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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

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.

Published on 08/06/2026 under News A widespread communications outage earlier this week turned the Tomahawk Public Library into an unexpected hub for remote workers, residents and visitors looking to get back online. Much of the Tomahawk area lost both internet and cell service Monday, disrupting work, communication and daily routines for much of the day. As people searched for a reliable connection, many found their way to the library which maintained internet service. During her monthly report to the Tomahawk City Council, Library Director Heidi O'Hare said approximately 150 people visited the library to use its Wi-Fi network. O'Hare said many patrons were especially grateful to have internet access available, noting that many rely on a connection to do their jobs from home. With nearly every seat occupied, the library was busier than a typical summer afternoon. O'Hare noted that some visitors mentioned the Wi-Fi seemed a little slower than usual, but said that was likely because people were using it throughout the building and even outside. The outage was restored by mid-afternoon, but the unexpected rush served as a reminder that today's public libraries offer more than books. For many communities, they also provide a critical connection when other services go down.

Published on 08/06/2026 under News Several Northwoods communities are set to receive state funding to repair aging culverts and small bridges under a new Wisconsin transportation program. Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced nearly $30 million in grants through the new Local Small Structures Improvement Program. The grants cover up to 90 percent of project costs for culverts and small bridge structures that are critical to rural transportation networks. Locally, the Town of Schley in Lincoln County will receive nearly $572,000, while the Town of Pine Lake in Oneida County was awarded more than $202,000. Additional grants were also awarded to six municipalities in Price County and five in Taylor County. State officials say the improvements will help keep rural roads safe while supporting the movement of agricultural and forestry products that are vital to Northwoods communities. The 101 projects were selected from more than 430 applications statewide, with funding aimed at replacing or repairing structures identified in poor or severe condition. WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. "Judging by the number of applications received and funding requested, there is a lot of need for this program."

Published on 08/06/2026 under News The community of Boulder Junction is continuing to earn statewide recognition for its push to expand outdoor recreation. Earlier this summer, Parks Board member Dennis Duke was named the 2026 Wisconsin Governor's Outdoor Industry "Rising Star." State officials visited the Northwoods this past week to officially present Duke with the plaque and celebrate his work. Since joining the board in 2021, Duke has helped lead several major projects—including an inclusive playground, "The Glide" outdoor skating ribbon, and the Tall Pines Disc Golf Course, where the ceremony took place. Beyond planning, state officials praised Duke for his "boots-on-the-ground" leadership in physically transforming these spaces. During their visit, leaders from the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation also toured local facilities to see Boulder Junction's investments firsthand. The recognition marks the second consecutive year the Boulder Junction Parks and Recreation Board has received a Governor's Outdoor Industry Award. Last year, "The Glide" ice skating ribbon was honored with the Ascent Award for Innovation.

Published on 08/06/2026 under News The DNR is again asking the public to become citizen scientists and participate in a pair of wildlife surveys. Operation Deer Watch is an opportunity to help collect information on the state deer population. Whether in the woods, on the road, or other outdoor locations, participants are asked to record all buck, doe, and fawn sightings. The data provides biologists insight into the reproductive status of the herd and helps shape deer management in the state. In addition to Operation Deer Watch, which runs through September 30, the DNR also has another ongoing survey for game bird broods. Paul Frater is the DNR surveys coordinator. He says, "Wherever you are in Wisconsin, you can get involved and collect data in your area. The more data that is collected, the better our understanding of game species abundance and distribution in Wisconsin." The surveys are simple and can be submitted via your phone, as long as you're not driving. More information is available on the DNR website.

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