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Northwoods Six County Lake Meeting to Focus on Keeping Area Waterways Healthy

Published on 07/16/2026 under News While school may be out for the summer, class is in session for water conservation. Each summer, stakeholders from across the region gather for the Northwoods Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting. The annual conference brings together environmental experts and community members to discuss local water resources and how to protect them. The six participating counties include Oneida, Vilas, Iron, Forest, Langlade, and Lincoln. Under this year's theme, "What's Your Lake's Report Card?", presenters will focus on the key indicators of lake health. Topics will include water quality, fisheries, aquatic habitat, shoreline stewardship, nighttime light pollution, and wild rice as an ecological health indicator. Organizers emphasize that healthy lakes require ongoing, active stewardship. They hope the meeting will provide practical, actionable information for anyone who lives on, plays on, or simply cares about Northwoods waters. It'll take place tomorrow morning at James Williams Middle School from 8am to 12:30pm. While registration is appreciated, walk-ins are welcome.

Published on 07/16/2026 under News A late-night house fire was narrowly averted in Vilas County thanks to a quick-thinking bystander, and it prompted a timely warning from local firefighters about the proper disposal of smoking materials. According to Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue, a passerby spotted flames on a cedar porch at a home off Highway 51 in Arbor Vitae overnight Tuesday. The alert citizen immediately called 911 and managed to knock down the flames before emergency crews arrived. Firefighters quickly extinguished the remaining hot spots, limiting the damage to the porch structure. The fire department said in a statement, "Although the outcome was positive in terms of an early notification, it could have been much worse, potentially catastrophic given the time of night." Investigators determined the fire was caused by carelessly discarded smoking materials. Officials warn that porches and balconies are among the most common areas for these types of fires, emphasizing that they are completely preventable. First responders are urging everyone to exercise an extra degree of care when disposing of smoking materials to help keep the community safe.

Published on 07/16/2026 under News It's not the kind of topic that grabs headlines every day, but it's one that touches every Wisconsin community. State Representative Calvin Callahan of Tomahawk announced this week that he has been appointed to chair the Legislature's Study Committee on Cemeteries. The committee will review and update Wisconsin's cemetery laws, including policies covering abandoned cemeteries and burials on non-cemetery property. Callahan says cemeteries and burial sites are sacred places that deserve dignity and respect. He says discussions with constituents, stakeholders and legislative attorneys have shown broad agreement that the state's cemetery laws need updating. The study committee will include citizen experts who will help lawmakers develop recommendations for possible changes to state law.

Published on 07/16/2026 under News Art lovers will have plenty to explore this weekend with an exciting local exhibition. The Manito Art League's 61st annual Art Show and Sale kicks off this morning at the Manitowish Waters Community Center. Organizers say this year's event features roughly 200 original pieces of art submitted by 86 regional artists, spanning a wide variety of subjects and mediums. This year's exhibition will be judged by acclaimed watercolor artist and instructor Dale L. Popovich, who brings more than 45 years of professional experience and a longtime connection to Wisconsin's Northwoods. In addition to browsing the gallery, visitors will have the chance to take a piece of Northwoods creativity home. A silent auction will feature original artwork donated by league members, with all proceeds directly supporting the league's Young Artist Scholarship Program. For the upcoming school year, the program awarded $26,000 to local students. The scholarship area stretches as far south as Tomahawk, where two local students received awards. Following the private patron's preview last night, the Art Show is open to the public starting today through Sunday. Admission is free.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News Today is July 15, or 7/15, a date that doubles as a celebration of Wisconsin's scenic Northwoods and the vibrant communities that call the 715 area code home. The Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce is marking 715 Day by highlighting everything that makes the region so special, from its scenic landscapes and rich community traditions to its local businesses and residents. Chamber Director Charis Lau says, "715 Day is about celebrating the pride we have in our community and sharing that pride with others." How to ParticipateThe Chamber offers several easy ways for the community to get involved today: Support Local: Shop, dine, and explore the independent businesses that keep Tomahawk thriving.Show Your Pride: Represent the area by sporting custom 715 Tomahawk merchandise.Share the Love: Highlight your favorite local spots and scenic views on social media.Join the Chamber's 715 Photo Contest by submitting pictures that capture the true spirit of the Tomahawk area.Lau added, "Whether you've called Tomahawk home for decades or you're discovering the Northwoods for the first time, we hope you'll join us in celebrating what makes our corner of the 715 so unforgettable." The Chamber encourages everyone to follow along on social media throughout July as they continue to showcase featured attractions, hidden gems, local stories, and photo contest submissions all month long.

Published on 07/15/2026 under News The Tomahawk community is rallying behind one of their own. David Bethel Jr. was diagnosed with glioblastoma last month. As he undergoes treatment, neighbors and local business owners are stepping up to support his family. To mark Glioblastoma Awareness Day, The Rock Church organized a gray ribbon campaign. The color is traditionally used for brain cancers to represent the brain's "gray matter." Meanwhile, community members are sporting T-shirts that read, "Moving Heaven and Earth to Support Dave"—a nod to his local excavation business. Local businesses, including Boomba Bar and Simply Stitched, are also donating a portion of their sales to the family. As Bethel fights his diagnosis, Tomahawk is making sure he and his family don't have to do the heavy lifting alone. Community members are encouraged to purchase campaign T-shirts, patronize participating shops, or display a gray ribbon to show their solidarity.

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Sports Headlines

Gibeault Places 3rd in 400 meter dash

Published on 06/06/2026 under Sports In the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this weekend. Elise Gibeault and Ellie Micke competed in three separate events. Gibeault's top finish came in the 400 meter dash, placing third with a time of 56.7 seconds. Gibeault would finish 2.26 seconds behind state champion Harper Sheehan of Hayward. In her final event, the Hatchet Junior would set a brand new school record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.38 seconds, a full second behind Sheehan. As for Micke, her season would end in the High Jump Preliminaries. Micke would finish tied for 12th with Martin Luther's Dynasty Fancher. This concludes the Tomahawk Track & Field Season.

Published on 06/03/2026 under Sports The Hatchet golfing season would end in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet at Spooner Wednesday, placing ninth at the Spooner Golf Club. Tomahawk would finish with a 345, 13 strokes behind St. Croix Central. The top Hatchet golfer in the Sectional meet was Jake Albert, who placed 28th overall with an 82. Rounding out the top three were Rocco Carew with an 83 and Oliver Childers with an 87. Jaxon Kaiser finish with a 93 and Brayden Lamer finished with 100. This concludes the Tomahawk golfing season.

Published on 05/29/2026 under Sports Junior Athlete Elise Gibeault and Sophomore Athlete Ellie Micke would become the only Hatchets to qualify for the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse next weekend. Gibeault would finish second in both the 200 and 400 meter dashes. Gibeault would re-set personal bests and school records in both events. The Junior finished with a run of 25.74 seconds in the 200 meter dash and a run of 56.39 seconds in the 400 meter dash. Gibeault would place behind only Hayward's Harper Sheehan in both events. As for Micke, she was the last qualifier in the field in the High Jump. Micke tied for the 4th spot in the sectional and would advance by way of tiebreaker. Micke's leap in the High Jump was 5'3". Gibeault and Micke will compete in the WIAA Division 2 State Meet in La Crosse Friday. Field Events begin at 3:00 PM. Running events begin at 3:30 PM.

Published on 05/28/2026 under Sports Despite coming back from down four runs in the fifth inning, Tomahawk's baseball squad would fall in extra innings in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field to the Crandon Cardinals, 8-5. The Hatchets trailed 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning before tying the game up behind two-run hits from Nick Arndt and Max Larson. After the Hatchets stranded the winning run on third in the seventh, Crandon rolled off three runs off Hatchet pitcher Logan Norman to take the lead. Tomahawk would bring the tying run to the plate, but Arndt flew out to center to end the game and the season. Arndt finished two for five with a triple and two RBIs. Max Larson finished one for five with a double and two RBIs. Despite pitching five scoreless innings and retiring ten straight, Norman absorbed the loss on the mound. The Hatchets finish the 2026 season with a 9-11 record and a 7-7 Great Northern Conference record. Tomahawk graduates Norman, Arndt, Jonah Dickens, Wally Horabik, Colton Seslar, and Brody Hilgendorf.

Published on 05/27/2026 under Sports The Marawood Conference Champion Prentice Golf Team won the WIAA Regional Championship on Tuesday at the Inshalla Country Club. The Bucs set a school scoring record with a 297. Ladysmith finished 30 strokes behind Prentice. Eliah Harding led the way with an even par 70, Matti Heikkinen shot a 74, Hagan Isaacson a 76, Evan Lord a 78 and Jackson Isaacson shot a 79. Prentice will compete in the WIAA Sectional Meet on Tuesday at Big Fish Golf Club in Hayward. The first tee times are at 9:00 am.

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