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Local Volunteers Fill Gift Boxes for Operation Christmas Child

Published on 11/14/2025 under News We're still around six weeks from Christmas, but Northwoods volunteers are already busy preparing a global gift giving outreach. While a simple concept, Operation Christmas Child makes a big difference in the lives of children around the world. Ahead of each holiday season, the volunteers fill shoe boxes with small gifts like toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. The boxes are then distributed to children in need. Maria Nakala is the regional coordinator, overseeing the collection in 6 Northwoods counties. She made her annual stop to the WJJQ studios this week to drop off supplies and talk a bit about the collection. She's been part of the program for around 25 years. She said she got involved 'to bring joy.' She notes some items we may take for granted are incredibly meaningful using examples of a wash cloth or notebook. Even what Nakala called a 'wow item' can be simple like a soccer ball and hand pump. As for the packaging, Nakala says a boxing afternoon can be a fun group activity for family and friends. She includes her children and grandchildren. In order to get those boxes out in time for Christmas, they're already collecting boxes. We've got some instructional pamphlets and boxes here at the WJJQ office. They've also got info on the Operation Christmas Child website.

Published on 11/14/2025 under News Earlier this summer, Lincoln County sold Pine Crest Nursing Home. Now the Board is looking to use proceeds of the sale for some facility and maintenance projects. At their meeting Wednesday morning, the supervisors passed a resolution by voice vote outlining priority projects which they'll utilize the proceeds, approximately $1.8 million, according to the resolution. The County Board had previously established an Ad Hoc Facilities Committee to create a priority list. Prior to the vote, Administrative Coordinator Renee Krueger offered a presentation. Among the projects listed in the resolution are:Architectural Design for the Service Center (base cost $40,165 + additional expenses)Service Center Roof ($310,000)Proceed with Phase 1 & Phase 2 of the Lincoln County Ad Hoc Facilities Comprehensive Plan 2025, moving services from the Health and Human Services Building to the Service Center, which include building offices and conference room modifications on the first floor and ground floorJail Roof Replacement ($350,000) and Jail Boiler Replacement ($210,000)Proceed with Phase 3 of the Lincoln County Ad Hoc Facilities Comprehensive Plan 2025, relocating the Forestry Department and making renovations for additional water labs and drug testing bathrooms to accommodate the Health Department moving to the Service CenterThe proceeds are to be expensed by August 1, 2027. Meanwhile, the Board postponed a vote on a resolution that would have hired an engineering firm for architectural and design work to address the aging Highway Department facilities in Merrill and Tomahawk. After a lengthy discussion, the board sent the resolution back to the Highway Committee.

Published on 11/14/2025 under News There are a number of published authors around the Northwoods. An event this weekend in Rhinelander is looking to highlight them. The Rhinelander District Library is preparing to host their third annual Local Author Fair. This year they've arranged to have 15 authors, along with two local writing groups. Among those who will be in attendence: Thomas E. Burg, Pamela JA Fullerton, Jim Finucan, Rachael Walburger, Kathryn Springer, Rand Atkinson, Tabitha Krueger, Anastasia Stelse, Andrew Egan, Mark Miazga, Coyote TF Herron, Lynne Austin, Barbara Perkins, Judith E. Hankes, and Johnny Bock. There's a variety of genres represented including fiction and nonfiction, children's books, poetry and novels. One commonality however are the authors ties to the state, and the Northwoods in particular. That link is often used as a setting or influence in the author's work. Organizers note that readers will be able to connect with the authors to gain some insight into their backgrounds, writing process, and inspiration. Following the meet and greet, they'll have a keynote speech from Claire Swinarski, author of The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County. It begins at 9:30am Saturday morning with the keynote speech at 11:30am at the Rhinelander District Library.

Published on 11/14/2025 under News Home to two Harley-Davidson factories and the Fall Ride, the Tomahawk community knows a thing or two about motorcycles and the rider community. With Veterans Day earlier this week, the Harley-Davidson gave back to those who served thanks to their Ride for Heroes Challenge. The company contributed $1 million to be shared among nine military, veteran and first responder organizations. According to the announcement, the donation was activated by the success of their largest and most ambitious riding challenged they've ever launched. The effort took place over a 7 month period that began in March. In the end, more than 29,000 participants logged more than 83 million miles on their Harley Davidson motorcycles. Theo Keetell, HD VP of Marketing says, "The Harley-Davidson community is always ready to step up to support those who keep us safe and free." He added, "(This challenge) combined fun with purpose, and (we were) overwhelmed with the positive response." And the giving isn't over. Five lucky riders from the Challenge will be awarded with new Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Published on 11/14/2025 under News Saturday is America Recycles Day, and the Good News Project in Wausau is celebrating while offering a day-long electronics recycling collection. The Good News Project's e-CYCLING is an award winning program that collects unused or unwanted electronics. The materials are responsibly recycled, recovering valuable metals and other reclaimable materials which they note reduces pollution and conserves natural resources. And each year, the Good News Project keeps an estimated 260,000 pounds of electronic waste from local landfills each year. Eric Nielsen, is the e-CYCLING program manager was quick to praise their team of volunteers. He says, "They show up in all kinds of weather with smiles on their faces, ready to unload vehicles and help those dropping of electronics lighten their load." He added, "America Recycles Day is really a celebration of community stewardship and teamwork." As part of America Recycles Day, the Good News Project is hosting an electronics recycling collection from on Saturday from 9am-4pm at their Wausau location. There are some fees to cover the cost of the recycling and to support their services.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Football Seasons Ends With Sectional Championship Loss

Published on 11/10/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's football squad's dream season would end in the WIAA Division 5 Sectional Championship against three-time defending state champion Stratford at Hatchet Field Friday night, 29-0. The Hatchet defense stepped up in the first half and forced three turnovers, including intercepting Tiger quarterback Brady Berg twice. However, Tomahawk would fail to score off of those three turnovers and mustered just over 100 yards of offense. Jett Reilly would lead the Hatchets in rushing, running for 31 yards on eight carries. Tomahawk was also held under 100 yards for the first time this season. The Hatchets finish the 2025 season with a 10-2 record, the most wins in school history. Tomahawk also graduates 11 seniors. They are Wally Horabik, Jason Watkins, Rex Reilly, Jonah Dickens, Nathan Reimer, Logan Norman, Kenny Turner, Ethan Gibeault, Kaiden Kapellusch, Nathan Norman, and Michael Samundsen. The Hatchets also finished with their first playoff win since 2015 and their first trip to the Sectional Championship since 2007.

Published on 11/03/2025 under Sports In the WIAA Division 5 Football Playoffs, #1 Seed Tomahawk would advance to the Sectional Championship for the first time since 2007, defeating #5 Seed Spencer/Columbus Catholic Halloween Night at Hatchet Field, 34-12. The Hatchets jumped out to a 21-0 Halftime lead thanks to a stout defense and two time-consuming touchdown drives. After Spencer/Columbus Catholic cut it to nine heading into the fourth, Tomahawk forced two of the Rockets' three turnovers on the night. Jonah Dickens would come up with a key interception that would pave the way for touchdown runs by Tiegan Sarazin and Max Larson. Sarazin would rush for 100 yards and two touchdowns. The Hatchets also got a touchdown run from Rex Reilly and a 19-yard scoring pass from Jett Reilly to Jonah Dickens. The win gives Tomahawk its first double-digit winning season in school history, moving to 10-1 on the season. The Hatchets will play for their first state semifinal berth since 1990 in the Sectional Championship next week against three-time defending state champion Stratford. Tune in for the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:10 and the opening kick at 7:00 next Friday. Alex Koch and Jon Long will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 10/24/2025 under Sports On Friday night, the Tomahawk Hatchet Football Team won their ninth game of the season, with a 41-14 Level One WIAA Playoff victory over Omro. Tomahawk dominated the line of scrimmage all night, as they rushed for 290 yards and had over 35 minutes of possession offensively. On the other side of the ball, Tomahawk held Omro to just 39 yards rushing. Rex Reilly had three rushing touchdowns, and carried the ball 13 times for 59 yards. Jonah Dickens also had three touchdowns, two touchdown catches, both from Jett Reilly, one from 43 yards out the other from ten. Dickens also added a nine yard touchdown run. Jett Reilly, along with those two touchdown passes and 72 yards through the air, had 76 yards on the ground. Tomahawk is now 9-1 on the season and will host Spencer/Columbus Catholic on Friday night at Hatchet Field. Spencer/Columbus defeated New Holstein 31-12. The #1 seed Hatchets and #5 seed Spencer/Columbus will play at Hatchet Field on Friday night at 7:00 pm. Northwoods 92-5 will have the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:10 pm, and the opening kickoff at 7:00 pm. In other scores from Level One action: In D-5: Stratford beat Richland Center 41-9 In D-4: Mosinee defeated Turner 41-7 In D-3: Merrill defeated Lakeland 38-12, Rhinelander lost to Edgewood 35-7, Wausau East lost to Mount Horeb/Barneveld, and Medford lost to Grafton 49-14

Published on 10/24/2025 under Sports The Tomahawk Hatchet boys and girls cross country teams competed in the Division Two WIAA Sectional Meet at the MARC in Merrill on Friday. The Hatchet girls will have an individual qualifier at the WIAA State Meet next Saturday at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids, as Freshman Charlee Lund in fifth place overall and will competed at state. The Hatchet girls finished in fourth place overall, Abbie Rosenmeir was 18th, Lydia Shaney finished 20th, Faith Derleth was 35th, and Elise Gibeault was 38th. Wittenberg-Birnamwood finished first and Shawano was second. On the boys side, Tomahawk was fifth. Lakeland ran away with the boys race scoring 45 points and Shawano qualifies for state with their second place finish. Caiden Reichelt let Tomahawk and finished just one place out of qualifying. Reichelt was 10th overall, Connor Zorn was 37th, Jordyn Carew was 39th, Dawson Jones 42nd and Ryan Montag was 48th. The WIAA Division Two Girls State Race will be at 2:25 pm next Saturday and will feature Hatchet freshman Charlee Lund.

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