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Northwoods COPE Hosting Light Up the Night for Recovery Event in Rhinelander Thursday

Published on 09/17/2025 under News Mental health and substance use disorder affect all communities, people, and age groups. A gathering in Rhinelander this evening looks to end stigma and celebrate recovery. Community partners in Oneida County are hosting the now annual, Light Up the Night for Recovery. It coincides with National Recovery Month and serves as a reminder that recovery is for everyone. An important part of recovery is support. That's where the Light Up the Night event comes in. People will be able to celebrate recovery, remember those whose lives were lost, and connect with others for recovery support. The family-friendly evening will include a community resource fair, but also games, refreshments, and a chance for story-sharing. Jenny Chiamulera is helping organizer the event in her role as the Oneida County Community Health Specialist. She says, "Lived experience is valuable and story telling is a powerful tool used to provide information and help us understand what substance use disorder really is." The event's keynote speaker will be the Oneida County circuit judge Mary Sowinski. For those that would like to attend, Light Up the Night will take place at Hodag Park in Rhinelander from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. The speakers are scheduled around 6pm.

Published on 09/17/2025 under News Last month Lincoln County completed the sale of Pine Crest Nursing Home. Now the County Board is looking to use some of the sale proceeds to pay off debt to save the county money in the long term. The supervisors took up that resolution at their meeting Tuesday. The measure addresses two different instances of Pine Crest borrowing that added up to approximately $6.8 million for previous renovations at the skilled nursing facility in Merrill. According to the resolution, by paying off a majority of these loans early, the county expects to save approximately $1.3 million in interest over the period of borrowing, which originally ran through 2036 and 2038 respectively. Last month, Lincoln County finalized the sale of Pine Crest Nursing home to Jack Pines Healthcare LLC, a division of Ensign Group for $9.5 million. They'll utilize a portion of that revenue to fund the loan repayment. After some brief discussions by supervisors, they ultimately approved the resolution by voice vote. _____ It was a report filled Lincoln County Board meeting, including annual updates from the Aging and Disability Resource Center, an audit report from Clifton Larsen Allen, and on the Sheriff Department Budget. Among resolutions approved on the evening: a proclamation recognize the Tomahawk and Merrill Chambers during Chamber of Commerce Recognition Month; an easement for a natural gas line under the Hiawatha Trail; the sale of a property claimed by taxes delinquency; and continued settlements of ongoing opioid lawsuits. The supervisors did take some additional time on discussing a resolution placing the remaining $1.8 million from the Pine Crest sale into the capital improvements fund. Ultimately it was approved with an amendment that the public property and ad-hoc property committee present a capital improvement priorty list to the board by the December meeting.

Published on 09/17/2025 under News The Wisconsin DNR is reliant upon citizen scientists to help monitor populations of animals of all shapes and sizes. Their latest effort focuses on herptiles, better known as snakes, lizards, frogs and salamanders. With the final days of summer upon us, and temperatures will begin to cool, Wisconsin reptiles and amphibians will begin their migration from summer breeding areas and foraging spots to their winter hibernation homes. This often involves the risk of crossing roads or trails. Some may also seek the warmth held in pavement. By reporting sightings of these reptiles and amphibians on and around Wisconsin's roads, drivers can help researchers better understand where their populations occur and save more of them in the future. DNR conservation zoologist Rich Staffen says, "We are trying to minimize this mortality, and the public can help by reporting where they are seeing this happen. By identifying high road mortality areas, we know where we can incorporate mitigation efforts to reduce the threat to crossing animals in those locations." People can report common road or trail crossing locations including live herptiles or those who've unfortunately been struck. The DNR has a reporting form on their website.

Published on 09/17/2025 under News Electric vehicle drivers will be able to grab a butter burger and cheese curds while charging their cars thanks to a new Northwoods partnership. Zero 60 is teaming up with FTI and the Rhinelander Culver's location to introduce four high speed charging stations outside of the restaurant. They highlighted the location located along a state-designated Alternative Fuel Corridor. Zero6 Energy, will finance, own and operate the station, while FTI will engineer, design, develop, install and commission the site. Wade Leipold, executive vice president of FTI says, "Partnering with a well-known brand like Culver's gives us a unique opportunity to combine Midwest hospitality with clean, convenient charging." This project was funded, in part, through the Wisconsin DoT Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. According to their website, Zero 60 currently has an expanding network of charging sites in New York, California, Colorado and Wisconsin. Along with Culver's they have partnerships with other popular restaurants including In-N-Out and Chipotle.

Published on 09/17/2025 under News While the summer ice cream season is winding down, Wisconsin 4-H groups can once again play a role in creating a limited edition flavor for next season. Cedar Crest Ice Cream recently launched their annual 4-H Flavor Creation Contest. For the past decade, the Cedarburg-based ice cream maker has invited local 4-H clubs to submit their best flavor ideas. Ultimately, the winning flavor will be sold exclusively in ice cream shops and parlors around the state the following summer. The contest is seen as a way to teach the 4-H'ers about teamwork while showcasing their imagination and creativity. In the announcement, the company noted that judges will weigh in on a combination of fun, unique flavor names and innovative and irresistible flavor combinations Northwoods groups have actually fared well in the competition. The 2024 winner was the Merrill-based Pesobic Pathfinders and their Paul Bunyan themed ice cream. All Wisconsin 4-H clubs are eligible, and they have until mid-November to enter.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Volleyball Team Wins Home Opener

Published on 09/17/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's volleyball squad notched their second straight sweep Tuesday night, defeating Antigo in straight sets, 25-20, 25-11, 25-21. The Hatchets' serving and serve receiving were much improved from their last Great Northern Conference match, notching nine aces as a team. Shelby Borowski finished with 18 assists on the night. Siennah Calkins finished with nine kills and four blocks on the night. Freya Alberg finished with six kills and Jessica Gebauer had four aces on the night. The Hatchets' record improves to 10-9 on the season and 2-1 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk is back in action Thursday night for a non-conference showdown in Stratford.

Published on 09/15/2025 under Sports #6 in Division 5 Tomahawk's Football Team continued their hot start to the season, dominating the Antigo Red Robins at Schofield Stadium in Antigo Friday, 49-0. The Hatchets led wire-to-wire and scored touchdowns on each of their first seven drives. Filling in for the injured Cash Olsen, backup quarterback Jett Reilly threw for 77 yards, rushed for 28 yards, and scored four total touchdowns. Tomahawk totaled 198 yards on the ground and five different Hatchets found the end zone. Both of Reilly's touchdown passes went to Jonah Dickens. Tomahawk also got rushing scores from Rex Reilly, Max Larson, and Hudson Evans. Defensively, the Hatchets held Antigo to 118 total yards, including 83 on the ground. The win puts Tomahawk at 4-0 on the season and 2-0 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets return to action next week in Rhinelander and can be the first GNC team to clinch a playoff spot with a win. Tune in for the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:10 and opening kick at 7:00. Alex Koch and Tim Nelson will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 09/12/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's volleyball squad bounced back with an emphatic sweep of the Ashland Oredockers Thursday, 25-18, 25-11, 25-22. The Hatchets got productive nights from their hitters. Siennah Calkins finished with eight kills, two aces and two blocks. Freya Alberg and Alicia Voermans each had six kills on the day. The win puts Tomahawk at 9-9 on the season. The Hatchets resume Great Northern Conference play Tuesday with their first home match of the season against Antigo. Tune in for the Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Prematch Show at 6:35 and opening serve at 7:00. Alex Koch and Matt Theiler will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 09/12/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's girls swim squad was swept in their home double dual against Colby and Rhinelander Thursday night. The Hatchets were dominated by Rhinelander, 128-38 and lost to Colby, 82-74. The Hatchets had three third-place finishes in the double dual. Kami Gabrich finished third in the 500 yard freestyle and Kaylee Roberts placed third in the 100 yard breaststroke. The Hatchet team of Emma Hoff, Lizzy Long, Kylie Peissig and Morgan Kretzschmar finished third in the 200 Freestyle. The Hatchets will be back in action next Thursday for their next Conference dual at Ladysmith. Events begin at 5:30.

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