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DoT Urging Seat Belt Use; Alert for Pavement Buckling Published on 06/30/2020 under News

The Department of Transportation and the State Patrol are asking travelers this holiday weekend to buckle up, drive carefully though work zones, and watch for pavement buckling caused by heat.

Secretary-designee Craig Thompson says, "Our number one goal this July 4 weekend is for everyone to stay safe." He added, "The State Patrol and other police agencies will be enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists who need help. But being safe depends on everyone planning trips wisely and being cautious and alert."

Hotter temperatures forecast throughout the state could create conditions for pavement buckling. That's when the heat causes slabs of pavement to expand and push against one another. If the pressure becomes great enough, the pavement can buckle and create unexpected bumps or dips. The DoT says it's difficult to predict if or where buckling may occur.

Motorists are also reminded to wear their seatbelts. The annual Click It or Ticket campaign and enforcement began last week and continues through the Fourth of July holiday.

In Other News

Wednesday Rain Out: Tomahawk Music on the River Opener, WJJQ Community Cookout Postponed

Published on 06/16/2026 under News Those eager for the kickoff of Tomahawk's Music on the River will have to wait an extra week. With heavy rain in the forecast throughout the day on Wednesday, the opening night of the summer concert series has been postponed. The Cougars were scheduled to play the first show of the year; they will now return on August 12 to close out the 19th season instead. While SARA Park typically serves as a backup rain location, organizers noted they always prefer for bands to play at Veterans Memorial Park. Remaining at the outdoor venue preserves the atmosphere and true spirit of the event's name, Music on the River. Opening night also traditionally features the WJJQ Community Cookout. That event has been rescheduled for July 1, coinciding with a performance by Ember, which organizers hope will be a great way to kick off the Fourth of July holiday week. So once again, to update your calendars, Wednesday's Music on the River concert has been postponed due to the rain. Opening night will now take place June 23 with B.D. Greer with The GentsThe WJJQ Community Cookout is now July 1And the Cougars will now play August 12

Published on 06/16/2026 under News Tomahawk's signature downtown flower baskets are once again in place, bringing a burst of color to Main Street just as the summer tourism season gets underway. More than 2,000 wave petunias grown by Cerny's Greenhouse now fill the hanging baskets and flower boxes throughout the downtown area and should be in full bloom shortly. This year's display features a patriotic red, white, and blue theme in recognition of America's upcoming 250th birthday celebration. According to Cerny's Greenhouse, the vibrant display has been months in the making. The petunia seeds were started in late February, transplanted in April, and finally delivered to downtown Tomahawk this past week. Tomahawk Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz noted that the flowers have become one of the community's most recognizable features, helping create a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. Maintaining the flowers is a community effort. Turkiewicz credited local grower Justin Cerny for helping select the plants and providing expert knowledge on their care. The dedication extends to the volunteer "Rainmakers" crew, who are out bright and early each morning to keep the plants hydrated, while additional volunteers assist with weeding and general upkeep throughout the season. Turkiewicz added that volunteers are always welcome to help. Community members can also support the flower program's expenses through financial donations or by participating in local fundraising efforts, such as purchasing "North for the Fourth" t-shirts. With the colorful baskets now fully in place, the flowers are set to provide a bright, beautiful first impression for the thousands of visitors passing through Tomahawk during the busy summer months.

Published on 06/16/2026 under News A Langlade County conservation volunteer is being recognized statewide for her efforts to protect Northwoods forests and natural areas from invasive species. The DNR and the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council have named Terrie Pohjola as one of nine recipients of the 2026 Invasive Species Action Awards. Pohjola serves as Forestry Chair for the 2,400-acre Knight Templar Club Reserve on Duck Lake and is also a Wisconsin Master Naturalist. According to the DNR, she developed comprehensive maps and management plans to identify and control invasive species across the property. As a result, known populations of garlic mustard have been eliminated or brought under control, while tansy has been removed from environmentally sensitive areas. Pohjola also works closely with the reserve's Junior Naturalist Program, helping educate the next generation about conservation and stewardship. The Invasive Species Action Awards are presented annually during June, which is designated as Invasive Species Action Month in Wisconsin. This year, nine individuals and organizations were honored for their outstanding commitment to preventing the spread of invasive plants and animals and protecting the state's natural resources. To read more about this year's recipients

Published on 06/16/2026 under News It's graduation season, and eight interns recently celebrated a major milestone after completing Goodwill North Central Wisconsin's Project SEARCH program in Rhinelander. The 2026 class graduated from the program's site at Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital, capping off nine months of workplace training designed to help individuals with disabilities prepare for employment. Project SEARCH provides participants with hands-on experience through rotations in various hospital departments, including radiology, environmental services, food service and other support areas. The internships are intended to build job skills and confidence while exposing participants to a variety of career paths. Shana Herzfeldt is the director of mission operations. She says, "This program shows how a partnership with a shared vision can lead to a future full of opportunities for these students. Herzfeldt added, "It is extremely rewarding and inspiring to see their remarkable progress and achievements." Following graduation, Goodwill NCW continues to work with participants through individualized job searches, helping them secure employment either with the host organization or elsewhere in the community. The Rhinelander program operates through a partnership between Goodwill NCW, the School District of Rhinelander, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital, TMG, Lakeland Care and Inclusa.

Published on 06/16/2026 under News Aspirus Health has a new leader for its nursing teams in the Northwoods. Jennifer Loesch, DNP, MBA, has been named the new Chief Nursing Officer for the North Division. Loesch brings over 25 years of healthcare experience to the role, joining Aspirus from Allina Health. As CNO, she will oversee nursing strategy and operations at hospitals in Eagle River, Rhinelander, Tomahawk, and the Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff. North Division President Teri Theiler says Loesch's deep expertise in patient safety and clinical outcomes will be "instrumental" in continuing to grow and innovate nursing practice across the region. Loesch says she is honored to join the team and looks forward to fostering a culture of teamwork and professional growth to enhance the care provided to Northwoods communities.

Published on 06/15/2026 under News Lincoln County residents now have a new way to receive emergency notifications. Lincoln County Emergency Management announced that Lincoln County Alerts, a new emergency alert system, will officially go live on June 19th, and public enrollment is currently open. The system, powered by CodeRED, is designed to provide timely information from local public safety officials during emergencies and disasters. Officials say alerts may be issued for severe weather, flooding, evacuation orders, shelter-in-place notices, missing vulnerable persons, active shooter incidents, public health emergencies, road closures, and other safety concerns. Lincoln County Alerts will also provide additional keyword enrollment for specific special events. The first will be this weekend's rodeo. Emergency Management Director Tyler Verhasselt says, "Lincoln County Alerts gives residents and visitors a direct way to receive emergency information from the people responsible for protecting this community." He added, "When seconds matter, people need information from trusted local public safety officials. In a large rural county, redundancy matters. This system helps us reach people faster, more clearly, and through more than one channel." Public enrollment is now open with several ways to sign up including an online option or by texting LINCOLN to 36475. Lincoln County Emergency Management has additional information on their website.

Published on 06/15/2026 under News A deteriorating state highway running through Tomahawk is finally getting a long-term plan, and local residents are being invited to weigh in. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has announced a public involvement meeting this Wednesday to discuss a future project on Highway 86 (Somo Avenue) between Wisconsin Avenue and US 51. WisDOT staff will kick off the meeting with a brief presentation detailing the scope and timeline of the upcoming project. The remainder of the evening will transition into an open-house format, allowing community members to look over project maps, ask questions, and submit feedback. The road has been an issue for a number of years, and is scheduled for 2030. Earlier this spring, as a temporary solution, the City and Lincoln County partnered to put down a pavement overlay on a four-block segment. The public involvement meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Tomahawk High School Cafeteria. The DoT has additional information on their project website.

Published on 06/15/2026 under News Over the past week, we've been looking at the tourism impact numbers along the Highway 51 corridor. Our last stop is up in Vilas County...small in population, but large in tourism. The Wisconsin Department of Tourism released record-setting data for both the state and counties last week. Up in Vilas County, visitor impact is estimated at $402 million last year. That is up from the previous year and ranks just behind Oneida County for tops in the Northwoods. Collette Sorgel, Director of Vilas County Tourism & Publicity, says, "Vilas County has long been a place where people come to unplug, reconnect, and make lasting memories, and it's exciting to see that appeal continue to grow." Tourism is Vilas County's largest industry, supporting 2,147 jobs. Visitor spending in the county accounted for $27 million in state and local sales tax revenue last year. Sorgel says, "Whether someone is returning to a favorite family cabin, discovering our trails and lakes for the first time, or exploring one of our vibrant communities, visitors continue to find experiences here that keep them coming back."

Published on 06/15/2026 under News Sunday was World Blood Donor Day, and two local partners used the opportunity to celebrate local donors while offering a reminder of the ongoing need for donations. The Community Blood Center and Aspirus Health released a joint message emphasizing the importance of blood donations not only during awareness events, but throughout the entire year. Summer is traditionally one of the most challenging times for blood collection. School breaks, family vacations, outdoor activities, and extreme weather often reduce donor turnout and cause blood drive cancellations. At the same time, the demand for blood frequently rises during the summer months for those very same reasons. Danielle Espinoza, with The Community Blood Center, said of the donation process, "It's quick, it's easy, and it can save up to three patient lives. Whether you're a first-time donor or returning, World Blood Donor Day is a great moment to show support." Aspirus Emergency Department Manager David Lehman added that blood is a resource hospitals need every day and one that cannot be manufactured, making regular donations critical to patient care. The Community Blood Center conducts more than 100 mobile blood drives each month. Donors can visit their website to find a collection event nearby.

Published on 06/15/2026 under News A Wausau man has pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding nearly 190 investors out of more than $14 million. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, 64-year-old Stanley Pophal admitted to operating a years-long investment fraud scheme through his company, Bright with Silver Incorporated. Between 2019 and 2025, prosecutors say Pophal promised investors returns of at least 20 percent through ventures involving cryptocurrency, real estate, artificial intelligence, precious metals, and gemstones. Instead, authorities say Pophal used most of the money to fund his personal lifestyle, including travel, mortgage payments, a private plane rental, and the purchase of hundreds of snowmobiles, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Investigators seized more than 600 items allegedly purchased with investor funds, including hundreds of snowmobiles stored in a rented warehouse. Pophal also admitted to making Ponzi-style payments to earlier investors using money from new victims. He is scheduled to be sentenced September 2nd.

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