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Tomahawk School District Encourages Family Participation in Annual Survey Published on 04/15/2024 under News

The Tomahawk School District is seeking input from student families by way of an annual survey.

District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry covered the topic during his monthly visit to WJJQ this past week. The spring questionnaire is distributed to students, staff members, and families of students in the district.

The district works with the specialized firm 'School Perceptions' to offer the questions and collect and present the data. That information is then used by the district to help guide strategic planning and other decisions for the district.

A similar survey went out last spring. Quesinberry noted they received a good data set from both staff and students, but wanted to see the family participation increase. Last year, it was about 20% participation, this year they are hoping to reach the 50% mark.

Quesinberry says the survey will take about 5-10 minutes to complete and those few minutes provide valuable information to the district. It should have been delivered to families this past week via email. The survey period runs through April 22.

In Other News

Nokomis Considering Paramedic Living Area at Fire Station; Public Info Meeting Thursday

Published on 09/09/2026 under News The Town of Nokomis is considering expanding its fire station to provide living quarters for the 24/7 ambulance crew housed at the facility. Coming up on Thursday, they'll be hosting another public information meeting. Earlier this week, we had Firefighter Russ Berg and Town Supervisor Bette Stillman on the Morning Conversation to provide some background and status. Built in 2002, the Nokomis Fire Station expanded to include EMS services in 2009. In recent years, paramedic shift rotations shifted from 12-hour to 24-hour schedules. Currently, the Medic 4 crew relies on cots or air mattresses in a non-code-compliant area. Due to safety regulations, at least one crew member must remain awake at all times under the current setup. To provide suitable accommodations, a town committee recommended building a station addition that would feature dedicated bedrooms, office space, and a shared living area. While the 24/7 staffing model has successfully reduced local ambulance response times, some residents have voiced concerns regarding the project's overall cost. If approved, the town plans to offset expenses by pursuing USDA Rural Development loans, grants, and community fundraising. Thursday's session marks the town's second public information meeting following an initial gathering last month. The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Nokomis Fire Station and will feature a formal presentation followed by a Q&A segment for residents. No official decisions or votes will take place during the meeting. And we've got that conversation with Russ and Bette posted in the WJJQ Audio Center.

Published on 09/09/2026 under News Science education is getting a competitive boost in Tomahawk. On Tuesday, the Tomahawk School Board voted unanimously to approve a new high school Science Olympiad Club, opening up fresh hands-on opportunities for local STEM students. The initiative was introduced by Heather Goldberg, an Alternative Education teacher new to the district who previously built a successful Science Olympiad program at Lakeland Union High School. Goldberg pitched the program as a "track meet for academics," where students compete across 23 distinct events. Competitions fall into three main categories: written academic tests, hands-on lab experiments, and engineering design challenges. Past building events have tasked students with constructing efficient balsa wood towers engineered for load-bearing tests or crafting rubber-band-powered flight devices. Students will prepare using weekly resource periods, independent study groups, and after-school practice sessions. Beyond the academic challenge, Goldberg emphasized that the club gives non-traditional student-athletes a place to belong, build teamwork skills, and explore potential career paths. Startup costs for the district are minimal, with additional expenses to be covered through local grants and student fundraisers. Following Goldberg's presentation, the board gave the official green light for team formation and recruitment to begin.

Published on 09/09/2026 under News September marks National Suicide Prevention Month; a dedicated effort to raise awareness, end stigmas, and connect individuals with life-saving resources if needed. On September 8, local mental health organizations joined national voices to highlight the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides free, confidential support 24/7 by calling or texting 988. This year's national campaign theme, "988 Reasons: Your reason is reason enough," delivers a powerful message: you do not need to reach a breaking point to ask for help. Whether navigating severe emotional distress, substance use challenges, grief, anxiety, or general life stressors, compassionate support is readily available. Since transitioning from its original ten-digit hotline to the streamlined, three-digit 988 code, the lifeline has expanded rapidly, successfully answering millions of calls, texts, and online chats nationwide. Throughout the remainder of September, local advocacy groups will continue sharing educational resources and hosting events to promote these critical services. Together, these efforts ensure that everyone in the community knows help is always just three digits away.

Published on 09/09/2026 under News As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, so does the demand for a reliable charging network. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) recently announced a new round of grant funding to construct fast-charging stations across the state, including several key locations in the Northwoods. The funding is provided through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. According to WisDOT, the new fast-charging stations will help ensure residents and tourists alike have dependable infrastructure to travel seamlessly throughout Wisconsin. In total, 42 locations will share $25 million in funding. Northwoods additions include new stations in Eagle River and Wausau, which will be housed at Days Inn locations off Highway 45 and Highway 51/I-39, respectively. These build upon grants awarded last year for charging infrastructure in Arbor Vitae, Prentice, and Merrill. The stations are positioned along Wisconsin's designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, typically partnering with gas stations, restaurants, or lodging to support more than 43,000 registered Wisconsin EVs alongside out-of-state travelers. A complete map of all existing and planned charging locations is available on WisDOT's interactive EV dashboard online.

Published on 09/09/2026 under News With the calendar now turned to September, fall hunting openers are fast approaching. Today marks the official start of Wisconsin's black bear season. According to a preview from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the state is home to roughly 24,000 black bears. While populations remain most concentrated in forested northern regions, bears have continually expanded their range southward in recent years. Last year, hunters registered approximately 3,700 bears. That's a drop from a highly productive 2024 harvest, but right on par with the state's five-year average. Demand for licenses remains high. This year, more than 34,000 applicants vied for one of the 15,245 available bear licenses, while another 106,000 people opted to purchase a preference point to boost their drawing odds in future lotteries. DNR officials remind hunters to verify their specific management zone and review all applicable regulations prior to heading into the field, as rules vary by region and date regarding the use of hunting aids like bait and dogs. Under Wisconsin's current management plan, the state is split into six zones. Three Zones, A, B, and C, intersect right here in Lincoln County.

Published on 09/09/2026 under News Tiny mushrooms, a patient angler, a dock extending into the morning fog, and a deer appearing to walk on water were among the top winning subjects in a local photography competition. Each summer, the Friends of Council Grounds State Park hosts its annual amateur photo contest, inviting submissions from park visitors near and far. After drawing more than 30 initial entries, organizers narrowed down the field, and community members cast nearly 1,300 ballots in the final round of public voting. Lydia Lehnertz of Eau Claire won the plants category with a detailed shot of green elf cup fungi growing on a log, while Allison Heckendorf of Merrill took top honors in the "People Using the Park" category with a portrait of a angler at work. Melissa Tremaine won the landscape division with her scenic submission titled "Foggy Morn," and Daniel Hinz claimed first in wildlife with a photo capturing a deer wading through a shallow section of the river. The Friends group expressed its appreciation to everyone who entered and supported this year's contest. Organizers encourage future park visitors to keep their cameras ready during upcoming trips to capture moments for next year's competition. The finalist photos are available for viewing on the official Friends of Council Grounds Facebook page.

Published on 09/08/2026 under Sports Tomahawk Volleyball Drops in Five to Rhinelander Tomahawk's volleyball squad would lose a heartbreaker in their home opener at the Hatchet House Tuesday night, dropping to Great Northern Conference foe Rhinelander, 25-17, 23-25, 21-25, 25-17, 15-12. The Hatchets would bounce back from losing game one and from trailing set four by 20 points. However, the Hodag hitting came up clutch in Game 5, holding off a furious Hatchet killing attack. Sophomore Lauren Riebe thrived in the match, notching a career-high 16 kills. Freshman setter Lexi Palmer would notch 19 out of 27 Tomahawk assists. The two teams combined for 64 kills, 60 assists, and 38 aces in the match. The loss drops Tomahawk to 2-10 on the season and 0-2 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the court for an invite Saturday at Waupaca. Tomahawk Cross Country Places in Top 10 at Marshfield The Hatchet Cross Country squads would finish in the top ten in their invite at Marshfield Tuesday afternoon. Tomahawk's girls would place sixth overall out of 14 teams. The Hatchets finished two points behind fifth place Athens and 11 points ahead of Columbus Catholic. The top Hatchet female finisher was Sophomore Charlee Lund, placing 16th with a time of 22:26. Elise Gibeault would place 23rd overall with a time of 22:52. For the Hatchet boys, they would place tenth with 239 points. The Hatchets' top finisher was Sophomore Connor Zorn with a time of 20:03. Luke Morrison placed second on the team with a time of 20:47. The Hatchets's next meet will be the Night Invite in Neenah Friday. Events begin at 7:00 PM. Girls: Phillips – 1st Athens – 5th Mosinee – 10th Medford – 11th Boys: Phillips – 3rd Mosinee – 6th Medford – 7th

Published on 09/08/2026 under News Halloween is still a few weeks away, but a new video short is shining a light on some of Lincoln County's haunted history. As part of an ongoing partnership with Discover Wisconsin, Lincoln County is first location featured in a new series titled "Dare to Discover-Paranormal Wisconsin." Host Andrea Boehlke recently visited the Merrill area to explore three local ghost stories passed down through generations. The segment highlights the chilling tale of Jenny Hill, the spooky history of the former Haunted Sawmill, and the legend of the headless horseman of the Merrill School Forest, Heinrich 'Boomdecker' Becker. During her trip, Boehlke also takes a look at popular seasonal fall activities in the region. Over the years, Lincoln County and Discover Wisconsin have teamed up to spotlight local people, places, and events, including a dog-sledding production that took home a regional Emmy Award last year. The latest episode was released over the weekend on the Discover Wisconsin YouTube channel, and a link is available in the online version of this story.

Published on 09/08/2026 under News September is National Preparedness Month, and the Lincoln County Emergency Management team is encouraging residents take action. This year's theme, "Americans Stand Ready," focuses on ensuring people have the knowledge, plans, supplies, and skills needed to protect themselves and their loved ones when the unexpected strikes. Emergency Management Director Tyler Verhasselt and his team are sharing 21 practical preparedness actions throughout the month, one for every weekday in September. Designed to help residents better understand local risks, prepare their households, and strengthen community resilience, some tasks take just a few minutes, while others may take some long term planning. In week one, the team has encouraged residents to sign up for Lincoln County's newly launched Emergency Alerts system, identify common household hazards, and start open conversations about emergency plans at home. You can follow along with daily updates, tips, and activities on the Lincoln County Emergency Management Facebook page. We'll also have more coverage on preparedness as the month goes on.

Published on 09/08/2026 under News Kids across the Northwoods have returned to campus, and now some older learners are heading back to class as well. Nicolet College is launching its popular Learning in Retirement (LIR) program on Wednesday with a Fall Kickoff and orientation on campus. Proving that learning never retires, the annual program gives adults ages 50 and older the chance to try new hobbies, explore fresh topics, and make new friends. Described as "learning for the pure pleasure of learning," there are no grades, tests, or required attendance. The program currently boasts a membership of more than 250 active learners. This fall semester features over 30 classes and excursions spanning a wide range of topics, including art, health, food, and nature. A few highlights on the upcoming schedule include a local presentation by "Ed the Diver," a culinary history class on "Foods from the Great Gatsby Era," and an expert-led session on local loon rescues. An annual membership costs $50 and covers LIR classes for both the fall semester and the entire academic year. The course catalog and registration details are available on the Nicolet College website.

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