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Frozen Road Declaration Ends for State Highways Published on 03/03/2025 under News

The recent warm-up has led to the end of the frozen road declaration around the state.

The frozen road law allows heavier loads for trucks carrying certain forest products, along with salt and sand for winter maintenance. The state is divided into five zones, and the declaration ended statewide Friday.

The declaration is issued once the ground under highway pavement is frozen to a depth of at least 18-inches, with the DoT and their partners monitor those conditions.

The ending of the declaration is typically followed by spring weight limits that further protect roads during the thaw. We have not received any updates on when those would be placed on state roads. County and municipal roads may also place spring restrictions. We'll share any announcements as we receive them.

In Other News

Vilas County Snowmobile Trails Close, Potential End of Northwoods Riding Season

Published on 03/03/2025 under News Snowmobile trails in Vilas County closed on Sunday, marking the potential end to a shortened season here in the Northwoods. Snow was late to arrive in the region this winter. While the typical snowmobile riding season begins in late December, most counties had to wait until late January or early February to open their trails. Vilas County, often the recipient of lake effect snow, kept their trails open the longest, a little more than than six weeks. Further south, Oneida and Lincoln County trails were open less than a month. Even the abbreviated season on less-than-ideal trails was a welcome sight for area hospitality businesses. Last riding season, the trails remained closed throughout. But riders aren't quite parking their sleds just yet. Most of the closures have been announced as temporary with the potential for re-opening if conditions allow. There is the potential for a snow event Tuesday night into Wednesday. Whether it brings enough snow to re-open the trails remains to be seen.

Published on 03/03/2025 under News Volunteers at Council Grounds in Merrill will be able to work on a new project thanks to a state grant. State properties around Wisconsin benefit from the work of non-profits organizations, many appropriately named 'Friends of...' groups. This past week, the DNR announced Stewardship funding for the Friends Grants awarded to 28 organizations to complete improvements at DNR properties. A little more than $430,000 in match grants will be invested into 32 projects. Down in Merrill, Friends of Council Grounds received funding to help install an electronic kiosk for park sticker sales. This should make it easier for park goers to purchase the annual pass to visit these properties. A bit further to the south, the Friends of Rib Mountain actually receive a pair of grants for park improvements. The first will go towards a restoration of their north observation deck, the second for walkway paving improvements. The Ice Age Trail Alliance will receive funding to improve bridges. In announcing the grants, the DNR also highlighted the important role that these Friends Groups play. DNR secretary Karen Hyun said, "The DNR's relationships with Friends Groups are vital to the success of our state properties and we are proud to partner with them."

Published on 03/03/2025 under News Several livestock animals died in a weekend fire in Lincoln County. According to the Pine River Fire Department, responders were paged to a structure fire on Pine River Road in the Town of Pine River on Friday evening at just before midnight. The initial report indicated a fire in an outbuilding. Upon arrival, crews found that building was fully engulfed. Firefighters were able to contain the fire, limiting the spread and damage to a nearby shed and livestock trailer. Unfortunately, according to the report, multiple pigs were in the shed and died in the fire. At least two of the animals were able to escape unharmed. No human injuries were reported. According to the initial investigation, the origin of the fire is believed to be electrical in nature.-Photo provided by Pine River Fire Department

Published on 03/03/2025 under News Before the snowmobile season wrapped up, an event dedicated to the machines of yesteryear took place. We recently heard from organizers who called the debut event a success, likely to return. The Minocqua Forest Riders Snowmobile Club hosted their first Vintage Snowmobile Day last month at the Area 31 complex. We heard from club member Dan Sikora. He said, "The snowmobiles kept coming and coming. We are simply amazed at the turn-out and support from our snowmobile and Northwoods communities." In the end, they had just shy of a thousand attendees. In addition to the vintage sled showcase; they had radar runs, mini-snowmobile races, a snowmobile raffle, and a visit from AWSC Miss Snowflake Jamey Crotteau. Sikora said, "Everything ran smoothly and our club and Area 31 volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure its success." As for the future, year two is in the plans. Sikora says, "We're already talking about what we can add for next year." The event doubled as a fundraiser for the club to invest in trail equipment maintenance and purchases. -Photo provided by Minocqua Forest Riders-

Published on 03/02/2025 under Sports The Tomahawk Hatchet Girls Basketball Team had their season come to an end on Friday, February 28 with a WIAA Regional Semi Final loss at Menomonie Nation. The final was 59-26 in favor of the Eagles. Tomahawk finishes their season with a 12-13 record. The twelve wins for Tomahawk are the most wins in a season since the 2002-03 season and tied for the fourth most wins in a season. Tomahawk won a playoff game for the second consecutive season, with their 50-35 win over Sturgeon Bay in the WIAA Regional Quarter Finals. Tomahawk finished the Great Northern Conference season with a 4-8 record. The Hatchets had three members of their team recognized on the all conference team. Junior Freya Alberg was Second Team All-Conference. Senior Claire Albert and Freshman Lizzy Long were both Honorable Mention All-Conference. Freya Alberg led Tomahawk with 348 points and 261 rebounds. Claire Albert had 249 points and led the Hatchets with 93 assists and 69 steals. Albert also set the school record for most career assists with 296 and most career steals with 239. Albert holds or is tied for five additional school records. The Hatchets tied a school record in their win over Elcho in December, when they held the Hornets to just 10 points. Tomahawk will graduate three seniors, Claire Albert, Gracie Long and Lydia Ziert.

Published on 03/01/2025 under News For the second consecutive year, the Tomahawk Hatchet Hockey team is headed back to Bob Suter's Legacy20 Arena in Middleton after defeating Mosinee in the WIAA Division 2 Hockey Sectional Final at the Indian Rec Center Friday night, 5-1. The Hatchets scored the final four goals of the game, including two on the power play in the final two minutes of the second period. Brayden Lamer finished as the star of the night with two goals and an assist. The Hatchets also got goals from Jett Reilly, Sawyer Hanna, and Jonah Dickens. Austin Lamer had three assists on the night and Trevor Seliskar stopped 15 out of 16 shots. The win puts Tomahawk at 23-3 on the season. The WIAA Division 2 State Semifinals will be in Madison Thursday. Tomahawk finds out their opponent Sunday.

Published on 03/01/2025 under Sports The Hatchet girls' basketball squad had their season come to an end at Menominee Nation High School in Keshena Friday, losing in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Semifinal, 59-26. In her final game, Claire Albert finished with 10 points. Freya Alberg had 15 points. Unfortunately, Alberg, Albert, and Anita Ziert were the only three Hatchets to find the scoreboard. Tomahawk finishes the 2024-25 season with a 12-13 record and a 4-8 Great Northern Conference record. The Hatchets graduate three seniors, who are Albert, Lydia Ziert, and Gracie Long. The 12 wins by the Lady Hatchets is the most wins by a Hatchets squad since the 2002-03 season and the seventh most wins in a season in school history.

+ Read More Girl Scout Cookie Time

Published on 02/28/2025 under News The Girls Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes are excited to announce it's Girl Scout Cookie time. The 2025 cookie lineup includes: Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties and more. All packages of Girl Scout Cookies are $6.00 each. This is the largest entrepreneurial program in the world and scouts learn valuable skills, including goal setting, money management, and people and business skills. You can support the Girl Scouts by going to girlscoutcookies.org. The local Tomahawk Girl Scouts will begin their cookie booths at the Tomahawk Trig's on Sunday, March 8 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Published on 02/28/2025 under News CPR can improve the outcome during a cardiac event, yet statistics show less than half of people no how to perform those life-saving measures. One area fire department is looking to change that. Coming up this spring, the Little Rice Fire Department will be offering two free CPR training sessions for community members. Chief Larry Mathein noted, "This is a critical opportunity to learn how to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies—because every second counts." They also shared the story of another community member who was able to use CPR knowledge. He said, "I never thought I'd have to use CPR, but when my friend collapsed, I knew what to do. The training kicked in, and I was able to keep him alive until help arrived." Participants will learn how to recognize cardiac emergencies, perform high-quality chest compressions, and use an AED. Those free courses will be March 8 at Little Rice Fire Department and March 22 at the Lynne Town Hall. Both will take place from 9am to noon.

Published on 02/28/2025 under Sports The Hatchet boys' basketball squad finished their 2024-25 season on a sour note, losing to Antigo Thursday night, 72-52. Tomahawk will finish the season on a 15-game losing streak, a 4-20 record, and an 0-12 record in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are the #11 seed in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal. Tomahawk begins postseason play against #6 seed Menominee Nation Tuesday night. If the Hatchets pull of the upset, they will play at #3 seed Seymour next Friday. Tune in for the Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show at 6:35 and opening tip at 7:00. Alex Koch and Terry Timm will be in the broadcast booth.

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