WJJQ Radio

Story Details

Tomahawk School District Community Education Program Opens Winter/Spring Registration Published on 12/30/2024 under News

The Tomahawk School Campus is currently quiet with winter break. Not only will students soon be back, but the Community Education Program is also set to return for adult learners.

Enrollment is currently open for the Winter/Spring Community Education classes. After launching in the fall, the course lists is starting to grow with dozens of classes on a wide range of subjects. Some will take advantage of the season and Tomahawk's Northwoods location.

Among the highlights is a cross country ski clinic that will take place in early February, weather-pending. The single session, introductory course will be taught by Mike Bellile of Coaster Cycle Works and will even include equipment rental. And as spring draws near, additional seasonal courses include maple syrup making and organic gardening.

Previous popular courses will also return on subjects in art, cooking, fitness, and personal education. They've also got classes on babysitting for students as well as open gym opportunities for basketball, pickleball, and walking.

Among the goals was to keep the programs affordable. With a few exceptions, most classes in the range of $25-35 to cover the cost of equipment, supplies, and the instructor's time.

The Tomahawk School District Community Education Program officially launched in the fall as way for the community to better utilize the campus and its resources.

Registration is currently open with class lists and sign-up available on the Tomahawk School District Community Education website. Deadlines are dependent on class dates.

In Other News

Council Grounds; Wisconsin State Parks Hosting 'First Day Hikes'

Published on 01/01/2025 under News 2025 is going to be a celebratory year for Wisconsin State Parks as they're celebrating the 125th anniversary of the system. People can get a jump start with a 'First Day Hike.' The 'First Day Hike' is actually a nationwide campaign encouraging people to explore their state parks, forests or trail systems on New Year's Day. Steve Schmelzer is a DNR Park and Recreation Management Program Bureau Director. He says, "Starting the new year in the outdoors is refreshing for both our body and mind, and what better way to kick off the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park System than by attending a First Day Hike." Visitors can explore on their own, but many parks will also have guided hikes and organized events as well. Right here in Lincoln County, the Friends of Council Grounds will be offering a short, snowflake-decorated hiking trail, along with some festive treats and a bonfire from 11am to 1pm. And they'll also have an organized 'tree identification hike' scheduled at noon. Friends of Rib Mountain will have similar events down in the Wausau area. A full list of activities is available on the DNR website. Schmelzer says, "First Day Hikes bring together visitors from all walks of life looking for winter fun. We hope that events like this will inspire passion for the outdoors and a desire to explore our state's natural treasures as we celebrate 125 years

Published on 01/01/2025 under News From losing a few pounds to learning a new skill, many are starting off 2025 with New Year's resolutions. Next comes the challenging part, sticking to goals. Around half of Americans will make a New Year's resolution. According to the National Institutes of Health, three quarters will keep that resolution for the first few weeks, but come July, that number drops to just 46 percent. Local health officials offered a few tips for people to keep their resolutions, and it all starts with choosing an attainable and specific goal that you can keep track of. Some of the most common goals are to get healthy or lose weight. But a better goal may be changes like establishing a gym routine, a regular walking scheduling, or drinking a set amount of water daily. It's likely you'll slip up at times, but that doesn't mean you should give up. Simply turn the page and get back on your routine the next day. And if you need a little support, don't be afraid to share your resolution with friends, family, or others sharing your same goals. The accountability may provide a little extra support or motivation. In addition to fitness goals, other popular resolution ideas include: reading more, setting aside money, traveling more often, quitting smoking, and spending more time with friends and families.

Published on 01/01/2025 under News The Lights of the Northwoods in Rhinelander has quickly become a holiday tradition. While initially an event around the Christmas holiday, it's now a month-long spectacle. And organizers also welcome in the New Year with a bang. The annual celebration concludes this evening with a special New Year's Day fireworks show. Throughout December, Hodag Park has been decorated with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights and displays. Visitors can either drive or walk through the park to take in the festive atmosphere. They've also been busy supporting local food pantries and community organizations via donations. There is one last chance to check out the lights with a shortened path today. That's to accommodate the fireworks which are scheduled to begin at 7pm. They do recommend arriving early so that everyone can get parked and settled in before the show begins.

Published on 01/01/2025 under News Each December the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce gathers winter gear for those in need. The collection wrapped up a bit early this week, and was another success thanks to the generosity of the community. The collection is known as the Big Bundle Up, it's the local continuation of what was originally a statewide effort. Over the past month, the Rhinelander Chamber and their partners have been accepting hats, mittens, coats, boots and other cold weather gear to restock the Warm for Winter Clothing Pantry at First Congregation United Church of Christ. With the collection effort wrapping up Tuesday, they were able to contribute more than 600 items. The Warm for Winter Clothing Pantry holds twice monthly distribution events through March. They take place on the second Monday(4pm-6pm) and last Saturday (9:30am-11:30am) of each month. For those who would still like to donate, both the Church and the ADRC of Oneida County have drop off boxes.

Published on 01/01/2025 under News For more than 30 years, Louisiana Pacific has been among the leading employers in Tomahawk. They also continue to give back to the community. LP has facilities in around two dozen locations. In a year-end summary, their Foundation announced distributing more than $1.3 million in monetary and product donations to the various communities they call home. That includes right here in Northwoods. Among their most significant contributions this year, LP Tomahawk donated $15,000.00 to the Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing. The non-profit supports safe housing, basic needs, and support to families and individuals while helping them get back on their feet. They serve Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas counties. They've also worked with the Tomahawk School District over the years. LP Foundation President Breeanna Straessle said, "Our mission is to strengthen communities, protect our environment, and foster the next generation of talent. We're proud to see how our contributions continue to create a lasting impact across the U.S. and Canada." Dating back to 1973, the Foundation has donated more than $23 million.

Published on 12/31/2024 under News Those looking to ring in the New Year are reminded to do so safely by not driving while impaired. As we've previously covered, the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is continuing across Wisconsin through the New Year's holiday. Local law enforcement agencies are partnering to increase patrols while also sharing messages of traffic safety. DoT statistics show that last holiday season there were nearly 400 crashes around the state involving impaired drivers. According to the State Patrol, impairment can cloud judgment. That's why they say it is important to designate a sober driver prior to celebrating. If you are the designated driver, take that responsibility seriously. If you're heading to an establishment, ask about safe ride programs. If you're hosting a gathering this evening, plan how your guests will get home safely. Lastly if you're on the road and suspect an impaired driver, the DoT says to call 911 and be prepared to provide as much detail as possible about the driver, vehicle and location.

Published on 12/31/2024 under News The Rhinelander School District is taking innovative steps to help students interested in becoming future teachers. Amid a nationwide shortage of teachers, the Rhinelander School District is providing a number of programs, opportunities and experiences for students interested in careers in education. That includes their Educators Rising Club was created three years ago. Since that time, they've grown to more than 50 student members. According to the district, the club is open to all students interested in education—not just those pursuing teaching. The club offers the students career exploration activities as well as mentorship opportunities with younger students. Another perk, a guaranteed job interview with the district upon completion of a degree in education. As part of these efforts, the Rhinelander School District also works with Nicolet College and UW-Stevens Point to place students on path to receive their degrees in education. These are coupled with Youth Apprenticeship and Education Internship programs that provide real-world experiences. We'll take a closer look at some of those programs in the coming days.

Published on 12/31/2024 under News While snowmobilers eagerly await the snow, local clubs are busy making sure riders young and old stay safe once those trails open. Up in the Lakeland area, the Minocqua Forest Riders and the Northern Hornshoe Trails Snowmobile Clubs recently teamed up to offer a snowmobile education class with 17 students including 15 youth and two adults. The two day course allowed the students to be certified by the DNR, a riding requirement for everyone born in 1985 and later. Beyond safety, the participants also learned about interactions with fellow riders and landowners, trail etiquette and even trail maintenance with a visit from a grooming machine. Similar programs are playing out around the area with classes sponsored by local clubs, law enforcement agencies, schools, and the DNR. In addition to the safety courses, the Minocqua Forest Riders continue to expand their 'Ride Right' program. According to the group, the goal of this initiative is to inform, educate and promote a safe and responsible snowmobile riding culture for todays' and future snowmobilers here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. They note that even if you've been sledding for years, it doesn't hurt to refresh on safety topics like hand signals or night riding. They have even included a segment on their website dedicated to the Ride Right program.-Photo provided by Minocqua Forest Riders Snowmobile Club-

Published on 12/31/2024 under News Those ringing in the New Year tonight may want to look to the skies. In addition to holiday fireworks, there is a chance for the northern lights to make an appearance here in Northern Wisconsin. That's courtesy of some solar activity over the weekend that is now reaching earth last night and today according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Unfortunately, forecasters are also calling for cloudy conditions which may prevent any viewing tonight. For best chances, look to the north, ideally away from any city lights. Taking a picture with a smartphone camera may also reveal hints of the aurora that aren't visible to the naked eye. If you've noticed these announcements more frequently this year, NOAA says the sun is at the maximum phase of its 11-year cycle, making these solar surges and northern lights more frequent.

Published on 12/31/2024 under News For the second time in recent weeks, a high dollar lotto ticket was purchased in Oneida County. The Wisconsin Lottery announced that this Powerball ticket was sold at the Monico Short Stop on Highway 8. The ticket for Saturday's drawing matched four of five numbers plus the Powerball. Just one number shy of the jackpot, the ticket holder will have to settle for $50,000. Store Manager Wendy Lundt says they already had several calls about the winning ticket. She says, "It's going to be a great holiday for someone." That someone will have 180 days to claim their prize. Lundt also noted it was by far the largest winning ticket they've ever sold. The retailer also receives a 2% prize incentive for selling that winning ticket. Just last week, the Wisconsin Lottery announced a $100,000 All or Nothing lotto ticket was sold in Rhinelander.

+ Read More