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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

Fatal, Officer-Involved Shooting in Oneida County Under Investigation

Published on 06/18/2026 under News An investigation is underway into a fatal, officer-involved shooting in Oneida County Wednesday morning. The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is leading the probe. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. at a property on Lumen Lake Drive, off Fawn Lake Road in the Town of Lake Tomahawk. According to a DOJ news release, two Oneida County deputies were dispatched to the residence to arrest a subject in connection with an undisclosed felony investigation. Upon making contact with law enforcement, they said the individual discharged a firearm. A deputy returned fire, striking the individual, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The individual's name has not yet been released. No one else was injured during the incident. According to the news release, the involved law enforcement officers are fully cooperating with DCI. Per agency policy, both deputies will be placed on administrative assignment.

Published on 06/18/2026 under News What started as a desire to connect families affected by Down syndrome continues to grow across the Northwoods. The people behind Hope Beyond 21, a Tomahawk-based nonprofit, are preparing for their "Digging for a Difference" volleyball tournament this weekend. The fundraiser will help the organization continue its mission of supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families throughout northern Wisconsin. Co-founder Hannah Wallis stopped by the WJJQ studios earlier this week to talk about the organization and this weekend's fundraiser. Wallis has a deep personal connection to the cause; a close friend of hers has a child with Down syndrome. The goal of Hope Beyond 21 is to build connections, celebrate milestones, and provide support for these families. While based in Tomahawk, the organization has drawn support from across the entire Northwoods region. For this weekend's volleyball tournament, they are teaming up with The Loop Hole to host the event on Saturday, with two other Nokomis locations, Holly's and Billy Bob's, offering additional courts. When we spoke with Wallis, more than a dozen teams had already registered. Space is still available, whether you already have a team or are looking to join one. For those who want to support the cause but stay out of the sand, the event will also feature food, entertainment, raffles, and merchandise sales. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the first matches starting at 11 a.m. and other activities running throughout the day. Wallis says the organization's goal is simple: ensuring individuals with Down syndrome and their families know they have a supportive community standing right behind them.

Published on 06/18/2026 under News As summer officially begins this weekend, one of Wisconsin's most important Northwoods research projects is celebrating a milestone of its own. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is marking the 80th anniversary of the Northern Highland Fishery Research Area, a world-renowned fisheries research site located on five lakes in Vilas County. (Escanaba, Nebish, Pallette, Spruce and Mystery Lakes) Established in 1946, the research area was originally created to study how fishing affects fish populations. Since then, every angler fishing the lakes has participated in a mandatory creel survey, creating one of the longest and most detailed fisheries datasets in the world. Today, researchers are tackling a wide range of issues facing Wisconsin waters, including the impacts of forward-facing sonar technology, climate change, fluctuating water levels, shoreline habitat projects and declining walleye populations. The Northern Highland Fishery Research Area has also become a training ground for future fisheries professionals and a hub for collaborative research involving state, tribal and national partners. DNR officials say the work conducted there continues to shape fisheries management decisions across Wisconsin and beyond. For anglers that would like to fish the lakes and contribute to the research; there is a check-in station located at the Escanaba Lake boat launch. Depending on the lake you fish, species may have tags and different ongoing study needs. That information is available on the DNR website.-Photo provided by Wisconsin DNR-

Published on 06/18/2026 under News Two people were injured in a single-vehicle rollover crash in Lincoln County over the weekend after swerving to avoid a deer. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, deputies were dispatched to Tannery Road near Green Box Road in the Town of Bradley on Sunday. The driver told deputies that a deer ran out in front of the vehicle, causing him to lose control and leave the roadway. Both the driver and a passenger were ejected from the vehicle during the rollover. Both occupants were initially transported to Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital and later airlifted to another facility for further treatment of undisclosed injuries. No updates on their conditions have been provided. Vehicle-deer collisions are typically elevated in June. The Sheriff's Report noted that there were nine vehicle-versus-deer collisions reported on Lincoln County roadways this past week alone.

Published on 06/18/2026 under News For many men, a trip to the doctor is pushed to the bottom of the to-do list—often until a problem arises that can no longer be ignored. That is why June's Men's Health Month serves as an important reminder that staying healthy starts with regular preventive care and building a relationship with a trusted primary care provider. Aspirus family medicine provider, Dr. Alexander Trecartin says, "In our busy lives, men who feel healthy might not realize how much time has gone by since their last medical care." He continued, "As a result, it's easy to fall behind on needed screenings, conversations, and the direction required to maintain that state of good health long term." According to Aspirus, annual exams can help detect conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol before symptoms appear. Regular screenings for heart disease and certain cancers, along with discussions about nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress, also play a key role in long-term health. Dr. Trecartin added that mental health is another area many men overlook. With Father's Day this weekend, it is the perfect opportunity to remind the dads and men in your life to schedule a wellness visit and take proactive steps toward protecting their long-term health.

Published on 06/18/2026 under News Lincoln County is seeking to continue a program that helps keep at-risk youth in their communities and out of costly residential placements. At Tuesday's meeting, the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution allowing the Department of Social Services to renew its Youth Justice Innovation Grant application and accept up to $75,000 in funding for 2027 if awarded by the state. The grant currently funds intensive supervision services for moderate- and high-risk youth. County officials say the program has shown positive results, noting that as of late May, no new youth offenders had been placed in high-cost out-of-home settings while receiving services through the program. The funding would cover roughly 71 percent of the cost of a case management position or contracted services that provide frequent supervision, behavioral interventions and skill-building opportunities for youth involved in the justice system. County leaders say helping young people remain safely in their homes and communities benefits youth, families and taxpayers while helping control rising placement costs. The resolution was approved ahead of a June 24 state application deadline.

Published on 06/17/2026 under News Lincoln County is throwing its support behind a new initiative to safeguard agricultural land and strengthen the local farming economy. At Tuesday's meeting, the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution supporting the creation of the proposed "Copper River Agricultural Enterprise Area" in the Towns of Corning and Harding. These specialized agricultural zones are designated by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as part of the Agriculture Enterprise Area program. They help protect farmland by allowing eligible landowners to participate in the state's Farmland Preservation Program, which offers tax credits in exchange for keeping acreage dedicated to agricultural use. Supervisor Julie DePasse, whose district includes the proposed zone, described the program as a valuable tool for supporting local farmers. She noted that these state tax credits are available to participating landowners without impacting the local tax levy. County officials say agriculture remains an important part of the Lincoln County economy, contributing an estimated $132 million annually. However, the resolution notes that the county has seen a steady decline in the number of farms over the past decade. Officials hope that protecting this land will help sustain existing farming jobs while attracting new agricultural businesses to the area. The measure passed on a unanimous voice vote with little discussion. The final decision on the Agricultural Enterprise Area designation will be made by the state.

Published on 06/17/2026 under News A major fundraising milestone is paving the way for a permanent, year-round Boys & Girls Club in Merrill. The Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area announced it has secured the $3 million needed to renovate the former Merrill National Guard Armory building into a full-service youth facility. For the past four years, the club has operated out of Prairie River Middle School, but leaders say a dedicated home will allow them to expand programming and serve more local children. Originally built in 1953, the armory has been used sparingly by the National Guard in recent years. The upcoming makeover will completely transform the space, adding four classrooms, a playground, a teaching kitchen, an art studio, a gymnasium, and an academic center. This expansion will allow the club to accommodate younger students and boost participation in STEM, academic support, leadership, and workforce readiness initiatives. The latest announcement builds on efforts that began last year when the City of Merrill, with financial backing from the Bierman Foundation, purchased the armory and invited the Boys & Girls Club to become its long-term tenant. While construction funding is officially complete, the organization is now shifting its focus toward raising the remaining operational funds required to open the doors. If everything stays on track, renovations are scheduled to begin this October. The new facility is expected to welcome its first students by next summer, perfectly coinciding with the Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area's 30th anniversary. Visit the Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area-Merrill webpage for more information, project designs, and donation opportunities.

Published on 06/17/2026 under News Hundreds of bicyclists are spending the week on an annual tour of the state, following a route that mirrors the Wisconsin River. The ride is part of the Great Annual Bicycle Adventure Along the Wisconsin River, or GRABAAWR. Cyclists cover the 427-mile length of the river, pedaling along low-traffic roads and stopping at various communities along the way. The journey began over the weekend at the headwaters of the Wisconsin River in the Northwoods, with riders leaving from Eagle River. Their first checkpoint was approximately 70 miles south in Tomahawk. From there, Day 2 takes the riders to Mosinee. Ultimately, the tour will lead the cyclists to Southwestern Wisconsin, where they are scheduled to arrive in Prairie du Chien by the coming weekend. The event is organized by Bike Wisconsin and is one of a half-dozen rides planned for the summer months. The group will actually return to the area in just a few weeks for the Bike Northwoods Tour, which kicks off on the Fourth of July. With bike season in full swing, motorists are encouraged to be mindful of these and all cyclists on the road this summer.

Published on 06/17/2026 under News Tonight (Wednesday, June 17), the state is laying out its long-term fix for a notoriously rough stretch of Highway 86 in Tomahawk. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is hosting a public meeting this evening to discuss permanent reconstruction plans for Somo Avenue/Highway 86 between Wisconsin Avenue and US 51. While local crews put down a temporary pavement overlay on a four block segment earlier this spring, the state's full overhaul isn't scheduled until 2030. Tonight's session starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Tomahawk High School Cafeteria, featuring a brief presentation followed by an open house where residents can view maps, ask questions, and provide feedback.

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