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Samuel Pressure Vessel Group Closing Tomahawk Facility; 76 Workers Impacted

Published on 08/07/2026 under News A Tomahawk manufacturer is permanently closing its doors, resulting in the loss of more than 75 local jobs. According to a notice filed with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Samuel Pressure Vessel Group will permanently close its facility in Tomahawk. The closure process began this week, and all employees are expected to be laid off by the end of the year. The company says all 76 affected workers have been notified that their job losses are permanent. Wisconsin's Dislocated Worker Program is expected to step in to assist affected staff with job placement, career counseling, and retraining resources. According to the filing, the entire Tomahawk operation will shut down. Samuel Pressure Vessel Group specializes in fabricating metal containers and pressure vessels for industrial and commercial use. According to the company's website, they operate four other facilities across North America, including one in Marinette, Wisconsin.

Published on 08/07/2026 under News Volunteers are set to make another lasting addition to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, right here in Lincoln County this week. Nearly 100 volunteers with the Ice Age Trail Alliance are spending the weekend building almost one mile of new trail west of the Underdown Segment. The project will eliminate nearly a half-mile of road walking between the Underdown and Grandfather Falls segments, creating a safer, more continuous hiking experience. In addition to constructing the new path, crews will build two boardwalks across wet areas, establish a dispersed camping area for long-distance hikers, and complete routine trail maintenance. Senior Director of Field Operations Kevin Thusius says the project not only adds another mile of trail, but also opens up more public land for recreation while utilizing a pedestrian underpass beneath U.S. Highway 51—one intentionally built with future trail users in mind. Work got underway on Thursday. The three-day event marks the halfway point of the Ice Age Trail Alliance's 2026 trail-building season, following previous volunteer-led efforts in Langlade counties earlier this summer. Organizers say anyone interested in helping is welcome to stop by the worksite. No prior experience is necessary, and on-site training is provided.

Published on 08/07/2026 under News Volunteers across the Northwoods will join teams statewide this weekend to monitor local waterways for aquatic invasive species (AIS). Saturday marks the return of the 13th annual AIS Snapshot Day, a citizen-science event focused on locating and identifying invasive plants and animals in Wisconsin's lakes and rivers. Early detection allows conservation leaders to address invasive species outbreaks before they spread. Once verified, new sightings are cataloged to guide removal efforts and shape regional conservation plans. Maureen Ferry, AIS Monitoring Coordinator, says events like Snapshot Day offer a fun and simple way for community members to get involved. She notes that the event targets sites with suspected but unverified invasive species, increasing the chances of finding and managing new infestations early. Twenty host locations are set up across the state, including several in the Northwoods. Lincoln County is participating for its fifth year, with volunteers meeting at Wayside Park north of Tomahawk. Other nearby host sites include Lake Tomahawk, Manitowish Waters, and Crandon. Volunteers can still sign up. Coordinators ask participants to register in advance so site leaders can plan assignments.

Published on 08/07/2026 under News Local farmers markets continue to give Northwoods residents and visitors alike a chance to enjoy food straight from farm to table. This week is officially recognized as National Farmers Market Week. Over the years, the popularity of farmers markets has exploded. They offer consumers a chance to purchase locally sourced food directly from growers, often featuring unique heirloom varieties and cultivars of produce that aren't available at traditional grocery stores. Here in Tomahawk, vendors set up on 3rd Street off Main Street every Tuesday, giving shoppers an opportunity to connect directly with local growers, while a separate farm and flea market takes place on Saturday mornings. Most neighboring communities across the Northwoods offer their own weekly market opportunities as well. These markets aren't just about delicious food—they're also playing a major role in community health. Organizations like Aspirus and the ADRC now provide produce prescriptions and vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables, using food as medicine while keeping dollars right here in the local economy. With the growing season in full swing and late-summer harvests right around the corner, officials note it's a great time to check out your local farmer's market.

Published on 08/07/2026 under News Authorities have released additional details regarding a fatal crash in Antigo involving a bicyclist and a semi-truck. According to an update from the Antigo Police Department, the victim has been identified as 45-year-old William Joseph Hildenbrand of Antigo. Emergency responders were dispatched to the intersection of 10th Avenue and Superior Street just before 2:00 p.m. Tuesday. Preliminary details indicate Hildenbrand was riding his bicycle when he was struck by a semi-truck attempting to make a wide turn. Bystanders initially rendered aid until emergency crews arrived. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but Hildenbrand was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The incident remains under active investigation by the Antigo Police Department, with assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Published on 08/07/2026 under News A Northwoods nonprofit has completed the final phase of a major capital improvement project. Good News Project announced the completion of a renovated loading dock, wrapping up its capital campaign. Organization leaders say the upgraded space will make truck loading and deliveries more efficient while improving accessibility and reliability for daily operations. The project included replacing cracked pavement, improving drainage, and enhancing the appearance of the property. Executive Director Christine Daniels says the renovation is an investment in the organization's staff, operations, and the surrounding neighborhood. The project was funded through community grants and donations. The Good News Project is best known in the Northwoods for two separate outreach programs. They partner with local organizations to host electronics recycling, while also providing a health equipment lending program that travels to Northwoods communities.

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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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