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Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Waiving Day Use Fees Saturday Published on 06/10/2021 under News

Last weekend, the DNR waived most outdoor recreation fees at their facilities for Free Fun Weekend.

Coming up on Saturday, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest will do the same. It's part of National Get Outdoors Day. The waiver will apply to beaches, boat launches, picnic areas, and trailheads. Visitors typically pay a $5 day-use fee for.

Forest Supervisor Paul Strong says, "National Get Outdoors Day is a great opportunity to discover something new on the forest or revisit an old favorite. Consider it an invitation to connect with nature and enjoy the public lands right in our backyard."

Fees for camping, cabin rentals, heritage expeditions, or other permits still apply.

Speaking of free passes, Strong also noted that fourth and fifth grade students can get a free pass, good through August 31, through the Every Kid Outdoors program. Veterans, Gold Star Family members, and active military personnel and their dependents are also eligible for free access to national forests.

In Other News

Lincoln County Hosting Northwoods Forum on Child Care

Published on 10/14/2026 under News As demand for quality childcare continues to outpace availability across the Northwoods, local leaders are moving from identifying the problem to building long-term solutions. Tonight in Merrill, community members, employers, and policymakers are gathering for the Northwoods Forum on Child Care. Hosted by Dream Up! Lincoln County at the Lincoln County Service Center, the panel discussion will feature elected leaders, alongside regional childcare provider advocates and workforce development directors. Moderated by Lincoln County Economic Development Director Sara Guild and Child Care Coalition President Elsa Duranceau, the discussion focuses on connecting childcare availability directly to economic growth. Panelists will highlight provider workforce retention and how childcare access dictates whether parents can stay in the local workforce. Organizers emphasize that tackling the region's childcare shortage requires collaboration between businesses, local families, and state government. The goal of tonight's conversation is to work towards sustainable childcare solutions in Northern Wisconsin.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News Community leaders gathered in Merrill on Tuesday to celebrate the completion of the latest segment of a popular local trail system. Representatives from the City of Merrill and the Friends of the River Bend Trail held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new paved section connecting the River Bend Trail directly to Council Grounds. Its completion marks the end of a multi-year effort, creating a continuous five-mile paved path stretching from the state park property on the city's west side all the way to the shopping district on the east side. The new extension delivers dual benefits: providing a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists off busy roads, while serving as an attractive draw for outdoor enthusiasts with a long segment running right along the river. Tuesday's ceremony also serves as a preview for another upcoming community celebration on the path. The first annual "Boo on the Trail" Halloween-themed event is scheduled for Friday, October 23.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News Each spring, the public follows the peregrine falcons hatched at WPS and We Energies Power Plants, but once they leave the nest, their story typically ends. For the first time, researchers outfitted falcon chicks hatched at WPS and WE energies facilities this spring with tiny, cutting-edge GPS transmitters. Three working transmitters show birds logging thousands of miles—including stops in Michigan, Illinois, and even Ontario, Canada. The chicks hatched at the Power Plant near Wausau provided a different lesson. While their location tags stopped transmitting shortly after their initial flights in early July, researchers said that hiccups are expected with new technology. Greg Septon, peregrine falcon manager. "The data we have been able to collect is nothing short of incredible, and we are working with the vendor to make improvements to the transmitters for the falcon chicks born next year." Researchers say the goal is to refine these transmitters so they can better understand where young falcons spend their early years. As for the falcons that do not have working transmitters, there is always a chance that they will be spotted in the wild or even photographed by birders.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News Students in the Northwoods are fortunate to live and learn surrounded by nature, and they'll once again have the chance to showcase both their knowledge and creativity. The Lincoln County Conservation Program has announced the return of its annual Conservation Contests. This year's event features both a poster category and a speech category, which replaces the previous essay contest. Each edition features a specific theme, and this year students will take inspiration from the region's many waterways with the topic: "From Source to Sea: Every Drop Has a Journey." The competition offers students a hands-on way to expand their environmental awareness while providing teachers with an engaging topic to incorporate into classroom lessons. The contest is open to all public, private, and home-schooled students in Lincoln County. Participants will be judged within their respective grade levels, with local winners advancing to regional, state, and national levels of competition. Lincoln County Conservation has additional details on their website.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News Recycling unwanted electronics is about to get much easier right here in the Northwoods. The Wisconsin DNR has awarded over $250,000 in E-Cycle grants across the state, which will bring new drop-off options to our area next year giving residents an easy, affordable way to dispose of old TVs, computers, and cellphones. State officials point out that proper electronics recycling prevents toxic materials from entering our local landfills while protecting Northwoods waterways and forests. The grant program is funded entirely by electronics manufacturers, with households and schools recycling 440 million pounds of electronics statewide since 2010. There were a number of local efforts receiving funding in this cycle to help fund single day collection events next year in Forest, Florence, Iron, Langlade, Marathon, Price, Taylor, and Vilas counties. While dates for these grant funded events haven't been finalized, the E-Cycle Wisconsin website offers searchable, interactive maps with collection events throughout the state.

Published on 10/13/2026 under News New details have been released regarding last month's plane crash involving Congressman Tom Tiffany and his pilot, Len Boltz. According to a preliminary report from the NTSB, the emergency landing on Lake Wausau was caused by an engine power loss tied to fuel management. Investigators report that while flying in the traffic pattern toward Wausau Downtown Airport, the pilot noticed an elevated engine temperature, prompting him to switch fuel tanks. Although he selected the right main tank and advanced the throttle, the engine failed to respond. The report notes the pilot did not engage the electric fuel boost pump during the restart attempt. A post-accident inspection found the plane's left main fuel tank completely empty, while the right main tank and auxiliary tanks were full. The airplane's mechanic stated the pilot attributed the loss of power to a delayed fuel tank switch and not turning on the boost pump. The Beechcraft impacted the water, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, wing, and engine mount. Both Representative Tiffany and Boltz were able to safely exit the submerging aircraft and received treatment for minor injuries. The full NTSB investigation remains ongoing.

Published on 10/13/2026 under News Local leaders, business owners, and community members from across the region are gathering in Tomahawk Tuesday to discuss ways to shape the future of rural Wisconsin. Lincoln County was selected as one of just two statewide host sites for the 2026 Wisconsin Small Community Forums. The goal of the half-day event is to focus on the unique economic and civic opportunities and challenges facing small towns. Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Sara Guild discussed the event when she joined our morning conversation last week, calling it an exciting opportunity to be selected as a host and sever as a model for other communities. She highlighted some of the recent local developments including the Washington Square 'Dream Park', several downtown revitalization projects, and the groundbreaking for a new, and much-needed 72-unit apartment complex. Those are actually a few of the discussion topics on a crowded agenda that also includes interactive round-tables and focused discussions on key issues impacting smaller municipalities. Dunn County was the other host community; their forum took place last month in Colfax.

Published on 10/13/2026 under News An Antigo man has been formally charged in Lincoln County following a multi-county police chase last week. Forty-four-year-old Joshua D. Micke made his initial appearance in Lincoln County Circuit Court on Monday. He faces six charges, including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, fleeing an officer causing bodily harm, operating a motor vehicle without consent, and resisting an officer. Court records indicate that charges have also been filed in Shawano County, and additional counties may also file charges. Authorities say Micke led officers on pursuits across Shawano, Menominee, and Langlade counties in multiple stolen vehicles last Thursday. Upon entering Lincoln County, the chase ended in Merrill when deputies deployed spike strips and executed a PIT maneuver to disable the vehicle. Micke was taken into custody after a brief foot chase. During Monday's hearing, the judge set cash bond at $100,000 and ordered a competency evaluation. A scheduling hearing is set for November 5.

Published on 10/13/2026 under News The Ice Age Trail spans more than 1,200 miles across Wisconsin, including hundreds of miles crossing the Northwoods. The Ice Age Trail Alliance is encouraging residents and visitors to get outside and explore this month. October marks the return of the annual Mammoth Hike Challenge. Hikers, walkers, runners, and backpackers are tasked with covering 46 miles along the trail during the month, commemorating the 46th anniversary of the designation as a National Scenic Trail. Alliance organizers highlight fall as one of the best times to experience the trail, offering vibrant autumn colors and cooler, more comfortable hiking temperatures. The challenge also makes it easy to discover the small communities nestled along the route. For those who find 46 miles daunting, participants can earn bonus miles by visiting designated Ice Age Trail Communities, which includes Antigo, Merrill, Rib Lake, and Wausau. Each Trail Community has identified a "Hometown Highlight" such as a local mural, sculpture, historic landmark, or cultural attraction to visit. Registration is available on the Ice Age Trail Alliance website where they've also created itineraries to help plan hikes with maps and points of interest along the trails. Anyone who completes the challenge by the end of October will receive a certificate and a limited-edition patch, which features a new custom design each year.

Published on 10/13/2026 under News The Rhinelander Police Department has a new tool to build stronger bridges with local residents—and it's rolling right into neighborhood events. Thanks to more than $300,000 in federal Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program grant funding awarded last year, the department recently unveiled its new Community Outreach Trailer. The mobile unit made its official debut at last month's "Light Up the Night for Recovery" event, giving officers and the department's Peer Recovery Support Services Team a central hub to meet residents and share vital local resources. Rhinelander Police Chief Josh Chiamulera says the trailer gives officers another way to meet people where they are, aiming to foster positive interactions and strengthen safety across the area. In addition to the outreach trailer, the grant funding fully supports a full-time recovery coach, a part-time outreach coordinator, patrol bicycles, and specialized mental health and substance use training for officers. Look for the trailer at upcoming school gatherings, educational programs, and community events throughout Rhinelander.

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