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Fatal Snowmobile Crash in Forest County Published on 02/04/2025 under News

One person is dead following a snowmobile crash in Forest County over the weekend.

According to the DNR, that crash happened Saturday in the Town of Nashville. The operator was traveling on Crane Lake when he struck the shoreline embankment and some small trees. The 25 year old died as a result of his injuries.

The name of the victim was not immediately released. The report indicates that alcohol may have played a factor.

The crash remains under investigation. This is the fourth fatal snowmobile crash in Wisconsin this year.

In Other News

Lincoln County Board Appoints New Finance Director

Published on 07/23/2026 under News Lincoln County will have a new finance director during one of the busiest times of the year. At its meeting on Tuesday, the Lincoln County Board filled the newly vacated position following the resignation of Heather Marheine, who stepped down after two years in the role. Based on a recommendation from the Finance Committee, the full board unanimously approved Korey Bloch to take over effective August 17. Board Chair Don Friske highlighted that Bloch is from Merrill with financial experience at a large, local business. Friske then introduced Bloch, who was in attendance, who received a brief welcome and round of applause. Bloch's appointment comes as the county works to craft its 2027 budget. The board typically receives a preliminary spending plan in August or September, reviews it in October, and votes on final approval in November.

Published on 07/23/2026 under News While summer schedules are packed with vacations and outdoor fun, the need for blood donations never takes a day off. Today, The Community Blood Center is stopping in Rhinelander as part of its annual "STAT" (Summer Tour for All Types) blood drive. Summer is one of the most challenging times of year for blood collection, as donations drop while hospitals' needs for routine treatments and emergency care remain constant. Organizers emphasize that every donation helps maintain a reliable supply for local patients. The STAT drive is a rebranding of the former MASH-themed blood drives. While the name and look were updated last year, organizers emphasize that the mission remains the same: saving lives. After today's stop in Rhinelander, the STAT tour will move on to Merrill and Wausau in the coming weeks. Donations are being accepted today from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Rhinelander High School Commons Area. Donors will receive snacks and a limited-edition STAT t-shirt that reads, "I Saved Someone's Summer."

Published on 07/23/2026 under News While The Odyssey dominates the box office, independent cinema is taking center stage in Northern Wisconsin as Northcentral Technical College (NTC) and its partners host the Film, Farm, & Culture Fest of Wausau. Kicking off tonight at the Woodson History Center, the annual summer festival brings together audiences and emerging filmmakers. According to NTC faculty member Jila Nikpay, "This year's event will showcase six entertaining and thought-provoking films from around the world." The lineup features both fiction and documentary films exploring the rich relationships between farming, land, and rural life, stretching from the French Pyrenees to the Brazilian Amazon. In conjunction with the festival, NTC has been offering summer workshops for aspiring filmmakers to learn the ins and outs of writing, shooting, and editing short films at Studio 7, NTC's state-of-the-art video production facility. Screenings run Thursday through Saturday this week and next. The full lineup is available on the NTC website.

Published on 07/23/2026 under News The Loop Hole Bar & Grill is warning customers and local residents about unauthorized promotional mailers currently circulating in the community. The mailers advertise an upcoming seminar or promotional event at the restaurant next month hosted by MASA Medical Air Services. However, management clarified that they have not authorized, scheduled, or partnered with the group for any such event and are actively investigating why the business was listed. The restaurant urges anyone who received the flyer to avoid making plans, reservations, or financial commitments. An image of the unauthorized mailer has been posted on The Loop Hole's Facebook page for reference.

Published on 07/22/2026 under News While many insects help our gardens by pollinating flowers, one invasive beetle continues to give Northwoods gardeners plenty of headaches. Japanese beetles have been busy and hungry across Northern Wisconsin in recent weeks. According to UW Extension, the metallic green and copper-colored beetles feed on the leaves of more than 350 plant species. Their feeding leaves behind a distinctive lace-like skeleton of the leaf, weakening plants and making them more susceptible to disease and other stresses. Homeowners have several options to help protect their plants each with advantages and disadvantages. The simplest is through frequent plant checks, knocking the beetles into a bucket of soapy water. Commercial insecticides can also be effective, but may harm beneficial insects. Pheromone traps are available as well, but experts caution they can actually draw more beetles into your yard. Fortunately, Mother Nature may also lend a helping hand with a parasitic control. According to the University of Minnesota, the Winsome fly lays its eggs on the backs of Japanese beetles. When the larvae hatch, they feed on the beetle, eventually killing it within a few days. There is evidence of the Winsome fly eggs on beetles here in the Northwoods. So if you spot a Japanese beetle with these small white eggs on its back, you may want to let nature take its course.

Published on 07/22/2026 under News Community members and local growers can get an up-close look at the state's latest potato research during the Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station's annual Summer Field Day this Thursday. The free event invites attendees to explore the station and see agricultural science in action. Station Superintendent Becky Eddy and university scientists will lead field wagon tours showcasing current crop research. Expert speakers will also share updates on UW–Madison potato projects, including the use of remote-sensing technology and the latest strategies for managing potato insects and plant pathology. A major highlight of the day is "Potato 2.0", a newly funded $3.8 million USDA project aimed at streamlining the potato breeding process using techniques similar to modern corn production. In addition to field demonstrations, the "Spudmobile" mobile education center will be onsite, making it a great event for families. The event runs from 9am to 1pm tomorrow at the Research station located on Camp Bryn Afon Road. Additional information and a schedule is available on their website.

Published on 07/22/2026 under News It's a summer Wednesday in Tomahawk, and that means another opportunity to enjoy live music. Tomahawk Music on the River enters the back half of its summer concert series tonight with week five of seven. Now in its nineteenth season, the series brings back another fan, and Jeff in the Morning, favorite. The Jimmys have become regulars here in Tomahawk, known for high-energy shows powered by a full horn section and keys. While most performers stick to the pavilion, members of the Jimmys have even been known to hop aboard a pontoon to literally play music on the river during past visits. The band comes highly decorated, boasting a lengthy list of Wisconsin Area Music Industry honors. After a summer spent dodging rain and wildfire smoke, the forecast is finally looking like a beautiful evening. The music kicks off at 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Park in Tomahawk.

Published on 07/22/2026 under News A Medford man has died following a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Taylor County. According to the Sheriff's Office, dispatch received a call around 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning requesting a welfare check for 56-year-old Scott R. Williams after he failed to show up for work. Cell phone data initially placed his last known location along County Road M northwest of Medford. Shortly after, a passing motorist spotted a motorcycle and an unresponsive man in a ditch along County Road M in the Town of Hammel. That victim was identified as Williams, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation indicates Williams was traveling eastbound when his motorcycle left the roadway and entered the ditch, ejecting him. Authorities noted Williams was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.

Published on 07/22/2026 under News Lincoln County supervisors are hitting pause on a proposed policy limiting photography and video recording in certain county buildings. Following a lengthy discussion Tuesday, the Lincoln County Board voted 13 to 9 to table a resolution that would prohibit recording in areas where confidential services are provided. Supervisors in favor of the resolution said the policy is needed to protect client privacy in areas handling confidential records, like the Health Department, Social Services, and court offices. Those opposed questioned whether the policy could infringe on First Amendment rights, arguing the public generally has the right to record government activity in public spaces, particularly the lobby of the Lincoln County Service Center which was included in the proposed resolution. After that debate, the resolution was ultimately tabled, meaning supervisors could eventually revisit with narrowed scope.

Published on 07/22/2026 under News Oshkosh is the place to be for aviation lovers this week as EAA AirVenture gets underway. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is using all the excitement around flying to highlight the Fly Wisconsin Passport Program. The initiative encourages pilots to visit general aviation airports across the state, from big city hubs to small local runways. Here's how it works: after signing up online, pilots get a passport booklet to take along on their flights. When they land at a municipal airport, they collect a stamp featuring that airport's official location code, for Tomahawk it's TKV. The program is a fun way to promote flight safety while boosting tourism in local communities. Wisconsin boasts over 120 participating airports and special aviation attractions, with milestone prizes awarded as pilots fill up their booklets. You can learn more and sign up by visiting the Department of Transportation website.

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