WJJQ Radio

Story Details

Fire Danger Remains Elevated in Northern Wisconsin Published on 05/09/2025 under News

Officials continue to stress safety as wildfire conditions remain elevated here in Northern Wisconsin.

The recent warm weather with low humidity and a lack of precipitation, has led to a higher risk for a fire. That's coupled with the foliage still coming out of winter dormancy.

All week long the northern half of the state has been listed in either high or very high fire danger. Those reports are issued daily, each morning by the DNR. The DNR has also suspended their burning permits at this time.

People are encouraged to be mindful of any activities that can cause a spark. First and foremost, avoid debris burning, typically the leading cause of wildfires. Other common ways include campfires or grills, dragging trailer chains, recreational vehicles, and equipment such as chainsaws and lawnmowers.

In Other News

Local Volunteers Fill Gift Boxes for Operation Christmas Child

Published on 11/14/2025 under News We're still around six weeks from Christmas, but Northwoods volunteers are already busy preparing a global gift giving outreach. While a simple concept, Operation Christmas Child makes a big difference in the lives of children around the world. Ahead of each holiday season, the volunteers fill shoe boxes with small gifts like toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. The boxes are then distributed to children in need. Maria Nakala is the regional coordinator, overseeing the collection in 6 Northwoods counties. She made her annual stop to the WJJQ studios this week to drop off supplies and talk a bit about the collection. She's been part of the program for around 25 years. She said she got involved 'to bring joy.' She notes some items we may take for granted are incredibly meaningful using examples of a wash cloth or notebook. Even what Nakala called a 'wow item' can be simple like a soccer ball and hand pump. As for the packaging, Nakala says a boxing afternoon can be a fun group activity for family and friends. She includes her children and grandchildren. In order to get those boxes out in time for Christmas, they're already collecting boxes. We've got some instructional pamphlets and boxes here at the WJJQ office. They've also got info on the Operation Christmas Child website.

Published on 11/14/2025 under News Earlier this summer, Lincoln County sold Pine Crest Nursing Home. Now the Board is looking to use proceeds of the sale for some facility and maintenance projects. At their meeting Wednesday morning, the supervisors passed a resolution by voice vote outlining priority projects which they'll utilize the proceeds, approximately $1.8 million, according to the resolution. The County Board had previously established an Ad Hoc Facilities Committee to create a priority list. Prior to the vote, Administrative Coordinator Renee Krueger offered a presentation. Among the projects listed in the resolution are:Architectural Design for the Service Center (base cost $40,165 + additional expenses)Service Center Roof ($310,000)Proceed with Phase 1 & Phase 2 of the Lincoln County Ad Hoc Facilities Comprehensive Plan 2025, moving services from the Health and Human Services Building to the Service Center, which include building offices and conference room modifications on the first floor and ground floorJail Roof Replacement ($350,000) and Jail Boiler Replacement ($210,000)Proceed with Phase 3 of the Lincoln County Ad Hoc Facilities Comprehensive Plan 2025, relocating the Forestry Department and making renovations for additional water labs and drug testing bathrooms to accommodate the Health Department moving to the Service CenterThe proceeds are to be expensed by August 1, 2027. Meanwhile, the Board postponed a vote on a resolution that would have hired an engineering firm for architectural and design work to address the aging Highway Department facilities in Merrill and Tomahawk. After a lengthy discussion, the board sent the resolution back to the Highway Committee.

Published on 11/14/2025 under News There are a number of published authors around the Northwoods. An event this weekend in Rhinelander is looking to highlight them. The Rhinelander District Library is preparing to host their third annual Local Author Fair. This year they've arranged to have 15 authors, along with two local writing groups. Among those who will be in attendence: Thomas E. Burg, Pamela JA Fullerton, Jim Finucan, Rachael Walburger, Kathryn Springer, Rand Atkinson, Tabitha Krueger, Anastasia Stelse, Andrew Egan, Mark Miazga, Coyote TF Herron, Lynne Austin, Barbara Perkins, Judith E. Hankes, and Johnny Bock. There's a variety of genres represented including fiction and nonfiction, children's books, poetry and novels. One commonality however are the authors ties to the state, and the Northwoods in particular. That link is often used as a setting or influence in the author's work. Organizers note that readers will be able to connect with the authors to gain some insight into their backgrounds, writing process, and inspiration. Following the meet and greet, they'll have a keynote speech from Claire Swinarski, author of The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County. It begins at 9:30am Saturday morning with the keynote speech at 11:30am at the Rhinelander District Library.

Published on 11/14/2025 under News Home to two Harley-Davidson factories and the Fall Ride, the Tomahawk community knows a thing or two about motorcycles and the rider community. With Veterans Day earlier this week, the Harley-Davidson gave back to those who served thanks to their Ride for Heroes Challenge. The company contributed $1 million to be shared among nine military, veteran and first responder organizations. According to the announcement, the donation was activated by the success of their largest and most ambitious riding challenged they've ever launched. The effort took place over a 7 month period that began in March. In the end, more than 29,000 participants logged more than 83 million miles on their Harley Davidson motorcycles. Theo Keetell, HD VP of Marketing says, "The Harley-Davidson community is always ready to step up to support those who keep us safe and free." He added, "(This challenge) combined fun with purpose, and (we were) overwhelmed with the positive response." And the giving isn't over. Five lucky riders from the Challenge will be awarded with new Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Published on 11/14/2025 under News Saturday is America Recycles Day, and the Good News Project in Wausau is celebrating while offering a day-long electronics recycling collection. The Good News Project's e-CYCLING is an award winning program that collects unused or unwanted electronics. The materials are responsibly recycled, recovering valuable metals and other reclaimable materials which they note reduces pollution and conserves natural resources. And each year, the Good News Project keeps an estimated 260,000 pounds of electronic waste from local landfills each year. Eric Nielsen, is the e-CYCLING program manager was quick to praise their team of volunteers. He says, "They show up in all kinds of weather with smiles on their faces, ready to unload vehicles and help those dropping of electronics lighten their load." He added, "America Recycles Day is really a celebration of community stewardship and teamwork." As part of America Recycles Day, the Good News Project is hosting an electronics recycling collection from on Saturday from 9am-4pm at their Wausau location. There are some fees to cover the cost of the recycling and to support their services.

Published on 11/13/2025 under News A video short focused on a Lincoln County sled-dog kennel has won an Emmy award. Two years ago, Lincoln County partnered with Discover Mediaworks to produce a number of video segments for the Uniquely Wisconsin series. The goal is to tell the story of a location through it's people. It was part of a larger effort by the county to promote the County and increase interest and tourism. Among the Uniquely Wisconsin productions was an episode called 'The Heart of Wisconsin Mushing.' It follows Gleason-based Melissa Omernick and her family, both human and sled dogs. The video was released in December of last year and has received nearly 10,000 views on YouTube. The episode has now won a regional Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement for Human Interest. Josh Ostermann from Discover Mediaworks was on hand at the Lincoln County Board to discuss the award. He noted that the Chicago chapter of the Emmy Awards is among the most competitive in the country along with New York and California. Among their goals is to get people to watch, like, and react. He noted that Lincoln County has actually outpaced the state-average in growth for direct visitor spending. At Wednesday's meeting, the supervisors got to pass around the iconic, winged-angel Emmy statue. Board Chair Jesse Boyd added they'll need to figure out a display case to share the trophy with the community. Ostermann said this is the third Emmy that Discover Mediaworks has won from their Uniquely Wisconsin series. Among the previous winners was a segment on Athens-based Stoney Acres Farm and their summer Pizza Nights.

Published on 11/13/2025 under News The true story of Dr. Kate Pelham Newcomb is well-known in the Northwoods, but her tale will be further shared through a new children's book. The tales of Dr. Kate seem larger than life as a woman practicing medicine in Northern Wisconsin in the early 1900's. She regularly traveled to her patients by snowmobile or snowshoe during the winter months, and she delivered an estimated 4,000 babies during her career. And in the early1950's, she inspired local students to collect 1 million pennies to help fund a new hospital in Woodruff. The community is now home to the Dr. Kate Museum and the 10 foot tall penny statue. Award-winning author Margi Preus frequently adapts real-life heroes in her books. She inspired to write 'Snowshoe Kate and the Hospital Built for Pennies.' The book was published in late October. The Dr. Kate Museum and the Minocqua Public Library will team up this evening to celebrate. Preus will be on hand with a book signing, a reading, and a mini-penny parade. That gets underway at 4pm, Thursday, at the Minocqua Library.

Published on 11/13/2025 under News As expected, the Lincoln County Board approved their 2026 budget at a special meeting Wednesday morning. The vote was a formality after the work completed during the months-long process that began back in the spring. At their October meeting, the Board was presented with a balanced budget that included a tax levy proposed at $17.2 million. That's a $500,000 increase over the current year, or 2.9%. Finance director Heather Marheine noted that the entire property tax bill utilizes a formula that incorporates other taxing entities and equalized values that impact each township or city differently. The finance team was able to close an approximately $1.2 million gap from the first version of the budget presented in June. That included approximately $800,000 in savings from the sale of Pine Crest in both operations and maintenance. The County agreed to sell the skilled nursing facility to a private provider over the summer. With this budget largely unchanged from the October version, the supervisors had minimal discussion before ultimately approving the resolution unanimously.

Published on 11/13/2025 under News Another local nurse has been recognized with prestigious professional honor. Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital honored Kelcie LaChapelle with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. LaChapelle as a nurse in the birthing unit. Like many recipients, her nomination came from a patient who experienced her care and compassion first hand. The expecting mother had only recently moved to the Northwoods from California when she found herself under the care of LaChappelle. The patient wrote, in part, "A lot of nurses do their job because that is their job, but it was abundantly clear that with Kelcie, it is a calling... She will be remembered as our baby grows and also for making me feel part of my new community." As a Daisy recipient, LaChappelle received a honoree pin and a Shona Tribe sculpture known as A Healer's Touch. The staff were also treated to cinnamon rolls, another symbol from the Daisy Awards. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

Published on 11/13/2025 under News The Nicolet theater will head back to the 1940's for an era-style comedy. The raise the curtain tonight. For their Fall production, the Nicolet Theatre will present 'Suite Surrender'. They recently offered up a preview ahead of opening night. The setting is the Palm Beach Royale Hotel where two of Hollywood's biggest divas arrive for a benefit performance. They called the play a hilarious love note to the classic farces of the '30s and '40s. It features mistaken identities, gossip, and double entendres. The cast and crew have been busy over the past few months with rehearsals, and it's finally showtime. Tonight begins a run of six shows in nine days. Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at 2:00 p.mThe Lakeside Lounge Bar opens at 6:30 p.m. for evening shows and serves beverages and small bites. Admission is free for Nicolet College students, $15 for the general public, and $12 for K-12 students and seniors. Advanced tickets can be purchased through the Nicolet Theatre website.

+ Read More