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Hunting Season Begins without Traditional Tomahawk Venison Feed Published on 11/20/2020 under News

For the first time in more than half century, the west end of Main Street in Tomahawk will be quiet on the Friday before hunting season.

As we told you back in August, the Tomahawk Chamber board voted to postpone this year's Venison Feed due to the Coronavirus. The decision was made well before cases have exploded in the Northwoods in recent weeks.

This would have been the 55th year for the Tomahawk unique event which sees volunteers grill up more than a thousand free venison burgers each year for the hundreds of orange clad hunters.

Many out-of town hunters would stop on the way to their cabins, while non-hunters would simply stop by for a taste of venison. For many it became an annual tradition, that that unfortunately will have to wait.

It also adds to a growing list of popular festivities in Tomahawk that have been put on hold this year due to the coronavirus which has also included Powwow Days, Music on the River and many aspects of the Tomahawk Fall Ride.

In Other News

Tomahawk School District Changes 2027 Graduation Date Due to Track Conflict

Published on 08/13/2026 under News Though the new school year hasn't started yet, the Tomahawk School District is already planning ahead for spring 2027. At its meeting Tuesday, the school board approved a calendar update moving the 2027 high school graduation ceremony up one week, from May 28 to May 21. The change was made to avoid a scheduling conflict with the WIAA track and field postseason—a clash that would have forced senior student-athletes to choose between competing or attending their own commencement. District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry explained that administrators discussed several options with staff before bringing forward a recommendation. Considerations included moving the ceremony back to Saturday( where it had been held in the past) or keeping the Friday night setup on a different weekend. Ultimately, administrators recommended keeping the Friday tradition on May 21. The shift to Friday night graduation seven years ago has been popular with local families because it gives out-of-town guests the full weekend to travel and celebrate. Because track sectional dates rotate between divisions annually, district officials anticipate this scheduling conflict will come up every few years and require similar adjustments down the road.

Published on 08/13/2026 under News Ceremonial shovels hit the ground in Rhinelander today as local leaders kicked off work on a major housing initiative. City officials and project partners broke ground on a 3.7-acre Boyce Drive lot, the future site of the Riverview Senior Housing Development. Located near local parks and the Pelican River, the mid-rise building will feature 48 affordable apartments, including six units set aside for aging veterans, alongside space for senior and veteran support services. Local leaders say Riverview delivers a dual benefit for the Northwoods: providing accessible, low-maintenance living for older adults while potentially freeing up single-family homes for young families moving to the area. Tony Pharo, Executive Director of the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation, praised the years of collaboration behind the project. He called it "much more than turning over a shovel of dirt," describing it as the exact persistence and partnership the region needs. With Oneida County facing an estimated deficit of 1,500 homes in the near future, officials view the development as a crucial step forward. Construction is expected to wrap up late next year.

Published on 08/13/2026 under News An investigation is underway in Marathon County after a man was found dead and a woman was critically injured Wednesday afternoon. According to the Sheriff's Office, responders were called to a residence in the 600 block of Main Street in the Village of Marathon shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Those on the scene found a 26-year-old woman unconscious outside the home with life-threatening injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment; no update on her condition was provided. Officers then entered the home and found a 25-year-old man deceased inside. His name has not been released. Investigators believe this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. No other information was provided on the incident. The Marathon County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation at the request of the Marathon Police Department. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office or submit information to Crime Stoppers.

Published on 08/13/2026 under News A statewide bird-watching effort has raised big dollars for bird-related projects and organizations. Earlier this year, we told you about the 15th annual Great Wisconsin Birdathon. The effort is organized by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and participants include individuals, teams, bird-related organizations, and local libraries. That included 15 classrooms that incorporated the event into their curriculum. There are two parts to the Birdathon: first, organizers encouraged participants to break out their binoculars to spot and record as many bird species as possible, and second, participants collected pledges in exchange for sightings. And it was a record-setting year across the board, bringing together 83 teams and more than 660 birders. Together, they identified 284 bird species around the state and raised just shy of $134,000. Those funds will go toward various organizations and projects dedicated to bird-related causes, from habitat improvement and protection to bird-tracking projects and putting binoculars into the hands of new birders. For those looking to participate next year, the 2027 Great Wisconsin Birdathon kicks off on April 15.

Published on 08/13/2026 under News The nearly century-old Crandon Fire Response Ranger Station is among the projects approved for state funding. The Wisconsin State Building Commission met this week, approving approximately $374 million in state-funded projects statewide. Among the approved projects is a brand-new facility in Crandon to replace the current station, which has been in service since the 1930s. Officials say the new, modern facility will better support the Department of Natural Resources by protecting vital forestry, wildlife, and law enforcement equipment. Crucially, it will help streamline emergency response times across five surrounding counties: Oneida, Florence, Marinette, Oconto, and Langlade. This project is part of a broader list of infrastructure investments around the state, which also includes repairs to veterans' facilities, university campuses, and state parks. Governor Tony Evers praised the vote, stating the projects will strengthen state facilities for decades to come. The Wisconsin State Building Commission is made up of six legislators and a citizen member. The Northwoods is well-represented, with both State Senator Mary Felzkowski and State Representative Rob Swearingen serving on the committee. Continuing a past tradition, the commission met at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Published on 08/13/2026 under News While summer routines and vacations can lead to a drop in donations, the demand for life-saving blood across Northwoods hospitals never slows down. Today, The Community Blood Center is hosting its final community stop of the summer on its "STAT"—or Summer Tour for All Types—collection drive. Donors can roll up their sleeves at the Northwoods Veterans Post in Merrill until 4:30 p.m. In keeping with tradition, the Blood Center will make a monetary donation to local veterans' organizations for every unit collected today. All donors receive a meal, a limited-edition STAT t-shirt, and first-time donors will get a gift card. If you miss today's collection in Merrill, you'll have one more chance to give next month. The Community Blood Center is teaming up with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for a special bobblehead blood drive at Fox Cities Stadium on Saturday, August 22nd. To make an appointment, visit communityblood.org.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News As quickly as it began, Tomahawk's summer concert series comes to a close this evening, and organizers are bringing back a local favorite to wrap up the season. The Cougars will perform tonight at the seventh and final week of Music on the River at Memorial Park. The six-piece band, a series regular, features a unique lineup with three female lead singers and lively blend of rock, pop, and a touch of country. The Cougars were originally scheduled to kick off this year's concert series, but their performance in June was postponed due to rain. Now, they get to close out the summer instead. Throughout the summer, fans packed the waterfront, whether in lawn chairs in the park or pontoons on the shoreline. Tonight offers one last chance to catch the music on the water. The free concert begins at 6:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Tomahawk.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News Voters across the Northwoods turned out in steady numbers on Tuesday to choose their candidates for the fall election. The most closely watched contest was at the top of the ticket. With Governor Tony Evers not seeking re-election, the open seat drew heavy statewide attention. A local candidate will anchor the Republican ticket, as current 7th District Congressman Tom Tiffany cruised to the GOP nomination as expected. On the Democratic side, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley mounted a dramatic comeback after re-entering the race last month. It appears Crowley after he narrowly defeated state Representative Francesca Hong, who led polling through much of the campaign. Tiffany's run for governor also left an open seat in Northern Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District. On the Republican side, Michael Alfonso emerged victorious from a field of five candidates. For the Democrats, former state Representative Fred Clark won a tight three-way race in which every candidate captured at least 30 percent of the vote. The primary winners now advance to the November 3 general election.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News In just a few short weeks, Northwoods students will head back to the classroom, meaning back-to-school shopping is in full swing. With rising costs, a little extra planning can go a long way in preventing sticker shock. According to the National Retail Federation, parents of K-12 students anticipate spending a little over $400 on basic supplies and clothing alone. That figure climbs even higher when factoring in electronics or college-bound students. However, consumer experts say smart habits can lead to significant savings:Stick to the List: Start with your district's official classroom supply list—and stick to it. Keeping purchases focused on essential items prevents costly impulse buys.Shop at Home First: Before heading to the store, check closets and desks. Supplies left over from previous school years can often be reused.Buy in Bulk: Team up with neighbors, relatives, or classmates to purchase items in bulk, then divide the supplies and split the savings.Shop Sales and Closeouts: Keep an eye out for weekly back-to-school sales. While driving to multiple stores requires extra effort, those small discounts add up quickly.Finally, take advantage of local community organizations that host school supply drives and distribution events. On Wednesday afternoon and early evening, Tomahawk Kinship is teaming up with several area churches to host a free backpack and school supply giveaway at the Kinship House on Main Street.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News While school staffers have been busy preparing campuses for the return of students, administrators and school board members have been hard at work on district budgets. The preliminary spending plan for the Tomahawk School District was on the board's agenda Tuesday, with District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry providing a brief overview. As previously reported, rising local property values and declining enrollment mean Tomahawk no longer qualifies for state general aid. That funding is expected to decrease annually, shifting more of the tax burden locally. Quesinberry noted that unreimbursed special education costs also remain a major financial hurdle. On the local tax front, a significant jump in overall property values could potentially lower the district's mill rate by 35 to 40 cents, even with a slight increase in the tax levy. As he does each August, Quesinberry cautioned that the preliminary budget is subject to change. School districts rely on placeholders for categories like student enrollment and state aid until official figures are finalized after the school year begins. Quesinberry reassured the board that the district remains in a strong financial position, describing the proposal as a "good, strong budget." The plan will be formally presented to the public at the district's annual meeting next month, with final board approval expected in late September or early October.

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