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Wausau Police Waive Parking Tickets Issued During Monday Snow Emergency Published on 02/14/2020 under News

More than 100 parking tickets issued last weekend in Wausau during a snow storm will forgiven.

Ahead of that snowstorm, a number of communities including Wausau declared snow emergencies to accommodate plowing operations. In Wausau, 128 vehicles received citations, many after the plows had been through the area.

Yesterday Police Chief Ben Bliven announced on Facebook that tickets issued early Monday morning would be canceled. He noted that the tickets were correctly issued based on the snow emergency in place, but that the emergency should have been better timed to accommodate the plows.

The waiver only applies to those tickets issued Monday morning. Bliven says those that have already paid will receive a refund in the next two weeks. Those who haven't paid can disregard the ticket.

In Other News

WPS Announces News-Inspired Names of Peregrine Falcon Chicks

Published on 05/13/2026 under News Wisconsin Public Service has announced their news-inspired names for the peregrine falcon chicks being hatched at the Weston Power Plant near Wausau. The four chicks are being raised by peregrine falcons Sheldon and an unbanded female. The eggs were laid in early april and began hatching this week, with three eggs and one to go. A record 22,000 votes helped name this year's brood. WPS even extended the contest due to the high interest. The names under consideration were inspired by news anchors in northern Wisconsin and the Fox Valley. Two of the four winners had a wing up, as their anchors spent time in both markets. That includes Feathersoon Lehmann, in honor of Emerson Lehmann currently at WBAY and Jade Egg-schell inspired by WFRV's Jade Henschel. Kyle Prey-zorksi is the namesake of Kyle Pozorski of WAOW. And lastly Matt Tweet from Matt Z on WTAQ. People can follow along on nesting cams. In addition to these WPS birds, WE Energies has three nest boxes. As of Tuesday there were 9 hatched and 4 eggs remaining.

Published on 05/13/2026 under News The Tomahawk School District will be using some additional dollars to improve reading skills at the elementary level. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk School Board approved a pair of agenda items to utilize the outside funding to invest in two new reading related positions. The first is an AmeriCorps Reading Corps grant to hire an interventionist. This hire would provide direct one on one reading support with students. The second was a two year reimbursement from the Department of Public Instruction or DPI for an early literacy coach. This individual would work with teachers, specifically in K-3. Following the brief presentations, the board approved each unanimously. It was an otherwise routine meeting for the board which included approval of the graduation list and a report from the school resource officer.

Published on 05/12/2026 under Sports At the Hatchet High School Track & Field Meet, it was a great performance from both the Hatchet Boys and Girls Tuesday night. The Girls would finish third overall, their second consecutive top-three finish. Tomahawk would finish behind Stratford and Rhinelander. The highlight of the night was Hatchet Sophomore Elise Gibeault breaking two different school records. Gibeault would break the record for the 200 meter dash for the fourth time this season with a time of 25.76 seconds. Then, she would break the 400 meter school record with a time of 58.63 seconds. In addition, Ellie Micke would place second in the high jump with a leap of 4'10". Lydia Shaney would place second in the 3200 meter run with a time of 13:45. Tomahawk's boys would place eighth overall in the invite, placing 2.5 points behind Lakeland. The winner of the Meet for the Boys was Edgar, edging out Stratford. The top finisher for the boys was Senior Beau Stromberg, placing second in the High Jump with a leap of 5'10". Stromberg also placed fifth overall in the Triple Jump with a leap of 38'8". Senior Michael Samundsen placed fourth in the shot put with a toss of 42'3". The next meet for Tomahawk is Saturday morning up in Minocqua, which is a throwers invite. Events will begin at 10:00.

Published on 05/12/2026 under Sports The Hatchet softball squad was shut out for the second time this year by the Medford Raiders, this time at Raider Field, Tuesday, losing, 9-0. The loss by Tomahawk is their fourth in their last five games, with their lone win coming Saturday against Mondovi. Across the two games against Medford, the Hatchets were outscored 15-0. Tomahawk would muster only two hits on the day, coming from Averi Petta and Autumn Merrigan. Also, the Hatchets' fielding woes would continue as they would commit five errors, resulting in five unearned runs. The loss drops Tomahawk to 9-11 on the season and 5-8 on the season. The Hatchets will have their final Great Northern Conference game of the season Thursday in Merrill against the Blue Jays. First pitch is at 5:00.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News Somo Avenue in Tomahawk is one of the roughest stretches of road in the city. In the coming days that will change... for a few blocks at least. Last month, the Tomahawk Board of Public Works approved a project with Lincoln County to remove the top layer of asphalt and apply an overlay on Somo Avenue between the 4-way stop and Tomahawk Avenue. A previous overlay began to peel, leaving behind large potholes that are difficult to fill and maintain. Those repairs are scheduled for this week. As a result, that four block stretch will be temporarily closed today through Thursday. Those looking to access businesses along that stretch should utilize either side streets or the adjacent alley. This project is intended as a temporary measure for that four-block segment. The State of Wisconsin has tentatively scheduled a full reconstruction of Somo Avenue, which doubles as State Rd. 86, for the year 2030. While the closure is scheduled through Thursday; the work, as always dependent on weather and construction progress.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News Nearly a year after a life-threatening ATV crash in rural Lincoln County, a Merrill first responder and the man he helped save were reunited during an emotional ceremony. At the first-ever Trauma Survivor's Day ceremony Friday at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, paramedic Dylan Schielke received the hospital's inaugural Golden Hour Award for his actions during a response last summer. Following an ATV crash last July, Brian Brendemuehl suffered critical injuries in that crash near his Pine River home. Schielke, the lead paramedic on the call, was credited with stabilizing the patient before transport to an Aspirus MedEvac helicopter. Aspirus MedEvac flight paramedic Michelle Micke nominated Schielke for the honor, praising his quick thinking, accurate assessment, and professionalism during the emergency response. Micke said she believes Schielke's actions were instrumental in saving Brendemuehl's life and helping preserve his neurological recovery. The award recognizes exemplary emergency medical care during high-acuity, time-sensitive trauma situations. Schielke said he was surprised to learn he won the award. He believed he was simply attending a ceremony to reconnect with Brendemuehl. The Merrill Fire Department thanked Aspirus Wausau Hospital for hosting the ceremony and recognized Schielke for reflecting the department's core values and the work of the Lincoln County–Merrill Ambulance Service.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News A belated Mother's Day gift for a camera friendly peregrine falcon. According to Wisconsin Public Service, the first falcon chick has emerged at the WPS Weston Power Plant nest box near Wausau. Proud parents Sheldon and an unbanded female welcomed the fluffy new addition Monday afternoon. The new chick will soon have siblings. As of yesterday's update, a second egg was starting to hatch with two more remaining. The birds will share themed names, voted on by fans. This year's selections are inspired by local news personalities. According to the announcement, across the four nesting boxes at WPS and WE Energies facilities, there are seven chicks and six eggs as of Monday afternoon. People can continue to watch the young peregrine falcons hatch and grow via the nest box webcams.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News A weekend crash in Lincoln County involving a deer sent two people to the hospital. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, responders were dispatched to an area along Highway 51 near Tomahawk on Saturday for a reported crash with injuries. Deputies determined the vehicle was traveling north on Highway 51 and struck a deer that entered the roadway. Both the driver and passenger reported minor injuries. The patients were transported to Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. This comes at a time when officials have been reminding motorists about increased deer activity which typically occurs in the months of May and June.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News Memorial Day weekend typically means a steady influx of people returning to summer homes or cabins here in the Northwoods. But travel experts are expecting a slight drop in traffic next week. Triple A released their annual Memorial Day travel forecast on Monday. According to their estimates, nearly 835,000 Wisconsinites are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday weekend. That is down slightly from last year and after several consecutive record breaking years. Most of that travel, approximately 750,000 people, will be on the road. Nick Jarmusz, director of public affairs for AAA says, "Memorial Day travel demand remains strong, but higher fuel prices are slowing the pace of growth in some segments." With an average of $4.40 cents per gallon, gas is up more than a dollar from the same point last year. Jarmusz added, "Some Wisconsinites are taking a more measured approach this year by shortening trips, choosing closer destinations, or making other cost-conscious adjustments." Those looking to avoid traffic next week may want to plan early departures. Northbound traffic is typically heaviest Friday evening, while southbound traffic typically peaks Memorial Day Monday in the afternoon.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News A bipartisan agreement between Governor Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders to address Wisconsin's $2.4 billion budget surplus is drawing praise from local lawmakers, including Calvin Callahan. Callahan said the deal will return money to taxpayers through direct refunds and tax relief measures. The agreement includes $300 income tax refunds for individuals and $600 for married couples filing jointly, along with eliminating state income taxes on tips and overtime pay. Callahan said affordability remains the top concern he hears from residents across the 35th Assembly District and called the agreement a "major win" for families struggling with rising costs. The bipartisan package also directs $300 million toward general school aid, another $300 million for special education, and $50 million in technical college property tax relief. State leaders say the school funding measures are expected to reduce local property tax levies statewide. Callahan says, "A lot of time and effort went into this; I am incredibly pleased that families in the 35th will finally receive much-needed economic relief. This agreement is a sign of hope that both parties can come together to do what's right for the people of Wisconsin." The Legislature is expected to vote on the package Wednesday.

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