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Aspirus Scholars Program Awards $300,000 in Scholarships Published on 02/08/2024 under News

The Aspirus Scholars Program is a collaboration aimed at addressing the national physician shortage, particularly rural areas like north central Wisconsin and Michigan's UP.

Yesterday, the Aspirus Health Foundation awarded two medical students a combined $300,000 in scholarships as part of the program. As part of the arrangement, the students commit to employment at Aspirus upon graduation.

The latest recipients were 1st year medical student Payton Jorgenson and 2nd year medical student Dylan Pierce. Both attend the Medical College of Wisconsin at the Central Wisconsin campus.

Lanna Scannell, Aspirus Vice President, System Philanthropy says, "Our Aspirus Scholars award recipients already have strong ties to our area and are passionate about medicine and caring for patients." She called them a tremendous addition to the Aspirus family.

The selection committee included both Aspirus physicians and community members. This is the eighth class of Aspirus Scholars.

-Photo provided by Aspirus: Medical Students Payton Jorgenson and Dylan Pierce (center) were selected to receive Aspirus Foundation Scholarships-

In Other News

Tomahawk Main Street Exploring Streetscape Project in Downtown District

Published on 04/30/2026 under News Tomahawk Main Street is exploring with a streetscape project that would beautify and revitalize downtown. At the City of Tomahawk Board of Public Works meeting Tuesday, the organization asked for approval to move forward with design-work and fundraising for improvements aimed at enhancing the look, feel, and accessibility of the Main Street district. The proposal includes updated landscaping, improved pedestrian features, decorative lighting, and new street furnishings. A key part of the project also addresses the removal of ash trees impacted by the emerald ash borer, with plans to proactively replace them to maintain the area's appearance. The project is designed to reflect the community's character while supporting local businesses and attracting visitors; a long-term investment in downtown's economic vitality and overall community appeal. Under the proposal, the city could contribute through in-kind support by staff, such as tree removal and site preparation, as well as the possible use of materials on-hand. Otherwise, Tomahawk Main Street and their team volunteers would fundraise and write grants. No timeline was provided, but would likely be impacted by the fundraising. The proposal builds upon another effort by Tomahawk Main Street. They are working with the Tomahawk Historical Society to receive a Wisconsin historical designation and marker for the district. That display would be placed in the boulevard at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Tomahawk Avenue, overlooked by the William Bradley mural on Walker's General Store. The Board gave their permission to Tomahawk Main Street to continue moving forward with planning the streetscape.

Published on 04/30/2026 under News The Lincoln County Health Department continues to target opioids through education and outreach. Coming up this evening, The Lincoln County Health Department, alongside the Lincoln County Opioid Task Force, is hosting a free community training focused on recognizing and responding to an opioid overdose using Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan. Narcan is a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose within minutes, potentially saving lives. Narcan is legal to carry and use without a prescription, making it an accessible tool for anyone who may encounter an overdose situation. Public Health Nurse Deanna Engel says the goal is simple: give people the knowledge and confidence to act in a critical moment. They'll walk attendees through how to spot the signs of an overdose and properly administer the medication. Tonight's training will take place at the TB Scott Free Library in Merrill. It gets underway at 5pm and is about an hour. There will be another opportunity May 14 here in Tomahawk.

Published on 04/30/2026 under News As northern Wisconsin anglers gear up for this weekend's fishing opener, a major change to muskie regulations is drawing concern. Previously, Wisconsin was divided into northern and southern musky zones, with a staggered start to accommodate a later spawn on the northern half of the state which typically opened Memorial Day weekend. In a change implemented this year, the musky season for the entire state will open with the general opener this coming weekend. Freshwater Fishing Hall of Famer and WJJQ guide Steve Heiting joined us earlier this week to preview the upcoming fishing season while also discussing the musky topic. He says the new timing could put added pressure on muskies during a critical period when muskies are spawning or about to spawn. Heiting warns the impact may not be immediate, but could show up years down the road, especially as the Wisconsin DNR faces potential funding difficulties in their fish stocking programs. Heiting suggested better collaboration between fisheries biologists and experienced guides on these topics. He says, "There's value in both science and time on the water." Adding, "Bringing those perspectives together would give us the best chance to manage these fisheries responsibly." Despite the rule change, many northern Wisconsin guides say they'll wait until after Memorial Day to target muskies, sticking with the tradition of protecting spawning fish. They also used the Conservation Congress Hearings earlier this month to introduce advisory resolutions to reverse the change.

Published on 04/30/2026 under News The fishing opener just a few days away, and anglers are going over their final fishing checklists. Local law enforcement are reminding folks to check trailers as well. For many, opening of fishing weekend will be the first time to launch their boats this year. Before pulling out of the driveway, it's a good idea to do a quick inspection of the trailer. Areas to focus on include making sure the tires are good shape, and the lights are working properly. The ball and hitch assembly should be the same size and latch securely, and always use safety chains. And make sure anything being stored in the boat during transport is properly secured to avoid life jackets, tackle boxes, coolers or other gear from being blown out onto the road and creating a hazard for other travelers. In addition to a safety inspection, the DNR regularly reminds anglers to check boats, trailers and props for aquatic invasive species as well. First launch is a good time to check for any AIS hibernating over the winter.

Published on 04/30/2026 under News Aspirus continues to offer support at their facilities here in Northern Wisconsin to those who've experienced sexual assault. The provider recently highlighted what is known as the SANE program. SANE stands for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. These nurses are specially trained to conduct the forensic examination, while supporting the patient during what can be a traumatic experience. Aspirus now has a mobile SANE team that can travel to hospitals and emergency departments where needed. Amy Riegert is a registered nurse who coordinates the Aspirus SANE program. Riegert says "We learned there were gaps in the system because there are only so many trained forensic nurses in this specialty. This has allowed us to extend our reach, especially into rural communities." April is Sexual Assault Awareness month.

Published on 04/29/2026 under News One person is dead, another person in custody following an unintentional shooting in Taylor County. According to a news release from the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, the incident happened Tuesday evening at shortly before 9pm. Responders were called to a home in the Town of Little Black for what was described as an accidental gun-shot injury. Upon arrival, deputies located the man lying in the yard, unresponsive. They immediately began life-saving measures, however he was pronounced dead at the scene. Following the preliminary investigation, an adult male was arrested and brought to the Taylor county Jail. No other information on the incident has been released at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

Published on 04/29/2026 under News Somo Avenue in Tomahawk is one of the roughest stretches of road in the city. While officials await a long-term fix, the city is teaming up with the county on a temporary solution. And that could come next month. At Tuesday's meeting, the Board of Public Works approved a plan to wedge the top layer of asphalt and apply an overlay on Somo Avenue between the 4-way stop and Tomahawk Avenue. A previous overlay began to peel, leaving behind large potholes that are difficult to fill and maintain. This project is intended as a temporary measure for that four-block segment, expected to last around 5 years. The State of Wisconsin has tentatively scheduled a full reconstruction of Somo Avenue, which doubles as State Rd. 86 for the year 2030. Street Lead Nick Rosenmeier briefly discussed the plan ahead of the vote. Repairs are tentatively scheduled for the week before Memorial Day weekend, and Rosenmeier anticipates a closure of that four block stretch for two to three days. The Board discussed project logistics, including the temporary detour and ensuring access for the police department. Ultimately, the project was approved unanimously. _____ A few other quick notes from Tuesday's lengthy Public Works meeting… The Board approved an updated request from Tomahawk Main Street for their downtown historical marker in the boulevard outside the Bradley mural on the side of Walker's General Store. Tomahawk Main Street also requested permission to pursue a streetscape redesign project. We'll have a bit more on those efforts in the coming days. The Board continues to discuss ongoing issues with lift station at the Esker Heights subdivision due to flushing of improper materials. The city is exploring various options including advisories and service call surcharges. They are reaching out to neighboring communities to see how they have addressed similar issues. The board also approved routine maintenance to paint the city's fire hydrants. They will be painted red and include industry standard indicators marking water flow rates. Street Lead Nick Rosenmeier clarified for people inquiring about street sweeping delays. They have been awaiting a repair part that was initially back-ordered, then incorrectly sized. He hoped to have the street sweeper up and running this week.

Published on 04/29/2026 under News Expecting parents and families with little ones will have a chance to gather helpful resources, ask questions, and connect with local experts at an upcoming community event in Tomahawk. The Lincoln County Health Department and their partners are hosting the 4th annual Lincoln County Community Baby Shower Wednesdayafternoon. Organizers say the free, come-and-go event is designed for families expecting a baby, as well as parents, caregivers, and family members of children up to 18 months old. They note that kids are welcome as well. Public Health Educator Lexi Buntrock says, "We are excited to be able to offer this one-stop-shop experience again that connects expecting families, and those with young children, with local resources and education." The baby shower will feature a wide range of local agencies and services, offering information on topics such as safe sleep practices, child development, nutrition, mental health, and early literacy. They'll have demonstrations like CPR and car seat checks. Buntrock says, "We are excited to welcome back many of our returning agencies and resources, as well as introduce some new ones this year. Thanks to a grant from the Tomahawk Community Thrift Shop, they have a limited number of care packages with baby essentials and educational materials. Buntrock says, "We frequently see families returning to the event annually..." No registration is required. They'll be set up at St. Mary's Corpus Christi Center in Tomahawk this afternoon from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Published on 04/29/2026 under News Students at Tomahawk Middle School are stepping out of the classroom and into the community for a day of service. The annual Community Service Day will send middle school students across the greater Tomahawk area to take part in a wide range of service projects like cleaning up grounds, reading to younger students, helping at nursing homes and assisting community organizations. A new addition this year includes a fundraiser at the Trig's Brat Hut from 11 am to 2 pm, where students will serve lunch to raise money for the Salvation Army Backpack Program which offers snacks and food vouchers for students dealing with food insecurity. Ahead of the effort, we spoke with Middle School Principal Stacey Bolder. She says the day is about more than just volunteering it's about building pride, connections, and lifelong values. She noted, "By the time a student leave Tomahawk Middle School in eighth grade, you know they're going to have done quite a bit of community service, something that we want to instill in (our students). Community members are encouraged to stop by the brat stand to support the cause and see the students' efforts in action.

Published on 04/29/2026 under News Officials have provided some additional details into a fatal incident following a traffic stop near Tomahawk late last week. That incident happened Friday, at shortly before 5pm on Highway 51 north of County A. The initial report indicated a state trooper conducted a traffic stop, the driver drove away, and suffered a fatal, self-inflicted injury. In an update provided by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, they identified the subject as 36 year old Wade Johnson of Minocqua. They clarified the initial traffic stop was for an equipment violation. After briefly stopping for the trooper, they said Johnson fled in the vehicle, traveled an approximately quarter mile, entered the ditch before the vehicle came to rest. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene of a self-inflicted injury. According to the update, life saving measures were not attempted due to the extend of injuries. The Sheriff's Office said no law enforcement officers fired their weapons, and no officers injured during the incident.

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