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90's Themed Names Selected for WPS/We Energies Peregrine Falcon Chicks Published on 05/13/2022 under News

Jump, Mae, and Golden are among the names for the newest peregrine falcon chicks in the state.

This year marks 30 years since Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and We Energies began their efforts to restore the peregrine falcon population in Wisconsin. To celebrate, customers were asked to name this year's peregrine falcon chicks after the best of 1992. More than 7,000 people voted.

The rest of the names in the top ten include: Mario, Scrunchie, Whitney, Favre, Dream, Garth, and Barney. (names and meanings below)

These names will be assigned to the chicks when they are banded later this spring. While some of the falcons at plants in Southern Wisconsin are beginning to hatch, those at the Weston Power Plant are still in the eggs.

The nests are featured on webcams for the public to follow online.

· Jump — in honor of the 1992 debut of "Jump Around," by House of Pain, now used as a rally song by the Badgers.

· Mae — in honor of Mae Jemison, who orbited Earth in 1992, making her the first African American woman in space.

· Golden — in honor of "The Golden Girls," which aired its last episode in 1992.

· Mario — in honor of the debut of "Super Mario Kart" in 1992.

· Scrunchie — in honor of the unique fashion sense of 1992.

· Whitney — in honor of "I Will Always Love You," the best-selling song of 1992.

· Favre — in honor of Brett Favre's first year with the Packers.

· Dream — in honor of the 1992 Olympics gold-medal Dream Team.

· Garth — in honor of "Wayne's World," which premiered in 1992.

· Barney — in honor of everyone's favorite purple dinosaur, who made his debut in 1992.

In Other News

Tomahawk City Council Approves Special Event Applications; Kids Fishing Contest Returning

Published on 05/06/2026 under News A traditional youth fishing event in Tomahawk is set to return next month after a several year absence, and organizers have now received approval from the city. Tomahawk VFW Post 2687 is working to revive the Kids Fishing Contest. The event was previously organized by Tomahawk Fishing Unlimited, but went away as the group disbanded. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council approved the special event application to host the event at their old location in Memorial Park. It will take place on June 6, coinciding with the DNR's Free Fishing Weekend. This was by design to allow adults helping the youth anglers to do so without purchasing a license. Earlier this year, the VFW put out a call for fishing equipment donations to help support the return. The Kid's Fishing Contest was one of four special event applications approved by the Council. The others are annual events with minimal changes: the Rodd Timm Memorial Softball Tournament, the Lion's Club Thrilla on the Grilla, and Tomahawk Hometown Christmas. Each was approved unanimously and with minimal discussion. Council Recap: It was an other routine Council meeting, coming just two weeks after a delayed April meeting to account for the election. Relatedly, they approved two resolutions recognizing outgoing Mayor Steve Taskay and Alderman Dale Ernst. Neither sought re-election. The Council approved an ordinance increase court costs for the Municipal Court by $10. This was in accordance with a change to state statute. The Council approved a state/municipal financial agreement for design work on South Tomahawk Avenue from Somo Avenue to the Wisconsin River Bridge. It's on the state docket for 2032. They also approved a professional service agreement with MSA for the wastewater facilities plan.

Published on 05/06/2026 under News It's National Travel and Tourism Week, and Governor Evers was on the move in Northern Wisconsin Tuesday. The Governor was joined by Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers during yesterday's visits to Athens and Cable. He was there to highlight three consecutive years of both record breaking tourism and outdoor recreation. The visit to Athens included gravel-biking, a hybrid sport that takes from both road and mountain bikes. The Governor, Sayers and some guides from Ride Wisconsin Gravel took to the Athens Graventure Trail. Ongoing efforts of the Wisconsin Gravel Roads Project aims to establish North Central Wisconsin as a premier destination for gravel bike riding utilizing existing granite- gravel dairy roads. The stop in Cable was set to include a visit to the Cable Natural History Museum and a visit to Wayside Wanderings Natural Play Area. Evers said, "Every year during Travel and Tourism Week, I'm jazzed to be able to travel across the state, showcasing all we have to offer, the success of Wisconsin's tourism industry, and all the hardworking folks who keep it humming. I encourage all Wisconsinites to join us in celebrating the amazing industry that bolsters our economies, creates jobs, and helps make our state the great place it is to live, work, and, of course, visit." The 2025 economic impact report for Wisconsin's tourism industry will be released in June.

Published on 05/06/2026 under News Due to popular demand, Wisconsin Public Service is extending the voting in a naming contest for the peregrine falcon chicks set to hatch at its Weston Power Plant. Thousands of voters have already cast their selections to name this year's chicks after news anchors from the area. According to the update, this contest has officially broken the record for total votes cast in any naming contest since the first one in 2019. People can now vote through Sunday. WPS also provided an update on the area peregrine nesting pair. Sheldon and an unbanded female falcon are caring for four eggs at the Weston Power Plant nest box. The eggs arrived in early April, so they should begin hatching at any time. Those interested can follow along on the WPS live nest box webcams to watch for emerging chicks.

Published on 05/06/2026 under News The first Wednesday in May marks the return of WaWui Bingo in Tomahawk. For nearly four decades, the weekly summer bingo games have served as an additional revenue source and fundraiser for Wawui which operates the SARA Park facility. The games feature a rotating stable of bingo callers, volunteers, and some special themed nights. Many regulars have lucky tables, daubers and other charms to help them win the prize. For those unfamiliar, the first series of games offer traditional games and smaller payouts. The final game, players hope to black-out their card in a set number to claim the progressive prize, which builds each week it's not claimed. It's been awhile since the last winner, and the Jackpot has grown to more than $4,000. And while there is plenty of tradition, a bit of a change this year Organizers have moved up the bingo start time by a half an hour in an effort to get the crowd home a bit earlier. With the change, Wawui Bingo games will now begin at 6:30pm.

Published on 05/06/2026 under News As anglers cast their lines across Wisconsin during last weekend's fishing opener, state officials are looking ahead to the future of those waters. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is developing a new Fisheries Management Strategic Plan and is asking for public input to help guide how the state's fisheries will be managed over the next decade. The plan will address stewardship of Wisconsin's vast aquatic resources, which include more than 160 fish species, 15,000 lakes, 42,000 miles of rivers and streams, the Great Lakes, and portions of the Mississippi River. DNR officials say careful planning is essential to maintaining healthy fish populations and ensuring high-quality fishing opportunities. The updated strategy will outline goals and measurable outcomes designed to support both ecosystems and the people who rely on them. The public can weigh in on proposed management priorities online, that survey is open now through May 10.

Published on 05/06/2026 under News Charges have been filed against a man involved in an alleged hit and run in Oneida County last month. According to court records, Robert Cookson made his initial appearance in Oneida County Court Friday. The 59 year old was charged with hit and run causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery intending great bodily harm, and a concealed carry misdemeanor. The incident happened last month near the intersection of Kelly Fire Lane and Rozell Road in the Town of Little Rice. The victim was pinned between Cookson's vehicle and her own, suffering numerous injuries. Cookson allegedly fled the scene, and arrested during a subsequent traffic stop. Bond was set at $100,000. An adjourned initial appearance has been scheduled for May 18.

Published on 05/06/2026 under Sports The Hatchet track and field squads would each finish second in the T-Bird Outdoor Invite at Lakeland Tuesday night. Each of Tomahawk's boys' and girls' squads came away with a second-place individual finish. For the girls, Alicia Voermans would finish second in the Pole Vault with a leap of 9'6". On the boys' side, it was Lukas Morrison who placed second in the long jump with a leap of 17'9.25". The next invite for Tomahawk is Friday in Merrill. The Otto Bacher Invite begins at 4:00.

Published on 05/06/2026 under Sports The Hatchet golfers would place fifth in their Great Northern Conference Invite at Bass Lake Country Club in Antigo Tuesday afternoon. Tomahawk finished with a team score of 359, six strokes behind fourth-place Rhinelander. The Hatchets' top golfer was Jaxon Kaiser, who placed 13th overall. Tomahawk's next Great Northern Conference meet is Friday afternoon at Eagle River Golf Course, hosted by Northland Pines. Tee-off is at 3:00.

Published on 05/06/2026 under Sports The Hatchet baseball squad would settle for a split against Mosinee, getting dominated at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field Tuesday, 15-1. Tomahawk gave up nine hits total in the game and allowed eight runs to score in the second. The Hatchets mustered just one hit all game, a first-inning RBI single from Brody Hilgendorf, scoring Wally Horabik. Logan Norman absorbed the loss, allowing 11 runs in two innings of work. The loss drops Tomahawk to 5-7 on the season and 4-5 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets try to get back in the win column Friday night in Minocqua against Lakeland. First pitch is at 5:00.

Published on 05/06/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's softball squad suffered their third shutout loss of the season Tuesday, falling to Mosinee, 10-0. The Hatchets mustered just two hits on the day, singles from Averi Petta and Siennah Calkins. Tomahawk committed six errors on the day, allowing five unearned runs to score off of Hatchet pitcher Camryn Kraklow. The loss drops Tomahawk to 8-8 on the season and 5-6 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the field Thursday evening at Hatchet Field for a Great Northern Conference showdown with Lakeland. Alex Koch and Matt Theiler will have the broadcast on Sports Talk 810 AM.97.7 FM WJJQ. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show begins at 4:35 and first pitch is at 5:00.

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