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Northwoods, State Schools See Drop in Enrollment Published on 10/16/2020 under News

Earlier this week the Tomahawk School District confirmed a 5% drop in student enrollment. Yesterday we learned Tomahawk is not alone in experiencing a steep decline in student enrollment this year.

The Department of Public Instruction released the enrollment totals for schools in the state, known as a third Friday count. When compared to last September, enrollment is down 3% statewide or nearly 25,000 students.

While Wisconsin had been experiencing declining enrollment over the previous three years, it was typically around a half percent annually.

Most Northwoods schools followed that trend. Rhinelander had 134 fewer students, Prentice-34, and Antigo-139. Even larger districts like Wausau were affected with 417 fewer students or 5% of their enrollment.

A few districts in the area bucked the trend...Northland Pines gained 9 students, Three Lakes reported 29 more students, and Merrill, with their popular online virtual academy, gained 75.

Officials have attributed the large drop to a number of reasons including smaller families in general, kindergarten parents holding their child back due to Covid, as well as homeschooling or private school enrollment.

In Other News

Tomahawk City Council Approves Enhanced Wake Ordinance for Lake Mohawksin

Published on 09/02/2026 under News New restrictions could be coming to local waters after the Tomahawk City Council votes to crack down on enhanced wakes. At their meeting last night, the Tomahawk City Council approved an ordinance regulating enhanced wakes on Lake Mohawksin and portions of the Wisconsin and Tomahawk Rivers within city limits. Under the new rules, boaters are prohibited from using ballast tanks, ballast bags, or wake-enhancing fins to operate a boat in a bow-high manner that amplifies its wake. Tuesday's meeting drew a large crowd, requiring extra rows of chairs to be brought into Council Chambers. More than a dozen Lake Mohawksin residents spoke in favor of the ordinance during the public hearing and subsequent council discussion, while many others attended to offer silent support. Speakers raised concerns shared by a growing number of communities passing similar restrictions—primarily protecting shorelines and lakebeds from erosion and sediment disturbance, alongside general safety and wildlife preservation. Council members acknowledged that enforcement will be challenging. However, they anticipate that the ordinance itself, combined with public awareness, signage, and community pressure, will serve as an effective deterrent. Traditional activities such as water skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding continue to be allowed as along as wake-enhancing equipment is not used. The ordinance also includes a limited exemption for the Kwahamot Water Ski Club. First-time violations carry a $500 fine, increasing to $1,000 for a subsequent offense within a single year. The Council ultimately passed the measure in a 6–2 roll-call vote. (Aye: Kahle, Garske, Haskin, Soward, Nelson, Wegener; Nay: Mike Loka, Mickey Loka; Absent: Bartz) Because the waters are shared with the Town of Bradley, they're expected to take up a similar ordinance later this month.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News Beer and Bacon will be back on the menu in Tomahawk next month. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council approved the special event application for the second annual Beer and Bacon Bash. The celebration is hosted at SARA Park by WaWui, the volunteer-led group that supports and operates the facility. The October 3 event is described as a celebration of local flavor, fun, and philanthropy, raising money for the non-profit. As the name implies, beer and bacon will be featured throughout the menu, while they'll also have entertainment including a new-this-year kickball tournament. We'll offer a preview in the lead up to the event. The Council also approved the application for the annual Tomahawk High School Homecoming parade. That will be held on October 2 with no proposed changes from past years.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News A local Northwoods tavern set out to honor area veterans, and thanks to community support, they blew their original fundraising goal out of the water. JEB's Bar and Grill recently hosted its "American Beers for American Heroes" event with an initial goal of raising between $2,500 and $5,000, typically enough to send five to ten local veterans to Washington, D.C., through the Never Forgotten Honor Flight program. Instead, generous patrons and neighbors helped the establishment double their expectations, raising a total of $10,000 to cover the cost for 20 local veterans to visit the national monuments built in their honor. Jim Campbell with the Never Forgotten Honor Flight stopped by for a check presentation. An inside wall now includes the silhouettes of 20 saluting service members to recognize the accomplishment. Organizers thanked the community for their support and say they are already looking forward to raising even more next year. The Northwoods Honor Flight chapter typically runs four trips to the nation's capital each year, with two more missions scheduled on the calendar for this fall.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News While we've been talking back to school this week, it's back to work for a Northwoods road construction project that paused over the summer. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced that crews will return to Minocqua next week to resume work on Highway 51 between Front Street and the Lake Minocqua Bridge. Work on the project originally started this spring before pausing in early June for the busy summer season. Crews are scheduled to resume operations following Labor Day weekend. Drivers can expect one more temporary weekend pause. Construction materials and traffic controls will be removed for the annual Beef-A-Rama celebration the weekend of Sept. 26. Outside of the Beef-A-Rama break, single-lane closures will be in effect through downtown Minocqua during active construction. The project is scheduled for completion on Oct. 20, 2026.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News Another Northwoods artist will have their work featured on a Wisconsin DNR bird stamp next season. Each summer, the department holds an art competition, with the three winning designs featured on the following year's wild turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl stamps. Stamp sales generate hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to fund habitat restoration, enhancement, education, and research projects. Judging took place at the Wisconsin Waterfowl Expo in Oshkosh, where the DNR announced this year's winners. Among them is Hazelhurst resident Ritch Miller, who took first place in the waterfowl category with his painting of a green-winged teal. The Lakeland area boasts a rich history in the contest, with past multi-time winners including Caleb Metrich and Bob Metropolis. Rounding out this year's top honors, Douglas Schuster of Hatley won the wild turkey stamp contest, while Sam Timm of Wautoma took first place in the pheasant category. Timm completes a personal trifecta after winning both the turkey and waterfowl contests last summer.-Photo: Ritch Miller's green winged teal painting took first place in this year's waterfowl design contest.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News While the fall semester is just getting underway, Nicolet College students can already apply for financial assistance for the upcoming year. The Nicolet College Foundation opened its annual scholarship application period this week for the Spring and Summer 2027 terms. "Scholarships made available through the Nicolet College Foundation provide more than financial support," says Foundation Director Heather Schallock. "They show students that there are people who believe in them and support their goals. This is a true investment in our community, and our donors make these opportunities possible." This year alone, the foundation has already awarded 262 scholarships totaling more than $283,000, helping students overcome financial barriers to pursue their education. Scholarships are available to both new and returning students enrolled either part-time or full-time. Interested students can complete the online application through the scholarship portal on the Nicolet College website. The deadline to submit applications is September 30.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News For students in the Tomahawk School District, it's back to school day: part two. Today marks the first traditional full day of class for all students in Tomahawk. That's because of a one-day, orientation-style program that took place yesterday known as WEB and Link Crew. On Monday, Tomahawk 6th and 9th grade students participated in special activities to get the students acclimated to their new space in the middle and high schools respectively. While freshmen and 6th graders were getting settled, upperclassmen enjoyed one final day of summer vacation before returning to campus today. The district's youngest learners at the elementary school also had their first day today, as they were unaffected by the orientation programs.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News Ice Age Trail volunteers returned to the Northwoods last month for another trail-building effort. During a four-day project in early August, the crew added nearly a mile of new footpath along the Underdown Segment in Lincoln County. The new 0.9-mile section replaces a road segment. Along with clearing the path, volunteers built two stone steps, three wooden boardwalks, and a designated rustic campsite; the first along this 30-mile stretch of trail. According to the Ice Age Trail Alliance, the campsite is located atop a high ridge, offering overnight backpackers scenic views of the surrounding glacial landscape. Favorable weather allowed crews to finish early and assist the local Northwoods Chapter with grooming existing sections of the nearby trail. Organizers noted that the event also served as a training session for 14 new volunteers, who worked alongside experienced trail builders to learn proper techniques. The Ice Age Trail Alliance has kept busy in the Northwoods this summer, following two trail-building weekends in Langlade County. The group will head to Taylor County this fall for its another volunteer trail effort.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News When a cardiac emergency strikes, the first person on the scene is rarely a paramedic, but rather a neighbor, coworker, or family member. To ensure residents can act fast during those critical opening minutes, the Little Rice Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a free Community CPR Class on Saturday, September 12. American Heart Association-certified instructors will provide hands-on instruction in CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) usage. Fire Chief Larry Mathein says, "We want people in our community to feel confident that they can step forward and help." Mathein added, "CPR is a skill we hope someone never has to use, but when it is needed, knowing what to do can make an enormous difference." The training runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Lynne Town Hall. The class is free, but organizers request advance registration to ensure adequate space. Call or Text "CPR" to 715-966-0250

Published on 09/01/2026 under News One person died following a boating incident in Vilas County over the weekend. According to the Vilas County Sheriff's Office, a resident on Sumach Lake in Arbor Vitae called 911 around 2:30 p.m. Sunday after spotting a capsized boat and two men in the water. One of the men swam to shore for help. A good Samaritan assisted in pulling the second man from the water, and they immediately began CPR until first responders arrived. The 75-year-old victim was initially conscious and speaking, but he suffered a medical emergency and became unresponsive. He was transported to Aspirus Howard Young Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld pending family notification. The Wisconsin DNR is investigating the incident.

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