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Grants Awarded for Youth Crisis Stabilization Facilities Published on 07/10/2020 under News

North Central Healthcare was awarded a grant to help develop and fund a new residential care and treatment option for youth under the age of 17 on the verge of a mental health emergency.

Just three health groups will share in the $2 million in funding from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for what is known as a youth crisis stabilization facility. Among the goals is to reach a youth early and prevent being placed in a more intensive facility.

North Central Health Care is a partnership serving Lincoln, Langlade and Marathon Counties. As part of the grant, they'll receive $625,000.

The facilities typically have 8 or fewer beds, and most stays are 5 days or less. A team of professionals provide care to not only the patient, but also collaborate with families and school to meet the needs of the youth when they return home.

In addition to North Central Health Care, grants were also awarded to Milwaukee and Ashland Counties. Currently, there are no certified youth crisis stabilization facilities in Wisconsin.

The funding was authorized in the 2017 state budget.

In Other News

Statewide Rx Drug Take Back Returns

Published on 10/23/2026 under News Law enforcement agencies and local health departments across Northern Wisconsin are gearing up for statewide Drug Take Back Day this Saturday. Special drop-off sites will be set up statewide throughout the day. These collection events serve multiple crucial purposes: they keep unused medications out of landfills and municipal water systems while preventing dangerous pharmaceuticals from falling into the wrong hands. "If somebody has a cabinet full of medications that they're saving 'just in case,' I would tell them it's time to go through it and get rid of them," said Aspirus Pharmacist Allison Waraska. "It's very important to take a few minutes to look through your medications, identify what you no longer need or what is expired, and bring those back on Drug Take Back Day." Residents in Lincoln County are fortunate to have several permanent drop-off locations year-round, including drop boxes at both the Tomahawk and Merrill Police Departments. While these boxes are always available, statewide collection days serve as a helpful reminder to clean out home medicine cabinets. During his report at the most recent Tomahawk Health and Safety Committee meeting, Police Chief Al Elvins highlighted the community's continued active use of the local collection program. For those looking to find a prescription drug disposal location, the state health department offers an interactive online map that allows users to search for both temporary event sites and permanent drop-off boxes.

Published on 10/23/2026 under News A buck at a Northwoods deer farm has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the positive result came from a 3-year-old white-tailed buck tested at a deer breeding farm in Taylor County. State officials did not identify the farm further in the release. Due to the positive test result, the property has been placed under quarantine while state veterinarians and staff conduct an epidemiological investigation. This was one of two positive CWD cases announced yesterday by state officials. The other involved a wild buck in Marinette County that was euthanized after showing visible signs of illness. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. Transmission occurs through direct contact between animals or exposure to contaminated environments.

Published on 10/23/2026 under News The Marathon County Sheriff's Office is warning the public about a renewed phone scam involving fake law enforcement callers. Deputies say scammers are calling residents claiming to be from the Sheriff's Office—even using real staff names like Lt. Gladden—to demand money or personal information for "urgent legal matters." Officials remind the public that caller ID numbers can easily be faked, and legitimate law enforcement will never demand immediate phone payments for warrants or jury duty. If you receive one of these high-pressure calls, simply hang up. To confirm whether a call is real, dial the Marathon County Sheriff's Office directly. Anyone who has lost money to a scam should contact non-emergency dispatch right away.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Efforts are underway to shape the future of Lincoln County's outdoor recreation industry and boost the local economy. Following a public session last night in Tomahawk, community stakeholders are meeting today at the Lincoln County Service Center in Merrill to analyze local recreation infrastructure and identify opportunities for economic growth. The workshops come after Lincoln County was selected to participate in the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation's Technical Assistance Program, in partnership with UW-Stout's Center for Sustainable Communities. The initiative brings together local, state, and federal partners to assess trail and water access, wayfinding, and business support across the county. Local officials say input from residents, business owners, and outdoor groups-including trail users, anglers, and tourism operators- is a critical piece of the planning process. According to Sara Guild, Executive Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation, feedback gathered during these sessions will help pinpoint specific challenges and guide future public planning, capital investment, and regional partnerships. Today's session in Merrill continues through 3:30 this afternoon, with organizers planning to use the findings to build a long-term recreation strategy for the county.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Lincoln County and City of Merrill leaders are moving closer to finalizing a major update to local emergency medical services. After negotiations throughout the summer, a final contract agreement has reached the voting stage. At its meeting Tuesday, the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors approved the agreement via voice vote following board discussion. In a joint news release, County Board Chair Don Friske and Merrill Mayor Steve Hass provided a brief overview of the deal. While EMS is legally a municipal responsibility under Wisconsin law, Lincoln County has coordinated services regionally since 1969, partnering with Merrill Fire and EMS in the south and Aspirus Health in Tomahawk to the north. Officials say the updated agreement modernizes a contract that hasn't been overhauled since 2007. Funding will jump from 1.3 million dollars this year to 1.6 million dollars next year, with a two-percent annual adjustment moving forward. Under the proposed terms, the county will supply the ambulances and communication equipment, while the city will be responsible for staffing and medical supplies. The deal grants the city operational flexibility to address rising call volumes, while offering the county long-term cost certainty. Following discussion at Tuesday's meeting, Board Chair Don Friske reflected on the negotiation process, stating: "We didn't always agree, but we were able to come up with an agreement that continues to provide a high quality of emergency medical service response while honoring the city's ability to provide oversight of their organization." The City of Merrill Committee of the Whole is expected to take up the contract at its meeting this coming Tuesday.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News A colorful new addition is taking shape in the heart of downtown Rhinelander. Muralist Alixandra Jade is currently at work on a new public art piece titled "Greetings from Rhinelander," painted on the side of the Flanders Realty building at 2 North Brown Street. Designed in the retro-style of a classic destination postcard, the large-scale mural features vibrant colors and artwork celebrating Northwoods scenery, the city's identity, and Rhinelander's iconic Hodag. Commissioned by the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce and funded through the Rhinelander Tourism and Marketing Committee, local officials say the project aims to revitalize the downtown core while creating a landmark for residents and visitors to enjoy and photograph. Jade has been working over the past few weeks transforming the brick background into a creative canvas, and community members are invited to head downtown to watch the transformation unfold in real time, or simply follow along on the Chamber Facebook for regular progress updates.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Here in the Northwoods, the fall colors have come and gone, leaving us with plenty of yard work. For those planning to clean up the yard over the weekend, experts encourage repurposing fallen leaves around the home rather than burning them. While burning yard waste might seem convenient, it releases air pollutants and carries a serious risk of sparking wildfires. Instead, a little creativity can put that yard waste to good use. First, consider leaving at least a portion of your lawn natural. Many beneficial insects, including essential pollinators, spend the winter hibernating under fallen leaves. Experts also point out that leaves are packed with carbon and minerals that naturally enrich your lawn and garden for next summer. Leaves work best when used as mulch, and you can speed up the decomposition process by running them over with a mulching mower or running them through a leaf shredder. Dried leaves also make an ideal base for compost piles. They recommend keeping a two-to-one ratio of brown material, like dry leaves, to green waste, such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps. Finally, if you can't use your yard waste at home, most local municipalities offer drop-off locations or curb collection. As a quick reminder for City of Tomahawk residents, citywide curbside yardwaste pickup is scheduled for next week.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Major state and federal funding is heading to Northern Wisconsin to accelerate the removal of toxic lead water pipes. Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Natural Resources announced more than 102 million dollars in financial assistance awarded to twelve Wisconsin communities. The City of Wausau is set to receive the largest allocation in Northern Wisconsin, securing over 10.6 million dollars. City officials expect the funding to support the replacement of nearly 1,200 private lead service lines, with a major focus on lower-income census tracts. Nearly 4.9 million dollars of Wausau's package comes as principal forgiveness, with the remainder offered through ultra-low-interest loans. The City of Mellen, up in Ashland County will also receive funding. Funded through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program aims to eliminate lead pipes statewide. Governor Evers emphasized that no level of lead exposure is safe for children, noting the state has removed more than 86,000 lead lines since 2019.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Candidates competing for Wisconsin's open 7th Congressional District seat are meeting virtually today for a non-partisan candidate townhall. Democratic nominee Fred Clark and Republican nominee Michael Alfonso will field questions during the event, hosted by local chapters of the Wisconsin Farmers Union and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. With the seat open as current Representative Tom Tiffany runs for governor, the district covers much of northern Wisconsin, making agriculture and rural infrastructure central issues in the race. Organizers say today's forum runs virtually from noon to 1:30 p.m., focusing entirely on policy questions impacting regional farmers, rural businesses, and agricultural communities.

Published on 10/21/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Volleyball season came to a quick end in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal Tuesday night as they would get swept at Weyauwega-Fremont, 25-14, 25-12, 25-8. The Hatchets were unable to overcome hot starts by the Warhawks and allowed 13 aces in the match. In her final high school volleyball match, Senior Outside Hitter Averi Petta led the Hatchets with eight kills. Lexi Palmer had 12 assists on the night. Tomahawk finishes the 2026 season with a 6-29 overall record and a 1-9 Great Northern Conference record. The lone Hatchet Senior to graduate is Averi Petta.

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