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Lincoln County Board Sets Ad-Hoc Redistricting Committee Published on 07/21/2021 under News

While partisan redistricting for the state legislature is frequently in the headlines, the redistricting process following the 10 year census takes place locally as well.

At their meeting last night, the Lincoln County Board of supervisors created an ad-hoc committee that will be tasked with drawing the supervisor district boundaries. With non-partisan seats, the process is typically less controversial at the county level.

The County is still awaiting the data from the US Census Bureau, expected to be released later this month. Corporation Council Karry Johnson explained that approving the committee would keep the county on track to meet the numerous upcoming deadlines.

As they have done in the past, the county will lean heavily on the North Central Regional Planning Committee to provide guidance.

The updated lines are supposed to be used in time for the April general election, though the process begins much earlier. Potential primary races are in February and nomination papers are circulated in December.

The ad-hoc committee approved Tuesday will consist of the seven members of the administrative and legislative committee, a practice Lincoln County has used in the past. This includes Supervisors Julie Allen, Hans Breitenmoser, Don Friske, Paul Gilk, Greta Rusch, Kevin Koth and Bob Weaver.

The Board unanimously approved the Ad-Hoc Committee by voice vote.

In Other News

Deadline Approaches for City of Tomahawk Bicycle/Pedestrian Survey

Published on 07/23/2021 under News Over the past few weeks, the City of Tomahawk has been gathering input on bicycle and pedestrian use in the city to create a long-range plan. Visitors and residents have a few more days to complete the survey The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan will serve as a guide on potential routes, improvements, roadway recommendations and safety program ideas in the City of Tomahawk. One of the first steps in establishing the plan is a public-use survey, which launched earlier this month. City officials are encouraging people to complete the questionnaire before the close of the survey this weekend. Questions include the purpose, frequency, and habits of bikers/walkers within the city, along with potential improvements they'd like to see. Most of the questions are choice or short answer and the entire survey takes less than ten minutes. The city hopes to have the plan ready for approval in the late fall or winter. Participants have until July 25, that's this coming Sunday, to complete the survey. Link to participate in the Tomahawk Bicycle and Pedestrian Survey.

Published on 07/23/2021 under News After nearly 40 years anchoring the downtown community, little remains of the Wausau Center Mall. Earlier this week, crews took down the main entrance archway, one of the final pieces that was left standing. Future plans include the redevelopment of the property as an urban hub featuring housing, boutique retail, hospitality and gathering spaces. Chuck Ghidorzi from the Wausau Opportunity Zone (WOZ) said of the final demolition, "People will have a decent view of the redevelopment space and can really begin to visualize its potential." Crews were able to salvage some mall artifacts during the demolition process. That includes the Boy and Boot Sculpture which predates the mall by decades. It was actually donated to the city in 1925, and placed at the mall when it opened in 1983. The statue will be relocated to an undetermined location. The Marathon County Historical Society was also able to salvage some historical items and images. WOZ said in the announcement that community minded groups like Habitat for Humanity and St. Vincent de Paul will re-purpose fixtures and other items left in the building. Demolition began on May 21 of this year. -Photo provided by the Wausau Opportunity Zone

Published on 07/23/2021 under News With temperatures spiking this weekend, area waterways will be crowded this weekend. The DNR is once again encouraging boaters to wear a life jacket when hitting the water. So far this year, 16 people have died in boating incidents in Wisconsin. The DNR only tracks drownings involving a boating incidents. The leading cause in these incidents is drowning and many are preventable by wearing a safety vest. Lt. Darren Kuhn is a DNR boating law administrator. He says, "Wearing a life jacket is the easiest thing you can do to make sure that your next boating trip won't be your last." It's important to actually wear the life vest rather than keeping it stowed on your boat. Lt. Kuhn notes that most people who drown in boating accidents know how to swim, but become injured, knocked unconscious, exhausted, or weighed down by clothing. The DNR added that operator inexperience, inattention, recklessness and speeding are the leading causes of boating accidents.

Published on 07/23/2021 under News Despite being postponed until 2022, the Project North spirit is alive and well in Rhinelander. Organizers are currently offering what they're calling a "festival in a box" to hold people over until next year. After more than a year of planning, the Rhinelander community hosted their first Project North celebration in 2019. it was a combination of music concerts and artistic displays with a sustainability focus. Last year's event was canceled due to the pandemic, and organizers made an early decision to postpone this year as well. Instead, Rhinelander Chamber Director Lauren Sacket says they've created "Constellation Prize" boxes which will include a variety of local foods and sustainable goods along with local art and art projects and original Midwestern music. Sacket says they want people to keep Project North on their calendars and in their minds. She added, "We are giving you a taste of what is to come in 2022 through these Constellation Prizes which support Project North and the arts. Arts, music, and sustainability are vital to our way of life and this event." Keeping with the Constellation theme, they are taking reservations for "Ursa Major" and "Ursa Minor" sized boxes along limited edition T-Shirts. You can learn more or reserve a box by visiting projectnorth.org.

Published on 07/23/2021 under News Nicolet College is planning a Ted-Talk style event this fall, and are looking for presenters in the Northwoods. For those unfamiliar the TED presentations come under the umbrellas of "ideas worth spreading" on a wide variety of topics. The internet has made them accessible around the world. Nicolet College is planning a similar event in October. Their theme will be "How Rural Communities Thrive in the 21st Century." Nicolet Sociology Instructor David Holt is helping organize the event. He says, "We are inviting anyone with ideas and thoughts on the role of rural communities in a globalized world to submit their ideas and proposals." He says, "We are particularly interested in stories of how people survived and coped with the pandemic." He offered examples of entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and coping and management of the crisis. At this time, they are putting out a call for speakers with a deadline to submit proposals August 6. Proposal can be sent to Sara Tienhaara at stienhaara@nicoletcollege.edu Anyone with questions can also contact Tienharra at (715) 365-4566.

Published on 07/22/2021 under News The Lincoln County Board has some work to do after getting their first peek at the 2022 preliminary budget this week. Finance Director Dan Leydet walked the board through the first draft of next year's spending plan at their meeting Tuesday. The preliminary budget typically starts well above the target and serves as a starting point or wishlist of sorts. The 2022 proposed tax levy as presented Tuesday came in at $16.9 million. The preliminary operating levy is approximately $1.9 million over the state levy limits. More than half of that sum can be attributed to an increase of $1.1 million in the road fund. Leydet explained that the initial figure was put in the budget to highlight a typical 30 year road replacement plan. The current schedule in Lincoln County is more than twice that length. Bringing the road budget back in line with this year's allotment will bring the overage down to approximately $800,000. That's closer to the first draft in previous years. For example, last summer that figure was approximately $775,000 above the spending goal. As a general statement, Leydet noted many of the increases across the budget were the result of typical wage and benefit increases. When questioned about the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds, Leydet briefly answered "It's complicated," before elaborating further. He explained there are formulas to calculate loss of revenue and restrictions which limit how the money can be spent. He says their staff are communicating with other counties on how the funding can be utilized. In the coming months, the finance committee will work on balancing the budget in time for final approval. That vote typically takes place in November.

Published on 07/22/2021 under News Businesses in the timber industry will be able to apply for assistance caused by the pandemic, exacerbated by the closure of two area mills. Earlier this week, the US Department of Agriculture announced $200 million in relief will be made available for timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses. The program is known as Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers or PATHH. US Senator Tammy Baldwin said in the announcement, "Wisconsin's forests and timber economy don't just provide recreational opportunities and environmental benefits - they also support our rural communities and our state's economy. But unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in mills laying off workers and loggers considering closing up shop." Matt Jensen is the owner of Whitetail Logging and President of the Great Lakes Timber Professionals here in Northern Wisconsin. He highlighted the ripple affect of closures such as the Verso paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids had on loggers and haulers in the region and was thankful to the agencies who made the funds available. The application period opens today and will run into October. Officials are encouraging timber businesses experience a loss of revenue of at least 10% last year to apply. An initial payment of up to $2,000 will be paid out, with a second payment based upon remaining funds after the application period closes. Additional information is available on the Farm Service website.

Published on 07/22/2021 under News With the Milwaukee Bucks claiming the NBA title, officials are reminding fans to watch for scammers when making online purchase of championship merchandise. According to the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin, scammers are known to create fake websites and offer apparel and other sports memorabilia at unbelievably low prices while claiming it is officially licensed merchandise. Often, if the consumer actually receives the product it a knock-off, cheaply made or in poor condition. The Bureau has received complaints of glued-on patches and even misspelled names. Scammers frequently target teams that win the championship, taking advantage of fans seeking special edition merchandise. The BBB warns consumers to watch for deals to good to be true. They offered an example of an authentic Giannis Antetokounmpo jersey, typically $150 in the team store, selling for less than $30. When making an online purchase, use a credit card which offers additional purchases. Avoid any retailer that requires pre-paid cards or bank transfers. The safest way to avoid scams is to simply visit a local retailer where you can handle the product before purchase.

Published on 07/22/2021 under News Over the next few days, artists across the Northwoods are opening their studios. It's all part of the Northwoods Art Tour. The event is now in its 22nd year. After a dialed back experience last year due to the pandemic, organizers have arranged for 38 stops in Vilas, Oneida, Iron, and Lincoln Counties. Here in Tomahawk area stops include Oak View Studio, along with Swallow Haven and Outback Studios in Irma. The tour offers guests the unique opportunity to experience where and why artists create their artwork. As in previous years, there is a little something for everyone whether you enjoy painting, woodwork and sculpture. A newcomer to the tour this year, Rod and Judi Linder of LemonDog Art combine all three, creating 3-D folk art fish. Both divers, Judi explained, "Choosing folk art fish and fishing, was a very organic process related to the integral role of fish, and fishing, in the Northwoods culture and life." Because the tour is self-guided, organizers say the attendees can design their own tour experience by visiting with artists or processes that appeal to them. The guide brochures are available at a variety of locations in each community or you can view or print one off from their website at northwoodsarttour.com. While reservations aren't required, they advised calling to check on and respect any covid precautions by the artists. The event runs each of the next three days from 10am to 5pm. A second fall-edition Northwoods Art Tour is planned in October. -Photo provided by Northwoods Art Tour-Susan Schurch of Blossoms Studio, Land O'Lakes,working on her acrylic painting, creating colorful functional art on a wooden turn table.

Published on 07/22/2021 under News The Northwoods was well represented in the Division 3 State Show Ski Championships held this past weekend in Wisconsin Rapids. The small-team division was paced by the Central Wisconsin Water Walkers of Wausau/Mosinee which cruised to a state championship, finishing in the top two places in 8 of the 11 judging categories. The Northwoods trio of teams finished in three of the next four places. The Plum-Skiters of Saynor finished second.The Chain Skimmers of Conover placed fourth, edging out the Kwahamots of Tomahawk in 5th place. As for our local Kwahamots, the barefooters led the way. They earned the top score in the division. The jump team finished in second just behind the Chain Skimmers. One other local note, Plum Ski-ter Dan Emerson was recognized as the Most Outstanding Male Skier. Speaking of the Kwahamots, a reminder that they won't be hosting a show on Saturday, July 24.

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