WJJQ Radio

Story Details

Cancellations & Closings Due to Covid-19 Published on 05/03/2020 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 for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

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 cancelled for the 2020 season.

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.

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.

Lincoln County's Summer ATV trails will remain closed until further notice and will not open on May 1.

Lincoln County's Underdown Horseback riding and biking trails will be closed until further notice and will not open May 1.

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

The Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce has cancelled the Taste of Tomahawk that was scheduled for Saturday, May 16.

The Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo has been cancelled for June 12 through June 14, 2020.

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

The Pow Wow Days Fourth of July Festivities in Tomahawk have been cancelled.

In Other News

Packer Foundation Awards Grants to Local Non-Profits

Published on 12/19/2025 under News The Packers play the Bears this weekend, but earlier this week they played the role of Santa, providing non-profits around the state with an early Christmas gift. Each year, the Green Bay Packer Foundation provides grants to hundreds of non-profits around the state. This year their board selected nearly 400 organizations who will share in 1.5 million dollars. Each cycle, the Foundation focuses on specific themes. This year it was animal welfare, health and wellness, civic and community initiatives, and environmental causes. Recipients represent 63 of the state's 72 counties including a few in the Northwoods. There was just one Lincoln County recipient, WaWui in Tomahawk, which is the organization that operates SARA Park. Up in Oneida County, Northwoods Wildlife Center, Oneida County Humane Society, and Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault. Further north in Vilas County-the Conover Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Northwoods Children's Museum, and St. Germain Silent Trails. In the coming days, we'll take a look at how some of these organizations plan to use their funds to invest in the community. Packers President/CEO Ed Policy says, "It is truly an honor for the Packers to be in a position to support the crucial work these recipient organizations do in our communities. We are proud to support their causes and shine a light on them." Representatives from each organization were invited to a presentation ceremony at Lambeau this past week. Since the Foundation was established in 1986, they've distributed nearly $30 million. Next year's cycle will focus on groups addressing arts and culture, the environment, and food insecurity.

Published on 12/19/2025 under News Northwoods snowmobilers are getting an early Christmas present with some trail openings in Vilas and Oneida Counties on Friday. Officials are reminding riders to use a little extra caution and remember the rules to a safe season. Clubs anticipate trails will be in early-season riding conditions, and those warnings came before Thursday's warm and rainy day which could result in icy stretches and bare spots. While the trails on land will be opening, riders are encouraged to stay off of any trails that cross bodies of water until they have been inspected and marked by clubs. They're also reminding riders to stay on marked trails and obey all signs. During last year's abbreviated riding season, there were still 9 fatal snowmobile crashes around the state. Five were here in the Northwoods. Excessive speed, alcohol use and inexperience are frequently listed among the common causes of snowmobile crashes. We'll continue to provide trail updates throughout the riding season.

Published on 12/19/2025 under News An award winning winter attraction in the Northwoods is set to return this weekend. Boulder Junction's Winter Park is back, highlighted by the second season of The Glide, their popular, ice skating ribbon. The approximately mile-long frozen trail weaves through the trees for ice skaters for a scenic skating setting. Over the summer the project won a Wisconsin Governor's Outdoor Industry – First Ascent Award for Innovation. It was converted from an under-utilized. And they've been working on some improvements to not only the trail itself, but the amenities to improve the entire experience. Laura Bertch is Chair of the Boulder Junction Park Board said, "Winter Park has quickly become a signature destination for residents and visitors alike, and these upgrades will make the experience even more enjoyable for everyone." Beyond the Glide, Winter Park also features a community ice rink and a sledding hill. Even their new Tall Pines Disc Golf course is open. Typical hours for Winter Park are 10 am to 10 pm. You can follow BoulderatPlay on Facebook for updates, news, and special events.

Published on 12/19/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's boys' swim squad would finish the 2025 calendar year with a 115-43 loss to Rhinelander at the Hodag Pool Thursday evening. The Hatchets would come away with one first-place finish in the dual meet. Bruce Peetz would win the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 5:32.26. The loss drops Tomahawk's dual record to 1-6 on the season. The Hatchets will take a couple of weeks off before their next meet, a double dual in Medford with the host and Lakeland January 6th

Published on 12/19/2025 under News An annual holiday collection for the two Tomahawk area food pantries is in full swing. Each December, the Heritage Chevrolet 'Fill the Need' campaign ensures the Tomahawk and Nokomis Food Pantries are well stocked not only during the holidays, but throughout the year. 'Fill the Need' started in memory of a former Heritage employee who passed away shortly before the holidays in 1996. That makes this year number 28 for Fill the Need. The collection has changed over the years. It was initially known as Fill the Truck, Fill the Need. And they used to actually fill a full-sized Chevy Silverado pick-up truck with non perishable food items. In recent years, they transitioned to a fundraiser instead. Monetary donations better suit the current needs of the food pantries, allowing them to re-stock their shelves with items of greatest need throughout the year. As a special thank you to the donors, they've once again partnered with dozens of local businesses to collect thousands of dollars worth of prizes. Those drawings will take place next Monday, live on WJJQ. There's still time to get involved. For the easiest way to donate, you can visit the Heritage website and clicking on the Fill the Need banner. Or you can drop off a check in-person at Heritage.

Published on 12/19/2025 under News Marshfield Medical Center in Minocqua is hosting a special Christmas tree for those who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. And they're inviting the public to hang a special ornament in honor of a loss. Staff at the facility have decorated the tree with blue and pink lights. They said community members can help remember their little loved losses by visiting the tree and placing an ornament. It can be a family ornament, or they also have a selection that can be personalized.(Once they take down the tree, families can collect their ornament, or leaving them to be displayed again next year.) Jamie Howell, Nurse Manager at Marshfield Medical Center-Minocqua Birth Center says, "The loss of a little one is always difficult, and we hope this brings comfort and peace during the holiday season." The remembrance tree is in the medical offices lobby and will remain on display through Jan. 5.

Published on 12/19/2025 under News The Medford Police Department has introduced the community to their newest officer. His name is Boone and he's a K9 bloodhound. According to the announcement, Boone becomes the department's first K9. He partner and handler is Chief Chad Liske. They department says Boone is working on his training to become a tracking/trailing K9 to assist in the search for missing/lost persons. They added, "You may see Boone out in about in the community as he works on his socialization. Feel free to say hello and offer some friendly pets if you see him." Boone joined the department last month.

Published on 12/18/2025 under News Despite the mild temperatures outside, another snowmobile trail system is set to open ahead of the weekend. According to an update from Vilas County Forestry, Recreation and Land Department, the Vilas County trail system will open tomorrow morning at 8am. The decision comes after a meeting of the eleven clubs that make up the Vilas County Snowmobile Alliance. They noted in the announcement that this year's opening was set back by damage caused by the winter storms in late November. Trails are expected to be in early season riding conditions. In the announcement, they also urged riders to use caution and stay off lakes until they've been marked. As we announced yesterday, trails in Oneida County are also slated to open on Friday at noon.

Published on 12/18/2025 under News Experts are predicting record travel numbers in Wisconsin over the upcoming winter holidays. According to Triple A, nearly 2.4 million Wisconsinites will travel at least 50 miles over the next two weeks. The projection would break the previous high, set last year, and comes on the heels of a record-setting Thanksgiving holiday. This year, that travel window is defined as the thirteen-day period from Saturday, December 20 to Thursday, January 1. Nearly 90% of those travelers will do so by vehicle. With Christmas falling midweek once again, travel will likely be spread out in the days leading up to Christmas. And as often the case, traveling on the holiday itself might be the least crowded. Traffic will pick back up again on the Saturday and Sunday following Christmas. They don't anticipate major impacts on New Year's eve/day. Traffic typically increases in the afternoons and evenings, so those looking to avoid busy roadways should plan to leave earlier in the day. As for gas prices, drivers will be saving about a quarter per gallon compared to last year. The statewide average at around $2.50.

Published on 12/18/2025 under News Data shows an uptick in respiratory illness in the area, and local officials are encouraging people take simple steps to stay healthier over the holidays. According to the Oneida County Health Department, respiratory illness activity is listed as moderate across Wisconsin's Northern Region based on emergency department visits. They said, data show increasing activity of influenza, Covid-19, and RSV, with influenza rising more quickly than other respiratory illnesses. With holiday gatherings upon us, they offered a few reminders of common ways to reduce the risk. First and foremost they recommend getting a flu shot and Covid booster, especially for those 65 and older or those with chronic conditions.Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and utilize hand sanitizer when that's not possible.Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.Stay home when sick to avoid spreading illness.And when the temps allow, try and open a window to get some improved airflow indoors.The Department says, "Taking simple steps now helps keep you, your loved ones, and our community healthier this season."

+ Read More