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Sen. Felzkowski Praises Joint Finance Actions on Dental Health Access Published on 05/08/2024 under News

The state's Joint Finance Committee approved a plan aimed at expanding the state's oral healthcare workforce and includes an investment at Northcentral Technical College.

In the most recent legislative session, State Senator Mary Felzkowski of Tomahawk, authored a package of bills to address rural dental health access. She says, "For some reason, in public policy discussions, we still undervalue the fact that oral healthcare is healthcare. A child with a toothache can't focus in school, and an adult with debilitating oral pain can't function healthily in their daily life."

Yesterday's action by the JFC continued those efforts, releasing $20 million to the Wisconsin Technical College System for dental pathways. NTC in Wausau will receive $2 million which will help establish an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary program and a Dental Therapy program.

Felzkowski worked with NTC to establish dental therapy in Wisconsin. Dental therapists, as proposed, would serve under the supervision of a dentist to cover limited dental work such as fillings. She says, " NTC has been an invaluable partner over these last 8 years as we have worked together to bring dental therapy to Wisconsin. I'm tremendously proud that they will now get to lead the way in educating our state's first dental therapists."

She added, "Putting these dollars into the workforce pipeline is the most effective way to target the oral healthcare access crisis in our state."

In Other News

Rhinelander School District Hosting Mexican Folk Artists

Published on 10/20/2025 under News Students in Rhinelander are experiencing an immersive Mexican art opportunity with some special guest instructors. The School District of Rhinelander Community Education Program, ArtStart and the Mexican Folk Art Collective are hosting a group Mexican folk artists as part of the Culture Tap artist residency program, now in its fourth year. Over the next two school days, these guests will be working with the district's elementary students. They'll take part in activities such as making alebrijes, which are brightly decorated clay statues, traditional Mexican dancing, and other games and lessons while sharing culture, language and vocabulary. These activities tie in with a book the students are reading titled Esperanza Rising. In addition to the daytime programs for students at the schools, they'll also host a community fiesta at 6pm at Nacho's Mexican Grill in Rhinelander, where the artists will present traditional folk dancing as well as games and other activities.

Published on 10/20/2025 under News The Community Blood Center is putting out an urgent call for blood donations. The CBC says its inventory recently dropped to just a two-day supply of O-positive and even less of O-negative, well below what is needed to meet anticipated patient needs. That was amplified by an increase in use, with one hospital they serve requiring an additional 16 units on top of regular deliveries. John Hagins, President & CEO, The Community Blood Center says, "While O negative blood is often vital when every second counts because it can be given to any patient in an emergency, all blood types are constantly needed." Hagins noted, "Only 3% of Americans donate blood each year despite 65% being eligible." He says, "By donating, you truly make a lifesaving impact in your community."

Published on 10/20/2025 under News A campground and expanded parking are among the proposed improvements at the Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area. The DNR is currently accepting public feedback on a variance to the property's master plan. The proposed variance would authorize expanded parking at the Sandy Landing Lot on Willow Dam Road, the development of a new parking area for carry-in/carry-out access to the Upper Tomahawk River on Cedar Falls Road and the establishment of a campground host site. Located in west central Oneida County, the Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area is a large reservoir with over 70 miles of shoreline, many islands, numerous boat landings and rustic camping opportunities. The public can review the draft variance by visiting the DNR's webpage. People can submit comments through Friday, Nov. 14, 2025

Published on 10/20/2025 under News With Halloween right around the corner, a Rhinelander student organization is bringing back an annual community service project to help restock the local food pantry. That annual effort is known as "Trick or Can," a spin on the traditional Halloween trick or treating. Rather than search for candy, these students are after non-perishable food items. Trick-or-Can is run by the school's FBLA/DECA student organization. Other schools conduct similar collections in their respective communities. Over the weekend, the Rhinelander students began distributing collection bags to various neighborhoods in the community. Then next week Sunday, on October 26th, they'll be hitting those same streets again, picking up the bags. The goal is to bring the food drive to the people, rather than people having to bring food to a central location. During last year's Trick or Can, the students collected more than 550 food items which went to the Rhinelander Food Pantry.

Published on 10/20/2025 under News A fire destroyed a building at a local downhill ski destination. Crews were called to the Camp 10 ski area near Rhinelander Friday morning. The initial report indicated a t-bar lift building had caught fire after being struck by lightning. Initially staff worked to contain the fire, with firefighters taking over upon arrival. Fortunately they were able to keep the fire from spreading further, but this building and equipment is a total loss. While that will likely impact the runs served by this lift, the rest of the property was spared including recent investments such as their snow making system. In a social media post Camp 10 said, "This is of course a major disappointment to all of us but fortunately no one was hurt and as far as can be initially determined the rest of the ski area was not affected."

Published on 10/20/2025 under News A horse in north-central Wisconsin has tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis. The Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection confirmed a five month old colt in Marathon County tested positive for the mosquito-born illness. The DATCP says Triple E is fatal in most horses showing signs of illness. According to the announcement, this is actually the first case of EEE reported in a horse in Wisconsin this year. In 2024, there were ten confirmed cases including 2 in Marathon County and 6 in Taylor County. The virus is spread by mosquito bite. The health department notes the local positive test confirms there are mosquitoes actively carrying the virus in the area. As a result, they encourage people take steps to minimize mosquitoes and breeding locations.

Published on 10/20/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's Cross Country squads competed in the Great Northern Conference meet in Rhinelander Saturday. The Hatchet girls placed second overall, ten points behind Conference champion Medford. Charlee Lund was the highest-placed Hatchet, finishing third with a time of 20:22. Abbie Rosenmeier and Lydia Shaney each finished in the Top Ten. The Hatchet boys placed fourth overall in the Conference meet. The Hatchets' top finisher was Caiden Reichelt, placing eighth with a time of 18:26. The Other Hatchet to finish in the Top 25 was Joe Zastrow. The Regular Season is officially wrapped up for Cross Country. The WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet is Friday in Merrill.

Published on 10/20/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's football squad wrapped up the 2025 regular season with a come-from-behind victory over Great Northern Conference rival Lakeland at Incredible Bank Field in Minocqua Friday night, 28-13. The Hatchets overcame two first-half turnovers and 12 total penalties to defeat the T-Birds for the third time in the last four tries. The Hatchets ran for a season-high 323 yards on 63 carries. Tiegan Sarazin rushed for a career-high 124 yards and three touchdowns, all coming in the second half. Tomahawk also got 99 rushing yards from Jett Reilly and 95 yards rushing from Max Larson. The Hatchets forced three Lakeland turnovers, including a scoop and score from Jonah Dickens in the first half. The win gives Tomahawk a record of 8-1 and 6-1 in Great Northern Conference play. The eight wins by Tomahawk are the most in a regular season since 1999. The Hatchets also clinch a share of the Great Northern Conference championship with Mosinee, their first conference title since 1989. The Hatchets are the #1 seed in the WIAA Division 5 playoffs and will be playing host to #8 seed Omro in the first round at Hatchet Field. It is also the first time Tomahawk has hosted a playoff game since 2007. Tune in for the broadcast on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ with the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:10 and opening kick at 7:00. Tim Albert and Jon Long will be in the broadcast booth. If Tomahawk wins, it will be their first playoff victory since 2015. The Hatchets would then play either #4 seed New Holstein or #5 seed Spencer/Columbus Catholic.

Published on 10/18/2025 under News The DNR is reminding people traveling on waterways, and recreational trails to remember the Move Over Law, which requires drivers and operators to take actions to avoid any possible collisions with emergency vehicles or workers. Saturday was National Move Over Day. It's a law requiring drivers move out of the lane closest to an emergency vehicle with its warning lights flashing or, if not possible, slow down while passing. The DNR says it's also important to remember the move over law on trails and waterways. Wardens, and other law enforcement partners, patrol a wide variety of terrain, making emergency stops on water with patrol boats and on the trails with ATVs, UTVs and snowmobiles. Jacob Holsclaw, DNR off-highway vehicle administrator says, "Let's work together so everyone – those using the roads and routes and those helping or working on behalf of the public – make it home safely every day."

Published on 10/17/2025 under News Northwoods volunteers packed nearly a quarter of a million meals to address food insecurity during an annual event in Minocqua last weekend. Community partners and hundreds of volunteers gathered at Lakeland High School last Saturday for the 17th annual Food for Kidz. The cafeteria was stocked full of food, not for serving, but packing for those in need. With this year's effort now behind them, organizers took a moment to reflect, thank those who participated, and shared some impressive totals. Working in two 2-hour shifts, they were able to package more than 245,000 meals. That's just below last year's all-time high. It was thanks to the 530 volunteers who filled a double assembly line. This included Northwoods Lion's Clubs, businesses, churches, and those simply looking to give back. The packaged meals are being distributed to a number of local food pantries and after school back pack programs with additional meals going to areas of need both in the United States and developing nations.

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