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Cancellations & Closings Due to Covid-19 Published on 04/05/2020 under News

Covid-19 has caused cancellations in the Northwoods area. Stay up-to-date with our listings:

Tomahawk Schools and St. Mary's School are now closed until further notice.

The Tomahawk Public Library will be suspending all operations and cancelling all programs and events.

T.B. SCOTT Free Library in Merrill is closed until further notice.

The Rhinelander District Library will be closed until further notice.

The Demmer Library in Three Lakes will closed until further notice.

The WIAA announces all school spring sports activities are postponed until further notice.

Tomahawk City Hall will be closed to the public until further notice.

Merrill City Hall will be closed to public walk-ins.

Tomahawk Senior Center will be closed to non-essential public gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus among our most vulnerable population. This closure is until further notice.

The YMCA of the Northwoods will temporarily suspend all operations outside of licensed child care.

The Oneida County Sheriff's Office lobby will not be open to the public and there will no longer be video visitation in the front lobby vestibule.

The Tomahawk Police Department is closing their lobby to walk-ins until further notice. They are also temporarily discontinuing drug take backs and syringe disposal.

The Merrill / Tomahawk Municipal Court Clerk's Office is closed to walk-in business until further notice.

The Town of Bradley town hall is closed to the public until further notice.

The Town of King Recycling Site is closed until further notice.

The Kinship House in Tomahawk is closed until further notice.

The Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce will closed until further notice. They will be checking email and voicemail.

All public Masses are cancelled at St. Mary - Tomahawk, St. Augustine - Harrison and St. Francis - Pier Willow. Please refer to St. Mary's website to read the most recent letter from the Bishop.

Grace Lutheran Church has cancelled all services, soup meals and events until further notice. Their worship services can be streamed on Sunday at 9:00 am. The link is at www.gracelutherantomahawk.org

The Tomahawk and Spirit United Methodist Churches are cancelling services until further notice.

St. Paul Lutheran Church in downtown Tomahawk is cancelling all regular scheduled services, activities and events until further notice.

Redeemer Ev. Lutheran Church has cancelled all services until further notice.

Northland Bible Church has cancelled all worship services until further notice. Visit the church's website for further information.

Northwoods Vineyard Church has cancelled all worship services until further notices. Services are available on their website.

All masses at Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodruff are cancelled until further notice.

Eagle Summit Healing Rooms are temporarily closed and the Thursday evening prayer sessions will continue as soon as possible.

The Wednesday Night Cribbage at VFW Post is Tomahawk is cancelled until Fall.

St. Mary's Thrift Cellar of Tomahawk is now closed until further notice. No donations will be accepted.

The Tomahawk Community Thrift Shop will not be accepting donations and will be closed until further notice.

The Merrill-Go-Round has suspended transit services until further notice.

All dance classes at the Terry Bucaro Dance Studio are cancelled until further notice.

All StrongBodies Classes in Tomahawk and Merrill are cancelled until further notice.

The Monday evening Yoga Class held at the Corpus Christi Center in Tomahawk are cancelled until further notice.

The Open Arms Community Soup Kitchen at the Corpus Christi Center on Tuesdays is cancelled until further notice.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Sites Service Suspended Until Further Notice in Marathon, Lincoln, Portage, Wood, Taylor and Langlade counties.

Effective immediately, the Oneida County Veterans Service Office is suspending service on the Oneida County DAV van that takes veterans to medical appointments at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, MI until further notice.

All events that were scheduled in April at the Rock Garden Tavern and FoFS Studio at the Wisconsin Concrete Park have been cancelled.

The City of Merrill Park and Recreation Department has cancelled their Easter Egg Hunt that was scheduled for April 11.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Nokomis Fire Department has been cancelled.

St. Paul Lutheran Church has cancelled the free Community Easter Dinner that was scheduled for Sunday, April 12 at Rodeway Inn & Suites in Tomahawk.

The Tomahawk Cornhole League Meeting that was scheduled for April 16 at Lisa's Pub & Grub has been postponed.

The Tomahawk Area Interfaith Volunteers Spring Event, "Magical Night of Comedy for a Cause" that was scheduled for April 18 has been cancelled.

The Tomahawk Food Pantry Meeting scheduled for April 27 has been cancelled.

The Knight Owls snowmobile club fundraiser originally scheduled for May 2 at Inshalla Country Club has been rescheduled to November 7.

The Journeys Half Marathon in Eagle River on May 9 has been cancelled.

The Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce has postponed the Taste of Tomahawk to Saturday, May 16.

The Red, White and Blue Day program that was scheduled for May 21 at the Tomahawk School District Fieldhouse has been cancelled.

In Other News

Groundbreaking for New 72 Unit Apartment Complex in Tomahawk

Published on 09/25/2026 under News Ceremonial shovels hit dirt in Tomahawk yesterday to kick off a major construction project aimed at addressing a community housing. Local officials, community partners, and representatives from real estate developer S.C. Swiderski gathered Thursday morning in a celebratory atmosphere to officially break ground on a new 72-unit apartment complex located off Comfort Drive. Before the photo op, speakers briefly addressed the crowd, highlighting that projects of this scale do not happen overnight and require significant time, planning, and teamwork from instrumental community partners. The speakers emphasized two central themes for the project: an investment in Tomahawk's long-term future and opportunity for individuals and families looking to make the city their home. And with year's of work behind the scenes, some local project planners were excited to see dirt finally being moved. The development aims to relieve pressure on Tomahawk's rental housing inventory. The Mosinee-based developer worked closely alongside the City of Tomahawk and the Community Development Authority to secure the property and reach a developer's agreement with tax revenue-generated incentives. When finished, the completed complex will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. S.C. Swiderski currently manages residential property holdings in more than 30 communities across Wisconsin, including Athens, Eagle River, Merrill, Medford, and Wausau.

Published on 09/25/2026 under News A Tomahawk woman accused of fatally stabbing her husband in January 2025 has reached a plea agreement in Lincoln County Court. Michelle Sanderson entered a plea of no contest on Thursday to an amended charge of first-degree reckless injury and a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer. As part of the agreement, two additional charges were dismissed, but will be considered during sentencing. The charges stem from the January 2025 death of 50-year-old Richard "Ricky" Sanderson. Authorities were contacted after he was brought to Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital with a severe chest wound and later died. Investigators filed charges after a witness reported seeing Michelle stab her husband with a steak knife inside their residence following an argument. The case was originally set to go to trial early next year. Now Sanderson, who remains jailed, will be sentenced February 15.

Published on 09/25/2026 under News "See Tracks, Think Train." It's a simple message, but a vital reminder to use caution near any railroad crossing. This week, local railroads, law enforcement agencies, and safety organizations like Operation Lifesaver are partnering to raise awareness about the inherent risks of rail lines. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the state features more than 3,300 miles of active train tracks and over 4,000 public crossings including several right here in Tomahawk. Wisconsin averages around a dozen train-related injuries or fatalities each year, most of which are entirely preventable. Safety officials emphasize that modern trains are much quieter than older models, meaning you may not hear an approaching train until it is too close. Additionally, a train traveling at speed can take up to a mile or more to come to a complete stop, making extra caution important for both motorists and pedestrians. Drivers and pedestrians should always stick to designated crossings and obey all posted signals, gates, and flashing lights. When warning devices activate, stop at least 15 feet back from the nearest rail. At un-gated crossings, always look both ways before proceeding, even if no warning lights are present. Finally, never stop or linger with a vehicle on the tracks, even if there is no train in sight.

Published on 09/25/2026 under News The School District of Rhinelander is celebrating a major milestone in environmental education: 50 years of hands-on learning at the Cedric A. Vig Outdoor Classroom. Also known as CAVOC, the 160-acre facility, located on South Shore Drive, has served as a central hub for K-12 ecological studies, outdoor leadership, and recreation since its founding in 1976. The district notes that hands-on environmental education gives students a direct connection to the ecosystems that define northern Wisconsin. Originally established through an 80-acre land exchange with the Boy Scouts' Samoset Council, the district has doubled the property in size over the past five decades. Today, teachers across the district K-12, integrate the property's trail systems, outdoor labs and learning spaces, and specialized facilities into year-round science coursework and experiential field lessons. The district is hosting a public anniversary event Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the CAVOC grounds, featuring guided facility tours, nature activities, and demonstrations highlighting the evolution of the district's outdoor curriculum since the 1970s. *Just a reminder, the Run for Our Heroes 5k that was before the open house has been cancelled due to low registration.

Published on 09/25/2026 under News Fall in Wisconsin means hunting season is in full swing, with almost weekly openers. This coming Saturday marks the start of the Northern Zone duck season. Highway 10 serves as the boundary between the northern and southern zones across most of the state. Hunters in the Northern Zone get to start a week earlier, giving them better opportunities ahead of the fall migration. The spring survey indicated stable population numbers and strong habitat conditions for migratory birds. Surveyors estimated the state's breeding duck population at 571,000 birds—a slight increase over last year's totals, the 10-year average, and long-term historical averages. Mallards are the most abundant species in Wisconsin, accounting for roughly 32% of the state's total duck harvest. Hunters are reminded to review all current regulations and safety guidelines before heading out. The statewide daily bag limit is six ducks, with additional species-specific restrictions. Opening day shooting hours begin 30 minutes before sunrise, and the Northern Zone season will run through late November.

Published on 09/25/2026 under News The mouthwatering smell of slow-roasted beef will once again fill the Northwoods air this Saturday as downtown Minocqua hosts the annual Beef-A-Rama festival. A beloved local tradition for over six decades, the streets will once again be packed for bovine-themed fun, live entertainment, and plenty of delicious food. The festivities kick off early Saturday morning with a pair of races, the Rump Roast Run and Calf Mile, followed by the Prime Choice Craft Fair. Throughout the day, dozens of roaster teams will line the streets to compete for bragging rights in the annual roaster cooking competition. Attendees looking to grab a bite have three official beef sandwich varieties including shaved prime rib, brisket, and shredded beef. With an estimated 10,000 attendees each year, event organizers will once again offer park and ride shuttle services, including a handicap-accessible shuttle at the Trig's RV Lot. For full schedules, shuttle routes, and event maps, visit the Minocqua Visitor's Bureau website. They've also got a dedicated Facebook Page and even a Beef-A-Rama App.

Published on 09/24/2026 under Sports Hatchet Cross Country Places in Top 5 at Three Lakes Tomahawk's cross country squads finished in the top three of the Three Lakes Invitational Thursday afternoon. The Hatchet girls placed second out of nine teams in the invite, placing only behind GNC Favorite Lakeland. Charlee Lund and Elise Gibeault each finished in the top five individually. Lund placed fourth with a time of 20:19. Gibeault was fifth with a time of 20:49. As for Tomahawk's boys, they would finish tied for third with Laona-Wabeno in the invite. The Hatchets only placed behind Florence and Lakeland. Three Hatchet boys placed in the top 20. They were Jordyn Carew at 14th, Connor Zorn at 15th, and Dawson Jones at 20th. The Hatchets' next meet is next Thursday as they head to Athens. Events begin at 4:00. Girls Team Results: Lakeland - 1st Tomahawk - 2nd Three Lakes/Phelps - 3rd Northland Pines - 4th Antigo - 5th Boys Team Results: Lakeland - 1st Florence - 2nd Tomahawk 3rd Laona-Wabeno - 4th Northland Pines - 5th Antigo - 6th Crandon 7th Tomahawk Girls Swimmers Suffer Narrow Loss to Antigo The Hatchet Girls swimmers came up just short in their Great Northern Conference Dual Thursday in Antigo, losing to the Red Robins, 68-56. Despite the loss, the Hatchets had six first-place finishes in the GNC Dual meet. Kaylee Roberts would place first in the 50 and 100 Freestyles. Roberts would finish with times of 35.84 seconds and 1:17.67, respectively. Aubrey Tollefson took first in the 400 freestyle with a time of 5:44.29. Kourtney Busterud placed first in the 200 Freestyle and 100 backstroke. The final first-place finish came from Sloane Eisenmann in the 100 breaststroke. The loss drops Tomahawk to 0-7- in Dual action. The Hatchets are back in the pool Tuesday for a double dual with Wausau East and Medford. Events begin at 5:30. Hatchet Volleyball Upsets Prentice at Home, Goes 1-2 at Quad Tomahawk's volleyball squad would go 1-2 in their home quad Thursday night. The Hatchets would start the night off with an upset of #5 in Division 5 Prentice in three sets. After the victory, Tomahawk would get swept in straight sets by defending Division 5 State Champion Newman Catholic and #3 in Division 3 Marathon. The Hatchets now stand at 5-16 on the season and 0-4 in GNC Play. Tomahawk heads out on the road this weekend for an invite at Abbotsford. Their matches will be against Mondovi, Adams-Friendship, Abbotsford, Spencer, and Rosholt. Matches begin at 9:00.

Published on 09/24/2026 under News Over the past six years, the Tomahawk Community Thrift Shop has handed out more than a quarter of a million dollars to support local non-profits. But now the group is looking for a little community support. While the volunteer-run organization usually hands out grant checks twice a year, recent unexpected building repairs have forced them to temporarily shift funds to address immediate maintenance. Work has included heating, air conditioning, water heater, and masonry work. To ensure long-term stability, board members Joe and Bonnie Trapp are focusing on building up a dedicated building, and if all goes well could potentially raise enough to purchase their building. Supporters can contribute through donation jars at the registers, by scanning the digital donation link on the shop's Facebook page, or simply continuing to shop at the store. In addition to construction campaign, they are also accepting applications for the volunteers that keep the store running, especially with winter coming as many of their staff are snowbirds who head south for at least a portion of winter. Despite these sudden expenses, the shop remains committed to its core mission: their winter grant period will still run from November 1st through the end of December. That conversation with the Trapps is available in the WJJQ Audio Center.

Published on 09/24/2026 under News Some retired medical equipment right here in Tomahawk is getting a second life, helping train the next generation of healthcare workers. Aspirus Health announced they have donated two ultrasound systems, previously in service at the local hospital, to Concordia University's sonography program. Instead of simply decommissioning the machines during recent technology upgrades, health leaders decided to pass them along to students for real-world practice. Aspirus Imaging Manager Laurie Lemke says they wanted to ensure the equipment kept providing value by giving students hands-on time with the exact tech they'll use in their future careers. Along with the ultrasound units, Aspirus is sending over extra probes and transducers—helping build a stronger pipeline for future imaging professionals across northern Wisconsin.

Published on 09/24/2026 under News Several people were injured late Wednesday morning after an SUV crashed into the Tomahawk Family Restaurant on North 4th Street. Responders were dispatched to the popular eatery after the vehicle struck the south side of the building, with its front half plowing completely into the dining area. Fortunately, witnesses report that no diners were sitting directly in the path of the vehicle at the time of the crash. However, several individuals received treatment for undisclosed, non-life-threatening injuries. Crews spent several hours on the scene removing the SUV and boarding up the damaged wall. There is no immediate word on what caused the crash. After initially saying they would be closed a few days, Tomahawk Family Restaurant announced they will actually re-open Thursday afternoon. This marks the second time in a week that a vehicle has struck a business along the North 4th Street corridor, following an SUV crashing into a local car wash last week.

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