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Town of Stella Hosting Meeting on PFAS Published on 10/01/2025 under News

The Town of Stella continues to address PFAs in their community. Coming up this evening state officials will be hosting a meeting on the topic.

The meeting is expected to include representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the DNR, Department of Health Services, and Oneida County Health Department. They'll provide updates on PFAS issues in the Town of Stella related to drinking water, contaminated wells, health issues, soil contamination and cleanup.

Also known as forever-chemicals, PFAs are found in a number of everyday uses such as non-stick cookware, food packaging and some firefighting foams. At elevated levels, PFAS are believed to be harmful to humans and animals, though standards are still being established.

Dating back to 2022, the Town of Stella has recorded some of the highest levels of PFAS in the state.

That meeting tonight is scheduled for 5:30 at the Stella Town Hall.

In Other News

Beer and Bacon Bash Coming to Tomahawk Saturday; Supporting SARA Park

Published on 10/02/2025 under News Beer and bacon are a mouth watering combination. The two menu items will be featured heavily in a new event making a debut in Tomahawk this weekend. WaWui is hosting their first Beer and Bacon Bash on Saturday evening. The event is described as a celebration of local flavor, fun, and philanthropy. They've arranged to have a selection of craft and domestic options at their beer garden along with some food trucks featuring bacon-themed treats. In addition to the food, they'll have plenty of entertainment like live music and campfires. All proceeds from the Beer and Bacon Bash will go right back into the SARA Park facility. Organizers note it'll be a great time while supporting a great cause. For those unfamiliar, WaWui is the volunteer-led group that supports and operates the facilities at SARA Park in Tomahawk. The building is used by people of all ages and interests including hockey and figure skating; pickleball; bingo; celebrations and rentals. It also serves as a major hub for Fall Ride. Earlier this year, WaWui announced an optimistic capital campaign for a number of planned projects in the coming years to maintain and upgrade the facility. They encourage people to stop by and support the organization. The Beer and Bacon Bash is Saturday from 5pm to 9pm at SARA Park.

Published on 10/02/2025 under News The YMCA of the Northwoods could be coming to another local community through a partnership with an existing facility. The area YMCA branch would work with Lakeland Fitness and Golf Center in Woodruff. YMCA of the Northwoods CEO Linda May says, "Exploring a potential Lakeland YMCA is a natural extension of our commitment to making healthy living and community connection more accessible." Lakeland Fitness and Golf Owners John and Shelly Weis said, "Our family is excited to explore the possibility of bringing a YMCA to the Lakeland community...Partnering with Lakeland Fitness and Golf Center as Phase 1 of this project allows us to build on an already strong foundation of health and wellness." The plan is to work closely with local leaders, community members, and partners to better understand the needs of the Lakeland area and determine how a YMCA could best serve the region, exploring one location where an entire family can benefit. Over the coming months, the YMCA of the Northwoods and Lakeland Y Steering Committee will conduct listening sessions, community needs assessments, pre-concept design, and stakeholder conversations to explore the feasibility of the project. The YMCA of the Northwoods has two Rhinelander-based facilities as well as the Flambeau River Y in Park Falls which opened earlier this year.

Published on 10/02/2025 under News Plans for a bio-refinery in Hayward have received backing from local forestry professionals. Last week, Legislators introduced the Wisconsin Forestry Revitalization Bill which would offer financial incentives to build a facility in Hayward that would produce renewable aviation fuel from wood biomass. These are low value parts of a tree like branches and tree tops that aren't for uses like lumber. The Rhinelander-based Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association announced its strong support for the plan. Henry Schienebeck, Executive Director of GLTPA says, "Wisconsin's forest products industry has long been the backbone of our rural economy, but recent mill closures, and market disruptions have taken a heavy toll." They cited an approximately 30% drop in the market following the closure of mills in Wisconsin Rapids, Park Falls, and Duluth, Minn. Schienebeck says "This bill will stabilize our industry, create a high-value market for woody biomass, and strengthen the future of loggers, truckers, foresters, landowners, and mills." Max Ericson, GLTPA Board Member added, "By investing in a bio-refinery, we're not only sustaining our forests and our industry, but also positioning Wisconsin as a leader in renewable energy production." German company Synthec Fuels is looking to run the plant in partnership with Wisconsin-based Johnson Timber.

Published on 10/02/2025 under News A former Merrill School employee charged with using school funds for personal use was back in court Wednesday. Dale Bergman is facing a single count of misconduct in office. Bergman is the former director of buildings and grounds for the Merrill School District. Investigators say Bergman used school funds to purchase an air conditioner for his home. The approximately $1,500 purchase was made in June of 2022. It is also alleged that Bergman utilized other district-owned equipment at his home a plow truck and leaf blower. Bergman was initially placed on administrative leave and resigned on Feb. 5, 2024. At Wednesday's hearing, a $1,000 signature bond was set. Future court dates will be scheduled in November.

Published on 10/02/2025 under News Just a quick road construction project for motorists here in the City of Tomahawk to be aware of... Crews will be working on a project at the four-way stop, the intersection of Somo Avenue and North Fourth Street, on Thursday morning (10-2). We heard from street lead Nick Rosenmeier. He says the intersection will remain open during this work, but they would appreciate that motorists consider taking an alternative route between 8am and noon to avoid the work zone. Rosenmeier says they're planned to begin the work after the morning school rush, and hoped to finish up ahead of the lunchtime break.

Published on 10/01/2025 under News The City of Tomahawk is hoping to use education to address citizen concerns of rats. The City Health and Safety Committee took up the topic of the rodents, particularly in the alleyways near the east of end of Wisconsin Avenue. This came after concern among some residents in the area, as well as numerous posts on a Tomahawk-themed Facebook page. After being made aware of the perceived problem, several committee members and city staffers said they walked in this area. While they didn't observe any rats, they identified unsecured garbage and open garages which may be hospitable to rats. This includes a vacant home currently in foreclosure. The city has a property maintenance ordinance and at least one property has been issued a 30 day clean-up notice. Clerk Amanda Bartz researched what other communities have done when faced with a potential rat issues. Most communities utilize outreach and education hoping to reduce their habitat. She showed a pamphlet distributed by the city of Green Bay as an example. She also noted that steps such as extermination are extremely rare. After some continued discussion, the Committee directed the clerk to prepare an educational flyer to be sent out to residents in the hopes of stemming any potential problem through community clean-up.

Published on 10/01/2025 under News A long-vacant building on Tomahawk's Main Street could be getting a makeover, and they are seeking some state assistance. On Tuesday, the Tomahawk Finance Committee approved two related items aimed at re-developing the former Cover to Cover Bookstore on Wisconsin Avenue. The building has sat vacant since a fire in 2010. On a number of occasions the city has attempted to work with developers to renovate the building, but those previous efforts have stalled. The latest proposal, made by Tomahawk Property Investments, LLC, would expand the neighboring restaurant, currently occupied by Nacho's, which would allow additional capacity, a full bar, and outdoor seating options. It would also renovate the two apartments above. Clerk Amanda Bartz explained the project could be eligible for an up-to-$250,000 Community Development Investment Matching Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The city would act as an intermediary. Bartz explained that, if selected, the city would be the receive the grant and pass it to the developer who would be responsible for the match. It's a similar arrangement to the ongoing renovations at the former Laundromat on Main Street. The Finance Committee approved the two related agenda items.

Published on 10/01/2025 under News One person is dead following a crash involving a passenger car and a semi in Taylor County Tuesday morning. According to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office responders were paged to Highway 13 in the Town of Chelsea at shortly before 6am for a head-on collision and vehicle fire. Upon arrival, crews were able to recover the body of the passenger vehicle driver; he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff's Office identified the victim as 19 year old Allen Madison of Ashland. They noted the driver of the semi was treated for undisclosed injuries on scene. Preliminary investigation indicates the car was traveling south when it crossed over the centerline and struck the oncoming semi. This crash is still under investigation.

Published on 10/01/2025 under News The Northwoods has become a competition fishing destination. Minocqua hosted a Major League Fishing event last month, and coming up this weekend, the Wisconsin Bass Team Trail Championship. In addition to the competition, the anglers and tournament organizers are also taking steps to minimize the impacts these tournaments have on invasive species and the target fish. Beckie Gaskell is Tournament Director of Wisconsin Bass Team Trail. Gaskell says, "We understand the future of the sport we love hinges on not introducing or moving AIS as well as doing everything we can to ensure the sustainability of our fisheries." In order to minimize AIS risk, Gaskell says, "Our anglers are diligent in cleaning their boats, trailers and gear and removing all plants and other debris." That's where these aquatic hitchhikers like to hide. She also highlighted a number of tournament rules that help protect the fish. She says, "We take great care to ensure all our fish are released alive and healthy." That includes reducing the number of fish allowed in the live well, using safer cull tags, and minimizing the time they spend in the weigh-in line. There's even a scoring penalty for a fish that dies. The Wisconsin Bass Team Trail Championship will take place on the Minocqua chain of lakes on Saturday and Sunday.

Published on 10/01/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's volleyball squad fought valiantly, but was ultimately swept by Number-1 in Division 2 Mosinee at the Hatchet House on Dig Pink Night Tuesday night, 25-20, 25-21, 25-15. The Hatchets went back and forth with the Indians in the first two games of the match before running out of gas in game three. As a team, Tomahawk came away with eight blocks from three different players. Siennah alkins finished with eight kills and two blocks. Shelby Borowski added 13 assists. The loss drops Tomahawk to 12-13 on the season and 2-3 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action Thursday for another GNC showdown in Eagle River against Northland Pines. First serve is at 7:00.

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