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Spring General Elections Across Wisconsin Published on 04/02/2024 under News

It's Election Day across the state of Wisconsin.

The ballot will be different depending on your voting location, but all voters will find the presidential primary along with two statewide referendum questions related to elections. In addition to the statewide options, there are a number of local races like school board, town board, city council, mayor and county board.

Over the past few weeks we've previewed several ballot items across the Northwoods.

Here in the City of Tomahawk specifically, there isn't much of a preview. All three incumbents to the City Council, Ed Nystrom, Will Garske, and Mike Loka, are running unopposed. Likewise, Mayor Steve Taskay won't face an opponent as he seeks a 5th two-year term. For the Tomahawk School Board, two candidates, Shar Kirsch and Deb Velleux, are running for three seats, leaving the third to a write-in for a seat representing the city of Tomahawk.

Elsewhere in the area, voters within the school districts of Merrill, Rhinelander, Rib Lake, Prentice, and North Lakeland will decide on additional funding via school referendum. In Forest County, voters will consider a less common county referendum to exceed levy limits. Of 22 Lincoln County Board seats, eleven feature competitive races. Oneida County voters will select a new circuit court judge.

Voters can visit myvote.wi.gov and enter their address to preview their specific ballot.

In Other News

Northwoods Six County Lake Meeting to Focus on Keeping Area Waterways Healthy

Published on 07/16/2026 under News While school may be out for the summer, class is in session for water conservation. Each summer, stakeholders from across the region gather for the Northwoods Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting. The annual conference brings together environmental experts and community members to discuss local water resources and how to protect them. The six participating counties include Oneida, Vilas, Iron, Forest, Langlade, and Lincoln. Under this year's theme, "What's Your Lake's Report Card?", presenters will focus on the key indicators of lake health. Topics will include water quality, fisheries, aquatic habitat, shoreline stewardship, nighttime light pollution, and wild rice as an ecological health indicator. Organizers emphasize that healthy lakes require ongoing, active stewardship. They hope the meeting will provide practical, actionable information for anyone who lives on, plays on, or simply cares about Northwoods waters. It'll take place tomorrow morning at James Williams Middle School from 8am to 12:30pm. While registration is appreciated, walk-ins are welcome.

Published on 07/16/2026 under News A late-night house fire was narrowly averted in Vilas County thanks to a quick-thinking bystander, and it prompted a timely warning from local firefighters about the proper disposal of smoking materials. According to Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue, a passerby spotted flames on a cedar porch at a home off Highway 51 in Arbor Vitae overnight Tuesday. The alert citizen immediately called 911 and managed to knock down the flames before emergency crews arrived. Firefighters quickly extinguished the remaining hot spots, limiting the damage to the porch structure. The fire department said in a statement, "Although the outcome was positive in terms of an early notification, it could have been much worse, potentially catastrophic given the time of night." Investigators determined the fire was caused by carelessly discarded smoking materials. Officials warn that porches and balconies are among the most common areas for these types of fires, emphasizing that they are completely preventable. First responders are urging everyone to exercise an extra degree of care when disposing of smoking materials to help keep the community safe.

Published on 07/16/2026 under News It's not the kind of topic that grabs headlines every day, but it's one that touches every Wisconsin community. State Representative Calvin Callahan of Tomahawk announced this week that he has been appointed to chair the Legislature's Study Committee on Cemeteries. The committee will review and update Wisconsin's cemetery laws, including policies covering abandoned cemeteries and burials on non-cemetery property. Callahan says cemeteries and burial sites are sacred places that deserve dignity and respect. He says discussions with constituents, stakeholders and legislative attorneys have shown broad agreement that the state's cemetery laws need updating. The study committee will include citizen experts who will help lawmakers develop recommendations for possible changes to state law.

Published on 07/16/2026 under News Art lovers will have plenty to explore this weekend with an exciting local exhibition. The Manito Art League's 61st annual Art Show and Sale kicks off this morning at the Manitowish Waters Community Center. Organizers say this year's event features roughly 200 original pieces of art submitted by 86 regional artists, spanning a wide variety of subjects and mediums. This year's exhibition will be judged by acclaimed watercolor artist and instructor Dale L. Popovich, who brings more than 45 years of professional experience and a longtime connection to Wisconsin's Northwoods. In addition to browsing the gallery, visitors will have the chance to take a piece of Northwoods creativity home. A silent auction will feature original artwork donated by league members, with all proceeds directly supporting the league's Young Artist Scholarship Program. For the upcoming school year, the program awarded $26,000 to local students. The scholarship area stretches as far south as Tomahawk, where two local students received awards. Following the private patron's preview last night, the Art Show is open to the public starting today through Sunday. Admission is free.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News Today is July 15, or 7/15, a date that doubles as a celebration of Wisconsin's scenic Northwoods and the vibrant communities that call the 715 area code home. The Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce is marking 715 Day by highlighting everything that makes the region so special, from its scenic landscapes and rich community traditions to its local businesses and residents. Chamber Director Charis Lau says, "715 Day is about celebrating the pride we have in our community and sharing that pride with others." How to ParticipateThe Chamber offers several easy ways for the community to get involved today: Support Local: Shop, dine, and explore the independent businesses that keep Tomahawk thriving.Show Your Pride: Represent the area by sporting custom 715 Tomahawk merchandise.Share the Love: Highlight your favorite local spots and scenic views on social media.Join the Chamber's 715 Photo Contest by submitting pictures that capture the true spirit of the Tomahawk area.Lau added, "Whether you've called Tomahawk home for decades or you're discovering the Northwoods for the first time, we hope you'll join us in celebrating what makes our corner of the 715 so unforgettable." The Chamber encourages everyone to follow along on social media throughout July as they continue to showcase featured attractions, hidden gems, local stories, and photo contest submissions all month long.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News The Tomahawk community is rallying behind one of their own. David Bethel Jr. was diagnosed with glioblastoma last month. As he undergoes treatment, neighbors and local business owners are stepping up to support his family. To mark Glioblastoma Awareness Day, The Rock Church organized a gray ribbon campaign. The color is traditionally used for brain cancers to represent the brain's "gray matter." Meanwhile, community members are sporting T-shirts that read, "Moving Heaven and Earth to Support Dave"—a nod to his local excavation business. Local businesses, including Boomba Bar and Simply Stitched, are also donating a portion of their sales to the family. As Bethel fights his diagnosis, Tomahawk is making sure he and his family don't have to do the heavy lifting alone. Community members are encouraged to purchase campaign T-shirts, patronize participating shops, or display a gray ribbon to show their solidarity.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News As the hot and humid stretch continues, another weather concern is moving into the Northwoods. Residents looking toward the sky today may notice a familiar summer haze. Smoke from wildfires burning in northern Minnesota and Ontario is expected to drift into Wisconsin, creating hazy skies and, at times, a noticeable smoky smell. In recent years, wildfire smoke has become an increasingly common and unwelcome summertime visitor across the state. An Air Quality Advisory remains in effect until noon Thursday. The greatest concern is for sensitive groups, including young children, older adults, and people with asthma or other respiratory conditions. These individuals are encouraged to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. For everyone else, the main impacts will likely be hazy conditions and a smokey smell. The Wisconsin DNR offers an air quality map on its website for those who want to track conditions.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News After some country last week, Tomahawk's Music on the River is tuning its dial to the blues. This evening, the community will welcome back Johnny and the MoTones. The Central Wisconsin-based band has been delivering their signature mix of blues, R&B, and soul for more than two decades. No stranger to the local stage, the band has been a regular performer at Music on the River over the years. They have released a number of albums, including one with a title that will sound very familiar to the Northwoods: Highway 51. Tonight's performance marks the midway point of the nineteenth season's seven-concert run. The weather forecast is looking promising, after several straight rainy Wednesdays have impacted the Music on the River schedule. Johnny and the MoTones will take the stage at 6:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park pavilion.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News Authorities in Eagle River are investigating a suspected drug overdose death after an early morning call Tuesday. Police were dispatched to a city residence just after 2:15 a.m. for an unresponsive person. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim's identity is being withheld pending notification of family, and the official cause of death will be determined after an autopsy and toxicology testing. Police say there is no threat to the public as investigators work to determine the source of the suspected drugs involved. They also remind residents that naloxone, or Narcan, is available at the Eagle River Police Department and can save lives in an overdose emergency.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News While summer road construction season is in full swing, planning for future projects is ongoing. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is hosting a public involvement meeting this evening (July 15) to gather community feedback on a proposed upgrade to a stretch of WIS 70 in Oneida County. The proposed project spans WIS 70 from County F to Morgan Road, just outside of Minocqua. According to WisDOT, the primary goals of the project are to mill and pave the existing asphalt roadway and to replace the aging box culvert at the Tomahawk River, located just east of Kenwood Terrace, with a brand-new bridge structure. Local residents, business owners, and commuters are encouraged to attend the meeting to review preliminary plans, ask questions, and share their input. The meeting will be held at Minocqua Center Board Room. They are planning a brief presentation at 5pm followed by an open house.

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