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Four Merrill School Board Candidates for Three Seats Published on 01/09/2025 under News

The Merrill School district confirmed the candidates that submitted nomination papers for their school board ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

There are four candidates running for three at-large seats on the board. That includes incumbents Jacqueline Gremler, Paul Proulx, and Jon Smith, along with challenger Brady Loos.

That race will appear on the April Ballot.

In Other News

Community Donors Fund Emergency Boiler Replacement at Rhinelander's Frederick Place Shelter

Published on 10/15/2026 under News An emergency fundraising effort to keep Rhinelander's temporary housing shelter heated has reached its goal in less than a day thanks to community generosity. When the commercial boiler at Frederick Place failed Tuesday evening, staff were left scrambling to heat the building with cooler temperatures quickly approaching. Due to the age of the equipment, replacement parts were unavailable, requiring the non-profit to secure quotes and select a vendor for an immediate system replacement with a $20,000 price tag. Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing which operates the facility put a call out for public help via social media Tuesday evening. The post was shared hundred of times and within 22 hours three anonymous donors fully funded their target. According to NATH, contracts for the new boiler are currently under review, and installation is scheduled to begin shortly. Shelter operators anticipate only a minor disruption of a day or two during the installation, ensuring heat remains restored for residents ahead of the fall and winter season.

Published on 10/15/2026 under News State officials have taken a major step toward closing the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth facilities in Lincoln County. Governor Tony Evers and Department of Corrections (DOC) leadership recently celebrated the opening of the new Southeast Regional Care Center for Youth in Milwaukee. The 32-bed facility is designed to move young offenders out of Northern Wisconsin and closer to their families and support systems in the southern part of the state. Youth inmates are expected to begin arriving at the new center next month. DOC Secretary Jared Hoy noted, "The design supports what we now know about adolescent development, and the programming offered here will follow suit, with staff using evidence-based techniques to help youth make better choices and support rehabilitation." Designed around both education and treatment, the facility features a school with a music studio, welding and woodworking workshops, a health services unit, and a psychological services unit. The center is also partly powered by a rooftop solar array. The opening marks the first phase of a long-standing state plan to phase out juvenile operations at the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake campus campus by spring of 2029. Once additional regional centers, including one currently under construction in Dane County, are operational, the state plans to convert the 500-bed campus in Irma into an adult male correctional facility.

Published on 10/15/2026 under News It's not Halloween yet, but Christmas light displays are being readied in Rhinelander. Volunteers are officially kicking off preparations for the annual Lights of the Northwoods display at Hodag Park, as they look to celebrate their tenth season this December. With more than a quarter million lights, turning the park along Boom Lake into a winter wonderland takes plenty of hard work. Organizers are asking community members to lend a hand with less than 50 days until opening night. Each Saturday in October and November, the build teams will be working and volunteers of all skill levels are welcome to help string lights, move equipment, and set up displays. Those interested can meet at the Little League building, with two work shifts at 9:00 a.m. and noon. Beyond creating a local holiday tradition, the Lights of the Northwoods gives back with collections of non-perishable food and monetary donations to stock not only the Rhinelander Food Pantry, but neighboring communities as well. And for those marking their calendars, the December 1 kickoff is just 47 days away.

Published on 10/15/2026 under News WaWui Bingo in Tomahawk closed out its regular season with a major jackpot winner. More than 130 players attended the final session of the year, with their eyes on a growing prize. Without a progressive jackpot winner since July, the top prize had climbed to an impressive $5,263. By the 58th number called, frequent player Michelle Quade filled her entire card to claim the grand prize. The payout marked the end of a successful season for WaWui Bingo. Over the course of the year, the progressive game alone awarded three jackpots totaling more than $14,000 in payouts. Proceeds from WaWui Bingo directly support operations and facility improvements at SARA Park in Tomahawk. The progressive jackpot will reset when regular play resumes next May, though organizers note that special winter sessions are occasionally scheduled throughout the off-season.

Published on 10/15/2026 under News Some lucky people across the Northwoods were greeted with the power of flowers on Wednesday. While it was a gloomy day across the region, Trig's floral staffers spent the morning and afternoon brightening things up by handing out free flowers to strangers throughout the community. The local grocer brought back its annual "Petal It Forward" campaign through its floral department. Associates hit the streets throughout the day, handing two bouquets to unsuspecting recipients—one to keep and a second to "petal forward" to someone else, whether a friend, family member, co-worker, or stranger. The local effort is part of a nationwide initiative created by the Society of American Florists to reduce stress and spread joy. This marks the tenth year Trig's has participated in the program.

Published on 10/15/2026 under News Aspirus Health is opening a new clinic on its Wausau campus aimed at giving high-risk babies a healthy start after they leave the hospital. Located on Plaza Drive, the Aspirus Neonatal Clinic provides specialized follow-up care for infants up to two to three years old following a NICU stay or if a pediatrician notices developmental delays. Premature and sick newborns are at a higher risk for delays in speech, motor skills, and overall growth. To help catch and treat these issues early, the clinic brings together neo-natologists alongside physical, speech, and occupational therapists to monitor babies during key milestones over their first two years. Doctors at the clinic say getting care to these infants during their first two years makes a world of difference, taking advantage of rapid brain growth to set local children up for the best possible long-term outcomes. The new neonatal clinic is located on the Aspirus Wausau campus on Plaza Drive.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News As demand for quality childcare continues to outpace availability across the Northwoods, local leaders are moving from identifying the problem to building long-term solutions. Tonight in Merrill, community members, employers, and policymakers are gathering for the Northwoods Forum on Child Care. Hosted by Dream Up! Lincoln County at the Lincoln County Service Center, the panel discussion will feature elected leaders, alongside regional childcare provider advocates and workforce development directors. Moderated by Lincoln County Economic Development Director Sara Guild and Child Care Coalition President Elsa Duranceau, the discussion focuses on connecting childcare availability directly to economic growth. Panelists will highlight provider workforce retention and how childcare access dictates whether parents can stay in the local workforce. Organizers emphasize that tackling the region's childcare shortage requires collaboration between businesses, local families, and state government. The goal of tonight's conversation is to work towards sustainable childcare solutions in Northern Wisconsin.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News Community leaders gathered in Merrill on Tuesday to celebrate the completion of the latest segment of a popular local trail system. Representatives from the City of Merrill and the Friends of the River Bend Trail held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new paved section connecting the River Bend Trail directly to Council Grounds. Its completion marks the end of a multi-year effort, creating a continuous five-mile paved path stretching from the state park property on the city's west side all the way to the shopping district on the east side. The new extension delivers dual benefits: providing a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists off busy roads, while serving as an attractive draw for outdoor enthusiasts with a long segment running right along the river. Tuesday's ceremony also serves as a preview for another upcoming community celebration on the path. The first annual "Boo on the Trail" Halloween-themed event is scheduled for Friday, October 23.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News Each spring, the public follows the peregrine falcons hatched at WPS and We Energies Power Plants, but once they leave the nest, their story typically ends. For the first time, researchers outfitted falcon chicks hatched at WPS and WE energies facilities this spring with tiny, cutting-edge GPS transmitters. Three working transmitters show birds logging thousands of miles—including stops in Michigan, Illinois, and even Ontario, Canada. The chicks hatched at the Power Plant near Wausau provided a different lesson. While their location tags stopped transmitting shortly after their initial flights in early July, researchers said that hiccups are expected with new technology. Greg Septon, peregrine falcon manager. "The data we have been able to collect is nothing short of incredible, and we are working with the vendor to make improvements to the transmitters for the falcon chicks born next year." Researchers say the goal is to refine these transmitters so they can better understand where young falcons spend their early years. As for the falcons that do not have working transmitters, there is always a chance that they will be spotted in the wild or even photographed by birders.

Published on 10/14/2026 under News Students in the Northwoods are fortunate to live and learn surrounded by nature, and they'll once again have the chance to showcase both their knowledge and creativity. The Lincoln County Conservation Program has announced the return of its annual Conservation Contests. This year's event features both a poster category and a speech category, which replaces the previous essay contest. Each edition features a specific theme, and this year students will take inspiration from the region's many waterways with the topic: "From Source to Sea: Every Drop Has a Journey." The competition offers students a hands-on way to expand their environmental awareness while providing teachers with an engaging topic to incorporate into classroom lessons. The contest is open to all public, private, and home-schooled students in Lincoln County. Participants will be judged within their respective grade levels, with local winners advancing to regional, state, and national levels of competition. Lincoln County Conservation has additional details on their website.

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