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Vandals Hit River Bend Trail in Merrill Published on 08/11/2020 under News

The River Bend Trail in Merrill is latest target of vandalism that has hit Lincoln County all summer long.

According to the Friends of the Trail group, the vandals sprayed graffiti, smashed lights and damaged signs. A number of citizens partnered with city employees to clean the graffiti.

Based on community support, the Friends group is partnering with the Merrill Chamber to start a reward fund. If, by the end of September, no suspects have been identified; they will use the donations to help fix the lighting with new damage resistant covers.

They're also encouraging anyone with information on this or any vandalism instances in Lincoln County to contact Merrill Police, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office or Crimestoppers of Lincoln County.

In Other News

Winter Weather Awareness Week: Extreme Cold Can Lead to Hospital Visits

Published on 11/18/2025 under News Cold temperatures can be uncomfortable and snow events inconvenient; but winter weather can also be dangerous. Local and state officials are teaming up to share information as part of Wisconsin Winter Awareness Week. Ready Wisconsin shared some data on the dangers of extreme cold. Around the state last winter, there were nearly 1,400 emergency calls and about the same number of ER visits related to the cold. Among the most common dangers are hypothermia and frost bite. But these conditions can often be avoided or greatly reduced by paying attention to weather forecasts and staying prepared. A few other tips they offered when the temperatures drop: Try to limit time outside. Dress for the weather by layering and making sure to cover exposed skin. It's also a good idea to check on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors. Lincoln County Emergency Management Director Tyler Verhasselt says, "Lincoln County has always been at its best when we look out for one another." He says, "When temperatures drop, we see just how quickly cold weather can escalate into a real emergency for our residents. Preparation is one of the most effective tools we have."

Published on 11/18/2025 under News The Tomahawk High School One Act Play is state-bound at the end of the week. In the lead up to their final competition, the students will be offering performances during the school day for their fellow classmates, along with a community performance this evening. This fall, THS is performing the character driven comedy, "Epic Adventures in a Rinky-Dink Art Museum" by Ken Preuss. It follows a group of creative writing students on a field trip to a small-town museum where they battle boredom by pursuing mysteries romance and other adventures. At the end of the week, the cast and crew will head to UW-Stevens Point for the state festival. This is the tenth consecutive year Tomahawk has sent the One-Act Play to the competition. For those who'd like a sneak peak, the community performance will be at 7pm in the auditorium. Admission is a free will donation to support the drama department.

Published on 11/18/2025 under News The countdown is on for the 2025 gun-deer season. Before heading into the field, the officials are encouraging hunters to go over safe hunting practices, including the use of tree stands. Dr Michael Clark with Aspirus MedEvac notes, "You're much more likely to get injured from a fall than a gunshot wound." He says, "It's a concern that we should definitely take precautions to avoid." The DNR offered some tips and reminders for tree stand use. First, inspect the tree, your stand, and your harness, especially if you haven't used them since last season. Some trees, like ash, may be weakened and vulnerable due to invasive species. Always maintain 3 points of contact when climbing. That means two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand. Use a haul line to raise or lower your firearm or bow. Carry a cellphone and let someone know where you're hunting and when you plan to return. Along with tree stand safety, the DNR also continues to emphasize safety on ATVs and UTVs. These machines are frequently used by hunters traveling to and from their stands. -Photo provided by Wisconsin DNR

Published on 11/18/2025 under News A local fire department is reminding property owners to be mindful of burning activities due to current wildfire conditions. The Little Rice Fire Department provided that message after responding to a fire Sunday afternoon in the Town of Lynne. Upon arrival, firefighters found tall grasses burning with difficult access. Multiple agencies responded, and they were on the scene for approximately 3 hours. This was one of four listed on the DNR wildfire tracker in our listening area this week. As we've previously reported, much of Northern Wisconsin is classified as abnormally dry or moderate drought. Coupled with the dry and breezy conditions we've seen in recent days, it can lead to elevated wildfire risk.

Published on 11/17/2025 under News As the seasons shift, the familiar sound of the Salvation Army Bell Ringers will soon fill the Northwoods. Here in Tomahawk, the local Salvation Army chapter is kicking off their holiday bell ringing efforts a bit later this week. Ahead of the launch we spoke with organizers Terry Derleth and Win Semmler. The bell ringing effort is their main source of funding, and 86 cents for every dollar donated stays in the community it's collected. Last year, the Tomahawk Chapter raised just shy of $35,000. Derleth says they are hoping to match that total. She noted those funds are utilized their temporary emergency voucher program and the Happy Kids Backpack program. With the Bell Ringing set to begin Friday and running through Christmas, there are 28 days to fill. Semmler says they've been fortunate to have a groups and businesses volunteer to ring as a team, filling 23 of the 28 days. That includes local banks, churches, realty offices, school staff and local non-profits. Derleth added that ringing can be a rewarding way to spend a few hours ahead of the holidays. She added that it is one of the highlights of her entire year. They'll be back at their two traditional locations, Trigs and in front of the post office downtown. People can call or text Semmler at 630-667-3250 or email win.semmler@gmail.com

Published on 11/17/2025 under News It was America Recycles Day on Saturday, and the DNR announced latest winners of the Wisconsin Recycling Excellence Awards including a Northwoods winner. This year, a record 22 recipients received awards across four categories: Projects and Initiatives, Overall Program, Special Events and Innovation. Among the Special Event winners was the 3rd Annual Recycling Extravaganza held in Eagle River over the summer. The effort, organized by Robert Blaus, served as a one-stop shop for a number of items and materials including: electronics and metal; a prescription drug take-back; American flag retirement; and eyewear and hearing aids collection for redistribution. And for a small town, the numbers were impressive…When the collection, there said there were already more than 500 vehicles waiting in line. They collected 25 tons of electronics and 26,000 pounds of metal and appliances along with 49 pounds of pharmaceuticals. The effort also supported the Vilas County Food Pantry. Recyclers contributed nearly 900 pounds of non-perishable food items and more than $1,200 in monetary donations. Organizers said they are already looking forward to the 4th Annual Recycling Extravaganza next summer. For the last 13 years, the DNR has celebrated outstanding recycling and waste minimization efforts through its annual awards recognizing high-performers and highlighting proven ideas and strategies that other organizations may use to improve their recycling efforts.

Published on 11/17/2025 under News As the use of electric vehicles grows, so does the need for a reliable charging network. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced additional funding to build charging stations around the state including several locations here in the Northwoods. The funds come from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. According to the announcement, these fast-charging stations will help ensure residents and visitors alike have access to the charging infrastructure needed to travel from point A to point B in Wisconsin. In all 26 locations will share in $14 million in partial match funding. Locally, that includes: the Kwik Trips in both Arbor Vitae and Marathon City; along with the Prentice Truck and Travel Center and the Merrill Travelodge by Wyndham. The charging stations will be built along Wisconsin's Alternative Fuel Corridor, reaching all corners of the state to support the more than 37,000 EVs registered in the state, as well as travelers and visitors. WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman says, "WisDOT is pleased to help offer drivers reliable and convenient places to stop, so they can feel comfortable making a trip across the state and have the opportunity to support local businesses along the way." The locations of every planned charging station can be found on WisDOT's EV charging station dashboard.

Published on 11/17/2025 under News Emergency management teams around the state are reminding residents to prepare for the upcoming winter season. It's time for Wisconsin Winter Awareness Week. In the coming days, safety officials and meteorologists will be sharing valuable information and safety tips as people prepare for what Mother Nature has to offer in the coming months. According to the National Weather Service, Wisconsin averages three to six major winter storms each season. For a second consecutive winter, it was unusually mild with below average snowfall totals and above normal temperatures. Despite the relatively mild winters, preparation remains important. Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle says, "Being prepared doesn't have to be complicated, but it does take a little time and planning. That effort can make all the difference for you and your loved ones." That includes preparing home and vehicle emergency kits, going over a family emergency plan, and paying attention to weather forecasts. Stay tuned to WJJQ all week long for additional information on Winter Awareness Week.

Published on 11/17/2025 under News The countdown is on for the opening of the 9-day gun-deer season. And while the goal is to bag a buck, the most important thing to remember is safety. That starts with TAB-K. What may seem like a nonsensical phrase, TAB-K is the mnemonic device that safety official use to help hunters handle their firearms properly. They are all common recommendations found in the Hunter's Safety Courses. The DNR offered a quick refresher.The T stands for Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.The A stands for Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.The B Be certain of your target, and what is in front of and beyond it.And the K Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until you are safe to shoot.Last season there was a single, non-fatal firearm incident during the gun-deer season. The victim was struck in the foot by an errant shot. Stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the week for coverage of the deer season.

Published on 11/17/2025 under News Earlier this year, community members in the Arbor Vitae-Woodruff area kicked off an effort to form a new Lions Club.As recruitment efforts continue, they draw closer to getting the 20 members needed to officially form a new chapter. According to the latest update, they are more than half way there. While not official just yet, those members are already giving back to the community participating last month's Food for Kidz, where they picked up two more recruits. They're hosting another meeting this evening at 6pm in the Arbor Vitae Town Hall. They encourage people interested to attend to learn more, get involved, and help in the creation of the new chapter.

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