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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

Wisconsin’s First Digital Smokey Bear Sign Unveiled in Minocqua

Published on 08/28/2026 under News Even at 82 years old, Smokey Bear is proving he can keep up with the digital age. Officials gathered outside the Minocqua Fire & Rescue Department for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially dedicate Wisconsin's first electronic Smokey Bear sign. It replaces the traditional, manual sign common across the country. Prominently positioned along Highway 51 directly in front of the station, the state-of-the-art, federally funded display allows local officials to instantly update wildfire conditions in real time. This ensures residents and visitors traveling through the Northwoods are immediately alerted to current fire danger levels. Since 1944, Smokey has been the nationwide voice of wildfire prevention, and local officials emphasize that clear, modern communication remains as vital as ever. To cap off the celebration, Dan's Minocqua Fudge created a S'mores-themed ice cream for the event, packed with marshmallow, chocolate chips, Teddy Grahams, and a hint of honey.

Published on 08/28/2026 under News Leaders, business owners, and residents from across the region will gather in Tomahawk this fall to help shape the future of rural Wisconsin. Lincoln County has been chosen as one of just two statewide host sites for the 2026 Wisconsin Small Community Forums. The half-day event, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, will focus on the unique economic and civic opportunities and challenges facing small towns. "Lincoln County is excited to host this year's forum," said Sara Guild, Executive Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation. She encourages local attendance for the event, which will focus on practical solutions for rural economic and community development. The forum brings together residents, elected officials, and regional organizations to share best practices and actionable strategies. The 2026 agenda highlights key local topics: Rural Housing: A panel discussion on tools, tactics, and strategies featuring state, county, and local leaders.Community-Involved Employers: A spotlight on area businesses that actively invest in local development.Local Case Studies: Presentations showcasing successful regional projects and community initiatives.Interactive Roundtables: Focused discussions on key issues impacting both residents and visitors.The event will take place at the Buedingen Training Center at PCA in Tomahawk. Dunn County will serve as the other statewide host site, holding its forum in Colfax next month. Additional information and registration information.

Published on 08/28/2026 under News A cherished local artist is saying goodbye to Antigo, but the community is celebrating her creativity and dedication. Antigo Visual Arts is honoring 93-year-old artist Joanne March with a special solo exhibition before she relocates to Colorado to be closer to her family. March has been a cornerstone of the local arts scene for decades, known for her vibrant acrylics, paintings, and intricate basket weaving. According to the AVA, March's art reflects her curiosity, creativity, resilience and joy—qualities that have endeared her to fellow artists and the community. Her piece, "The Night Visitor," was awarded Best in Show. More than 70 guests attended the gallery opening earlier this month, a record turnout for an AVA gallery opening. With March heading west shortly, they sent her off with a reception and farewell celebration Thursday. There is still a few more weeks to view March's final local pieces. The gallery will remain open through September 17, located on the 2nd floor of the Langlade County Historical Museum.

Published on 08/28/2026 under News While the Fox Valley tornado dominated headlines last month, Northwoods communities are included in Wisconsin's push for federal storm relief. On Thursday, Gov. Tony Evers formally requested a presidential disaster declaration following the devastating July 27 storms. The request seeks federal assistance for four hard-hit counties: Vilas and Forest in the Northwoods, alongside Outagamie and Winnebago in the Fox Valley. Joint state and FEMA assessments revealed massive destruction across the region:Public Infrastructure: Over $13.8 million in damage to public utilities and roads.Residential Losses: More than $8.2 million in damage affecting over 2,300 homes.If approved by the White House, the declaration will unlock FEMA Individual Assistance for impacted residents, as well as Public Assistance to help local governments repair damaged infrastructure. "Goodwill, grit, and volunteers alone can't fix this disaster," Gov. Evers said in the announcement. "We need emergency disaster aid from the federal government to make it happen."

Published on 08/28/2026 under News Recent rainfall brought temporary relief to parts of the Northwoods this week, but it was not enough to break the drought gripping the region. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, released weekly on Thursdays, shows dry conditions persisting across northern Wisconsin: Extreme Drought (D3): Expanded westward this week and continues to encompass portions of Oneida, Vilas, Price, and Iron Counties.Moderate to Severe Drought (D1–D2): Covers the majority of the region.Statewide Impact: More than 93% of Wisconsin is currently experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions.Dry soil continues to challenge local agriculture, home gardeners, and lawn care. Additionally, as noted in our earlier discussion on Smokey Bear, these dry conditions keep wildfire risks elevated. Without a sustained, widespread soaking, drought conditions are expected to linger as we head into fall.

Published on 08/27/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's Cross Country Squads began 2026 with top ten finishes at the Hodag Invitational in Rhinelander Thursday morning. The Hatchet girls placed third overall, finishing just 12 points behind meet champion Lakeland. The top Hatchet finisher was Charlee Lund, who placed third overall with a time of 21:28. The other top 10 finisher for the Hatchet girls was Elise Gibeault, placing ninth with a time of 22:29. As for the Hatchet Boys, Tomahawk would finish seventh overall. DC Everest would take the Hodag Invitational Boys Title. The top Hatchet finishers came from Connor Zorn and Jordyn Carew. Zorn placed 33rd with a time of 20:11. Carew placed 34th with a time of 20:12. The next meet for Tomahawk will be next Thursday, hosted by Marathon. Events begin at 4:30. Top Team Finishes from the Hodag Invite: Girls: Lakeland – 1st Rhinelander – 2nd Tomahawk – 3rd Three Lakes/Phelps – 4th Merrill – 6th Boys: Lakeland – 2nd Rhinelander – 3rd Northland Pines – 5th Laona-Wabeno – 6th Tomahawk – 7th Crandon – 8th Goodman-Pembine – 9th

Published on 08/27/2026 under News First responders across the Northwoods have been receiving new emergency response tools this week to help keep their communities safe. The Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation has been awarding grants of up to $2,000 to law enforcement, fire, rescue, and EMS agencies across the region through its Rewarding Responders grant program. That generosity included a pair of stops right here in the Tomahawk area. The Tomahawk Police Department received a grant to purchase additional Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units for cardiac emergencies. As highlighted during Tuesday's Health and Safety Meeting, the department's current units are nearing the end of their service life and the model discontinued. AEDs typically have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years and require regular maintenance. A bit further north, the Nokomis Fire Department was also selected for a Rewarding Responders grant. They will use the funds to purchase an adaptable piercing nozzle kit—a specialized tool designed to quickly direct water into confined spaces such as engine compartments, semi-trailers, or basements. During this cycle, the WPS Foundation is distributing $75,000. Since Rewarding Responders was established in 2014, the program has awarded $750,000 to emergency responders across its service area, primarily focusing on the Northwoods and Fox Valley.

Published on 08/27/2026 under News With school bells set to ring across the Northwoods in the coming days, state and local law enforcement agencies are reminding parents and students to prioritize traffic safety, starting right at the bus stop. Officials encourage families to review the "SAFE" guidelines to keep children secure during their morning and afternoon commutes. S – Stay back: Keep at least five giant steps (10 feet) away from the curb while waiting for the bus.A – Always wait: Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the driver signals that it is safe to board.F – Face forward: Find a seat quickly and remain seated facing front for the entire ride.E – Exit carefully: Watch your step when getting off, and look left-right-left before crossing the street.Officers strongly recommend that parents of younger or first-time students take a trial walk to their assigned bus stop before the first day of class to practice these safety habits together. Motorists are also urged to stay alert for children near bus stops and walking to school. We'll have a few additional reminders before the first day of class.

Published on 08/27/2026 under News A local establishment is considered a total loss following a heavy commercial structure fire early Wednesday morning along State Highway 70. Minocqua Fire & Rescue was dispatched to Sheri's Pub N Grub shortly before 2:00 a.m. Crews arrived on the scene to find the building fully engulfed in flames. Initial suppression efforts were hindered by a ruptured gas line, which kept the fire fueled until crews from Wisconsin Public Service arrived to secure the utilities. While the emergency utility shutoff triggered power outages for surrounding residents, officials noted the step was essential to ensure firefighter safety. More than a dozen area departments assisted in the five-hour operation, relying on multiple water supplies and specialized equipment to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The blaze was one of two major fires in the Lakeland area early Wednesday morning. Just 45 minutes into the operation, mutual aid resources were stretched as crews were called to a second emergency nearby. (Arbor Vitae Fire Claims Home) Both lead departments praised the critical role of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) during the dual emergencies and expressed gratitude to the many regional agencies that stepped up to assist.

Published on 08/27/2026 under News A home in Arbor Vitae was destroyed early Wednesday morning in a fire, one of two responses across the Lakeland area. Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the scene just 45 minutes after a blaze broke out at an establishment in neighboring Minocqua. (read more on Fire Destroys Sheri's Pub N Grub in Minocqua) Several Arbor Vitae units that had just arrived to assist at the Minocqua scene were immediately redirected back to their home district following initial concerns that occupants might be trapped inside. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy flames spreading rapidly through the house. Crews pushed through intense heat to perform a primary search, confirming that no residents were inside. Shortly after the search was completed, the roof collapsed under severe fire damage. While the home was deemed a total loss, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Minocqua Fire & Rescue and Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue both highlighted the vital role played by the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) during the simultaneous incidents, thanking the neighboring volunteer departments for their swift assistance.

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