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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

Minocqua Area Revelers Wave Goodbye to Summer; Visitors

Published on 09/08/2026 under News Northwoods locals gave summer travelers a warm send-off on Labor Day, carrying on a decades-old tradition to thank departing visitors. Positioned along the Highway 51 corridor through Minocqua, Hazelhurst, and Woodruff, residents gathered to wave at southbound seasonal community members and tourists heading home. Often referred to as the "Wave Line" or "Wave Parade," the simple gesture serves as an annual token of gratitude for the visitors who fuel the region's economy. According to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, in Oneida County, visitor economic impact reached a record $408 million last year. What originally began as an informal gathering has evolved into a cherished tradition. At landmark spots like Whitman's, locals have been lining the roadside to wave goodbye to summer for over half a century.

Published on 09/08/2026 under News Wisconsin's deer season officially kicks off this Saturday with the opening of the archery and crossbow hunt, and state safety officials are urging hunters to take extra precautions before climbing up into the trees. Surveys from the Department of Natural Resources show that one in four bowhunters has experienced a fall or near-fall from an elevated stand. Despite those odds, less than half say they wear a safety harness while climbing. The DNR says simple habits can save lives: inspect your gear and your stand before every hunt, keep three points of contact while climbing, and always use a haul line to raise and lower your bow or firearm. Officials also warn hunters to avoid setting up stands in ash trees, which may be weakened and structurally unsafe due to emerald ash borer damage. The Treestand Manufacturers Association offers a free 15-minute safety refresher online. The archery season runs from Saturday through early January.

Published on 09/08/2026 under News After a summer break, a road construction project is scheduled to resume this week. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced that crews will return to Minocqua to resume work on Highway 51 between Front Street and the Lake Minocqua Bridge. Work on the project originally started this spring and paused in early June to accommodate the summer tourism season. Now they are getting back to work. According to the announcement, they've got about six weeks left with a target completion date on October 20. Single-lane closures will be in effect through downtown Minocqua during active construction. Crews do plan one more temporary pause. They'll remove traffic controls for the annual Beef-A-Rama celebration the weekend of Sept. 26.(A full list of state project updates can be found on the DoT website)As for ongoing road construction impacting local traffic, according to the weekly Department of Transportation report... In Lincoln County, Highway 17 remains closed to through traffic between Highway 64 and Big Hay Meadow Creek for a two phase project. Crews will be working on the paving project during the fall construction season, pause for the winter, and then resume next spring. The posted detour uses Highways 64, 51, and 8. Local access to homes and businesses along the construction corridor will be maintained. In Lincoln County, WIS 107 remains closed to through traffic between Wilderness Drive and County S as crews continue culvert work and roadway restoration. The project is scheduled to continue through mid-October. In Oneida County, paving work continues on U.S. 8 between WIS 47 and WIS 17 North in the Rhinelander area. This segment of Highway 8 remains closed and detoured. This project is in it's final few weeks. In Oneida County, crews continue asphalt paving on U.S. 45 between U.S. 8 and WIS 32 near Three Lakes. Motorists should expect single-lane closures controlled by flaggers. Work is expected into early-October.

Published on 09/07/2026 under News Downtown Antigo is turning its light poles into a public art gallery, one hand-painted canvas at a time. While many communities use light pole banners to mark seasonal holidays or honor local veterans, downtown Antigo is taking a much more personal approach to its streetscapes. Through a creative collaboration between the City of Antigo and Antigo Visual Arts, custom-designed banners are popping up along 5th Avenue, featuring one-of-a-kind artwork hand-painted by local artists. Each 2.5 by 5-foot canvas covers a wide range of themes from deeply personal local tributes to nature-inspired landscapes. Among the two newest installations is a special memorial piece honoring longtime Antigo Daily Journal publisher and community advocate Fred Berner, capturing his legacy and love for the city. Another is a simple, but elegant monarch butterfly. Organizers say the project is an open-air celebration of community pride, turning everyday utility poles into a vibrant showcase of local storytelling and civic collaboration. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to take a stroll or drive down 5th Avenue in Antigo to enjoy the local craftsmanship firsthand.

Published on 09/07/2026 under News The first Monday in September marks Labor Day, a long weekend where many workers get a well-deserved day off. Established as a federal holiday in 1894, Labor Day honors the American labor movement and recognizes the vital contributions of workers. While many in the Northwoods celebrate with cookouts or trips to the cabin, Merrill marks the holiday with two beloved annual community events. Festivities kick off this morning with the annual Labor Day Parade at 10:00 a.m. After winding down near the courthouse, the action shifts to the Merrill Fairgrounds, where the Lions Club is hosting its annual Labor Day Car Show, a tradition still going strong after more than four decades. Organizers say the show typically draws 200 to 250 entries. While classic vehicles from the 1960s and '70s are the most common, attendees can expect to see everything from 1920s models to modern classics. During the event, the city also plans to announce the winner of its summer-long America's 250th Decorating Contest.

Published on 09/07/2026 under News Lower-than-normal water levels could create additional challenges for late-summer and early-fall boaters. According to the DNR, ongoing drought conditions across much of the state are causing water bodies to drop below their typical levels. Problems can start right at the boat launch. Officials recommend checking the end of the ramp before backing down, using a spotter, and utilizing your winch instead of powering onto the trailer. Boaters should monitor water levels closely and plan an early or alternate removal if needed. Out on the water, navigators should stay alert, as lower water levels may expose additional hazards. Keep a sharp eye out for submerged stumps, rocks, and sandbars. As for fish and wildlife, the DNR does not anticipate any immediate impacts. Fish may concentrate in smaller areas, but the added stress will likely reduce their appetite. Meanwhile, staff have not observed any widespread negative impacts on wildlife populations, noting that local species are generally adaptable to changing conditions.

Published on 09/07/2026 under News Labor Day marks the last hurrah for summer travel, and officials are urging drivers to prioritize safety on area roadways. Here in the Northwoods, traffic is expected to be heaviest heading south on Monday afternoon. For those closing up cabins for the season, hauling extra cargo and trailers is common practice. Officials remind drivers to ensure all loads are properly secured, not only to prevent lost items, but also to protect motorists traveling behind you. Trailer Safety Checklist:Check tires and lights: Inspect tire pressures and lights, especially if the trailer has been in storage all summer.Match the hitch: Ensure the hitch ball and coupler are the exact same size and latched securely.Use safety chains: Crisscross safety chains under the trailer tongue before heading out.Standard rules of the road still apply: obey posted speed limits, buckle up, and avoid distracted driving. Law enforcement is also participating in the statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through Labor Day.

Published on 09/07/2026 under News The state's long-term plan to close Lincoln Hills took another step forward as 33 new Department of Corrections staff members graduated from their training academy. They will serve at Milwaukee's new Southeast Regional Care Center for Youth. The $78.4 million, 32-bed Milwaukee center is set to open as the first of three proposed regional facilities designed to replace Lincoln Hills School and Copper Lake School as the state's primary youth correctional facility. The goal is to keep young offenders closer to their families, hometown support networks, and staff who understand their local communities. Department of Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy emphasized that regional care allows family and community resources to integrate directly into youth rehabilitation. Many of the new staff members grew up in the same neighborhoods and navigated the same challenges as the youth they will be caring for. A second site in Dane County is set to break ground, while a third facility may be built at an undetermined location in northern Wisconsin to serve regional youth offenders. Once the transition is fully complete, state plans call for converting the Lincoln County complex into an adult correctional facility.

Published on 09/07/2026 under News Governor Evers' planned stop at the Chequamegon School District on Friday was canceled due to nearby threats unrelated to his visit. Price County Dispatch received a call from a man making terroristic threats and expressing suicidal thoughts at a business in the Town of Lake. Multiple agencies responded, taking the man into custody without incident. Around that same time, Gov. Evers was scheduled to visit the Chequamegon School-South Campus. As a precaution during the incident, the school was placed in a secure hold; and the Governor's visit cancelled. Authorities noted that the threats did not appear to be connected to his planned visit. The stop was intended to be part of the governor's annual statewide Back-to-School tour. A former science teacher and school administrator, Gov. Evers is marking his 50th back-to-school season and his final one as governor.

Published on 09/04/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's football squad would fail to shake off another slow start in their Great Northern Conference opener Friday night at Hatchet Field, losing to Wausau East, 23-14. The Hatchets were able to move the ball for three out of the four quarters against Wausau East. Unfortunately, Tomahawk was unable to overcome an early 16-0 deficit behind two first-half touchdowns from the Lumberjacks' Xander Klein. The Hatchets rushed for a season-high 183 yards on 40 carries. Max Larson led the way with 69 yards and a touchdown. Henry Nieman finished with a receiving touchdown and an interception. Tomahawk falls to 0-3 on the season and 0-1 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back at Hatchet Field next week to welcome Antigo. The Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin begins at 6:15 and kickoff is at 7:00. Alex Koch and Jon Long will be in the broadcast booth. Other Northwoods Football Scores: 11-Player Football: Coleman 28, Northland Pines 16 Marathon 19, Crandon 0 Mosinee 33, Antigo 14 Merrill 42, Lakeland 13 Medford 62, Rhinelander 20 Regis 42, Abbotsford 0 8-Player Football: Suring 56, Goodman-Pembine 6 Hurley 22, Phillips 6 Laona-Wabeno 44, Rib Lake 6 Three Lakes/Phelps 64, Chequamegon 0

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