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Thanksgiving Leading Day for Home Fires Published on 11/28/2024 under News

Today is traditionally one of the busiest days in the kitchen, unfortunately it's also one of the busiest for firefighters. Before those meals are prepared local fire fighters are encouraging safety so everyone can enjoy their holiday feast.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the number one day for home fires, three times the daily average. That's followed by Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. The three upcoming holidays have similar traditions with family gatherings around large meals.

Lorraine Carli with the NFPA says, "Keeping a close eye on what's cooking and minimizing the likelihood of getting distracted can greatly reduce the risk of cooking fires." She says, "As simple as these preventative measures may sound, they truly can help ensure that everyone enjoys a festive, fire-free holiday."

They also offered up a few reminders to remember in the kitchen...

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of these fires, so make sure to keep a close eye on food on the stove, oven, or grill. Take advantage of slow cookers, and smart devices to simplify meal prep.
Try to limit the amount of people and pets in the kitchen to those preparing the meal.
Keep flammable items like hot pads, wooden or plastic utensils and food packaging away from the burners, and pan handles should be turned towards the middle or the back of the stove.
And before you even start, make sure you have a working smoke detector and fire extinguisher.

In Other News

Lights of Northwoods Returns for 8th Season

Published on 12/02/2024 under News With the calendar turned to December, the holiday season is in full swing. That includes an impressive light display in Rhinelander that switched on over the weekend. Entering an 8th season, Lights of the Northwoods continues to grow each year, now featuring more than a quarter million lights and displays along the path through Hodag Park. Over the past few weeks, organizers have been putting the final touches on the festive Christmas light tour which kicked off Sunday. Attendees have two options, a slow drive through the park, or if the weather allows, a walking tour. The organizers also invite revelers to give back to the community and help area non-profits. Last year they collected more than $12,000 and 4,600 pounds of food which were distributed to area food pantries and non-profits. The first few years, the event took place in the week around Christmas. Due to popularity, they now welcome visitors throughout the month of December. While the lights are nightly, organizers have special activities on weekends including bonfires, visits from Santa, and snacks and cold weather refreshments. The full calendar is available on the Lights of the Northwoods website. Like year's past, they'll also wrap up Lights of the Northwoods with a January 1 fireworks display.

Published on 12/02/2024 under News Through a series of nationwide lawsuits with opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, Lincoln County has received around a half million dollars in settlement payments. Now they're looking for some input from the community on how those dollars should be spent. These settlements come with spending restrictions; the funds are earmarked for opioid remediation through prevention, awareness, or treatment. The Lincoln County Board previously created an Opioid Task Force who will develop a spending plan. This past week, the task force launched a community survey to gather information on community perceptions, usage, and barriers to treatment of substance abuse. Erin Ray, opioid Grant Coordinator, explained that community feedback is an important part of the process. She says, "In order to develop a plan to combat the opioid crisis that is specific to our residents, we need to hear from (them) about the challenges facing our county." The survey is part of a larger assessment that will also incorporate listening sessions, interviews, and data analysis. As for the survey, Lincoln County residents can complete it online. We'll include the link. The survey is confidential and takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. The deadline is January 8.

Published on 12/02/2024 under News As the temperatures begin to fall, the Rhinelander Chamber is kicking off a campaign to ensure community members stay warm this winter. The Chamber announced the return of their Big Bundle Up campaign. If the name sounds familiar, the Big Bundle Up used to be a statewide collection effort. While the state program came to an end, the Rhinelander Chamber has kept it active locally. They're inviting residents to drop off new or gently used warm weather gear like coats, hats, mittens, and sweaters. Items donated will be given to Warm for Winter Clothing Pantry which holds twice monthly distribution events. In announcing the new campaign, the Chamber says, "Donating warm winter items is the perfect way to give to local families in need as the holiday giving season approaches." In addition to the Rhinelander Chamber, the Hodag10s and Northland Insurance Agency are also serving as collection sites for the Big Bundle Up. The collection kicks off Monday and will run through December 30.

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Published on 12/02/2024 under News After Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday, today marks the third in a holiday shopping trio...Cyber Monday. The Better Business Bureau is reminding online consumers to shop safe and shop smart. Over the years, more and more consumers have shifted to online shopping for at least a portion of their holiday purchases. The Bureau says a little bit of extra research can held avoid these Grinches and their holiday scams. First make sure your browser and anti-virus software is up-to-date. •Watch for misleading advertisements, lookalike websites, and untrustworthy sellers. •Be wary of unsolicited offers and those that appear 'too good to be true.' •Before clicking 'buy' double check shipping and return policies and read all fine print. •Finally, keep a paper trail and monitor your bank and credit card statements throughout the holiday season.

Published on 12/02/2024 under Sports Tomahawk's hockey team opened the 2024-25 season with a sweep in the Amery Tournament over the weekend. The Hatchets began the year with a 6-3 victory over the host Amery. Half of Tomahawk's goals came on the power play. Austin Lamer, the reigning Piskula Award Winner, had a goal and two assists, as did Brayden Lamer. Tomahawk also got goals from Jett Reilly, Jonah Dickens, and Sawyer Hanna. The Hatchets continued their explosive offense with a 7-4 win over Menomonie Saturday. The trio of Austin Lamer, Jett Reilly, and Brayden Lamer combined for six goals and 12 points, respectively. Tomahawk also outshot Menomonie, 32-18, and scored all seven of their goals in the first two periods. Tomahawk begins the season 2-0. The Hatchets are back in action for their next game, a nonconference road showdown at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln Tuesday. Tomahawk's home opener is Thursday against Waupaca. The home opener will be broadcast on Sports Talk 810 AM/97.7 FM WJJQ with Alex Koch and Zach Garner in the broadcast booth.

Published on 11/29/2024 under News With Thanksgiving now behind us, the Tomahawk Community is wasting little time in transitioning to Christmas. Coming up Saturday, the community is hosting the annual Kick Off to Christmas, the first of several weekends of festive activities in Downtown Tomahawk.The events are organized by a group of volunteers known as Tomahawk Hometown Christmas. They set out a few years ago to revitalize the holiday festivities of yesteryear. Earlier this week, we were joined by three lead organizers Roxanne Consolver, Dalpha Halverson and Michelle Arnott. The theme of this celebration is 'Presents or Presence.' Halverson explained the play on words, both memories of gifts, as well as being in the moment with family or community. Consolver offered a quick rundown of tomorrow's activities including photos with Santa, Christmas story time, and wagon rides. Those events will be based out of the VFW during the afternoon. Action will then shift down town for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the boulevard at the east end of Main Street at 5pm. Halverson noted the tree was donated by the Swanson family in memory of Ken Swanson and Tammy Swanson Lundberg. The upcoming weekend activities are just an appetizer for the companion Hometown Christmas celebration on December 13 which includes the parade, live window displays and caroling. Arnott, owner of Diamond Rock Glass Studio, noted that Hometown Christmas is an event that everyone in the downtown district looks forward to each year. She says she spends time throughout the year planning for her displays. In addition to organizing these activities, the Hometown Christmas group has assisted other groups, fundraisers, and sponsors in many of the new holiday decorations around the community such as the stars on the light poles on Veterans Memorial Bridge. You can visit the Hometown Christmas Facebook page for more information and we've got that conversation in the WJJQ audio center.

Published on 11/29/2024 under News While there are deals aplenty from big box stores on Black Friday, a promotion focused on local businesses is in store for tomorrow. That campaign is known as Shop Small Saturday, which launched back in 2010 encouraging people to check out locally-owned businesses. Earlier this week I spoke with Tomahawk Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz. Here in Tomahawk, businesses combine their shop local campaigns with this weekend's Kickoff to Christmas. Businesses throughout the North 4th and Main Street corridors will offer deals to get Christmas shopping underway. While it is Shop Small Saturday, many local businesses will be open today with Black Friday deals. Turkiewicz notes that shopping local has many benefits. For the shopper it offers more unique and personal selections. But it also keeps money in the community, supporting local business owners who, in turn, often support the community. And the Tomahawk Main Street office is even getting in on the sales this year with a pop-up Shop Small Small's Shop. They'll offer some lower price gift options for little ones so they can Shop Small for their family members. Before making any purchases, Turkiewicz reminds shoppers to pick up a Shop Small Bingo card. They're partnering with the Tomahawk Chamber and dozens of businesses to host the holiday shopping challenge. Cards completed by January 4 will be entered into drawings for prizes.

Published on 11/29/2024 under News There's no shortage of places to get a Christmas tree here in the Northwoods. That includes a number of state forest properties in Northern Wisconsin. The DNR offered up a reminder and a few tips for those looking to seek out and cut their own tree. Teague Prichard, Wisconsin DNR state lands specialist says, "We know people enjoy our northern state forests throughout the year, and the opportunity to find that special holiday tree or bring home some fresh-scented evergreen boughs provides another great reason to visit these properties." The cost for a permit varies by property, but most are $5. People can also harvest some evergreen boughs for wreaths and other decorations with a permit. A popular state forest for finding a Christmas tree is the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest near Minocqua. There are some other rules, harvesting is prohibited within 100 feet or visual distance of roads, trails and waterways, and not allowed at campgrounds or day-use areas. Trees can be cut down in the Brule River, Flambeau River, Governor Earl Peshtigo River, Governor Knowles and Northern Highland-American Legion state forests. Details are available on the DNR website.

Published on 11/29/2024 under News Marshfield Children's Hospital recently introduced a furry new staff member who will help patients during their stay. Earlier this week, the hospital welcomed Dolly, is a specially educated facility dog who will assist her Child Life handler helping pediatric patients cope while at a medical appointment, procedure or during a hospital stay. This animal-assisted therapy can help patients feel more comfortable and less anxious. Different than pet therapy, Dolly and Child Life are following a goal-directed program that helps patients cope, heal and achieve treatment goals. As Child Life works with patients, they will assess if a child's care plan would benefit by assistance from Dolly. Dolly underwent specialized training at Children's Hospital of Atlanta before moving north. She'll be treated like a human employee with her three human handlers. Dolly is going through orientation. She's also required to take breaks and is only allowed to work 40 hours a week. Handler Heidi Giese says, "When Dolly's leash is on, she is working." Marshfield Children's was able to fund Dolly through their Christmas in July program. Marshfield Children's Hospital is one of only two children's hospitals in Wisconsin to have a facility dog.

Published on 11/29/2024 under News Youth in Lincoln County will have access to some additional books dealing with mental health. Earlier this month, the Lincoln County Health Department, with support from the Lincoln County Healthy Minds Coalition, donated a selection of books on mental health to the Merrill and Tomahawk School Districts, along with the Tomahawk Public Library and the TB Scott Free Library. They said the goal is to empower youth by providing them with resources to help them build skills and better manage their mental health. The Health Department also noted that is especially important for youth who may not have access mental health services. The books cover a broad range of topics including social anxiety, OCD, self-esteem and coping, and they are written with youth readers in mind. They were recommended by Dr. Gabriella Hangiandreou, a child/adolescent psychiatrist who is also member of the Healthy Minds group.

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