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Lincoln County Sheriff's Report; Box Truck/Vehicle Collision Published on 10/15/2024 under News

Injuries were reported after a two vehicle accident on Highway 51 in Lincoln County.

According to the Sheriff's Report, the initial call Friday indicated a car versus box truck collision on Highway 51 at the intersection of Lincoln Drive.

The preliminary investigation showed the box truck was traveling west on Lincoln Drive and attempting to cross Highway 51. The driver cleared the northbound lane and was attempting to cross the southbound lanes. That's where the truck was struck by an oncoming southbound passenger vehicle.

According to the report, the driver of the passenger vehicle, a 74 year old Wausau woman reported injuries and was transported to an area hospital. No update on her condition was provided.

The crash remains under investigation.

A few other quick notes from the Sheriff's Report...

•A speeding stop led to a 35 year old Michigan man being arrested for possession of marijuana along with several driving violations.

•Two individuals were brought in on probation holds after deputies were called to a domestic incident The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

•A speeding stop resulted in a 43 year old Merrill man being arrested for 1st offense OWI.

•A 49 year old Merrill man was brought to the jail on several charges after deputies responded to a 911 hangup. Their investigation revealed a suspected domestic incident that turned physical.

•The number of vehicle/deer crashes remains steady on Lincoln County roadways with another 9 reported this past week.

In Other News

Hatchet Football Team Defeats Merrill

Published on 10/15/2024 under Sports The Hatchets kept their playoff hopes alive in a wacky, yet entertaining win at Jay Stadium in Merrill Saturday, defeating the Blue Jays, 17-11. Tomahawk struggled to move the ball offensively, but they were able to take advantage of short fields set up by defensive stops. The Hatchets forced four Merrill turnovers, including three in the second half. Brayden Larson rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown. He also had a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and the game sealing interception with one minute remaining. With the win, Tomahawk goes to 3-5 on the season and 2-4 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets will now play for playoff eligibility Friday night at home against Lakeland. Tune in for the broadcast on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ with the Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show at 6:35 and kickoff at 7:00. Matt Turkiewicz and Alex Koch will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 10/15/2024 under News Based on participation and success in Advanced Placement courses, Tomahawk High School students have earned a state recognition. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced that 151 high schools around the state earned Pacesetter Awards, with Tomahawk High School earning Level 3 distinction. The recognition is based on scores achieved last school year. Advanced Placement or AP courses are higher level offerings taught in the High School. At the conclusion of the year, the students, through testing, are able to earn college credits or test out of college courses entirely. To reach Level 3 achievement, more than 10% of THS students took an AP exam with 60% of those students earning a score of 3 or higher on the 5 point scale. THS offers AP courses in a wide curriculum including Biology, Calculus, English and History. Other Northwoods schools receiving the Level 3 distinction include Lakeland, Northland Pines, Medford, and Chequamegon.

Published on 10/15/2024 under News A local fire department is opening its doors this weekend to talk fire safety and showcase their equipment at a family friendly event. October is Fire Prevention Month, and departments around the Northwoods are helping spread the word. While much of that outreach involves firefighters visiting area schools and other community locations, the Little Rice Fire Department is inviting people to their station for the second of two planned 'Fire Up for Safety:Family Awareness Days.' On Saturday morning, they're inviting families to stop by. Ellen Mathein is helping organize the event. She says it's for people of all ages. They'll have plenty of hands-on, educational activities on fire safety and other life-saving actions. That includes using a fire extinguisher, administering a dose of Narcan, and performing the Heimlich and CPR. Mathein also notes that people will have a chance to check out some of their vehicles and equipment. And, weather and availability pending, a visit from the Life Link Helicopter. They'll also have information for those interested in joining the fire department. The Little Rice FD Fired Up for Safety event is Saturday morning at 10am at the Fire Station.

Published on 10/15/2024 under News In a little more than a decade, the WinMan Trails in Vilas County have quickly become an outdoor recreation destination, and a new project is aiming to allow on-site, overnight accommodations. Located up in Winchester, the non-profit recently announced their BaseCamp project. It will include on-site lodging opportunities, as well as the creation of a second trail head. According to the announcement, the plan is to establish a variety of overnight lodging options from rustic tent camping and RV sites, to tiny cabins and traditional cabins. They're also planning a communal building for visitors. The goal is to allow visitors to extend their stay, making their adventures longer, more convenient and memorable. While some of the build is already underway, they've launched a capital campaign to raise the approximately $1.1 million cost with both donations and naming and sponsorship opportunities. Once completed, they hope the lodging will generate funds that will help sustain and develop the trail system and property into the future. The WinMan Trails are used year-round in a variety of ways including hiking, biking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. You can visit their website for additional information.

Published on 10/15/2024 under News It won't be long before our area lakes freeze over for the winter. As waterfront property owners are removing their docks, lifts, and boats for the season, they are encouraged to check for aquatic invasive species. The DNR offered up a reminder to help keep waterways free from invaders like the zebra (photo) and quagga mussels by identifying, reporting, and removing them. These invasive mussels can attach themselves to solid structures like docks, rafts, and boat lifts that have spent the summer underwater. Fall removal of this equipment provides an opportunity for inspection. If you believe you have found zebra or quagga mussels in a lake or river not yet known to have them, the DNR encourages people snap a photo, collect a sample and provide that information to a local aquatic invasive species coordinator. Those contacts are available on the DNR website. It's also a good opportunity to wipe down and drain boats and trailers to prevent other AIS from hibernating or stowing away over the winter.

Published on 10/15/2024 under News A bridge replacement project is underway at Council Grounds State Park that may impact travel within the park over the next week and a half. An old wooden bridge along the river is being replaced with a culvert. They note the decking on the wood bridge was worn and the bridge supports are aging. They also hope the improvements will make the road easier to plow and maintain during the winter months. During the project, the road, beyond the family campground, will be closed to vehicle traffic. They'll also use the closure to complete some tree maintenance. They are asking park visitors avoid the work area to keep everyone safe and allow the work to be completed efficiently. If all goes according to plan, they hope to have the work wrapped up by next Thursday, October 15.

Published on 10/14/2024 under News We're still two months from Christmas, but a Lincoln County group is already preparing for an annual gift distribution for families-in-need. This past week, we spoke with Chris Copiskey, a volunteer with Christmas Spirit-Lincoln County. Each holiday season, the non-profit works with local partners to make sure it's a Merry Christmas for kids in Tomahawk, Merrill and surrounding areas. Their mission is to fulfill gift requests for parents and guardians struggling financially who may not be able to provide presents for their children during the holiday season. Copiskey shared they were able to fill the requests of more than 400 children last year. In addition to traditional gifts, they also look to provide items of need like jackets and winter gear or even bedding. She called it 'a heartwarming and humbling process' noting, 'everyone is so accommodating and generous.' The first step in the mission is already underway, the applications and wishlists. Despite a November 6 deadline, participating parents are encouraged to get those filled as quickly as possible. Applications were distributed to Tomahawk Kinship participants, and they are available here at WJJQ. Down in Merrill, the Chamber and the Fire Department have applications. Once those requests are sorted, the tags will be placed on trees in participating businesses for people to purchase. Then come early-December the volunteers will organize and distribute the gifts, one of the most rewarding parts for the volunteers. They've got a Facebook page with more information, and you can hear that entire conversation in the WJJQ audio center.

Published on 10/14/2024 under News Rooks and pawns, knights and kings were on display in Antigo over the weekend. The Antigo Community Chess Club recently partnered with the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation to offer an all-day, youth chess tournament. Dozens of students were looking for checkmate while also raising funds and supplies for a planned homeless shelter, William's House of Hope. Colin Hansen, a teacher and chess club advisor at Edgar said, "These kids came together not only to compete for wins but also for a win for humanity. They collected donations and shared their blessings with complete strangers." Hansen added, "What started as individuals from their respective schools ended with one large group united in a mission to promote chess and tackle homelessness." There was also some chess to be played on the afternoon. In the end Tate Gabriel was the individual champion and helped lead host Antigo to the team title as well. Photos contributed by Antigo Chess Club (L to R): 1st Place winner Tate Gabriel, 3rd Place Taz Thao, 2nd Place Ben Thao

Published on 10/14/2024 under News Nicolet business students can become Wisconsin Badgers without having to leave the Northwoods. Nicolet recently announced a new transfer partnership with UW-Madison and their online program that will allow students to earn a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Nicolet president Kate Ferrel says they are thrilled to offer this opportunity. She notes, "This partnership with UW–Madison provides a seamless transition for our students to continue their education at a prestigious university, all while staying in the Northwoods. Ferrell added, "The ability to complete both the associate and bachelor's degrees online is a significant advantage for our students, particularly those balancing other commitments such as family and work. This agreement guarantees that students who complete their Associate of Arts degree at Nicolet College and meet all UW–Madison admission requirements can transfer, and enter with third year status. To celebrate the partnership, Nicolet will host a tailgate party on Saturday as the Badger football team takes on Northwestern.

Published on 10/14/2024 under News A special ribbon cutting was held over the the weekend to celebrate Wausau's location along the Ice Age Trail. Announced earlier this year, the Ice Age Trail Alliance has now welcomed the greater Wausau area as their 23rd designated Ice Age Trail Community. Approximately 40 miles of the 1,200 mile trail runs through Marathon County, making the Wausau area an convenient base location for trail users in the area. The designated community program is a partnership between towns, villages and cities and the Trail Alliance, allowing them to cross promote each other while supporting the development and use of the Ice Age Trail. For example, the Mammoth Challenge, ongoing in the month of October, rewards participants who visit these designated communities. The Greater Wausau Area joins the Ice Age Community list that already includes Rib Lake, Merrill, Antigo, and Hatley in our area. For more information on the Ice Age Trail, the Designated Community Program and the Mammoth Challenge, you can visit the Ice Age Trail website.

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