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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

Lincoln County Selected for Pilot Initiative on Outdoor Recreation, Upcoming Public Input Opportunities

Published on 10/07/2026 under News Lincoln County's popularity is growing as an outdoor recreation destination. Local leaders continue to look for ways to enhance and promote these opportunities. The county was recently selected to participate in the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation's Technical Assistance Program, alongside support from UW-Stout's Center for Sustainable Communities. This state pilot initiative brings local, state, and federal partners together to help communities strengthen recreation assets, support area businesses, and maximize the economic benefits of local trails, waterways, and parks. Sara Guild, Executive Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation, joined our Morning Conversation earlier this week to share details on what this selection means for our area. She emphasized that local input is key to finding practical solutions for recreation infrastructure, trail access, and business growth. There are actually a couple of opportunities later this month for the public to get involved. The teams will be holding a pair of community input workshops, one in Tomahawk and one in Merrill, on October 21 and 22. We'll have a bit more coverage as those dates draw near. And you can hear that conversation with Sara in the WJJQ audio center.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News It's Fire Prevention Week, and area firefighters are working overtime to teach local youth essential fire safety lessons. Crews from the Tomahawk, Nokomis, and Little Rice Fire Departments are teaming up to visit classrooms and community stops, including local libraries and childcare centers. Merrill firefighters are leading a similar outreach program in their community. The goal is to reach students at a young age to help them build lifelong safety habits. In addition to core fire safety basics, Fire Prevention Week highlights a distinct focus area each year. This year, departments are emphasizing a modern concern: the safe charging and use of household electronics. Beyond educating kids, local departments are raising awareness about the ongoing need for volunteers, particularly at rural departments across the Northwoods. The Tomahawk Fire Department will wrap up Fire Prevention Week with its annual open house and family day on Saturday. Attendees will have a chance to tour the station and inspect the department's brand-new fire engine, which arrived last month and will be officially put into service later October.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News The City of Tomahawk has taken another step toward revamping how it spends a key category of visitor dollars. The city currently collects a 4% room tax, which is administered through a partnership with the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce. At its meeting last night, the Common Council introduced a pair of ordinances aimed at establishing a seven-member Tourism Commission to provide added oversight for those funds, while an amendment increased the room tax rate to 5%. State law dictates how room tax revenue can be spent, requiring the vast majority to be earmarked for tourism promotion and development that drives overnight visitors to the area. Both ordinances were recommended by the City's Finance Committee following a special meeting last month and approved by the Council with minimal discussion Tuesday. Implementation of the new Tourism Commission was delayed until January, as several neighboring townships are also exploring room tax proposals.That could ultimately lead to a cooperative committee or commission among participating municipalities.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News Candidates competing for Wisconsin's open 7th Congressional District seat are facing off tonight in their first and only scheduled debate. Republican Michael Alfonso and Democrat Fred Clark will meet tonight from 6 to 7 p.m. to pitch their vision to replace outgoing Congressman Tom Tiffany, and represent the Northwoods in Washington. In an unsual twist, tonight's debate won't actually take place on Wisconsin soil. Broadcast partner WDIO is hosting the event live from its television studios just across the state line in Duluth, Minnesota. In addition to airing on WDIO, the forum will be streamed on their website as well as Wisconsin Eye. The Debate comes as absentee voting is already underway in Wisconsin.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News As Wisconsin prepares for the upcoming election, Northwoods residents are invited to get an inside look at how local elections are run. The League of Women Voters of the Northwoods is hosting a free, nonpartisan community conversation giving voters a chance to hear directly from municipal clerks in Vilas County who oversee their local elections. The panel features clerks from Arbor Vitae, Lac du Flambeau, and Winchester. They will address common voter misconceptions, explain what happens to a ballot after it's cast, and share practical steps residents can take before Election Day to ensure a smooth voting process. Organizers say the goal is to give both first-time and long-time voters factual, reliable information so they can participate with confidence. It'll take place at 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Arbor Vitae Town Hall You can learn more about local civic resources and voter education initiatives by visiting the League of Women Voters of the Northwoods online, or check with your municipal clerk's office for general election guidance.

Published on 10/07/2026 under News Aspirus Wausau Hospital has reached a major milestone in heart care. The hospital's cardiovascular team recently completed its 1,000th WATCHMAN procedure. The minimally invasive treatment helps reduce stroke risk for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation or afib, a common heart rhythm disorder, offering a safe alternative to long-term blood thinners. Interventional cardiologist Dr. Colleen Lane praised the dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and support staff, noting that the milestone reflects years of growth and the trust placed in Aspirus by patients across central Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula.

Published on 10/06/2026 under Sports Tomahawk Volleyball Ends Regular Season GNC Play Winless In the final Great Northern Conference match of the season, Tomahawk's volleyball squad came up short, getting swept by Northland Pines at the Hatchet House Tuesday, 25-19, 26-24, 25-13. The loss by Tomahawk has them finish winless in Great Northern Conference regular season play. Lexi Palmer would finish with 22 assists. Lauren Reibe tied a career-high with 16 kills. The loss drops Tomahawk to 5-25 on the season and 0-7 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the court for their final regular-season match of the season Thursday against Wittenberg-Birnamwood. First serve is at 7:00. Gibeault Places in Top 5, Hatchet Girls and Boys XC Place in Top 8 The Hatchet cross country squads would each finish in the top eight of the Northland Pines Invitational in Eagle River Tuesday afternoon. The Hatchet girls placed third overall in the meet, placing behind only Three Lakes/Phelps and Rhinelander. Three Hatchet girls placed in the top ten, led by a fourth-place finish from Elise Gibeault. Ellie Micke placed 13th and Abbie Rosenmeier would finish 19th. As for the Hatchet boys, they would place eighth overall. Three Hatchets placed in the top 40. The highest finisher was Dawson Jones, placing 28th. Luke Morrison and Ryan Montag would place 32nd and 33rd respectively. The final meet of the regular season for Tomahawk is their home meet, which will be at the old Hatchet Baseball Field Saturday. Live updates from the meet will be provided on the WJJQ app, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. The Fehrman Orthodontics Premeet Show will begin at 9:40 and opening events begin at 10:00 with Alex Koch in the broadcast booth. Girls Team Results: Rhinelander - 1st Three Lakes/Phelps - 2nd Tomahawk - 3rd Merrill - 4th Northland Pines - 5th Antigo - 6th Medford - 7th Boys: Rhinelander - 1st Laona-Wabeno - 2nd Florence/Niagara - 3rd Medford - 4th Northland Pines - 5th Crandon - 6th Tomahawk - 8th Antigo - 9th Merrill - 10th

Published on 10/06/2026 under News A bicyclist is crisscrossing Wisconsin this month to raise awareness for a popular conservation program whose funding ended this year, while highlighting the state's growing trail network. Sarah Widder is currently making her way through the Northwoods as part of her "Great State Trails Adventure." Her ambitious goal over the next three weeks is to pedal approximately 2,500 miles across 44 state bike trails, 6 non-state trails, and their connecting corridors. Widder is drawing attention to the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which lapsed this past June after funding local parks and trails for nearly four decades. Widder notes, "Land stewardship is such an important part of what makes Wisconsin such a great place to live, work, and play, creating outdoor opportunities whether for biking, off-road trail riding, fishing, hunting or conservation. Widder is blogging daily during her ride, discussing the importance of the program while showcasing the trails and communities along her route. Yesterday's 128-mile ride passed through Park Falls and Minocqua. This morning, she is heading south on the Bearskin and Hiawatha Trails through Tomahawk to Prentice and then Medford. Widder's ride concludes October 22 with a public celebration at Lucette Brewing Company in Menomonie. Those interested can follow along online at knowlesnelson.org

Published on 10/06/2026 under News There's a popular phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child." Here in Lincoln County, local organizations are teaming up to ensure new parents have that village behind them when bringing a baby home. The Lincoln County Health Department and its community partners are hosting the annual fall Community Baby Shower this Tuesday afternoon. Now in its fourth year, the event alternates between Tomahawk and Merrill each spring and fall. Organizers describe the shower as a "one-stop shop" connecting expecting parents and families with young children to essential local resources. Attendees can meet with local agencies to get guidance on safe sleep, child development, nutrition, mental health, and early literacy, alongside hands-on demonstrations like CPR training and car seat safety checks. The Community Baby Shower is free and open to expecting parents, grandparents, and caregivers of children up to 18 months old. It runs drop-in event, though some supplies may be limited. It's from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. this Tuesday at the Merrill Enrichment Center, with no registration required.

Published on 10/06/2026 under News An investigation is underway into the death of a man following a reported shooting over the weekend in Price County. According to the Price County Sheriff's Office, responders were initially called to a residence near County N and Big Falls Road in the Town of Kennan at just before 11pm, Sunday. The caller reported a man had shot and injured another individual at the residence, then left the scene. A short time later, a second 911 call reported that same man was causing a disturbance at a second location. The Sheriff's Office says when officers arrived, the suspect was found dead. The man's name was not immediately released. No update was provided on the condition of the first victim. Authorities say there is no further threat to the community. Because the investigation is active, no other information is being released at this time.

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