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Storm Clean-Up Ongoing; Two Tornadoes Confirmed in Marathon, Lincoln Counties

Published on 04/20/2026 under News Cleanup is continuing across north central Wisconsin after powerful storms moved through the region late Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service has confirmed two tornadoes touched down around 4:45 p.m. The stronger of the two struck parts of Marathon County, including Kronenwetter and Ringle. It has been rated an EF-3, with estimated wind speeds of 145 miles per hour. The tornado was about 600 yards wide and stayed on the ground for 13 and a half miles in roughly 17 minutes. Officials say around 75 homes were damaged in that storm. Anyone looking to help can donate to a relief fund through the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, which is supporting both immediate and long-term recovery efforts. A website has also been established at www.wi4ringle.com/ to connect residents and resources. At the same time, a second tornado touched down in northern Marathon County and moved into southeastern Lincoln County. That storm was rated an EF-1, with winds near 110 miles per hour. It was about 100 yards wide and remained on the ground for just over four miles. Despite the damage, no injuries have been reported. The storms also brought heavy rain, strong winds, and hail larger than an inch in diameter. Widespread power outages also impacted the area. The severe weather caps off an active week across Wisconsin. So far this year, 24 tornadoes have been confirmed statewide; already surpassing the annual average of 23.

Published on 04/20/2026 under News After a week of stormy weather across Wisconsin including heavy rain in the Northwoods, the DNR is encouraging private well owners to monitor their drinking water to ensure it is safe. Officials say significant rainfall and flooding can introduce bacteria and other contaminants into private wells, increasing the risk of waterborne illness. Wells located in basements, pits, or low-lying areas are especially vulnerable. The DNR advises homeowners who notice changes in taste, color, or sediment, or who experienced flooding near their well, to assume the water may be contaminated. In those cases, residents should stop drinking the water immediately, switch to a safe alternative source, and have the well disinfected, ideally by a licensed professional. Water should also be tested before it's used again. Even without visible flooding, contamination is still possible. The DNR recommends annual testing of private wells for bacteria and nitrates as a routine safety measure. For those on public water systems, officials say those supplies are designed to keep contaminants out, but anyone with concerns should contact their local provider. Additional guidance on well safety and flood recovery is available through the DNR and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Published on 04/20/2026 under News Local Scouting groups wrapped up another successful community food drive here in the Tomahawk community. Members of Boy Scout Troop 548 and Cub Scout Pack 548 spent Saturday morning canvassing select neighborhoods. A team of 27 scouts went door-to-door to collect donations directly from residents' porches. While the door-to-door approach makes it easier for citizens to donate, the collection also provided scouts with awareness of food insecurity and community service. In the end, the effort resulted in more than 700 pounds of food donations that will be distributed to the local food pantries. The scouts expressed their sincere thanks to the Tomahawk community for their continued generosity. They also extended their gratitude to the food pantry volunteers who worked side-by-side with the scouts to sort and organize the incoming donations.

Published on 04/20/2026 under News Food lovers in the Northwoods will have a new reason to fire up their appetites this week. Nicolet College is hosting its first-ever Chef Week: Fire, Flavor & Food Trucks, a three-day culinary event that kicks off today. The event is designed to bring together professional chefs, aspiring cooks and the community for live demonstrations, hands-on learning and a look at the business side of the food industry. Organizers say the goal is not just to showcase great food, but to inspire creativity and connect people with opportunities in the growing culinary and hospitality industries. A highlight of the week will be a Food Truck Rally on Wednesday, April 22nd, offering a family-friendly chance for the public to sample a variety of local flavors. They've arranged to have a handful of food trucks descend on campus from 1pm to 6pm. They also have several instructional sessions with regional chefs and food entrepreneurs including Luke Zahm, Chef and owner of the Driftless Café, a James Beard Award semifinalist, and host of "Wisconsin Foodie." Courses are limited in size and require registration, while the food truck rally is open to the public with food available for purchase.

Published on 04/20/2026 under News Despite the recent rains, wildfire danger remains elevated in the region. Multiple crews in Oneida County responded to a brush fire in the Town of Pelican late last week. Firefighters were dispatched to EZ Drive to find an approximately 1 acre already burned, with the fire spreading into the woods. According to the update, crews began knocking the fire down, while a DNR heavy unit was utilized to plow a line around the leading edge of the fire. Firefighters also dealt with rough terrain and thick brush to access the fire, using more than 2,000 feet of forestry hose line. The fire ended up burning just over 3 acres. Firefighters were on scene for approximately 3.5 hours. According to the DNR wildfire tracker, the cause was attributed to debris burning. Over the past five days, crews have responded to eight wildland fires across Vilas, Oneida, Lincoln, Langlade and Price Counties.Wildfires within the DNR Protection Area between April 14-21

Published on 04/20/2026 under News The deer hunting season is still a half year away, but planning the season structure is ongoing. Over the next two weeks, Community Deer Advisory Councils around the state will meet to form recommendations on antlerless harvest goals, tag availability and season options. These recommendations are reviewed and set each year so they can be adjusted as needed in response to the previous year's deer harvest, winter severity and other factors. Those meetings get underway this week and will continue into next week as well. A reminder that the northern forest zone now uses habitat-based boundaries rather than the traditional county-based lines. Stakeholders are encouraged to review their zone to attend the correct meeting. The locations are listed on the DNR website. (Unit 119, most of Lincoln County, will meet Wednesday, April 22 at 6:30pm Lincoln County Service Center.) Once finalized, the recommendations are sent to the Natural Resources Board for final approval.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Track & Field Teams Compete in Marathon Invite

Published on 04/17/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's track and field squads would each finish in the top four of their first outdoor invite of the season in Marathon Thursday. The Hatchet girls would finish second with 114.5 points only to Great Northern Conference foe Rhinelander. Elise Gibeault dominated, placing first in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, and High Jump. Gibeault was also the third leg of the Tomahawk 4x200 Relay Team, joining Ellie Micke, Alicia Voermans, and Siennah Caulkins. The 4x400 Relay Team of Voermans, Faith Derleth, Lydia Shaney, and Abbie Rosenmeier also placed first. For the Boys, they placed fourth as a team, placing behind Rhinelander, Marathon, and Edgar. The Hatchets' lone first place finish came in the 400 meter dash from Beau Stromberg. The Hatchets' next outdoor invite is next Thursday in Medford. Events begin at 4:30.

Published on 04/17/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's golf squad came in second in their first triangular of the season at Inshalla Country Club Thursday. The Hatchets finished with a score of 211, six strokes behind Three Lakes and 53 ahead of Mellen. Junior Oliver Childers won the triangular individually with a score of 35. Jaxon Kaiser placed second on the Hatchets and fourth overall with a 42. Tomahawk heads on the road for the first time today when they travel down to Reedsburg for an invite. Tee-off is at 9:00 AM.

Published on 04/17/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's baseball squad would suffer their second straight loss, losing at Medford Thursday night, 5-3. Cash Olsen took the loss on the mound, allowing four runs in five innings of work. Olsen also went two for three with two RBI. Colin Black, Wally Horabik, and Jonah Dickens each came away with a hit. The loss drops Tomahawk to 2-3 on the season and 2-1 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back at TK Field for another GNC Showdown, this time with Rhinelander. Tune in for the broadcast on Sports Talk 810 AM/97.7 FM WJJQ. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show will begin at 4:35 and first pitch is at 5:00. Alex Koch will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 04/17/2026 under Sports The Hatchet softball squad would suffer their second Great Northern Conference defeat of the season Thursday at Hatchet Field, losing to the Medford Raiders, 6-0. Tomahawk would muster just two hits against Medford pitcher Rylee Hraby, while striking out ten times. Camryn Kraklow would take the loss, allowing six runs on ten hits. The loss drops Tomahawk to 2-2 on the season and in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets have their first non-conference game of the season today against Wittenberg-Birnamwood. First pitch is at 5:00.

Published on 04/14/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's baseball squad's winning streak would stop at two as they would lose to Wittenberg-Birnamwood at Athletic Park in Wausau Tuesday night, 6-3. The Hatchets took a 3-0 lead into the fifth inning before the Chargers rolled off six straight, including five in the fifth inning. Nick Arndt allowed just one hit in 4.1 innings. Max Larson finished with a double and an RBI. The loss drops Tomahawk to 2-2 on the season and 2-0 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets head back on the road Thursday for a GNC battle at Medford. First pitch is at 5:00.

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