Good morning, Oneida County! In today’s edition: State finances under scrutiny, Snowmy Kromer’s return, World Championship Snowmobile Derby, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

State finances under scrutiny: An audit of Wisconsin government found nearly $900 million miscalculated, flagged problems with federal interest records and IT security, and prompted criticism of Gov. Tony Evers for vetoing four auditors — read the full story.

Trail rules and reminders: Oneida County’s funded snowmobile trails opened Dec 19. Trail 51B is closed until further notice, and lake and river routes are unsafe until marked. Expect rough early season conditions — see closures and safety guidance.

Town’s towering tradition: Snowmy Kromer is back in Minocqua this winter with a new hat and location, a beloved draw for visitors after recent low snowfall hurt winter fun and local businesses — read the full story.

Join the local rally: New year, new hobby? Three Lakes Pickleball serves up eight outdoor courts and winter indoor play, with a welcoming crew ready to show newcomers the ropes. Expect easygoing games, real laughs, and a generous endorphin boost… no pressure, just play.

Cozy home refresh: Whether you’re fixing that echoey living room or hunting a lamp that sparks joy, Golden Pear Interiors carries rugs, lighting, and smart accessories, plus custom window treatments and upholstery. Make your space feel like you… not a temporary cabin.

The year’s online curiosities: From the nonsensical slang 67 to Alex Warren’s Ordinary and ticket hunts for Savannah Bananas, Wisconsin’s 2025 Google searches revealed the trends that grabbed attention statewide — see Wisconsin’s 2025 top searches.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🕺 Music & Movement @ Hodag Dome | Monday (1/12) at 9:00 AM – Kick off the week with Music & Movement with Miss Julie, where the kids bounce, you breathe, and everyone leaves smiling. It’s free, no membership nonsense, just bring your ID, your best clap-along, and a willingness to let someone else lead the wiggles.

🛠 Tinker Tuesday @ Tomahawk Public Library | Tuesday (1/13) at 3:30 PM – Whether your kid’s a Lego engineer or a board game trash talker, this after-school hangout keeps grades K-8 busy at the library with STEAM tinkering, games, and friends. You get thirty minutes of peace, they get brain cells and bragging rights. Tuesdays, obviously.

🍦 FroYo for a Cause @ Cool Beans FroYo Cafe | Tuesday (1/13) at 4:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to eat dessert before dinner, this is it. Grab froyo from 4PM to 8PM and 20 percent goes to Rhinelander Youth Hockey. Kids and parents will be scooping, smiling, and probably recruiting you for rink duty.

🏁 World Championship Snowmobile Derby @ Eagle River Derby Track | Thursday (1/15) – The World Championship Snowmobile Derby is roaring into winter with oval heats and vintage sleds, the sport’s biggest, most prestigious showdown. Think NASCAR on ice, with better jackets, louder two-strokes, and brats. Bring your thermos, your hand warmers, and your inside voice.

🧭 Mason Dixon Line @ Campanile Center for the Arts | Thursday (1/15) at 7:00 PM – Mason Dixon Line is cranking up the country you actually know, a high-energy mix of 60s to 90s hits. Expect foot-stomping, shameless singalongs, and the Midwest’s premier country-rock outfit that has shared stages with Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and more.

🍺 Brew-ski Bingo @ The Bottled Bean | Friday (1/16) at 6:00 PM – If you like your philanthropy with a side of bingo cards, hit the Bottled Bean for Brew-ski Bingo supporting the Lakeland Nordic Ski Team. Call numbers, claim prizes, and help keep those skis waxed, caffeine levels civilized, and community spirit gliding.

⛸ Friday Night Open Skate @ Lakeland Hawks Ice Arena | Friday (1/16) at 7:00 PM – Give the couch a night off and glide into Friday Night Open Skate, most Fridays through early March, all ages welcome. Five bucks to get in, three for skate rentals, then soak up the throwback tunes, mild cardio, and guilt-free hot cocoa.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📣 Own or manage a local business?

Meet BaseLocal Business — a free and easy way to get your business happenings in front of our readers.

How it works:

• Sign up (it takes less than 5 minutes)
• We’ll manually verify your business is legit
• Once verified, you’ll be able to share events, news, and special deals with us any time

Everything you share is reviewed, and approved submissions are automatically considered for future newsletters. AKA… your business has a much higher chance of being featured in front of thousands of Oneida County locals who live, shop, eat, and share good things with their friends.

We also regularly spotlight verified businesses just because we think they’re great.

Click here to get started (it’s free) →

📻 Oneida County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 26°F – Low: 15°F – Precip: 75%

Snow. Cloudy. High near 26, with temperatures falling to around 23 in the afternoon. West wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Later: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy. Low around 15, with temperatures rising to around 18 overnight. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

—

Tomorrow – High: 25°F – Low: 16°F – Precip: 0%

Partly sunny, with a high near 25. West northwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. West southwest wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Most popular house this week

Three levels, 4 beds, and 3.5 baths in a walkout on Lake Tomahawk, part of the 6,000 acre Minocqua Chain of Lakes. An open plan links living, kitchen, and dining. Panoramic 8 foot doors and lakeside windows flood the home with light and water views. A cherry cabinet kitchen suits cooks. Two wood burning fireplaces anchor gatherings. The finished lower level includes a bunkroom. A four person tram rides to the shoreline.

An attached heated two car garage simplifies winter. Recent upgrades include Marvin Signature windows and sliders, new doors and trim, refreshed floors, exterior staining, and interior paint. A five person sauna and all furnishings make it turnkey.

Take a peek inside →