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Two Dead Near Fire in Presque Isle Published on 05/11/2022 under News

Two people were found dead near a house fire in Vilas County, though their deaths appear accidental.

According to the Sheriff's Office, responders were paged to a fire off Baer Road in the Town of Presque Isle at shortly before 1pm Tuesday afternoon. Upon arrival crews were able to knock down the fire at the home.

According to the news release two deceased individuals were located on the scene. Investigators say that power lines were downed near those victims. Their names were not released, no was a cause of death.

The deaths appear to be accidental and are not suspicious in nature. Both the deaths and the fire remain under investigation.

In Other News

F-35 Flyover Planned for Tomahawk's Fourth of July Parade

Published on 07/02/2026 under News While the planned military jet flyover at Saturday's Tomahawk Powwow Days parade will be over in the blink of an eye, the spectacle itself took months of effort to secure. The Wisconsin Air National Guard's F-35 Lightning II flyover is the result of tireless work led by Tomahawk Main Street volunteer Mary Smith. She stopped by the WJJQ studios this week to share some of the behind-the-scenes details. It all started when Smith witnessed a flyover at the Rhinelander parade last year and asked herself, "Why can't Tomahawk?" Then she got to work. Her first challenge was finding the right contacts, which involved reaching out to organizers in Rhinelander and navigating several dead ends. Once connected, she faced multiple rounds of rigorous paperwork detailing everything from the exact parade route to Tomahawk's elevation before the military would even consider the request. Smith described, "many, many months of work" and "a lot of hoops to jump through." Her persistence finally paid off when she received a call from Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Griswold of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, confirming that Tomahawk had been approved. Smith even worked closely with military officials to ensure the flight path would directly follow Wisconsin Avenue, Tomahawk's Main Street, where the largest crowds for the parade attend. The flyover will have an even deeper meaning for the Tomahawk community. Smith, a retired teacher herself, shared that the flyover will serve as a tribute to long-time Tomahawk High School guidance counselor and veteran Dan Reiter, who passed away unexpectedly last year. Tomahawk Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz praised Smith for her fierce determination. "Mary goes above and beyond in everything she does," Turkiewicz said. "Her heart is so full for this community." For Smith, seeing the fighter jet soar over downtown Tomahawk will be about much more than just an exciting spectacle. "I just feel so proud that we're getting this," she said. "It's something our community will remember for a long time." The flyover is scheduled toward the start of the Powwow Days parade, which gets underway at 1:00 PM this Saturday. The flight path will take the jet over several other Northwoods community celebrations, including Rhinelander and Minocqua.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News If you have a favorite family recipe that always gets rave reviews at the dinner table, Kinship of Tomahawk wants to feature it in a brand-new project for a great cause. The local youth mentoring organization is collecting submissions for a community cookbook. Once published, the cookbook will be sold as a fundraiser, with all proceeds directly benefiting Kinship of Tomahawk and the area children served by its vital programs. Michelle Arnott, who is helping spearhead the project, and shared some of details. Whether it's a go-to family dinner, a favorite snack, a decadent dessert, or a signature drink, they want to see it. Kinship is inviting local youth, families, mentors, and the broader Northwoods community to share the dishes that bring their own families together. The upcoming cookbook is designed to celebrate local culinary traditions while raising critical funds for Kinship's ongoing mission. For years, the organization has provided a lifeline of support for area youth through one-to-one mentorship, engaging after-school programming, and positive group outings that help local kids thrive. Organizers have set a recipe submission deadline of Wednesday, July 15th. Recipes can be emailed to michelleann.arnott@gmail.com.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News Beyond the Fourth of July festivities, the Town of Boulder Junction and area disc golf enthusiasts have another major reason to celebrate this holiday weekend. While the new Tall Pines Disc Golf Course has been quietly open to the public this spring, the community is hosting an official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony this Sunday morning. The new course was a true community effort—designed by local disc golf players, constructed by dedicated volunteers, and funded entirely through local donations. Among those volunteers is Pete Burditt, who noted that from the very beginning, the project was focused on creating a recreational space that both year-round residents and seasonal visitors could enjoy for years to come. True to its name, Tall Pines beautifully showcases the scenic Northwoods, with fairways carved through mature forested areas. The course layout was designed to be welcoming for players of all ages and skill levels, from first-timers trying the sport to experienced enthusiasts. Like most disc golf courses, Tall Pines is free to play and open to the public daily, outside of occasional leagues and tournament events. The course is part of a much larger, ongoing effort in Boulder Junction to not only enhance quality of life for locals, but also to further establish the community as a premier outdoor recreation destination. Other recent park upgrades have included a new all-inclusive playground, basketball court renovations, and the award-winning "Glide" ice-skating loop during the winter months. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, attendees are encouraged to walk the course, meet the volunteers who helped make the project possible, and enjoy a round of disc golf. If you would like to attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting, it is scheduled for this Sunday at 10:30 AM at the course.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, local boat landings are getting busy. To prevent long lines and short tempers, officials are offering a few practical tips to help the launch process go smoothly and quickly for everyone. First and foremost: use the staging area. Before you begin backing your trailer down the ramp, get your boat completely ready to go while parked in the lot. This is the time to remove straps and covers, put the plug in, and load up all your gear, coolers, and life jackets. Preparing in the lot keeps the ramp clear for active launching and loading. It's also a good time to double-check your mirrors. If you have a passenger, having a second person act as a spotter can be a massive help. Spotters should remember to offer instructions calmly and clearly, using distinct hand gestures that the driver can easily see in the mirrors. For the drivers, focus on making small corrections on the steering wheel and take your time. While you might feel the pressure to move quickly, rushing can lead to mistakes that ultimately make the process take longer. Most importantly, remember that everyone's trailer skills and experience levels are different. Whether you are a brand-new boater or a seasoned pro, everyone at the landing has the exact same goal: to get out and enjoy the water. A little patience, kindness, and a few encouraging words can go a long way in putting everyone at ease during a hectic holiday weekend.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News Fireworks and the Fourth go hand and hand, but officials are reminding people of the dangers. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, on average more than 100 fireworks-related injuries result in ER visits each year.A quarter of those visits were children under 18. In a similar message, Aspirus Wausau hospital shared their recent annual average at the emergency department is an average of seven firework injuries per year. And it's not just the fireworks that go boom...some of the most common fireworks injuries treated are burns, particularly sparklers. Not only do they burn at an extremely high temperature; the stick remains a hot and a burn risk even after the sparkler has burned out. Ready Wisconsin teamed with local emergency management to offer up their annual fireworks safety tips. • First and foremost, obey local laws and permitting requirements • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks • Find a smooth, flat surface; have readily available water; and make sure onlookers are a safe distance • Light fireworks one at a time; don't attempt to reignite a dud; and properly discard cooled fireworks after a soak in some water The safest advice, however, is to simply leave the fireworks to the professionals and attend a community show.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News May was a good month for jobs in the Northwoods and across the state. New preliminary data from the Department of Workforce Development shows unemployment rates dropped in all 72 Wisconsin counties in May. Rates were also down in 67 counties year-over-year. Looking at the Northwoods, counties along the Highway 51 corridor saw major improvements. Here in Lincoln County, unemployment fell from 3.7 percent in April down to 2.9 percent in May. Oneida County's rate dropped a full percentage point, going from 3.8 to 2.8 percent. And Vilas County saw one of the biggest improvements in the entire state. The unemployment rate there plummeted two-and-a-half points—falling from 5.7 percent in April to 3.2 percent in May. All three counties were improved from May of last year as well.

Published on 07/01/2026 under News Tomahawk's Music on the River returns Wednesday evening with a special kickoff to the Fourth of July holiday week, and a special thank you from WJJQ. The second concert of the 19th season will feature Ember, an award winning, four-piece band from Western Wisconsin and Music on the River regular. They describe themselves as bringing "a fun party atmosphere with dance-driven renditions of popular rock and country hits." Wednesday also marks the return of the WJJQ Community Cookout. After a rain-out during season opener, WJJQ staff and volunteers will be serving brats, hot dogs, chips, and soda beginning at 4:30 pm. The cookout serves as one of the station's annual opportunities to thank listeners while traditionally helping kick off another summer of Music on the River. With another threat of stormy weather in the forecast today, stay tuned to WJJQ for any potential location changes.

Published on 07/01/2026 under News The countdown to Tomahawk's annual Powwow Days celebration is officially on. While the Tomahawk Lions Club takes the lead on coordinating the full day of festivities, they lean heavily on the community for support. Tomahawk Lion Kevin Koth stopped by the WJJQ studios to preview this year's events and discuss the year-round planning that makes it all possible. Koth noted that pulling off an event of this scale requires massive volunteer effort and delegation extending well beyond the Lions' membership. This collective community support helps organize everything from the morning races and kids' activities to the midday attractions and evening fireworks. Even behind the scenes work such as clean-up is covered, and importantly the financial support. Bringing Powwow Days to life carries a price tag of approximately $25,000, with the parade and the fireworks show demanding the largest share of the budget. Over the past two months, the Lions' fundraising team has been working tirelessly, reaching out to local businesses and generous donors whose financial support keeps the tradition alive. While the event is packed with decades-old annual traditions, like the chicken lunch and firefighter water demonstrations, organizers always look to keep things fresh and exciting. This year, parade-goers will have a spectacular reason to look to the skies. Koth shared the exciting news that Tomahawk is on the flight path for an F-35 fighter jet flyover, which is scheduled to roar over the crowd right during Saturday's Powwow Days parade. You can listen to the entire conversation with Kevin in the WJJQ audio center. Of course, stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the week for news, updates, and live coverage.

Published on 07/01/2026 under News Wisconsin Public Service is looking for another furry face to be featured in its annual safe digging campaign. The local utility has officially put out a call for nominations for its next safe-digging "spokes-dog." In 2024, an Aussie-doodle pup named Arlo from Tomahawk became the company's first-ever "ambassadog." Last year, the crown went to Pearl from Schofield. With Pearl's one-year reign now coming to an end, WPS is hunting for her successor. Customers are encouraged to enter the contest by snapping a photo of their dog, preferably digging in his or her favorite spot. A panel of judges will narrow down the entries to a few select finalists, and WPS customers will then get the chance to vote online to select the top dog. During their term, the winning pup is regularly featured on social media and regional billboards to remind residents to utilize Digger's Hotline. Their primary message? "Doggone it! Always call 811 at least three days before you dig." Pet parents have until July 9 to enter their canine candidates. Complete rules and entry forms are available on the WPS website and their official social media channels.

Published on 07/01/2026 under News Throughout the week, we've been talking about safety when the temperatures climb. It's a good reminder to keep kids and pets out of parked vehicles. In direct sunlight the rays can create dangerous heat in a short amount of time. The National Weather Service shared some figures that show just how quickly that can happen. Using a sunny, 80-degree day, like today, as an example, they note that temperatures in a vehicle can climb to more than 120 degrees in less than an hour. Even running a quick errand can see quickly rising temps. On that same 80 degree day, it can rise to more than 100 degrees in less than 20 minutes. Dark colors on the interior of the car may make the temperatures climb higher and faster. While leaving a window cracked may help a little, they note the cooling effects are minimal. Safety officials say the best thing is to simply take children with you whenever you leave the vehicle. For pets, they'll be safest and happiest at home.

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