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Caution Urged After Snowmobiler Breaks Through Ice near Tomahawk Published on 12/02/2019 under News

Officials are reminding outdoor enthusiasts to monitor ice conditions, after a snowmobiler broke through the ice near Tomahawk.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, that incident happened on Thursday. They said a Sheboygan Falls man left a Shorewood Circle Road residence by snowmobile and traveled out onto Lake Alice.

The sled broke through ice. The operator was able to get out of the water on his own. He was also responsible for the tow company to remove the snowmobile from the lake.

This is the second consecutive week that responders have been called to someone breaking through the ice in the Tomahawk area. The Sheriff's Office noted that ice conditions have been changing rapidly in recent weeks.

In Other News

DNR Partners with Elementary Schools for Arbor Day

Published on 04/24/2026 under News After starting off the week with Earth Day activities and education, today is focused on the trees. The last Friday of April is Arbor Day. The observance was started in Nebraska more than 100 years ago and continues to this date. The DNR continues to take part in their annual mission of providing tree education to young learners. Along with classroom lessons, many students can get their hands dirty by planting a tree themselves. This gives kids a chance to follow the growth of the tree through their schooling. The DNR has once again donated tree seedlings to fourth-grade classrooms around the state for students to plant, more than 50,000 trees in all. Wisconsin is home to around 17 million acres of forest lands that offer numerous benefits through the forest industry, outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and protecting the environment. DNR Applied Forestry bureau director Carmen Hardin says Arbor Day is a good time to reflect the importance of both urban and rural forests. She added, "Everyone has a role in ensuring that both continue to serve a vital role in the ecological, cultural and economic health of our state, our local communities and our individual lives."

Published on 04/24/2026 under News When taking care of spring cleaning, people are encouraged to check their medicine cabinets as well. The first of two scheduled drug-take back events takes place on Saturday across the state of Wisconsin. Ridding your home of unused and unwanted prescriptions not only clears clutter, but also eliminates the chance of misuse while also offering an environmentally safe way to dispose of medications. More and more communities are featuring permanent drop-off locations available year-round, and the semi-annual Drug Take Back day serves as a good reminder to utilize the service. Residents here in Lincoln County have 4 permanent drop-off locations including the Marshfield Clinic-Merrill, Tomahawk Pharmacy, and the Merrill and Tomahawk Police Departments. The Tomahawk Police Department, alone, collected more than 21,000 pills, along with liquid, cream and gel medications, and over 6000 syringes last year. The Wisconsin Department of Health website features an interactive map listing drop-off locations. Wisconsin is annually a nationwide leader in these efforts.

Published on 04/24/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's baseball squad put up double-digit runs for the third time this year, dominating the Antigo Red Robins at TK Field Thursday night, 16-8. The Hatchets scored at least two runs in every inning, including ten in the final three. Cash Olsen finished three for five with a double, a triple, and a home run, along with six RBIs. Olsen also picked up the win on the mound, giving up just one run and striking out eight. Max Larson finished with three RBIs, improving the Hatchet record to 4-3 on the season, and 4-1 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk is back in action Tuesday for another home GNC Battle against Northland Pines. Alex Koch and Keith Hanse will be in the broadcast booth with the Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show at 4:35 and first pitch at 5:00 on Sports Talk 810 AM/97.7 FM WJJQ.

Published on 04/24/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Softball Squad was swept in their Great Northern Conference Doubleheader at Antigo Thursday. Game 1 Saw Tomahawk come back from down 7-1, but came up just short, losing, 8-7. Ellie Micke finished two for three. Kylie Peissig finished with a two-run single. Camryn Kraklow picked up the loss, giving up seven runs in two innings. As for Game Two, the Hatchets surrendered nine runs in the final inning, losing, 17-9. Tomahawk would allow three home runs in Game Two, including a grand slam in the seventh. Aubrey Seubert would hit her first home run of the season, one of two hits she finished with. Anita Ziert would go two for four with three runs scored. The losses drop Tomahawk to 3-5 on the season and in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action for a tournament down in Monroe Saturday. Game One is against Madison East/LaFollette.

Published on 04/24/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's track and field squads competed in the Raider Outdoor Invite at Medford Thursday. The Hatchet girls placed second, only eight points behind first place Medford. Elise Gibeault and Alicia Voermans each placed first in two different events. Gibeault placed first in the 200 and 400 meter dashes. Gibeault's time of 57.93 seconds in the 400 meter dash broke her own school record. Voermans placed first in the 100 meter dash and the Pole Vault. Tomahawk's boys placed seventh overall. Tomahawk's top finish was the 4x200 meter relay team of Jack Reilly, Mason Reibe, Braxton Stromberg, and Henry Nieman, placing third with a time of 1:44.54. Tomahawk's next meet is today in Eagle River at Northland Pines. Events begin at 4:00.

Published on 04/23/2026 under News Preparations are ramping up for an event set to bring local business leaders and community members together. The Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation is hosting its 2026 Economic Summit next Tuesday where they'll focus on the theme "Energizing the Small Business Spirit." Continuing the alternating city format, they'll return to Merrill after last spring's event was in Tomahawk. LCEDC Executive Director Sara Guild says the full-day event will highlight ways to strengthen local businesses and grow the regional economy. It is designed to spark collaboration and support long-term economic success across Lincoln County and the surrounding region. The morning will feature updates from local leaders, economic partners, and experts. In the afternoon, attendees will take part in interactive sessions focused on practical strategies from improving marketing efforts and connecting with support resources. The summit will wrap up with a presentation centered on community-driven growth in small towns, aimed at turning ideas into action. Guild says they already have more than 100 attendees registered. There are still some seats available with options including half-day, full-day, and group opportunities. Visit the LCEDC website for more information.

Published on 04/23/2026 under News A Northwoods program aimed at fighting food insecurity is handing out more than just a meal, it's also putting a new book on hunger into the hands of local kids. Feed Our Rural Kids, or FORK, offers a number of programs and outreach in Vilas and Oneida Counties to address hunger. As part of their latest effort, dubbed Project Lulu, they're also tackling the stigma that may come along with it. More than 30 copies of the award-winning children's book Lulu and the Hunger Monster have been distributed to elementary schools, libraries, and resource centers across the Northwoods. The book, written by Erik Talkin, helps young readers better understand and empathize with the experience of hunger, while breaking down harmful stereotypes. Local organizers say the goal is to spark conversations and build understanding. Project leaders hope that by combining education with outreach, they can help lift the weight of stigma and ensure more families feel comfortable accessing the support they need. Photo: Kate Frisk Head Librarian of the Boulder Junction Public Library with Project Lulu Chairperson Rick Miech

Published on 04/23/2026 under News Spring is upon us and wildlife officials are offering their yearly reminder to leave animals and their newborns alone. It's part of the annual Keep Wildlife Wild campaign. All too often a well-meaning person will come across a fledgling bird, baby rabbit or newborn fawn. While the animal may appear abandoned, the DNR says more likely than not, the mother is nearby or will return soon. DNR officials say young animals are often left unattended for long stretches while parents search for food, and human interference can do more harm than good. Using the example of a fawn, they explained that natural behavior is to keep still and quiet. This keeps them safe from predators while their mothers forage for food. Drawing attention to a fawn's location can tip-off predators and also keep the mother away longer than expected. If you do come across a young animal that appears sick or you feel may be truly abandoned, they instead recommend taking a picture, video and some notes. Share that information with the DNR or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. They'll be able to provide further guidance based on the information your provide.

Published on 04/23/2026 under News Another day and another warning about fire danger in Wisconsin. Officials are again urging caution with wildfire risk remaining elevated across the entire state. On Wednesday, the DNR issued a redflag warning for Washburn and Burnett Counties in northwestern Wisconsin, while most of the Northwoods was listed in either High or Very High fire danger. The DNR responded to nearly 70 wildfires in the last week. The DNR is at full staffing and preparedness across the state to respond to any incidents. Debris burning remains the leading cause of these fires. Campfires, ashes from fireplaces, outdoor grills, smoking, chainsaws, off-road vehicles or other small engines with hot exhaust systems have the potential to throw a spark. The DNR is asking the public to be especially careful with any activities that could potentially lead to a wildland fire and check any recent fires to make sure they have been properly extinguished. Elevated fire conditions are expected to continue Thursday, though there is some rain in the forecast tonight.

Published on 04/23/2026 under News As spring cleaning gets underway, health experts are reminding residents not to overlook one important spot...the medicine cabinet. With Drug Take Back Day set for Saturday, officials with Aspirus say it's a good time to safely dispose of unused or expired medications. Over time, prescriptions and over-the-counter products can build up in homes, increasing the risk of accidental use or misuse. Marisa Harley, a pharmacy resident with Aspirus says expired medications may be less effective and, in some cases, unsafe. Beyond prescriptions, check items like vitamins, supplements, creams, and eye drops, which are often overlooked. When it comes to disposal, officials stress that medications should not be thrown in the trash or flushed, as that can pose safety and environmental risks. Instead, they recommend using designated drop-off locations. Health officials say taking a few minutes to clean out your medicine cabinet can help keep your home and community safer. We'll have a bit more on Drug Take Back Day on the Friday Morning Sunrise Show.

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