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DoT Accepting Feedback on 2027 Hwy 8 Project near Tomahawk Published on 01/24/2023 under News

Last Tuesday, the Department of Transportation hosted an informational meeting on a proposed Highway 8 project near Tomahawk. Now the public has a chance to weigh in on the proposal.

That work is on a 2.5 mile segment of Highway 8 between County Road L and Klade Road, just to the west of Highway 51. The project is tentatively on the calendar for 2027, though it could be moved up by a year.

In addition to resurfacing the pavement, engineers have also outlined several proposals to address safety at intersections, specifically at County L and County A.

While traditional turn-lane configurations are among the proposals, alternatives could include roundabouts. At dangerous intersections, roundabouts can slow down speeds while also changing collision angles.

The project could also improve the Hiawatha Trail crossing. The proposal would re-route the trail approach from the south to create a 90 degree angle to improve visibility for trail users.

The DoT has created a project page on their website which includes sketches and information. They'll accept comments through mid-February. Comment forms are on the website as well.

In Other News

Lincoln County Board Allocates Funds to Continue Planning for Highway Building Replacements

Published on 08/19/2026 under News The Lincoln County Board took another step towards potentially replace the county's aging highway facilities in Tomahawk and Merrill. At their meeting Tuesday, the board approved a twice-amended resolution supporting the development of plans for new Highway Department buildings at the existing Tomahawk and Merrill sites. This was based on recommendations by the County's Highway Committee as well as an Ad Hoc Facility Committee. Other options included identifying new sites or consolidating operations into a single central location. They concluded that rebuilding on current sites was the most cost-effective approach: saving on land purchases, preserving existing infrastructure like fueling and salt storage, and service in both the northern and southern halves of the county. The original resolution was amended to allocate up to $175,000 from the Highway Department budget to cover site surveys, architectural plans, and initial cost estimates. A second amendment removed language referencing a potential move of the Forestry Department. Responsibility for oversight now shifts to the Public Property Committee. The full County Board will review all completed site plans and financial estimates before any construction receives final approval. If the project progresses to the building stage, construction on the Tomahawk and Merrill facilities will likely be scheduled sequentially for logistical purposes.

Published on 08/19/2026 under News It's back-to-school season...not just for students, but for educators as well. On Monday, the School District of Rhinelander held a special orientation day for about two dozen new staff members, which included a guided introduction to the local community. The event was co-organized by the school district, Rhinelander Partners in Education, and the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce. Following morning sessions on campus, the group boarded a bus for a "Welcome to Rhinelander Tour" to explore notable spots around town. The itinerary featured a stop at the Chamber of Commerce, where new staff received welcome bags and gathered for a group photo in front of the iconic Hodag statue. The day concluded at CAVOC, the district's outdoor classroom, for a final session where local leaders shared information about area businesses, organizations, and potential partnerships designed to connect community and classroom. -Photo provided by School District of Rhinelander

Published on 08/19/2026 under News Statistics show that volunteers make up approximately 65% of all firefighters in the United States, with 82% of fire departments utilizing volunteers in some capacity. In rural regions like Northern Wisconsin, that ratio is even higher, making Tuesday a fitting time to honor these dedicated individuals. August 18 marks Volunteer Firefighter Recognition Day. Volunteer departments face unique challenges, particularly when it comes to recruitment and securing limited budgets for essential equipment. To support these first responders, the National Volunteer Fire Council offers several assistance programs. Its "Make Me A Firefighter" campaign actively helps volunteer and combination fire and EMS departments recruit new members, recently launching a dedicated portal to streamline the recruitment process. The organization also facilitates grants to help local departments purchase vital equipment, including protective safety gear, rescue tools, and communication devices.

Published on 08/19/2026 under News From a foggy dock to vibrant wild fungi, the Friends of Council Grounds State Park received a wide array of stunning submissions for their annual photo contest. Now, the public has the chance to help select the winners. Hosted every summer by the park's Friends Group, this year's contest invited parkgoers to submit photos taken at Council Grounds over the past two years. Entrants submitted a creative mix of images featuring outdoor recreation, scenic landscapes, local wildlife, and native plants. Organizers have narrowed down the entries to three top finalists in each category, and community members can now vote for their favorites.To cast your vote, visit the official Friends of Council Grounds Facebook page before the end of the month. Each category has its own separate post. Simply "like" your favorite photo to submit a vote, keeping in mind that only one vote per category is allowed.

Published on 08/19/2026 under News Bird migration is already underway for several species, including the chimney swift. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group are asking volunteers across the state to count these unique birds as they pass through Wisconsin on their journey to South America. According to the DNR, chimney swifts become highly communal during migration, gathering by the hundreds or even thousands in the evening to roost inside old brick chimneys. These massive flocks are typically seen in northern Wisconsin by mid-August. Chimney swifts have teardrop-shaped bodies and boomerang-shaped wings While chimney swift populations have unfortunately been declining, monitoring numbers and mapping roosting locations play a vital role in protecting the species. To support these efforts, the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group launched a mapping and tracking tool for volunteers interested in monitoring active roosts and nest sites. "Anyone out birding or counting swifts at a roost site can use the tool," said Rich Staffen, a DNR conservation biologist and co-chair of the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group. "It also allows folks to add information on summer chimney swift nesting sites." Tips for Volunteer Counters: Locate Potential Sites: Look for tall, uncapped brick chimneys. Watch for swifts swooping and circling overhead in the evening to determine if they are using the chimney to roost.Time the Survey: Begin counting approximately 20 minutes before sunset and continue until 10 minutes after the final swift enters the chimney.Record the Count: Count or estimate the birds as they swoop inside to enter your findings into the tracking tool.

Published on 08/19/2026 under News A tragic incident in western Taylor County Monday afternoon, when a young child died after being struck by a vehicle while checking the mail. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened around 3:05 p.m. near County Highway H and Polley Lane in the Town of Aurora. According to the preliminary investigation, the 8 year old crossed the Highway to check the mailbox. In attempting to cross back, they stepped into the path of a northbound vehicle. The child was struck by the vehicle, and later died from injuries sustained in the crash. The crash remains under investigation with assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News An 82-year-old Tomahawk woman has died following a two-vehicle crash involving a UTV and an SUV on Monday evening in Lincoln County. Emergency responders were dispatched to the intersection of U.S. Highway 8 and County Road CC in the Town of Wilson at approximately 6:07 p.m. on August 17 after receiving a 911 call reporting a collision with multiple injuries. According to preliminary findings from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the UTV was attempting to cross Highway 8 when it was struck by a westbound SUV. The driver of the UTV was transported by ambulance to the hospital, and later died from her injuries. Her name is being withheld pending family notification. A 79-year-old passenger on the UTV was also taken to the hospital by ambulance with injuries and is expected to recover. The driver of the SUV, a 40-year-old woman, sustained injuries in the crash and was transported to the hospital via private vehicle. She is also expected to recover. The crash remains under active investigation.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help following a serious hit-and-run crash early Sunday morning in the Town of Merrill. At approximately 2:00 a.m., deputies responded to the area of County Highway K and Lake Pesobic Road after a man was found lying in the roadway with a head injury. The victim had little memory of the incident and was unable to provide a description of the vehicle. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Investigators determined the man was walking along the west side of County Highway K when he was struck by a southbound vehicle. Based on evidence recovered at the scene, deputies believe the suspect vehicle may be a truck with damage to its passenger-side mirror. The Sheriff's Office noted a couple of additional details from the investigation. A nearby Flock automated license plate camera was non-operational at the time due to previous vandalism. Additionally, while deputies located a second person along the roadside, that individual was determined to be an intoxicated pedestrian unrelated to the crash. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has information about the vehicle, or was driving through the area between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. Sunday is asked to contact the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News State Highway 17 will remain closed as transportation officials prepare to launch a pavement replacement project earlier than originally scheduled. According to Lincoln County Highway Commissioner Jason Lemmer, the road's rapid deterioration prompted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to move the timeline forward. Keeping the highway closed now was determined to be the most cost-effective decision given the road conditions. Crews previously completed work to replace the Barnes Creek Bridge along the route earlier this summer. According to Lemmer, a new detour route will be posted shortly, while the official construction start date has not yet been announced. Highway 17 remains completely closed to traffic. The local highway department will continue to provide updates as construction schedules are finalized, and we'll of course share that information. The newly announced pavement project will extend into next year.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News With the new school year quickly approaching, a new list of unusual mascots has been released—and the Rhinelander Hodag is once again in the spotlight. Selected from more than 24,000 high schools nationwide, the Rhinelander Hodags landed at No. 7 on a new list of the Top 50 Most Interesting U.S. High School Nicknames. The rankings were compiled by high school nickname expert David Winder, author of Where Are the Fighting Giraffes: A Guide to the Ordinary, Odd and Outrageous Nicknames of U.S. High Schools. Winder says he created the list to celebrate the local stories behind unique team names, noting that "the best ones make people ask a question, tell a story, or immediately picture the place they represent." This is familiar territory for the Hodag, which regularly finds itself near the top of national lists celebrating unique, legendary, and downright strange mascots. The Hodags finished ahead of several other unusual contenders, including the Fluvanna County Flying Flucos, the Maryville Spoofhounds, the Yuma Criminals, the Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms, and the Mount Clemens Battling Bathers.

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