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Hussong Announces 2024 Retirement Plans, Sale of Dental Practice Published on 11/22/2022 under News

After nearly a half century, a local dental practice will be transitioning to new ownership.

Dr. Dean Hussong has been a mainstay in the Tomahawk community for 45 years. He's also been a regular monthly guest on our morning conversation. In his most recent visit last week, Hussong shared that he is beginning his year-long transition to retirement by selling the practice. In recent weeks, he's also been contacting patients to inform them of the news.

Hussong will be sticking around as part of the transition. He plans to continue seeing patients through the next year.

Dr. Dean noted that in addition to himself, patients will continue to see the staff they are used to, as well as some new faces as they return to full staffing levels.

As part of his announcement, Hussong also took a look back at his 45 years in Tomahawk. Starting a practice from scratch, Hussong said that he, and wife Ann, looked at more than two dozen communities before ultimately choosing Tomahawk. Well known for his humor, Hussong joked of his first patients, he's seen their kids, grandkids, and likely additional generations.

Like he took time to select Tomahawk initially, Hussong also spent several years looking for the right match to take over his practice. He explained many practices are turning to what are known as Dental Service Organizations. Known a DSO's, they're a new model that oversees the business aspects of a practice allowing the dentist to focus on their patients. However, it was important for Hussong that the DSO he selected was run by those still practicing dentistry.

In Green Bay-based Advoca, he found that match, operating by two oral surgeons. They currently work with dental offices in New London, Iola and Amherst. Hussong described them as 'small-town friendly.'

With the ownership transition will come a name change, Tomahawk Family Dental.

For those that would like to hear that entire conversation, it's available in the WJJQ audio center archives.

In Other News

WisDoT Encourages Drivers Work towards Safe Labor Day Holiday Weekend

Published on 09/03/2026 under News Officials expect heavy holiday travel this weekend and are encouraging motorists to follow the rules of the road. Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the final travel weekend of the summer. Traffic is expected to be heavy at times as drivers head north to enjoy the long weekend or close up their cabins for the season. Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Krstina Boardman says, "Labor Day weekend is a time to make memories and enjoy one last summer adventure." That means making safety part of the plan, whether you are traveling near or far. Officials remind drivers to stay safe by giving emergency responders plenty of room, eliminating distractions behind the wheel, driving sober, and allowing extra travel time when passing through construction zones. To keep traffic moving, the DOT plans to pause most road construction projects over the holiday weekend. However, motorists should still expect occasional lane closures or reduced speed limits in work zones. Drivers hoping to avoid peak traffic should plan around typical holiday weekend flow: northbound traffic is expected to be heaviest late Friday afternoon into the evening, while southbound traffic will remain steady throughout the day on Monday. At a state average of $3.81 per gallon, travelers will pay nearly a dollar more per gallon than last year, when prices hovered around $2.99. Additionally, law enforcement agencies will continue their annual "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign through the end of the holiday weekend.

Published on 09/03/2026 under News A weekend rollover crash in Lincoln County resulted in the OWI arrest of an Edgar man. According to this week's Lincoln County Sheriff's Office report, deputies responded Saturday to a single-vehicle crash with injuries on County Highway J. Upon arrival, deputies located an unoccupied vehicle. A preliminary investigation indicated the vehicle was traveling northbound when the driver misjudged a curve, entered the inside ditch, and rolled the vehicle. Deputies later learned that the driver and a passenger had been transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. After contacting the driver at the hospital, deputies placed him under arrest for first-offense OWI, going armed while intoxicated, and a probation violation. Upon release from the hospital, he was transported to the Lincoln County Jail Other notes from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report… Deputies made one other weekend OWI arrest. It involved a Merrill man, who was allegedly passed out behind the wheel while his vehicle was in the lane of traffic at the intersection of County Roads K and Q. The number of vehicle versus deer crashes was steady with another 5 this past week on Lincoln County Roadways.

Published on 09/03/2026 under News The Vilas County Health Department has issued a temporary health advisory for Big Arbor Vitae Lake Beach due to an active blue-green algae bloom. Wednesday's advisory impacts the beach located on the northeast shoreline of Big Arbor Vitae Lake off Buckhorn Road. Health Department staff are working alongside the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to assess water conditions and post advisory signage at the beach and nearby public access points. Blue-green algae occurs naturally in most Wisconsin bodies of water, but high temperatures and late-summer conditions frequently trigger blooms. Calm winds allow the algae to float to the surface and accumulate along downwind shores, though higher winds and wave action will eventually break up and disperse the floating scum Ingesting contaminated water during recreational activities is the primary cause of algae-related illness. Pets can also be affected. While public health agencies like the Vilas County Health Department monitor some popular swimming areas, it is generally up to the public to check most lakes and rivers and avoid waters where blue-green algae is present.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News New restrictions could be coming to local waters after the Tomahawk City Council votes to crack down on enhanced wakes. At their meeting last night, the Tomahawk City Council approved an ordinance regulating enhanced wakes on Lake Mohawksin and portions of the Wisconsin and Tomahawk Rivers within city limits. Under the new rules, boaters are prohibited from using ballast tanks, ballast bags, or wake-enhancing fins to operate a boat in a bow-high manner that amplifies its wake. Tuesday's meeting drew a large crowd, requiring extra rows of chairs to be brought into Council Chambers. More than a dozen Lake Mohawksin residents spoke in favor of the ordinance during the public hearing and subsequent council discussion, while many others attended to offer silent support. Speakers raised concerns shared by a growing number of communities passing similar restrictions—primarily protecting shorelines and lakebeds from erosion and sediment disturbance, alongside general safety and wildlife preservation. Council members acknowledged that enforcement will be challenging. However, they anticipate that the ordinance itself, combined with public awareness, signage, and community pressure, will serve as an effective deterrent. Traditional activities such as water skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding continue to be allowed as along as wake-enhancing equipment is not used. The ordinance also includes a limited exemption for the Kwahamot Water Ski Club. First-time violations carry a $500 fine, increasing to $1,000 for a subsequent offense within a single year. The Council ultimately passed the measure in a 6–2 roll-call vote. (Aye: Kahle, Garske, Haskin, Soward, Nelson, Wegener; Nay: Mike Loka, Mickey Loka; Absent: Bartz) Because the waters are shared with the Town of Bradley, they're expected to take up a similar ordinance later this month.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News Beer and Bacon will be back on the menu in Tomahawk next month. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council approved the special event application for the second annual Beer and Bacon Bash. The celebration is hosted at SARA Park by WaWui, the volunteer-led group that supports and operates the facility. The October 3 event is described as a celebration of local flavor, fun, and philanthropy, raising money for the non-profit. As the name implies, beer and bacon will be featured throughout the menu, while they'll also have entertainment including a new-this-year kickball tournament. We'll offer a preview in the lead up to the event. The Council also approved the application for the annual Tomahawk High School Homecoming parade. That will be held on October 2 with no proposed changes from past years.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News A local Northwoods tavern set out to honor area veterans, and thanks to community support, they blew their original fundraising goal out of the water. JEB's Bar and Grill recently hosted its "American Beers for American Heroes" event with an initial goal of raising between $2,500 and $5,000, typically enough to send five to ten local veterans to Washington, D.C., through the Never Forgotten Honor Flight program. Instead, generous patrons and neighbors helped the establishment double their expectations, raising a total of $10,000 to cover the cost for 20 local veterans to visit the national monuments built in their honor. Jim Campbell with the Never Forgotten Honor Flight stopped by for a check presentation. An inside wall now includes the silhouettes of 20 saluting service members to recognize the accomplishment. Organizers thanked the community for their support and say they are already looking forward to raising even more next year. The Northwoods Honor Flight chapter typically runs four trips to the nation's capital each year, with two more missions scheduled on the calendar for this fall.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News While we've been talking back to school this week, it's back to work for a Northwoods road construction project that paused over the summer. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced that crews will return to Minocqua next week to resume work on Highway 51 between Front Street and the Lake Minocqua Bridge. Work on the project originally started this spring before pausing in early June for the busy summer season. Crews are scheduled to resume operations following Labor Day weekend. Drivers can expect one more temporary weekend pause. Construction materials and traffic controls will be removed for the annual Beef-A-Rama celebration the weekend of Sept. 26. Outside of the Beef-A-Rama break, single-lane closures will be in effect through downtown Minocqua during active construction. The project is scheduled for completion on Oct. 20, 2026.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News Another Northwoods artist will have their work featured on a Wisconsin DNR bird stamp next season. Each summer, the department holds an art competition, with the three winning designs featured on the following year's wild turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl stamps. Stamp sales generate hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to fund habitat restoration, enhancement, education, and research projects. Judging took place at the Wisconsin Waterfowl Expo in Oshkosh, where the DNR announced this year's winners. Among them is Hazelhurst resident Ritch Miller, who took first place in the waterfowl category with his painting of a green-winged teal. The Lakeland area boasts a rich history in the contest, with past multi-time winners including Caleb Metrich and Bob Metropolis. Rounding out this year's top honors, Douglas Schuster of Hatley won the wild turkey stamp contest, while Sam Timm of Wautoma took first place in the pheasant category. Timm completes a personal trifecta after winning both the turkey and waterfowl contests last summer.-Photo: Ritch Miller's green winged teal painting took first place in this year's waterfowl design contest.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News While the fall semester is just getting underway, Nicolet College students can already apply for financial assistance for the upcoming year. The Nicolet College Foundation opened its annual scholarship application period this week for the Spring and Summer 2027 terms. "Scholarships made available through the Nicolet College Foundation provide more than financial support," says Foundation Director Heather Schallock. "They show students that there are people who believe in them and support their goals. This is a true investment in our community, and our donors make these opportunities possible." This year alone, the foundation has already awarded 262 scholarships totaling more than $283,000, helping students overcome financial barriers to pursue their education. Scholarships are available to both new and returning students enrolled either part-time or full-time. Interested students can complete the online application through the scholarship portal on the Nicolet College website. The deadline to submit applications is September 30.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News For students in the Tomahawk School District, it's back to school day: part two. Today marks the first traditional full day of class for all students in Tomahawk. That's because of a one-day, orientation-style program that took place yesterday known as WEB and Link Crew. On Monday, Tomahawk 6th and 9th grade students participated in special activities to get the students acclimated to their new space in the middle and high schools respectively. While freshmen and 6th graders were getting settled, upperclassmen enjoyed one final day of summer vacation before returning to campus today. The district's youngest learners at the elementary school also had their first day today, as they were unaffected by the orientation programs.

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