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State Patrol Aerial Enforcement in Oneida County Saturday Published on 07/31/2020 under News

Those traveling on Highway 51 in Oneida County tomorrow may want to tap the brakes because you may be watched from above.

The Wisconsin State Patrol will conclude their third aerial enforcement effort here in the Northwoods over the past three weekends. Each of the previous two Saturdays, troopers on the ground worked with a State Patrol Aircraft to provide enforcement on Highway 51/I-39 in Marathon County.

The final announced effort will be tomorrow in Oneida County. North Central Captain Travis Wanless says they announce the efforts to emphasize that the goal of the effort is public safety through voluntary compliance.

Those manning the aircrafts use a timing device known as VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer and Recorder) to calculate vehicle speeds. They're also monitoring for aggressive or reckless drivers. If they detect a violator, they communicate with a ground-based unit to initiate a traffic stop.

In Other News

Never Forgotten Honor Flight Returns for 56th Mission; ~5,400 Vets Overall

Published on 06/01/2026 under News Another group of Northwoods veterans is traveling to the nation's capital on Monday to visit the monuments built in their honor. The Never Forgotten Honor Flight is embarking on the second of four planned missions to Washington, D.C., this year. Organizers expect 96 veterans to take part, including 95 from the Vietnam era and one from the Korean War. They are hoping for better travel luck than last month's flight, which experienced a few mechanical delays. Today's mission marks the 56th flight for the local hub since its founding in 2010. Over that time, nearly 5,400 local veterans have participated in the program. Organizers continue to encourage veterans who served in any location prior to June 7, 1975, to sign up if they haven't already taken part. The public is invited to give the veterans a warm welcome home at the end of their journey this evening. Honor Flight officials recommend arriving at Central Wisconsin Airport no later than 8:30 p.m.

Published on 06/01/2026 under News A tragic end to the search for a missing boater in Lac du Flambeau late last week. Officials say the body of Kyle Ascheman, 45, of Lake Geneva, was recovered from Whitefish Lake over the weekend. Ascheman was reportedly vacationing with his family in Lac du Flambeau at the time of his disappearance. The search began Thursday evening after a concerned citizen reported an unoccupied boat circling on the water. Authorities identified Ascheman as the boat's owner and contacted his family, who confirmed he was missing. A multi-agency search was launched Thursday night, continuing through Friday and into Saturday morning. First responders noted that difficult lake bed conditions and poor visibility impeded their efforts. Crews utilized specialized equipment, including aerial and underwater drones, sonar, and search dogs. On Saturday, a dive team located and recovered Ascheman's body in approximately 38 feet of water. The incident remains under investigation.

Published on 06/01/2026 under News Tomahawk residents may notice some changes to their water this week as the City of Tomahawk Water Department conducts its annual water main and hydrant flushing program. The Water Department says this annual flushing program is an essential part of maintaining a safe, clean, and reliable water system for the community. During the flushing process, residents may experience temporary drops in water pressure and occasional water discoloration caused by sediment being cleared from the system. City officials say this discoloration is normal and can usually be resolved by running a cold water tap for one to two minutes until it runs clear. As a precaution, residents are advised to avoid washing white or light-colored laundry while crews are working in their immediate area. Motorists should also use caution around work crews and watch for standing water on roadways. Crews will begin today and work through Friday in designated zones across the city.

Published on 06/01/2026 under News Wisconsin trail riders will need to double check ATV/UTV rules, as the new off-road vehicle regulations officially take effect today, June 1. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is rolling out the updated rules to bolster safety across the state's trail systems. Among the most notable updates is a seatbelt mandate for all UTV operators and passengers. Additionally, anyone riding in a vehicle without a windshield is now required to wear goggles, glasses, or a face shield. The regulations crack down on excessive noise, unnecessary tire spinning, and reckless operation on both trails and public roads, introducing stiffer penalties for property damage. UTV drivers will also have to comply with new window tint standards and strict limitations on towing individuals on sleds or trailers. On the mechanical side, the maximum allowable weight for UTVs has been increased to 3,500 pounds, and all UTVs must now be equipped with two functioning tail lights. With summer riding season kicking into high gear, the DNR is urging riders to thoroughly review the comprehensive, updated 60-page regulations booklet, which is currently available for download on their website. Beyond the new changes, DNR officials are reminding riders that foundational safety habits remain as critical as ever. "As always, ride safe by wearing your helmets and seatbelts, knowing the rules, and riding sober," said DNR Lt. Jacob Holsclaw.

Published on 06/01/2026 under News A state agency will once again be tracking spongy moths this summer across the western half of Wisconsin. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced it will set more than 6,500 spongy moth traps across 36 counties, including Lincoln, Vilas, Oneida, Price, and Taylor. Program coordinator Amanda Miller noted that the traps serve a dual purpose: monitoring existing populations and catching new ones early. Miller says, "Even though spongy moth populations drastically decreased across the state again last season, there are still new outlier populations developing." The traps themselves are small, green, tent-shaped boxes tied to tree branches. Infused with the scent of a female spongy moth, the traps are completely undetectable to other insects but highly attractive to male spongy moths. State crews will monitor the traps through August, which is typically when the male moths stop flying for the season. Once the flight period ends, the traps will be removed. Property owners may spot agency staff tending to the sites over the summer. Those monitoring the traps will wear fluorescent safety vests and carry official identification cards. Each trap is clearly labeled with a phone number and a QR code that residents can use if they have questions or concerns.

Published on 06/01/2026 under News The Eagle River Area Fire Department turned a planned barn demolition into a valuable training opportunity. Firefighters and other first responders spent Saturday at the Northwoods Assembly of God Church. Before a controlled burn of an old barn, firefighters spent the morning conducting a variety of training exercises focused on emergency response skills in simulated smoke conditions and live-fire scenarios. As the day progressed, they then moved on to a controlled burn of the entire barn. The agency said the controlled burn was completed successfully with no fire spread to nearby structures and no spot fires reported. Fire officials say realistic training exercises like this provide hands-on experience that helps firefighters better protect the communities they serve. Several neighboring agencies and partners took part.

Published on 05/29/2026 under Sports Junior Athlete Elise Gibeault and Sophomore Athlete Ellie Micke would become the only Hatchets to qualify for the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse next weekend. Gibeault would finish second in both the 200 and 400 meter dashes. Gibeault would re-set personal bests and school records in both events. The Junior finished with a run of 25.74 seconds in the 200 meter dash and a run of 56.39 seconds in the 400 meter dash. Gibeault would place behind only Hayward's Harper Sheehan in both events. As for Micke, she was the last qualifier in the field in the High Jump. Micke tied for the 4th spot in the sectional and would advance by way of tiebreaker. Micke's leap in the High Jump was 5'3". Gibeault and Micke will compete in the WIAA Division 2 State Meet in La Crosse Friday. Field Events begin at 3:00 PM. Running events begin at 3:30 PM.

Published on 05/29/2026 under News The Tomahawk Powwow Days celebration is right around the corner, and planning is already in full swing. Among the event's many popular traditions is the return of the annual "North for the Fourth" T-shirts. Each year, a new design is created, typically featuring a patriotic, Powwow Days, or Northwoods theme. Tomahawk Main Street has officially unveiled this year's shirt. Fitting for the Fourth of July, it features a simple wordmark with a patriotic red, white, and blue color palette. Drawing inspiration from another 4th event, the typography is backed by bursting fireworks. A preview of the design is currently available to view on the Tomahawk Main Street Facebook page. With 40 years of unique designs in the books, these shirts have become a popular local collector's item. Other community members simply purchase them to wear during the weekend's festivities as a way to show pride and support Tomahawk Main Street efforts. Past editions have showcased iconic community events like the Tomahawk Fire Department water fights, a Top Gun-inspired theme, and last year's classic Northwoods nature setting. The shirts are available locally at Honeycomb Loft, and can also be purchased online directly through the Tomahawk Main Street website. All proceeds from the sales go toward supporting Tomahawk Main Street's ongoing community and downtown revitalization efforts.

Published on 05/29/2026 under News Aspirus Health is using new artificial intelligence technology to help doctors detect life-threatening strokes faster and improve emergency response times. The new Viz.ai platform automatically reviews CT scans using AI to identify strokes with seconds. When a severe stroke is suspected, the system immediately alerts radiologists and emergency physicians so treatment can begin faster. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the brain loses an estimated 1.9 million neurons every minute during an untreated stroke, making rapid diagnosis critical. Aspirus officials say combining advanced computer analysis with medical expertise can help reduce long-term disability and improve patient outcomes.

Published on 05/29/2026 under News May is graduation season, and one recent commencement address at Northcentral Technical College truly stood out. NTC recently shared the story behind graduate speaker Ashley Aull, who delivered her entire commencement address in sign language. Aull explained that the unique approach was designed to give attendees a firsthand understanding of what it is like for deaf individuals who must rely on interpreters every day. To do this, she flipped the traditional roles: Aull signed her message while NTC instructor Chanel Volpel provided the spoken interpretation for the audience. Aull's journey into the field began when she enrolled in a summer sign language program at NTC just to communicate with a new friend who is deaf. What started as a personal connection quickly grew into a lifelong career path. After helping to interpret at her child's school, she decided to pursue formal credentials through NTC's Sign Language Interpreting in Education program. While Aull notes that the work can be incredibly challenging, she finds it equally rewarding. As for what is next, Aull, who has also studied in medical programs, is looking to combine the two skills to explore a career as a specialized medical interpreter.

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