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Japanese Beetles Continue to Impact Local Plants

Published on 07/22/2026 under News While many insects help our gardens by pollinating flowers, one invasive beetle continues to give Northwoods gardeners plenty of headaches. Japanese beetles have been busy and hungry across Northern Wisconsin in recent weeks. According to UW Extension, the metallic green and copper-colored beetles feed on the leaves of more than 350 plant species. Their feeding leaves behind a distinctive lace-like skeleton of the leaf, weakening plants and making them more susceptible to disease and other stresses. Homeowners have several options to help protect their plants each with advantages and disadvantages. The simplest is through frequent plant checks, knocking the beetles into a bucket of soapy water. Commercial insecticides can also be effective, but may harm beneficial insects. Pheromone traps are available as well, but experts caution they can actually draw more beetles into your yard. Fortunately, Mother Nature may also lend a helping hand with a parasitic control. According to the University of Minnesota, the Winsome fly lays its eggs on the backs of Japanese beetles. When the larvae hatch, they feed on the beetle, eventually killing it within a few days. There is evidence of the Winsome fly eggs on beetles here in the Northwoods. So if you spot a Japanese beetle with these small white eggs on its back, you may want to let nature take its course.

Published on 07/22/2026 under News Community members and local growers can get an up-close look at the state's latest potato research during the Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station's annual Summer Field Day this Thursday. The free event invites attendees to explore the station and see agricultural science in action. Station Superintendent Becky Eddy and university scientists will lead field wagon tours showcasing current crop research. Expert speakers will also share updates on UW–Madison potato projects, including the use of remote-sensing technology and the latest strategies for managing potato insects and plant pathology. A major highlight of the day is "Potato 2.0", a newly funded $3.8 million USDA project aimed at streamlining the potato breeding process using techniques similar to modern corn production. In addition to field demonstrations, the "Spudmobile" mobile education center will be onsite, making it a great event for families. The event runs from 9am to 1pm tomorrow at the Research station located on Camp Bryn Afon Road. Additional information and a schedule is available on their website.

Published on 07/22/2026 under News It's a summer Wednesday in Tomahawk, and that means another opportunity to enjoy live music. Tomahawk Music on the River enters the back half of its summer concert series tonight with week five of seven. Now in its nineteenth season, the series brings back another fan, and Jeff in the Morning, favorite. The Jimmys have become regulars here in Tomahawk, known for high-energy shows powered by a full horn section and keys. While most performers stick to the pavilion, members of the Jimmys have even been known to hop aboard a pontoon to literally play music on the river during past visits. The band comes highly decorated, boasting a lengthy list of Wisconsin Area Music Industry honors. After a summer spent dodging rain and wildfire smoke, the forecast is finally looking like a beautiful evening. The music kicks off at 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Park in Tomahawk.

Published on 07/22/2026 under News A Medford man has died following a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Taylor County. According to the Sheriff's Office, dispatch received a call around 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning requesting a welfare check for 56-year-old Scott R. Williams after he failed to show up for work. Cell phone data initially placed his last known location along County Road M northwest of Medford. Shortly after, a passing motorist spotted a motorcycle and an unresponsive man in a ditch along County Road M in the Town of Hammel. That victim was identified as Williams, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation indicates Williams was traveling eastbound when his motorcycle left the roadway and entered the ditch, ejecting him. Authorities noted Williams was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.

Published on 07/22/2026 under News Lincoln County supervisors are hitting pause on a proposed policy limiting photography and video recording in certain county buildings. Following a lengthy discussion Tuesday, the Lincoln County Board voted 13 to 9 to table a resolution that would prohibit recording in areas where confidential services are provided. Supervisors in favor of the resolution said the policy is needed to protect client privacy in areas handling confidential records, like the Health Department, Social Services, and court offices. Those opposed questioned whether the policy could infringe on First Amendment rights, arguing the public generally has the right to record government activity in public spaces, particularly the lobby of the Lincoln County Service Center which was included in the proposed resolution. After that debate, the resolution was ultimately tabled, meaning supervisors could eventually revisit with narrowed scope.

Published on 07/22/2026 under News Oshkosh is the place to be for aviation lovers this week as EAA AirVenture gets underway. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is using all the excitement around flying to highlight the Fly Wisconsin Passport Program. The initiative encourages pilots to visit general aviation airports across the state, from big city hubs to small local runways. Here's how it works: after signing up online, pilots get a passport booklet to take along on their flights. When they land at a municipal airport, they collect a stamp featuring that airport's official location code, for Tomahawk it's TKV. The program is a fun way to promote flight safety while boosting tourism in local communities. Wisconsin boasts over 120 participating airports and special aviation attractions, with milestone prizes awarded as pilots fill up their booklets. You can learn more and sign up by visiting the Department of Transportation website.

Published on 07/21/2026 under News A pair of Tomahawk High School students spent a week in the nation's capital for a national leadership conference and they returned to the Northwoods with some hardware. Earlier this year, members of THS chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) attended the state leadership conference. Three students qualified for the national event in Washington, D.C, including Aubrey Seubert and Emma Hoff, who joined nearly 8,000 students in attendance. Beyond educational sessions and networking opportunities, participants presented their projects. The Tomahawk contingent fared exceptionally well: Seubert earned a Gold Medal in Career Investigation, while Hoff brought home a Silver Medal in Promote and Publicize. Hoff attended last year's event as well, where she earned a bronze. During their downtime, the students explored the city, visited iconic national monuments, and made unforgettable memories. The Tomahawk School District congratulated both students on representing the community with excellence, recognizing their hard work, dedication, and outstanding accomplishments."

Published on 07/21/2026 under News The Northwoods is renowned for its lakes and rivers, and next month local residents will have a chance to help keep those waters healthy. Organizers are calling on volunteers for Wisconsin's annual Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Snapshot Day on Saturday, Aug. 8. The statewide effort mobilizes citizen scientists at dozens of locations to search for non-native plants and animals that threaten local ecosystems. After a brief training session, volunteers will be dispatched to scan designated waterways. Any findings are submitted to the DNR to guide ongoing conservation and early-detection efforts. Lincoln County will host a AIS Snapshot Day for a 5th consecutive year, focusing on Tomahawk specifically. While the effort is scheduled for August 8, the Lincoln County Land Services Department is encouraging interested community members to sign up early for planning purposes. Other participating Northwoods host locations include Lake Tomahawk, Manitowish Waters, and Crandon.

Published on 07/21/2026 under News Northwoods voters will have a unique opportunity to learn more about some of the candidates in the 7th Congressional District with a candidate forum featuring watch parties around the expansive district. The conversation is a joint effort of seven regional chapters of the League of Women Voters, along with three local tech schools. The live forum, held at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, will be broadcast directly to watch parties throughout the district. Here in the Northwoods, Nicolet College in Rhinelander or at the Kalmar Senior Center in Eagle River will hold watch parties. Organizers say the livestream format offers Northwoods residents a unique, interactive community setting to examine where candidates stand before heading to the polls for the August 11 primary. All congressional candidates appearing on the primary ballot were invited to participate. Five candidates accepted the League's invitation, a selection of both Democrats and Republicans. This includes Chris Armstrong, Nina Baum, Fred Clark, Kevin Hermening, and Ginger Murray. The forum gets underway at 6:30 p.m.

Published on 07/21/2026 under News Two Northwoods organizations are receiving state grants to help train workers and fill in-demand jobs. They Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced nine recipients will share in more than $890,000 in Wisconsin Fast Forward grants. The funds will to assist in training more than 340 workers in healthcare, customer service, technology, and manufacturing to help fill critical workforce needs. Locally, Opportunity Inc. in Marathon County will receive nearly $17,700 to train eight people as professional guardians for individuals with disabilities. The training will focus on legal requirements, ethics and person-centered planning. Meanwhile, Robbins Sports Surfaces in Langlade County was awarded $32,500 to train 18 workers at its new rough mill in White Lake. Gov. Evers called the grants a win-win-win for the workforce, economy, and communities. The Wisconsin Fast Forward program helps employers train workers for higher-skilled, better-paying jobs while addressing workforce shortages across the state.

Published on 07/21/2026 under News A Tomahawk man was cited over the weekend after a deputy caught him driving more than 100 mph on Highway 64. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, a deputy on a specialized traffic safety patrol spotted an eastbound vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed near Joe Snow Road on Sunday. Radar locked the vehicle's speed at 102 mph in a 55 mph zone, after initially clocking it at 105 mph. During the traffic stop, the deputy reported that the driver was initially argumentative and unable to provide proof of identification. A family member eventually arrived at the scene to confirm both the man's identity and his ownership of the vehicle. The driver was cited for speeding 45+ mph over the posted limit and driving without identification. A couple of other quick notes from the Sheriff's report... A single vehicle crash last Monday on Highway 51 near Nibler Road resulted in a driver injury. The driver suspected he may have fallen asleep behind the wheel causing the crash. Both drivers were injured in a two vehicle crash on Highway 17 in the Town of Russell. Based on the initial investigation, one of the vehicles attempted a u-turn, crossing into the path of the other vehicle. The number of vehicle versus deer collisions remains low with four reported on Lincoln County Roadways.

Published on 07/21/2026 under News Hundreds of hours of stitching, vibrant patterns, and a whole lot of heart were on full display in Eagle River over the weekend. The Cranberry Country Quilters Guild hosted their annual show at Northland Pines High School over the weekend, transforming the school into a colorful tapestry featuring more than 200 quilts. The day-long event offered visitors a chance to marvel at the artistry of local crafters while enjoying quilt vendors, technique demonstrations, an antique bed turning, and even a special raffle quilt. Another highlight was the recognition of long-time member Joyce Owens. Owens was honored for her passion for quilting, colorful and creative designs, and years of leadership and mentorship within the guild. She served as guild president twice, and has helped teach and inspire fellow quilters for many years. Organizers say the event celebrated both the artistry of quilting and the volunteers who help keep the tradition thriving.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) has officially opened public voting for its third annual safe digging competition, seeking its next canine spokesperson. The contest pairs cute pups with an important message: reminding residents to call Diggers Hotline at least three days before starting any home project that involves digging. The winning "ambassadog" will be featured on social media and billboards promoting Diggers Hotline as safe, free, and required by law. Back in 2024, Arlo, an Aussiedoodle from Tomahawk, became the first spokes-dog, followed by Pearl from Schofield last year. With Pearl's term coming to a close, WPS put out a call for a new batch of pup-ular candidates. Out of dozens of submissions, a pack of 10 finalists was selected, including three local Northwoods favorites:Luna (Merrill): An 11-month-old who loves digging at the beach almost as much as she loves cuddling up for family movie nights.Maisie (Rhinelander): A sweet 1-year-old golden retriever famous for unearthing yard rocks and playing fetch.Ruby (Tomahawk): A playful 1-year-old water lover who balances her digging hobby with outdoor bird-watching.Voting is open to everyone at the WPS website through next Monday, July 27. The winner will be announced on August 11 (8/11) a reference to 811, the national number to call before you dig.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News The Kwahamots skied their way back onto the podium after a strong performance at the Wisconsin State Show Ski Championships over the weekend. Competing at the 60th annual state championships on Lake Wazeecha in Wisconsin Rapids, the Kwahamots finished third in the Division 3 team competition. The top three teams separated themselves from the rest of the field in a tight battle, with the Chain Skiers of Waupaca claiming the state title and Crivitz's Twin Bridge Ski Team taking second. The Tomahawk-based team was led by Ryan Koth, who was recognized as the Division 3 Most Valuable Male performer. A true Swiss Army knife, Koth excelled in wakeboarding, hydrofoil, jumping, and barefooting. The Kwahamots also posted the top score in the barefoot category. This podium finish marks the fourth time in the past five years that the Kwahamots have placed among the top three at the state championships, continuing their run as one of Wisconsin's premier show ski clubs. The four-day event featured teams from across the state competing in individual events prior to the team competition, where performances were judged across a dozen categories—including showmanship, difficulty, boat driving, and overall entertainment. After a successful trip on the road, the team returns home to Kwahamot Bay to resume their schedule of three weekly shows through Labor Day.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News Wildfire smoke put the brakes on a Northwoods aviation tradition on Sunday. The 28th annual AirVenture Cup Race, which serves as the unofficial kickoff to EAA AirVenture week in Oshkosh, was postponed after thick smoke created poor flying conditions across much of Wisconsin. Pilots spent Sunday at the Wausau Downtown Airport receiving periodic weather updates while organizers monitored air quality and visibility in hopes of getting the race underway. Instead, competitors were asked to report back to the airport at 7 a.m. Monday, with organizers tentatively planning a 9 a.m. start, weather permitting. The AirVenture Cup typically attracts more than 100 pilots for a roughly 400-mile sky race from Wausau through northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula before returning to the Northwoods. Tomahawk and Merrill serve as the final two checkpoints on the course. Following the race, most pilots will head to Oshkosh for the start of EAA AirVenture, one of the world's largest aviation gatherings.

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