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Music on the River Returns with Copper Box; WJJQ Community Cookout Published on 06/11/2025 under News

Music on the River returns to the Tomahawk Community with seven consecutive weeks of live music in Veterans Memorial Park. The summer staple kicks off tonight with dinner and a show.

The summer concert series is back for year number 18. For those unfamiliar, the bands all perform along the scenic shores of the Wisconsin River where music lovers not only enjoy the performance on land, but also by boat. Over the years, an occasional band member or two have even climbed aboard to play by pontoon.

We previewed the line-up earlier this spring. The opening performer is Copper Box. The Fox Valley foursome have become MOTR regulars, now playing the series a half dozen times. There music different genres, with the talented musicians blending a wide-range of instruments. They're also award winning including a Wisconsin Area Music Industry award for Album of the Year with their latest release last year.

The opening of Music on the River is also the return of the WJJQ Community Cookout. Our staff will be serving up free brats, hot dogs, chips, and refreshments.

Serving gets underway at 4:30 with music to begin at 6pm, all at Memorial Park here in Tomahawk.

In Other News

Numbers Confirm Oneida County as Leading Tourism Destination

Published on 06/13/2025 under News It's Friday, and that means a steady stream of visitors are bound for the Northwoods. For many, their destination is Oneida County, which once again saw record setting tourism numbers. Throughout this week, we've been exploring the recent tourism impact data released by the state. Oneida County saw an impressive $303 million in tourism spending. That was up approximately $11 million from 2023, the previous record. Jacqui Sharpe serves as chair of the Oneida County Tourism Council. She says, "Our bustling communities, trails and lakes, beautiful lodging properties, and delicious restaurants are the reason families return year after year. We love welcoming them back and can't thank them enough for their continued support." Sharpe called outdoor recreation the area's 'bread and butter'. She acknowledged that two consecutive mild winters and minimal snow has left an impact. Fortunately, she noted that attractions like the Hodag Dome have been beneficial. The area has also benefited from the growth of ATV and UTV recreation. To serve travelers, there are an estimated 2,200 tourism related jobs supported in the county. Oneida County also collected $24.5 million in state and local sales taxes in 2024. Sharpe closed by saying, "With so many options for where to spend your hard-earned money and time, we feel incredibly grateful that people continue to choose Oneida County. It makes all the difference in our communities!"

Published on 06/13/2025 under News The Tomahawk Kinship team is busy raising money in their efforts to purchase the Historical Bradley Bank building. And this weekend they're teaming up with the Tomahawk Farm and Flea market to put the fun in fundraiser. The two groups will be hosting a mini carnival during Saturday's market. Earlier this week, we heard from Sue Stefanich who has played a key role in connection the two groups. She says the partnership began when the Farm and Flea Market selected Kinship as their monthly benefactor. And since the program benefits kids they came up with a carnival. In just a few weeks, they organized to have games, activities, face painting and live music. Stefanich encouraged regular shoppers to bring their kids and grandkids along for the fun. Stefanich is not only helping organize, she's also the purveyor of Sue's Sourdough. She has also pledged to donate the proceeds from the sales of her popular crackers to the cause. And throughout the month of June the Farm and Flea Market is contributing a portion of vendor fees and onsite donations to the effort. As for the overall Kinship Fundraiser, they're looking to raise approximately $300,000 to purchase the bank building on the corner of South Tomahawk and Wisconsin Avenues. They only have until early July to reach their goal. Then phase two will be re-purposing the bank to better suit their needs as a mentorship program. They've created a GoFundMe and a Facebook page for people to stay up to date on other support opportunities.

Published on 06/13/2025 under News Not only did the traditional school year come to end this past week, the first year of the new Tomahawk Community Education Program also wrapped up. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk School Board heard an update from Taylor Remington, who was tasked with establishing the program from the ground up. The initial goal better utilize the campus and resources with the public, as they often highlight it being the 'community's school.' They offered a wide variety of courses in areas like arts and crafts, fitness, hobbies, personal growth and general interest. While catering to adults, they also have classes that may suit kids like babysitting. Some are single session, others recurring. Remington says they had more than 120 registrants during the spring session. And they had more than 400 participants overall in the first year. And while a success, they're hoping to improve and grow the program. As for the summer, Remington will be compiling survey and feedback data offered by this year's participants. She's also working on the course catalog for next fall. The variety of classes is reliant upon the instructions, and she once again put out a call for anyone interested in doing so. The district has a Community Education Program website with additional information.

Published on 06/13/2025 under News The Langlade County Health Department is launching a new campaign to reduce and prevent substance use. They are partnering with the State Department of Health and the Department of Justice on the Real Talks Wisconsin campaign. Donna Wiegert is a public health nurse in Langlade County. She says, "Substance use is a reality in our community, yet it often goes unspoken or is dismissed due to shame and stigma." That can be a barrier in the individual seeking help. Weigert says, "We have the power to create supportive, stigma-free spaces centered on hope and healing. It starts with open, honest conversations." According to the announcement, Real Talks Wisconsin isn't focused on any specific substance. Instead, the effort is built around strategies that can be used to prevent or reduce any type of drug use. Weigert says, "We all have a role in breaking the stigma surrounding substance use disorder," said Donna. "By educating ourselves on addiction, we can foster understanding, ask thoughtful questions, show empathy, and work toward solutions that support those affected."

Published on 06/13/2025 under News The DNR and the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council recognized fifteen people and one organization for their efforts in keeping our natural resources free of invasive species. Earlier this week we told you about two Northwoods professionals who have made an impact. But conservation also needs volunteers. Two Vilas County men were among these honorees. That includes Dave Mueller. He has spent nearly two decades focused on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes. They highlighted his efforts to combat Eurasian water milfoil. What started as a 300-acre problem has turned into just 33 acres of manual removal annually. Kenneth Frauenhoffer was also honored. His focus has been on the Clean Boats Clean Waters program, specifically on Fence Lake. He educates staff, volunteers, boaters and landowners about AIS, playing an important role in keeping Fence Lake free Eurasian Water milfoil and spiny water flea. The DNR says the winners represent all regions of Wisconsin. They used many different approaches in their efforts, but each winner is united in putting in long hours in the ongoing work against the spread of invasive species. They were recognized at a ceremony earlier this month.

Published on 06/12/2025 under News Many communities are dealing with a shortage of affordable housing options. Up in Oneida County their Economic Development Corporation recently completed a community survey and analysis on the growing demand. The OCEDC partnered with North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to create this housing study. They found that, based on household growth projections and census data, approximately 1,400 new housing units may be needed in Oneida County by the year 2030. They found that respondents showed a desire to own a home rather than rent. Renters cited difficulty in not only finding single family homes available, but also the rising costs or renting. Beyond traditional single family dwellings, respondents also indicated multi-generational, low maintenance, and aging-in-place homes are hard to find in Oneida County. These housing needs impacts not only locals, but other areas of county growth such as attracting potential employees to re-locate. In addition to the data collection, the study also made some recommendations to address housing needs. Just a few examples include education and outreach for developers, buyers and renters; partnerships with stakeholders and local leaders to both build new and rehabilitate existing structures; and reviewing subdivision, zoning, and comprehensive plans to improve opportunities. The study results have been posted to the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation website.

Published on 06/12/2025 under News The Ice Age Trail stretches an impressive 1,200 miles through the state including here in North Central Wisconsin. A team of volunteers have been busy this month creating a new segment in Langlade County. This past week, 120 volunteer members of the Ice Age Trail Alliance Trail Crew were at the Moraine Outwash Preserve just outside of Antigo working on a new 2 mile segment. The effort was described as both ambitious and scenic. It included weaving a winding footpath through mature trees, around glacier-deposited boulders known as 'erratics', and atop the crest of the Almond Moraine. Luke Kloberdanz is executive director of the Ice Age Trail Alliance called the work a testament to the patience and dedication of Ice Age Trail supporters. He says, "This kind of work doesn't happen overnight. But when volunteers come together with passion and purpose, we see the Trail come to life—one mile at a time." The Alliance referred to Langlade County as a rising star in the Ice Age Trail world. The county has 84 miles of trail corridor, the second highest total in the state. And they're not done yet, volunteers will return later this month for another large-scale project at the nearby Mueller Lake Preserve.

Published on 06/12/2025 under News The Lincoln County Veterans Service Office will be temporarily postponing their outreach appointments in Tomahawk, but hope to resume the service later this summer. According to the announcement, it is the result of a temporary staffing shortage due to a family leave. Matthew Pultz, Lincoln County Veterans Service Officer. "We understand the importance of these outreach appointments to our veterans in the Tomahawk community. We are working to resolve unforeseen scheduling conflicts and will resume our regular services as soon as possible." They're hoping to resume those appoints at Tomahawk City Hall by mid-August. During this time, the Lincoln County Veterans Services office in Merrill will remain open and continue to assist veterans and families with their claims and needs. While they accept walk-ins they do encourage scheduling an appointment.

Published on 06/12/2025 under News A new television series debuting on SyFy network takes place in Northern Wisconsin. The premiere of Revival is this evening. While most of the filming took place in New Brunswick Canada, the fictional setting for the series is primarily in Wausau and surrounding areas. The show is based on a 47 issue comic book series of the same name. As for why the story takes place in and around Wausau, writer Tim Seeley and artist Mike Norton are both from the area. Without offering too many spoilers, the plot follows the story of Officer Dana Cypress as she investigates a murder. And airing on the SyFy network there is a bit of the supernatural. They also deal with the un-dead or as they are known in the series 'revivers'. Season one of Revival airs Thursday nights on SyFy network, and streamers can watch on Peacock.

Published on 06/12/2025 under News A local legislator is urging the DNR to reconsider a decision to reduce the number of locations for treatment of an aquatic invasive species. According to a news release from Representative Calvin Callahan, the Lake Nokomis Lake Association applied to treat three locations on the reservoir for Eurasian water milfoil as they have done in the past. However, this time, just one of the treatment areas was approved. According to Callahan, the agency cited concerns that the herbicide being used could potentially drift downstream and impact wild rice beds. Callahan says, "For years, the Lake Association has worked in partnership with the DNR to responsibly manage milfoil outbreaks, ensuring recreational access, protecting the local ecosystem, and preserving water quality." He added, "I understand the importance of protecting native species, like wild rice, but this decision by the DNR doesn't make sense." He encouraged the DNR to reconsider the applications and work with the local stakeholders.

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