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Nomination Deadline for Spring Ballot Tuesday Published on 01/07/2025 under News

We should know a bit more this week about local candidates that will appear on the spring ballot.

The non-partisan spring elections are still a few months away, but today is the deadline for most candidates to file their paperwork to appear on the ballot.

These races include seats such as school board, town boards, city council, and mayor. Looking locally, both the Tomahawk School Board and the Tomahawk City Council will have three expiring races among respective nine members. This is the off-cycle year for the Lincoln County Board, which means those seats won't be on the ballot again until next spring.

We'll pass along the qualified candidate lists as we receive them. Any necessary primaries will be in February with the general election in April.

In Other News

Candidates File Papers for Tomahawk City Council; School Board

Published on 01/08/2025 under News The deadline for candidates to file nomination papers for the upcoming spring election came and went on Tuesday. Here in Tomahawk, there won't be many decisions to make when it comes to local races. The spring election features non-partisan offices such as school board and City Council. At Tomahawk City Hall, Clerk Amanda Bartz confirmed it was only the three incumbent candidates who filed papers for City Council. That means Jeff Kahle, Mickey Loka, and Tadd Wegener will all appear on the ballot unopposed. The current 9 member Council has been in place for the past 6 years. As for the Tomahawk School Board, a reapportionment was approved last fall adjusting the representation of the board to better reflect current population distribution within the district. That transition will take place over the next three years. As part of the process, the representation for the City of Tomahawk will drop from four seats to three. That will be accomplished this year with two expiring terms, though neither of the current representatives will appear on the ballot. Dick Huseby isn't seeking re-election, while Bob Skubal passed away last month. That seat will now be determined by write-in. The removal of a city seat is coupled with the addition of a seat representing Towns of Tomahawk, Bradley, Birch, Skanawan, and Rock Falls. Newcomer Steve Heinrich is the only candidate who submitted papers And Ann Swenty will seek another term representing Nokomis, Little Rice, Wilson Harrison and King. Beyond the elections, both the Tomahawk City Council and School Board have upcoming referendum questions. On the February primary the school district is seeking to extend their funding referendum. In April, city of Tomahawk voters will weigh in on fluoridation of the city water.

Published on 01/08/2025 under News The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is considering several options for a busy and occasionally dangerous intersection in the Northwoods. That intersection is located just north of Tomahawk on Highway 51 and County K/ Swamp Lake Road. Over the years there have been a number of serious crashes at that intersection. As part of a construction project planned for 2027, the DoT is looking at several different intersection alignments to help reduce the number and severity of crashes. They shared those options ahead of a public involvement meeting planned later this month. Perhaps the most drastic proposal is a multi-lane roundabout. The busier north/south directions would have two approach lanes, and single lane approaches for crossing County K and Swamp Lake Road. The other two options are variants that would add additional turn lanes off of Highway 51. That meeting will be held on Wednesday January 22, at Northwoods Community Elementary, which is just down the road from that intersection on County K in Harshaw. They'll have a short presentation at 5pm followed by an open house format. The project design is available for review on the DoT website. Comments on the proposed project are being accepted through Feb. 19.

Published on 01/08/2025 under News The Tomahawk Fire Department will be getting a new engine, though it likely won't arrive for a few more years. At their meetings last night, the Tomahawk City Council and Finance Committee gave approval for the department to go forward with the order. The decision came after a brief overview from Fire Chief Paul Winter. Winter explained that Engine #3 is aging and needed increasing maintenance and some costly repair. Their leadership began exploring the lengthy process more than a year ago, communicating with two Wisconsin-based manufacturers. That includes Pierce out of Appleton and Custom Fire in Osceola. Winter highlighted two concerns during his presentation: rising costs and lengthy wait times. Costs have already trended upwards since the last engine they purchased. Both proposals came back in the similar $1.2-$1.3 million. The Pierce contract, however, could potentially increase based on costs during the build. As for the wait, a Pierce order would be 50-52 months; Custom Fire 20-24 months. With a lower price and shorter wait time, the Council unanimously approved the Custom Fire proposal. Winter explained there would be two payments, when the chassis is delivered to Custom Fire at the end of the year, and when they complete the truck. The city will likely borrow to cover the cost. Following the vote Mayor Steve Taskay, a retired EMT, commended the Fire Chief adding "I know first hand how it is to spec and buy an emergency vehicle, so kudos to you guys."

Published on 01/08/2025 under News Project SEARCH is an immersive program which provides students with disabilities a unique opportunity to receive career exploration. Wisconsin has more than two dozen Project SEARCH sites. Several area hospitals serve as partners and hosts for the program including Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital. Coming up this evening they'll be hosting an open house for people to learn more about the program. Over the years dozens of local students have completed the program which includes a classroom work, on-site training and internship opportunities. It often leads to employment either at the host site or other similar business settings. Rod Olson is a Project SEARCH instructor. He says goal of the open house is to showcase the goals of the program, provide information on becoming a Project SEARCH Intern, and how to get enrolled with Project SEARCH." The open house this evening is scheduled for 5:30pm at Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital.

Published on 01/08/2025 under News The DNR is continuing their months-long review/deer management units boundaries. Proposed changes to the draft rule could impact the Northwoods. The end of this week marks the end of a public comment period. As part of that process the agency is holding a public hearing Wednesday. That meeting will be held online. One of the proposed changes would be in the 22-county Northern Forest Zone. The boundaries are currently based on counties, but could revert back to habitat-based deer management units. It would also adjust a portion of the Central Forest Deer Management Zone boundary and select Metropolitan Sub-unit boundaries. The proposal is available on the DNR website for review. The virtual public hearing is set to take place at 5pm this evening. All of the viewing details are available on the DNR website.

Published on 01/07/2025 under News Most Tomahawk locals already refer to the business district on Wisconsin Avenue as Main Street. A new sign project could acknowledge both names in the future. The City of Tomahawk Board of Public Works took up the request at their meeting Monday. It was made by the Tomahawk Main Street organization on behalf of their business district. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz explained that they would like to have West Wisconsin Avenue between Railway Street and North 4th Street honorarily recognized as Main Street, as well. The official street name and mailing addresses would not change under the proposal. It would simply add a companion sign underneath the existing street signs indicating the four blocks as 'Historic Main Street.' Many cities have similar signs that indicate alternate street names or designated districts within their communities. Merrill uses similar signs for street segments they've dedicated in honor of notable members of their community. The Board was receptive to the proposal and spent most of their discussion on what the signs would look like...more specifically if they would be blue or brown. Board members were split, some preferring blue based on aesthetics, others brown to match other way-finding signs in the community. In the end, the Board voted in favor of the project which will be undertaken and funded by Tomahawk Main Street. As for the color, that decision will likely be made at a future meeting once renderings of the signs can be reviewed.

Published on 01/07/2025 under News An effort to bring a Wisconsin State Historical Marker to the Downtown Tomahawk district is ongoing. Tomahawk Main Street and the Tomahawk Area Historical Society began the process last spring, and requested approval from the City to go forward with the application process. The Board of Public Works revisited the request Monday, giving their blessing once some previous concerns were addressed. If recognized by the State Historical Society, the sign and marker would be placed in the North Tomahawk Avenue boulevard. The sign would include a brief history of notable events that occurred in the Downtown District including a 1932 Bradley Bank robbery, a 1929 fire that engulfed more than a dozen buildings, and a 1914 plane crash, along with various attractions over the years including the informational log cabin, a WWII bond sale tracker and city band concerts. The location is also adjacent to the William Bradley mural painted on the side of the Standard Mercantile building. They plan to once again work with artist Andy Goretski to maintain a similar aesthetic throughout the district. Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz said in the request, "The information and placement with the Bradley Mural will enhance the education of our history to not only our community members, but to visitors to our downtown district as well." In addition to awaiting approval from the State Historical Society, the organizers will also look to raise funds for the project with a goal of around $9,000.

Published on 01/07/2025 under News People are reminded to use a little caution when heading out onto frozen waterways. There were two incidents involving off-road vehicles breaking through the ice in Lincoln County this past week. According to the Sheriff's Report, the first incident happened New Year's Day on the Somo. Deputies were sent to Loop Road near Red Cloud Landing Road in the Town of Wilson after a report that an ATV had broken through the ice. The operator told the deputy he had just gotten off the machine to check the thickness of the ice. He heard a crack, and the ATV fell into the water. The second incident happened Friday on Lake Nokomis. Deputies were called to Rapel Road for a UTV that broke through. Dive teams were initially dispatched, through they later confirmed there was no one in the water. Both owners were responsible for the removal of their respective machines from the water.

Published on 01/07/2025 under News While not necessarily road construction season, the Department of Transportation will be doing some preparation work in the coming weeks for some upcoming projects. According to the DoT, crews will be completing some tree clearing across nine counties in Northern and Central Wisconsin ahead of work this summer. Over the next two months, motorists may encounter some temporary lane closures at times. Among the roads affected in our listening area...•In Lincoln County, the west end of Highway 8 from County L to North McCord Road. •In Vilas County, Highway 17 between Highway 45 and the UP border.Work will begin next week(January 13). A specific timeline wasn't provided of when they'll get to each segment. The work should be wrapped up by mid-March, and site restoration by mid-April. Full list of area roads impacted by tree clearing over next two months:•Forest County, where work is planned on US 8 from WIS 55 South in Crandon to WIS 32 South in Laona. •Green Lake County, where work is planned on WIS 44 from the Grand River Bridge in Markesan and the Fond du Lac County line. •Lincoln County, where work is planned on US 8 between North McCord Road at the north county line and County L southeast of Lake Nokomis. •Marathon County, where work is planned on WIS 29 from Purple Martin Lane west of Marathon City east to the Little Rib River in Wausau. •Menominee County, where work is planned on two segments of WIS 47 between the Langlade County line and WIS 55 and on WIS 55 between WIS 47 and the Langlade County line. •Shawano County, where work is planned on WIS 29 from Shawano exit 227 to Rose Brook Road west of Shawano and on WIS 156 from WIS 47 south of Bonduel east to WIS 55. •Shawano and Waupaca counties, where work is planned on US 45 from Gollnow Road in Marion to County C in Clintonville. •Vilas County, where work is planned on WIS 17 between US 45 north of Eagle River and the Wisconsin-Michigan border. •Waupaca County, where work is planned on WIS 54 from the Portage County line east to Foxfire Drive in Waupaca. •Wood County, where work is planned on WIS 173 from WIS 80 North in Babcock to the Cranberry Bridge west of Nekoosa.

Published on 01/07/2025 under News A Tripoli woman was arrested after allegedly firing a gun inside a residence during an argument. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, that incident happened Friday in the Town of Tomahawk. Deputies learned the two individuals were involved in an argument. A 33 year old woman allegedly fired a handgun inside the home, walked outside and fired at least one additional shot towards the home. The other individual was able to collect all the firearms and left the location. No injuries were reported. According to the report, deputies arrived at the scene and attempted to make contact with the woman. They reported the woman was verbally argumentative and accused deputies of trespassing. As they attempted to place the woman under arrest, deputies said she initially resisted. The woman was eventually brought to the jail on several charges including: 1st degree recklessly endangering safety, reckless use of a firearm and disorderly conduct. At the time of the report, the woman's name had not been released as she hadn't made an initial court appearance. A few other quick notes from the Sheriff's Report...•A 21 year old River Falls man was arrested for a second offense OWI following an investigation into a parking lot collision and subsequent traffic stop near Tomahawk. •Following a single vehicle rollover, a 16 year old Tomahawk girl will be charged with violating absolute sobriety. •A 21 year old Janesville man was cited for speeding after being recorded traveling 105 miles per hour on Highway 51 in 65 zone. •The number of vehicle/deer collisions is lower with 3 reported this past week.

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