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Lincoln County Sheriff Warns of Jury Duty Scam Calls

Published on 01/30/2026 under News The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about the reappearance of a 'missed jury duty' scam. Over the past few days, the Sheriff's Office, along with the Clerk of Courts Office, have received reports or questions from residents who have been contacted by these scammers. The caller states that an individual missed grand jury duty on January 12. Investigators believe they are using a specific date to make the call appear more realistic and urgent. The scammers are masking the number to appear local with a 715 area code (715-814-3041 specifically). When calling that number back, even the voicemail message claims to be the Sheriff's Office even though the number is not affiliated. In the warning, the Sheriff's Office reminds residents to be vigilant, never share personal or financial information. They note that most of their official business is conducted in-person, they may occasionally attempt contact by phone. If you are suspicious of an unsolicited phone call, hang up and call back using a known number. The Sheriff's Office says they will understand the situation.

Published on 01/30/2026 under News It's shaping up to be a great snowmobiling weekend here in the Northwoods. Riders will be sharing the trails with law enforcement for a safety campaign. The DNR and their partners will be bringing back a Sled Safe education and enforcement. Wardens will be sharing snowmobile safety tips with riders, while also keeping an eye out for operators who may be impaired or causing safety problems for themselves and others. There have been six fatal snowmobile crashes in Wisconsin this year. DNR off-highway vehicle administrator Lt. Jacob Holsclaw says, "I can't stress enough how important it is for snowmobile operators to be safe, responsible and sober." A few other safety tips riders may receive: Always operate within the limits of your skills, visibility and snowmobile. Be mindful at road crossings. Stay on marked trails. The Sled Safe outreach is scheduled each of the next two weekends (Jan. 30-Feb. 1 and again on Feb. 6-8) They hope the safety message stays with snowmobilers throughout the riding season.

Published on 01/30/2026 under News Among the concerns with our recent cold spell is frozen pipes. That's especially true for farmers and their livestock. Thankfully some firefighters in Lincoln County were able to help out when the latest bout of cold weather temporarily cut off water supply at a farm earlier this week. The Pine River Fire Department conducted the unusual rescue on Wednesday morning. They explained that a farmer reached out for assistance after his water lines froze, leaving his cows temporarily without fresh water. Firefighters went to the scene and filled up a number of water containers. A neighboring farmer loaned some additional water tanks to get the farmer, and his thirsty cows, by until the water could be restored.

Published on 01/30/2026 under News As part of Salt Awareness Week, we've been talking about reducing the amount of salt being used to treat roadways, driveways, and sidewalks. While the messaging is to protect the environment and infrastructure, sometimes salt isn't the most effective choice. Saltwise Wisconsin is a partner in the campaign and provided a lesson and some data on the science behind the salt. Road salt, or sodium chloride, works by lowering the freezing point of water. This causes the melting even in temperatures below 32 degrees. But the further the temperature drops, the more salt is needed, eventually losing effectiveness. Research has shown that at 30 degrees, one pound of salt will melt 45 pounds of ice in 5 minutes. At 15 degrees, that same pound of ice will only melt 4 pounds of ice in an hour. As we told you earlier this week, a teaspoon of salt is enough to contaminate five gallons of fresh water. There are some additional salt compounds like calcium chloride; that work in colder conditions. These are typically more expensive, and the characteristics that increase melting effectiveness, also increase the corrosive impacts. So when temperatures dip below 20 degrees, sand is often the best solution to simply increase traction.

Published on 01/30/2026 under News The DNR is asking people enjoying some winter recreation to be on the look for and report any black bear dens they come across. It's all part of an ongoing black bear reproduction study. Researchers are studying population estimates, as well as the impacts of human food sources and bear reproduction. Black bear cubs are typically born in late January or early February, and dens are often found during this time because people can hear the cubs squeaking, grunting or humming, usually while they are nursing. People can submit den sightings to the DNR. They are asked to include: GPS coordinates of the den, a photo with surroundings, a description, and any signs of bear activity. Once identified, researchers will monitor dens for cubs to gather data on the litter, while also potentially attaching GPS to the mother bears. This is the fifth year of the study, which was featured in an episode of PBS Wisconsin's "Wisconsin Life" series this fall. Reporting information is available on the DNR website. Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR: Bear den survey participants wear protective gear and keep vulnerable cubs warm while DNR staff members fit a GPS collar on the mother bear during den surveys. /

Published on 01/30/2026 under News Car racing is typically reserved for the summer months, but folks in Merrill are gearing up for another season racing on the ice. Saturday marks the return of the Merrill Ice Drags on Lake Alexander. Often called "the fastest 1/8 mile on ice," the Merrill Ice Drags date back to 1965. For those unfamiliar, it can be quite the spectacle of head to head drag racing on the side by side tracks plowed onto Lake Alexander. While some participants have cars that look like street vehicles, others have invested a bit more into paint schemes, spoilers, and special studded tires. For general spectators, the Ice Drags are free, though donations are always welcome. They've also got raffles, merchandise, and concessions. The Ice Draggers have given back to a lengthy list of Merrill community groups over the years. Last weekend's testing and tune-up day was postponed due to the extreme cold. But that also allowed another week of ice making. Racing will take place each of the next 4 Saturdays with the championship on February 21. Races begin at 11:30am.

Published on 01/29/2026 under News Cut down on your salt, it's a common refrain in the doctor's office. But officials are also encouraging a reduction in salt for ice removal this winter. This week is Wisconsin Salt Awareness Week, an effort to educate the public on the impacts that the overuse of salts can have on both the environment and infrastructure. A majority of the salts introduced into our environment comes from road salts. Earlier this week we talked about how road crews have been taking steps to improve their salting practices on roads and highways. But residents can also make a difference, and the DNR offered a few tips for homeowners. First, before applying salt try to clear as much snow and ice as possible from the surface of the driveway or sidewalk. The more snow you remove manually, the less salt you will have to use and the more effective it will be. People often use too much salt during the application. They note that a coffee mug of salt is enough to treat around ten sidewalk squares. A shakeable container with holes on top provides a handy way to spread it. Salts may have different chemical make-ups so follow the instructions on the bag or container. Conditions have to be right for the melting to occur. As temperatures drop under 15 degrees most salts will loose effectiveness. That's when sand becomes a better option in providing traction. The DNR and Wisconsin Saltwise are partners in this campaign. Both have information on their website.

Published on 01/29/2026 under News Eagle River is known as the hockey capital of Wisconsin, and this weekend thousands of players from not only the state, but the country and beyond will return to their roots with an iconic outdoor tournament. It's time for the Pond Hockey National Championships on Dollar Lake. USA Hockey helps sanction the event which they describe as bringing camaraderie, competition, and classic pond hockey vibes. For those unfamiliar, the 30 minute games are played 4-on-4 with no goalies, no checking and no pucks above the knee. On site, USA Hockey works with local groups and organizations like the hockey associations, snowmobile clubs, and fire department. The original event was much smaller. In 2006, 40 teams competed on six rinks. This year more than 200 teams will play more than 350 games across the various divisions. Like many Northwoods winter events over the past few years, they have seen a few interruptions due to ice conditions, but that's not a concern this year. Firefighters have been busy flooding the now-twenty rinks, getting the ice ready for game action. Even Mother Nature is on-board, as the extreme cold should move out of the area just in time for this weekend's games. Opening festivities and registration get underway Thursday. Opening face-offs are at 8am Friday, with games continuing into the championship rounds on Sunday. For spectators, parking is limited, but they do have a shuttle buses running from the Eagle River Ice Arena to Dollar Lake throughout the day Friday and Saturday.

Published on 01/29/2026 under News A new year brings another round of special event applications for the City of Tomahawk. Residents and visitors can begin to mark their calendars. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk Health and Safety Committee began the approval process with a half dozen special events, each sponsored by Tomahawk Main Street. All of these events are already well-established in the community, so it was a fairly quick process with only a few clarifications for director Jennifer Turkiewicz. The first on the docket was the Wine Walk on May 8. There's also the Main Street Memories Car Show-May 24, Oktoberfest-October 10, and Main Street Memories Christmas December 11. While Main Street Mania may sound new, Turkiewicz explained it is an updated version of their Customer Appreciation Day and Sidewalk Sale which will take place August 13-15. In addition to the one-off events throughout the year, the Committee also approved the weekly downtown Farmer's Market which will begin in June and continue through the growing season. These items will be right back on the City Council agenda next Tuesday for an expected final approval.

Published on 01/29/2026 under News Following another successful report on Lincoln Hills from a court appointed monitor, Governor Evers plans to request a federal court end the consent decree. Since a 2018 court ruling, the state has been working towards achieving 50 requirements governing the operations at the youth correctional facility in Irma. Those measures addressed a variety of changes including addressing staffing shortages, training, and support; elimination of several punitive measures like pepper spray, solitary confinement, and mechanical restrains; and improving conditions and services. Monitor Teresa Abreu found all 50 requirements were met in her October report and again in the January report released Wednesday. She wrote, "These measures have produced a demonstrable improvement in the safety, climate, and culture of the facilities." Abreu also advised not to become complacent after achieving these goals. Governor Evers said in a Wednesday news release, "This has been a goal a decade in the making, and it's tremendous to be able to celebrate the completion of reforms at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake schools today. Ending the consent decree marks a step in the right direction, and it is a testament to those who got us to this point today, but our work is not done." This comes as the state is working towards building smaller facilities around the state in an effort to house youth offenders closer to their homes and support networks. Once complete, Lincoln Hills would be converted into an adult facility.

Published on 01/28/2026 under News This week is dedicated to smarter use of road salts. In addition to the environmental impacts, salting also has an impact on city budgets. This week is Salt Awareness Week. Coincidentally, the City of Tomahawk salt and sand budget was a conversation at Tuesday's Finance and Board of Public Works meetings. With a few bills outstanding, Street Lead Nick Rosenmeier anticipated the city will exceed their 2025 salt/sand budget. He also noted that they are already halfway through their 2026 budget and we're only a few weeks into the year. When budgeting for road salt, it is a guessing game at the whim of Mother Nature. The City of Tomahawk uses a 20 year average to provide the best recent estimate. After a couple of mild winters, this winter has been a challenge. In addition to needing more salt, the cost has also been on the rise, doubling over the past decade. Rosenemeier says salt prices are currently $127 a ton. The city gets their supply from the county. The local crews do take steps to more effectively use road salts. Rosenmeier says they have been scraping a lot more to remove the layers of snow and ice, which reduces the amount of salt needed. During this cold stretch they have primarily used sand, which is not only cheaper, but works better. That is because salt loses its melting effectiveness the further temperatures drop below freezing. The sand, however, could have some additional costs come spring, as the crews will likely have to do more street sweeping to remove.

Published on 01/28/2026 under News Women seeking mammograms at Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital have a newer option. As of December, the local hospital now offers 3d mammography providing improved imaging and potentially better outcomes. Radiology technologist Courtney Oberg performs these scans, and she stopped by the WJJQ studios to talk about 3d mammography. While the traditional 2d mammography was comprised of two images, Oberg says the 3d mammogram provides 20 to 50 images. She likened it to a loaf of sliced bread, allowing the radiologist to review each cross-section. The additional imagery allows the medical team an opportunity to catch cancers early, when the masses are smaller. Oberg noted early detection can result in better treatment outcomes. The 3d imagery also provides a more accurate reading, not only in detecting small masses, but also in avoiding callbacks for false detection particularly for women with dense breast tissue. Oberg said some patients have traveled to Aspirus facilities in Wausau or Rhinelander. Bringing this option to Tomahawk will allow patients to get the screening closer to home. As for what patients can expect, Oberg said it is almost identical to the 2d mammogram. She noted there will still be a little discomfort from compression, but this is necessary to hold the breast in place. On her end, after two months, Oberg called it has been a wonderful and beneficial experience. Coupled with self-exams, Oberg encouraged regular screenings. She says, "It's going to be a half an hour of your day, but the whole idea is to catch these things earlier when they're easier to treat."

Published on 01/28/2026 under News One person is dead following a crash in Vilas County Tuesday morning. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, responders were called to Highway 51 near Trapp Road in Arbor Vitae for a head-on collision. The call came in at around 10:30am Tuesday morning. Based on their preliminary investigation, they said the southbound pick-up truck likely lost control and crossed over the center-line where it struck an on-coming dumptruck. The driver of the pick-up truck, a 34 year old Three Lakes man was pronounced dead at the scene. The report indicates he was not wearing a seat-belt at the time of the crash. His name is being withheld pending notification of family. The driver of the dump truck was not injured in the crash. Crews were on the scene for more than 5 hours. The crash remains under investigation.

Published on 01/28/2026 under News To kick off the New Year, more than two dozen state properties hosted First Day Hikes. Despite a bitterly cold day, it was well-attended. The DNR provided some of the participation numbers. Overall, there were 32 First Day Hikes across 28 properties. There were more than 2,161 total participants, who hiked a combined 3,543 miles. Partner organizations and Friends Groups organized, led and supported many of these hikes and provided hot drinks, warming fires and even baked goods to those braving the conditions. First Day Hikes are part of a national effort organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. Across the country, there were 1,399 First Day Hikes nationwide. More than 73,000 people showed up, tracking more than 150,000 miles.

Published on 01/27/2026 under News The Town of Boulder Junction is turning 100 next year, and the community is planning to celebrate. To recognize this milestone anniversary of their founding, the town established a Boulder Junction Centennial Committee plan festivities. In the works are a town-wide birthday party, a historical theater performance, a special Musky Jamboree parade, an art installation, a commemorative plaque, and a history publication. They're also looking for the community to help by providing memories. On Monday, the Committee put out a call for people to share photos and stories of their times in Boulder Junction that will be used throughout the celebration. They even provided a list of potential story topics like favorite places, first memories, falling in love (with the town or another person), funny stories, or even animal encounters. The committee did remind people to make sure the stories are true and kept PG-13. They've already got a Facebook page and a website at BoulderJunctionHistory.org with updates, information, and contacts.

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