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Nicolet College Marks New President with Investiture Ceremony Published on 08/04/2021 under News

With the start of the fall semester right around the corner, and Nicolet College will be under new leadership. At a recent investiture ceremony, Kate Ferrel became the seventh president of the Northwoods technical college.

Ferrel said during the event that she was incredibly honored and humbled. She says, "As we journey together we must keep our mission and vision at the forefront of our minds. (This) will provide the focus, direction and energy necessary to accomplish shared goals."

Area tribal communities were prominent in the ceremony. This was highlighted by Nicolet graduate and Lac du Flambeau elder Bobby Waazhuask Williams who delivered the invocation. He presented the prayer first in his native language before translating to English. He explained, "I thanked our great many educators throughout this great land that give us all these things because without education we can't go anywhere."

The Yellow Cloud Singers from the Forest County Potawatomi Community also performed ceremonial drum songs.

Ryan Zietlow serves as the Chair of the Nicolet Board of Trustees and also chaired the presidential search committee. He said, "President Ferrel comes to us with broad experience in the technical college system and we are eager to support her leadership of Nicolet College."

Ferrel is a familiar face at Nicolet. She came to the school as Dean of Students in 2014 and has served in several other leadership positions. She takes over for Richard Nelson who retired this summer after serving as president for 6 years.

(Photo provided by Nicolet College-Kate Ferrel receives the presidential stole from Ryan Zietlow, chair of the Nicolet College Board of Trustees, as former president Richard Nelson looks on from the podium during the recent investiture ceremony at the college.)

In Other News

Local Deputies Receive State Award for August Tree Rescue

Published on 05/06/2024 under News Teamwork is key when it comes to an emergency response, and three members of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office were recently recognized by their peers, receiving a state law enforcement award for their life-saving actions during a call last summer. At the annual Wisconsin Professional Police Association Convention last weekend, Sgt. Investigator Logan Lange, Deputy Conner Monk, and Deputy Michael Sundquist were presented with a 'Team Award' for their efforts on August 24, 2023. They were among the responders called to a tree accident last summer. According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies arrived to find the man trapped up in a tree, about 12 feet off the ground, with severe lacerations to his arm. Utilizing a bucket, Sundquist assisted in bringing the victim back to the ground, where Lange quickly applied a tourniquet to his arm to slow the severe bleeding. All the while, Monk was clearing a path and setting up a landing zone for the victim. According to the Sheriff's office, without those efforts including the use of the tourniquet, the patient likely would not have survived. Even the trauma center commended the placement, noting there was minimal bleeding present upon arrival at the hospital. In addition to the state recognition, the Sheriff's Office noted that the men received local awards as well, with Sheriff Ken Schneider awarding Lange with the Life Saver medal; Sundquist with the Sheriff Recognition medal, and Monk with a Letter of Recognition.

Published on 05/06/2024 under News Nicolet College has reached a new transfer agreement with UW-Parkside which will allow students to pursue a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from right here in the Northwoods. The agreements focus on two concentrations of the Parkside BA program: General Business Administration and Business Analytics. In both cases, students who have completed the Nicolet Associate of Applied Science in Business Management will be eligible with up to 60 transfer credits. The program can be completed online, allowing students in northern Wisconsin flexibility to continue their education remotely while building upon the academic foundation achieved at Nicolet. Nicolet President Kate Ferrel says, "This marks a significant milestone for Nicolet College and is a major opportunity for our community. It puts bachelor's degrees within reach, while allowing our students to continue living and working right here in the Northwoods." Parkside president Lynn Akey added, "By partnering with Nicolet College, we area extending the impact of UW-Parkside and empowering learners to achieve their academic and professional aspirations." -Photo provided by Nicolet College-

Published on 05/06/2024 under News While a few pennies won't buy much these days, thousands of pennies can make a difference for those in need. Students in Rhinelander are learning that lesson and the importance of clean drinking water. As part of an annual curriculum on water resources around the world, the third grade classes in Rhinelander are once again organizing and leading an elementary-wide fundraiser. The money raised will go towards well-building projects in Africa. They are following in the footsteps of their classmates who, through similar projects over the years, have sponsored wells in Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. As part of the effort, students at Central, Crescent and NCES will be participating in penny challenges, while classmates at Pelican will be selling 'kindness-grams for the project. Last year the students raised more than $2,500 which was boosted by an anonymous donor who chipped in another $1,500.

Published on 05/06/2024 under News Road construction season is in full swing and we've got another project getting underway this week. According to the Department of Transportation, crews will begin work on Highway 8 between Wisconsin 17 and County P in the Rhinelander area. According to the project description, work will include pavement replacement and intersection upgrades. Motorists will encounter single lane closures with the use of temporary traffic signals. Work is scheduled to run through mid-September. As for updates on other ongoing projects here in the Northwoods...•According to the DoT Crews continue their work on Highway 51 between Manitou Park and the Minocqua Lake Bridge. Both directions of traffic continue to share the northbound lanes. •The Lincoln County Highway Department continues work on County K, County A, and Tug Lake Road. That includes a temporary closure of Tug Lake Road on Monday, May 6 until 4pm for culvert work. Otherwise these roads are closed to local traffic only and motorists should utilize alternative routes. •And the Town of Bradley previously announced plans for paving Schmidtbauer Road, Wildwood Road; and Muskellunge Lake Road between Dereg and Nibler Roads this week.

Published on 05/06/2024 under News A Northwoods organization focused on child hunger is raising money for food programs by giving away some money for food. That organization is the Eagle River-based Feed Our Rural Kids or FORK. Over the weekend, they launched their new Grocery Raffle. According to the announcement, they'll be selecting one lucky winner to receive $100 in groceries per week for a full year. The recipient can choose from their favorite store as long as it is locally-owned and with fewer than 10 locations. That could be the Trig's Eagle River location where they kicked off raffle sales this weekend. Throughout the summer, and up until October 6, they'll be have tickets available at dozens of locations and events around the Northwoods. The winner of the contest will be drawn at the Eagle River Cranberry Festival this fall. Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00 FORK, which recently celebrated their 5th anniversary, has made it a mission to ensure Northwoods students have easily prepared food and snacks. That includes their backpack program for elementary students in St. Germain, Sugar Camp, Land O' Lakes, Phelps, Eagle River, and Three Lakes You can visit the FORK website for more information including a full list of places to purchase a raffle ticket.

Published on 05/06/2024 under News A familiar medical provider is returning to Lincoln County. Marshfield Clinic Merrill Center announced Dr. Paul Samundsen will practice at their facility. He had most recently worked as an Emergency Department physician at Marshfield Medical Center-Park Falls. According to the news release, "When he is with patients, Dr. Samundsen says one of his main goals is to make everyone feel comfortable." Samundsen says, "I don't look like a typical physician, and I strive to create a non-judgmental environment where everyone can work on their medical issues without feeling degraded or embarrassed." A veteran of the US Army himself, Samundsen added his special interest in caring for veterans in particular. In his free time, Samundsen enjoys spending time with his three sons, along with football, hockey, boating and fishing.

Published on 05/06/2024 under Sports Tomahawk's softball squad snapped their three-game Great Northern Conference losing streak Friday afternoon in a dominating 22-3 win over Northland Pines Friday. The Hatchets put up 22 runs in just three innings of play. Tomahawk had two moonshots in the game, which were a three-run shot from Macy Jankiewicz and a two-run bomb from Sara Gebauer. The win improves Tomahawk's record to 8-9 on the season and 3-5 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets will have their next Great Northern Conference battle in Medford Monday. First pitch is at 4:00 that afternoon.

Published on 05/06/2024 under Sports Tomahawk's track and field squads competed in the Otto Bacher Invite in Merrill Friday afternoon. The Hatchet Girls had another fantastic day, placing first overall out of 11 teams. Tomahawk finished a full 30 points over the second-place finisher, Northland Pines. The Hatchet boys placed ninth overall, finishing ahead of Crandon and Merrill. Tomahawk will have their home meet coming up Tuesday at Hatchet Field. Live updates from the home meet will be provided all day on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. Field Events begin at 4:15. The Fehrman Orthodontics Pregame Show is at 3:55 with Alex Koch in the booth on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ.

Published on 05/06/2024 under Sports Tomahawk's baseball squad suffered their eighth straight loss and fourth straight shutout loss, losing at Mosinee Friday 10-0. The Hatchets were also no-hit for the third time in the last four games. Tomahawk has mustered just one hit in their last four, which came in their first game against Mosinee Tuesday. The loss drops Tomahawk to 1-11 on the season and 1-9 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk's next game is back at Tyler Kahle Field in Tomahawk against non-conference foe Prentice Monday afternoon. First pitch is at 5:00.

Published on 05/03/2024 under News The winter wait is finally over... Anglers will once again fill Wisconsin's waterways this weekend with the hopes of landing some fish. Saturday marks the start of the inland fishing season for a number of species; most notably walleye, northern pike and large mouth bass. Anglers should note that the northern zone muskie season doesn't open until May 25; while the small-mouth bass harvest begins June 15. The state has a long tradition of fishing and the numbers bare that out. Statistics show around 2 million licenses are sold every year, nearly twice the national average per capita. And while the natural fish population is strong, the DNR and their partners enhance the state fishery through stocking programs like the Wisconsin Walleye Initiatve. They also stock trout, bass, musky, and northern pike. The DNR did offer up a few reminders for anglers before heading out this season. Make sure you've got a fishing license and go over regulations for any lake-specific rules and bag limits on the waters you fish. If you're fishing in a boat, check that the registration is up-to-date and you've got enough life preservers. And to keep invasive species out of your favorite waterways, it's a good idea to inspect your boat, trailer and equipment for any of these aquatic hitchhikers. And stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the season for fishing news, updates, events, and of course a stable of fishing guides who offer their expertise with their weekend reports.

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