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Tomahawk Approves 2021 Spring Fling, Music on the River Published on 03/03/2021 under News

While dozens of community events were canceled last year due to covid, Tomahawk's summer could show a bit more normalcy in 2021.

At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council approved special event applications for Music on the River and the Tomahawk Main Street Spring Fling and Wine Walk. Music on the River is scheduled for six Wednesdays between June 23 and July 28th. The Spring Fling is May 7-8th.

Each application was approved with the understanding that the organizers would follow any covid safety measures in place at the time of their events. Outside of the additional coronavirus precautions, the events will be largely be the same as year's past.

At their meeting last month, the Council approved Chamber applications for the July 3rd Arts and Crafts Fair, the Fall Ride Bon Fire and Brat Fry, and the Venison Feed.

With precedent already set, the Council approved last night's applications for the Wine Walk and Music on the River unanimously and with minimal discussion.

It was an otherwise routine night of meetings for the city of Tomahawk...

At the Health and Safety Committee, members had a brief conversation on the ~$8,000 Rainy Day Fund for the Downtown Fall Ride. That fund had been passed from the Tavern League to the VFW as those groups organized the downtown events in years past. The VFW proposed the city manage the funds going forward. The Committee ultimately determined that funds should be managed by whichever non-profit is organizing the downtown Fall Ride events, currently Tomahawk Main Street. The Committee voted against taking over the fund, leaving it with the organizers.

The Finance Committee approved acquiring a tax delinquent property on East Somo Avenue from the county. That vacant structure will likely be demolished and sold to get it back on the tax roll. Two other properties will likely appear on the agenda in April.

The Council only had a few other action items, approving new alcohol and tobacco licenses for three gas station/convenience stores that have recently undergone ownership changes.

In Other News

715 Day Celebrates the Best of the Northwoods

Published on 07/15/2026 under News Today is July 15, or 7/15, a date that doubles as a celebration of Wisconsin's scenic Northwoods and the vibrant communities that call the 715 area code home. The Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce is marking 715 Day by highlighting everything that makes the region so special, from its scenic landscapes and rich community traditions to its local businesses and residents. Chamber Director Charis Lau says, "715 Day is about celebrating the pride we have in our community and sharing that pride with others." How to ParticipateThe Chamber offers several easy ways for the community to get involved today: Support Local: Shop, dine, and explore the independent businesses that keep Tomahawk thriving.Show Your Pride: Represent the area by sporting custom 715 Tomahawk merchandise.Share the Love: Highlight your favorite local spots and scenic views on social media.Join the Chamber's 715 Photo Contest by submitting pictures that capture the true spirit of the Tomahawk area.Lau added, "Whether you've called Tomahawk home for decades or you're discovering the Northwoods for the first time, we hope you'll join us in celebrating what makes our corner of the 715 so unforgettable." The Chamber encourages everyone to follow along on social media throughout July as they continue to showcase featured attractions, hidden gems, local stories, and photo contest submissions all month long.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News The Tomahawk community is rallying behind one of their own. David Bethel Jr. was diagnosed with glioblastoma last month. As he undergoes treatment, neighbors and local business owners are stepping up to support his family. To mark Glioblastoma Awareness Day, The Rock Church organized a gray ribbon campaign. The color is traditionally used for brain cancers to represent the brain's "gray matter." Meanwhile, community members are sporting T-shirts that read, "Moving Heaven and Earth to Support Dave"—a nod to his local excavation business. Local businesses, including Boomba Bar and Simply Stitched, are also donating a portion of their sales to the family. As Bethel fights his diagnosis, Tomahawk is making sure he and his family don't have to do the heavy lifting alone. Community members are encouraged to purchase campaign T-shirts, patronize participating shops, or display a gray ribbon to show their solidarity.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News As the hot and humid stretch continues, another weather concern is moving into the Northwoods. Residents looking toward the sky today may notice a familiar summer haze. Smoke from wildfires burning in northern Minnesota and Ontario is expected to drift into Wisconsin, creating hazy skies and, at times, a noticeable smoky smell. In recent years, wildfire smoke has become an increasingly common and unwelcome summertime visitor across the state. An Air Quality Advisory remains in effect until noon Thursday. The greatest concern is for sensitive groups, including young children, older adults, and people with asthma or other respiratory conditions. These individuals are encouraged to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. For everyone else, the main impacts will likely be hazy conditions and a smokey smell. The Wisconsin DNR offers an air quality map on its website for those who want to track conditions.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News After some country last week, Tomahawk's Music on the River is tuning its dial to the blues. This evening, the community will welcome back Johnny and the MoTones. The Central Wisconsin-based band has been delivering their signature mix of blues, R&B, and soul for more than two decades. No stranger to the local stage, the band has been a regular performer at Music on the River over the years. They have released a number of albums, including one with a title that will sound very familiar to the Northwoods: Highway 51. Tonight's performance marks the midway point of the nineteenth season's seven-concert run. The weather forecast is looking promising, after several straight rainy Wednesdays have impacted the Music on the River schedule. Johnny and the MoTones will take the stage at 6:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park pavilion.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News Authorities in Eagle River are investigating a suspected drug overdose death after an early morning call Tuesday. Police were dispatched to a city residence just after 2:15 a.m. for an unresponsive person. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim's identity is being withheld pending notification of family, and the official cause of death will be determined after an autopsy and toxicology testing. Police say there is no threat to the public as investigators work to determine the source of the suspected drugs involved. They also remind residents that naloxone, or Narcan, is available at the Eagle River Police Department and can save lives in an overdose emergency.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News While summer road construction season is in full swing, planning for future projects is ongoing. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is hosting a public involvement meeting this evening (July 15) to gather community feedback on a proposed upgrade to a stretch of WIS 70 in Oneida County. The proposed project spans WIS 70 from County F to Morgan Road, just outside of Minocqua. According to WisDOT, the primary goals of the project are to mill and pave the existing asphalt roadway and to replace the aging box culvert at the Tomahawk River, located just east of Kenwood Terrace, with a brand-new bridge structure. Local residents, business owners, and commuters are encouraged to attend the meeting to review preliminary plans, ask questions, and share their input. The meeting will be held at Minocqua Center Board Room. They are planning a brief presentation at 5pm followed by an open house.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News A Price County man charged in a fatal rollover crash that killed his passenger last fall may be nearing a plea deal. During a status hearing in Taylor County court on Monday, prosecutors and the defense announced they have reached a potential agreement in the case against 49-year-old Stephen Kaplon, scheduling a plea and sentencing hearing later this year. The charges stem from a single-vehicle crash on October 20, 2025, along County Road C in the Town of Rib Lake. According to investigators, Kaplon's SUV left the roadway at a high speed, struck several trees, and rolled onto its side. His passenger, 49-year-old Sharon Kaplon of Ogema, died from her injuries. Kaplon faces felony charges of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle and homicide by vehicle through the use of a controlled substance. A plea and sentencing hearing has been scheduled for November 5.

Published on 07/14/2026 under News With sky-high temps settled across the Northwoods, Wisconsin Public Service says it's ready to handle increased electricity needs as air conditioners and fans work overtime. WPS says all available power plants are prepared to meet peak demand, and crews are standing by in case storms or extreme weather cause power outages. The utility is also reminding customers that a few simple steps can help keep homes cooler and energy bills lower, including closing blinds and windows during the hottest part of the day, raising the thermostat a few degrees when you're away from home, and delaying off heat-producing chores like cooking or laundry until the evening. For more energy-saving tips to beat the heat, we recently offered a story on simple solutions around the home. Seal air leaks. Use weather stripping or caulk to seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors and siding. This keeps cool air in and hot air out.Use fans, even if you have air conditioning. Distributing air makes rooms feel cooler. Remember to turn off the fans when you leave the room.Install a programmable or smart thermostat. They can automatically adjust your cooling settings when you are home or away. Our partners at Focus on Energy have great product options and rebates.Clean air filters help HVAC systems and air conditioners run efficiently and can lower energy use up to 15%. Check your filter every 30 days and especially when the system is heavily used, such as during hot summer and cold winter months. If the filter is dirty, replace it if disposable, or clean it if permanent.

Published on 07/14/2026 under News Cleaning out closets paid off in a big way for the Tomahawk community during spring cleaning. During last month's Community-Wide Garage Sale, residents could also drop off clothing and household items at the Goodwill North Central Wisconsin donation semi which was stationed at SARA Park. The final numbers are in, and the community donated more than 10,000 pounds of items. According to Goodwill Donation Acquisition Manager Aaron Clark, those donations will provide the equivalent of 733 hours of job training for people across north central Wisconsin. Clark thanked WJJQ, the community and everyone who contributed, saying the support helps Goodwill continue its mission of eliminating barriers to employment. Goodwill says, on average, 90 cents of every dollar spent in its stores is reinvested into local employment programs and services. The donation drive was held in conjunction with WJJQ's annual community-wide garage sale promotion.

Published on 07/14/2026 under News The public has a rare, hands-on opportunity to help construct an authentic Ojibwe summer wigwam at the North Lakeland Discovery Center this week. Under the direction of master builder and Ojibwe tribal member Wayne Valliere, volunteers will assemble a 15-foot diameter structure using traditional components harvested entirely from local Northwoods forests. Organizers say the experience will allow participants to connect directly with regional history and traditional Indigenous building techniques. Once completed, the wigwam will become a permanent outdoor centerpiece for the center's newly opened Northwoods Forest History Experience. Those interested can stop by to observe or lend a hand. The build runs daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. through Friday.

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