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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

Lincoln County Hosting Northwoods Forum on Child Care

Published on 10/14/2026 under News As demand for quality childcare continues to outpace availability across the Northwoods, local leaders are moving from identifying the problem to building long-term solutions. Tonight in Merrill, community members, employers, and policymakers are gathering for the Northwoods Forum on Child Care. Hosted by Dream Up! Lincoln County at the Lincoln County Service Center, the panel discussion will feature elected leaders, alongside regional childcare provider advocates and workforce development directors. Moderated by Lincoln County Economic Development Director Sara Guild and Child Care Coalition President Elsa Duranceau, the discussion focuses on connecting childcare availability directly to economic growth. Panelists will highlight provider workforce retention and how childcare access dictates whether parents can stay in the local workforce. Organizers emphasize that tackling the region's childcare shortage requires collaboration between businesses, local families, and state government. The goal of tonight's conversation is to work towards sustainable childcare solutions in Northern Wisconsin.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News Community leaders gathered in Merrill on Tuesday to celebrate the completion of the latest segment of a popular local trail system. Representatives from the City of Merrill and the Friends of the River Bend Trail held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new paved section connecting the River Bend Trail directly to Council Grounds. Its completion marks the end of a multi-year effort, creating a continuous five-mile paved path stretching from the state park property on the city's west side all the way to the shopping district on the east side. The new extension delivers dual benefits: providing a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists off busy roads, while serving as an attractive draw for outdoor enthusiasts with a long segment running right along the river. Tuesday's ceremony also serves as a preview for another upcoming community celebration on the path. The first annual "Boo on the Trail" Halloween-themed event is scheduled for Friday, October 23.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News Each spring, the public follows the peregrine falcons hatched at WPS and We Energies Power Plants, but once they leave the nest, their story typically ends. For the first time, researchers outfitted falcon chicks hatched at WPS and WE energies facilities this spring with tiny, cutting-edge GPS transmitters. Three working transmitters show birds logging thousands of miles—including stops in Michigan, Illinois, and even Ontario, Canada. The chicks hatched at the Power Plant near Wausau provided a different lesson. While their location tags stopped transmitting shortly after their initial flights in early July, researchers said that hiccups are expected with new technology. Greg Septon, peregrine falcon manager. "The data we have been able to collect is nothing short of incredible, and we are working with the vendor to make improvements to the transmitters for the falcon chicks born next year." Researchers say the goal is to refine these transmitters so they can better understand where young falcons spend their early years. As for the falcons that do not have working transmitters, there is always a chance that they will be spotted in the wild or even photographed by birders.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News Students in the Northwoods are fortunate to live and learn surrounded by nature, and they'll once again have the chance to showcase both their knowledge and creativity. The Lincoln County Conservation Program has announced the return of its annual Conservation Contests. This year's event features both a poster category and a speech category, which replaces the previous essay contest. Each edition features a specific theme, and this year students will take inspiration from the region's many waterways with the topic: "From Source to Sea: Every Drop Has a Journey." The competition offers students a hands-on way to expand their environmental awareness while providing teachers with an engaging topic to incorporate into classroom lessons. The contest is open to all public, private, and home-schooled students in Lincoln County. Participants will be judged within their respective grade levels, with local winners advancing to regional, state, and national levels of competition. Lincoln County Conservation has additional details on their website.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News Recycling unwanted electronics is about to get much easier right here in the Northwoods. The Wisconsin DNR has awarded over $250,000 in E-Cycle grants across the state, which will bring new drop-off options to our area next year giving residents an easy, affordable way to dispose of old TVs, computers, and cellphones. State officials point out that proper electronics recycling prevents toxic materials from entering our local landfills while protecting Northwoods waterways and forests. The grant program is funded entirely by electronics manufacturers, with households and schools recycling 440 million pounds of electronics statewide since 2010. There were a number of local efforts receiving funding in this cycle to help fund single day collection events next year in Forest, Florence, Iron, Langlade, Marathon, Price, Taylor, and Vilas counties. While dates for these grant funded events haven't been finalized, the E-Cycle Wisconsin website offers searchable, interactive maps with collection events throughout the state.

Published on 10/13/2026 under News New details have been released regarding last month's plane crash involving Congressman Tom Tiffany and his pilot, Len Boltz. According to a preliminary report from the NTSB, the emergency landing on Lake Wausau was caused by an engine power loss tied to fuel management. Investigators report that while flying in the traffic pattern toward Wausau Downtown Airport, the pilot noticed an elevated engine temperature, prompting him to switch fuel tanks. Although he selected the right main tank and advanced the throttle, the engine failed to respond. The report notes the pilot did not engage the electric fuel boost pump during the restart attempt. A post-accident inspection found the plane's left main fuel tank completely empty, while the right main tank and auxiliary tanks were full. The airplane's mechanic stated the pilot attributed the loss of power to a delayed fuel tank switch and not turning on the boost pump. The Beechcraft impacted the water, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, wing, and engine mount. Both Representative Tiffany and Boltz were able to safely exit the submerging aircraft and received treatment for minor injuries. The full NTSB investigation remains ongoing.

Published on 10/13/2026 under News Local leaders, business owners, and community members from across the region are gathering in Tomahawk Tuesday to discuss ways to shape the future of rural Wisconsin. Lincoln County was selected as one of just two statewide host sites for the 2026 Wisconsin Small Community Forums. The goal of the half-day event is to focus on the unique economic and civic opportunities and challenges facing small towns. Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Sara Guild discussed the event when she joined our morning conversation last week, calling it an exciting opportunity to be selected as a host and sever as a model for other communities. She highlighted some of the recent local developments including the Washington Square 'Dream Park', several downtown revitalization projects, and the groundbreaking for a new, and much-needed 72-unit apartment complex. Those are actually a few of the discussion topics on a crowded agenda that also includes interactive round-tables and focused discussions on key issues impacting smaller municipalities. Dunn County was the other host community; their forum took place last month in Colfax.

Published on 10/13/2026 under News An Antigo man has been formally charged in Lincoln County following a multi-county police chase last week. Forty-four-year-old Joshua D. Micke made his initial appearance in Lincoln County Circuit Court on Monday. He faces six charges, including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, fleeing an officer causing bodily harm, operating a motor vehicle without consent, and resisting an officer. Court records indicate that charges have also been filed in Shawano County, and additional counties may also file charges. Authorities say Micke led officers on pursuits across Shawano, Menominee, and Langlade counties in multiple stolen vehicles last Thursday. Upon entering Lincoln County, the chase ended in Merrill when deputies deployed spike strips and executed a PIT maneuver to disable the vehicle. Micke was taken into custody after a brief foot chase. During Monday's hearing, the judge set cash bond at $100,000 and ordered a competency evaluation. A scheduling hearing is set for November 5.

Published on 10/13/2026 under News The Ice Age Trail spans more than 1,200 miles across Wisconsin, including hundreds of miles crossing the Northwoods. The Ice Age Trail Alliance is encouraging residents and visitors to get outside and explore this month. October marks the return of the annual Mammoth Hike Challenge. Hikers, walkers, runners, and backpackers are tasked with covering 46 miles along the trail during the month, commemorating the 46th anniversary of the designation as a National Scenic Trail. Alliance organizers highlight fall as one of the best times to experience the trail, offering vibrant autumn colors and cooler, more comfortable hiking temperatures. The challenge also makes it easy to discover the small communities nestled along the route. For those who find 46 miles daunting, participants can earn bonus miles by visiting designated Ice Age Trail Communities, which includes Antigo, Merrill, Rib Lake, and Wausau. Each Trail Community has identified a "Hometown Highlight" such as a local mural, sculpture, historic landmark, or cultural attraction to visit. Registration is available on the Ice Age Trail Alliance website where they've also created itineraries to help plan hikes with maps and points of interest along the trails. Anyone who completes the challenge by the end of October will receive a certificate and a limited-edition patch, which features a new custom design each year.

Published on 10/13/2026 under News The Rhinelander Police Department has a new tool to build stronger bridges with local residents—and it's rolling right into neighborhood events. Thanks to more than $300,000 in federal Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program grant funding awarded last year, the department recently unveiled its new Community Outreach Trailer. The mobile unit made its official debut at last month's "Light Up the Night for Recovery" event, giving officers and the department's Peer Recovery Support Services Team a central hub to meet residents and share vital local resources. Rhinelander Police Chief Josh Chiamulera says the trailer gives officers another way to meet people where they are, aiming to foster positive interactions and strengthen safety across the area. In addition to the outreach trailer, the grant funding fully supports a full-time recovery coach, a part-time outreach coordinator, patrol bicycles, and specialized mental health and substance use training for officers. Look for the trailer at upcoming school gatherings, educational programs, and community events throughout Rhinelander.

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