State Building Commission Approves NCHC Behavioral Health Improvements; Bearskin Trail Bridge
Published on 10/21/2021 under News
A trail bridge in Oneida County and a mental health facility at North Central Health Care in Wausau are among projects approved by the State Building Commission yesterday.
Overall the bipartisan committee approved $124 million worth of projects with a focus on safety improvements and deferred maintenance.This includes building improvements on several UW-Campuses and fire door and elevator upgrades in several state buildings.
A pair of local projects also made the list.North Central Health Care received approval for renovations and expansion of their mental health building. The facility currently serves clients from Marathon, Lincoln, and Langlade Counties. This will expand capacity to serve Forest, Oneida and Vilas Counties as well. We'll have more on this project on the Friday morning show.
Up in Oneida County, another approved project would replace the Pinewood trestle bridge on the Bearskin Trail in Harshaw. The 50-foot-long bridge is one of 16 trestles along the trail which runs from Nokomis to Minocqua. The bridge was deemed structurally unsafe. In addition to summer trail usage, the replacement bridge, once complete will be able to accommodate snow grooming equipment and snowmobile activity during the winter months.
Gov. Evers said in announcing these projects, "I am glad this bipartisan commission moved forward on these important projects as we work to bolster our state infrastructure."
In Other News
Tomahawk Main Street Program Earns Multiple State Awards
Published on 04/25/2024 under News
Two Tomahawk traditions and a long-time volunteer earned Wisconsin Main Street awards. A local contingent traveled over to Green Bay last weekend to attend the 33rd annual Wisconsin Main Street Awards, and they didn't walk away empty handed. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz was excited to share their results. First up, the annual North for the Fourth T-Shirts received honorable mention in Best Promotional Marketing category. The creators of the campaign have changed several times over the past four decades, with Tomahawk Main Street currently in charge. Each year, a new design is created, meaning the shirts are a collector's item which sells out on an almost yearly basis. In fact, Turkiewicz says they've quadrupled the number of shirts available and began produced tank tops and sweatshirts as well. The second award for Tomahawk Main Street was awarded to Andy Goretski of Custom Murals for Best Historic Restoration. Goretski spent last summer repainting the mural of city founder William Bradley. The art work was initially painted on the side of the Standard Mercantile building some twenty years ago but began to fade due to the elements. Turkiewicz said, "Andy brought his gift, his paintbrushes, and a big heart to the store side, and he delivered!" And finally an organization like Tomahawk Main Street isn't successful without volunteers, and Joan Laabs received a Community Champion Award. Turkiewicz called her an asset for years. She said, "Joan may have begun by simply helping around the office..., but every year, she jumps in a little more and more. Just a few examples on a lengthy list of volunteer hours, the "We Give Thanks" program, the Main Street Memories Car Show, a member of the promotions committee. The annual awards banquet also gave Turkiewicz a chance to look back on the past year. She says, " Tomahawk Main Street is blessed to have so many incredible friends committed to our mission and goals, and we are pleased to announce these awards; our beautiful downtown is near and dear to all of us who live and visit here, and now receiving recognition state-wide, competing against so many other amazing communities, is a true testament to this community's hard work and dedication."
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Lac du Flambeau Housing Authority Selected for Two Clean Energy Grants Totaling $1 Million
Published on 04/25/2024 under News
Lac du Flambeau was selected to receive two green energy grants totaling more than $1 million. As part of an Earth Week, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin announced the recipients of their Energy Innovation Grant Program. In this cycle, $7.8 million will be shared across 28 projects which were selected from more than 80 applications. Recipients include: schools, municipalities, health care providers and housing organizations. Lac du Flambeau Tribal Housing Authority was fortunate to receive two complimentary grants for their 13-unit multi-family building known as Elk Point East. The first, $500,000, will be invested into a ground mount solar array and battery storage. The second grant $525,000, is earmarked for a first of its kind conversion of whole-building electric resistance heating to a cold-climate air source heat pump system. Gov. Evers said in the announcement, "These projects will help strengthen energy infrastructure across Wisconsin while making significant progress in our transition to a clean energy economy, resulting in cleaner air and water and more family-supporting jobs." Since the program's inception in 2017, the PSC has awarded $40 million to 169 EIGP projects statewide.
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Suspect Identified in Park Falls Shooting Earlier this Month
Published on 04/25/2024 under News
Officials have released additional information into a homicide in Park Falls earlier this month. According to the Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation, the incident happened on the afternoon of April 13. At shortly after 4pm, officers responded to a report of shots fired near the 600 block of 2nd Avenue North. Upon arrival they found a victim dead with multiple gunshot wounds. A handgun was found at the scene. The alleged shooter was taken into custody. Yesterday the DoJ identified him as 50 year old Christopher J. Dyer. According to court records he is being held on $1 million bond on an anticipated charge of 1st degree intentional homicide. The DoJ has not released any information on the victim other than identifying that person as an adult. The incident remains under investigation.
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New Peregrine Falcon Chicks Names Inspired by Wisconsin Olympians; Voting Underway
Published on 04/25/2024 under News
Over the years, Wisconsin has produced a number of memorable Olympians. The peregrine falcon chicks hatched at Wisconsin Public Service and We Energies facilities will be named in their honor. There are currently 11 peregrine falcon eggs across the various power facilities. Once hatched, the chicks will be banded and named through a themed public vote. To celebrate the upcoming summer games, each of the potential names are inspired by Wisconsin Olympians. Just a few examples of the more than two dozen options: Birdie Blair in honor of 5 time gold medalist and Wisconsin resident Bonnie Blair-Cruikshank; Curly for Madison's sibling curlers Becca and Matt Hamilton; Miracle for the Wisconsinites Mark Johnson and Bob Suter on the 1980 men's hockey team; and Oarlock in honor of bronze-medal rower Megan Kalmoe of St. Croix Falls. Voting is underway and will continue through May 9 on their website. The website also has links to the nesting box webcams. Over the years, more than 400 of the once-endangered peregrine falcons have hatched at the WPS and WE Energies facilities.
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Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Celebrating Arbor Day
Published on 04/25/2024 under News
There are millions of trees in the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest. Staffers are busy preparing for an another Arbor Day celebration with some special events. Coming up on Friday afternoon, local, state, and federal foresters will host a free public program at the USDA Forest Service office in Rhinelander. We heard from some of the organizers who offered a sneak preview of tomorrow's event, highlighted by a tree planting ceremony. It's part of an initiative to replace some of the ash trees removed due to the invasive emerald ash borer. The new trees, 3 year old white pines, were grown from seed at a Forest Service nursery. That will be followed by some interpretive activities for people of all ages to learn about the importance of trees and some of the ways that people can establish more trees in their communities. That includes some family friendly activities featuring Woodsy the Owl. The Arbor Day celebration gets underway Friday at 1pm. To register for the program, please e-mail Veronica Hinke: Veronica.Hinke@usda.gov or call (815) 386-0711. Photo by Doug Sippl / USDA Forest Service, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest: A newly planted white pine tree from the USDA Forest Service J.W. Toumey Nursery settles into the ground and will soon take root. The public is invited to be part of a very special tree re-planting initiative on Arbor Day, April 26, 2024, at the USDA Forest Service office in Rhinelander.
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Hatchet Golf Team Finishes Sixth at Rolling Oaks
Published on 04/25/2024 under Sports
The Hatchet golf squad finished sixth out of 14 teams at Rolling Oaks Golf Course in Barron Wednesday. Tomahawk finished with a total score of 342. Owen Dickrell had the lowest score of the day for Tomahawk, finishing eighth overall with a score of 77. All Hatchet golfers finished with a score below triple-digits. Sawyer Hanna finished 18th overall with a score of 82. The Hatchets will have their next Great Northern Conference meet of the season Friday at Black River Golf Course in Medford.
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Lincoln County Plans to Transition to .gov Domain
Published on 04/24/2024 under News
The Lincoln County government could soon be getting a new website domain and email addresses that are simplified and more secure. The County currently uses the co.lincoln.wi.us. Under a resolution approved by the county board last week, they'll transition to lincolncountywi.gov. The '.gov' addresses are exclusive to US government agencies and organizations. Ahead of the vote, IT Director Travis Spoehr provided a brief overview. He noted the change is something they've talked about in the past. Now the application and registration of .gov domains have been waived for counties and local municipalities. According to the resolution, the Wisconsin Elections Commission will make .gov a requirement for electron elections communications. Some Northwoods counties have already made that transition including Oneida and Vilas Counties. As for the specific domain name, Spoehr noted that they needed to include the 'wi' because there are 36 other Lincoln Counties around the country. They'll continue to maintain the current domain at this time to make a staggered migration. A specific timeline wasn't provided.
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WPS Submits Rate Requests for Electric and Natural Gas Customers
Published on 04/24/2024 under News
Utility bills in the Northwoods could be up slightly starting next year. Wisconsin Public Service shared that they have filed a request with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to set the electricity and natural gas rates for the next two years. According to the release, the proposal would result in an increase of $11-12 a month for a typical electric bill, while natural gas customers would see an increase of $3-4. Even with the potential increase, WPS noted that bills would remain below the national average. The release says a majority of the filing is to recover costs of new power plants the PSCW has already approved. They also continue to focus on three key priorities: reducing customer outages, building the infrastructure needed to support jobs plus economic growth in Wisconsin, and meeting new EPA environmental rules. An update to the filing with more specific information on the impact for each group of customers. The company says they will also provide this information to customers through a bill insert and on wisconsinpublicservice.com. The PSC will review the proposal later this year, and the new rates, if approved, would take effect in January.
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Natural Resources Foundation Celebrating 'Fat Bird Week'
Published on 04/24/2024 under News
A plump pine warbler and a Rotund ruby-crowned kinglet are among feathered friends competing in a statewide contest to celebrate healthy birds and migration. The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is celebrating their first-ever Fat Bird Week. The Foundation notes that 'a fat bird is a healthy bird' and it 'celebrates and spotlights the amazing journey our migratory birds make to get back to Wisconsin.' Eight bird photos were selected in the bracket style tournament decided by fan vote. The foundation was inspired by the organizers of the popular Fat Bear Week in Alaska which celebrates bears bulking up for winter hibernation. Conservation biologist Ryan Brady notes that some species of bird will actually double their weight ahead of their twice annual migration. He says, "Fat is fuel in the world of bird migration." They did clarify that while many people call birds "fat," they are often referring to is the fluffiness of the feathers. While the contest is all in good fun, it also serves as inspiration to create a more bird-friendly back yard. Brady says to think native plants which will provide nutrition via fruits, seeds, nectar, and even drawing in bugs. The 'Fat Bird Week' winner will be announced during next Tuesday's webinar "Four Ways to keep Wisconsin's Birds Fat and Healthy." For more information
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Oneida County Teen Court Recruiting Panelists
Published on 04/24/2024 under News
For years, Oneida County has offered a teen court program through the municipal court system which provides an alternative for first time youth offenders. The program is currently seeking high school age students to serve as panelists in the program. Panelists interview the offending juvenile and their parents. They assign sanctions designed to help the youth avoid making similar decisions, while allowing the offender to move forward without a juvenile record. Sharon Krause, works with the program through her role as Community Youth Development Educator with the Oneida County UW-Extension. She says serving can be beneficial to the student panelists as well, building communication and leadership skills. It also exposes them to careers in law, government policy, social work and counseling. She says "High school students who wish to become panelists need to have good listening skills, work well as part of a team, and be trustworthy with confidential information." Teen panelists should live in Oneida County (or Vilas County and attend Lakeland Union) The deadline is apply is May 1. For more information about Oneida County Teen Court and panelist application materials, please visit https://oneida.extension.wisc.edu/positive-youth-development/teencourt/ or contact Sharon Krause at sharon.krause@wisc.edu or (608) 381-2661.
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