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Anglers Arriving in the Eagle River for Musky Open Published on 08/14/2025 under News

Musky anglers will once again be descending into Eagle River this weekend for one of the most popular musky tournaments in the country.

It's time once again for the National Championship Musky Open, hosted each summer by the Eagle River Chamber and the Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin. Proceeds from the event go towards the Alliance and their outreach and conservation efforts throughout the year.

Based on the numbers, the catch-and-release tournament is one of the largest in the country. Last year, there were more than 1,100 anglers representing 16 states. As for the fishing, more than 160 muskies were boated in the catch-and-release.

While some of the most experienced anglers have been busy scouting for weeks or months, others simply go for the experience and a shot at a pretty impressive prize. Everyone who enters the tournament is also entered into a drawing for a fully-outfitted fishing boat.

Fishing Hall-of-Famer Steve Heiting will serve as MC of the tournament. Regular WJJQ listeners will be familiar Steve, as he shares his knowledge each weekend on our fishing reports.

Tournament headquarters will be based out of the Vilas County Fairgrounds. Registration gets underway Thursday evening, with fishing starting Friday and running through Sunday.

In Other News

New Steaks for Kids Event in Tomahawk Supporting Kinship

Published on 08/15/2025 under News A new event is debuting in Tomahawk this weekend featuring good food and supporting a good cause. Steaks for Kids is a two day culinary competition being held at SARA Park today and tomorrow. It's a Steak Cook-Off Association event that's being organized locally by Tomahawk Trailer Sales and proceeds will go towards Kinship of Tomahawk. Kinship is in need of the funds, as they are in the process of renovating the former Bradley Bank building on Main Street to become their future home. Earlier this week, Dave Nelson of Tomahawk Trailer and Patti Hilgendorf of Kinship stopped by the WJJQ studios to preview the event. While steaks is in the name, the competitors will be cooking up more that just cuts of beef. There are other categories including sliders, appetizers, corn-based dishes, and pancakes with thousands of dollars on line. In addition to the competition, there will be plenty of good food for the spectators as well. Friday specifically, they'll food has an interesting background. Eddy Smith loves to smoke meats, but isn't into the competition. He, and wife Wendy, donated and prepared the smoked pork loin sandwich plates, with sausages and cheesy hot dogs also available. Their donation means the entire sale goes to Kinship. It's a cause near-and-dear to the Smith's who are long-time mentors themselves. And while Steaks for Kids is a food-centric event, there will be other activities, entertainment, and raffles throughout the day Friday and Saturday at SARA Park.

Published on 08/15/2025 under News Tomahawk Main Street hosting a special 'thank you' to those who visited the downtown district throughout the summer. The annual Tomahawk Main Street Customer Appreciation Cook Out and Sidewalk Sale returns, now expanded to two days, Friday and Saturday. Ahead of the event, I spoke with Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz. She explained, "This cookout is a small gesture and way to give back to say thank you for supporting local businesses and embracing Shop Small philosophy." Turkiewicz added, "It's really a welcoming community downtown, and we just want folks to spend some time with us and see what we all have to offer." Many businesses will be offering up sales both inside and outside of their shops, and the Main Street team has arranged for family friendly activities and entertainment. On Saturday specifically, they'll be grilling up a picnic lunch with burgers, brats, and hot dogs. They'll accept free-will donations, which Turkiewicz says will go to support their downtown beautification projects such as their benches and flower baskets. Check out the Main Street Facebook page for more information.

Published on 08/15/2025 under News An annual campaign targeting impaired driving gets underway today. Local law enforcement agencies will once again join state partners for 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.' In addition to impaired driving from alcohol, the two and a half week campaign will also highlight and emphasize drug-related impairment as well. According to DoT statistics, there were just over 7,000 alcohol or drug related crashes in Wisconsin last year. That resulted in 218 deaths, approximately half of all traffic fatalities on Wisconsin roadways. The State Patrol notes that there were also more than 18,000 OWI convictions in the state last year. Officials note that impaired driving doesn't just impact the driver who chooses to get behind the wheel, but their passengers and everyone else sharing the roadway. The increased enforcement will coincide with an educational campaign as well using traditional media, social media, and other creative messaging such as their digital road signs. This year's Drive Sober Campaign begins today and will run through the Labor Day holiday.

Published on 08/15/2025 under News From kayaks and sailboats to pontoons and ski boats, Lake Minocqua is buzzing all summer long with boats of all shapes and sizes. Coming up this weekend, competitors will be paddling for a purpose at the 8th annual Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday. For those unfamiliar, a dragon boat is a skinny 45 feet long boat propelled by 20 front-facing, side-by-side paddlers. There's also a spot for a steerer and a drummer who keeps the paddlers in rhythm. In heats of three, the participants row along the 2000 meter course. Along with the racing and festive atmosphere, the Dragon Boat Festival also doubles as a fundraiser raising more than a million dollars for local hospital programs over the years. This year specifically, funds will go towards the Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center. They've got more than two dozen teams signed up including healthcare professionals, grocers, bankers, builders and cancer survivors. And the teams aren't just from the Northwoods, will many traveling from other states to compete. They'll be racing out of Torpy Park in Minocqua with opening ceremonies known as the Awakening of the Dragon begins at 8:30am. The event is free for spectators. With the forecast, they encourage people to watch their Facebook page for any updates or changes.

Published on 08/15/2025 under News Officials are planning a walleye rehabilitation project on a small lake near Eagle River, and they'll discuss the plans later this month. The focus is on Franklin Lake, where they are considering a walleye spawning reef project. At the meeting, August 27, DNR staff and partners will discuss a comprehensive study of the lake including fishery data and trends dating back 50 years. The main focus will be on the declining walleye population specifically; once strong, but now considered below fishable over the past two decades. To address the decline, they are also planning a walleye spawning reef that would be constructed along U.S. Forest Service property to help rehabilitate the walleye population. The meeting will be held on Wednesday August 27 at the VFW post in Eagle River. It gets underway at 6pm. The DNR has additional information on their website.

Published on 08/15/2025 under News Folks may have noticed some extra cameras in the Rhinelander area in recent days. According to the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce, crews from Discover Wisconsin were in the community filming for an upcoming episode of the popular travel show. The Chamber says the team is capturing footage of the natural beauty, vibrant businesses and community, along with all of the people who make Rhinelander such a special place to live, work, and visit. The plan is to return again for another week of filming later this year to get fall perspective of the area. The Chamber says the Rhinelander-centric episode is expected to debut early next year.

Published on 08/14/2025 under News After a successful trial run, a unique reading experience in Downtown Tomahawk has been updated. Last month the Tomahawk Public Library and Tomahawk Main Street teamed up to establish a Story Walk. A story walk divides up a children's book with each page posted along a designated route allowing families to read as they walk. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz explained that she was approached children's librarian Annette Miller earlier this year about trying a story walk on Main Street by placing the pages in storefront windows. The businesses jumped on board and last month the first book was posted along the north side of the street. Turkiewicz called it a win-win, bringing more foot traffic into the downtown district while also supporting children reading. She says they received positive feedback from both the business owners and families so they decided to continue for August. switching books and sides of the street. This month the pages of Leap Frog is featured in the businesses on the south side of Main Street, starting at the American Legion post. And while they don't have any definitive plans, Turkiewicz didn't see any reason not to continue the Main Street Story Walk into the future.

Published on 08/14/2025 under News A special ceremony will take place in the Northwoods this afternoon to mark a major moment towards ending World War II. It's the 80th anniversary of the surrender of Japan, made by President Harry Truman. Every five years, the Veteran's Affairs National Cemetery Administration holds special commemoration events at its more than 150 cemetery sites. The service is known as the 'Spirit of 45.' The goal is to honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of World War II veterans. Bryon Gleisner is the manager at the Northwoods National Cemetery in Harshaw. He says they'll be hosting a Spirit of 45 ceremony this afternoon highlighted by a wreath-laying ceremony. It will also feature remarks from Gleisner, a presentation of colors, the playing of taps and a rifle salute. Coincidentally, the Northwoods National Cemetery was dedicated on this date five years ago. For those interested in attending this afternoon's Spirit of 45 ceremony, it'll begin at 2pm and will take about a half an hour. The cemetery is located on Lakewood Road in Harshaw.

Published on 08/14/2025 under News As we enter the second half of the summer road construction season, officials stopped in Langlade County to discuss work-zone safety. Yesterday's conference included DoT representatives, state and local law enforcement, and highway workers and other partners. Fittingly, it was held in a work zone in Elcho where crews have been working on a Highway 45 reconstruction project. WisDOT Deputy Secretary Scott Lawry said, "These construction workers spend countless hours making our roads and bridges better." While work zones may cause a temporary inconvenience, he says, "the consequences of (driver's) actions in those work zones can last forever." The DoT also cited some alarming statistics. Last year, there were more than 2,000 crashes recorded in Wisconsin Work Zones. This resulted in more than 750 injuries and 10 deaths including two construction workers. Their data showed that speeding, tailgating and distracted driving are the leading causes of work zone crashes Langlade County Highway Commissioner Brian Braun added his own safety tips. He says, "When approaching a work zone, slow down, concentrate on your driving, read signs and be prepared."

Published on 08/14/2025 under News There's no shortage of activities on the calendar here in the Northwoods this weekend. One fundraiser near Tomahawk will serve up good food for a good cause. Wishes for Kids has been around for 10 years now. They host a number of activities throughout the year including an annual pork roast which returns this weekend. The feast and festivities are their largest fundraiser of the year, and proceeds go towards Make a Wish of Wisconsin, and their northern chapter specifically. And they've been able to fund dozens of experience large and small, which are featured on the Wall of Wishes at Surewood Forest. Over the past decade they've contributed more than $180,000, including a $25,000 donation last year. In addition to the tasty food, they've got activities, entertainment and raffles, all going to support the cause while having a good time and a full stomach. They'll be set up at Surewood Forest, rain or shine, with activities starting at 2pm and the meal at 4pm. A ticket is $10.

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