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Local Snowmobile Clubs Remind Riders to Stay Off Trails Until Opening

Published on 12/15/2025 under News Northwoods snowmobilers are eager to get their sleds out, but local clubs are encouraging riders to keep them in park until the trails are officially open. With some early snow cover this season, the trails may look inviting, but do remain closed at this time across most of our region. While the previous two years were extremely challenging due to mild temperatures and minimal snow, it's still early for a typical season. Over the previous decade, the average opening date for Northwoods snowmobile trails is around December 23. Whether we hit that target remains to be seen. This past week, we heard from some of the volunteers with the Northwoods Passage Club, responsible for maintaining trails north of the Tomahawk area. They noted that while people may see their groomers and other equipment out on their trail system, it doesn't mean they are open to the public. They are working to pack, prep, and clear the trails. Similar to their ongoing 'Respect the Landowners' campaign which encourages riders stay on the trails; rules need to be followed when it comes to the opening and closing of trail systems as well. It's important to note that most club members and decision-makers ride themselves and are just as eager to get trails open as soon as possible. For those who don't want to wait for Mother Nature, the best bet is to actually head south. As several counties in southern Wisconsin have opened. Closer to home, there are some segments open in Iron and Marathon Counties as of Sunday, December 14.

Published on 12/15/2025 under News Local law enforcement agencies will be working to reduce the number of impaired drivers on roadways over the holiday season. As they do each December, the Department of Transportation, and their partners have launched their annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over holiday campaign. The effort, which runs through January 1, includes increased patrols for impaired driving coupled with public education and outreach. During the last holiday season, a two week period, the DoT reports there were more than 400 crashes involving impaired drivers around the state. Those incidents killed nine people and injured 169 others. State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan says,"Every crash caused by impaired driving is preventable. We are increasing efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road, but we need drivers to make responsible choices and consider others before getting behind the wheel." In addition to maintaining sobriety behind the wheel, the DoT is also encouraging drivers to slow down, eliminate distractions, and buckle up during holiday travel. The Drive Sober Campaign kicked off over the weekend and runs through New Year's Day.

Published on 12/15/2025 under News Officials have identified the previously unidentified remains of a World War II airman as a Rhinelander man. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that US Army Air Forces Corporal John Ginzl was accounted for earlier this year. After fully briefing family, they provided additional details. In 1942, Ginzl was stationed the Philippines. He was among those captured and held as a prisoner of war. In late 1944, Ginzl was being transported by his captors, when the ship he was on sunk by a US bomber, unaware of the allied POWs aboard. At the time, the unidentified remains of more than 300 individuals were recovered and buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. Modern analysis was recently used to identify Ginzl. According to the release, a rosette will be placed next to Ginzl's name at the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines to indicate he has been accounted for. He is expected to be buried here in the Northwoods this spring.

Published on 12/15/2025 under News Another sure sign of winter's arrival... Wisconsin's frozen road laws are beginning to take effect. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced that as of Sunday morning, the declaration will be in place for zones 1 and 2, which comprise roughly the northern half of the state. By comparison, the declaration for zones 1 and 2 went into place December 21 last year. The frozen road law allows heavier loads for trucks carrying certain cross-cut forest products, along with salt and sand for winter maintenance. The declaration is issued once the ground under highway pavement is frozen to adequate levels underneath. The higher weight limits do not apply to county or local roads unless authorized by the local authority. According to the DoT, the frozen road determination for the remaining portions of the state will be made once conditions warrant.

Published on 12/15/2025 under News The DNR is reviewing their turkey management plan, and there are still a few days left for the public to offer an initial round of feedback. The state's turkey management plan is designed to guide and inform practices and priorities related to the state's turkey population. The plan is updated every ten years, most recently adopted in 2015. A committee of stakeholders has been created to prepare a draft plan for consideration. As part of the review process they're accepting feedback from the public. That feedback period is winding down later this week. Once compiled the public feedback will be reviewed by the Committee. They'll also begin to develop a first draft of the Turkey Management Plan. That draft plan will also have a public review and comment period. It will ultimately be presented to the Natural Resources Board for consideration. The DNR has established an online public comment tool which will remain open through Thursday.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Boys Wrestling Team Wins GNC Match

Published on 12/12/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's boys' wrestling squad notched their second conference dual win of the season, defeating Medford Thursday night on the road, 48-30. The win gives Tomahawk a 5-1 overall record and a 2-0 record in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets will head on the road for their first invite of the season Saturday at Crandon. Events begin at 9:30.

Published on 12/12/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's basketball squads were swept in their doubleheader in Three Lakes Thursday night. The Hatchet girls' comeback attempt fell just short, losing, 51-49. Tomahawk trailed by 17 at the half and clawed their way back into the game, but came up just short in the final minutes. Anita Ziert led the way in scoring with 14 points. Freya Alberg would finish with ten points. The loss drops Tomahawk to 2-2 on the season and 1-1 in Great Northern Conference play. Meanwhile, the Hatchet boys would suffer their fourth straight loss of the season, losing 75-20. Jerry Johnson led the way for Tomahawk with ten points. The loss drops Tomahawk to 1-4 on the season and 0-1 in Great Northern Conference play. Both teams will be back in action Friday night for a Great Northern Conference showdown against Northland Pines. The girls will be at home and the boys will be on the road. The girls' game will be broadcast on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ with the Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show beginning at 5:35 and tip-off is at 6:00. Alex Koch and Matt Theiler will be in the broadcast booth. The boys' game tips off at 7:15 at Northland Pines.

Published on 12/12/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's boys' swim squad would suffer their third straight dual loss to begin the season Thursday, losing at Seymour to Seymour/Shawano, 105-54. The Hatchets would have three first-place finishers in the dual meet. Dane Dekiep, Bruce Peetz, Max Amelse, and Connor Germano placed first in the 200 Medley with a time of 2:03. Peetz would also finish first in the 50 freestyle and the 100 butterfly. The loss drops Tomahawk's dual record to 0-3 on the season. The Hatchets are back in action for a home double dual Tuesday with Medford and Wausau East.

Published on 12/10/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's hockey squad gutted out their fifth straight win to begin the season, coming from behind to defeat Great Northern Conference rival Northland Pines, 6-5, Tuesday night. The Hatchets trailed by two goals in the first and second periods before coming back to get their third conference win of the season. Jonah Dickens' second goal of the night gave Tomahawk the lead with under two minutes remaining. The Hatchets also got goals from Jett Reilly, Brayden Lamer, and Caiden Reichelt. Tomahawk improves their record to 5-0 on the season and 3-0 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action Saturday afternoon for a non-conference showdown with 2025 state qualifier Somerset. Alex Koch and Keith Hanse will have the broadcast on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show will begin at 1:35 and opening face-off will be at 2:00 from SARA Park Saturday.

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