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Tomahawk Salvation Army Preparing for Return of Bell Ringing

Published on 11/20/2024 under News As the seasons shift, the familiar sound of the Salvation Army Bell Ringers will soon fill the Northwoods once more. Here in Tomahawk, the local Salvation Army chapter will kickoff their holiday bell ringing efforts this week. Ahead of the launch we spoke with organizers Tom Kelly and Terry Derleth. The bell ringing effort is their main source of funding, and 86 cents for every dollar donated stays in the community it's collected. Each year they aim for around $50,000 during the holiday ringing campaign. Kelly noted those funds are split between their temporary emergency voucher program and the Happy Kids Backpack program. That provides supplemental for local students experiencing food insecurity after school and on weekends. As for the kettle campaign, they're always looking for new ringers. Kelly says they've been fortunate to have a groups and businesses volunteer to ring as a team. That includes local banks, realty offices, and churches. Derleth added that ringing can be a rewarding way to spend a few hours ahead of the holidays. This year's Honorary Chair is Pastor Julie from Grace Lutheran Church. They'll be back at their two traditional locations, Trig's and downtown post office. For those interested call 630-667-3250 or email win.semmler@gmail.com

Published on 11/20/2024 under News With Thanksgiving right around the corner, experts anticipate record holiday travel numbers once again. Triple A recently released their annual Thanksgiving travel forecast which overlaps with the state deer hunting season. They expect more than 1.6 million Wisconsinites will travel 50 miles or more next week. That would be the highest on record. Most will be by road, as auto travel in Wisconsin is expected to top 1.4 million over the Thanksgiving holiday. Some good news for those travelers, as gas prices are down slightly from last year with the state average just under $3. As for those planning their travel to avoid traffic, the busiest times are expected next Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, as well as the Sunday afternoon following Thanksgiving. According to their report, the best time for quiet roads is actually on Thanksgiving Day. For this year's forecast, Triple A included two additional days to better reflect recent holiday travel trends. It now includes Tuesday through the following Monday.

Published on 11/20/2024 under News With the gun deer hunt just four days away, the DNR is reminding hunters to dress for safety by wearing the appropriate gear for visibility. A state law requiring the use of blaze orange is one of a number of factors attributed to a drop in hunting related incidents. In addition to the more traditional blaze orange, a 2016 Wisconsin law allows the use of fluorescent pink, as well. According to the DNR, state law requires at least 50% coverage of orange or pink from the waist up. They note that includes any hats or hoods. Even if you're not hunting, the DNR encourages other outdoor recreationists to sport blaze orange or pink to ensure safety for everyone enjoying Wisconsin's natural resources. And it's also a good idea for any pets to have a high visibility vest as well to avoid any accidents.

Published on 11/20/2024 under News From a vehicle slide-off to a dead battery, many Wisconsin motorists will become stranded at some point. That's why it's important to carry a winter emergency kit in your vehicle. It's Winter Weather Awareness Week, and today we're looking about some useful items you should keep in your vehicle during the winter months to remain safe and comfortable until you're back on the road. The cold can put a strain on your battery, so its a good idea to keep a set of jumper cables in the car. Portable jumping units are also handy, but make sure to regularly check that it's fully charged. Ready Wisconsin also recommends a tow rope, a small shovel, and either sand or kitty litter to provide traction if you become stuck. But sometimes you may simply have to wait for help. That's when items like an extra set of winter clothing, blankets, snacks, a cell charger, and flashlights are handy. Lincoln County Emergency Management has a full list of items to consider on their website.

Published on 11/20/2024 under News With Thanksgiving right around the corner, experts anticipate record holiday travel numbers once again. Triple A recently released their annual Thanksgiving travel forecast which overlaps with the state deer hunting season. They expect more than 1.6 million Wisconsinites will travel 50 miles or more next week. That would be the highest on record. Most will be by road, as auto travel in Wisconsin is expected to top 1.4 million over the Thanksgiving holiday. Some good news for those travelers, as gas prices are down slightly from last year with the state average just under $3. For this year's forecast, Triple A included two additional days to better reflect recent holiday travel trends. It now includes Tuesday through the following Monday. As for those planning their travel to avoid traffic, the busiest times are expected next Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, as well as the Sunday afternoon following Thanksgiving. According to their report, the best time for quiet roads is actually on Thanksgiving Day.

Published on 11/20/2024 under News The bear harvest bounced back in 2024 with strong numbers around the state including here in the Northwoods. The DNR announced the preliminary results of the season which wrapped up last month. Hunters harvested just shy of 4,300 bear this year, up significantly from last year when just 2,900 bear were registered. This year's harvest was in line with the recent average. Natural food sources were among the factors that may have played a role in both years. DNR large carnivore specialist Randy Johnson noted that last year saw an incredible amount of acorns and other natural food meaning the bears were well fed and reduced the effectiveness of baiting last season. The bears were healthy over the mild winter and, a more typical food resources likely benefited this year's hunters. It was good to get out early, Johnson highlighted that more than 1,000 bear were registered opening day alone. More than half of the season total in first five days. Hunters saw a 37% success rate around the state, with better numbers here in the Northwoods. Approximately 11,500 tags were issued. Hunters for next season are reminded of the Dec. 10 application deadline. Zone Harvest Tags Success A 1,237 1,731 71.5% B 898 1,515 59.3% C 796 3,000 26.5% D 1,177 3,005 39.2% E 145 1,750 8.3% F 32 500 6.4% Total 4,285 11,501 37.3%

Published on 11/20/2024 under News A plea deal is in the works for a Price County man accused of killing a former girlfriend. According to an updated court calendar, a plea and sentencing hearing has been scheduled next month for Christopher Dyer. The 50 year old is facing a single count of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Denise Schwarz. Her body was found shot to death outside of a home in Park Falls on April 13th and Dyer was arrested shortly after the incident. Officials recovered the firearm believed to be used in the incident. Dyer has remained jailed since his arrest, and is being held on $1million bond. The plea hearing is scheduled for December 26th.

Published on 11/19/2024 under News One person is dead, another seriously injured following a crash in Oneida County Monday afternoon. According to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, responders were paged to a two vehicle collision on Highway 17, just south of Mud Lake Road, in the Town of Pine Lake. The call came in at shortly after 1pm. Upon arrival, deputies found a head-on collision with the driver of the southbound vehicle deceased. Their name wasn't immediately released. The driver of the northbound vehicle was airlifted to Wausau for treatment of serious injuries. No update on their condition was provided. The two drivers were the lone occupants of their vehicles. Based on their initial investigation, which included a statement from the northbound operator, it appears the southbound vehicle had crossed over the center line. Highway 17 was closed and detoured for several hours after the crash, which remains under investigation.

Published on 11/19/2024 under News Don't expect to hear any windchill advisories from the National Weather Service this winter. That's not because it won't get cold, but because the NWS has changed some of their warning and watch language in an effort to simplify the messaging. During Wisconsin Winter Weather Awareness week, officials offered up a reminder about the recent change. Rather than issuing windchill watches and warnings, they'll now issue extreme cold watches and warnings.Wind chill advisory will be renamed a cold weather advisory. The changes were announced earlier this year and took effect October 1. At the time, the National Weather Service noted they were looking to clarify that extreme cold isn't tied solely to the wind, and can be dangerous regardless of wind speeds. Speaking of falling temperatures, emergency management officials are reminding residents to remember cold weather safety. According to data from the State Health Department, there were 45 cold-related deaths in Wisconsin last winter, and nearly 1,000 ER visits due to the extreme cold. Among the common dangers are hypothermia and frost bite. They note that it's important to pay attention to the forecasts and follow watches and warning. Try to limit time outside. Dress for the weather by layering and making sure to cover exposed skin. It's also a good idea to check on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors. And don't forget to pay attention to pets as well.

Published on 11/19/2024 under News Woman Arrested After Fireworks Prank A fireworks prank led to charges for a Merrill woman. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, a deputy was sent to a home on County K in the Town of Merrill for a domestic distriburbance involving a 27 year old woman and 45 year old man. Deputies learned the woman placed an exploding firework under a toilet seat. The firework that was designed to explode when pressure was applied by someone sitting on the set. That firework did explode, and caused minor injuries to the man. As a result, the woman was charged with domestic battery. Vehicle Chase Tops 100mph One person was arrested following a high speed chase in Lincoln County this past week. According to the Sheriff's Report, a deputy initially attempted a traffic stop Thursday for speeding on County A near Highway 8 in the Town of Bradley. The deputy initially recorded the vehicle traveling 88mph in a 55mph zone. The driver failed to stop and instead accelerated to speeds exceeding 100mph. According to the report, the driver pulled into a driveway on Highway 8. The deputy unsuccessfully attempted to deploy their taser as the man fled into the home. The 63 year old eventually came back out of the home and was taken into custody. He was brought to jail on a number of charges including fleeing, reckless driving-endangering safety, and obstructing; along with a number of traffic offenses. Vehicle/Deer Collisions Remains Elevated The number of vehicle versus deer collisions on Lincoln County roadways remains elevated. According to the Sheriff's Report, deputies were notified of 22 such crashes this past week.

Published on 11/19/2024 under News With the Tomahawk Schools choosing to go to referendum early next year, the district will be offering outreach and information to educate the public. Following last week's decision, the District, on Monday, provided some additional information via news release. As we previously covered, the district is seeking to extend their expiring referendum, at $3.25 million annually for another four years. It will appear on the February 18 spring primary ballot. If approved by voters, the district's portion of the property tax rate is not expected to increase from the current levels. The district estimates it would average $5.59 per $1,000 of property valuation, though they noted the levy rate may vary by municipality. Superintendent Wendell Quesinberry says, "While we are proud of our success, the School District of Tomahawk faces significant financial challenges. He added, "Most of these challenges are out of our control and largely related to the state's school funding system and rising costs due to inflation." In the news release, the district highlighted one of their challenges is due to the connection between state aid and property value. Considered a high-property value district, Tomahawk receives approximately $3,300 per student from the state, while the average Wisconsin district receives approximately $8,600 per student in state aid. The district plans to create a website that will provide detailed information and answers to frequently asked questions. They also plan to host and attend meetings in the area, and provide information via social media.

Published on 11/19/2024 under News A young Minocqua girl recently celebrated her birthday by giving back to her community. While many kids seek toys and treats for their birthdays, Scarlett Henderson had a different request. For her 8th birthday celebration, Scarlett asked her family and friends to provide her with non-perishable food items. Her plan was to contribute those donations to the Lakeland Food Pantry in Arbor Vitae to help restock their shelves ahead of the holidays. And following her birthday celebration, Scarlett did just that. Accompanied by her brother and other families members, Scarlett was able to contribute approximately 34 pounds of food she received for her birthday. In sharing her story, the volunteers at the Lakeland Pantry were grateful for the donation. -Photo provided by Lakeland Pantry: Friend & pantry volunteer Jim Damask, Scarlett, her brother Walker, and her Grandma Celeste Gonder.

Published on 11/19/2024 under News Here in the Northwoods, first responders deal with all sorts of terrain and conditions during their emergency calls. The Tomahawk Fire Department will be better equipped for those responses going forward. The Tomahawk Fire Department is set to receive a brand new UTV, and it's all thanks to the Tomahawk Sports Center and the Can-Am for a Cause program. Each year Can-Am dealerships are able to apply for an emergency response UTV for police, fire or EMS agencies within their community. Tomahawk Sports Center has applied on a number of occasions, and finally got their name selected this year. This year's application had a little extra insight, written by an employee who also serves on the local fire department. Here in the Northwoods, many first response agencies utilize UTVs which are useful on calls to trails and wooded areas where full-sized vehicles may have difficulty accessing. As for the new Tomahawk machine, Can-Am took care of the UTV, Tomahawk Sports Center donated all of the accessories, and PrintWorx is handling the detailing and graphics. Coming up this afternoon, they'll be hosting a small unveiling. We're planning to have some live coverage of the ceremony in the 4pm.

Published on 11/18/2024 under News Over the past few months, Lincoln County has received plenty of screen time to promote the region, and another episode recently dropped. Earlier this year, Lincoln County expanded their partnership with Discover Wisconsin and their companion Uniquely Wisconsin video series. It's all part of a goal to showcase Lincoln County as a travel destination. Several shorter segments have already debuted, and now a full Discover Wisconsin episode has debuted. It's titled, 'Lincoln County: What's Behind the Trees.' Over the twenty minutes program, hosts Eric Paulsen and Lindsey Hayes take a quick tour of the county. There is a distinct focus on the outdoors with visits to the Underdown, Ice Age, and Harrison Hills trail systems. A fishing excursion showcases local waterways, while they also stop at visit Sawmill Brewing, Helene's Hilltop Orchard, and of course, the Tomahawk Fall Ride. The episode premiered on the Discover Wisconsin YouTube Channel this last week and is part of Season 37 of Discover Wisconsin on broadcast TV.

Published on 11/18/2024 under News Emergency management teams around the state are reminding residents to prepare for the upcoming winter season. We've yet to see any flurries or frigid temperatures this season as we enter Wisconsin Winter Awareness Week. In the coming days, safety officials and meteorologists will be sharing valuable information and safety tips as people prepare for what Mother Nature has to offer in the coming months. According to the National Weather Service, Wisconsin averages three to six major winter storms each season. Last winter was unusually mild. Hurley topped the state with just 75.5 inches. That's less than half a typical total. The coldest recorded temperature was all the way down in Rock County at 18 below zero. Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle says, "Winter weather can lead to dangerous conditions including snowstorms, icy roads, and below freezing temperatures. By planning ahead, we can ensure families and communities are safe during the colder winter months." That includes preparing home and vehicle emergency kits, going over a family emergency plan, and paying attention to weather forecasts. Stay tuned to WJJQ all week long for additional information on Winter Awareness Week.

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