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Tomahawk School Board Approves April Referendum Question at Lower Cost Published on 01/13/2021 under News

The Tomahawk School District is sending another referendum to voters at a slightly lower amount.

At last night's meeting, the board unanimously approved a pair of corresponding resolutions that place the spending request on the April ballot.

The district's current operational referendum is set to expire at the end of the year. In November, the district asked voters to approve a $3.5 million, four year operational referendum. With more than 6,000 ballots cast, the request was defeated by fewer than 60 votes.

This time around, the board followed the recommendation of administrator Terry Reynolds by lowering the request by a million dollars over the course of the four years or $3.25 million annually.

The Tomahawk School District isn't he only jurisdiction asking for funds this spring. The Lincoln County Board has already placed a request to exceed levy limits on the spring ballot, a point not lost on Reynolds who referenced the likelihood of voters approving two separate increases.

With a failed referendum already on the books, the district will increase their efforts to communicate with the public ahead of the April election. Reynolds says they'll be working with CESA on promoting the district needs via mailers and the district is also working on a video. This is in addition to their traditional media outreach and social media.

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Other than the referendum conversations, it was a relatively uneventful board meeting...

In his high school report, principal Ryan Huseby highlighted the freshman class which recently coordinated a drive for the food pantry. In the end they collected nearly $200 and 264 food items to be donated to those in need. The district was also on the receiving end of community generosity. Middle School Principal Wendell Quesinberry thanked Bob Zietlow at Wholesale Carpets who coordinates the local Toys for Tots. He says they were able to acquire some age appropriate gifts for some middle school students.He also offered appreciation to those employees at Harley-Davidson for their winter jacket donations, which has become an annual gift.

Administrator Terry Reynolds noted that the district has reached out to the Lincoln County Health Department to assist in vaccine distribution when it comes available to the public.

Lastly the board briefly went over the board candidates for the spring election recognizing Cathy Schmit who chose not to seek re-election and will end her term in April. No one filed papers for that seat which will likely fall to a write-in candidate.

In Other News

Wisconsin Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week

Published on 04/13/2026 under News As we well know, Wisconsin's weather can be unpredictable and this week is dedicated to some of the extreme weather emergencies we see in the Badger state. Wisconsin is observing Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness week. Over the next few days, we'll share what you need to know about Wisconsin's weather concerns and how to make sure you and your family are safe. Greg Engle, Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator says, "This week is an opportunity for families, schools and workplaces to take steps to be prepared for and know what to do when severe weather strikes." This includes creating and sharing an emergency plan, as well as ensure your home is prepared for severe weather. We've already seen some extreme weather in April with an ice storm and some wildfires. This week's forecast has the potential for thunderstorms, flooding, and hail. And then there are tornadoes...last year there were 39 touch downs recorded, 40 the year prior. We'll have a bit more on severe weather throughout the week. It all leads up to the annual statewide tornado drill scheduled for Thursday.

Published on 04/13/2026 under News Lincoln County will soon have a new top law enforcement officer. Sheriff Ken Schneider announced he will retire at the end of the year and thus, will not seek re-election this fall. Schneider was first elected Sheriff in 2018. He has served two four-year terms and is winding down a more a career with more than three decades of law enforcement in Lincoln County. In a statement, Schneider thanked the community for its support during his time in office, saying the kind words, notes of gratitude, and even simple waves and honks from residents will be missed. He also expressed pride in his department and encouraged continued support for the next sheriff and the staff who help keep Lincoln County safe. Schneider's term is set to end in January, with voters choosing his successor in the November election. At this time, no candidates have announced plans to run. His retirement marks the second sheriff's departure in the Northwoods in recent weeks, following a similar announcement from Langlade County Sheriff Mark Westen last week.

Published on 04/13/2026 under News We've got another election result to pass along with a Tomahawk School Board winner in a race decided by write-in. For the Tomahawk School Board, there were just two candidates running for the three seats this cycle. That left a seat representing the City of Tomahawk for write-in. In the end it was Tricia Hoffman who received the most votes. The process to determine a write-in race takes a little more work. Elections officials have to hand-count all of the ballots, and also reach out to the winning candidate to ensure they will accept the position. Indirectly, Hoffman will fill the seat of Kay Kissenger-Wolf. The school district is in a three year process of reapportionment. Kissenger-Wolf's seat representing surrounding townships was shifted to the city this cycle. The two incumbents on the ballot also won, Ron Zimmerman and Dave Long. District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry offered a congratulations to the winning candidates, while expressing appreciation for their commitment to serving our students, staff, and community. He also thanked the community for the continued support of the district.

Published on 04/13/2026 under News Local Boy Scouts are bringing back their annual spring food collection, known as Scouting for Food. That includes the Tomahawk area Troop 548 who offered up a little information on the effort. The Scouts will focus on specific neighborhoods, leaving the instructions on the doors of those homes. They'll return to those locations on Saturday to collect the non-perishable food items. While the Scouts are making it easier for people to participate by taking the collection door to door; it also provides the scouts with an awareness of food insecurity as well as ways to get involved in the community. This is part of a larger effort across the entire Samoset Council which serves scouts in the Northwoods. Motorists are encouraged to be on the lookout for the kids this week.

Published on 04/13/2026 under News Wednesday marks the end of the state's winter power disconnection moratorium, and officials are encouraging residents behind on bills to reach out to their utility provider to make arrangements. The moratorium is put in place to protect families by preventing power disconnection during winter months. We heard from Wisconsin Public Service ahead of this week's expiration. Spokesman Matt Cullen says disconnection is always a last resort. He noted that WPS will work with customers to offer payment plans and even connect them with energy assistance programs. And with this quickly approaching deadline, WPS says it's also a good idea for all customers to be aware of scammers who may trick people into paying or providing personal information. Scammers will often use the threat of immediate disconnection to pressure their victims. Speaking of scams, it's also a good idea to be mindful of any contacts you receive in the coming weeks related to the tax deadline.

Published on 04/13/2026 under News Each spring Wisconsin Conservation Congress and the DNR offer an opportunity for interested parties to weigh in all things outdoors. The annual Fish and Wildlife Spring Hearings are this evening. DNR staff and WCC delegates will be on hand at these spring hearings to discuss local issues, answer questions and open dialogue. The hearings will be held simultaneously across all 72 counties starting at 6pm. Also this evening, a three-day, online public input survey will go live. The responses are advisory only, and the questions are currently available for review on the DNR website. There are more than 45 yes/no questions, covering a wide variety of topics. Just a few of the many examples include: the requirement for non-motorized water crafts registration; some hunting season structures, lake-specific fishing regulations. One proposal would designate the Hine's emerald dragonfly as the state insect, while redefining the honeybee as the state agricultural insect. The public can also submit proposals at the in-person meetings this evening. Local musky guides plan to introduce resolutions to reverse a recent rule change that unified the musky zones. A full list is available on the DNR website.

Published on 04/10/2026 under News Spring has finally sprung here in the Northwoods, and that means the return of the WJJQ Home, Sport, and Travel Show. Set up began last night and will continue throughout the day at the Tomahawk School complex in preparation for the 41st edition of the WJJQ Home Show. Each spring, the event brings together businesses and professionals offering ideas, services, and products covering everything from home improvement to lawn and garden to outdoor recreation. With warmer weather settling in, it's a chance for many to gather inspiration for upcoming spring and summer projects. For others, the show is simply a sign that winter is finally in the rearview mirror, one of the first major community events of the season and an opportunity to reconnect with friends and neighbors. In addition to exhibits inside the gym, the event will again feature a health expo, craft fair, outdoor displays, youth dance performances, and a variety of food options. Altogether, there are well over 100 vendors, displays, and attractions planned for the weekend. Rodeo royalty is expected to make an appearance, and WaWui will unveil the motorcycle for its annual Fall Ride bike raffle. As always the WJJQ Home, Sport, and Travel Show remains free. Hours are Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm at the Tomahawk School Complex. And be sure to tune in to WJJQ Radio. We will be broadcasting live with interviews from exhibitors all weekend long.

Published on 04/10/2026 under News Voter turnout in Lincoln County on Tuesday was in line with comparable elections in recent years. According to the preliminary results, just shy of 7,100 Lincoln County voters cast ballots on Tuesday. The total was within a hundred votes of the last comparable election, back in April 2024. As is often the case, the composition of the ballot can impact voter turnout. Both the City of Tomahawk and the City of Merrill had competitive Mayoral races on the ballot. In 2024, the Merrill School District had a referendum, while 2026 had a levy referendum for the City of Tomahawk. That shifted the vote north. There were only a handful of contested county board seats. Voter total was down from the 11,000 votes cast last April, which was likely driven by a high-profile State Supreme Court that had record spending. This year's Supreme Court race did not have the same attention. In general, the spring elections have significantly lower turnout than the November elections. The last presidential in 2024 election had more than 17,000 votes in Lincoln County.

Published on 04/10/2026 under News As Wisconsin heads into storm season, a new law aims to protect homeowners from getting taken advantage of when they need help the most. Governor Tony Evers and his pen have been busy following the final scheduled legislative session of the year, signing numerous bills into law. That includes Wisconsin Act 230, co-authored by Northwoods lawmakers State Rep. Calvin Callahan and State Sen. Mary Felzkowski. Callahan attended the signing ceremony and provided some information. The bill is designed to crack down on so-called "storm chasers", contractors who move into damaged areas after severe weather looking for work. Callahan says those contractors sometimes offer to handle insurance claims in exchange for homeowners signing over key rights through what's known as an assignment of benefits. He warns those agreements can lead to inflated costs, poor workmanship, and even denied insurance claims. Under the new law, contractors must clearly explain homeowners' rights in plain language before any agreement is signed. It also prohibits contractors from negotiating directly with insurance companies on a homeowner's behalf. Callahan says after a storm hits, homeowners are often under pressure to make quick decisions. He says this law is meant to prevent bad actors from taking advantage of that urgency and to give families peace of mind as they begin repairs.-Photo provided by the Office of State Rep. Callahan

Published on 04/10/2026 under News The traditional spring turkey season opens next Wednesday, but first younger hunters will get the chance to bag a bird. Coming up this weekend, is the youth turkey hunt. The early-bird season gives participants under the age of 16 an opportunity to gain valuable experience out in the field. Last year, these new hunters registered nearly 4,000 turkeys during their dedicated weekend. The youth hunters participating in this season must have completed their hunter education course or utilize the mentored hunting program. The youth weekend leads into the regular turkey hunting season which is actually comprised of 6 week-long periods across the state's seven zones. The state's turkey population continues to grow. Last year more than 50,000 turkeys were harvested, a top five total all time. Hunters are encouraged to review safety guidelines before heading out. Non-hunters enjoying public lands may want to consider wearing high-visibility clothing.

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