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WIAA Board Approves Basketball Shot Clock, Two Divisions in Boys Hockey Published on 06/23/2017 under Sports

STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control reviewed and approved a number of committee recommendations impacting winter sports, gave initial review and consideration of a newly conceived divisional placement plan for basketball, and engaged in robust membership-related discussions at its June meeting today.

Following a lengthy discussion, the Board voted to implement the use of a 35-second shot clock in basketball for varsity games only to begin with the 2019-20 season.

In other basketball-related action, coaches qualifying for the Sate Tournament will determine the seeds for the four qualifying teams in each of the five divisions with a Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association representative breaking any ties that may occur beginning in 2017-18.

Three other basketball recommendations received approval from the Board. If schools choose to play only one half of a junior varsity game and a full varsity game, players will be allowed to play in only two halves. Also approved was extending the coaching box to 28 feet from 14 feet for all levels. In addition, the number of players per team allowed to dress during the Tournament Series will increase to 18 while maintaining the maximum party limit of 22.

The Board also voted to convene the basketball coaches advisory committee following the 2017 Area Meetings to discuss the merits of a newly created basketball tournament placement model. Details of the plan will be shared and discussed at the Area Meetings and at each level of the committee process to be presented to the Board at its Jan. 31, 2018 meeting. General details of the plan is provided below.

The Board supported an amended recommendation for a two-year experiment on sponsoring two divisions in boys hockey beginning with the 2020 State Tournament. The tournament format will feature four teams in Division 1 and four in Division 2 with the smallest 32 programs by enrollment assigned to Division 2.

Another action item in hockey was the approval of the procedure for seeding the State Tournament. The WIAA will conduct a conference call with coaches of qualifying teams to determine the top four seeds, and the remaining four teams will be randomly drawn as opponents of the seeded teams in the brackets. The guidelines for seeding will replicate those for the regional and sectional levels.

Beginning next season, the State Tournament in team wrestling will also be seeded by coaches of qualifying teams. The process will replicate the procedure approved in boys hockey. Another wrestling recommendation approved for 2017-18 increases the total number of medals awarded to 28 at the State Team Tournament, which equals the number of eligible athletes. In other wrestling-related discussions, the Board was informed of a change in the Feb. 1, one-pound growth allowance to take effect on the date of the first regional competition.

The lone gymnastics coaches' recommendation received approval. It requires the final average score of a routine to be posted during meets throughout the season.

The Board also ratified spring cooperative programs for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, general fund financial statements and payments and a spending resolution during development of the 2017-18 operational budget.

Among the additional discussions were a review of the 2017 spring State Tournaments, updates on Assembly Bill 260/Senate Bill 232, the 2017 New Athletic Director Workshop, possible 2017 Area Meeting topics, and potential Constitution items for the 2018 Annual Meeting.

The Board also received liaison reports from John Ashley of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and Peggy Seegers-Braun of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association.

The WIAA oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 511 senior high schools and 41 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. It sponsors 27 championship tournament series. For more information, please contact the WIAA office at (715) 344-8580.

In Other News

Winding Trail Grill & Bar Claims Title in 2026 'Best Burger in Paradise' Contest

Published on 07/27/2026 under News Plates have been cleaned, votes tallied, and a new champion crowned in the Tomahawk STAR Foundation's "Best Burger in Paradise" contest. Winding Trail Grill & Bar captured the top spot thanks to their standout bacon jam burger, a crowd favorite that will remain on the regular menu for diners eager to taste the award-winning creation. The annual friendly fundraising contest challenges local eateries to showcase their best burger creations while raising money for a great cause. Beyond bragging rights for the kitchen, proceeds from every Burger Card sold directly support the Tomahawk STAR Foundation's mission to fund local non-profits and strengthen the surrounding community. In addition to crowning the winning burger, the STAR Foundation randomly selected three cardholders who submitted completed cards to win gift certificates to Winding Trail Grill & Bar. This year's winners are Jennifer Snyder, Tammy Loka, and Keith Enzor. The STAR Foundation extends its thanks to all participating restaurants and diners. The team at Winding Trail will jump right back into local culinary competition this weekend as one of the teams participating in the Tomahawk Lions Thrilla on the Grilla Rib Competition. We'll have a preview later this week. Participating restaurants in this year's lineup included Billy Bob's Sports Bar & Grill, Castaways Bar & Grill, Nacho's Mexican Grill Tomahawk, Stars & Stripes Pub & Grub, Ten Point Bar & Grill, and Winding Trail Grill & Bar.

Published on 07/27/2026 under News A 17-year-old Merrill girl was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash over the weekend in Lincoln County. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office says the crash was reported at shortly before 11am Sunday on Highway 64 near Elm Grove Road in the Town of Corning. According to the preliminary investigation, the teen was driving eastbound on Highway 64 when her vehicle crossed the center-line into the westbound lane and collided with an oncoming vehicle. The teen was flown by helicopter to Marshfield Hospital with injuries described as critical. No update on her condition was provided. There was a two-week-old child in the vehicle as well. Authorities say the infant was properly secured in a car seat, and was not injured in the crash. A husband and wife were in the second vehicle. The 60-year-old man and 56-year-old woman suffered minor injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

Published on 07/27/2026 under News One person was hospitalized following a single vehicle rollover in Oneida County over the weekend. According to the Pine Lake Fire Department, responders were paged to Birchwood Drive on Saturday evening. The initial call at 5pm indicated the driver was trapped inside a potentially burning vehicle. Upon arrival, emergency crews found the vehicle resting on its roof, though fortunately, no active fire was present. Bystanders on the scene had already assisted the driver in safely exiting the vehicle prior to the arrival of responders. Paramedics with Rhinelander Fire Ambulance evaluated the driver at the scene before transporting them to Aspirus Hospital for further medical care. Birchwood Drive was completely closed to traffic for approximately an hour while crews worked to clear the scene.

Published on 07/27/2026 under News The Lincoln County Board is setting its sights on the future as it continues laying out a roadmap for the remainder of its two-year term. Following an initial brainstorming session in June, supervisors continued their discussion at the July meeting. They outlined a wide range of long-term priorities, with a heavy focus on the county's aging population. Board members highlighted the growing technological and financial gaps facing local seniors on a fixed-income. Other topics on the radar include establishing a dedicated county industrial park or convention center, zoning codes to improve housing opportunities, continuing to grow and promote tourism, and developing long-term plans for both the county landfill and highway building. Supervisors even brought up structural changes to the board itself including consolidating committees and even the board size. This recent conversation served as a cursory look at potential topics without much discussion on how to accomplish goals.It builds on discussions from last month, where supervisors raised topics including data centers, broadband access, housing, and general infrastructure improvements. Board Chair Don Friske noted that only twenty meetings remain in the current session. However, despite holding these planning discussions over the last two months, Friske does not anticipate long-term goal setting becoming a recurring agenda item.

Published on 07/27/2026 under News If you've got more garden than you can handle, consider donating surplus squash and other produce to help feed local communities. Harvest season has officially arrived, and food pantries are calling on green thumbs and backyard growers to share their bounty with neighbors in need. Initiatives like "Grow A Row," launched by the Lakeland Pantry last year, encourage gardeners to donate extra vegetables, fruit, and herbs rather than letting good food go to waste. The initiative collected more than 2,300 pounds of fresh produce during its inaugural year. As pantry representatives put it, sharing the harvest is simply about "neighbors helping neighbors" and turning a garden's abundance into real, local impact. Local pantries rely on these fresh contributions to ensure families have access to crisp, nutritious produce alongside traditional non-perishable staples. For those in the Lakeland area, drop-off opportunities are available throughout the week. Produce donations may be dropped off at Lakeland Pantry, 1707 US-51, Arbor Vitae, during regular donation hours: Tuesdays: 8:30am – 11:30am and Thursdays: 3:30 pm – 6:00pm. Produce may also be delivered during business hours to JJ's Acres or Stoney Creek Home and Garden. If you live elsewhere and are still harvesting a bumper crop, consider reaching out to your local food pantry to see if they accept fresh produce donations.

Published on 07/27/2026 under News With fall sports practices just a couple of weeks away, Marshfield Clinic is giving Northwoods student-athletes a chance to check one item off their preseason to-do list. The clinic will offer free sports physicals on Tuesday, July 28, at Marshfield Clinic Woodruff Center. Dr. Grace Schwantes, a pediatrician at Marshfield Clinic says pre-participation physicals help ensure student-athletes are healthy, safe, and ready to compete while identifying potential health concerns before the season begins. The exam includes heart and lung checks, a review of injury and concussion history, and a discussion about overall health and lifestyle habits. The free visit also satisfies the requirements for a WIAA physical, and those cards will be available onsite. No appointment is required. Student athletes can stop by Marshfield Clinic Woodruff Center Tuesday between 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Published on 07/24/2026 under News When the final weekend of July arrives, so does a beloved Tomahawk tradition: the annual St. Mary's Summer Festival, a local favorite going strong for more than 30 years. Event organizers Gary Luedtke and Lynn Grube stopped by the WJJQ studios to share a sneak peek at what's in store. The duo represents dozens of dedicated volunteers who work year-round to pull off the weekend festivities centered, as always, on food, family, and fun. Grube highlighted that the festival stands as one of the parish's largest annual fundraisers. Luedtke noted that proceeds directly support vital St. Mary's programs and community outreach, including the local Soup Kitchen and Our Sisters House shelter. Attending on an empty stomach is highly recommended. Among the culinary highlights is the famous "pie garden"—a massive spread of homemade slices that gives even the most decisive dessert lovers a run for their money. Main course staples include a classic Friday night fish fry prepared by Outboards Bar & Grill. New this year, Grube teased Where's the Beef, a onsite game inspired by Let's Make a Deal with cuts of meat as prizes. Beyond the food, guests will find a stacked lineup of raffle prizes suited for all ages and interests, alongside a full schedule of games and entertainment to keep kids and families busy all weekend long. You don't need to be a parishioner to join in. The organizers emphasize that the festival is a true community gathering, and everyone is invited to take part. Festivities get underway at 4pm Friday and resume at 3pm Saturday.

Published on 07/24/2026 under News Swimming in a backyard pool or a Northwoods lake can be a refreshing way to spend a hot summer day. However, it's vital to keep a close eye on kids and watch all swimmers for signs of distress. Saturday marks World Drowning Prevention Day. To keep families safe, Aspirus Health and the Oneida County Public Safety Dive Team have partnered to share important facts about drowning and practical rescue tips. Michael Fraley, a team leader with the Oneida County Dive Team who also works at Aspirus, explains that real-life drowning looks quite different from the frantic splashing often shown on TV or in movies. He notes a struggling swimmer is trying to stay afloat, they won't be able to wave their arms or call for help. According to Fraley, bystanders typically have less than a minute to react to someone in distress. When offering assistance, it's important not to become a victim yourself. Always use a flotation aid such as a life jacket, throwable cushion, or even a pool noodle. Call 911 immediately so emergency responders can get on the scene to provide life-saving care. Communities also play a key role. Local leaders, schools, and outreach groups are encouraged to host activities and events that promote water safety awareness and education.

Published on 07/24/2026 under News A fisheries research project right here in Northern Wisconsin is getting national recognition. The DNR's ongoing study at Sanford Lake in Vilas County has earned a Sport Fish Restoration Project Award from the American Fisheries Society. Since 2015, researchers have been dropping fallen trees, known as fish sticks, into the shoreline to study how natural wood habitat affects lake life. DNR Fisheries Research Leader Dr. Greg Sass says the results were clear: adding the trees actually doubled the total number of fish the lake can support. The trees enhance the habitat for fish, including providing places to hide from larger predators. The "fish sticks" also naturally decompose over time, adding critical nutrients to the water and supporting the aquatic ecosystem. Additional research from the study also confirmed that adding fallen trees does not negatively affect lake water quality, a concern among lakeshore property owners. The DNR research team will be officially presented with the award at the American Fisheries Society national meeting in late August. Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR - Trees that have fallen into shallow water provide a refuge for fish, nutrients and other benefits to lake ecosystems.

Published on 07/24/2026 under News If your garden is struggling and your lawn is looking a bit more brown than green, you aren't alone. While the region has seen a few fleeting showers, this month has brought relatively sparse rainfall across the Northwoods. The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor confirms that much of Northern Wisconsin is feeling the stretch of dry weather. All of Lincoln County and southern Oneida County are now classified as "Abnormally Dry" (D0). Conditions worsen further north: northern Oneida County and the majority of Vilas County have slipped into a "Moderate Drought" (D1) classification, while a small pocket in northern Iron County is now experiencing "Severe Drought" (D2). Statewide, roughly 73% of Wisconsin is currently registering on the drought monitor's scale. The extended dry spell brings challenges well beyond crunchy lawns and wilting vegetable patches. It can also stress agricultural crops for farmers, and raises the risk of wildfires. Fortunately, relief may be on the way. Weather forecasts show several chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms in the coming days, which could bring some much-needed precipitation to the region.

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