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Deer Activity on the Rise; Motorists Reminded to be on the Lookout

Published on 11/02/2026 under News It's that time of year when deer become more active, and safety officials are reminding motorists to use extra caution on the road. While hunters love seeing a big buck cross their path in the field, hitting one behind the wheel is a different story. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, deer-vehicle crashes spike sharply during the fall as days shorten and bucks pursue potential mates. WisDOT statistics show there were more than 17,000 deer-vehicle crashes in the state last year, with about a third occurring in October and November. Locally, deer collisions are also climbing. Over the past four weeks alone, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office reported more than 60 deer-related crashes on county roadways. Safety officials remind drivers to buckle up, slow down, and scan the road ahead—particularly at dawn and dusk when deer are most active. Because deer often travel in groups, seeing one cross the road usually means others are close behind. If a collision is unavoidable, experts recommend braking firmly while remaining in your lane. Swerving should be avoided, as it can cause you to lose control, leave the roadway, or collide with oncoming traffic, leading to a far more severe crash. If you do strike a deer, safely pull off to the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights, and remain in your vehicle while waiting for assistance to arrive.

Published on 11/02/2026 under News Multiple people were injured Thursday evening after a fleeing driver struck a deputy squad and a civilian car in Lincoln County. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, dispatch received multiple calls shortly after 7:00 p.m. regarding a wrong-way driver traveling southbound in the northbound lane of Highway 51, heading from Oneida County into Lincoln County. A deputy located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to pull over despite the patrol car's emergency lights and siren being activated. Rather than conducting a PIT maneuver, out of concern for safety, a patrol lieutenant maneuvered his squad into the path of the oncoming vehicle. The suspect's vehicle struck the occupied patrol car as well as a civilian vehicle. Both the driver of the civilian car and the patrol lieutenant sustained suspected injuries in the crash. The suspect, identified as 80-year-old Rory Hofmann of Grafton, Wisconsin, was taken into custody on numerous charges including second-offense OWI causing injury, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, and fleeing or failing to stop. He's scheduled for an initial appearance in court today. The Wisconsin State Patrol is handling the investigation.

Published on 11/02/2026 under News A teenager charged in connection with an altercation at Lincoln Hills that led to the death of a staff member was sentenced to three years in prison. Javarius Hurd returned to Lincoln County Circuit Court on Friday for his sentencing hearing. Earlier in the week, a jury returned a split verdict following a six-day trial into the 2024 death of Corey Proulx at the juvenile correctional facility. While Hurd was acquitted of the most serious charge—reckless homicide—he was convicted of one count of battery by a prisoner. At Friday's hearing, the judge sentenced Hurd to three years in prison, followed by three years of extended supervision. He was also ordered to have no contact with Lincoln Hills or the other counselor involved in the incident. Hurd was granted 858 days of credit for time already served.

Published on 11/02/2026 under News If you grew up in the Northwoods, chances are you've taken a field trip to Trees for Tomorrow. To make sure future students get that same opportunity, the Eagle River center is launching a new fundraising drive." Trees For Tomorrow announced its year-end initiative, titled TFT4All: Fueling Our Growth. The nonprofit is seeking to raise 250 thousand dollars to fund student scholarships and offset rising operational costs for visiting K-12 school districts. To help reach that goal, a group of donors has established an 85 thousand dollar matching challenge, doubling all contributions dollar-for-dollar through the end of the year. For more than 80 years, the Eagle River campus has hosted field-based science programs, serving roughly 14 thousand youth and adults annually. Center leadership notes that tight school budgets and increasing expenses have made financial support critical for families relying on scholarship assistance for field trips. Organizers say funds raised will directly cover student program fees, maintain campus infrastructure, and upgrade gear used for outdoor conservation science.

Published on 11/02/2026 under News Wisconsin Public Service employees continue to give back to community organizations thanks to their on-the-job safety. The latest contribution goes to a well-known organization that helps fufill dreams for sick children...Wisconsin Make-A-Wish. The $5,000 donation is part of the WPS Safety Charity Challenge. It's a company-wide initiative to encourage employees to live and work safely while positively impacting their local communities. Each quarter, employees who meet safety goals are able to select an organization or program to receive a contribution from the WPS Foundation. Last year alone, Make-A-Wish Wisconsin granted wishes for more than 400 children across the state, and over the years more than 9,000 wishes.

Published on 11/02/2026 under News Severe weather in Wisconsin changes with the seasons, and the National Weather Service is offering an opportunity to learn more about winter storms before the snow begins to fall. The NWS office in Green Bay is rolling out specialized winter sessions of their SKYWARN Storm Spotter classes in the coming weeks. These upcoming classes will focus on winter-specific hazards, including severe snow events, subzero cold weather warnings, and other winter conditions that directly impact Northwoods residents. Storm spotters provide a critical link to NWS meteorologists by serving as an extra set of eyes on the ground during severe weather events. The agency also provides courses in the spring. There are four class opportunities in November and one in December, with the first session scheduled for tomorrow evening. Because each session covers roughly the same material, participants only need to attend one. The online classes are free and open to the public. Registration links are available on our website.

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Sports Headlines

Gibeault, Lund Place in Top 100 at State

Published on 11/02/2026 under Sports At the WIAA Division 2 State Cross Country Meet in Wisconsin Rapids, The two Tomahawk female qualifiers placed in the top 100. Senior Elise Gibeault ended her high school cross country career placing 40th. Gibeault finished with a time of 20:12. As for Sophomore Charlee Lund, she placed 95th in her second straight state appearance. Lund clocked in with a time of 21:14. This concludes the Tomahawk Cross Country Season.

Published on 10/24/2026 under Sports Gibeault, Lund Head to State Cross Country Halloween Afternoon Two Hatchet Cross Country athletes will be making their trip to the Ridges in the Wisconsin Rapids for the WIAA Division 2 State Cross Country Meet next week. At the Sectional Meet in Rhinelander, Senior runner Elise Gibeault and Sophomore athlete Charlee Lund would each finish in the top ten time-wise, making the Hatchet athletes automatic qualifiers. Gibeaults placed fifth with a time of 20:17. Lund was right behind Gibeault, placing sixth with a time of 20:22. As a team, the Hatchets would finish just outside of the top two, placing third behind Lakeland and Wittenberg-Birnamwood. Tomahawk's boys would place eighth overall in the Sectional Meet. Jordyn Carew finished as the boys' fastest runner with a time of 18:24. Gibeault and Lund will compete in the WIAA Division 2 State Cross Country Meet at the Ridges in Wisconsin Rapids Halloween. The Division 2 Race begins at 12:40. Tomahawk Football Stymied in Second Half at Brillion, Ending Season The Hatchet Football Season would end in the WIAA Division 5 First Round of the Playoffs as they would fall to #3 Brillion Friday night, 27-7. Tomahawk led 7-0 with less than 30 seconds remaining on a 20-yard touchdown run by Hudson Evans. However, the Lions scored 13 points in the final seconds of the first half, including a pick-six as it came to end. After the interception, the Hatchets failed to re-establish any momentum in the second half. Tomahawk was limited to less than 50 total yards and failed to cross the Brillion 50 in the second half. Max Larson finished with 47 rushing yards, leading the way on the ground for Tomahawk. The Hatchet Football squad would finish 4-6 on the season and 4-3 in Great Northern Conference play. 11-Player Football Playoff Scores: ,#5 D2 Marshfield 44, #4 D2 Wausau East 14 #2 D3 Medford 42, #7 D3 Green Bay West 0 #3 D3 Fox Valley Lutheran 54, #6 D3 Rhinelander 14 #4 D3 Luxemburg-Casco 42, #5 D3 Merrill 14 #3 D7 Hilbert 46, #6 D7 Abbotsford 7 8-Player Football Playoff Scores: #6 Athens 48, #2 Hurley 42 #1 Laona-Wabeno 42, #4 Northwood/Solon Springs 0 Hatchet Girls Swimmers Place Ninth in GNC Meet at Lakeland At the Great Northern Conference Girls Swimming Meet in Lakeland Friday, the Hatchet girls as a team would place ninth to wrap up their regular season. The Hatchets as a team would have a couple of ninth-place finishes in relay events. Kami Gabrich, Kortney Busterud, Aubrey Tollefson, and Kaylee Roberts placed ninth in the 400 yard freestyle with a time of 4:33.61. Tomahawk also had Roberts, Busterud, Gabrich, and Sloane Eisenman place ninth in the 200 yard freestyle, clocking in at 2:04.95. Tollefson placed tenth in the 100 breastroke with a time of 1:22.14. The WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet for the Hatchet Girls Swimmers will take place November 7th at Rice Lake.

Published on 10/21/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Volleyball season came to a quick end in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal Tuesday night as they would get swept at Weyauwega-Fremont, 25-14, 25-12, 25-8. The Hatchets were unable to overcome hot starts by the Warhawks and allowed 13 aces in the match. In her final high school volleyball match, Senior Outside Hitter Averi Petta led the Hatchets with eight kills. Lexi Palmer had 12 assists on the night. Tomahawk finishes the 2026 season with a 6-29 overall record and a 1-9 Great Northern Conference record. The lone Hatchet Senior to graduate is Averi Petta.

Published on 10/17/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's Cross Country squads provided some encouraging finishes in the Great Northern Conference meet Saturday at Hatchet Field, each placing third. For the girls, three Hatchets placed in the top 15. Charlee Lund placed fifth with a time of 19:34. Right behind Lund was Elise Gibeault, placing sixth and clocking in at 19:43. Ellie Micke placed 14th with a time of 21:51. On the boys' side, three athletes placed in the top 20. Jordyn Carew placed 12th, clocking in at 17:39. Connor Zorn finished 15th with a time of 17:58. Dawson Jones went 16th with a time of 18:11. The WIAA Division 2 Cross Country Sectional Meet for Tomahawk is Friday at Rhinelander. Team Finishes: Girls: 1st – Lakeland 2nd – Rhinelander 3rd – Tomahawk 4th – Merrill 5th – Mosinee 6th – Antigo 7th – Medford Boys: 1st – Lakeland 2nd – Rhinelander 3rd - Tomahawk 4th – Mosinee 5th – Northland Pines 6th – Medford 7th – Antigo

Published on 10/17/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's football squad would end the 2026 season with their first win over the Mosinee Indians Friday night at Veterans Park Friday, 6-3. The Hatchets held Mosinee under 100 total yards of offense, including just 14 yards allowed in the second half. Tomahawk's lone score came at the end of the third quarter when Max Larson ran it in from one yard out. The touchdown from Larson was his seventh of the season. He also led the Hatchets with 61 yards on 14 carries. Hudson Evans had 44 yards on eight touches. The Hatchets finish the 2026 Regular Season with a 4-5 on the season and 4-3 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk will play in the first round of the WIAA Division 5 Playoffs Friday night. The Hatchets are the #6 seed and will travel to #3 seed Brillion. The Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin will begin at 6:15 with kick at 7:00 from Lion Field on the WJJQ app, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. Alex Koch and Keith Hanse will have the broadcast Friday night. 11-Player Football: Medford 48, Antigo 6 Rhinelander 27, Lakeland 14 Wausau East 21, Merrill 14 Stratford 45, Northland Pines 6 Crandon 48, Clintonville 30 Edgar 35, Abbotsford 0 8-Player Football Playoffs: #1 Laona-Wabeno 44, #8 Three Lakes/Phelps 6 #4 Northwood/Solon Springs 48, #5 Rib Lake 8 #6 Athens 44, #3 Turtle Lake 20

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