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Local Sewing Shop Organizing Homemade Facemask Drive Published on 03/25/2020 under News

As we all adjust to the challenges of the coronavirus, a number of Tomahawk residents are pitching in with their own special talents.

Marie Daigle knows sewing. She's the proprietor of Sew Peaceful Quilting in downtown Tomahawk.

After seeing a shortage of masks for medical workers and other professionals she launched a project to sew up cloth masks.

She says she received a donation from a seasonal resident to the area. That donation was to cover the cost of fabric and supplies to create the mask kits. Daigle designed a pattern and filled pre-made kits with materials for those willing to volunteer their time and sewing skills.

The masks include a piece of 100% cotton with a second piece of flannel cotton as a lining.

Once the volunteers have completed and returned the masks, they'll be distributed to the various workers in need of them. While the first instinct is medical personnel, Daigle suggested that others may be able to use them as well, such as truck drivers.

We at WJJQ are partnering with Daigle to not only spread the word, but we also have a small number of kits here at the station. We'll also serve as a drop-off location in the mailbox located right outside the studio.

Just one day in, the feedback has been tremendous with more than 100 kits already handed out.

How to make a Face Mask Pattern

In Other News

Tomahawk Fall Ride; A Local History with Motorcycles Dating back 45 Years and Beyond

Published on 09/17/2026 under News With nearly a half-century of tradition, the Tomahawk Fall Ride will welcome tens of thousands of motorcyclists to the Northwoods this weekend. This year's 45th anniversary edition of the Fall Ride looks remarkably different from its humble origins in the early 1980s. The event began when a few dozen local riders gathered for an October cruise and a cookout to enjoy the changing leaves. Before long, organizers shifted the gathering to mid-September to avoid Wisconsin's unpredictable autumn weather. The event quickly gained momentum, transforming that small local gathering into a community-wide celebration that now draws an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 visitors to the Tomahawk area each September. Tomahawk's connection to motorcycles dates back even further than the Fall Ride itself, as the city is home to two Harley-Davidson production facilities. The first dates back early 1960's. To celebrate this legacy, the Tomahawk Historical Society is opening a special exhibit tracing the intersection of Harley-Davidson, the Fall Ride, and the community's history. Featuring vintage photographs, embroidered event patches, memorabilia, classic signage, and decades of archived press clippings, the display offers a nostalgic look back at how a small group outing became a Northwoods institution. The exhibit will be open during special hours this Friday and Saturday from 11am to 3pm. They've also been posting historical photos throughout the week on their Facebook Page. As for the Fall Ride itself, a key highlight takes place Thursday evening with the Tomahawk Chamber's Bonfire and Bratfry at SARA Park, which serves as the unofficial kickoff to the weekend.

Published on 09/17/2026 under News With fall sports in full swing, fans heading to the Tomahawk High School Field House are in for a big upgrade. The district just debuted its brand-new Daktronics video scoreboard at the first Hatchet home volleyball match. Beyond improving the game-day experience, the new setup opens up new revenue streams and gives students real, hands-on media production experience. District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry admitted they've been on a bit of a crash course learning the ins and outs of the new system, but he sees huge potential for an improved atmosphere during home games. Best of all, the state-of-the-art board should pay for itself through local ad partnerships, with any extra money going right back into student programs. Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) and Tomahawk Local 240 have already signed on as the first major sponsors, and the district is looking for other local businesses to jump on board. The perks go beyond sports, and into the classroom. Since Daktronics is the same equipment featured in college and pro venues like Lambeau Field, the district plans to incorporate it into future classes. Quesinberry notes they offer curriculum for the graphic design side, as well as running the board live. A student would be able to receive a certification that could open doors down the road for future opportunities in college and beyond.

Published on 09/17/2026 under News As Wisconsin's temperatures begin to cool; snakes, turtles and frogs are making their risky annual migration across local roads, and the DNR is calling on drivers to report them. The Wisconsin DNR is reliant upon citizen scientists to help monitor populations of animals of all sizes by reporting their observations. Their latest effort is for herptiles which includes reptiles and amphibians including frogs and toads; salamanders and lizards; snakes and turtles. With summer winding down and temperatures starting to drop, they are beginning their annual fall migration from summer breeding spots and feeding locations to their winter hibernation homes. That journey often means risky trips across roads and trails. Others might simply crawl onto the pavement to soak up the sun. By logging sightings of these reptiles and amphibians on or near Wisconsin roads, you can help researchers pinpoint where they live, and ultimately save more of them down the line. DNR Conservation Zoologist Rich Staffen says, "By identifying high-mortality areas on our roads, we know exactly where to step in with safety measures to protect crossing animals." Whether you spot a live turtle making a slow dash across the asphalt or run across animals that didn't make it, the DNR wants to know. You can quickly submit your observations using the reporting form (reptiles and amphibians) or (turtles) .

Published on 09/17/2026 under News September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and two local health organizations are teaming up to give Lincoln County residents the tools to save lives. Aspirus Health and the Lincoln County Health Department are hosting a free community workshop called "CALM Conversations." The event takes place next Thursday evening at 5pm at the Lincoln County Sports Club in Merrill. No prior mental health experience is needed. The introductory session teaches adults how to have supportive, non-judgmental conversations with friends or family members who may be struggling. It also focuses on how temporarily putting time and distance between an at-risk person and lethal means can prevent suicide. The workshop is free, but they ask that participants register due to limited space. That deadline is Monday. Contact Kristin at 715-539-1373 or kristin.bath@co.lincoln.wi.us.

Published on 09/17/2026 under News Earlier this month, we reported on major trail funding heading to the Northwoods, but that wasn't the only local effort receiving a boost. The Transportation Alternatives Program helps communities invest in bike paths, sidewalks, and pedestrian safety initiatives. In the latest round of state grants, officials announced more than $32 million for projects across Wisconsin. The rural allotment accounts for more than $11 million, divided among 11 small-community projects—including several right here in our area. The largest local grant, nearly $1.3 million, went to the Town of Cloverland to help connect Eagle River and St. Germain via a new trail. Vilas County also received over $53,000 to partner with the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission on a comprehensive, countywide bicycle and pedestrian plan. Further south, the City of Medford was awarded over $447,000 for a neighborhood sidewalk project aimed at improving safety for students and pedestrians near Northcentral Technical College and the local youth center. State officials say these federal grants cover up to 80% of total project costs, with local sponsors providing the remaining match.

Published on 09/17/2026 under News A Shell Lake man is behind bars following an alleged burglary attempt in the Town of Merrill on Labor Day. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to a home on Oak Ridge Avenue on Sept. 7, 2026, after receiving a report of a burglary in progress. Before law enforcement arrived, the reporting party informed dispatchers that the intruder had fled the building on foot and was actively being pursued. Upon arrival, deputies met with the witness, who pointed out the suspect's last known location. Officers searched the area and apprehended 38-year-old Jason Duellman without incident. When questioned by authorities, Duellman allegedly claimed he had only entered the property "to just look around." Duellman was arrested and transported to the Lincoln County Jail. He faces charges of burglary, entering a building/construction site, and a probation violation. Following his initial appearance in Lincoln County Court, a judge set Duellman's bond at $5,000 cash. He remains in custody.

Published on 09/16/2026 under News As thousands of motorcyclists roll into town for Fall Ride weekend, the Tomahawk Police Department is bringing in backup. To cover expanded patrols throughout the city during Fall Ride, the department relies on neighboring agencies to provide extra manpower. Each year, Tomahawk requests mutual aid, bringing in outside officers to work alongside local police throughout the event. The goal is to increase law enforcement presence and visibility, particularly in the downtown area, which hosts many of the weekend's festivities. In recent years, the event has seen no major incidents—a trend officials hope to maintain. The department puts out a call each year to fill roughly 30 additional shifts through mutual aid. During a recent Health and Safety Committee meeting, Sgt. Matt Gorell noted that a majority of this year's shifts will be filled by the Mountain Bay Metro Police Department, which serves Rothschild, Schofield, and Weston. To get into the Fall Ride spirit, visiting and local officers typically trade their traditional police blues for special Harley-Davidson-inspired black-and-orange uniforms. Because event activities spill outside city limits, other agencies like the Lincoln and Oneida County Sheriff's Offices and the Wisconsin State Patrol, also typically increase their presence in the area. While early arrivals and preliminary activities are already underway, the Fall Ride unofficially kicks off Thursday and runs through Sunday.

Published on 09/16/2026 under News Authorities are looking into a risky incident over Lincoln County after someone on the ground aimed a laser at a commercial airliner. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, air traffic controllers at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport reached out to local dispatchers to report that a Boeing 737 cruising at 34,000 feet had been targeted by a laser beam. Thanks to onboard navigation tech, the flight crew provided exact coordinates where the light originated, leading deputies straight to the area of County Highway E and Wadell Road in the Town of Bradley. Deputies searched the neighborhood and spoke with local property owners, but were unable to track down a suspect. Fortunately, the pilot reported no disruptions, and the plane continued safely on to its destination. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a serious federal crime that can temporarily blind pilots and put everyone on board at risk. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office says the investigation remains ongoing.

Published on 09/16/2026 under News A Northwoods lawmaker is calling for a statewide ban on government-operated automated license plate reader cameras as communities across Wisconsin reconsider the technology. State Representative Calvin Callahan says systems like Flock Safety cameras raise serious concerns about privacy, mass surveillance, and how data on law-abiding motorists is collected and shared. Callahan, who is seeking reelection this November, currently serves as chair of the Assembly Committee on Consumer Protection. He plans to hold a legislative hearing on surveillance cameras when lawmakers return in January to examine who can access license plate data, how long it is retained, and whether it is shared with outside agencies. While calling for broad restrictions, Callahan says he would consider allowing the technology for serious criminal investigations, provided law enforcement obtains a warrant and operates under judicial oversight.

Published on 09/16/2026 under News Health officials have confirmed a case of measles in a Marathon County resident. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Marathon County Health Department, state testing confirmed the diagnosis. Authorities say the individual contracted the virus while traveling out of state. Officials say this case is unrelated to the ongoing measles outbreak in Southwestern Wisconsin, which has seen over 160 cases concentrated primarily in Iowa, Lafayette, and Grant counties. No identifying details or personal health information about the patient are being released due to privacy laws. Public health teams are working to trace and notify anyone who may have been exposed. At this time, officials have not identified any public exposure locations.

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