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Practice Food Safety on Thanksgiving Published on 11/26/2020 under News

Thanksgiving marks the start of the winter holiday season with plenty of food to be prepared. Health officials are reminding home cooks to remember proper food safety.

Whether creating a simple turkey dinner or an elaborate feast, food safety rules generally remain the same.

First keep everything in your kitchen clean. Wash your hands before and after handling food as well as during preparation. Also keep utensils, cutting boards, knives and countertops clean.

Separate to avoid cross contamination. Keep foods separate from raw eggs, meat and poultry. A good tip is to keep two cutting boards, one for food that will be cooked, and one for non-cooked foods.

As for Cook, make sure that food reaches the proper internal temperature. For a turkey, the FDA recommends 165 degrees in the innermost portion of the thigh. Speaking of food temperatures, the health department highlighted the 'danger zone.' Always keep hot food hot, above 135 degrees; and keep cold food cold, below 41 degrees. Bacteria grow more easily in the temperatures between.

Chill left overs after serving. Try to refrigerate them within two hours after serving.

In Other News

Officials Warn of Measles Exposure at Marshfield Medical Center ER in Weston Thursday

Published on 11/09/2026 under News State and local health officials are investigating a potential measles exposure at the Marshfield Medical Center emergency department in Weston. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Marathon County Health Department report that an individual with confirmed measles visited the ER on Ministry Parkway while contagious on Thursday, November 5th, between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Anyone at the emergency department during that window should immediately check their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms. This exposure also serves as a good reminder. If you develop symptoms of measles, stay home and call your provider before seeking care so hospital staff can take precautions against further spread. Further updates on public exposure sites will be posted on the Wisconsin DHS website.

Published on 11/09/2026 under News Authorities are investigating a workplace accident in Marathon County last week that claimed the life of a 47-year-old worker. Responders in Kronenwetter were called to American Asphalt on Happy Hollow Road Wednesday morning at shortly after 10am. The initial call indicated an employee trapped in a silo gate. Upon arrival crews provided immediate care on scene. The man was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries. The man's name was not immediately released. Based on the preliminary investigation, the worker was checking conditions inside a silo when he became stuck between the gate doors. There are no signs of criminal activity. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified and is investigating.

Published on 11/09/2026 under Sports The Hatchet girls' swim season would end at the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet in Rice Lake Saturday afternoon. As a team, the Hatchets would finish 10th out 12 teams, ahead of Mosinee and Colby/Abbotsford. The top finisher for the Hatchets in the meet was Kaylee Roberts, placing seventh in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 1:11.83. Aubrey Tollefson placed tenth in the 100 yard breaststroke, clocking in at 1:21.62. Tollefson, Roberts, Kortney Busterud, and Sloane Eisenman would finish ninth in the 200 medley relay with a time of 2:21.31. This concludes the Hatchet girls' swim season.

Published on 11/06/2026 under News If you notice green lights shining in the Northwoods this November, it may be a message of support for veterans. Operation Green Light is a national effort to salute local veterans and support them as they transition back to civilian life. For the past four years, the Lincoln County Board has approved a resolution backing the initiative. In addition to turning select lights on county buildings green, it encourages residents and local businesses to participate by replacing a traditional bulb with a green light, either outside where neighbors can see it, or inside to spark conversation. The goal is to shine a light on the unique challenges service members face when transitioning to civilian life while raising awareness for local, state, and federal resources. Lincoln County Veterans Service Officer Matthew Pultz, who drafted the resolution, noted that more than 2,000 veterans call Lincoln County home. The resolution states, in part, that the contributions and sacrifices of those who served have been vital in maintaining our freedoms and way of life. Studies show nearly three-quarters of service members experience high stress during their first year back in civilian life. While Operation Green Light originally centered around Veterans Day week, organizers are encouraging community members to keep their green lights burning through the entire month of November.

Published on 11/06/2026 under News With Wisconsin's nine-day gun deer season opener just two weeks away, hunters across the state are preparing to head into the woods. However, health experts at Aspirus Health remind hunters that preparing their hearts is just as vital as sighting in their scopes. Cardiologists warn that jumping from a mostly sedentary routine into a week of intense outdoor activity creates a sharp spike in heart rate and blood pressure. This includes strenuous tasks like hiking to a tree stand, climbing up, the surge of excitement after bagging a buck, and dragging the deer out of the woods. Aspirus Cardiologist Dr. Daniel Krause compares the season to a new workout routine. "You wouldn't walk into a gym and immediately try to bench 400 pounds," Dr. Krause says. "You start slowly and gradually increase your activity level." According to the CDC, roughly 5% of American adults over 20 have coronary artery disease—a condition that restricts blood flow and can trigger heart attacks under sudden strain. Cold temperatures only add to that cardiovascular stress. Doctors urge hunters to know their physical limits, eat well, dress appropriately for cold weather, and listen to their bodies. Anyone experiencing chest pain, unusual shortness of breath, or dizziness in the field should stop immediately and seek medical help.

Published on 11/06/2026 under News Local politics in many communities is defined by familiar faces; long-serving leaders holding municipal seats. But in Eagle River, that's set to change. On Tuesday night, Eagle River residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of a local term limits referendum, passing the measure with nearly three quarters of the 685 votes cast. The vote officially adopts a city ordinance capping consecutive service for both the Mayor and Alderpersons to four two-year terms: an eight-year total limit. Once a city leader completes those four consecutive terms, they must sit out six-years before running for the office again. And for current leaders, the clock is already ticking, the ordinance explicitly counts all past terms served prior to Tuesday's election toward the new limit.

Published on 11/06/2026 under News The tradition of excellence continues for the Tomahawk High School Drama Department! THS has officially advanced to the State One-Act Play Competition, marking an incredible 11th consecutive year the Hatchets have earned a spot at the state festival. This fall, the cast and crew have been bringing Stephen Murray's "Lost in the Woods" to life, described as a comedic tale following a group of tech-free wilderness campers who get lost and encounter mysterious forest creatures and an eccentric counselor. According to the announcement, the milestone reflects the relentless hard work, dedication, creativity, and heart poured into the production by every single student involved, both on stage and behind the scenes. Next up, the THS team will travel to the State Festival at UW-Parkside in Kenosha in two weeks. Congratulations to the entire cast, crew, and directors.

Published on 11/06/2026 under News A historic landmark in downtown Wausau is officially back and brighter than ever. Following a massive 17-million-dollar "Second Century" renovation project, The Grand Theater is set to reopen its doors this weekend. The major overhaul, which began in May, was designed to preserve the venue's rich history while modernizing the overall patron experience. Theatergoers will immediately notice a refreshed color palette of jade, blue and gold, improved sound and lighting, along with custom-built, wider seats complete with cupholders. Beyond the auditorium, the project also revamped backstage dressing rooms, artist lounges, and vital venue infrastructure to keep drawing top-tier national tours and legendary acts to the area. And they'll be re-opening the facility with entertainment royalty, as Wayne Newton will perform to a sold out audience Saturday evening. The excitement continues next week with the boardgame-turned-movie-turned-stage production of the whodunit Clue, followed by a full lineup of holiday performances throughout the month of December. For tickets and more information, head over to grandtheater.org.

Published on 11/06/2026 under News Wisconsin transportation officials and emergency personnel across the state are sending a crucial message to drivers this week: Move Over or Slow Down, as lives are on the line. Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed November 2nd through the 6th as Crash Responder Safety Week. Nearly 140 Wisconsin municipalities and counties are participating in the campaign to raise awareness about the constant hazards roadside workers face on the job. Over the last five years alone, 72 emergency responders were struck by passing vehicles while working along the side of the road. Whether it's emergency responders, utility crews, or stranded motorists, state law requires drivers to move over a lane for flashing lights, or slow down if changing lanes isn't safe. WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman warns that moving over isn't just a traffic rule, but may also be a life-saving decision.

Published on 11/05/2026 under News Some of the top billiard players in the Northwoods and beyond will face off in Tomahawk this weekend, all to support a great cause. With Veterans Day approaching, the community is hosting a mixed-doubles, 8-ball pool tournament. Proceeds will benefit the local Never Forgotten Honor Flight, an organization dedicated to transporting local veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor. Ahead of the event, we spoke with organizers, including Misty Bergsrud. The mission hits close to home for her family: Bergsrud served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, where she met her husband, a fellow service member. That background makes raising funds for veteran organizations, especially those serving older veterans, deeply meaningful to her. After nearly doubling proceeds in each of the tournament's first two years, organizers hope to build on that momentum with strong community and business support. This year's event features more than 70 raffle baskets, including several high-ticket items. Though player spots in the tournament are fully booked, organizers encourage community members to come out, cheer on the players, and buy raffle tickets. The local VFW will serve as raffle headquarters, with pool matches hosted across roughly a dozen area taverns.

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