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Local Economic Development Corporations Receive WEDC Business Technical Assistance Grants

Published on 03/26/2026 under News Starting a small business in the Northwoods might soon come with a little more expertise and assistance. Several Northwoods organizations are among the recipients of state funding aimed at supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation awarded nearly two million dollars through its inaugural Small Business Technical Assistance grant program. The funding is designed to help entrepreneurs access resources like training, mentorship, and financial guidance. In the Northwoods, three economic development groups are receiving a share of that funding. The Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation has been awarded just under seventeen thousand dollars to launch the county's first comprehensive small business assistance program. The initiative will provide free, personalized support for entrepreneurs, along with networking opportunities and an online resource hub. The Oneida County Economic Development Corporation is receiving more than twenty-eight thousand dollars. Their program will focus on helping rural and under-served entrepreneurs overcome barriers to starting and growing a business through mentorship and improved access to financing tools. And the largest Northwoods award is going to the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation, which will receive sixty-six thousand dollars. That funding will expand consulting services, create new mentorship opportunities, and offer additional training and workshops for small business owners. Overall 20 grants were awarded. State officials say the program is expected to support more than two thousand entrepreneurs and small businesses statewide, helping strengthen local economies.

Published on 03/26/2026 under News Some well-earned recognition this week for Northwoods law enforcement, following a rescue that brought multiple agencies together for a standoff two years ago. The Special Response Teams from Lincoln, Langlade, Oneida and Marathon Counties were named Co-SWAT Teams of the Year at the Wisconsin Association of SWAT Personnel's annual conference. The honor reflects not only bravery in the moment, but the ongoing training and cooperation that make successful outcomes possible. The award stems from an incident response in Antigo back in June of 2023 when a suspect barricaded himself inside a home during a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, the tactical teams were able to safely evacuate two children. The suspect remained in the home for nearly eight hours before the standoff ended peacefully with the man in custody. With the case now closed, the teams' actions are being formally recognized. Officials say the operation highlighted the importance of teamwork and coordination across county lines, with all four agencies working seamlessly together under intense pressure.

Published on 03/26/2026 under News Snowmobile opportunities are dwindling for the season, with only a handful of trail systems remaining open along the UP border. The Vilas County trails were among the first to open back on December 19, and now are among the last to close. A partial closure has been announced for Vilas County trails in the southern 2/3 of the county as of Thursday morning. (Trails in Arbor Vitae, Conover, Eagle River, Lac Du Flambeau, Manitowish Waters, Phelps, and St. Germain.) That leaves riding opportunities limited to Boulder Junction, Land O'Lakes, Presque Isle, and Sayner trail systems. Trail users are reminded that they may encounter gated sections where systems are closed and are asked to only travel on open trails. All snowmobile trails in Wisconsin close on March 31st.

Published on 03/26/2026 under News Health experts are reminding people that feeling fine doesn't always mean they're healthy. Providers with Aspirus Health say many serious conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers,can develop without noticeable symptoms, making routine screenings critical. Nurse practitioner Brooke Rocque with Aspirus Family Medicine says annual wellness visits play a key role in catching problems early. Rocque says many patients delay care because they don't feel sick, but by the time symptoms appear, conditions may have already progressed and require more intensive treatment. She adds that screenings for colon cancer and breast cancer are among the most commonly postponed, often due to time constraints or discomfort. Health officials say preventive care helps shift the focus from treating illness to staying ahead of it. They recommend starting with a yearly wellness visit, where providers can assess personal risk factors and develop a plan for long-term health. Patients are encouraged to talk with their primary care provider about which screenings are appropriate for them based on age, history, and risk factors.

Published on 03/26/2026 under News The state's winter power disconnection moratorium comes to a close in three weeks, and officials are encouraging residents behind on payments to begin making arrangements on any outstanding bills. The state law prevents utilities from disconnecting residential power between November and April. The moratorium is put in place to protect families during the state's coldest months by keeping their power on. The end of the moratorium is coming up on April 15th. Those behind on their bills are encouraged to contact their utility provider. They note most utilities will work with customers to establish a flexible payment plan that will ensure continued service. There are some assistance programs around the state that can help customers including the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program.

Published on 03/26/2026 under News A Rhinelander High School organization is calling on fellow hodags to roll up their sleeves. The Rhinelander High School Key Club is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a vital community blood drive this morning. This drive comes at a crucial moment for our state. Following recent winter storms that swept through Wisconsin, over 30 blood drives were forced to cancel. That resulted in more than 1,000 missed donations. The students are hoping to help fill that gap with a little help from the community. The doors are open from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm today at the high school. Walk-ins are welcome or you can schedule an appointment on the Red Cross website with the sponsor code Hodags.

Published on 03/25/2026 under News Today is National Medal of Honor Day, and each year the observance has special meaning here in Tomahawk. The Medal of Honor is awarded to recognize U.S. military service members who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. Highly exclusive, just 3,500 Americans have received the Medal of Honor, just 64 Wisconsinites. On that list is the late Einar Ingman of Tomahawk. He was awarded the Medal of Honor as a result of his actions in Korea on February 26, 1951. Ingman took charge of two squads after their leaders were wounded. He then single-handedly took out two machine gun emplacements, while suffering numerous injuries. He was later awarded with several of the country's highest honors including the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor. Einar passed away in 2015, but his legacy lives on in the Tomahawk Community. Einar Ingman Parkway leads motorists into the Tomahawk community, the VFW shares his name, and most recently the Post Office was named in his honor in 2021. The Tomahawk VFW and Auxiliary are hosting a small ceremony to honor Ingman Thursday morning at 10am at Veteran's Memorial Park. Another Medal of Honor recipient with Northwoods ties is Oscar Peterson, who was born in Prentice and went on to serve in World War II. He died in action in the Philippine islands and was awarded a posthumous award.

Published on 03/25/2026 under News A growing effort to support and connect seniors across Lincoln County is taking shape with an opportunity to learn more this weekend. The Northwoods Senior Empowerment Project is hosting a community breakfast Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Merrill Eagles Club. Organizer Eileen Guthrie says the group formed out of earlier advocacy efforts tied to People for Pine Crest, and has since expanded by connecting with residents and organizers facing similar concerns. Guthrie says those conversations revealed a range of issues impacting seniors across the Northwoods including access to healthcare, affordable housing, and transportation. She says transportation, in particular, continues to rise to the top, as many older adults give up driving but still need reliable ways to reach medical appointments in places like Wausau or Rhinelander. Saturday's event will begin with a light breakfast, followed by presentations from local and regional experts. Speakers include representatives from the Aging and Disability Resource Center, the Merrill Housing Authority, and a journalist who has spent the past year reporting on policy issues affecting seniors in Wisconsin. After the presentations, organizers plan to open the floor for discussion, giving attendees a chance to share their own experiences, identify gaps in services, and suggest possible solutions. Guthrie says the goal is not just conversation, but action—bringing people together to better advocate for senior needs at the local and county level. The event is free and open to seniors, caregivers, and family members, with a suggested one-dollar donation to the Merrill food pantry. Organizers say they hope the gathering is just the beginning of a broader, ongoing effort to improve quality of life for seniors throughout the region. They do ask the people RSVP for planning purposes. Call 715-921-2258 or 262-394-6649 or go to actionnetwork.org/events/northwoods-senior-breakfast

Published on 03/25/2026 under News One person was injured in a UTV accident in Oneida County Tuesday. According to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, responders were notified of a UTV on the edge of Lake Kaubashine in the Town of Hazelhurst. The initial call indicated the machine was still running, but no signs of the operator. Upon arrival, they located the operator trapped underneath the UTV. According to the report, medical personnel removed the individual from under the UTV and performed CPR. The individual was brought to a nearby hospital by ambulance and airlifted for further medical evaluation. No further update on the condition of the victim was provided. The release did not say what caused the operator to become pinned underneath the machine.

Published on 03/25/2026 under News With wildfire season right around the corner in Wisconsin, and teams in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest are once again fighting fire with fire. When opportunities arise, their crews are planning to complete some prescribed burns in strategic locations with the forest lands. Simulating naturally occurring fires, these efforts help reduce thick, overgrown vegetation and dead or downed trees which can fuel fires. They also play a key role in resetting the ecosystem, improving animal habitat, and allowing the reemergence of native plants. The Forest has locations of planned burns listed on their website, nearly two dozen in all. Because the conditions have to be just right, a schedule with dates isn't available. They provide updates via social media. Those areas may close to the public for several days for public safety.

Published on 03/25/2026 under News Wausau residents had the opportunity to improve home fire safety during a community event hosted by the American Red Cross Tuesday. The "Sound the Alarm" saw volunteers going door-to-door in targeted neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms and share fire prevention tips. The effort is part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which focuses on reducing fire-related injuries and deaths through education and preparedness. During the visits, volunteers helped families check or install smoke alarms and provided guidance on creating fire escape plans and understanding common causes of home fires. Local officials say working smoke alarms remain one of the simplest and most effective ways to save lives, cutting the risk of death in a home fire by about half. The Red Cross says similar programs are available year-round for residents who may have missed Tuesday's event, and volunteers and donations continue to play a key role in supporting fire prevention efforts across Wisconsin.

Published on 03/25/2026 under News Aspirus is looking to recruit skilled nurses, and they're bringing their search online. Aspirus Health is kicking off the first of two Indeed Virtual Hiring Events this afternoon, specifically targeting Registered Nurses. Talent Representative Ahna Hanke says the digital format streamlines the process, allowing applicants to explore positions and schedule interviews instantly. Some roles even include sign-on bonuses. From Noon to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, candidates can interview remotely for full-time RN roles in ICU, Surgery, Emergency, and Medical/Surgical units across Rhinelander, Tomahawk, Minocqua, and Eagle River. If you miss today's session, a second event is scheduled for April 9th focusing on Certified Medical Assistants and LPNs. To participate, job seekers must register online at aspirus.org/careers to receive their virtual login instructions.

Published on 03/24/2026 under News With spring returning to the Northwoods, tick activity will be picking back up. Researchers are once again asking for the public's help tracking them. The Marshfield Clinic Research Institute is kicking off its third year of the Tick Inventory via Citizen Science, or TICS, encouraging residents to submit ticks they find while working or enjoying the outdoors. Researchers say the data helps them better understand where ticks are found and the risks of tick-borne illnesses. The project has already seen strong participation, with nearly 6,000 ticks collected in each of the first two years. A majority of submissions were identified as the common wood tick, followed by the smaller deer tick, of concern due to carrying Lyme disease and other infections. They've also identified less common species, including some typically found in warmer climates like the lone star tick. Beyond collecting ticks, researchers are expanding the project this year to include personal stories from people impacted by tick-borne illnesses. It is aimed at engaging individuals who have experienced Lyme or another tick-infection to tell their story, and individuals can share as little or as much as they feel comfortable sharing. Collection kits are available through the Research Institute, at various Marshfield Clinic locations, and even partnering with some public parks and recreation areas. Each kit will come with a unique identification number that people can use to look up, via an online dashboard, the species of ticks they submitted. We've already received some listener reports of tick activity in Lincoln County this year. In addition to the TICS project, officials also reminded people about tick prevention including repellents, protective clothing, and tick checks after coming inside after being in wooded or brushy areas.

Published on 03/24/2026 under News Road construction season is right around the corner and the DoT continues to announce projects, with the latest here in Lincoln County. Governor Tony Evers has approved a $450,000 project for improvements to the Highway 86/County D overpass at Highway 51 in Tomahawk. The project includes resurfacing the bridge, along with the replacement of guardrails and updated drainage. Contractor Zenith Tech, Inc. will handle the project. The work will require a temporary closure of Highway 86 overpass between the US 51 ramps. Drivers will be detoured using County A or County S interchanges. Work is actually set to begin next week. Construction is expected to wrap up by June, though the timeline will depend on weather and overall progress. Information can be found on the DoT project webpage.

Published on 03/24/2026 under News While the Northwoods snowmobile season had a brief return, it didn't last long. The Oneida County Forestry Department announced the closure of the Oneida County snowmobile trail system for the remainder of the season as of 8:00 am Tuesday. Trails had briefly reopened last week following fresh snowfall, giving snowmobilers an extra week of riding. But warming conditions have once again forced the trail closure, now for the season. In the announcement, they thanked local snowmobile clubs and volunteers for their work throughout the season, helping keep trails safe and well maintained. Riders were also thanked for supporting local businesses. As of this morning, no announcement has been made regarding the Vilas County trails, though local clubs reported rapidly deteriorating conditions.

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