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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

Aspirus Paramedic Retires After Four Decades of Service

Published on 07/03/2026 under News After answering emergency calls for four decades, one familiar face is saying goodbye to emergency medicine in the Northwoods. Paramedic Dan Halverson is retiring July 4 from Aspirus Eagle River Hospital and Aspirus MedEvac 91 after a 40-year career in EMS. Halverson estimates he has responded to more than 10,000 ambulance calls, started over 5,000 IVs, and even helped deliver three babies. Halverson's path into EMS began unexpectedly. While working in the auto parts industry, he volunteered as a practice patient for local EMT classes. The experience sparked a curiosity that quickly turned into a lifelong career. Halverson said, "One thing led to another, and I found a job I truly loved." Aspirus Director of Nursing Julie Williams says Halverson's experience, compassion, and commitment have made a difference for countless patients while helping shape the careers of many younger EMS professionals. Known for his sense of humor and his famous "People Catcher's Club." That's the display of fishing hooks he safely removed from patients over the years. Halverson says what he will miss most is the people. Along the way, he notes that the most important part of the job was building meaningful relationships with patients and their families. In retirement, he plans to spend more time traveling, camping, and enjoying time with family and friends.

Published on 07/03/2026 under News Residents and visitors to Merrill will hear a familiar sound from the city's past. As part of Fourth of July and America 250 celebrations, participating churches throughout Merrill are planning to ring their bells for two-and-a-half minutes. This actually revives a tradition that took place 50 years ago. In 1976, churches across the community rang their bells to mark the start of Merrill's Independence Day celebration during the nation's Bicentennial. Now, as America celebrates its 250th birthday, the City of Merrill is bringing the tradition back as a tribute to both the country's independence and the community spirit that has long been part of the holiday. City officials are inviting residents to pause wherever they are at 1 p.m., listen for the church bells, and take a moment to reflect on the freedoms Americans enjoy and the shared history that continues to bring the community together.

Published on 07/03/2026 under News Earlier this week, authorities reminded boaters to stay sober during Operation Dry Water. Now, the Wisconsin DNR is delivering the same message to ATV and UTV riders heading into the busy Fourth of July weekend. The DNR expects heavy trail traffic across the state as communities celebrate the nation's 250th birthday and is urging riders to designate a sober driver before hitting the trails. So far this year, 23 people have died in ATV and UTV crashes, with alcohol and excessive speed among the leading causes. Officials say making responsible choices can help ensure the holiday weekend is remembered for celebration, not tragedy. The DNR also reminds riders to wear helmets and seat belts, obey speed limits and trail signs, and consider taking an ATV safety course.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News While the planned military jet flyover at Saturday's Tomahawk Powwow Days parade will be over in the blink of an eye, the spectacle itself took months of effort to secure. The Wisconsin Air National Guard's F-35 Lightning II flyover is the result of tireless work led by Tomahawk Main Street volunteer Mary Smith. She stopped by the WJJQ studios this week to share some of the behind-the-scenes details. It all started when Smith witnessed a flyover at the Rhinelander parade last year and asked herself, "Why can't Tomahawk?" Then she got to work. Her first challenge was finding the right contacts, which involved reaching out to organizers in Rhinelander and navigating several dead ends. Once connected, she faced multiple rounds of rigorous paperwork detailing everything from the exact parade route to Tomahawk's elevation before the military would even consider the request. Smith described, "many, many months of work" and "a lot of hoops to jump through." Her persistence finally paid off when she received a call from Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Griswold of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, confirming that Tomahawk had been approved. Smith even worked closely with military officials to ensure the flight path would directly follow Wisconsin Avenue, Tomahawk's Main Street, where the largest crowds for the parade attend. The flyover will have an even deeper meaning for the Tomahawk community. Smith, a retired teacher herself, shared that the flyover will serve as a tribute to long-time Tomahawk High School guidance counselor and veteran Dan Reiter, who passed away unexpectedly last year. Tomahawk Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz praised Smith for her fierce determination. "Mary goes above and beyond in everything she does," Turkiewicz said. "Her heart is so full for this community." For Smith, seeing the fighter jet soar over downtown Tomahawk will be about much more than just an exciting spectacle. "I just feel so proud that we're getting this," she said. "It's something our community will remember for a long time." The flyover is scheduled toward the start of the Powwow Days parade, which gets underway at 1:00 PM this Saturday. The flight path will take the jet over several other Northwoods community celebrations, including Rhinelander and Minocqua.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News If you have a favorite family recipe that always gets rave reviews at the dinner table, Kinship of Tomahawk wants to feature it in a brand-new project for a great cause. The local youth mentoring organization is collecting submissions for a community cookbook. Once published, the cookbook will be sold as a fundraiser, with all proceeds directly benefiting Kinship of Tomahawk and the area children served by its vital programs. Michelle Arnott, who is helping spearhead the project, and shared some of details. Whether it's a go-to family dinner, a favorite snack, a decadent dessert, or a signature drink, they want to see it. Kinship is inviting local youth, families, mentors, and the broader Northwoods community to share the dishes that bring their own families together. The upcoming cookbook is designed to celebrate local culinary traditions while raising critical funds for Kinship's ongoing mission. For years, the organization has provided a lifeline of support for area youth through one-to-one mentorship, engaging after-school programming, and positive group outings that help local kids thrive. Organizers have set a recipe submission deadline of Wednesday, July 15th. Recipes can be emailed to michelleann.arnott@gmail.com.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News Beyond the Fourth of July festivities, the Town of Boulder Junction and area disc golf enthusiasts have another major reason to celebrate this holiday weekend. While the new Tall Pines Disc Golf Course has been quietly open to the public this spring, the community is hosting an official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony this Sunday morning. The new course was a true community effort—designed by local disc golf players, constructed by dedicated volunteers, and funded entirely through local donations. Among those volunteers is Pete Burditt, who noted that from the very beginning, the project was focused on creating a recreational space that both year-round residents and seasonal visitors could enjoy for years to come. True to its name, Tall Pines beautifully showcases the scenic Northwoods, with fairways carved through mature forested areas. The course layout was designed to be welcoming for players of all ages and skill levels, from first-timers trying the sport to experienced enthusiasts. Like most disc golf courses, Tall Pines is free to play and open to the public daily, outside of occasional leagues and tournament events. The course is part of a much larger, ongoing effort in Boulder Junction to not only enhance quality of life for locals, but also to further establish the community as a premier outdoor recreation destination. Other recent park upgrades have included a new all-inclusive playground, basketball court renovations, and the award-winning "Glide" ice-skating loop during the winter months. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, attendees are encouraged to walk the course, meet the volunteers who helped make the project possible, and enjoy a round of disc golf. If you would like to attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting, it is scheduled for this Sunday at 10:30 AM at the course.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, local boat landings are getting busy. To prevent long lines and short tempers, officials are offering a few practical tips to help the launch process go smoothly and quickly for everyone. First and foremost: use the staging area. Before you begin backing your trailer down the ramp, get your boat completely ready to go while parked in the lot. This is the time to remove straps and covers, put the plug in, and load up all your gear, coolers, and life jackets. Preparing in the lot keeps the ramp clear for active launching and loading. It's also a good time to double-check your mirrors. If you have a passenger, having a second person act as a spotter can be a massive help. Spotters should remember to offer instructions calmly and clearly, using distinct hand gestures that the driver can easily see in the mirrors. For the drivers, focus on making small corrections on the steering wheel and take your time. While you might feel the pressure to move quickly, rushing can lead to mistakes that ultimately make the process take longer. Most importantly, remember that everyone's trailer skills and experience levels are different. Whether you are a brand-new boater or a seasoned pro, everyone at the landing has the exact same goal: to get out and enjoy the water. A little patience, kindness, and a few encouraging words can go a long way in putting everyone at ease during a hectic holiday weekend.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News Fireworks and the Fourth go hand and hand, but officials are reminding people of the dangers. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, on average more than 100 fireworks-related injuries result in ER visits each year.A quarter of those visits were children under 18. In a similar message, Aspirus Wausau hospital shared their recent annual average at the emergency department is an average of seven firework injuries per year. And it's not just the fireworks that go boom...some of the most common fireworks injuries treated are burns, particularly sparklers. Not only do they burn at an extremely high temperature; the stick remains a hot and a burn risk even after the sparkler has burned out. Ready Wisconsin teamed with local emergency management to offer up their annual fireworks safety tips. • First and foremost, obey local laws and permitting requirements • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks • Find a smooth, flat surface; have readily available water; and make sure onlookers are a safe distance • Light fireworks one at a time; don't attempt to reignite a dud; and properly discard cooled fireworks after a soak in some water The safest advice, however, is to simply leave the fireworks to the professionals and attend a community show.

Published on 07/02/2026 under News May was a good month for jobs in the Northwoods and across the state. New preliminary data from the Department of Workforce Development shows unemployment rates dropped in all 72 Wisconsin counties in May. Rates were also down in 67 counties year-over-year. Looking at the Northwoods, counties along the Highway 51 corridor saw major improvements. Here in Lincoln County, unemployment fell from 3.7 percent in April down to 2.9 percent in May. Oneida County's rate dropped a full percentage point, going from 3.8 to 2.8 percent. And Vilas County saw one of the biggest improvements in the entire state. The unemployment rate there plummeted two-and-a-half points—falling from 5.7 percent in April to 3.2 percent in May. All three counties were improved from May of last year as well.

Published on 07/01/2026 under News Tomahawk's Music on the River returns Wednesday evening with a special kickoff to the Fourth of July holiday week, and a special thank you from WJJQ. The second concert of the 19th season will feature Ember, an award winning, four-piece band from Western Wisconsin and Music on the River regular. They describe themselves as bringing "a fun party atmosphere with dance-driven renditions of popular rock and country hits." Wednesday also marks the return of the WJJQ Community Cookout. After a rain-out during season opener, WJJQ staff and volunteers will be serving brats, hot dogs, chips, and soda beginning at 4:30 pm. The cookout serves as one of the station's annual opportunities to thank listeners while traditionally helping kick off another summer of Music on the River. With another threat of stormy weather in the forecast today, stay tuned to WJJQ for any potential location changes.

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