-maintenance living for older adults while potentially freeing up single-family homes for young families moving to the area. Tony Pharo, Executive Director of the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation, praised the years of collaboration behind the project. He called it "much more than turning over a shovel of dirt," describing it as the exact persistence and partnership the region needs. With Oneida County facing an estimated deficit of 1,500 homes in the near future, officials view the development as a crucial step forward. Construction is expected to wrap up late next year.

Published on 08/13/2026 under News An investigation is underway in Marathon County after a man was found dead and a woman was critically injured Wednesday afternoon. According to the Sheriff's Office, responders were called to a residence in the 600 block of Main Street in the Village of Marathon shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Those on the scene found a 26-year-old woman unconscious outside the home with life-threatening injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment; no update on her condition was provided. Officers then entered the home and found a 25-year-old man deceased inside. His name has not been released. Investigators believe this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. No other information was provided on the incident. The Marathon County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation at the request of the Marathon Police Department. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office or submit information to Crime Stoppers.

Published on 08/13/2026 under News A statewide bird-watching effort has raised big dollars for bird-related projects and organizations. Earlier this year, we told you about the 15th annual Great Wisconsin Birdathon. The effort is organized by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and participants include individuals, teams, bird-related organizations, and local libraries. That included 15 classrooms that incorporated the event into their curriculum. There are two parts to the Birdathon: first, organizers encouraged participants to break out their binoculars to spot and record as many bird species as possible, and second, participants collected pledges in exchange for sightings. And it was a record-setting year across the board, bringing together 83 teams and more than 660 birders. Together, they identified 284 bird species around the state and raised just shy of $134,000. Those funds will go toward various organizations and projects dedicated to bird-related causes, from habitat improvement and protection to bird-tracking projects and putting binoculars into the hands of new birders. For those looking to participate next year, the 2027 Great Wisconsin Birdathon kicks off on April 15.

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