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Tomahawk 'Kick Off to Christmas' Coming Saturday 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.

In Other News

Lincoln County Zone 1 Snowmobile Trails Opening Thursday

Published on 12/31/2025 under News It's continued good news for snowmobile riders here in the Northwoods, as trail opening announcements continue. The latest includes northern Lincoln County. Over the past few days, the Northwoods has received upwards of a foot of new snow. Local snowmobile clubs have taken advantage, busy preparing these trails to open. This includes not only panning and grooming, but also removing debris and hazards caused by the heavy, wet snow that fell late Sunday. After initially opening the Hiawatha Trail from Tomahawk north on Monday; they'll now open most of Zone 1 on New Year's Day, at 8am Thursday. *There are a few exceptions including corridors 17 and 19; and most water crossings. Lincoln County trails in Zones 2, 3, and 4 will remain closed at this time. The Trails are in early season condition and could be rough and icy in areas. Elsewhere in the Northwoods: Langlade County's Zone A snowmobile trails, along with the segment between intersections 41A and 42B in Zone B will open New Years Day at 6am. Most trails in Price, Iron, Vilas, and Oneida Counties have already been open. As always, stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the riding season for news, updates, and events; as well as our snowmobile trail condition report.

Published on 12/31/2025 under News During a snowstorm, street crews prioritize clearing routes. Among the challenges in the city is where to put the snow initially, until it can be moved. That topic has come up at several Board of Public Works meetings in Tomahawk recently, including Tuesday. The conversation has largely centered on the side streets off of Wisconsin Avenue, specifically the south block of 2nd Street. Traditionally, the snow is first pushed to the center of the road until it can be transported elsewhere. Unlike many other side streets, that block on 2nd has angled parking on the east side of the street. When the parking spots are occupied with larger vehicles, and the center-aisle snow piles it it leaves little space for traffic. Several business owners attended a previous meeting to request an alternative, and the Board experimented with pushing the snow to the opposite side of the street. But after trying this method during the first few snow events, they learned the change resulted in blocking the handicap accessible parking. While the plowed snow typically only stays for a day or two, this was a concern for the Board and those who use the stall. As a result, the Board at their meeting decided to revert back to the center-lane snow. The hope to invite business-owners and residents in that area to a future meeting to brainstorm alternative options. Tomahawk Reminding Residents of Winter Parking Rules: Speaking of parking and snow during the winter months, the Board of Public Works also wanted to remind residents and visitors about the city's winter parking rules. That means no parking on city streets between 2:30am and 5am. While the goal is to allow room for plows to operate, the rules apply whether there is snow falling or not. A first offense ticket is $25. The rules went into effect December 1 and run through March 15.

Published on 12/31/2025 under News Space heaters can provide quick warmth, but they are also among the leading cause of home fires during the winter months. After responding to a pair of recent fires caused by space heaters, the Wausau Fire Department offered up some tip to ensure they are being used safely. Their two fires were actually sparked in different ways. The first happened when a space heater was placed too close to combustible materials that caught fire. The second happened when the resident plugged into a string of power strips which overloaded the outlet. Many of the fires can be avoided by taking some precautions. Start by keeping the space heater at least 3 feet from any flammable materials like furniture, bedding, and curtains.Space heaters should be plugged directly into the wall outlet. Extension cords and power strips can overheat and melt which can spark.Never leave space heaters unattended.And whether using a space heater or not; all rooms where people sleep should have a working smoke alarm.

Published on 12/31/2025 under News A local temporary housing facility received a belated Christmas gift, with a significant contribution from an area business. On Tuesday, representatives from AirPro Fan & Blower in Rhinelander contributed $10,000 to Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing or NATH Frederick Place. NATH executive Director Abbey Dall Lukowski says, "(AirPro's) continuous generosity in monetary support has been consistent, moreover, their commitment to ensuring our community is well cared for on all levels, is ever appreciated." In addition to dropping off the check, Dall-Lukowski says that Rob Randolph and Jason Giese also showed community commitment by taking time to learn about Frederick Place's program for unhoused neighbors. Dall-Lukowski says, "Serving our homeless neighbors is not always easy, but when we have our Northwoods' partners and communities behind us, the path is made clearer and more easily traveled." Photo: Frederick Place House Staff, Ashlynn Klabunde & Abbey Lukowski with AirPro representatives, Rod Randolph & Jason Giese who recently shared a financial gift at Frederick Place.

Published on 12/31/2025 under News Bingo at SARA Park in Tomahawk is a summer tradition. But for one night only, they'll be back for a special holiday session. Last year, the volunteers from WaWui decided to ring in the New Year with a special winter bingo game. Based on the success, they decided to bring it back for a second year. While some of their players have fled south for the season, they wanted to provide a fun way for folks that have stuck around to celebrate the new year. The games won't last until the clock strikes midnight. It will actually be their normal summer schedule with doors opening at 5:30, cards on sale at 6pm, and games begin at 7pm. They may also have some feature New Year's-themed surprises. As always proceed from WaWui bingo are used to support the SARA Park facility.

Published on 12/31/2025 under News Those looking to ring in the New Year are reminded to do so safely by not driving while impaired. As we've previously covered, the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is continuing across Wisconsin through the New Year's holiday. The campaign if focused on sober driving during the holiday season including both Christmas and New Years. DoT statistics show that last holiday season, considered the last two weeks of December, there were nearly 400 crashes around the state involving impaired drivers. Many people will enjoy a drink to celebrate this evening, but law enforcement partners are reminding revelers to have a plan. They note that impairment can cloud judgment. That's why they say it is important to designate a sober driver prior to heading out. Ask establishments about ride share or safe ride programs. And If you're hosting a gathering this evening, plan how your guests will get home safely. The Drive Sober campaign is a combination of increased enforcement along with education.

Published on 12/30/2025 under News Update: The Lincoln County Forestry, Land, and Parks Department announced that the Lincoln County Snowmobile trails in Zone 1 will open as of Thursday, January 1. Exceptions include: Corridor 17 south of the Cty S/Hwy 51 Park and Ride at intersection #30 and Corridor 19 from Cty E north to Hwy 86. The Hiawatha Trail is already open. Trails in Zones 2, 3, and 4 will remain closed at this time._____ Winter weather over the weekend was a welcome sight for snowmobilers across the Northwoods. Not only did it refresh the snow conditions on area trails, but also allowed some additional segments to open. The Lincoln County Forestry, Land and Parks Department announced the opening the Hiawatha Trail effective as of Monday afternoon. The Hiawatha allows a corridor for Lincoln County riders to travel north and access the trails in Oneida County, which were previously opened. Local clubs are also continuing their efforts to inspect and prepare the remainder of the trail system. That includes removing debris and hazards from the weekend snow. As of Tuesday morning, all other trails in Lincoln County do remain closed. Riders should stay off of trails until they are officially opened. For trails to our north, Oneida County and Vilas County are reporting much improved trails thanks to the additional snow. Riders are encouraged to use a little extra caution as the heavy snow may leave sagging branches. Stay tuned to WJJQ in the coming days for any additional trail openings. Again, as of Monday afternoon, the Hiawatha Trail in Lincoln County is now open.

Published on 12/30/2025 under News Snowmobile clubs in Vilas County are hoping to make it a little safer for riders crossing lakes at night. The Vilas County Snowmobile Alliance recently announced plans to place flashing beacon lights on the shorelines of some lake access points. The beacons, along with the traditional lake markers, will let riders know where it is safest to cross lakes and where the shorelines and trail exits are. The beacons were purchased with safety funds. The goal is to improve visibility and awareness, particularly when riding at night. The lights will have a two nautical mile visibility range. They will flash in a sequence of red, white, and green. In addition to the new beacon lights, the Alliance also invested in night, speed limit signs, reminding riders of that 55 mile per hour speed limit during darkness. The law was put in place to keep snowmobiles from outrunning their headlights. The Vilas County Snowmobile Alliance is made up of the eleven member clubs located in Vilas County.

Published on 12/30/2025 under News If you're waking up a little sore this morning after clearing snow, you're not alone. But some simple changes can make snow removal an easier task when the next winter storm arrives. According to the National Institutes of Health, snow shoveling results in about 11,500 injuries per year on average. Aspirus occupational therapist Nathaniel Kropidlowski says improper body mechanics, lack of preparation, and poor equipment are leading causes of these aches, strains, and accidents. Kropidlowski explained the importance of warming up before heading out to shovel with some quick shoulder, hip and back stretches. While shoveling he recommends focusing on using the entire body to lift the snow, rather than bending at the back. He says modern ergonomic shovels can improve form and protect your body from the added strain. It's also a good idea to pace yourself and take some breaks. And if you begin to notice pain or discomfort while shoveling, or if it persists in the days after, talk to you provider.

Published on 12/30/2025 under News Winter storms over the weekend left thousands without power...36 hours later restoration work is winding down. Wisconsin Public Service provided an update Monday. The heavy, wet snow Sunday afternoon and evening knocked out power to more than 20,000 customers across northern and northeastern Wisconsin. As of daybreak Tuesday, they were addressing a small number of isolated outages in the Northwoods, fewer than two dozen between Vilas and Oneida Counties. They also have some work to do in the Marinette area with a few hundred outages. Rhinelander had 7 inches, Boulder Junction 14. And over in Iron County, Hurley had 18 inches; Gile 21. We also had some strong winds at times, with a 40 mile per hour gust recorded at the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport.

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