Thanksgiving Fire at Lincoln County Farm, Several Animals Died Published on 11/29/2022 under News
A Thanksgiving Day fire at a farm in Lincoln County destroyed a barn and left several cattle dead.

According to the Merrill Fire Department, dispatch was initially paged for a structure fire at around 5am Thursday morning at a farm in the Town of Scott. That initial call indicated a growing fire in the barn and the reporting party trying to get the cows out of the barn.

Upon arrival of responders, the fire was already beginning to spread to the roof and caused a structural collapse which required an excavator to reach hot spots. Crews were finally able to get the fire under control at shortly before 1pm, with Merrill Fire noting some 210,000 gallons of water was used.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, the fire is believed to have started around a skid-steer parked in the barn. While there were no human injuries, they reported ten calves died in the blaze.

In addition to firefighters from a half dozen agencies, the Lincoln County Highway Department was brought in to salt roads during the water transport. The Salvation Army also provided firefighters with food and water during the nearly 10 hour response.

-Photo provided by Pine River Fire Department-

In Other News

Lights of Northwoods Returns for 8th Season
Published on 12/02/2024 under News With the calendar turned to December, the holiday season is in full swing. That includes an impressive light display in Rhinelander that switched on over the weekend. Entering an 8th season, Lights of the Northwoods continues to grow each year, now featuring more than a quarter million lights and displays along the path through Hodag Park. Over the past few weeks, organizers have been putting the final touches on the festive Christmas light tour which kicked off Sunday. Attendees have two options, a slow drive through the park, or if the weather allows, a walking tour. The organizers also invite revelers to give back to the community and help area non-profits. Last year they collected more than $12,000 and 4,600 pounds of food which were distributed to area food pantries and non-profits. The first few years, the event took place in the week around Christmas. Due to popularity, they now welcome visitors throughout the month of December. While the lights are nightly, organizers have special activities on weekends including bonfires, visits from Santa, and snacks and cold weather refreshments. The full calendar is available on the Lights of the Northwoods website. Like year's past, they'll also wrap up Lights of the Northwoods with a January 1 fireworks display.
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Lincoln County Launches Community Opioid Survey
Published on 12/02/2024 under News Through a series of nationwide lawsuits with opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, Lincoln County has received around a half million dollars in settlement payments. Now they're looking for some input from the community on how those dollars should be spent. These settlements come with spending restrictions; the funds are earmarked for opioid remediation through prevention, awareness, or treatment. The Lincoln County Board previously created an Opioid Task Force who will develop a spending plan. This past week, the task force launched a community survey to gather information on community perceptions, usage, and barriers to treatment of substance abuse. Erin Ray, opioid Grant Coordinator, explained that community feedback is an important part of the process. She says, "In order to develop a plan to combat the opioid crisis that is specific to our residents, we need to hear from (them) about the challenges facing our county." The survey is part of a larger assessment that will also incorporate listening sessions, interviews, and data analysis. As for the survey, Lincoln County residents can complete it online. We'll include the link. The survey is confidential and takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. The deadline is January 8.
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Rhinelander Chamber Kicks Off 'Big Bundle Up' Winter Clothing Collection
Published on 12/02/2024 under News As the temperatures begin to fall, the Rhinelander Chamber is kicking off a campaign to ensure community members stay warm this winter. The Chamber announced the return of their Big Bundle Up campaign. If the name sounds familiar, the Big Bundle Up used to be a statewide collection effort. While the state program came to an end, the Rhinelander Chamber has kept it active locally. They're inviting residents to drop off new or gently used warm weather gear like coats, hats, mittens, and sweaters. Items donated will be given to Warm for Winter Clothing Pantry which holds twice monthly distribution events. In announcing the new campaign, the Chamber says, "Donating warm winter items is the perfect way to give to local families in need as the holiday giving season approaches." In addition to the Rhinelander Chamber, the Hodag10s and Northland Insurance Agency are also serving as collection sites for the Big Bundle Up. The collection kicks off Monday and will run through December 30.
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Safe Shopping Cyber Monday
Published on 12/02/2024 under News After Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday, today marks the third in a holiday shopping trio...Cyber Monday. The Better Business Bureau is reminding online consumers to shop safe and shop smart. Over the years, more and more consumers have shifted to online shopping for at least a portion of their holiday purchases. The Bureau says a little bit of extra research can held avoid these Grinches and their holiday scams. First make sure your browser and anti-virus software is up-to-date. •Watch for misleading advertisements, lookalike websites, and untrustworthy sellers. •Be wary of unsolicited offers and those that appear 'too good to be true.' •Before clicking 'buy' double check shipping and return policies and read all fine print. •Finally, keep a paper trail and monitor your bank and credit card statements throughout the holiday season.
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Hatchet Hockey Team Starts the Season with Two Wins
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Tomahawk 'Kick Off to Christmas' Coming Saturday
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Tomahawk Main Street Prepares for Shop Small Saturday
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DNR Offers Christmas Tree Permits at Some Northern State Forests
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Marshfield Clinic Children's Hospital Welcomes Dolly, Facility Dog
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Lincoln County Health Donates Youth Books on Mental Health
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