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Mosinee, Elcho Receive DWD Fast Forward Grants for High Tech Classroom Equipment Published on 05/22/2025 under News

The State awarded nearly a million in grants to school districts to help purchase cutting-edge, classroom equipment. Several local schools were among the recipients.

Overall the Department of Workforce Development awarded $980,000 in Fast Forward grants to eighteen school districts around the state. The goal is to prepare students for quality careers and address the state's skilled labor shortage. The program has expanded beyond manufacturing equipment to also include fields such as dental and biomedical lab equipment and industrial robotics.

Among the recipients:

Elcho High School will use $19,000 to purchase a welding cart with accessories, a belt sander, tool chest, and a metal lathe.

Hurley received nearly $12,000 to purchase Finishing Solutions (GFS) Open Faced Spray Booth, new exhaust filters, and an Ingersol Rand Air Compressor.

And Mosinee received one of the largest grants, approximately $54,000 to purchase a Robotic Welder and Arc Max Elite CNC Plasma System.

In addition to exposing the students to this equipment, it will also open up doors for potential youth apprenticeship and internship opportunities, along with dual enrollment credits, industry certificates and technical endorsements.

DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek says, "By providing training in industries where skilled workers are in short supply, school districts are connecting students with stable careers and strengthening our state's workforce now and into the future."

In Other News

Main Street Memories Car Show Returns to Downtown Tomahawk Sunday

Published on 05/23/2025 under News Memorial Day Weekend in Tomahawk means the return of the Main Street Memories Car Show. Originally started by a local car club, Tomahawk Main Street took over the Main Street Memories Car Show where they've been able to maintain the tradition, while also offering minor changes to keep the event fresh and exciting. It was just last year that they celebrated their 30th year. I was able to catch up with Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz as they were preparing for year 31. She was quick to credit the many volunteers, participants, and attendees for the success over the years. They'll have anywhere from 200 to 300 plus vehicles lining Tomahawk's Main Street. The weather is actually an important factor in participation. Turkiewicz noted that having the car show on a paved street is popular, allowing the owners to keep their chrome shiny and clean. She says, "We have such an amazing mix participating in our event each year. The ages range from young to old, and the cars do too." That means you may find a 1935 half truck parked right next to a brand new Corvette. Turkiewicz noted that the vehicle owners are really enthusiastic and always excited to share their stories with the people in attendance. Over they years, they've seen the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine, the Dukes of Hazzard General Lee, and the Jurassic Park Jeep. They also have a display-only section for vehicles that may not necessarily qualify for any of their categories, but may still be of interest. And while the vehicles are the main attraction, Turkiewicz says there are plenty of family friendly activities and entertainment for those that aren't as passionate about the cars. They've also got a craft fair, vendors and a food court with nearly a dozen options to bolster the downtown restaurants and shops The Main Street Memories Car Show is throughout the day Sunday in the Tomahawk Main Street District, rain or shine.

Published on 05/23/2025 under News Another group of Tomahawk High School students have reached a milestone in their educational journey...it's time for graduation. Eighty-nine THS seniors will cross the stage this evening to receive their diplomas. It the culmination of a busy few weeks for the soon-to-be-graduates. They've finished finals, attended senior awards night, and completed their community service project. It's all led to the final day of class and tonight's commencement ceremony. For a second consecutive year, six students actually tied for valedictorian honors: Claire Albert, Sawyer Hanna, Gracie Long, Scarlet McKenzie, Caylie Swan, and Lydia Ziert. Each is expected to address their fellow graduates during this evening's program. Rounding out the Top 10, students graduating with honors include: Ella Hilgendorf, Brayden Larson, Riah Petta and Maya Daigle. Learning a bit about the Class of 2025: their motto is "Soaring into Excellence"; class song is Good Times Go By Too Fast by Dylan Scott as their class song. Hatchet blue and the sunflower are the class color and class flower respectively. As for tonight's graduation ceremony, tickets are not required. Doors open at 6pm, the program begins at 7pm. While the ceremony won't be live-streamed, the district says it will be recorded and posted to the their YouTube channel following the ceremony.

Published on 05/23/2025 under News While the Memorial Day weekend is seen as the start of the summer season, it's important to reflect on the reason for the holiday, to reflect on those who gave their lives while serving. There are a number of observances across the Northwoods, large and small. One growing ceremony is Saturday, at the Union Grove Cemetery in Harshaw, and organizers have been busy preparing the grounds. Last year marked the 25th anniversary. They began with just a small group of attendees, but now draw hundreds to the small rural cemetery. One of the activities that has spurred the growth was the establishment of the Einar Ingman motorcycle procession from Tomahawk at the American Legion at 9am. The ceremony begins at 11:30am. We've got information on this and many Memorial Day observances in the WJJQ Community Calendar.

Published on 05/23/2025 under News The musky is known as the fish of 10,000 casts. The moniker highlights the time and skill needed to land the state's most iconic catch. Starting this weekend, anglers here in the Northwoods can began their annual quest. The DNR divides the musky season into northern and southern zones to account for differences in water temperature and spawning dates. While the musky waters south of Hwy 10 opened earlier this month, Saturday marks the start of the season for those north of the Highway. The muskellunge became the official state fish in 1955, and record books are filled with fish landed in Wisconsin. As always stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the summer for our weekend fishing reports. Many of our guides specialize in muskies and offer up their knowledge, tips, and tricks to land the prize catch.

Published on 05/23/2025 under News The Wisconsin Windigo junior hockey team has called Eagle River home for three years, but the team is relocating ahead of next season. According to the announcement, the franchise has been sold and will play Brookfield. The franchise moved to Eagle River three years ago, re-branding to the Windigo. They are part of the North American Hockey League, which serves as a post-high school or high school alternative for players age 16-20. The Tier-2 league spans the entire country. The team has had tremendous success on the ice, claiming two division championships. In announcing the sale, outgoing owners Copper Island Hockey Club LLC said, "Our ownership group is grateful for the support we received from many fans, billets and sponsors, in Eagle River and the surrounding community." The Wisconsin Windigo name and branding will be carried over to Brookfield.

Published on 05/23/2025 under News Memorial Day weekend typically serves as the unofficial start to summer; officials are expecting near record travel. As we previously shared, Triple A forecasts around 750,000 Wisconsinites will hit the road this weekend. Here in the Northwoods, the busiest stretch is along the Hwy 51/I39 corridor. While some travelers got a jump start on travel last night, northbound traffic is expected to peak on this evening. Monday afternoon it's the return traffic heading south. To accommodate the traffic, the DoT says most of their road construction projects will be paused. WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman is encouraging motorists to be "Midwest nice" during the busy summer travel season. That means being "courteous to other travelers, following posted speed limits, and watching the road ahead." As we told you earlier this week, the annual Click It or Ticket campaign is ongoing which brings an increased law enforcement effort to seat belt use.

Published on 05/23/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's softball squad added and came away with a non-conference win Thursday at Athens, triumphing, 1-0. The lone run of the game was scored on an RBI single by Catcher Aubrey Seubert. Camryn Kraklow pitched a complete game shutout, giving up just two hits and striking out seven. Averi Petta went two for three with a triple and a run scored. The Hatchets' record goes to 9-12 on the season. Tomahawk begins WIAA Division 3 Postseason play Tuesday at #4 seed Xavier. The game will be broadcast on Sports Talk 810 AM and 97.7 FM WJJQ with the Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show at 4:35 and first pitch at 5:00 from Hawks Field at St. Francis Xavier High School in Appleton. Alex Koch and Matt Theiler will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 05/23/2025 under Sports At the Great Northern Conference Invite in Mosinee, Tomahawk's track and field squad came away with two conference champions. As a team, the Hatchet girls finished third overall. Tomahawk had 142 team points, one point behind second place Lakeland. The lone Hatchet female conference champion was Kaylynn Sandry in the High Jump. Sandry jumped at a mark of 5'. The Hatchet boys finished sixth overall with a team score of 50 points. Tomahawk's lone conference champion was the 4x800 meter relay squad. The WIAA Division 2 Track & Field Regionals take place Tuesday in Bloomer.

Published on 05/23/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's baseball squad finished Great Northern Conference play on a sour note, losing to Northland Pines at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field Thursday, 2-1. The loss drops Tomahawk to 9-11 on the season and they finish the Great Northern Conference season 5-7. The Hatchets have added a game to their schedule to wrap up the season. It will be a non-conference game at Auburndale Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4:45. After that, Tomahawk begins postseason play Thursday with the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal as the #8 seed against #9 seed Chetek-Weyerhauser.

Published on 05/22/2025 under News With each passing weekend, Wisconsin lakes and rivers are getting busier. Officials are encouraging people to remember their life jackets when heading onto the water. It's actually National Safe Boating Week. DNR Boating Law Administrator Darren Kuhn called life jackets the best piece of safety equipment on the boat. State law requires that all vessels have at least one wearable life jacket for each person on board. That includes not only motorized boats, but also kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards as well. Kuhn noted a lack of life jackets remains one of the most common violations they find. Jennifer Doering, an Aspirus Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant echoed that message. She says, "It's important that we all have life jackets available, not just sitting nearby, but ready to use and preferably already on." Doering adding a couple additional safety tips for water safety when it comes to swimming. Supervise children closely while swimming; check water depths before jumping or diving, and avoid alcohol during swimming activities.

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