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Lincoln County Deputies Busy Assisting Motorists with Winter Driving, Deer Published on 11/22/2022 under News

In recent weeks, we've highlighted the dangers several driving challenges that Northwoods motorists face this time of year including both winter driving conditions and deer.

Both were quite apparent on Lincoln County roadways last week. The weekly recap from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office showed deputies were kept busy throughout last week assisting motorists.

Our first taste of winter weather brought several days of snow and ice. The Sheriff's Office responded to more than two dozen vehicle slide-offs or crashes attributed to winter driving conditions. Fortunately none of the accidents resulted in serious injury.

In addition to the winter weather, deer also remain on the move at this time of year. In addition to rut, the snow cover has them out looking for food. This past week, 24 motorists reported striking deer on Lincoln County roadways. Deer collisions typically peak in November, and there have already been more than 60 reported deer strikes in November in Lincoln County alone.

In Other News

Tomahawk School Board Seat Decided by Write-In

Published on 04/13/2026 under News We've got another election result to pass along with a Tomahawk School Board winner in a race decided by write-in. For the Tomahawk School Board, there were just two candidates running for the three seats this cycle. That left a seat representing the City of Tomahawk for write-in. In the end it was Tricia Hoffman who received the most votes. The process to determine a write-in race takes a little more work. Elections officials have to hand-count all of the ballots, and also reach out to the winning candidate to ensure they will accept the position. Indirectly, Hoffman will fill the seat of Kay Kissenger-Wolf. The school district is in a three year process of reapportionment. Kissenger-Wolf's seat representing surrounding townships was shifted to the city this cycle. The two incumbents on the ballot also won, Ron Zimmerman and Dave Long. District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry offered a congratulations to the winning candidates, while expressing appreciation for their commitment to serving our students, staff, and community. He also thanked the community for the continued support of the district.

Published on 04/13/2026 under News Local Boy Scouts are bringing back their annual spring food collection, known as Scouting for Food. That includes the Tomahawk area Troop 548 who offered up a little information on the effort. The Scouts will focus on specific neighborhoods, leaving the instructions on the doors of those homes. They'll return to those locations on Saturday to collect the non-perishable food items. While the Scouts are making it easier for people to participate by taking the collection door to door; it also provides the scouts with an awareness of food insecurity as well as ways to get involved in the community. This is part of a larger effort across the entire Samoset Council which serves scouts in the Northwoods. Motorists are encouraged to be on the lookout for the kids this week.

Published on 04/13/2026 under News Wednesday marks the end of the state's winter power disconnection moratorium, and officials are encouraging residents behind on bills to reach out to their utility provider to make arrangements. The moratorium is put in place to protect families by preventing power disconnection during winter months. We heard from Wisconsin Public Service ahead of this week's expiration. Spokesman Matt Cullen says disconnection is always a last resort. He noted that WPS will work with customers to offer payment plans and even connect them with energy assistance programs. And with this quickly approaching deadline, WPS says it's also a good idea for all customers to be aware of scammers who may trick people into paying or providing personal information. Scammers will often use the threat of immediate disconnection to pressure their victims. Speaking of scams, it's also a good idea to be mindful of any contacts you receive in the coming weeks related to the tax deadline.

Published on 04/13/2026 under News Each spring Wisconsin Conservation Congress and the DNR offer an opportunity for interested parties to weigh in all things outdoors. The annual Fish and Wildlife Spring Hearings are this evening. DNR staff and WCC delegates will be on hand at these spring hearings to discuss local issues, answer questions and open dialogue. The hearings will be held simultaneously across all 72 counties starting at 6pm. Also this evening, a three-day, online public input survey will go live. The responses are advisory only, and the questions are currently available for review on the DNR website. There are more than 45 yes/no questions, covering a wide variety of topics. Just a few of the many examples include: the requirement for non-motorized water crafts registration; some hunting season structures, lake-specific fishing regulations. One proposal would designate the Hine's emerald dragonfly as the state insect, while redefining the honeybee as the state agricultural insect. The public can also submit proposals at the in-person meetings this evening. Local musky guides plan to introduce resolutions to reverse a recent rule change that unified the musky zones. A full list is available on the DNR website.

Published on 04/10/2026 under News Spring has finally sprung here in the Northwoods, and that means the return of the WJJQ Home, Sport, and Travel Show. Set up began last night and will continue throughout the day at the Tomahawk School complex in preparation for the 41st edition of the WJJQ Home Show. Each spring, the event brings together businesses and professionals offering ideas, services, and products covering everything from home improvement to lawn and garden to outdoor recreation. With warmer weather settling in, it's a chance for many to gather inspiration for upcoming spring and summer projects. For others, the show is simply a sign that winter is finally in the rearview mirror, one of the first major community events of the season and an opportunity to reconnect with friends and neighbors. In addition to exhibits inside the gym, the event will again feature a health expo, craft fair, outdoor displays, youth dance performances, and a variety of food options. Altogether, there are well over 100 vendors, displays, and attractions planned for the weekend. Rodeo royalty is expected to make an appearance, and WaWui will unveil the motorcycle for its annual Fall Ride bike raffle. As always the WJJQ Home, Sport, and Travel Show remains free. Hours are Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm at the Tomahawk School Complex. And be sure to tune in to WJJQ Radio. We will be broadcasting live with interviews from exhibitors all weekend long.

Published on 04/10/2026 under News Voter turnout in Lincoln County on Tuesday was in line with comparable elections in recent years. According to the preliminary results, just shy of 7,100 Lincoln County voters cast ballots on Tuesday. The total was within a hundred votes of the last comparable election, back in April 2024. As is often the case, the composition of the ballot can impact voter turnout. Both the City of Tomahawk and the City of Merrill had competitive Mayoral races on the ballot. In 2024, the Merrill School District had a referendum, while 2026 had a levy referendum for the City of Tomahawk. That shifted the vote north. There were only a handful of contested county board seats. Voter total was down from the 11,000 votes cast last April, which was likely driven by a high-profile State Supreme Court that had record spending. This year's Supreme Court race did not have the same attention. In general, the spring elections have significantly lower turnout than the November elections. The last presidential in 2024 election had more than 17,000 votes in Lincoln County.

Published on 04/10/2026 under News As Wisconsin heads into storm season, a new law aims to protect homeowners from getting taken advantage of when they need help the most. Governor Tony Evers and his pen have been busy following the final scheduled legislative session of the year, signing numerous bills into law. That includes Wisconsin Act 230, co-authored by Northwoods lawmakers State Rep. Calvin Callahan and State Sen. Mary Felzkowski. Callahan attended the signing ceremony and provided some information. The bill is designed to crack down on so-called "storm chasers", contractors who move into damaged areas after severe weather looking for work. Callahan says those contractors sometimes offer to handle insurance claims in exchange for homeowners signing over key rights through what's known as an assignment of benefits. He warns those agreements can lead to inflated costs, poor workmanship, and even denied insurance claims. Under the new law, contractors must clearly explain homeowners' rights in plain language before any agreement is signed. It also prohibits contractors from negotiating directly with insurance companies on a homeowner's behalf. Callahan says after a storm hits, homeowners are often under pressure to make quick decisions. He says this law is meant to prevent bad actors from taking advantage of that urgency and to give families peace of mind as they begin repairs.-Photo provided by the Office of State Rep. Callahan

Published on 04/10/2026 under News The traditional spring turkey season opens next Wednesday, but first younger hunters will get the chance to bag a bird. Coming up this weekend, is the youth turkey hunt. The early-bird season gives participants under the age of 16 an opportunity to gain valuable experience out in the field. Last year, these new hunters registered nearly 4,000 turkeys during their dedicated weekend. The youth hunters participating in this season must have completed their hunter education course or utilize the mentored hunting program. The youth weekend leads into the regular turkey hunting season which is actually comprised of 6 week-long periods across the state's seven zones. The state's turkey population continues to grow. Last year more than 50,000 turkeys were harvested, a top five total all time. Hunters are encouraged to review safety guidelines before heading out. Non-hunters enjoying public lands may want to consider wearing high-visibility clothing.

Published on 04/10/2026 under News If you're spotting brown pine needles along the roadside this spring, it might be the result of winter road treatments. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says white pines across the region are showing signs of salt spray damage after an active winter of snow and ice. As vehicles travel treated roads, tiny droplets of salt can become airborne and settle on nearby trees. That salt pulls moisture out of pine needles, causing them to turn brown, often starting at the tips and working inward. The damage is usually most noticeable on the side of the tree facing the road. There is some good news, most minor damage won't have long-term effects, and new growth this spring should help trees bounce back. Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist says while mature trees can typically recover, younger trees and saplings may be more vulnerable, especially if the damage happens over multiple years. Homeowners can also take steps such as barriers to protect trees near roadways, or even rinsing off salt residue.

Published on 04/09/2026 under News A new organization in the Northwoods is working to build connection, support, and hope for families with Down Syndrome. And there is an opportunity this weekend to learn more, support the mission, and meet those already involved. Hope Beyond 21 is a newly formed nonprofit based in the Tomahawk area, created to support families within a 100-mile radius who have loved ones with Down syndrome. Led by president Hannah Wallis, vice president Molly Rundle, and secretary Tiffany Schauer, they were inspired by their own connections to Down syndrome family friends. We caught up with the trio to learn more about their story and their mission. They said one of their biggest goals right now is simply bringing families together, something they've already started to do, connecting families through social media and outreach. That connection is critical, especially for parents navigating new diagnoses or challenges. The group is also working to grow its impact through fundraising to eventually provide additional support for families. One of their first events, last month, was postponed due to a snowstorm. But the "Cash, Cattle and Chromosome" fundraiser was rescheduled for this Sunday at Silverado in Tomahawk. The event will feature meat raffles, 50/50 drawings, a bake sale, and food, with proceeds going toward building resources for families in need. In just a few short months, they said the community response to Hope Beyond 21 has been overwhelming. They've even designed merch featuring their Hope Beyond 21 chromosome logo and slogan 'Beyond Labels, Beyond Limits, Beyond Measure. Anyone interested in learning more, volunteering, contributing can reach out through their Facebook page or simply stop by their fundraiser on Sunday.

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