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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

Tomahawk Student Fundraiser Sends Four Veterans on Honor Flight

Published on 11/12/2026 under News Four more local veterans will take part in a future Never Forgotten Honor Flight, all thanks to students from the Tomahawk School District. As part of yesterday's Veterans Day program, the Tomahawk Elementary Student Council presented three ceremonial Honor Flight boarding passes to veterans in attendance: Thomas Garrigan, Jim Hanson, and Douglas Gutbrod. A fourth pass will be awarded at a later date. Student Council Adviser Megan Barker explained that elementary and middle school students raised more than $2,100 through various fundraisers this fall. Jim Campbell, founder of the local Honor Flight chapter, was also on hand at yesterday's program. He noted that Tomahawk students have now sponsored 72 veterans on the Honor Flight. A Tomahawk alum, he noted he was proud of his alma mater. In addition to supporting the Honor Flight, the students contributed to Wreaths Across America, funding the placement of 18 wreaths at the Northwoods National Cemetery in Harshaw for the upcoming holiday season. The expanded Veterans Day ceremony also included speeches, essays, and performances from the school band and choir. A recording of the program is available on the district's YouTube channel.

Published on 11/12/2026 under News A little more than a week after the general election, residents in Nokomis will vote once again—this time on a proposed expansion to the fire station to provide living quarters for the 24/7 ambulance crew housed at the facility. Built in 2002, the Nokomis Fire Station expanded to include EMS services in 2009. In recent years, paramedic shift rotations transitioned from 12-hour to 24-hour schedules. Currently, the Medic 4 crew relies on cots or air mattresses in an area that does not meet building codes. Five options were considered, ranging from remodeling the current accommodations to building a standalone facility. Ultimately, a town committee recommended constructing a station addition featuring dedicated bedrooms, office space, and a shared living area. That option carries an estimated price tag of around $1.2 million. While the 24/7 staffing model has successfully reduced local ambulance response times, some residents have voiced concerns regarding the project's overall cost as well as the voting process. Committee members said they approached Oneida County, neighboring townships served by the crew, and Aspirus for financial support, though those efforts were unsuccessful. The county will continue to pursue grants and donations. Tonight at 6 p.m., the town will hold a special meeting of the electors at the town hall to vote on the recommendation. Only Nokomis residents are eligible to participate. If the electors decide not to move forward with the proposal, the committee will need to reevaluate its plans.

Published on 11/12/2026 under News The Rhinelander Food Pantry is better stocked thanks to a group of local students and the generosity of the community. Around Halloween, student members of the Rhinelander High School FBLA/DECA chapter brought back their annual Trick-or-Can food drive. Rather than a traditional drive where organizers wait for the community to bring in donations, Trick-or-Can brings the food drive directly to residents' doorsteps while raising awareness about local food insecurity. Students distributed collection bags to select neighborhoods and returned the following week to pick them up. Instead of candy, they collected nonperishable food items. In total, the students delivered roughly 973 items to the Rhinelander Food Pantry, about 200 more than last year. Trick-or-Can is part of a statewide campaign, and Rhinelander students typically rank in the upper half for collections each year. While planning for the next drive won't begin until the upcoming school year, organizers hope to get more volunteers and neighborhoods involved next October.

Published on 11/12/2026 under News More than eleven million dollars in state clean energy funding is heading across Wisconsin, including two major projects right here in the Northwoods. Governor Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission announced thirty-six grant recipients through the Energy Innovation Grant Program. In Rhinelander, specialty paper manufacturer Ahlstrom was awarded one million dollars to modernize its drying operations. By replacing older equipment with high-efficiency natural gas infrared dryers, the plant plans to cut energy consumption and boost long-term competitiveness. Meanwhile, the School District of Crandon is receiving over six hundred twelve thousand dollars to install a school-owned solar array, battery storage, and micro-grid system. The project will lower utility costs and turn the school campus into a resilient backup power center for the community during emergency grid outages. State officials note demand for the grants far outpaced available funds, making these local investments a major win for energy reliability and efficiency across Northern Wisconsin.

Published on 11/12/2026 under News A positive test for chronic wasting disease at a Taylor County deer farm will lead to new deer baiting and feeding bans in three counties. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection notified the DNR of the case, which sits within ten miles of Chippewa and Clark counties. Under state law, the detection triggers mandatory baiting and feeding bans to stop the spread of infectious prions. Starting December 1st, Taylor County will enforce a three-year ban. Chippewa County will renew its existing ban for another two years. Meanwhile, Clark County remains unaffected by the update because its current ban—sparked by wild deer detections, is already longer. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. Transmission occurs through direct contact between animals or exposure to contaminated environments.

+ Read More World Pneumonia Day

Published on 11/12/2026 under News Today is World Pneumonia Day, and health officials at Aspirus Health are urging residents not to brush off a lingering cough. According to the American Lung Association, roughly 225,000 U.S. adults are hospitalized every year with pneumococcal pneumonia. While it often starts off looking like a routine cold or the flu, Aspirus family medicine physician Dr. Katherine Jackson-Schneider warns it can quickly become life-threatening, especially for young children, older adults, and anyone managing chronic conditions like heart or lung disease. Doctors say the best defense starts with everyday habits: regular handwashing, avoiding tobacco, and staying current on vaccines for pneumonia, the flu, COVID-19, and RSV. If you develop a cough that gets worse instead of better, alongside fever, chills, or shortness of breath, contact your primary care provider right away. Severe trouble breathing or bluish lips require immediate care.

Published on 11/11/2026 under News As expected, the Lincoln County Board unanimously approved its 2027 budget during Tuesday's monthly meeting. Supervisors received the balanced proposal last month, giving them several weeks to review the spending plan prior to the final vote. The approved property tax levy comes in at 13.6 million dollars, up approximately 300,000 dollars from last year. However, driven by a nearly seven-percent increase in equalized property values and a 1.3-percent boost in net new construction, the average mill rate is projected to drop by 2.6 percent for townships and just over two percent for cities. Notable spending updates include increased funding for emergency medical services following a new joint E-M-S agreement with the City of Merrill. Overall budget numbers were bolstered by steady growth in county sales tax revenue, continuing a multi-year upward trend attributed in part to local investments in recreation and tourism promotion. Board Chair Don Friske praised the Finance Committee for the time and effort spent crafting this year's budget, noting the process was completed during a leadership transition as Korey Bloch stepped into the Finance Director role. With the final spending plan largely unchanged from the October draft, supervisors passed the budget with minimal discussion.

Published on 11/11/2026 under News Following strong local reviews at its September premiere, area residents will have another chance to see Tomahawk: City in the Pines on the big screen. A second free screening of the 90-minute historical documentary is scheduled for this coming Monday, November 16th. Co-created by Tomahawk native Clay Schmit and Oscar-winning director John Newcombe, the film captures over 140 years of local history—from early Indigenous lands and the timber era to present day. The two friends spent nearly two years on the project connecting with community members, local organizations, and historians. Schmit says they will be partnering with the Northwoods Vineyard Church to air a second screening coming up on Monday at 7pm.For those unable to attend in person, the documentary is also available to stream online through Kinema for four dollars and ninety-nine cents.

Published on 11/11/2026 under News A popular outdoor recreation destination in the Northwoods is getting a major financial boost for facility upgrades. The Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau has announced a 33,000-dollar Community Investment Fund grant to Minocqua Winter Park to support improvements at its chalet. The project focuses on five key areas: upgrading the kitchen, modernizing restrooms and changing areas, adding electrical outlets, installing a facility-wide sound system, and expanding Wi-Fi coverage across the grounds. The award is part of the Bureau's 50,000-dollar program designed to strengthen local tourism infrastructure. Bureau President and CEO Krystal Westfahl highlighted that reinvesting room tax dollars into local facilities helps keep the region competitive while enhancing amenities for both visitors and residents. Westfahl noted, "Minocqua Winter Park is an incredible asset to our destination, and these improvements will help ensure that it continues to meet the expectations of today's travelers." In addition to the financial grant, the Bureau will provide ongoing promotional support for the park.

Published on 11/11/2026 under News Health officials are urging local residents to stay alert after the Taylor County Health Department confirmed the county's first case of mumps this season. Department staff are working directly with the patient and medical providers to ensure proper treatment and isolation. Mumps is a contagious viral infection spread through direct contact or airborne droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, sneezes, or shares cups and utensils. Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite, followed by painful swelling of the salivary glands under the jaw and ears. Officials note that infected individuals can spread the virus up to five days after symptoms begin, and some people may spread it without showing symptoms at all. This case comes as state health officials report a sharp rise in measles cases across Wisconsin. Health officials emphasize that while both viral infections are highly contagious, the MMR vaccine offers strong protection against both mumps and measles. However, the vaccine cannot be used as a post-exposure treatment.

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