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Rhinelander Chamber Director Receives 'Rising Star' Tourism Award Published on 03/21/2022 under News

A Northwoods chamber director has been dubbed a 'Rising Star' by the state's tourism department.

At the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism, eight individuals and organizations were presented with Tourism Awards. Among them was Lauren Sackett from the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce. Sackett received one of two 'Rising Star' awards.

In the announcement panel said of Sackett, "Her leadership played a crucial role in helping many local tourism businesses survive through the pandemic. Described as the perfect blend of local pride, fearless advocate and compassionate peer, Sackett works tirelessly to bring tourism in the Northwoods to the next level."

In addition to her position with the Rhinelander Chamber, Sackett also contributes to the Northwoods Tourism Council.

Tourism secretary-designee, Anne Sayers. "As tourism continues to rebound, it's the inspired work and brilliant execution from these individuals and organizations that keep Wisconsin on the right path toward recovery. Congratulations to our award winners and all of this year's nominees."

2022 Governor's Tourism Awards winners:

Arts, Culture and Heritage Award - Create Waunakee Committee, Village of Waunakee 

The Village of Waunakee and its "Create Waunakee" Committee celebrate its innovators, creators and artists that make Waunakee a vibrant place to live and explore. Since February 2020, this committee of nine dedicated community volunteers and four village staff members has gone above and beyond to bring amazing programs, ideas and opportunities to Waunakee. Examples include, "Waunakee is Home", a series of monthly interviews with local community members, and the Waunakee Artisan Market, which emphasizes the talents of local artists.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Award - Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower, Door County Maritime Museum and Lighthouse Preservation Society 

As a recent expansion of the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay, the landmark Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower offers ten floors of interactive educational exhibits highlighting maritime history, people and industries. The space is designed to provide accessibility to a lighthouse experience that can accommodate everyone regardless of physical abilities and provides a must-see maritime experience that will draw visitors and create a significant economic boost to the region.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion Award - Unique Unites, VISIT Milwaukee 

Unique Unites is an ongoing campaign designed to highlight Milwaukee's eclectic and diverse community with a focus on inclusivity and representation for all who live, work and visit the city. The campaign encourages visitors and locals alike to branch out, explore the city, learn about its diverse community and find their Milwaukee. With this initiative, visitors from all walks of life can feel like they belong in a city where they are represented and included. 

Innovation Award - Wisconsin River Trail Organization 

The Wisconsin River Trail Organization (WRTO) Board formed in 2014 to create a 20-mile hiking and biking trail in the Boscobel/Woodman/Wauzeka area. In addition to the trail creation, there are plans to continue to reinvent the community by converting old feed buildings into a hostel, brew pub, theater, indoor farmers market and much more. The WRTO is made up of community members including nurses, insurance representatives, teachers and secretaries who together serve as mentors in the community and will leave a legacy that will be built upon for years to come.  

Rising Star Award - Amy Albright, Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau 

Amy Albright continuously displays her passion for Oshkosh while leading the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau to ensure economic development through tourism. She has elevated the marketing strategy for the Oshkosh area by jumpstarting its presence on social media, radio and other media outlets. Her unwavering commitment to establish partnerships and foster relationships have longstanding impacts throughout the community.

Rising Star Award - Lauren Sackett, Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce 

Since becoming Executive Director of the Rhinelander Area Chamber in June 2018, Lauren Sackett has served as the Treasurer of the Oneida County Tourism Commission and has worked to uplift the entire area by advocating for increased commitment in tourism investment. Her leadership played a crucial role in helping many local tourism businesses survive through the pandemic. Described as the perfect blend of local pride, fearless advocate and compassionate peer, Sackett works tirelessly to bring tourism in the Northwoods to the next level. 

Service Excellence Award - The Racine Zoo 

The Racine Zoo is a 28-acre, accredited zoo along the shores of Lake Michigan that works to create a safe, fun, enriching and educational place for all ages. The Zoo incorporates animals and wildlife conservation education into every part of their work. From guided scout hikes and preschool classes to summer camps and special events, they strive to connect the community with nature. As a result of its ongoing efforts to remove barriers to access, the Racine Zoo recently became the first certified sensory inclusive zoo in Wisconsin.

Legacy Award - Sherry Quamme, Mississippi River Parkway Commission/WI Great River Road 

Sherry Quamme has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to serving and uplifting numerous municipalities, including her own community of Ferryville. She has been a driving force for tourism and economic development in southwest Wisconsin and has collaborated with more than eight destination marketing organizations to promote the region. She has served on the Mississippi River Parkway Commission/Wisconsin Great River Road, including as Chair, since 2008. Quamme led the efforts to author Wisconsin's first successful All American Road application to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, with the designation being awarded in 2021. No matter the project, Quamme is a forward-thinking leader, and her efforts go above and beyond.

In Other News

Fire Prevention Week Emphasizes Safe Electronics Charging

Published on 10/08/2026 under News Yesterday, we highlighted how local firefighters are visiting area schools for Fire Prevention Week. But this year's message isn't just for kids. Local departments are urging everyone to practice safe charging habits at home. This year's Fire Prevention Week theme—"Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower"—focuses on the everyday electronics we rely on. From phones and tablets to power tools and e-bikes, these devices run on powerful lithium-ion batteries. If charged incorrectly or damaged, they can overheat and cause dangerous fires. The Tomahawk Fire Department says prevention comes down to a few simple habits: First, always use the cord and charger approved by the device's manufacturer.Second, charge devices on hard, flat surfaces like tables or desks. Never charge electronics on beds, couches, or under pillows, which trap heat.Third, unplug devices once they're fully charged, and charge larger items like e-bikes and power tools outside and away from exit doors.Finally, if a battery swells, smokes, or feels unusually hot, stop using it immediately and seek a replacement.These tips and more are available on the Fire Prevention Week website at fpw.org. And another reminder the Tomahawk Fire Department will wrap up their week with their annual open house on Saturday with a chance to check out their brand new fire engine.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News As high-speed internet expands across the Northwoods, the need for skilled workers to build and keep those networks running is at an all-time high. To help meet that demand, Nicolet College teamed up with the Sokaogon Chippewa Community and state workforce officials for a special signing ceremony in Rhinelander to launch a new Broadband Service Technician Apprenticeship program. The partnership directly supports major regional projects—including the Sokaogon Chippewa Community's historic investment in the largest off-reservation, tribally owned broadband network in state history. College leaders say the program was built from the ground up to solve local staffing shortages as the digital push grows with more people working from home, using telehealth, and cutting the cord and streaming. With the deal officially sealed, Nicolet College is prepping its hands-on curriculum, and the first group of apprentices will start training in Spring 2027.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News A Merrill man accused of killing his father in March of 2025 has been found competent to stand trial. That trial has also been rescheduled for next summer. 27-year-old Austin Stevenson appeared in Lincoln County Court Wednesday for a competency hearing. Court records show both defense attorneys and state prosecutors agreed with a recent medical report, leading the court to officially rule that Stevenson is now competent to proceed. Stevenson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and burglary. Authorities say deputies found his father, 48-year-old John Stevenson, deceased from two gunshot wounds during a welfare check at a Lincoln County home. Austin Stevenson was located at the home. Criminal proceedings had been suspended since last October after Stevenson was initially found unfit to stand trial. With his competency restored, the judge moved the case forward to trial set to begin on June 28th, 2027.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is warning drivers about a resurgence of a common phone scam targeting people across the state. Scammers are sending calls, texts, and voicemails claiming you have an unpaid traffic citation that requires immediate payment, often including a link to pay the fake fine. State officials want to remind everyone that neither the Wisconsin DMV nor the Wisconsin State Patrol will ever text, email, or call you demanding money. If you get one of these messages, do not click any links or share personal details. Delete the message immediately and mark it as spam on your phone.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News For those that missed out this summer, the Northwoods Art Tour is back for a fall opportunity this weekend. We've previously covered the Northwoods Art Tour, a weekend set aside for local artists to interact with visitors in their galleries, storefronts or work spaces. It provides additional perspectives on creating art from painting and sculpture to glass and wood work. Since it's founding in the year 2000, the tour has nearly doubled in size. This year's event features more than 30 stops across Vilas, Oneida, Iron, and Lincoln counties, including four locations at the southern end in the Tomahawk/Irma area. The tour is self-guided, meaning participants can design their own experience based on the art and artists that interest them most. An added bonus this time of year is a great time to take in the Fall Colors between locations. A digital brochure with maps, studio locations, and artist descriptions is available at northwoodsarttour.com. The Fall Tour runs Friday through Sunday.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News The Wisconsin DNR is encouraging fall campers and hunters to leave firewood at home and "buy local, burn local" instead. October is National Firewood Month, part of an effort to stop invasive pests from hitching a ride. Insects and fungi like the spongy moth, the emerald ash borer, and the fungus that causes oak wilt, frequently hide on or inside firewood and spread to new areas when transported. DNR officials urge people to buy firewood within ten miles of where they plan to burn it, or to use treated and certified wood. In many places, it's not just a recommendation, it's the law. Non-certified firewood originating more than ten miles away is banned at state parks, state forests, and other DNR properties. Many county, federal, and private campgrounds enforce similar rules. These "closer is better" guidelines also apply to heating wood-heated cottages or hunting cabins. At the end of your trip, officials advise leaving any unburned firewood behind rather than bringing it home and potentially introducing invasive species to your own property.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News Lincoln County's popularity is growing as an outdoor recreation destination. Local leaders continue to look for ways to enhance and promote these opportunities. The county was recently selected to participate in the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation's Technical Assistance Program, alongside support from UW-Stout's Center for Sustainable Communities. This state pilot initiative brings local, state, and federal partners together to help communities strengthen recreation assets, support area businesses, and maximize the economic benefits of local trails, waterways, and parks. Sara Guild, Executive Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation, joined our Morning Conversation earlier this week to share details on what this selection means for our area. She emphasized that local input is key to finding practical solutions for recreation infrastructure, trail access, and business growth. There are actually a couple of opportunities later this month for the public to get involved. The teams will be holding a pair of community input workshops, one in Tomahawk and one in Merrill, on October 21 and 22. We'll have a bit more coverage as those dates draw near. And you can hear that conversation with Sara in the WJJQ audio center.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News It's Fire Prevention Week, and area firefighters are working overtime to teach local youth essential fire safety lessons. Crews from the Tomahawk, Nokomis, and Little Rice Fire Departments are teaming up to visit classrooms and community stops, including local libraries and childcare centers. Merrill firefighters are leading a similar outreach program in their community. The goal is to reach students at a young age to help them build lifelong safety habits. In addition to core fire safety basics, Fire Prevention Week highlights a distinct focus area each year. This year, departments are emphasizing a modern concern: the safe charging and use of household electronics. Beyond educating kids, local departments are raising awareness about the ongoing need for volunteers, particularly at rural departments across the Northwoods. The Tomahawk Fire Department will wrap up Fire Prevention Week with its annual open house and family day on Saturday. Attendees will have a chance to tour the station and inspect the department's brand-new fire engine, which arrived last month and will be officially put into service later October.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News The City of Tomahawk has taken another step toward revamping how it spends a key category of visitor dollars. The city currently collects a 4% room tax, which is administered through a partnership with the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce. At its meeting last night, the Common Council introduced a pair of ordinances aimed at establishing a seven-member Tourism Commission to provide added oversight for those funds, while an amendment increased the room tax rate to 5%. State law dictates how room tax revenue can be spent, requiring the vast majority to be earmarked for tourism promotion and development that drives overnight visitors to the area. Both ordinances were recommended by the City's Finance Committee following a special meeting last month and approved by the Council with minimal discussion Tuesday. Implementation of the new Tourism Commission was delayed until January, as several neighboring townships are also exploring room tax proposals.That could ultimately lead to a cooperative committee or commission among participating municipalities.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News Candidates competing for Wisconsin's open 7th Congressional District seat are facing off tonight in their first and only scheduled debate. Republican Michael Alfonso and Democrat Fred Clark will meet tonight from 6 to 7 p.m. to pitch their vision to replace outgoing Congressman Tom Tiffany, and represent the Northwoods in Washington. In an unsual twist, tonight's debate won't actually take place on Wisconsin soil. Broadcast partner WDIO is hosting the event live from its television studios just across the state line in Duluth, Minnesota. In addition to airing on WDIO, the forum will be streamed on their website as well as Wisconsin Eye. The Debate comes as absentee voting is already underway in Wisconsin.

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