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Tomahawk 6th and 9th Graders Return to School

Published on 08/31/2026 under News It's day one of the new school year in Tomahawk...at least for a select group of students. The district is once again using a staggered start schedule, a program designed to ease the transition to a new school building. While most kids in Tomahawk are enjoying one final day of summer break, sixth and ninth graders—along with students new to the district—are filling the halls today. Since 2018, Tomahawk has relied on two nationwide peer-mentoring initiatives: the W.E.B. program in the middle school and Link Crew at the high school. Created by the Boomerang Project and used in over 4,500 schools nationwide, these programs give incoming students exclusive access to campus today. They spend the day learning their class schedules, practicing locker combinations, participating in group activities, and building connections with older student mentors that last all year long. The rest of the student body returns tomorrow for a more traditional first day of school and to kick off the full school year. And for those students already keeping track...summer break is just 274 days away.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News One person has died in a Vilas County boating incident over the weekend. According to the Vilas County Sheriff's Office, a resident on Sumach Lake called 911 at around 2:30 Sunday afternoon after observing a capsized boat and two men in the water. One of the men was able to swim to shore and seek help. Along with a good Samaritan, they were able to pull the man from the water. He was treated on scene, and transported to Aspirus Howard Young Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The man's name is being withheld pending notification of family. The DNR is handling the investigation.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News A plea deal has been reached for a man involved in a high-speed pursuit and highway shooting that spanned Marathon and Lincoln counties in October 2023. Court records show 44-year-old Bennie Green pleaded guilty to seven charges earlier this month. This includes five felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety with a dangerous weapon, along with OWI causing injury and possession a firearm as a felon. The charges stem from an incident in October 2023 where Green fired at a vehicle on Highway 51 near Brokaw, injuring two people in that vehicle. Lincoln County deputies later spotted Green's vehicle, sparking a pursuit back into Marathon County that ended when a deputy disabled Green's car near Wausau. As part of the plea agreement, six additional charges were dismissed but will be considered at sentencing on November 30.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News Most Northwoods students head back to school this week, prompting local law enforcement to remind drivers to slow down, watch for buses and pedestrians, and obey traffic laws. The Wisconsin State Patrol and the Department of Transportation recently highlighted the critical need for school bus safety. According to the DOT, Wisconsin recorded 655 crashes involving school buses last year, resulting in 70 injuries. State courts also logged more than 1,300 convictions for failure to stop for a school bus. DOT Secretary Kristina Boardman says, "This is an exciting time for families across Wisconsin as another school year approaches, and students are counting on all of us to help keep them safe as they go to and from school." As a reminder, when you see flashing amber lights, slow down and proceed with caution as the bus prepares to stop. Once the buses' red warning lights are activated, stop at least 20 feet away and remain until the lights are switched off. Officials offer several key safety tips for motorists: Slow down in school zones and residential areas and where children are present. Yield right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks and intersections. Avoid distractions, put away mobile devices and keep your full attention on the road.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News Drivers heading through Lincoln County will need to plan for extra travel time starting today as work begins on a major Highway 17 resurfacing project. Highway 17 remains closed to through traffic between Highway 64 and Big Hay Meadow Creek. The project will unfold in two separate phases. They'll work into early November before pausing for the winter. The project will resume next spring, tentatively scheduled from April to July. This is a project that was moved up on the construction calendar due to road conditions. Crews will replace the existing asphalt surface and concrete curb and gutter, install new centerline rumble strips, and apply a protective thermoplastic coating at designated snowmobile crossings to prevent track wear on the fresh pavement. The posted detour uses Highways 64, 51, and 8. Local access to homes and businesses along the construction corridor will be maintained.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News After several down years, Northern Wisconsin's wild rice crop is expected to be better this fall. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says heavy April rainfall across the Northwoods, followed by a dry summer, created unusually stable water conditions throughout the critical growing period for the state's wild rice crop. Jason Fleener is a DNR wetland habitat specialist. He says, "Wild rice harvesters who are looking to fill their pantries may find some good wild rice beds, but they may encounter low water levels that could make navigation by canoe a challenge." Water depth varies based on localized rainfall and regional dam operations. While production is up when compared to recent years, experts say the yield remains well below historical benchmarks, and some lakes continue to experience severe crop declines. State biologists point to broader long-term threats including climate change, land use pressures, and declining water quality. Still, for harvesters willing to scout and travel, viable beds are plentiful across the northern landscape this fall. The timing coincides with Wisconsin's inaugural Wild Rice Week, running from August 30 through September 6, established to raise public awareness around the ecologically and culturally significant crop.

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Sports Headlines

Tomahawk Volleyball Stumbles Into 2026

Published on 08/29/2026 under Sports The Hatchet volleyball squad stumbled out of the gate to begin 2026, going 1-5 in their opening matches at the Just A Game Fieldhouse Friendship Tournament in the Wisconsin Dells over the weekend. Tomahawk went 0-4 Friday, losing to Wausau West, Wisconsin Dells, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau, and Oshkosh North. Saturday, the Hatchets started the day with getting swept by Cashton. The Hatchets would leave the Dells with a victory after sweeping Rio. Tomahawk begins Great Northern Conference play Thursday night at Medford. Tune in for the broadcast on the WJJQ app, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Prematch Show will begin at 6:35 with opening serve at 7:00. Matt Theiler and Alex Koch will be in the broadcast booth from Medford Thursday night.

Published on 08/28/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's football squad's offensive struggles would continue Friday night as they would lose at Charger Field to Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 23-6. The Hatchets would fail to crack 100 yards rushing for the second consecutive game. Tomahawk would allow 305 yards on the ground to the Chargers, including 171 in the second half. Max Larson led the way for the Hatchets with 99 yards and an 11-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The Hatchets would force three turnovers, but mustered only six points off of those takeaways. Tomahawk falls to 0-2 on the season and will begin Great Northern Conference Play against Wausau East next Friday. Tune in for the broadcast on the WJJQ App, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ with the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:15 and kickoff at 7:00. Keith Hanse and Alex Koch will be in the broadcast booth from Hatchet Field next week. Other Northwoods Week 2 Football Scores: 11-Player Football: New London 13, Antigo 0 Shawano 16, Lakeland 15 Onalaska 20, Medford 0 Merrill 27, Crandon 14 Menasha 46, Mosinee 20 Ashland 26, Northland Pines 23 Rhinelander 49, Hayward 12 La Crosse Logan 37, Wausau East 0 Colby 33, Abbotsford 13 8-Player Football: Chequamegon 58, Cornell 30 Hurley 20, Laona-Wabeno 14 (OT) Ironwood (MI) 52, Florence 15 Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas 47, Goodman-Pembine 6 De Soto 62, Rib Lake 26 Gilman 50, Athens 0

Published on 08/27/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's Cross Country Squads began 2026 with top ten finishes at the Hodag Invitational in Rhinelander Thursday morning. The Hatchet girls placed third overall, finishing just 12 points behind meet champion Lakeland. The top Hatchet finisher was Charlee Lund, who placed third overall with a time of 21:28. The other top 10 finisher for the Hatchet girls was Elise Gibeault, placing ninth with a time of 22:29. As for the Hatchet Boys, Tomahawk would finish seventh overall. DC Everest would take the Hodag Invitational Boys Title. The top Hatchet finishers came from Connor Zorn and Jordyn Carew. Zorn placed 33rd with a time of 20:11. Carew placed 34th with a time of 20:12. The next meet for Tomahawk will be next Thursday, hosted by Marathon. Events begin at 4:30. Top Team Finishes from the Hodag Invite: Girls: Lakeland – 1st Rhinelander – 2nd Tomahawk – 3rd Three Lakes/Phelps – 4th Merrill – 6th Boys: Lakeland – 2nd Rhinelander – 3rd Northland Pines – 5th Laona-Wabeno – 6th Tomahawk – 7th Crandon – 8th Goodman-Pembine – 9th

Published on 08/21/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Football squad opened up 2026 with a whimper at Hatchet Field Friday night, losing to the Luther Knights, 27-6. Tomahawk responded Luther's opening-drive touchdown with a two-yard run from Max Larson. However, the Hatchets would fail to find the end zone after the first quarter. Luther countered with two scores in the second quarter, including one right after a muffed punt with two minutes left. As a team, Tomahawk rushed for 136 yards on 43 carries. Hudson Evans led the way in rushing with 46 yards on seven carries. Larson had 44 yards to go with his lone score. The Hatchets lose their first season opener since 2023 to drop to 0-1 on the season. Tomahawk will go on the road for the first time next week as they head to Wittenberg-Birnamwood. Tune in for the broadcast on the WJJQ App, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ with the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:15 and kickoff at 7:00. Alex Koch and Jon Long will be in the broadcast booth from Charger Field in Wittenberg. Other Week 1 Northwoods Football Scores: 11-Player Football: Northland Pines 14, Antigo 8 Lakeland 42, Hayward 14 Holmen 21, Medford 14 La Crosse Central 46, Merrill 16 Stratford 31, Mosinee 0 Rhinelander 20, Ashland 7 Wausau East 28, Shawano 0 Nekoosa 38, Crandon 0 Abbotsford 21, Markesan 8 8-Player Football: Athens 30, Niagara 8 Three Lakes/Phelps 28, Florence 12 Mellen/Butternut/Mercer 64, Prentice 28 Laona-Wabeno 12, Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas 6 Elcho/White Lake 22, Goodman-Pembine 6

Published on 08/20/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's girls swimmers opened up their season with a 13th-place finish at the Fun In the Sun Outdoor Relays in Merrill Thursday evening. The Hatchets competed in five different relays in the event. Tomahawk placed ninth in the 500 freestyle relay, swam by Aubrey Tollefson, Sloane Eisenman, Kaylee Roberts, and Kami Gabrich. The Hatchets placed 12th in the 200 Butterfly Relay, swam by Tollefson, Gabrich, Roberts, and Kortney Busterud. Tomahawk's highest finish in the meet was eighth in the 200 Backstroke Relay. The Hatchets then capped off the night with a tenth-place finish in the 200 breaststroke. Tomahawk will have a couple of weeks off before their next meet, which will be a home double dual with Great Northern Conference foes Lakeland and Mosinee September 3rd.

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