WJJQ Radio

Story Details

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

Lincoln County Board Approves 2027 Budget; Levy Up, Mill Rate Down

Published on 11/11/2026 under News As expected, the Lincoln County Board unanimously approved its 2027 budget during Tuesday's monthly meeting. Supervisors received the balanced proposal last month, giving them several weeks to review the spending plan prior to the final vote. The approved property tax levy comes in at 13.6 million dollars, up approximately 300,000 dollars from last year. However, driven by a nearly seven-percent increase in equalized property values and a 1.3-percent boost in net new construction, the average mill rate is projected to drop by 2.6 percent for townships and just over two percent for cities. Notable spending updates include increased funding for emergency medical services following a new joint E-M-S agreement with the City of Merrill. Overall budget numbers were bolstered by steady growth in county sales tax revenue, continuing a multi-year upward trend attributed in part to local investments in recreation and tourism promotion. Board Chair Don Friske praised the Finance Committee for the time and effort spent crafting this year's budget, noting the process was completed during a leadership transition as Korey Bloch stepped into the Finance Director role. With the final spending plan largely unchanged from the October draft, supervisors passed the budget with minimal discussion.

Published on 11/11/2026 under News Following strong local reviews at its September premiere, area residents will have another chance to see Tomahawk: City in the Pines on the big screen. A second free screening of the 90-minute historical documentary is scheduled for this coming Monday, November 16th. Co-created by Tomahawk native Clay Schmit and Oscar-winning director John Newcombe, the film captures over 140 years of local history—from early Indigenous lands and the timber era to present day. The two friends spent nearly two years on the project connecting with community members, local organizations, and historians. Schmit says they will be partnering with the Northwoods Vineyard Church to air a second screening coming up on Monday at 7pm.For those unable to attend in person, the documentary is also available to stream online through Kinema for four dollars and ninety-nine cents.

Published on 11/11/2026 under News A popular outdoor recreation destination in the Northwoods is getting a major financial boost for facility upgrades. The Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau has announced a 33,000-dollar Community Investment Fund grant to Minocqua Winter Park to support improvements at its chalet. The project focuses on five key areas: upgrading the kitchen, modernizing restrooms and changing areas, adding electrical outlets, installing a facility-wide sound system, and expanding Wi-Fi coverage across the grounds. The award is part of the Bureau's 50,000-dollar program designed to strengthen local tourism infrastructure. Bureau President and CEO Krystal Westfahl highlighted that reinvesting room tax dollars into local facilities helps keep the region competitive while enhancing amenities for both visitors and residents. Westfahl noted, "Minocqua Winter Park is an incredible asset to our destination, and these improvements will help ensure that it continues to meet the expectations of today's travelers." In addition to the financial grant, the Bureau will provide ongoing promotional support for the park.

Published on 11/11/2026 under News Health officials are urging local residents to stay alert after the Taylor County Health Department confirmed the county's first case of mumps this season. Department staff are working directly with the patient and medical providers to ensure proper treatment and isolation. Mumps is a contagious viral infection spread through direct contact or airborne droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, sneezes, or shares cups and utensils. Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite, followed by painful swelling of the salivary glands under the jaw and ears. Officials note that infected individuals can spread the virus up to five days after symptoms begin, and some people may spread it without showing symptoms at all. This case comes as state health officials report a sharp rise in measles cases across Wisconsin. Health officials emphasize that while both viral infections are highly contagious, the MMR vaccine offers strong protection against both mumps and measles. However, the vaccine cannot be used as a post-exposure treatment.

Published on 11/11/2026 under News As hunters gear up for the start of the gun deer season next week, the Wisconsin D-N-R is looking for community members to help shape future deer management decisions. Applications are now open for all Citizen Deer Advisory Council seats across the state. These local councils meet annually to review harvest data, gather community feedback, and recommend management strategies for their specific deer management units. D-N-R Deer and Elk Specialist Steve Burns calls public involvement through these councils the "backbone" of managing local deer populations, noting that the councils bring forward a variety of community perspectives on how white-tailed deer should be managed. Selected members will serve a three-year term representing one of seven stakeholder categories, including hunting, agriculture, forestry, tourism, and local government. The application deadline is November 30th. To apply or learn more, search "C-D-A-C" on the Wisconsin D-N-R website.

Published on 11/10/2026 under News It's been one week since voters headed to the polls, and looking back at local numbers, participation in Lincoln County was steady with turnout down slightly compared to recent years. Based on preliminary results from Tuesday, there were 13,154 votes cast in Lincoln County, down about 500 votes from each of the last two comparable elections in 2018 and 2022. These are non-presidential years, which typically drive voter turnout. Local voter participation is typically higher than both state and national averages. Despite the slight drop, voter turnout remained approximately 74% of eligible voters. Even the partisan breakdown was similar as Lincoln County has turned reliably red in recent years. Despite his home territory, Republican Gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany didn't receive much of a bump. He received approximately 60% of the voter share, nearly identical to 2022 GOP candidate Tim Michels. Meanwhile looking at the 2024 presidential election, more than 17,300 ballots were cast which is around 31%.

Published on 11/10/2026 under News One person is dead following a single vehicle crash in Oneida County Monday evening. According to the Sheriff's Office, that crash happened at shortly before 10pm on South River Road in the Town of Crescent. Based on the preliminary investigation, a northbound truck lost control while navigating a sharp corner, left the roadway and struck a tree. The driver, an 18 year old male was ejected from the vehicle. Life saving efforts were unsuccessful and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The operator was the lone occupant of the vehicle. Their name was not immediately released. According to the Sheriff's Report, speed is believed to be a factor. The crash remains under investigation.

Published on 11/10/2026 under News A man charged in connection with a fatal rollover crash last fall has been sentenced following a plea agreement in Taylor County court. During a hearing this past week, 50-year-old Stephen Kaplon pleaded guilty to a felony count of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle. A second felony charge, homicide by vehicle through the use of a controlled substance, was dismissed. The court ordered a withheld sentence, placing Kaplon on five years of probation with nine months in county jail. In addition, Kaplon's driver's license was revoked for one year, and he is required to maintain absolute sobriety as a condition of his probation. The charges stemmed from a single-vehicle crash in October of last year. According to investigators, Kaplon was traveling on County C in the Town of Rib Lake at a high rate of speed when he left the roadway and struck several trees. His passenger, 49-year-old Sharon Kaplon of Ogema, sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

Published on 11/10/2026 under News Fall and winter mark respiratory illness season across the Northwoods, but the Oneida County Health Department is hoping to make it easier to identify common bugs with a quick symptom guide. As cold weather drives more people indoors and holiday gatherings bring people closer together, exposure to viruses like the common cold, flu, RSV, and COVID-19 naturally increases. While many of these illnesses share overlapping symptoms, others are more distinct. For example, a cold typically brings a runny nose and sore throat, while body aches, fatigue, and fever point more toward the flu. Wheezing, meanwhile, is most commonly associated with RSV. Health officials note that while individual symptoms can vary, the department's visual checklist can help residents determine if a doctor's visit is needed. Officials also emphasize preventive steps like staying up to date on immunizations, washing hands frequently, covering coughs, and staying home when feeling sick to prevent spreading bugs to others.

Published on 11/10/2026 under News Local public lands are getting a boost thanks to sports enthusiasts across the state, as the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund awards more than $129,000 to five conservation projects. That includes a nearly $20,000 grant focused directly on a multi-county effort here in Northwoods. In Oneida and Vilas counties, the funds will create vital open wildlife habitat within our heavily forested region. Work teams will remove woody vegetation to build wildlife openings and plant them with diverse pollinator seed mixes. The restoration efforts are slated for the Woodboro Lakes Wildlife Area, Stag and Roe State Wildlife Habitat Area, and the Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area in Oneida County... along with the Northern Highlands-Legion State Forest in Vilas County. Other grant dollars will fund prairie, stream, and oak savanna work across Southern and Eastern Wisconsin. The public-private partnership between the DNR and the Natural Resources Foundation relies on voluntary contributions made when outdoorsmen buy licenses through the state's "Go Wild" system. The Cherish Fund is a partnership between the DNR and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, built largely through voluntary donations added when outdoorsmen purchase hunting and fishing licenses on the state's "Go Wild" portal.

+ Read More