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Good morning, Oneida County! In today’s edition: The year’s strangest Google searches, world championship snowmobile racing, all about bats, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
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.
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.
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.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Inside a family racing tradition: TNT Speedway in Three Lakes hosted ice racing as part of a three-race series with a $1,200 jackpot. Racers from across Wisconsin slid around a dyed blue track, tuning tires between heats. Eleven-year-old Bentley Michonski finished 10th in his first adult ice race. Read the full story.
Cozy cider fix: Fresh-pressed and bright, The New Orchard pours cider with pure Northwoods character. When you want a simple, comforting sip, grab a jug of crisp apple goodness, pressed on-site… no syrupy sugar bomb, just clean, refreshing flavor.
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.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🏆 14th Annual Rhinelander/Northwoods Tournament @ Nicolet College | Wednesday (1/7) at 8:30 AM – Rhinelander’s brightest are squaring off in a finance and econ quiz bowl, and yes, these kids actually understand APR, budgets, and opportunity cost. Cheer on the next generation, snag a few money tips, and pretend your 401(k) choices were always intentional.
⏳ 8,000 Years in the Making @ Catalyst Wine LLC | Thursday (1/8) at 6:00 PM – Eight thousand years in the making, your post-holiday nightcap awaits. Catalyst is pouring history by the glass, with thoughtful pours, friendly chatter, and blessed quiet that follows festive chaos. Humans have been at this since 6,000 BCE, so you are in good company.
🦇 Science on Tap | All About Bats @ Rocky Reef Brewing Company | Thursday (1/8) at 6:30 PM – Grab a pint at Rocky Reef and learn why bats are the unsung heroes of summer, not vampires in your rafters. Naturalist Licia Johnson from North Lakeland Discovery Center leads Science on Tap. Free, no RSVP, and plenty of myth-busting with your beer.
This weekend
🍲 Chili and Soup Cook Off @ Rocky’s Roadhouse | Saturday (1/10) at 12:00 PM – Chili and Soup Cook Off is bubbling over with a heated debate, five bucks to enter, and a $5 refillable bowl for guilt-free seconds. Bring your best pot or just an appetite. First place walks with cash and bragging rights, sign up at the bar.
🎶 Music in the Greenhouse (Santy and Son with friends) @ Forth Floral | Saturday (1/10) at 12:00 PM – Ditch your parka and slip into the greenhouse at Forth Floral for a free set from Santy and Son with friends. Among the ferns, Eileen melts hearts while the band slides from funk to pop to rock, tight, and frost-free. Full lineup at forthfloral.com.
🎨 Where Art and Science Meet @ Kemp Natural Resources Station | Saturday (1/10) at 1:00 PM – Whether you prefer your Northwoods with data or doodles, head to Kemp Station for MIAD students sharing week-long ecology research and their art brains at work. Expect biodiversity talk, forest management takes, and fewer buzzwords than your last board meeting, no registration required.
🎶 Bomber & Red @ Town Pump | Saturday (1/10) at 7:00 PM – Skip the endless to-do list and slide into Town Pump for Bomber & Red, a Northwoods folk-soul outfit with goosebump harmonies, warm fiddle, and a clever stand-up bass. It’s real instruments, real voices, real good, and yes, there’s no cover.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Oneida County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 35°F – Low: 21°F – Precip: 42%
A chance of snow and a slight chance of freezing rain before 9am, then a slight chance of freezing rain and a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. South southwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Later: A slight chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Tomorrow – High: 35°F – Low: 25°F – Precip: 1%
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
This house is wild
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 →
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