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Wausau FD, Aspirus Team Up to Reduce Unnecessary 911 Calls Published on 06/05/2025 under News

Last fall, Aspirus and the Wausau Fire Department established a pilot program to help reduce unnecessary 911 calls. Early data shows success.

Seen as a proactive care model, the goal of the Community Paramedic Program is to connect patients with long-term support they need before emergencies occur. They focus on identifying individuals who frequently use emergency services and helping them manage the underlying causes in their homes.

Matt Kozlowski, Community Paramedic with the Wausau Fire Department says, "The goal is to reach people who are falling through the cracks." He noted, "We're helping patients navigate things like housing, behavioral health, transportation, or just understanding how to take their medication. These may seem small, but they're often the real reasons someone ends up calling 911."

The program began with 14 participants. According to Aspirus, they've seen a decrease in 911 calls by 50% among those patients. Kozlowski says, "The results are real. We are making people safer, healthier, and more connected to care."

The Wausau Fire Department leads the daily operation while Aspirus provides funding, support, and collaboration. The two partners meet monthly to review.

According to the release, additional communities have expressed interest in adopting similar models.

In Other News

Rodeo Returns to Merrill this Weekend for 36th Edition of WRPR

Published on 06/06/2025 under News Bulls and broncos, cowboys and cowgirls are converging in the Northwoods this weekend. The Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo is back in Lincoln County for a 36th year. Ahead of the three day event, some rodeo royalty stopped by the WJJQ studios for a preview. That visit included Rodeo Queen Mya Pankow, princess Madi Skic, and the jester in rodeo clown Dustin Jenkins. Pankow and Skic are both locals, from Tomahawk and Merrill respectively. Their reign is actually coming to a close this weekend. The duo have spent the past year promoting the rodeo and the sport around the Midwest, competing, and even finding time for school. Pankow called it a rewarding year. She explained becoming queen was a life-long dream, and a full circle experience, inspired as a young girl and now connecting with the next generation. For Skic, she is actually vying to become the next queen, who will be crowned on Sunday. Jenkins role, as rodeo clown, is to keep the competitors safe and the crowded entertained. He highlighted the family nature of the rodeo. He actually started with bulls before making the transition from athlete to entertainer. As for the rodeo competition, it will feature a number of traditional events like tie-down roping, barrel racing and steer wrestling. When asked what is the highlight event, all three were in agreement with bull riding. The rodeo bring in fans and competitors from across the Midwest, who compete right alongside the local participants. Each rodeo night has a special theme. For Friday, it's Military Appreciation Night. It's also WJJQ night. While our staff won't be on horseback, we will be down at the Merrill Festival Grounds meeting and greeting our listeners and rodeo fans and giving away WJJQ prizes. Saturday is 'Tough Enough to Wear Pink' night, dedicated to cancer awareness and research. And Sunday afternoon closes with Family Day.

Published on 06/06/2025 under News One person is dead following a single vehicle crash in Minocqua. According to the Minocqua Police Department, responders were paged to a roll-over crash on Highway 51 near Timber Ridge Road. The call came in at shortly before 11am Thursday morning. The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The name is being withheld pending notification of family. Based on the preliminary investigation, they determined the vehicle was traveling north when the driver lost control, entered the east side ditch, struck a culvert and overturned. The crash remains under investigation.

Published on 06/06/2025 under News For many, the first weekend of June is the unofficial start of summer, and that also marks the return of the DNR's Free Fun Weekend. The agency is encouraging residents and visitors alike to head out and explore the many outdoor recreational opportunities the state has to offer. On Saturday and Sunday people can do so at no cost. Steve Schmelzer is the DNR Bureau Director of Parks and Recreation. He says, "If you like to hike, bike, camp, paddle or even just enjoy a good book in a beautiful place, we hope you will join us for Free Fun Weekend." There are no shortage of opportunities. He notes there are 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, along with thousands of miles of rivers and 15,000 lakes. Some of the state parks will be having special events as part of the year-long 125th anniversary celebration. And as we previewed earlier this week, the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest is having a 100th anniversary celebration Saturday. Many will cast a line without the need for a fishing license, but the DNR is reminding anglers that all other fishing rules and regulations like bag limits and size restrictions still apply. Many state properties will incorporate fishing clinics into the weekend. They do encourage everyone heading out, regardless of your chosen activity to keep safety in mind while respecting fellow recreationists and the properties.

Published on 06/06/2025 under News Wisconsin is known as America's Dairyland, and June is a month-long celebration. Wisconsin Dairy Month is an effort to promote the important role the industry plays in the state. Wisconsin is actually home to more than 5,500 dairy farms and 1.2 million dairy cows. The three pillars of the campaign are Discover, Taste, Celebrate. Organizations like the Wisconsin Farm Bureau and the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin work to ensure that Wisconsin farmers continue to supply the nation with milks, cheeses, ice creams, and other products. Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. "Whether you're visiting a farm, enjoying a dairy breakfast, or simply adding Wisconsin cheese to your grocery cart, you're supporting hardworking families who've made this their life's mission." As for the dairy breakfasts that Vincent referred, they are being held in farming communities around the state. Coming up on Sunday, it's Lincoln County's turn, an event held down in Merrill. They'll once again serve up a meal fit for a farmer. In addition to the traditional breakfast spread, they'll even make an exception for some morning cheese curds. Proceeds from the meal help raise money for agriculture-related scholarships and local youth programming here in Lincoln County. It's Sunday from 8am to noon at the MARC in Merrill.

Published on 06/06/2025 under News Art evokes emotions, and the latest exhibit at ArtStart in Rhinelander will do just that. On Thursday, the Northwoods gallery hosted an opening reception for The Holocaust Memory Project. It features the stories of Holocaust survivors as told through collages created from photos, mementos, and documents highlighting their experiences before, during, and after the Holocaust. They noted, "The stories presented in the exhibition put human faces on this tragic chapter in modern history." This exhibition will be on display in the ArtStart Gallery throughout the summer during regular hours...that's Thursday - Saturday 11am – 4pm. The exhibit runs through August 9.

Published on 06/05/2025 under News People renting Tomahawk park facilities will have to pay a bit more going forward. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council approved a resolution updating the city's park users fees. This covers reservations for ball diamonds, campsites, pavilions, and shelters. The proposal came from the Park and Recreations Committee. The goal was keep prices affordable for users while off-setting some of the costs for operation, maintenance and improvements. For example, the city recently upgraded the campsites at SARA Park which now offer electricity and water. As a result, the price has increased from $30 per night to $50 per night. The city does offer a weekly discount. Ahead of the vote at Tuesday's meeting, it was clarified that any reservations made under the previous fee schedule will be honored. The new prices will be reflected going forward. In addition to the reservations, the resolution also increased the boat launch fees. For daily users, going from $2 to $3; and the seasonal pass went $20 to $30. The Council had minimal discussion before approving the resolution unanimously. The City utilizes an online portal for reservations.

Published on 06/05/2025 under News The Antigo Community is hosting a unique scavenger hunt that also showcases local artists. The interactive summer challenge is a partnership between Antigo Visual Arts and downtown businesses. They've placed 32 original pieces of original art created by local artists across the district. The pieces are inspired by nature in Wisconsin and include paintings, sculptures, and carvings. In addition to checking off their lists, the scavenger hunters also vote for their favorite pieces. Both participants and artists will be eligible for prizes. Marie Benes is leading the organizational efforts for AVA. She says, "This project brings together our vibrant art community and our charming downtown in a fun, interactive way." She added, "It's a win-win for artists, local businesses, and residents looking to enjoy a creative summer stroll." And participants will have the summer to complete the task; winners will be drawn at the Antigo Car Show on August 16. Some of the art featured in the contest will also be auctioned off. Information and entry forms are available on the Antigo Visual Arts website.

Published on 06/05/2025 under News The Raise Your Voice Club in the Tomahawk School District hasn't been around for long, but they're already making a difference. For those unfamiliar, Raise Your Voice is a student organization that focuses on mental health. This past weekend, the Tomahawk chapter teamed up with local partners to host their first annual color run. The event took place Saturday at the Tomahawk School campus. Dozens of students and community members passed through the color stations, which rained down brightly colored powders, while completing the course. And while the color run was all about fun, they also promoted mental health. They invited the Lincoln County Health Department to set up a resource table filled with mental health information and fun summer activities for families. Chapters of Raise Your Voice have been springing up at schools around the Northwoods, with Tomahawk's being formed this past year. In addition to local health departments, the group also works with partners like Aspirus Health and NAMI.

Published on 06/05/2025 under News The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest is a hidden gem here in the Northwoods. Coming up this weekend the state will be celebrating it's 100th anniversary. In promoting this weekend's festivities, the DNR provided a little bit of background. The roots of Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest's conservation efforts trace back to 1904 when Wisconsin appointed its first state forester, Edward Merriam Griffith. By 1925 the state forest was established, initially as a way to protect the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Manitowish and Flambeau rivers. It's now the largest public property, spanning more than 236,000 acres. Drawing over three million visitors annually, it is a vital resource for recreation and sustainable forestry. According to the DNR,it stands as a testament to the foresight of early conservationists and the enduring value of Wisconsin's natural heritage. From its rich history rooted in forestry innovation and management to its vital role in conservation and community enrichment, the state forest continues to inspire and welcome visitors. To celebrate the DNR has scheduled a day full of events on Saturday That includes a ceremonial tree planting, tours, educational programs, and even a visit from Smokey Bear. They'll be based out of the Crystal Lake Day Use Area and pavilion in Boulder Junction with activities from 9am to 3pm.

Published on 06/05/2025 under News Throughout the week, we've been talking about safety when the temperatures climb. It's a good reminder to keep kids and pets out of parked vehicles. In direct sunlight the rays can create dangerous heat in a short amount of time. The National Weather Service shared some figures that show just how quickly that can happen. Using a sunny, 80-degree day, like today, as an example, they note that temperatures in a vehicle can climb to more than 120 degrees in less than an hour. Even running a quick errand can see quickly rising temps. On that same 80 degree day, it can rise to more than 100 degrees in less than 20 minutes. Dark colors on the interior of the car may make the temperatures climb higher and faster. While leaving a window cracked may help a little, they note the cooling effects are minimal. Safety officials say the best thing is to simply take children with you whenever you leave the vehicle. For pets, they'll be safest and happiest at home.

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