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Oneida County Addressing Roadside Debris Along County K

Published on 05/01/2024 under News Officials in Oneida County are looking to reduce roadside garbage, with focus on one stretch in particular. The effort was prompted by an uptick in litter and other debris along County Highway K this spring. That is in part, due to the location of the Oneida County Transfer Station and Recycling Center on Cty K west of Rhinelander. To help address that issue, they're looking to combine education, enforcement, and a little community involvement. Lisa Bauknecht, Oneida County Solid Waste Director, explained that the county ordinance states that transporting solid waste without a secured covering is prohibited and violators could be cited. This spring, the Solid Waste Department has been monitoring vehicles entering the facility without a cover and issuing warnings. They may notify the Sheriff's Office of repeat violators. They'll also be updating and replacing the roads signs signifying the rules. Bauknecht says, "We value our customers and ask that they respect facility neighbors as well as our beautiful Northwoods by kindly covering and securing loads before driving to the facility..." As for the debris already along that stretch of highway, community volunteers are planning a roadside clean-up day this weekend. Rachel Boehlen is helping organize the effort, she says they'll be gathering Saturday morning at 8am at the Cassian Cross Country Ski Trailhead. She invited community members to lend a helping hand. They also used the opportunity to promote the County's Adopt-a-Highway program, in which groups pledge to maintain a segment of highway. Currently just four the fourteen miles of County K are spoken for.

Published on 05/01/2024 under News Here in the Northwoods, it's not unusual for a few extra days tacked on to the end of the school year. In Tomahawk, this year, the reverse is true. In a letter to parents, District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry announced that they will actually wrap up the school year a few days earlier than planned. Most local schools build in a few extra instructional days to offset any potential snow days during the winter. Tomahawk does the same, however the mild winter meant those days weren't used. As a result, Quesinberry says they were able to move up the final day of class to Friday May 31 rather than June 5 as originally scheduled. The summer school start date won't change, and remains June 10. While students get an early start to summer vacation, the staff will still be on campus. Quesinberry says they'll use the time for various in-service and training days. The custodial and grounds team will also use the extra time without students to get a head start on maintenance and summer projects.

Published on 05/01/2024 under News Walleye fishing on the Minocqua Chain of Lakes has been limited to catch-and-release for nearly a decade. That could change this year. The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board has scheduled a special meeting tomorrow morning to consider an emergency rule. It would establish a daily bag limit of a single walleye on the chain, which includes Jerome, Kawaguesaga, Little Tomahawk, Mid, Minocqua, Mud and Tomahawk lakes, the Minocqua and Tomahawk thoroughfares and connecting waters. There would be some slotted size limits as well. Any harvested walleye must be at least 18 inches, but not between 22 and 28 inches. The DNR says this would allow a moderate level of walleye harvest while preserving the quality-size fish that were built up during the past nine years of harvest closure. It's good timing for anglers, as the general inland fishing opener in Wisconsin is coming up on Saturday. That special meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30am Thursday and will be conducted remotely via Zoom. That meeting will also be streamed on the DNR You Tube Channel.

Published on 05/01/2024 under News Most of the Tomahawk event calendar is now set for the rest of the year. The City's Health and Safety Committee is in charge of those special event applications, and last night they approved five. Each is a well-established event leading to little discussion. This includes the Lion's Club Fourth of July Powwow Days celebration; the Rodd Timm Memorial Softball Tournament; the Antique Outboard Motor Show; the Tomahawk Lions Club Thrilla on the Grilla; and the Music on the River. One concern that was quickly worked out was the July 3rd edition of Music on the River. The Kwahamots have a special edition show that same night, and the two events share the same stretch of river, albeit on opposite shorelines. As a compromise, Music on the River will start and end a half hour early on that date only. The remaining shows will remain 6pm-8pm. Ultimately all five applications were forwarded to the Common Council by unanimous vote. In recent meetings, they have already approved events including the Main Street Memories Car Show, the Fall Ride events and activities, the Venison Feed, and Hometown Christmas. It was an otherwise routine night of committee meetings, Health and Safety, Finance, and Public Works... BPW resumed last month's discussion on the disabled parking stalls in the municipal parking lot. Since that conversation, they reviewed the current ADA rules and conducted a count of the total number of parking spaces in the lot. They learned that not only was the lot in compliance, the city actually has more ADA spaces than required, and recently added additional stalls at the request of Grace Lutheran Church. BPW also discussed ongoing water pressure issues on Leather Avenue and Leather Court dating back several years. With additional development in that area, the city will explore various options and financing to address those concerns.

Published on 05/01/2024 under News A pair of eaglets who fell from their nest are recovering at the Raptor Education Group, thanks to some concerned citizens and an experienced rescue duo. Most of our listeners are familiar with Kevin and Linda Grenzer, known for their work with loons, but they rescue many species of birds including these young eagles. They recently recounted those efforts. The initial call came from a concerned citizen on Lake Wausau who observed a portion of an established nest had fallen from an approximately 40 foot tall tree. That nest was known to have two young eaglets in it. Following a quick check of the area, they did locate one of the two birds on the ground. Concerned about injuries from the fall, as well as the risk of predators, they made the decision the eaglet would need rescue. Linda says she softly spoke to the young bird as she approached and was able to safely secure him in a towel. The search then turned to the second eaglet, which they were also able to locate and gather as well. The found the birds were cold, wet, and dehydrated. The brought the birds back to Antigo, where the REGI staff were awaiting them and began assessment and care. The Grenzers said, "It takes a village to rescue a bird(s) in need of help. These eaglets had an astounding village on their side. They specifically highlighted Amy Baxter, Garry Stack and Marn Stack who made the initial call and assisted the rescue.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Girls Track & Field Team Finishes Second at Three Lakes

Published on 05/01/2024 under Sports Tomahawk's track and field squads competed in the Three Lakes Blue Jay Invite. The Hatchet girls finished second, placing behind only Rhinelander. Tomahawk's top finishes came in separate field events. Siennah Caulkins placed first in the high jump with a mark of 4'8". Elizabeth Arnott placed first in the pole vault with a jump of 7'9". Kaylynn Sandry placed first in the discus with a 75'9" throw. The Hatchet boys placed fifth out of seven teams with a team score of 80. Tomahawk's lone top finish came from Jerome Morrison, who had a 9'3" mark in the pole vault. The Hatchets' next meet is Friday at Merrill.

Published on 05/01/2024 under Sports Tomahawk's softball squad was shut out by Lakeland for the second consecutive game, losing, 6-0. The Hatchets were at the mercy of T-Bird pitcher and University of Arkansas commit Saylor Timmerman, striking out 14 batters. Tomahawk only got two hits in the game, coming from Sammy Gebauer and Macy Jankiewicz. The loss is Tomahawk's third straight, dropping to 7-9 on the season and 2-5 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets will try to break their losing streak Thursday night in Medford.

Published on 05/01/2024 under Sports The Hatchet baseball squad was shut out by Mosinee at TK Field Tuesday afternoon, losing 16-0. Tomahawk has scored just one run in their last four games, coming in a 6-1 loss to Medford. The Hatchets mustered just one hit all game, which was a single from Wally Horabik. Monty Framke, Brayden Larson, and Ethan Ihn all gave up five runs or more on the mound. The loss drops Tomahawk to 1-10 on the season and 1-6 in Great Northern Conference play. The two teams will meet for the second consecutive game Thursday.

Published on 04/30/2024 under Sports Tomahawk's golf squad had a strong showing in their invite at Marathon, placing fifth out of 16 teams. The Hatchets finished with a team score of 350, just one stroke behind fourth-place Prentice. Austin Lamer finished as the meet runner-up with a score of 80. Owen Dickrell finished second on the team and 14th overall with a score of 88. Tomahawk will have their next Great Northern Conference meet at Northwoods Golf Club in Rhinelander Thursday afternoon.

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