What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
About 30 neighbors, friends, and even a few four-legged companions gathered on the River Bend Trail in Merrill this March for something the town had never seen before. HAVEN, Inc. hosted its first-ever “No More” awareness walk, transforming a peaceful riverside path into a powerful statement against domestic violence and sexual assault.
The paved trail along the Wisconsin River — usually busy with joggers and dog walkers — became a place for community healing. Signs dotted the wooded bends, sharing facts that many would rather not think about but desperately need to know.
“This is an opportunity for us to get together as a community,” said Kim West, HAVEN’s director. “To honor survivors and to speak up and say ‘No more violence.'”
There’s a dangerous myth floating around our region. Some folks assume that domestic violence and sexual assault are big-city problems, things that happen in Milwaukee or Madison but not here among the pines and lakes.
Heather Hendrickson, HAVEN’s Sexual Assault Advocate, knows better. She’s seen firsthand how abuse doesn’t respect zip codes or population counts.
“A lot of people think that sexual assault and domestic violence is something that happens in big towns,” Hendrickson explained. “But we want people to know that it can happen anywhere, even in our community.”
Rural isolation actually makes things worse. When you’re miles from the nearest neighbor or stuck without reliable transportation, leaving an abusive situation becomes exponentially harder. Limited job options in our tourism and logging economy can trap people in dangerous relationships.
That’s exactly why HAVEN has been anchoring Lincoln County’s crisis response since 1982.
Most folks driving past HAVEN’s offices at 1106 E 8th Street in Merrill don’t realize the lifesaving work happening inside those walls. The organization runs 24/7, every single day of the year.
Here’s what HAVEN offers to anyone in crisis:
The shelter is wheelchair accessible, and they’ve even arranged offsite options for pets — because abusers often use beloved animals as leverage to keep victims trapped.
HAVEN recently opened a new facility thanks to USDA community grants and local support. For a town of roughly 14,000 people, that kind of expansion speaks volumes about both the need and the community’s commitment to meeting it.
The “No More” campaign happens nationally every year during the first week of March. It’s designed to break the silence around domestic violence and sexual assault, pushing the conversation into public spaces where healing can begin.
When Hendrickson heard about the movement, she immediately saw how it could work in Merrill. The walk wasn’t just about raising awareness — it was about showing survivors they’re not alone.
“This type of work is super important especially for survivors,” West said. “They know that we’re standing beside them, they’re not forgotten, they’re validated and we really do want to make a difference.”
“This is a designated week to spread awareness. To be vocal about wanting to stop violence and just being there for survivors.” — Kim West, HAVEN Director
The River Bend Trail made perfect sense as a venue. Its wooded bends and river overlooks create a naturally healing environment. Under early March skies, participants walked past trail markers and flowing water — a symbolic journey through darkness toward light.
Thirty people might not sound like a massive turnout. But in a close-knit Northwoods community, those 30 walkers represented something much larger: families choosing courage over silence, neighbors standing up for neighbors.
Each person who showed up sent a message rippling through Lincoln County. They told survivors: we see you, we believe you, and we’re here to help.
The informational signs along the trail educated participants about warning signs, resources, and the realities of abuse in rural communities. Knowledge is power, especially when it’s shared in a setting that feels safe and accessible.
HAVEN doesn’t just respond to crises — they work to prevent them through education and advocacy. Every workshop, every training session, every community walk plants seeds that might save a life down the road.
HAVEN operates on a shoestring budget stretched thin by relentless need. They rely on donations, grants, and volunteer hours to keep their hotline staffed and their shelter doors open.
If this first “No More” walk becomes an annual tradition (and it should), next year’s event could draw even more community members. But there are other ways to get involved right now.
Financial donations keep the lights on and the phone lines open at 3 a.m. when someone finally finds the courage to call. Volunteers help with everything from childcare to legal paperwork. Even simply sharing HAVEN’s information with someone who might need it could make all the difference.
You can learn more and donate through HAVEN’s website or their Facebook page. The 24-hour crisis line is always available, always confidential, always free.
As the Northwoods shakes off winter and heads into spring, maybe we can shake off some other old habits too. Like staying silent about violence. Like assuming it doesn’t happen here. Like letting survivors face their trauma alone.
That River Bend Trail will host plenty of casual walks in the months ahead. But the footsteps from this first “No More” event carved a different kind of path — one that leads toward healing, community, and the simple but profound belief that our neighbors deserve safety, dignity, and hope.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
NewsLanglade County Health Department’s new interactive map pinpoints substance misuse resources across Antigo, reducing stigma and barriers to treatment for families seeking help in rural Wisconsin.
NewsRhinelander’s Hawgs and Dawgs camp brings Wisconsin Badgers players north each spring to coach youth football inside the Hodag Dome, creating rare access to Division I talent for Northwoods athletes.
NewsEvercon 2026 brought over 2,500 gamers, cosplayers, and families to Rothschild for three days of board games, video tournaments, and community connection — proving central Wisconsin’s gaming scene is thriving.
NewsA new exhibit at the Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center in Watersmeet tells how Sylvania Wilderness went from exclusive hunting club to one of the Midwest’s last protected old-growth landscapes—just across the border from Wisconsin’s Northwoods.