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Main Street Memories Car Show Returns to Downtown Tomahawk

Published on 05/22/2026 under News Memorial Day weekend in Tomahawk means the return of the Main Street Memories Car Show. Originally started by a local car club, the event was later taken over by Tomahawk Main Street, which has continued the tradition while introducing small changes to keep the show fresh and exciting. As we previewed Thursday, this year's show is dedicated to founder and longtime participant Swede Jorgensen. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz took some time out from preparations to discuss the 32nd edition of the Car Show. She was quick to credit the many volunteers, participants, and attendees who have helped make the show a success over the past three decades. Last year's event featured more than 325 vehicles, which Turkiewicz admitted made for a tight fit. While many car shows are in fields or parking lots, Tomahawk's offers a scenic setting in the historic downtown district.. Turkiewicz added that vehicle owners also appreciate the paved streets, which help keep their chrome polished and clean. Turkiewicz said they traditionally have a big age range, referring to both the people and the cars. And because the Main Street Memories Car Show doesn't group by class or era, you might find a 1935 Ford could be parked next to a brand-new Corvette. In addition to traditional classics, the show has also featured TV- or movie-inspired vehicles such as the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, the Batmobile, the "Dukes of Hazzard" General Lee, and Jurassic Park Jeep. Turkiewicz says the show is very family-friendly and gives visitors the chance to admire unique vehicles, learn more about them, and meet owners who enjoy sharing the stories behind their cars. And while the vehicles are the main attraction, Turkiewicz says there's plenty for non-car enthusiasts to enjoy as well. The event also includes a craft fair, vendors, kids activities and entertainment complementing the downtown restaurants and shops. The Main Street Memories Car Show takes place Sunday throughout the Tomahawk Main Street District, rain or shine.

Published on 05/22/2026 under News Another group of Tomahawk High School students have reached a milestone in their educational journey...it's time for graduation. Ninety Three THS seniors will cross the stage this evening to receive their diplomas. It the culmination of a busy few weeks for the soon-to-be-graduates. They've finished finals, attended their senior class trip, held senior awards night, and completed a community service project. It's all led to the final day of class and tonight's commencement ceremony. Learning a bit about the Class of 2026: their motto is "Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up."; class song is 'Hey Ya' by OutKast as their class song. Midnight blue and the hydrangea are the class color and class flower respectively. Michael Samundsen was named the 2026 Valedictorian with Edwin Riese as Salutatorian.. Each is expected to address their fellow graduates during this evening's program. Rounding out the Top 10, students graduating with honors include: Freya Alberg, Faith Derleth, Ethan Gibeault, Emma Hoff, Logan Norman, Nathan Norman, Sophie Olsen and Galen Schmidt. As for tonight's graduation ceremony, tickets are not required. Doors open at 6pm, the program begins at 7pm. While the ceremony won't be live-streamed, the district says it will be recorded and posted to the their YouTube channel.

Published on 05/22/2026 under News Northwoods motorists may want to tap the brakes this weekend as you may be watched from above. The Wisconsin State Patrol announced upcoming aerial enforcement plans which will include Highway 51 in Oneida County on Friday. According to the announcement, it's much easier for troopers to spot drivers who are speeding or driving aggressively from the air. When a pilot observes a violation, they communicate with ground-based units to initiate a traffic stop. The Wisconsin State Patrol says that the aerial enforcement missions are publicly announced to improve public safety through voluntary compliance rather than to simply stop drivers and handing out citations. The eye in the sky has been used in various regions around the state throughout this week.

Published on 05/22/2026 under News As Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer travel season, state officials are reminding Wisconsinites to keep safety in mind, both on the roads and on the water. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Department of Natural Resources are teaming up with a new campaign "Drive safe. Tow safe. Boat safe." As heavy holiday traffic and busy boat launches are expected, officials say a little preparation can go a long way toward keeping everyone safe this summer. Drivers are encouraged to secure trailers and cargo before traveling. State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan says, "Even if you are a seasoned traveler or have towed a trailer for years, going through a safety checklist every time before hitting the road is still critical at every experience level to keep our roads safe." Once on the road, Officials say distracted driving, speeding and impaired driving remain top causes of summer crashes, especially with more drivers towing boats and campers. The DNR is also urging boaters to wear life jackets, stay sober and check weather conditions before heading out. They encourage all travelers and outdoor enthusiasts to safely and respectfully share the state's roads, launches and waters with others.

Published on 05/22/2026 under News Kids in Rhinelander will soon have a new way to beat the summer heat. After several years of fundraising and construction, The Kiwanis Club of Rhinelander and the City of Rhinelander are set to host the grand opening of the new Vancos Family Splash Pad at Hodag Park. The project was made possible through donations, volunteers and community partnerships. Kiwanis Club President Kerry Brekke says "This project represents what can happen when a community comes together to invest in its families and future." Brekke added the splash pad is an investment in local families and a space designed to create lasting memories for years to come. To kick off the summer season, they're inviting the community to a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday afternoon at 1pm where they'll celebrate the new play area.

Published on 05/22/2026 under News As many prepare for cookouts and the unofficial start of summer, communities across the Northwoods are also preparing to honor the true meaning of Memorial Day remembering the men and women who gave their lives in military service. Among the area observances drawing growing attention is the annual Saturday ceremony at Union Grove Cemetery in Harshaw. What began years ago as a small gathering has grown into a well-attended tradition, bringing hundreds to the rural cemetery each Memorial Day weekend. Organizers have once again been preparing the grounds ahead of this year's ceremony, which continues to feature the popular Einar Ingman motorcycle procession traveling from Tomahawk to Union Grove which has become a meaningful part of the annual observance in memory of the Medal of Honor recipient. A number of Memorial Day ceremonies are planned throughout the Northwoods this weekend, with more information available on the WJJQ Community Calendar.

Published on 05/22/2026 under News Travelers heading to and from the Northwoods have another flight option this summer. United Airlines has brought back its seasonal summer service between Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport and Chicago O'Hare Airport, with the first flights taking off Thursday. Airport officials expressed excitement about the return of the United Express flights, noting that it provides passengers with more choices in both destinations and carriers by expanding beyond the year-round Delta flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Flights to O'Hare will operate Friday through Monday, with one flight scheduled each day. The seasonal service will be operated by SkyWest Airlines.

Published on 05/21/2026 under News One of the driving forces behind a popular car show in Tomahawk will be riding in spirit this weekend. Organizers of the Main Street Memories Car Show announced this year, the 32nd overall, will be dedicated to Swede Jorgensen. Swede was one of the original founders of the longtime Tomahawk tradition, who passed away in November. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz explained Jorgensen was part of the original Northwoods Cruisers Car Club that launched the car show back in 1995. As the event grew, the Club handed over the planning to Tomahawk Main Street, but continued to play a key role in volunteering and participation. This year, Turkiewicz says they plan to prominently feature Jorgensen's image in promotional materials and are working with family to have his beloved classic Chevy Bel-Air on display during Sunday's event. Jorgensen was widely known for his passion for the '55 Chevy specifically and even created a personal museum dedicated to the iconic car. As for the Car Show, it's coming up on Sunday. It typically brings around 300 vehicles to downtown Tomahawk, filling Main Street with classic cars, hot rods, and car enthusiasts from across the region. We'll have a bit more on those festivities during our Friday morning preview.

Published on 05/21/2026 under News More than half of the deer ticks tested in a local research project carried the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The findings come from the Tick Inventory via Citizen Science (TICS) project, an ongoing study by the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute now entering a third year. Their goal is to map tick populations and the pathogens they carry. Over the first two years, they said people collected and submitted more than 12,000 ticks for evaluation. When researchers analyzed 707 non-engorged adult female deer ticks submitted during the first year of the study, they found 51% tested positive for the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. That data came with caution. They said the study doesn't indicate that there is a 50% chance of acquiring Lyme disease from a deer tick bite. Other factors may also impact transmission such as the length of time the tick is embedded as well as follow up treatments. Dr. Jennifer Meece says, "We don't want to scare people off from being outdoors...We just encourage people to take proactive steps to protect themselves from ticks and be observant if they do find themselves with a tick bite." According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, reported cases of Lyme disease have quadrupled over the past 20 years. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. The TICS study is ongoing and people can continue to submit samples.

Published on 05/21/2026 under News Memorial Day weekend typically serves as the unofficial start to summer; officials are expecting near record travel. As we previously shared, Triple A forecasts around 750,000 Wisconsinites will hit the road this weekend. Here in the Northwoods, the busiest stretch is along the Hwy 51/I39 corridor. While some travelers will look to get a jump start on travel this evening, northbound traffic is expected to peak on Friday afternoon and evening. Monday afternoon it's the return traffic heading south. To accommodate the increased travel, the DoT says most of their road construction projects will be paused, though motorists are encouraged to 'know before you go' and check your route. They're also encouraging motorists to drive safely not only this weekend, but throughout the summer travel season. WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman says, "Safety on our roads is something we all create together." She added, "Every choice – slowing down, putting the phone away, watching for workers and other drivers – adds up to safer travel for everyone. As we told you earlier this week, the annual Click It or Ticket campaign is ongoing which brings an increased law enforcement effort to seat belt use. And coming up tomorrow the State Patrol will be conducting an aerial enforcement on Highway 51 in Oneida County.

Published on 05/21/2026 under News Lincoln County Board of Supervisors is hoping to turn opioid settlement dollars into even more funding opportunities. Board members on Tuesday approved a resolution allocating $10,000 in opioid settlement funds to hire grant writers to assist with competitive grant applications tied to opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. They said that larger grants could help support future, long-term programs such as a family treatment court, prevention initiatives, and long-term sustainability for the jail's medication-assisted treatment program. The resolution notes that while the county's Opioid Settlement Task Force is responsible for developing plans for the settlement dollars, outside grant-writing expertise could improve the county's chances of securing additional state and federal funding opportunities which were described as highly competitive by settlement coordinator Erin Ray. Officials say the move is intended to help stretch settlement dollars further while expanding local resources aimed at combating the opioid epidemic.

Published on 05/21/2026 under News Camping and cabin season kicks off with the Memorial Day weekend, and officials are reminding people that hauling firewood from home could lead to the spread emerald ash borer, oakwilt and other destructive pests and diseases. Officials note that to the human eye, a quick examination won't spot pests or disease that can be hidden below the bark or burrowed deep inside the wood. Over the years, state partners have coined the phrase "buy it where you burn it." In other words, rather than bring firewood with you when you travel; gather it on site or purchase it locally. All staffed state parks and forests with campgrounds offer local firewood for sale. Many businesses also sell certified firewood that has been treated for pests and approved by the state. A handy tool is firewoodscout.org which allows you to find dealers by zip code. Both state parks and national forests have restrictions on the radius that firewood may be brought in. Many private campgrounds have similar or even more stringent restrictions.

Published on 05/21/2026 under News Drivers passing by the Central Wisconsin Airport may see flames and a heavy presence of emergency vehicles, but airport officials say there is no need for alarm. Airport rescue personnel and local firefighters will conduct a live fire training exercise throughout the day Thursday. The annual exercise uses a simulated aircraft fuselage to replicate the unique challenges of an airplane fire response. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires these drills which ensure responders are prepared to work together seamlessly in an emergency. These training exercises may be visible in the areas near the airport. The drills are not expected to impact airport operations. Regular flight schedules will continue to operate as usual. The drills will take place on the east end of the airport along Highway 153 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m

Published on 05/20/2026 under News Before they receive their diplomas this weekend, the Tomahawk graduating class is giving back to the community. Throughout the day, the THS seniors are set to participate in their annual Community Service Day. The project has become a pre-graduation tradition that began with the Class of 2016. Over the past decade, the students have tackled a number of projects in the Tomahawk community such as outdoor maintenance at the Senior Center, city park clean-ups, volunteering at senior living facilities, and assisting with preparations with Memorial Day ceremonies. The students will are splitting up and will be assigned to work with various community groups and organizations that need a helping hand. The Senior Service Day has been described as a way for the students to give back and offer a thank you to the community's support during their learning years. It's also part of a busy week for those soon-to-be graduates. They've got their Senior Awards night this evening, then on Friday they'll cross the stage for the THS Commencement. We'll have our annual graduation preview coming up on Friday.

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