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Wausau School Board President Enters 7th District Congressional Race Published on 10/15/2019 under News

The 7th district congressional field continues to grow, with a fifth candidate entering the race.

Wausau School Board president Tricia Zunker launched her campaign yesterday morning. The announcement on Indigenous Peoples Day was fitting as Zunker, if elected, would become the first Native American to serve Wisconsin in congress.

During her announcement, Zunker said while she is running as a Democratic candidate, her job is representing all of her constituents, or people over party.

She brought up a number of issues during her announcement including support for farmers, the environment, education, and affordable health care. A news release emphasized her family ties to unions, farming and the military.

In addition to her role on the Wausau School Board, Zunker teaches law remotely at several universities and serves on the Ho-Chunk Supreme Court.

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Another politician decided against running in that race yesterday. State Senator Janet Bewley said she will not enter the election and will instead continue to serve the residents of her 25th Senate district.

In the announcement she specifically praised Zunker saying, "I've had the pleasure of talking with Tricia Zunker in the past and have been impressed with her grasp of the issues facing our northern cities, villages and towns. The 7th CD deserves a congressperson who understands the needs of our friends and neighbors and I look forward to seeing how her campaign unfolds in the coming months."

In Other News

National Mentorship Month: Tomahawk Kinship Continues Mission in 28th Year

Published on 01/24/2025 under News The Tomahawk Kinship program has been a staple in Tomahawk for nearly three decades. January, National Mentorship Month, dovetails nicely with the organization and their mission. The seeds for Kinship were planted back in 1997 when a Tomahawk Together community input group identified the need for a mentorship program. By December of that same year, the first match was made. As they kick off their 28th year, Patti Hilgendorf and Brittney Woebbeking stopped by the WJJQ studios to discuss Tomahawk Kinship. Woebbeking serves as the organization's match coordinator, paring the youth with their adult mentor. That involves reviewing interests to try an make a lasting match. Hilgendorf notes that a mentor's qualification is simply "a passion for wanting to make a difference in a child's life." While they currently have 41 active matches, there are still around 24 kinskids awaiting theirs. Hilegendorf was also grateful for the continued community support noting that 90% of their operations are covered by local contributions. Beyond the traditional mentor/mentee matches, Kinship also provides other outreach including an after school tutoring program and KinsClub which offers various after-school activities and outings for youth in a group setting. They're also looking to revitalize their dormant lunch buddy program. This allows the mentor to visit the school and share a meal and short activity with their youth match. Hilgendorf suggested this would be a good opportunity for a local business who wanted to get their staff involved. For those that would like to learn more about Kinship, their website has information, or check out that morning conversation in the WJJQ Audio Center.

Published on 01/24/2025 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. After testing and tune-up last weekend, 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, making this the 60th anniversary season. For those unfamiliar, it can be quite the spectacle of head to head drag racing on the side by side tracks. While some participants have cars that look like street vehicles, others have invested a bit more into paint schemes, spoilers, and special studded tires. The racing family is also community oriented, as the Ice Draggers have given back to a lengthy list of Merrill community groups over the years. The races are always dependent on Mother Nature. That meant last year's racing was canceled. But they've rebounded this year, noting ice conditions are the best they have looked in years. For general spectators, the Ice Drags are free, though donations are always welcome. They've also got raffles, merchandise, and even a food truck on site. The regular season races are each of the next four Saturdays, followed by the championship Super Saturday on February 22. Races begin at 11:30am.

Published on 01/24/2025 under Sports The Hatchet Hockey team's dominant offensive performances continued with an 11-2 win at Antigo Thursday night. Tomahawk got on the Red Robins early and often, notching seven goals in the first period. Jonah Dickens had four goals in the first period alone. The Hatchets also got goals from Jett Reilly, Beau Stromberg, Austin Lamer, Brayden Lamer, and Sawyer Hanna. The win improves Tomahawk's record to 12-3 on the season and 6-0 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action Saturday for a showdown with #4 in Division 1 St. Mary Springs. Alex Koch and Zach Garner will be in the broadcast booth with the Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show at 1:35 and opening faceoff at 2:00.

Published on 01/24/2025 under News From summer celebrations to their impressive Christmas lights display, Rondele Ranch in Harshaw is a popular attraction and destination in the Northwoods. Thursday marked the start of a brand new expansion project to accommodate their growing needs. They held a groundbreaking ceremony that will mark the start of construction on a new event and entertainment space on the property. Owner Robert Chadwell said, "Once completed, the new event center will be able to accommodate large private events (weddings,dinners, dances, etc.), as well as host various public events for the enjoyment of residents and visitors of all ages." He added, "The new space will be better suited for large year-round gatherings and performances over our smaller venues." The new building will be nearly 15,000 square feet, with additional canopied space, an outdoor lounge, covered drive-through entrance and other amenities. They'll utilize what was described as "Modern Northwoods" design elements. They anticipate the construction process will continue through the summer.

Published on 01/24/2025 under Sports In their lone home meet of the season, Tomahawk's wrestling squads came away with a successful day. The Hatchet girls would lose their lone match of the night to Lincoln County Foe Merrill, 37-27. The Hatchet boys would win both of their matchups in convincing fashion. Tomahawk would defeat Great Northern Conference foe Mosinee, 51-22. The Hatchets would follow up with a dominating win over Athens 66-15. Both teams will be back in action this weekend for their next tournament at St. Croix Falls.

Published on 01/24/2025 under News Northern Wisconsin air travelers will have some expanded options this summer, larger planes and an additional flight. Central Wisconsin Airport announced that over the next few months their American Airlines flights will be upgraded from 50 seat planes to 65 seats that will also offer different cabin options. That's coupled with a third daily flight between CWA and O'Hare starting April 4th. Chris Dickinson, Airport Board Chair at CWA says, "(This) reflects the confidence American Airlines has in the growth of our region." For travelers, more seats could mean lower fares and more options for connections out of Chicago. In addition to the American Flights to O'Hare, CWA also offers Delta service through Minneapolis St. Paul.

Published on 01/24/2025 under News Winter is a popular time for snowmobiles, ATVs and UTVs, but the DNR is highlighting some of the added challenges when operating these recreational vehicles during this time of year. Unfortunately, there have already been three fatal crashes around the state in the new year, two on UTVs and one snowmobile. Two of those incidents occurred while the machines were being operated on frozen waterways, and the DNR once again issued a reminder about safety when it comes to ice conditions. They note that every waterway has it own characteristics that impact ice thickness, including inlets and outlets, currents, and natural springs, and here in the Northwoods dropping water levels on reservoirs which can lead to pressure ridges or buckled ice. It's a good idea to check conditions and let someone know where you're going. Slow down at night, or riding in unfamiliar areas. And dress appropriately for the weather. And for trails or road riding, take into account that snow, ice, and frost can lead to slick conditions, especially when stopping or turning.

Published on 01/24/2025 under News On Wednesday, Governor Evers made his seventh State of the State address, outlining his vision for the coming year and into the future. Yesterday he took his message on the road, and his first stop was here in the Northwoods. The Governor was joined by Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Jeff Pertl, local leaders, community members, and stakeholders for a stop at Morgue Coffee Co in Rhinelander and a round table discussion. In his state of the state, the Governor declared 2025 The Year of the Kid, and that was one of the main messages he shared. That includes increased state funding for K-12 education, a topic that is quite important here in the Northwoods where nearly every school district has had to turn to funding through referendum. Another common concern was childcare, both affordability and availability. The Northwoods is what is considered a childcare desert with few options for working parents. Following his visit in Rhinelander, the Governor's next stop was New Moon Cafe in Oshkosh. Following his State of the State speech, he plans to unveil his budget proposal next month.

Published on 01/24/2025 under Sports The Hatchet boys' Swimmers came away with a split in their double-dual at Rhinelander Thursday. Tomahawk would lose to the powerhouse host Rhinelander, 121-43. However, the Hatchets would defeat Lakeland in Part 2 of their dual, 91-37. There was a little history also made Thursday. Hatchet swimmer Dane Dekiep became the first Hatchet swimmer since 2021 to win an event in a dual meet against Rhinelander. Tomahawk hits the road again Tuesday for another double dual. It will be their final dual meets of the regular season before the Great Northern Conference meet. Their double dual Tuesday is in Antigo with the host and Shawano.

Published on 01/23/2025 under News Afterschool programming can play a key role in childhood growth and development. A local woman has been selected to advocate for these programs in Wisconsin. The YMCA of the Northwoods announced that Abbie Cline has been selected as Wisconsin's 2025 Afterschool Ambassador through the Afterschool Alliance. Cline works at the Rhinelander-based YMCA as their Mission Advancement Director. As an Afterschool Ambassador, Cline will serve as a spokesperson for the importance of high-quality programs in local communities, while also contributing to the national dialogue on afterschool policies and initiatives. Linda May, CEO of YMCA of the Northwoods says they are thrilled with the decision. She says, "(Abbie's) unwavering dedication to our youth and her innovative approach to programming has made a significant impact in our community. This recognition is a testament to her hard work and the critical need for afterschool programs across Wisconsin." In the announcement the YMCA said Cline's passion for creating safe, nurturing environments for children to learn, grow, and thrive is truly inspiring. They wrote, "With Abbie's leadership as an Afterschool Ambassador, the YMCA is excited about the future of afterschool programming in our region."

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