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Local Covid-19 Testing; Public Exposure Risk in Merrill Published on 09/18/2020 under News

Checking Covid testing in the Northwoods...

Lincoln County reported 5 new cases Thursday. The county has 125 overall including 30 active cases.

Oneida County reports 13 new cases. They have 307 cases overall, 54 active and 2 hospitalizations.

Vilas County did not provide a Thursday update.

Langlade County has 118 cases after two new positives. There are 28 active cases. The two people who had been hospitalized have now been released.

Cases continue to surge in Forest County with another 7 reported yesterday. The County now has 190 positive tests including more than 100 since September 1.

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The Lincoln County Health Department is notifying the public of another public exposure risk. They typically issue these statements following a positive Covid-19 test where contact tracing is not able to identify potential exposure risks.

The newest exposure was at the Avenue Bar in Merrill. Two people tested positive who spent time at establishment:

•Wednesday, September 9, noon -10 pm

•Thursday, September 10, noon – 8 pm

•Friday, September 11, noon- 7:30 pm

LCHD has been working with Avenue Bar to notify staff and the public and assure proper disinfection and best practices are being followed moving forward. Those who were at the bar on those days should monitor their symptoms.

In Other News

Officials Remind Drivers of Snowplow Safety after Uptick in Accidents

Published on 02/05/2026 under News As winter begins to wind down, officials are once again reminding drivers about snowplow safety. The message comes after 13 separate accidents involving vehicles and county snowplows around the state this winter. These crashes resulted in vehicle damage and forced several plows out of service, temporarily reducing highway department abilities to clear roads efficiently. The DoT and the Wisconsin County Highway Association teamed up to share this message. In many cases, they note snowplows have been struck from behind, highlighting the need for drivers to remain alert and adjust their driving behavior in winter conditions. WCHA Executive Director Patrick Vander Sanden says, "Every time a snowplow is hit, it puts operators at risk and takes critical equipment off the road. Drivers need to slow down, stay back and be patient." They note that snowplows will travel at slower speeds to more effectively apply liquid brine or road salts. Following too closely or attempting to pass an active plow puts everyone at risk. Snowplows have flashing amber or green warning lights to increase safety, enhance driver awareness and improve visibility of maintenance vehicles.

Published on 02/05/2026 under News Earlier this week, the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry released their annual impact report which showed just how instrumental they are in the community. According to the report, they were able to distribute more than 940,000 pounds of food providing food assistance to more than 2,300 neighbors experiencing food insecurity. In addition to shopping at the food pantry, they also provide nutrition through their Hodag Monster Meals, the summer Hodag Food Wagon, and monthly Senior Stock Boxes. Even some 90,000 pounds of food they weren't able to distribute was redirected to local animal rescues like Wild Instincts or farmers. Their mission is only possible through the community. They note that 75% of their funding comes from donations and fundraisers. As for volunteers, more than 350 people provided approximately 19,600 volunteer hours. Executive Director Courtney Smith says, "We are inspired by what is possible when a community comes together with purpose and compassion. Your generosity and commitment fuel our mission." The Rhinelander Area Food Pantry turned twenty years old in 2025.

Published on 02/05/2026 under News The City of Tomahawk is seeking some outside funding to help as they continue to plan for a PFAs treatment facility. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council approved an agreement with engineering firm MSA to submit an application for the state's Safe Drinking Water program. The city has already been working with MSA on this project. Applications do require pilot studies which are also currently ongoing. Back in 2023, routine testing of the city water in Tomahawk came back just over the PFAS threshold which required advisories be sent to residents. With tightening regulations, the city has been exploring a treatment facility. A 1,000 gallon per minute Granular Activated Carbon, or GAC facility was identified as the most cost efficient option that would meet the city's typical water demands. It still carries a hefty price tag, more than $6.2 million. The Safe Drinking Water program could cover up to half the construction costs of the project. The deadline to apply for the current cycle of the Safe Drinking Water program is in June.

Published on 02/05/2026 under News The Lincoln County Humane Society worked with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office for an unusual animal rescue this week. The teams were called to a property after the owners had moved, leaving behind 28 chickens and a turkey. Fortunately the Lincoln County Humane Society has already been able to re-home the birds. They did use this situation as a good example to seek help if you can't care for your animals. They said, "If the owners had reached out... it's possible we could have assisted with finding homes for (the birds) before they were left in such extreme outdoor conditions, with little protection from the elements." Even if you have an animal that LCHS can't easily house like farm animals or exotic pets, they do have connections and contacts to other rescues or resources that may be of assistance. They noted that Lincoln County residents are not charged a surrender fee.

Published on 02/05/2026 under News Many skaters begin with pond hockey, playing on frozen waterways large and small. Coming up this weekend, the Minocqua community is bringing the game back to basics. The American Pond Hockey Invitational returns to the Northwoods with three days of play on Lake Minocqua. The event began in 2022 when a group of Min-Aqua Bats alumni saw the frozen Aqua Bowl as a perfect setting to celebrate the game, the community, and winter in the Northwoods. Now in it's fourth year, the event has grown to feature six rinks and plenty of other attractions, both onsite and around the community. (Visitor's Guide) Through these collaborations, American Pond Hockey has become both a winter tradition and a catalyst for positive local impact, a reminder that the coldest months can bring the community closer together. That includes a public skating initiative, local partnerships with businesses to promote the region as a destination, as well as community fundraising opportunities impacting dozens of local groups and organizations. It is free for spectators. Games get underway on Friday and will continue through the championship rounds on Sunday morning. The event comes right on the heels of another successful pond hockey tournament up in Eagle River last weekend.

Published on 02/04/2026 under News Last month the Tomahawk City Council voted to place a levy referendum on the April ballot. In the lead up to the vote, city leaders will be reaching out to the public. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council scheduled three public informational meetings at SARA Park in March. The goal of the meetings will be to explain why the city is requesting additional funding. The state restricts the ability of municipalities to increase their tax levy without voter approval. The Council is looking for a 20% increase to the base levy going forward, approximately $276,000. If approved, it would result in an increase of around $75 for a $100,000 property. The decision in Tomahawk comes after several consecutive years of difficult budget decisions. At the informational sessions, they plan to review some of the previous cuts, as well as services that could be impacted in the future. In addition to the City Council members, they have also asked department heads to participate. In order to reach as many people as possible, the Council attempted to cover different times and days when scheduling the meetings. They are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday March 4 at 1pm; Saturday March 7 at 10am; and Thursday, March 19 at 6pm. (Dates and times are subject to change, we'll offer a reminder as those dates are confirmed.) In addition to the meetings, they also plan to include a fact sheet in utility bills as well as traditional and social media. Voters will decide on the referendum April 7.

Published on 02/04/2026 under News Aspirus Health Foundation has officially launched the $1 million Building a Healthier Future capital campaign in support of the $40 million renovation of Aspirus Merrill Hospital. As part of the fundraising, they received a $275,000 cornerstone gift from the Bierman Family Foundation. The $40 million renovation project at Aspirus Merrill Hospital is designed to: • Expand facilities to better serve a growing patient population • Modernize technology to support advanced medical care • Enhance patient environments to promote healing and comfort • Increase operational efficiency to deliver faster, more effective services The Bierman Family Foundation's investment brings the momentum needed to launch the Building a Healthier Future campaign. Jane Bentz, is the donor engagement and development specialist with Aspirus Health Foundation. "Their gift will inspire others to come together to support local health care and the community members Aspirus will serve for generations to come." As part of the campaign, Aspirus Health Foundation is offering naming opportunities that allow donors to leave a lasting legacy within Aspirus Merrill Hospital. These named spaces will recognize philanthropic support while reinforcing the hospital's role as a community-centered place of care. Bentz says, "Each named space reflects the heart of Merrill, where neighbors uplift one another, and local businesses invest in the well-being and future of their community."

Published on 02/04/2026 under News Good ice plays a key role in skating experience. The crews up in Boulder Junction have a new tool to help maintain the ice at Winter Park including the Glide Ribbon and the skating rink on site. The Town recently acquired a Kubota tractor equipped with a power broom to help with snow removal and ice preparation efforts. The new equipment will be paired with their pull-behind Zamboni system, allowing the volunteers to maintain a consistent skating surface. Town Chairman, Dennis Reuss said, "This new equipment is an important investment in the success of the Winter Park." He added, "With the continued growth in usage of the Glide, it made sense for the Town to step up and provide tools that help deliver a higher-quality experience for park users while also protecting our volunteers." The Glide debuted last year to great success, even winning awards and national exposure. This year, the team of volunteers have spent significantly more time on ice maintenance according to volunteer coordinator and park board member Steve Weber. The Glide is opening daily from 10am to 10pm when conditions allow. Visitors are encouraged to check Boulder at Play on Facebook for conditions.

Published on 02/04/2026 under News Tax season is upon us, and a local partnership will once again provide free filing assistance in the Northwoods. The ADRC of Oneida County is helping organize the effort in Rhinelander in collaboration with the IRS and AARP. They'll have trained and certified volunteers, with the site volunteers offering more than 100 years of combined Tax Aide experience. According to organizers, the target group for this service is people with low to moderate income, with an emphasis for those 60 and older. The Rhinelander site expects to prepare and e-file approximately 600 returns. The services began this week and will continue through the April filing deadline. They'll be set up at the ADRC of Oneida County on Mondays and Wednesdays. Similar programs will be set up in Eagle River and Minocqua. Those utilizing this assistance need to schedule an appointment. Rhinelander at the ADRC Office- 715-369-6170Eagle River at the Ohlson Public Library on Wednesdays- 715-479-3727 Minocqua Public Library on Fridays- 715-356-4437

Published on 02/04/2026 under News The Super Bowl will be full of ceremony and tradition. A Navy pilot from the Wausau area will be taking part. During the national anthem performance at Sunday's game, members of four U.S. Navy tactical squadrons will join the Air Force for a unified flyover over Levi's Stadium. That includes Lt. Darren Sanchez originally from Weston. Sanchez serves as a pilot assigned to the "Warhawks" of Strike Fighter Squadron 97 and will represent the Navy in the F-35C. Sanchez said of the opportunity, "To participate in the flyover for the Super Bowl is an unbelievable feeling because I've been watching football my entire life." According to the announcement, Sanchez graduated from D.C. Everest in 2015, and earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the UW-Madison in 2019. He joined the Navy six years ago.

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