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BBB: Choosing Right Tax Preparer Published on 01/25/2023 under News

Tax season is officially underway. For those utilizing a tax preparer, officials are reminding filers to do a little research.

The Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin recently shared a few tips on finding someone you can trust with your finances and other sensitive personal information.

They note that when it comes to choosing the right kind of tax preparer for you personally, much will depend on the complexity of your tax situation. That can include non-credentialed prepares, enrolled agents, CPAs, and attorneys.

•The Bureau recommends asking about fees ahead of time, and make sure there are no hidden costs.

•It's also wise to ask about availability, both during the tax season and also if any situations arise after filing.

•Be wary of spectacular promises on larger-than-usual refunds, as well as those offering refund anticipation loans.

•Like many services, referrals from friends and family are one of the best ways to find a trustworthy tax preparer.

This year's tax deadline is April 18, though they typically advise people to file quickly to avoid fraud attempts.

In Other News

Tomahawk Fall Ride: Thunder Parade, An Iconic Tradition

Published on 09/18/2026 under News Action revs up for the 45th annual Tomahawk Fall Ride, highlighted by one of the weekend's most iconic traditions: the Friday night Thunder Parade. The Thunder Parade began in 1991. Like many Fall Ride traditions, the Thunder Parade started small in 1991 and has grown over the years. Now around 1,000 riders depart from the Tomahawk School Campus to take part in a scenic, 18-mile cruise through rural Tomahawk. The final stretch runs down business corridor along North Fourth Street, across Veterans Memorial Bridge, and right down Main Street which is closed off to regular traffic. Much like a traditional parade, spectators line the route to cheer on riders and feel the rumble of thunder as hundreds of engines passing by. Riders planning to participate can begin lining up at the school complex around 5:00 p.m, they leave at 6:00pm. The procession typically reaches the city around 6:30 p.m. While the Thunder Parade serves as Friday's main attraction, visitors can find live music, vendor displays, and events running all weekend at SARA Park, downtown Tomahawk, and area businesses throughout the region.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News An enhanced wake ban is coming to Lake Mohawksin and nearby stretches of the Wisconsin and Tomahawk Rivers. Following a vote by the Tomahawk City Council earlier this month, the Town of Bradley has approved a matching ordinance. Because both municipalities share shoreline jurisdiction, DNR rules required both to approve an identical ordinance. Under the joint rules, boaters cannot use ballast tanks, ballast bags, or wake-enhancing fins to create artificially large waves. Traditional watersports like skiing, tubing, and standard wakeboarding is allowed, as long as wake-enhancing gear is not used. The Kwahamot Water Ski Club also keeps its limited exemption. The main goals are protecting local shorelines from erosion, preventing lake bed disturbance, and keeping water recreationists safe. Groups like the Friends of Lake Mohawksin, made up largely of riparian landowners, heavily supported the effort. With both votes locked in, Tomahawk and Bradley join nearly 100 other Wisconsin communities with similar wake protections. The final steps include filing paperwork with the DNR and posting signs at public boat landings.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News While the Rhinelander community typically embraces Hodag green, the Hodag Dome will turn purple this weekend as residents gather to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's disease. Organizers are putting the finishing touches on the local Walk to End Alzheimer's, scheduled for Saturday morning. The event is already off to a strong start, with nearly 350 people registered. More than 60 teams have raised $148,000, or 72% of the event's $206,000 fundraising goal. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer's Association, supporting families affected by the disease while funding research toward treatments and prevention. Julie St. Pierre with the Alzheimer's Association called this a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer's. "With new treatments and proven lifestyle habits that support brain health, there is real hope," St. Pierre said. "Together, we can build a brain-healthy future and help end this disease." One of the morning's key highlights is the Promise Garden Ceremony, where participants carry distinctively colored flowers to represent their personal connection to the cause—whether they are living with the disease, caring for a loved one, or honoring someone they lost. In addition to the Rhinelander event, another walk is taking place Saturday in Antigo, with Wausau hosting its walk next weekend.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News Combining modern transportation with vintage charm, and built right in the Northwoods, a local product is in the running for the latest edition of the "Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin." Crandon's Hometown Manufacturing is featured in the annual contest for its trackless trolley buses. Designed to mimic classic 19th-century streetcars, these custom-built vehicles are crafted locally and now operate in more than 300 communities nationwide. Hosted by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, this year's contest features over 107 nominees showcasing the state's $73 billion manufacturing sector. The small-town company faces stiff competition from iconic Wisconsin brands, ranging from Ariens zero-turn mowers to classic yellow foam Cheeseheads. The lineup also the food and beverage industry, such as Kikkoman soy sauce, Jack Link's jerky, and Kwik Trip Glazer donuts. Public voting kicks off Monday to narrow the field down to the top 16, who will then compete in a head-to-head, bracket-style tournament until the winner is crowned on October 27th. Supporters can view all nominees and cast their votes starting Monday at madeinwis.com.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News The Merrill Fire Department is providing some mutual aid to first responders more than 2,000 miles away. The Merrill Fire Department contributed locally retired turnout gear to the non-profit organization Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners. Firefighters dropped off the protective equipment at the group's Stevens Point hub, where it's now being packed up for Central American crews in urgent need of protective gear. Merrill firefighters shared on social media that they were "glad to pay it forward," while program organizers expressed their thanks to Chief Josh Klug and the crew for delivering the life-saving haul and giving the equipment a second life. Since 1965, the organization has connected local volunteers and donors with critical projects in Nicaragua. Along with fire equipment, the group ships essential goods collected from across the state. The latest haul also included bicycles from Campus Cycle. Thanks to the team in Merrill, gear retired in Lincoln County will continue to save lives.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News Despite slight improvements statewide, the Northwoods drought is expanding. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, released on Thursdays, shows persistent dryness across Wisconsin, with more than 86% of the state experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions. That marks a slight improvement from 92% last week, driven primarily by rainfall in southern counties. It's the opposite in the Northwoods as drought conditions have expanded. A growing pocket of extreme drought now covers most of Price, Iron, Oneida, and Vilas Counties, while the remainder of northern Wisconsin is classified as experiencing moderate to severe drought. The prolonged dry spell has impacted local farms and gardens, lowered water levels on area lakes and rivers, and elevated the risk of wildfires. Forecasters expect dry conditions to linger as fall approaches.

Published on 09/17/2026 under Sports The Hatchet girls' swimmers had their closest Conference dual meet of the season, losing at home to Ladysmith Thursday, 66-56. Tomahawk as a team had three first-place finishes in the dual meet. Kami Gabrich had two of them, coming in the 50 and 200 yard freestyles. Aubrey Tollefson placed first in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 1:27.09. The loss drops Tomahawk to 0-6 in Dual meets this season. The Hatchets are back in the pool next Thursday for another GNC Dual meet against Antigo. Events begin at 5:30.

Published on 09/17/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's volleyball squad's struggles would continue at the Hatchet House Thursday night as they would lose to non-conference perennial powerhouse Stratford, 25-22, 25-14, 25-16. Despite the strong start, the Hatchets were unable to overcome the consistent power and strength of the Tigers. The loss drops Tomahawk to 4-14 on the season and 0-3 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the court for a Great Northern Conference match in Antigo Tuesday. The match will be broadcast on the WJJQ app, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ with the Fehrman Orthodontics Prematch Show at 6:35 and First serve at 7:00. Alex Koch and Matt Theiler will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 09/17/2026 under News With nearly a half-century of tradition, the Tomahawk Fall Ride will welcome tens of thousands of motorcyclists to the Northwoods this weekend. This year's 45th anniversary edition of the Fall Ride looks remarkably different from its humble origins in the early 1980s. The event began when a few dozen local riders gathered for an October cruise and a cookout to enjoy the changing leaves. Before long, organizers shifted the gathering to mid-September to avoid Wisconsin's unpredictable autumn weather. The event quickly gained momentum, transforming that small local gathering into a community-wide celebration that now draws an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 visitors to the Tomahawk area each September. Tomahawk's connection to motorcycles dates back even further than the Fall Ride itself, as the city is home to two Harley-Davidson production facilities. The first dates back early 1960's. To celebrate this legacy, the Tomahawk Historical Society is opening a special exhibit tracing the intersection of Harley-Davidson, the Fall Ride, and the community's history. Featuring vintage photographs, embroidered event patches, memorabilia, classic signage, and decades of archived press clippings, the display offers a nostalgic look back at how a small group outing became a Northwoods institution. The exhibit will be open during special hours this Friday and Saturday from 11am to 3pm. They've also been posting historical photos throughout the week on their Facebook Page. As for the Fall Ride itself, a key highlight takes place Thursday evening with the Tomahawk Chamber's Bonfire and Bratfry at SARA Park, which serves as the unofficial kickoff to the weekend.

Published on 09/17/2026 under News With fall sports in full swing, fans heading to the Tomahawk High School Field House are in for a big upgrade. The district just debuted its brand-new Daktronics video scoreboard at the first Hatchet home volleyball match. Beyond improving the game-day experience, the new setup opens up new revenue streams and gives students real, hands-on media production experience. District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry admitted they've been on a bit of a crash course learning the ins and outs of the new system, but he sees huge potential for an improved atmosphere during home games. Best of all, the state-of-the-art board should pay for itself through local ad partnerships, with any extra money going right back into student programs. Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) and Tomahawk Local 240 have already signed on as the first major sponsors, and the district is looking for other local businesses to jump on board. The perks go beyond sports, and into the classroom. Since Daktronics is the same equipment featured in college and pro venues like Lambeau Field, the district plans to incorporate it into future classes. Quesinberry notes they offer curriculum for the graphic design side, as well as running the board live. A student would be able to receive a certification that could open doors down the road for future opportunities in college and beyond.

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