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Lincoln County Students Participate in Conservation Poster Contest Published on 02/06/2026 under News

Students in both Tomahawk and Merrill competed in a fun and friendly art competition while getting an education on the region's environment.

The Lincoln County Conservation Program recently announced the winners of their annual poster contest. This year's theme was "Soil, Where It All Begins." This highlights the essential role soil plays in sustaining life and maintaining a healthy environment and economy. From helping crops grow in local fields to filtering water and providing nutrients for plants, soil is the foundation of Wisconsin's natural resources.

The science and environmental topics are incorporated into the classroom curriculum to pair with the poster contest.

In the end, it was a clean sweep for Tomahawk students with Logan Fishbeck, Finley Koppa, and Logan Winter claiming first, second, and third places respectively.

Top 3 students will advance to a 9 county regional competition with a chance for state and national contests as well.

In Other News

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Recognizes Man for Life-Saving Actions

Published on 02/06/2026 under News Earlier this week, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office recognized a Tomahawk man for previous life-saving actions. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Mason Webster was presented with a Sheriff's Recognition Award for commendable courage and selfless action. The honor is based on Webster's actions on December 22, 2023 after another man fell through the ice on the Spirit Flowage. They wrote:"Fully aware of the extreme danger posed by the unstable ice and frigid water, Mason did not hesitate to act. He located the individual, contacted 911, and placed himself at significant personal risk by entering the hazardous environment and physically supporting the man above the water and ice for approximately 38 minutes until emergency responders were able to safely remove him." They credited Webster with changing the outcome of the situation, saying "Mason's willingness to risk his own safety to save another reflects exceptional courage and brings great credit to himself." At a short ceremony at Tomahawk City Hall, Sheriff Ken Schneider presented Webster with the award.

Published on 02/06/2026 under News With the calendar now turned to February, the Nicolet College Foundation has officially opened their scholarship application period. Foundation Executive Director Heather Schallock says they expect to award several hundred scholarships ranging in value from $250 to $10,000. She says, "Scholarships made available through the Nicolet College Foundation have supported countless students over the years. Our goal is to continue providing opportunities for current and future students to achieve their academic and personal dreams." Among recipients is recent Nicolet graduate Emma Edinger said, "I applied for scholarships every single semester. It helped me tremendously to have that weight lifted off me and pursue my studies fully. These scholarships are available for both new and continuing, part-time and full-time students enrolling at the college for the upcoming Fall 2026 term, as well as the Spring and Summer terms of 2027. The application period is open through March 2 and can be done online. If students need help with their application, Nicolet will host a 'scholarship workshop' on Tuesday, February 17. Students can stop by the Lakeside Center between 11am and 5:30pm.

Published on 02/06/2026 under News The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages snowmobile riders to bring a friend along on their next snowmobiling adventure. Saturday marks the start of 'Take a Friend Snowmobiling Week', which aims to recruit new snowmobilers to the sport. While on the trails, support a local business, soak in the views and show your ride-along friend why so many people are passionate about snowmobiling in Wisconsin. DNR off-highway vehicle administrator Lt. Jacob Holsclaw says, "Not only is it safer to ride with others, but it's also more fun. Plus, it can be exciting to share your passion about this outdoor sport with someone who has never experienced seeing the state's beauty while riding on a sled." This weekend also wraps up the current Sled Safe campaign which features additional wardens and law enforcement on the trails sharing snowmobile safety messages while also watching for violators.

Published on 02/06/2026 under News It's looking to be a beautiful weekend to get out and enjoy some winter activities. Lincoln County will be offering an opportunity to enjoy a hidden gem at no cost. Lincoln County Forestry, Land, and Parks announced that they will be bringing back their Free Trail Pass Weekend for the Underdown Recreation Area. It is currently scheduled for this coming weekend. This will include opportunities to check out the park's cross-country ski, fat-tire bike, and snowshoe trails without the typically required pass, saving users $25. (Winter passes are $25; year-long passes are $35) After a couple of mild winters, the silent sports have been enjoying a snow-filled start to winter. Underdown features more than 20 miles of groomed ski trails, along with cleared snowshoe and bike paths. Coinciding with the event, the Northwoods Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance will host a guided snowshoe hike in the Underdown area of the Lincoln County Forest starting at 10:00 am

Published on 02/06/2026 under News Lake Alice near Tomahawk will be buzzing with activity again this weekend. Tomorrow is the first Saturday of February and that means the return of the always popular Alice in Winterland ice fishing tournament. The annual event is hosted by the Lake Alice Association. They'll be offering cash prizes for the top three fish in each of six species of fish, along with some kids prizes as well. While base on a fishing tournament, Alice in Winterland is for more than just anglers, it's grown into a family-friendly, fun day on the lake with other activities. That includes raffles and drawings, and the organizers noted the community has been incredibly generous, contributing thousands of dollars worth of packages large and small. A few of the big ticket items are a Blackstone pizza oven, an ice fishing package, and a kayak. They'll have same-day registration with a headquarters under the tent. They'll be set up Horseshoe and Angler's Avenue boat landing.

Published on 02/05/2026 under News As winter begins to wind down, officials are once again reminding drivers about snowplow safety. The message comes after 13 separate accidents involving vehicles and county snowplows around the state this winter. These crashes resulted in vehicle damage and forced several plows out of service, temporarily reducing highway department abilities to clear roads efficiently. The DoT and the Wisconsin County Highway Association teamed up to share this message. In many cases, they note snowplows have been struck from behind, highlighting the need for drivers to remain alert and adjust their driving behavior in winter conditions. WCHA Executive Director Patrick Vander Sanden says, "Every time a snowplow is hit, it puts operators at risk and takes critical equipment off the road. Drivers need to slow down, stay back and be patient." They note that snowplows will travel at slower speeds to more effectively apply liquid brine or road salts. Following too closely or attempting to pass an active plow puts everyone at risk. Snowplows have flashing amber or green warning lights to increase safety, enhance driver awareness and improve visibility of maintenance vehicles.

Published on 02/05/2026 under News Earlier this week, the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry released their annual impact report which showed just how instrumental they are in the community. According to the report, they were able to distribute more than 940,000 pounds of food providing food assistance to more than 2,300 neighbors experiencing food insecurity. In addition to shopping at the food pantry, they also provide nutrition through their Hodag Monster Meals, the summer Hodag Food Wagon, and monthly Senior Stock Boxes. Even some 90,000 pounds of food they weren't able to distribute was redirected to local animal rescues like Wild Instincts or farmers. Their mission is only possible through the community. They note that 75% of their funding comes from donations and fundraisers. As for volunteers, more than 350 people provided approximately 19,600 volunteer hours. Executive Director Courtney Smith says, "We are inspired by what is possible when a community comes together with purpose and compassion. Your generosity and commitment fuel our mission." The Rhinelander Area Food Pantry turned twenty years old in 2025.

Published on 02/05/2026 under News The City of Tomahawk is seeking some outside funding to help as they continue to plan for a PFAs treatment facility. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council approved an agreement with engineering firm MSA to submit an application for the state's Safe Drinking Water program. The city has already been working with MSA on this project. Applications do require pilot studies which are also currently ongoing. Back in 2023, routine testing of the city water in Tomahawk came back just over the PFAS threshold which required advisories be sent to residents. With tightening regulations, the city has been exploring a treatment facility. A 1,000 gallon per minute Granular Activated Carbon, or GAC facility was identified as the most cost efficient option that would meet the city's typical water demands. It still carries a hefty price tag, more than $6.2 million. The Safe Drinking Water program could cover up to half the construction costs of the project. The deadline to apply for the current cycle of the Safe Drinking Water program is in June.

Published on 02/05/2026 under News The Lincoln County Humane Society worked with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office for an unusual animal rescue this week. The teams were called to a property after the owners had moved, leaving behind 28 chickens and a turkey. Fortunately the Lincoln County Humane Society has already been able to re-home the birds. They did use this situation as a good example to seek help if you can't care for your animals. They said, "If the owners had reached out... it's possible we could have assisted with finding homes for (the birds) before they were left in such extreme outdoor conditions, with little protection from the elements." Even if you have an animal that LCHS can't easily house like farm animals or exotic pets, they do have connections and contacts to other rescues or resources that may be of assistance. They noted that Lincoln County residents are not charged a surrender fee.

Published on 02/05/2026 under News Many skaters begin with pond hockey, playing on frozen waterways large and small. Coming up this weekend, the Minocqua community is bringing the game back to basics. The American Pond Hockey Invitational returns to the Northwoods with three days of play on Lake Minocqua. The event began in 2022 when a group of Min-Aqua Bats alumni saw the frozen Aqua Bowl as a perfect setting to celebrate the game, the community, and winter in the Northwoods. Now in it's fourth year, the event has grown to feature six rinks and plenty of other attractions, both onsite and around the community. (Visitor's Guide) Through these collaborations, American Pond Hockey has become both a winter tradition and a catalyst for positive local impact, a reminder that the coldest months can bring the community closer together. That includes a public skating initiative, local partnerships with businesses to promote the region as a destination, as well as community fundraising opportunities impacting dozens of local groups and organizations. It is free for spectators. Games get underway on Friday and will continue through the championship rounds on Sunday morning. The event comes right on the heels of another successful pond hockey tournament up in Eagle River last weekend.

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