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Local Students Win DNR Poster Contests for 'Keep Wildlife Wild' Published on 04/02/2024 under News

Students from northern Wisconsin claimed two winning spots in a DNR poster contest.

Each spring, the DNR and their partners take part in in the Keep Wildlife Wild program. Established in 2014, the outreach includes information on the natural behavior of animals, tips on how to determine if an animal is truly orphaned, and what to do if a wild animal actually needs help.

As part of the outreach, the DNR hosts a poster contest each spring for upper elementary students. This year's theme was 'safe in their home.' Most of the winning entries featured young animals in their native habitat.

Among fourth graders, Delaney Darton of Eagle River drew a young deer fawn and was the winning entry. And in the sixth grade contest, it was Paige Rife of Mosinee and her sketch of a young rabbit. The fifth grade winner came from Belle Manula of Sheboygen.

Keep Wildlife Wild takes place in April as it is the time when many newborn animals are observed. In most cases, officials note that these animals should be left alone. We'll have a bit more on the campaign in the coming days.

(Clockwise from top right: 4th grade winner Delaney Darton of Eagle River; 5th grade winner Belle Manula of Sheboygen; and 6th grade winner Paige Rife of Mosinee)

In Other News

Lincoln County Health Department Highlights Local Cooling Centers

Published on 06/09/2026 under News With summer right around the corner and temperatures expected to climb over the next few days, local health officials are sharing tips on how to stay cool and safe during the coming months. Lincoln County Public Health Educator Kristin Bath is reminding residents that the county partners with 14 locations across Tomahawk, Merrill, and Gleason to serve as designated cooling centers. These air-conditioned facilities offer relief to residents and visitors during periods of extreme heat. In the Tomahawk area, designated cooling centers once again include: City Hall, the Library, Senior Center, Our Sister's House, and Strikers Tomahawk Bowl. (Full list below) These locations are typically open during their regular operating hours. Any facilities interested in becoming a designated cooling center are encouraged to contact the Lincoln County Health Department. Bath also shared several heat safety reminders: • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even before you feel thirsty. • Limit Activity: Minimize strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest hours. • Monitor Health: Watch for signs of heat-related illness in yourself and others—especially vulnerable populations like small children, the elderly, and those with chronic medical conditions. Lincoln County Cooling Centers: Gleason Bowling Center N5353 State Hwy 17, Gleason (715) 873-4588 Les & Jim's Lincoln Lanes 1208 N. Center Avenue, Merrill (715) 536-9405 Lincoln County Service Center 801 N. Sales Street, Merrill (715) 539-1019 MAC Home Warming Center 407 W. Main Street, Merrill (715) 722-1200 Merrill Enrichment Center 303 N. Sales Street, Merrill (715) 536-4226 Our Sisters' House 328 East Washington Avenue, Tomahawk (715) 224-3520 Riverside Athletic Club 500 S. Center Avenue, Merrill (715) 536-2481 Smith Multi-Purpose Center (MARC) 1100 Marc Drive, Merrill (715) 536-7313 Strikers Tomahawk Bowl 309 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Tomahawk (715) 453-3245 T.B. Scott Free Library 106 W. First Street, Merrill (715) 536-7191 Tomahawk City Hall 23 N. 2nd Street, Tomahawk (715) 453-4040 Tomahawk Public Library 300 W. Lincoln Avenue, Tomahawk (715) 453-2455 Tomahawk Senior Center 113 S. Tomahawk Avenue, Tomahawk (715) 453-5757 Wal-Mart 505 S. Pine Ridge Avenue, Merrill (715) 536-2414

Published on 06/09/2026 under News A dip in the lake can be refreshing on a hot summer day. Up in Oneida County the Health Department is making sure some popular swimming spots are safe. The Oneida County Health Department will be conducting weekly water quality testing at popular swimming areas during the summer months. This includes Buck Lake and Boom Lake Beaches in Rhinelander, Torpy Park in Minocqua, Sugar Camp Lake in Sugar Camp, and Maple Lake Beach in Three Lakes. The goal is to help families and beach-goers make informed choices by identifying when E. coli bacteria levels become temporarily elevated, which can lead to illness. Staff will also monitor the beaches for general cleanliness and blue-green algae blooms. To inform the public, they'll use a stoplight color system: green-go ahead; yellow-caution; red-stay out. Samples will typically be collected on Mondays and Tuesdays, which allows time for a follow-up test if bacteria levels come back high. Weekly results will be posted on the Oneida County Health Department's website and Facebook page, and updated signs will be placed directly at the beaches. Testing begins this week.

Published on 06/09/2026 under News Several animals were killed and a barn was completely destroyed following a fire in Lincoln County early Monday morning. According to the Pine River Fire Department, crews were dispatched to a farm on Highway 64 just before 6:00 a.m. for a report of a barn fully engulfed in flames. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire showing from all sides of the structure, and the roof had already collapsed. While crews brought the blaze under control within 15 minutes, they remained on the scene for another two hours to extinguish hot spots and conduct overhaul operations. The property owner told investigators that the barn housed small animals, including rabbits, turkeys, and chickens. While some chickens managed to escape, officials confirmed that most of the animals inside were lost to the fire. Due to the extensive damage, investigators were unable to determine an exact cause. However, the property owner reported that a heat lamp had been in use the night before the fire broke out.

Published on 06/09/2026 under News As fundraising efforts continue for Tomahawk's planned downtown historical marker, supporters will have a unique opportunity to mix local history with a few ghost stories. Tomahawk Main Street and the Tomahawk Area Historical Society are hosting their "Let's Get Spooky" fundraiser at Bootleggers Lodge. This is the second of three planned events designed to fund the downtown historical marker and an additional educational signage project. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz said this event builds on the success of the organizations' recent Ghost Walk, which explored paranormal tales connected to downtown buildings. This time, the event heads north to the popular Lake Nokomis restaurant, where presenters will discuss the history of the building, the business, and the region's bootlegging past. Adding to the evening's theme, members of the Wausau Paranormal Research Society will be on hand to discuss reported hauntings and unexplained activity at the establishment. Turkiewicz says, "A lot of folks talk about the hauntings and the things that take place at Bootleggers...We're going to see if we can maybe capture some of those moments." In addition to the local history and paranormal investigations, attendees can enjoy moonshine-themed refreshments, snacks, tarot card readings, and souvenir photos provided by Vicky's Photoshop. The ultimate goal of the partnership between Tomahawk Main Street and the Historical Society is to install a permanent historical marker in the downtown boulevard near the intersection of Wisconsin and Tomahawk Avenues, alongside educational signage highlighting some of the district's history. You can find full details for tonight's event listed in the WJJQ Community Calendar.

Published on 06/09/2026 under News Another successful spring turkey season highlights the impressive, long-term comeback of the wild turkey in Wisconsin. According to harvest data released by the Department of Natural Resources this week, hunters registered approximately 48,000 turkeys during the recently completed spring season. That total is roughly 8.6% above the five-year average. This spring also marked 50 years since wild turkeys were successfully reintroduced to Wisconsin, which led to the first hunt seven years later. Today, the DNR says the state's turkey populations remain highly stable, and the birds can be found in all 72 counties. DNR gamebird biologist Taylor Finger called the reintroduction of wild turkeys a remarkable success. He noted that recent mild winters, above-average nesting and brood rearing have led to a healthy turkey population with trends indicating stable-to-increasing numbers across most of the state." Hunter participation also remained steady. Just over 235,000 tags were issued for the spring season, resulting in an approximate 20% success rate for tag holders, slightly lower than last year but in line with the past several seasons. While the spring hunt is by far the most popular, Wisconsin also offers a fall turkey season, though it typically draws fewer participants.

Published on 06/09/2026 under News One person is dead and three others are injured following a two-vehicle crash in Price County over the weekend. According to the Price County Sheriff's Office, dispatchers received several 911 calls just before 1:00 p.m. Sunday reporting a collision at the intersection of Highway 111 and County Highway J in the Town of Harmony, southwest of Phillips. Deputies say the driver of a van involved in the crash, a 74-year-old Kennan woman, died from her injuries. Her name has not yet been released. The three occupants of the second vehicle, an SUV, were transported from the scene with serious injuries. There is no current update on their conditions. No further details regarding the cause of the crash have been released, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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.

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