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Several Local Nominees in “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin” Competition Published on 09/19/2023 under News

From mahogany boats to robotic lawn mowers there are a lot of interesting things made in the state. The Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce is again trying to identify the coolest and there are a few local products in the running.

Over the past few weeks, the WMC has taken nominations for the appropriately-named 'Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin' contest. After unveiling the competitors, they've turned the contest over to public vote.

Right here in Tomahawk, Samuel Pressure Group is among the nominees for their large custom-built pressure tanks.

Elsewhere in the Northwoods, there are more than a half dozen other products in the running, some are quite familiar, others less so. St. Croix fishing rods are some of the best in the business and are made in Park Falls. Minocqua Popcorn and Puffs makes tasty snacks here in the Northwoods and 7Fifteen Motorworks in Three Lakes makes custom and vintage race cars.

Rhinelander's got a pair of nominees, with Air Pro Fans and Kapp Structures' rigid mountain bikes. Merrill's got a pair of nominees as well, Thorogood's work boots as well as Merrill Tool and Water Jet's power rake.

The local nominees will face off against some well-known Wisconsin brands including 3m, Generac, Ariens, John Deere, and Carmex.

Last year more than 200,000 people voted, and in the end it was the electric fire trucks from Pierce Manufacturing that came out on top.

The 2023 voting begins this week. You can visit madeinwis.com to view the nominees and cast a ballot.

In Other News

Community Support Key to Tomahawk Lions Powwow Days Fundraising

Published on 06/08/2026 under News Tomahawk's signature Fourth of July celebration is less than a month away, and preparations for Powwow Days are entering the home stretch. As in years past, the Tomahawk Lions Club is counting on strong community support to make the event a success. Leading the fundraising charge is longtime Lion Kevin Wickstrom, who has spent the past several weeks making his annual rounds to local businesses. He recently stopped by the WJJQ studios to share an update on this year's efforts. Putting on the annual celebration is no small undertaking. Wickstrom noted that costs have climbed to approximately $25,000, driven largely by the rising price of fireworks. While the Lions Club's fundraising events and efforts offset some of these expenses, donations from local businesses and individuals remain essential. By the time Independence Day arrives, Wickstrom estimates he will have visited roughly 230 donors and logged hundreds of miles. Despite current economic challenges, he says community support has remained remarkably strong. In fact, he noted that some businesses have been even more generous this year. He joked, "A lot of people are expecting me when I walk through the door and already have a check ready." Powwow Days features a full slate of activities, including running races, a parade, a water ski show, and the traditional fireworks display. Because July 4th falls on a Saturday this year, organizers expect the holiday weekend to draw even larger crowds than usual to the Tomahawk area. As the countdown continues, Wickstrom emphasized that the community's willingness to step up remains one of Tomahawk's greatest strengths. He says, "I just appreciate all the businesses and individuals that donate to the cause. The support is tremendous." How to Donate: For those who have not yet been contacted but would like to contribute to Powwow Days, Wickstrom encourages them to reach out directly by calling or texting him at 715-437-0548.

Published on 06/08/2026 under News The shores of Lake Mohawksin were filled with kids, veterans, and plenty of smiles this past weekend. Saturday marked the revival of the Youth Fishing Contest, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Tomahawk VFW, American Legion, and Auxiliary. The event returned after a hiatus of several years with a dual mission: to spark children's interest in outdoor recreation and to build strong relationships between local youth and veterans. Organizers reported that 25 youngsters registered for the tournament, catching and releasing a total of 77 fish. Volunteers, mostly local veterans, spent the day measuring catches, untangling lines, and keeping the action moving smoothly. Top catches of the day included a 10 inch perch landed by Delaney Lampe.Winning Entries: Age 0-5: 1st Geri Glenzer 6 1/2 " perch Age 6-9 1st Delaney Lampe 10" perch Age 10-12 1st Brianna Butalla 7" perchThanks to generous community support, no one left empty-handed; every participant received a goodie bag loaded with fishing gear. Organizers called the revival a success and plan to make the Youth Fishing Classic an annual tradition, with hopes of welcoming even more young anglers to the waterfront next summer.

Published on 06/08/2026 under News Music lovers will have a new place to gather this summer as the Rhinelander Area Community Band relocates its long-standing concert series to Hodag Park. The band will kick off the first of eight Tuesday night performances tomorrow evening at the Hodag Park Pavilion. According to band representative Mary Grieco, the move from the RiverWalk band shell was made to better accommodate the band's growing membership and increasing audience attendance. The Rhinelander Area Community Band has been entertaining Northwoods audiences for more than four decades. Organizers hope the new venue will provide a comfortable, spacious setting for fans to enjoy free outdoor entertainment throughout the season. As always, this year's setlist features a variety of music for all ages, ranging from familiar pop tunes to patriotic favorites tied into the America 250 celebrations. The band is scheduled for June 9, June 23, and June 30; July 7 and 21; and August 4 and 18. On Tuesday nights when the community band is not scheduled, the Pavilion will host other live musical performances to keep the summer series going. Music begins at 6:30 p.m.

Published on 06/08/2026 under News Communication is key in a hospital setting, and those seeking medical care in the Northwoods are in some good hands. Three Aspirus facilities, at Aspirus Medford, Aspirus Rhinelander, and Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, have earned a perfect five-star rating for nurse communication. The recognition comes from the latest CMS data and lands these hospitals on Becker's Healthcare's 2025 Excellence List. The rankings are based entirely on patient feedback, measuring how well nurses listen, how clearly they explain treatments, and the respect they show every person in their care. Aspirus leadership says this honor reflects the deep trust their nursing teams build with families every day. According to the announcement, only 44 hospitals across Wisconsin earned the five-star distinction this year.

Published on 06/08/2026 under News Outdoor enthusiasts and local residents gathered in Athens to celebrate National Trails Day and Wisconsin Bike Week with the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Wisconsin Gravel trailheads. The trail celebration marked a major milestone for the Wisconsin Gravel initiative, a regional project designed to boost tourism, support rural economies, and highlight the region's premier gravel riding routes. Tim White, executive director of Visit Wausau, says, "This is exactly the kind of collaboration that helps small communities thrive." He highlighted the economic and tourism opportunities that outdoor recreation brings to the region. Following the formal ribbon cutting, riders hit the trails on one of two options, a shorter, family friendly route and a longer Athens "Gravelventure" ride. The longer route treated cyclists to scenic rural roads, a stop at the famous 45x90 Geographical Marker. Steven Brewster of Athens Area Trails says, "The trailheads, local businesses, community groups and volunteers all play a role in making this a destination people want to experience." Prior to the biking festivities, the participants were well-fed as the day kicked off with the annual Athens FFA Alumni Dairy Breakfast.

Published on 06/08/2026 under News Wisconsin utility customers could soon see higher energy bills under a new rate request filed by Wisconsin Public Service. The proposal announced last month, is now before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, would raise the typical residential electric bill by about 11 dollars per month in 2027, followed by another 5 dollar increase in 2028. Natural gas customers would see an estimated 7 dollar monthly increase in 2027, with no additional base rate hike the following year. Even with the proposed increases, WPS says customer bills would remain below the national average. WPS officials say the increases are tied to ongoing investments in the state's energy grid, including new solar, wind, and battery storage projects, as well as efforts to improve reliability. That includes trimming thousands of miles of power lines, removing hazardous trees, and installing underground cables to reduce outages. The company says the plan also includes more than 132 million dollars in savings for customers through federal tax credits and shared earnings. Regulators will review the proposal in the coming months before making a final decision.

Published on 06/06/2026 under Sports In the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this weekend. Elise Gibeault and Ellie Micke competed in three separate events. Gibeault's top finish came in the 400 meter dash, placing third with a time of 56.7 seconds. Gibeault would finish 2.26 seconds behind state champion Harper Sheehan of Hayward. In her final event, the Hatchet Junior would set a brand new school record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.38 seconds, a full second behind Sheehan. As for Micke, her season would end in the High Jump Preliminaries. Micke would finish tied for 12th with Martin Luther's Dynasty Fancher. This concludes the Tomahawk Track & Field Season.

Published on 06/05/2026 under News A long-standing youth fishing event is set to return to Tomahawk this weekend with a meaningful new twist. For decades, the Kids Fishing Contest was a summer staple at Veterans Memorial Park, giving local youngsters the chance to cast a line into Lake Mohawksin for some friendly competition. The event came to an end a few years ago when the Tomahawk Fishing Unlimited group disbanded. Now, as part of their growing community outreach, local veterans' groups, including the VFW, American Legion, and Auxiliary have decided to dust off the fishing rods and bring the tradition back. Organizers hope the return of the Youth Fishing Classic will spark an interest in outdoor recreation like fishing, while also building strong relationships between local youth and veterans. Moving forward, the event also plans to honor a local veteran each year. The inaugural honoree perfectly embodies both fishing and service to the country: this weekend's contest will be held in memory of Chuck Grigg, a veteran and the long-time owner of Chuck's Sport Shop, who passed away earlier this year. The Youth Fishing event takes place this Saturday and will feature multiple age groups and fish categories. Free registration begins at 9:00 AM, and fishing kicks off at 10:00 AM near the fishing pier at Veterans Memorial Park. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles; organizers will supply the worms, as well as some goodie bags for the first 100 kids to register.

Published on 06/05/2026 under News People will be able to fish, hike, and explore Wisconsin this weekend without pulling out their wallets. The DNR is officially kicking off the unofficial start of summer by bringing back its popular "Free Fun Weekend" this Saturday and Sunday. The annual event waives most state park fees, trail passes, and fishing licenses encouraging residents and visitors alike to check out the state's natural, outdoor playground. Steve Schmelzer, DNR Bureau Director of Parks and Recreation says, "If you've never checked out a Wisconsin state park before, Free Fun Weekend is the perfect opportunity to come visit for the first time." Finding a spot to explore won't be difficult. Wisconsin boasts 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, thousands of miles of rushing rivers, and roughly 15,000 lakes. For those looking to cast a line, fishing licenses are completely waived for the weekend. However, the DNR reminds anglers that all other traditional regulations apply. This includes bag limits, species seasons, and size restrictions. To help newcomers get started, several state properties will host hands-on fishing clinics throughout the weekend. No matter how you choose to spend the weekend, officials urge everyone to prioritize safety, respect fellow outdoor enthusiasts, and help keep the state's public lands clean.

Published on 06/05/2026 under News Governor Evers has never been shy about his love for ice cream, and on Thursday afternoon, he enjoyed a sweet treat at an iconic local spot. As part of his tour celebrating June Dairy Month, Governor Evers visited the Windmill Ice Cream Shop in Nokomis. This was his second stop of the day, following an earlier visit to a dairy farm in Osseo. During the visit, the Governor touted the strong partnerships between the state and local dairy producers. The Berg family, who owns the shop, also shared on social media that their matriarch, Pat Berg, shared connected with the Governor over their shared past careers as educators. According to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Wisconsin is home to approximately 1.3 million dairy cows and more than 5,000 dairy farms. Beyond milk, Wisconsin is a national leader in dairy products like cheese, butter, yogurt, and, of course, ice cream, including the many selections featured at the Windmill. As for his flavor pick, the Governor opted for a double scoop of New York Cherry and Sea Salt Caramel Nut, which he enjoyed on the Bearskin State Trail trestle overlooking Lake Nokomis.

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