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Fire Prevention Week Emphasizes Safe Electronics Charging

Published on 10/08/2026 under News Yesterday, we highlighted how local firefighters are visiting area schools for Fire Prevention Week. But this year's message isn't just for kids. Local departments are urging everyone to practice safe charging habits at home. This year's Fire Prevention Week theme—"Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower"—focuses on the everyday electronics we rely on. From phones and tablets to power tools and e-bikes, these devices run on powerful lithium-ion batteries. If charged incorrectly or damaged, they can overheat and cause dangerous fires. The Tomahawk Fire Department says prevention comes down to a few simple habits: First, always use the cord and charger approved by the device's manufacturer.Second, charge devices on hard, flat surfaces like tables or desks. Never charge electronics on beds, couches, or under pillows, which trap heat.Third, unplug devices once they're fully charged, and charge larger items like e-bikes and power tools outside and away from exit doors.Finally, if a battery swells, smokes, or feels unusually hot, stop using it immediately and seek a replacement.These tips and more are available on the Fire Prevention Week website at fpw.org. And another reminder the Tomahawk Fire Department will wrap up their week with their annual open house on Saturday with a chance to check out their brand new fire engine.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News As high-speed internet expands across the Northwoods, the need for skilled workers to build and keep those networks running is at an all-time high. To help meet that demand, Nicolet College teamed up with the Sokaogon Chippewa Community and state workforce officials for a special signing ceremony in Rhinelander to launch a new Broadband Service Technician Apprenticeship program. The partnership directly supports major regional projects—including the Sokaogon Chippewa Community's historic investment in the largest off-reservation, tribally owned broadband network in state history. College leaders say the program was built from the ground up to solve local staffing shortages as the digital push grows with more people working from home, using telehealth, and cutting the cord and streaming. With the deal officially sealed, Nicolet College is prepping its hands-on curriculum, and the first group of apprentices will start training in Spring 2027.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News A Merrill man accused of killing his father in March of 2025 has been found competent to stand trial. That trial has also been rescheduled for next summer. 27-year-old Austin Stevenson appeared in Lincoln County Court Wednesday for a competency hearing. Court records show both defense attorneys and state prosecutors agreed with a recent medical report, leading the court to officially rule that Stevenson is now competent to proceed. Stevenson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and burglary. Authorities say deputies found his father, 48-year-old John Stevenson, deceased from two gunshot wounds during a welfare check at a Lincoln County home. Austin Stevenson was located at the home. Criminal proceedings had been suspended since last October after Stevenson was initially found unfit to stand trial. With his competency restored, the judge moved the case forward to trial set to begin on June 28th, 2027.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is warning drivers about a resurgence of a common phone scam targeting people across the state. Scammers are sending calls, texts, and voicemails claiming you have an unpaid traffic citation that requires immediate payment, often including a link to pay the fake fine. State officials want to remind everyone that neither the Wisconsin DMV nor the Wisconsin State Patrol will ever text, email, or call you demanding money. If you get one of these messages, do not click any links or share personal details. Delete the message immediately and mark it as spam on your phone.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News For those that missed out this summer, the Northwoods Art Tour is back for a fall opportunity this weekend. We've previously covered the Northwoods Art Tour, a weekend set aside for local artists to interact with visitors in their galleries, storefronts or work spaces. It provides additional perspectives on creating art from painting and sculpture to glass and wood work. Since it's founding in the year 2000, the tour has nearly doubled in size. This year's event features more than 30 stops across Vilas, Oneida, Iron, and Lincoln counties, including four locations at the southern end in the Tomahawk/Irma area. The tour is self-guided, meaning participants can design their own experience based on the art and artists that interest them most. An added bonus this time of year is a great time to take in the Fall Colors between locations. A digital brochure with maps, studio locations, and artist descriptions is available at northwoodsarttour.com. The Fall Tour runs Friday through Sunday.

Published on 10/08/2026 under News The Wisconsin DNR is encouraging fall campers and hunters to leave firewood at home and "buy local, burn local" instead. October is National Firewood Month, part of an effort to stop invasive pests from hitching a ride. Insects and fungi like the spongy moth, the emerald ash borer, and the fungus that causes oak wilt, frequently hide on or inside firewood and spread to new areas when transported. DNR officials urge people to buy firewood within ten miles of where they plan to burn it, or to use treated and certified wood. In many places, it's not just a recommendation, it's the law. Non-certified firewood originating more than ten miles away is banned at state parks, state forests, and other DNR properties. Many county, federal, and private campgrounds enforce similar rules. These "closer is better" guidelines also apply to heating wood-heated cottages or hunting cabins. At the end of your trip, officials advise leaving any unburned firewood behind rather than bringing it home and potentially introducing invasive species to your own property.

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Sports Headlines

Tomahawk Fall Sports Update 10/6/26

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 10/02/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's Football squad fought valiantly but came up short on Homecoming night at Hatchet Field, losing to the Medford Raiders, 20-0. The Hatchets held Medford to seven points in the first half, including stopping them on fourth down as time expired in the second quarter. However, the Raiders used their strong running attack of Carson Ingersoll. The Hatchets were held to just 40 rushing yards on 30 carries. Henry Nieman notched his fourth interception of the season in the last five games midway through the first quarter. The loss drops Tomahawk to 3-4 on the season and 3-2 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the field for Senior Night next week against Merrill. Jon Long and Alex Koch will be in the booth next Friday with the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:15 and kickoff at 7:00 on the WJJQ app, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. 11-Player Football: Wausau East 32, Antigo 22 Lakeland 14, Mosinee 0 Northland Pines 45, Clintonville 6 Crivitz 36, Crandon 0 Merrill 37, Rhinelander 0 8-Player Football: #10 8P Laona-Wabeno 58, Chequamegon 8 Hurley 56, Rib Lake 22 Athens 60, Newman Catholic 20

Published on 10/02/2026 under Sports Hatchet Cross Country Places in Top Eight at Athens Tomahawk' Cross Country squads finished in the top eight in the Athens Blue Jay Invitational Thursday night. The Hatchet Girls would place sixth in the invite, placing ahead of Chequamegon, Antigo, and Cadott. The top finisher for the Hatchet ladies was Elise Gibeault, who placed eighth with a time of 21:05. Second on the team and 22nd overall was Ellie Micke, clocking in at 22:40. As for the Hatchet Boys, they would place eighth in the invite, ahead of Antigo and Abbotsford. Connor Zorn placed 26th overall at 18:16. Dawson Jones finished 32nd at 18:30. Tomahawk's next invite is Tuesday when they head to Northland Pines. Events begin at 4:00. Team Results: Boys: Prentice/Rib Lake - 2nd Rhinelander - 6th Chequamegon - 7th Tomahawk - 8th Antigo 9th Girls: Prentice/Rib Lake - 1st Rhinelander 3rd Athens - 4th Tomahawk - 6th Chequamegon - 7th Antigo - 8th Tomahawk Swimmers Drops Final Home Dual to Medford The Hatchet Female Swimmers would fall in their final home GNC dual of the season to the Medford Raiders at the Hatchet Pool, 120-32. Despite the loss, Tomahawk would have three second-place finishes in the dual meet. Kami Gabrich placed second in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:33.44. Gabrich would then join Kourtney Busterud, Aubrey Tollefson, and Kaylee Roberts in a second-place finish in the 400 yard freestyle relay with a time of 4:39.51. Busterud, Tollefson, Roberts, and Sloane Eisenmann would then finish second in the 200 Medley relay. The Final GNC Meet of the season takes place down in Merrill next Thursday. Events will begin at 5:30. Hatchet Volleyball Swept by #1 in Division 2 Mosinee Against #1 in Division 2 Mosinee, the Hatchet Volleyball squad would suffer yet another Great Northern Conference Sweep, losing, 25-7, 25-17, 25-22. The loss drops Tomahawk to 5-24 on the season and 0-6 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back at home for the GNC Finale Tuesday night against Northland Pines. Tune in for the broadcast on the WJJQ app, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Prematch Show will begin at 6:35 and first serve is at 7:00. Matt Theiler and Alex Koch will have the broadcast from the Hatchet House Tuesday night.

Published on 09/29/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's girls swimmers traveled down to Wausau and competed in a double dual with Wausau East and Medford Tuesday night. The Highest a Hatchet placed was third across two different events. Kami Gabrich would take third in the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:27.85. Gabrich also joined Kaylee Roberts, Sloane Eisenman, and Kourtney Busterud in a third-place finish in the 200 yard freestyle relay with a time of 2:11.21. The Hatchets are back in the pool for a GNC Dual Thursday against Medford. Events will begin at 5:30.

Published on 09/29/2026 under Sports Despite fighting back in every set, Tomahawk's volleyball squad would once again fall short in a Great Northern Conference match against Lakeland at the Hatchet House, 25-18, 26-24, 25-22. Tomahawk would fall behind consistently in the first half of each game before coming back and at least tying games two and three. However, the Hatchets would fall short, allowing the T-Birds to pull away in each set. Lauren Reibe had a team-high seven kills and Lexi Palmer had 12 assists. Tomahawk now sits at 5-23 and 0-5 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action for another Great Northern Conference match Thursday at #1 in Division 2 Mosinee. First Serve is at 7:00.

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