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NTC Hosts Apprenticeship Workshop Published on 11/23/2021 under News

This past week was National Apprenticeship Week, and dozens of area business leaders were able to learn more about those partnerships through Northcentral Technical College.

NTC hosted a "Grow Your Workforce Through Apprenticeship" workshop last week. The event was designed to showcase the benefits that apprenticeship brings to businesses as they work to recruit and retain top talent.

Organizers said they had more than 70 business leaders from 60 local companies participate.

Katie Metko helps facilitate those partnerships in her role as apprenticeship manager at NTC. She says, "We have seen the positive impacts that both youth and adult apprenticeships have had on area businesses and are excited to help more employers implement these programs at their institutions."

The event also included an employer-led panel that highlighted the process that businesses can follow by partnering with NTC to begin apprenticeship programs.

-Photo provided by Northcentral Technical College

In Other News

Two Tomahawk High School Students Attend National FCCLA Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

Published on 07/21/2026 under News A pair of Tomahawk High School students spent a week in the nation's capital for a national leadership conference and they returned to the Northwoods with some hardware. Earlier this year, members of THS chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) attended the state leadership conference. Three students qualified for the national event in Washington, D.C, including Aubrey Seubert and Emma Hoff, who joined nearly 8,000 students in attendance. Beyond educational sessions and networking opportunities, participants presented their projects. The Tomahawk contingent fared exceptionally well: Seubert earned a Gold Medal in Career Investigation, while Hoff brought home a Silver Medal in Promote and Publicize. Hoff attended last year's event as well, where she earned a bronze. During their downtime, the students explored the city, visited iconic national monuments, and made unforgettable memories. The Tomahawk School District congratulated both students on representing the community with excellence, recognizing their hard work, dedication, and outstanding accomplishments."

Published on 07/21/2026 under News The Northwoods is renowned for its lakes and rivers, and next month local residents will have a chance to help keep those waters healthy. Organizers are calling on volunteers for Wisconsin's annual Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Snapshot Day on Saturday, Aug. 8. The statewide effort mobilizes citizen scientists at dozens of locations to search for non-native plants and animals that threaten local ecosystems. After a brief training session, volunteers will be dispatched to scan designated waterways. Any findings are submitted to the DNR to guide ongoing conservation and early-detection efforts. Lincoln County will host a AIS Snapshot Day for a 5th consecutive year, focusing on Tomahawk specifically. While the effort is scheduled for August 8, the Lincoln County Land Services Department is encouraging interested community members to sign up early for planning purposes. Other participating Northwoods host locations include Lake Tomahawk, Manitowish Waters, and Crandon.

Published on 07/21/2026 under News Northwoods voters will have a unique opportunity to learn more about some of the candidates in the 7th Congressional District with a candidate forum featuring watch parties around the expansive district. The conversation is a joint effort of seven regional chapters of the League of Women Voters, along with three local tech schools. The live forum, held at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, will be broadcast directly to watch parties throughout the district. Here in the Northwoods, Nicolet College in Rhinelander or at the Kalmar Senior Center in Eagle River will hold watch parties. Organizers say the livestream format offers Northwoods residents a unique, interactive community setting to examine where candidates stand before heading to the polls for the August 11 primary. All congressional candidates appearing on the primary ballot were invited to participate. Five candidates accepted the League's invitation, a selection of both Democrats and Republicans. This includes Chris Armstrong, Nina Baum, Fred Clark, Kevin Hermening, and Ginger Murray. The forum gets underway at 6:30 p.m.

Published on 07/21/2026 under News Two Northwoods organizations are receiving state grants to help train workers and fill in-demand jobs. They Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced nine recipients will share in more than $890,000 in Wisconsin Fast Forward grants. The funds will to assist in training more than 340 workers in healthcare, customer service, technology, and manufacturing to help fill critical workforce needs. Locally, Opportunity Inc. in Marathon County will receive nearly $17,700 to train eight people as professional guardians for individuals with disabilities. The training will focus on legal requirements, ethics and person-centered planning. Meanwhile, Robbins Sports Surfaces in Langlade County was awarded $32,500 to train 18 workers at its new rough mill in White Lake. Gov. Evers called the grants a win-win-win for the workforce, economy, and communities. The Wisconsin Fast Forward program helps employers train workers for higher-skilled, better-paying jobs while addressing workforce shortages across the state.

Published on 07/21/2026 under News A Tomahawk man was cited over the weekend after a deputy caught him driving more than 100 mph on Highway 64. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, a deputy on a specialized traffic safety patrol spotted an eastbound vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed near Joe Snow Road on Sunday. Radar locked the vehicle's speed at 102 mph in a 55 mph zone, after initially clocking it at 105 mph. During the traffic stop, the deputy reported that the driver was initially argumentative and unable to provide proof of identification. A family member eventually arrived at the scene to confirm both the man's identity and his ownership of the vehicle. The driver was cited for speeding 45+ mph over the posted limit and driving without identification. A couple of other quick notes from the Sheriff's report... A single vehicle crash last Monday on Highway 51 near Nibler Road resulted in a driver injury. The driver suspected he may have fallen asleep behind the wheel causing the crash. Both drivers were injured in a two vehicle crash on Highway 17 in the Town of Russell. Based on the initial investigation, one of the vehicles attempted a u-turn, crossing into the path of the other vehicle. The number of vehicle versus deer collisions remains low with four reported on Lincoln County Roadways.

Published on 07/21/2026 under News Hundreds of hours of stitching, vibrant patterns, and a whole lot of heart were on full display in Eagle River over the weekend. The Cranberry Country Quilters Guild hosted their annual show at Northland Pines High School over the weekend, transforming the school into a colorful tapestry featuring more than 200 quilts. The day-long event offered visitors a chance to marvel at the artistry of local crafters while enjoying quilt vendors, technique demonstrations, an antique bed turning, and even a special raffle quilt. Another highlight was the recognition of long-time member Joyce Owens. Owens was honored for her passion for quilting, colorful and creative designs, and years of leadership and mentorship within the guild. She served as guild president twice, and has helped teach and inspire fellow quilters for many years. Organizers say the event celebrated both the artistry of quilting and the volunteers who help keep the tradition thriving.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) has officially opened public voting for its third annual safe digging competition, seeking its next canine spokesperson. The contest pairs cute pups with an important message: reminding residents to call Diggers Hotline at least three days before starting any home project that involves digging. The winning "ambassadog" will be featured on social media and billboards promoting Diggers Hotline as safe, free, and required by law. Back in 2024, Arlo, an Aussiedoodle from Tomahawk, became the first spokes-dog, followed by Pearl from Schofield last year. With Pearl's term coming to a close, WPS put out a call for a new batch of pup-ular candidates. Out of dozens of submissions, a pack of 10 finalists was selected, including three local Northwoods favorites:Luna (Merrill): An 11-month-old who loves digging at the beach almost as much as she loves cuddling up for family movie nights.Maisie (Rhinelander): A sweet 1-year-old golden retriever famous for unearthing yard rocks and playing fetch.Ruby (Tomahawk): A playful 1-year-old water lover who balances her digging hobby with outdoor bird-watching.Voting is open to everyone at the WPS website through next Monday, July 27. The winner will be announced on August 11 (8/11) a reference to 811, the national number to call before you dig.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News The Kwahamots skied their way back onto the podium after a strong performance at the Wisconsin State Show Ski Championships over the weekend. Competing at the 60th annual state championships on Lake Wazeecha in Wisconsin Rapids, the Kwahamots finished third in the Division 3 team competition. The top three teams separated themselves from the rest of the field in a tight battle, with the Chain Skiers of Waupaca claiming the state title and Crivitz's Twin Bridge Ski Team taking second. The Tomahawk-based team was led by Ryan Koth, who was recognized as the Division 3 Most Valuable Male performer. A true Swiss Army knife, Koth excelled in wakeboarding, hydrofoil, jumping, and barefooting. The Kwahamots also posted the top score in the barefoot category. This podium finish marks the fourth time in the past five years that the Kwahamots have placed among the top three at the state championships, continuing their run as one of Wisconsin's premier show ski clubs. The four-day event featured teams from across the state competing in individual events prior to the team competition, where performances were judged across a dozen categories—including showmanship, difficulty, boat driving, and overall entertainment. After a successful trip on the road, the team returns home to Kwahamot Bay to resume their schedule of three weekly shows through Labor Day.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News Wildfire smoke put the brakes on a Northwoods aviation tradition on Sunday. The 28th annual AirVenture Cup Race, which serves as the unofficial kickoff to EAA AirVenture week in Oshkosh, was postponed after thick smoke created poor flying conditions across much of Wisconsin. Pilots spent Sunday at the Wausau Downtown Airport receiving periodic weather updates while organizers monitored air quality and visibility in hopes of getting the race underway. Instead, competitors were asked to report back to the airport at 7 a.m. Monday, with organizers tentatively planning a 9 a.m. start, weather permitting. The AirVenture Cup typically attracts more than 100 pilots for a roughly 400-mile sky race from Wausau through northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula before returning to the Northwoods. Tomahawk and Merrill serve as the final two checkpoints on the course. Following the race, most pilots will head to Oshkosh for the start of EAA AirVenture, one of the world's largest aviation gatherings.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News The investigation into a suspected drug overdose death in Eagle River has expanded, with authorities making an arrest and executing a search warrant. Eagle River Police say a suspect was taken into custody Thursday by the Portage County Sheriff's Department after a traffic stop connected to the investigation. Earlier that afternoon, investigators from multiple agencies executed a search warrant at a residence in the Town of Lac du Flambeau. Two people were also taken into custody at the residence, but police say those arrests were unrelated to the overdose investigation. The investigation began after officers responded to a report of an unresponsive person at an Eagle River residence shortly after 2:15 a.m. Tuesday. Despite life-saving efforts, the 37-year-old victim died at the scene. Officials say the investigation remains active, and no additional information is being released at this time.

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