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Community Donors Fund Emergency Boiler Replacement at Rhinelander's Frederick Place Shelter

Published on 10/15/2026 under News An emergency fundraising effort to keep Rhinelander's temporary housing shelter heated has reached its goal in less than a day thanks to community generosity. When the commercial boiler at Frederick Place failed Tuesday evening, staff were left scrambling to heat the building with cooler temperatures quickly approaching. Due to the age of the equipment, replacement parts were unavailable, requiring the non-profit to secure quotes and select a vendor for an immediate system replacement with a $20,000 price tag. Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing which operates the facility put a call out for public help via social media Tuesday evening. The post was shared hundred of times and within 22 hours three anonymous donors fully funded their target. According to NATH, contracts for the new boiler are currently under review, and installation is scheduled to begin shortly. Shelter operators anticipate only a minor disruption of a day or two during the installation, ensuring heat remains restored for residents ahead of the fall and winter season.

Published on 10/15/2026 under News State officials have taken a major step toward closing the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth facilities in Lincoln County. Governor Tony Evers and Department of Corrections (DOC) leadership recently celebrated the opening of the new Southeast Regional Care Center for Youth in Milwaukee. The 32-bed facility is designed to move young offenders out of Northern Wisconsin and closer to their families and support systems in the southern part of the state. Youth inmates are expected to begin arriving at the new center next month. DOC Secretary Jared Hoy noted, "The design supports what we now know about adolescent development, and the programming offered here will follow suit, with staff using evidence-based techniques to help youth make better choices and support rehabilitation." Designed around both education and treatment, the facility features a school with a music studio, welding and woodworking workshops, a health services unit, and a psychological services unit. The center is also partly powered by a rooftop solar array. The opening marks the first phase of a long-standing state plan to phase out juvenile operations at the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake campus campus by spring of 2029. Once additional regional centers, including one currently under construction in Dane County, are operational, the state plans to convert the 500-bed campus in Irma into an adult male correctional facility.

Published on 10/15/2026 under News It's not Halloween yet, but Christmas light displays are being readied in Rhinelander. Volunteers are officially kicking off preparations for the annual Lights of the Northwoods display at Hodag Park, as they look to celebrate their tenth season this December. With more than a quarter million lights, turning the park along Boom Lake into a winter wonderland takes plenty of hard work. Organizers are asking community members to lend a hand with less than 50 days until opening night. Each Saturday in October and November, the build teams will be working and volunteers of all skill levels are welcome to help string lights, move equipment, and set up displays. Those interested can meet at the Little League building, with two work shifts at 9:00 a.m. and noon. Beyond creating a local holiday tradition, the Lights of the Northwoods gives back with collections of non-perishable food and monetary donations to stock not only the Rhinelander Food Pantry, but neighboring communities as well. And for those marking their calendars, the December 1 kickoff is just 47 days away.

Published on 10/15/2026 under News WaWui Bingo in Tomahawk closed out its regular season with a major jackpot winner. More than 130 players attended the final session of the year, with their eyes on a growing prize. Without a progressive jackpot winner since July, the top prize had climbed to an impressive $5,263. By the 58th number called, frequent player Michelle Quade filled her entire card to claim the grand prize. The payout marked the end of a successful season for WaWui Bingo. Over the course of the year, the progressive game alone awarded three jackpots totaling more than $14,000 in payouts. Proceeds from WaWui Bingo directly support operations and facility improvements at SARA Park in Tomahawk. The progressive jackpot will reset when regular play resumes next May, though organizers note that special winter sessions are occasionally scheduled throughout the off-season.

Published on 10/15/2026 under News Some lucky people across the Northwoods were greeted with the power of flowers on Wednesday. While it was a gloomy day across the region, Trig's floral staffers spent the morning and afternoon brightening things up by handing out free flowers to strangers throughout the community. The local grocer brought back its annual "Petal It Forward" campaign through its floral department. Associates hit the streets throughout the day, handing two bouquets to unsuspecting recipients—one to keep and a second to "petal forward" to someone else, whether a friend, family member, co-worker, or stranger. The local effort is part of a nationwide initiative created by the Society of American Florists to reduce stress and spread joy. This marks the tenth year Trig's has participated in the program.

Published on 10/15/2026 under News Aspirus Health is opening a new clinic on its Wausau campus aimed at giving high-risk babies a healthy start after they leave the hospital. Located on Plaza Drive, the Aspirus Neonatal Clinic provides specialized follow-up care for infants up to two to three years old following a NICU stay or if a pediatrician notices developmental delays. Premature and sick newborns are at a higher risk for delays in speech, motor skills, and overall growth. To help catch and treat these issues early, the clinic brings together neo-natologists alongside physical, speech, and occupational therapists to monitor babies during key milestones over their first two years. Doctors at the clinic say getting care to these infants during their first two years makes a world of difference, taking advantage of rapid brain growth to set local children up for the best possible long-term outcomes. The new neonatal clinic is located on the Aspirus Wausau campus on Plaza Drive.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Volleyball Wraps Up Regular Season at GNC Tournament in Mosinee

Published on 10/11/2026 under Sports At the Great Northern Conference Volleyball Tournament, Tomahawk went 1-2 in their matches Saturday. The Hatchets were swept by Mosinee and Medford in their first two matches. However, Tomahawk would steal a match against Rhinelander, winning in four sets. The Hatchets will finish the 2026 regular season with a 6-28 record and a 1-9 overall Great Northern Conference record. Seeding meetings across the state of Wisconsin will take place Monday. Stay tuned to find out who Tomahawk will play in the first round of the WIAA Division 3 Volleyball Postseason on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ.

Published on 10/10/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's cross country squads finished in the top ten once again, this time at the 50th Annual Hatchet Invitational Saturday. Tomahawk's girls placed fourth overall, behind Prentice/Rib Lake, Rhinelander, and Meet Champion Lakeland. Senior Elise Gibeault would finish fifth with a time of 20:14. Placing second on the Hatchets and 20th overall was Abbie Rosenmeier with a time of 22:46. Tomahawk's boys would place eighth overall in the invite, ahead of Crandon and Antigo. The top finisher was Jordyn Carew, placing 24th with a time of 18:33. Dawson Jones placed 35th with a time of 19:25. The next meet for Tomahawk is the Great Northern Conference Meet, which the Hatchets will host next Saturday. Tune in for the Fehrman Orthodontics Premeet Show at 10:40 and opening events at 11:00. Alex Koch will have live updates on the WJJQ App, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. Girls Team Results: Lakeland - 1st Rhinelander - 2nd Prentice/Rib Lake - 3rd Tomahawk - 4th Chequamegon - 5th Northland Pines - 6th Merrill - 7th Mosinee - 8th Medford - 9th Antigo - 10th Boys Team Results: Lakeland - 1st Rhinelander - 2nd Prentice/Rib Lake - 3rd Mosinee - 4th Medford - 5th Chequamegon - 6th Northland Pines - 7th Tomahawk - 8th Crandon - 9th Antigo - 10th

Published on 10/09/2026 under Sports On Senior Night, the Hatchet football squad fought valiantly but was edged out in the battle for Lincoln County Friday, losing to Merrill, 21-20. Tomahawk scored all of their points in the first half in three different ways. The scoring started with a fake field goal touchdown pass from Aidan Sigl to Hudson Evans. Evans would then run it in from five yards out to put the Hatchets up, 14-0. Tomahawk's final score would come on a fourth-down three-yard touchdown pass from Colin Black to Braxton Stromberg. However, the Hatchets would fail to find the end zone on three drives and allowed Merrill to score the only second-half touchdown of the night early in the fourth quarter. Colin Black went seven-for-13 throwing for 129 yards and a score. The Hatchets were held to just 76 yards on the ground and drop to 3-5 on the season and 3-3 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk will wrap up their regular season at Mosinee next Friday. Tune in for 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: 11-Player Football: Lakeland 27, Antigo 6 Medford 35, Mosinee 0 Wausau East 25, Rhinelander 21 Northland Pines 17, Crandon 0 Abbotsford 26, Pittsville 6 8-Player Football: Wausaukee 32, Goodman-Pembine 27 Green Bay New Lutheran/Providence Academy 58, Chequamegon 12 Rib Lake 40, Phillips 34 Owen-Withee 36, Athens 6 Hurley 26, Three Lakes/Phelps 22

Published on 10/09/2026 under Sports Tomahawk Girls Swimmers Finish Regular Season Winless The Hatchet Girls Swimmers wrapped up the 2026 Regular season winless in GNC Duals after losing to Merrill at the Blue Jay Pool, 80-44. In the final GNC Dual, the Hatchets finished with one first-place finish. That top finish was in the 400 yard freestyle Relay to wrap up the night. The team of Kami Gabrich, Kortney Busterud, Aubrey Tollefson, and Kaylee Roberts finished with a time of 4:40.76. Tomahawk wraps up the season with a 0-11 Dual record. The Great Northern Conference Meet will be held in Lakeland October 23rd. Hatchet Volleyball Swept by Wittenberg-Birnamwood The Hatchet Volleyball squad's struggles transferred over to non-conference action as they would get swept by Wittenberg-Birnamwood on Senior Night at the Hatchet House, 25-20, 25-19, 25-10. The Hatchets dropped to 5-25 on the season and 0-7 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk will compete in the Great Northern Conference Volleyball Tournament in Mosinee Saturday morning.

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

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