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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

Best Burger in Paradise Returns to Tomahawk; Cards on Sale, Contest Begins April 1

Published on 03/18/2026 under News There are plenty of great burgers in the Tomahawk area. Now, a friendly competition is back to determine the best of the best. The Tomahawk STAR Foundation has announced the return of its popular "Best Burger in Paradise." Board members Kathy Rankin and Jackie Leonard stopped by the WJJQ studios this past week to talk about this year's culinary competition. While bragging rights are on the line, Best Burger in Paradise also serves as one of two major fundraisers for the foundation, along with the STAR Splash. Over the years, the organization has raised and redistributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to local nonprofits and community groups. They say it's a win-win-win, offering a chance to support a good cause, explore local restaurants, and enjoy a great meal. There will be a new champion this year, as back-to-back winner B's Landing is taking the year off. The six competitors include Billy Bob's, Nachos, Stars and Stripes, Winding Trail, 10 Point Bar and Grill, and Castaways. Organizers say the smaller field should make it easier for participants to visit every location. The card costs 25 dollars. In past years, it featured a buy-one-get-one deal. This year, it's a "spend ten" promotion for the burger, which they said can be covered by a drink and appetizer. The contest is also starting earlier this year to beat the summer tourism rush. Burgers will be served from April 1st through June 30th. Cards are available now at participating restaurants, as well as Trig's, the Tomahawk Chamber, and here at WJJQ. The STAR Foundation has additional information on their website.

Published on 03/18/2026 under News Northern Wisconsin could see a major economic boost following Tuesday's action in the State Senate. In what was the final scheduled floor session of the year, lawmakers approved more than 90 bills, including several priorities from Senate President Mary Felzkowski. The local legislator released a statement following the session. She specifically highlighted the Forestry Revitalization Act, which would create tax incentives for a proposed new Northwoods facility producing sustainable aviation fuel using woody biomass. Supporters say the project could bring billions in economic impact while also improving forest health at a time when traditional wood markets have been declining. While the proposed facility would be built in Hayward, Felzkowski said, "The entire Northwoods will benefit from this investment: truckers, restaurants, loggers, trades workers, direct plant employees, and everyone in between. Northern Wisconsin needs this, and I'm glad my colleagues agreed." The Senate also approved a measure to release $132 million to help communities dealing with PFAS contamination—an issue affecting several Northwoods communities, including the City of Tomahawk, which is exploring building a PFAS treatment facility and applying for state assistance. Other bills passed include protections for hospital price transparency, a proposal to restrict certain purchases under FoodShare, and a plan to exempt overtime wages from state income tax. In her statement, Felzkowski called it a "great day for Wisconsinites," saying lawmakers took "action on issues that impact our constituents every day." The bills previously approved by the Assembly will next head to Governor Evers for consideration.

Published on 03/18/2026 under News Spring Break season is right around the corner. Those heading out of town are reminded to take a few simple steps to avoid scams and ensure you're able to spend your trip focused on fun, family and relaxation. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection offered up a few tips to avoid a vacation headache: • Before you leave, clean out your wallet or purse, removing unnecessary cards and documents with your personal information. • Document all trip details such as confirmation numbers, booking times, addresses, costs, and cancellation and refund policies. • Consider paying by credit card rather than debit cards which allows disputes. • Check bills and receipts for added fees. • Be cautious of public wi-fi networks which may not be secure and leave your devices vulnerable. • After returning home, travelers should review receipts and monitor credit card and bank statements for any suspicious charges If you're staying home while your family travels, be aware of 'grandparent scams' which are common at this time of year. Scammers will call, claiming a family member was either involved in an arrest or accident. They'll use a made-up emergency to pressure family members into providing money or personal information.

Published on 03/18/2026 under News The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has announced the rollout of a new inmate communications system at the county detention center, aimed at improving accessibility and affordability for inmates and their families. The system, provided by NCIC Inmate Communications, a company based in Longview, Texas, became operational this past week. The Sheriff's Office says the change is part of an ongoing effort to improve services and maintain connections between inmates and their support networks. Officials say one of the key benefits of the new system is reduced call rates compared to the previous provider, making communication more affordable for families. The Sheriff's Office also emphasized that the new system comes at no cost to taxpayers. With the transition now complete, friends and family members who wish to receive calls from individuals in custody must set up an account with NCIC website or calling 1-800-943-2189.

Published on 03/18/2026 under News The Lincoln County Board has approved an update to its ordinance extending hours of operation for county facilities. Under the change, most county offices will once again be open to the public Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The county had experimented with limiting public availability on Friday afternoons. During last night's discussion, several supervisors relayed concern from constituents about the reduced hours, noting it could be a hurdle for those looking to conduct county business. An example was provided of those with a secondary residence in Lincoln County like a cabin or hunting shack. These property owners often come north to Lincoln County on Friday afternoons for a weekend visit. The ordinance allows flexibility to temporarily adjust hours for things like training, construction, or special events. Some departments, like Highway and Solid Waste, have differing schedules. Following a lengthy discussion, the ordinance amendment was approved effective immediately._____ A couple of other quick notes from last night's Lincoln County Board meeting. The Board recognized Lincoln County Health Director Shelley Cohrs for 25 years with the County. The board approved a resolution requesting state legislators establish sustainable funding for roads; set parameters for funding requests to the Bierman Family Foundation; accepted a donation from the Tomahawk Community Thrift Shop, a resolution celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Lawrence Welk Show, and discussed numerous rules changes from the board's Ad-Hoc rules committee. The Board also ratified the emergency declaration from the winter storm this past weekend. While the snow is no longer falling, approval could help the county moving forward. Director of Emergency Management Tyler Verhasselt noted this action could also open up opportunities for the county to receive some emergency assistance and funding opportunities. The state of emergency will remain in effect through 'recovery' efforts.

Published on 03/17/2026 under News A group of Tomahawk High School students recently took part in a statewide effort to advocate for mental health resources. Members of the district's Raise Your Voice Club leadership group traveled to the state capitol for Youth Advocacy Day, joining nearly 200 students from across Wisconsin. Among the goals of Raise Your Voice Club is to eliminate the stigma around mental health while breaking down barriers and building community. While in Madison, students from Tomahawk High School met with staff for Northwoods legislators including State Senator Mary Felzkowski and Representative Calvin Callahan. The group discussed the importance of funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, as well as expanding mental health services in public schools. The district said they're proud of the students for engaging in the civic process and using their voices to support the well-being of others. The event was organized with help from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which also helped prepare students to speak with lawmakers and advocate for mental health awareness._____ Speaking of the Tomahawk Raise Your Voice Club, the students are organizing their 2nd annual Mental Health Awareness Color Run. That will take place on May 2nd. Registration is currently available. We'll provide a link in the online version of the story.

Published on 03/17/2026 under News The weekend snow has brought good news for our local snowmobilers. The Oneida County Forestry, Land, and Recreation Department announced the county-funded snowmobile trail system has officially reopened as of 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. In the announcement, they did caution that some segments will remain closed due to unsafe conditions. We'll list those trails in the online version of the story. They also noted that many of the trails that are re-opening will be minimally groomed and remain in rough, late-season condition. Officials also warn that lake and river trails should be considered unsafe unless clearly marked by local clubs. County officials remind snowmobilers to stay on marked trails, noting that off-trail riding is considered trespassing and could lead to fines or trail closures. Speaking of trails re-opening, as we previously announced, most Vilas County Trails re-opened over the weekend.

Published on 03/17/2026 under News Utility crews are continuing to restore power across northern Wisconsin following a record-setting snow. Wisconsin Public Service says more than 11,000 customers have already had their power restored. Crews dealt with challenging situations working through whiteout conditions, dangerous roads, and more than two feet of snow. In some cases, crews even had to plow to clear paths and reach damaged power lines and equipment. Around 1,000 outages remained as of Tuesday morning, primarily in the Door County area. All available crews remain in the field and will continue working until service is fully restored. They hope to have that work done by the end of the day. Customers without power can check restoration updates using the WPS outage map or mobile app. And they also reiterated a few reminders to clear snow and ice from energy meters and vents to prevent damage and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide buildup indoors.

Published on 03/17/2026 under News Local business owners will have a chance to learn how to use artificial intelligence at an upcoming event in Tomahawk. The Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation is hosting its next LinC and Learn Business Connections session Thursday morning. LinC and Learn is a monthly information and networking opportunity which launched earlier this year. The featured topic for the month of March, "Using AI for Everyday Marketing," will highlight how tools like ChatGPT can help business owners generate content ideas, improve social media posts, draft emails, and clarify messaging. They noted the session is designed for beginners and those just starting to explore AI, offering simple, real-world strategies that can save time and make marketing more effective. Presenter Scott Steele of Next Step Marketing will lead the conversation. The LinC and Learn events are free, though they do ask participants register ahead of time. They alternate between Merrill and Tomahawk, with this week's session at the PCA Buedingen Training Center. It's Thursday at 7:30am with additional time set aside for networking before and after the discussion.

Published on 03/16/2026 under News Mother Nature was the big story of the weekend, as a pair of storm systems dumped significant snow across much of Wisconsin. Here in the Tomahawk area, snowfall totals came in around 10 to 12 inches. But just to our south, totals were even more impressive. Areas in and around Wausau reported more than two feet of snow. While the snow tapered to flurries overnight, strong winds are still causing blowing and drifting snow, leading to reduced visibility in some areas. Travel was dangerous throughout the weekend and remains difficult for the Monday morning commute. Drivers are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel if possible, and it's a good idea to call ahead to make sure your destination is open. Many communities have declared snow or winter weather emergencies through Monday or Tuesday. Nearly all school districts in the area are playing it safe by canceling classes. In Tomahawk, students will shift to a virtual learning day. Fortunately, power outages have been minimal. As of Monday morning, Wisconsin Public Service reports around 1,000 customers without power across its entire service area, primarily in Northeastern Wisconsin.

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