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Tick Season Upon Us; Lincoln County Health Encourages Tick Checks and Prevention

Published on 05/13/2026 under News While small in size, a tick can have a big impact on our health. Local healthcare providers are reminding people about the importance of tick checks and prevention. The Lincoln County Health Department is urging people to take precautions against tick bites as warmer weather increases outdoor activity and, in turn, tick exposure. Ticks are typically most active from May through November, and exposure can happen during everyday activities including gardening, hiking, camping and even spending time in the yard. Lincoln County Public Health Educator Lexi Buntrock says emergency department visits for tick bites have been on the rise. She said simple prevention steps and regular tick checks can greatly reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses. That includes dressing the part. Consider long sleeves and pants, even tucking them into socks. And lighter colors make ticks easier to spot. A repellent will help deter ticks. When you get home toss the clothes in a hot dryer cycle to eliminate any hidden ticks. Once home, it's also time for a tick check. The Health Department notes that deer ticks can be extremely small, sometimes no larger than a poppy seed. They especially like to hide warm, moist, and hidden areas behind the knees, under arms, groin, ears and scalp. Don't forget a check for pets, and have a conversation with your veterinarian about tick prevention treatments. If you find a tick, consider submitting it to the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute's Tick Inventory project. The Health Department has a supply of the collection kits at their Merrill office.

Published on 05/13/2026 under News It won't be long before home gardeners are putting those plants in the ground, one local effort is encouraging residents to grow a little extra for those in need. Lakeland Pantry is launching its second annual "Grow A Row" initiative, inviting community members to plant an additional row of vegetables in their gardens and donate the harvest to help families facing food insecurity. Organizers say the program had a strong impact in its first year, with more than 2,300 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables donated by local gardeners and community groups. Those contributions helped provide nutritious, homegrown food to dozens of area families throughout the summer. Participating is simple, gardeners are asked to plant an extra row, then bring surplus produce to Lakeland Pantry during designated hours or to partner drop-off locations. Organizers say the effort is rooted in a "neighbors helping neighbors" philosophy, with every donated item, from tomatoes to herbs, helping expand access to healthy food in the community. If you're not in the Lakeland area, reach out to your local pantry to see if they accept similar produce donations.

Published on 05/13/2026 under News The Tomahawk Police Department now has a new tool to help reunite lost pets with their owners. The department recently received a free pet microchip scanner from Lost Dogs of Wisconsin, a volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to reconnecting missing dogs with their families. The organization also helps publicize lost and found pets through its Facebook page, which has more than 115,000 followers statewide. The scanner will be used when stray dogs are brought to the Tomahawk Police Department's temporary 'puppy pound'. Pet microchips are small electronic identification implants. When scanned, the chip displays a unique ID number connected to the owner's contact information, helping shelters, veterinarians and law enforcement quickly identify lost animals and return them home.

Published on 05/13/2026 under News Wisconsin Public Service has announced their news-inspired names for the peregrine falcon chicks being hatched at the Weston Power Plant near Wausau. The four chicks are being raised by peregrine falcons Sheldon and an unbanded female. The eggs were laid in early april and began hatching this week, with three eggs and one to go. A record 22,000 votes helped name this year's brood. WPS even extended the contest due to the high interest. The names under consideration were inspired by news anchors in northern Wisconsin and the Fox Valley. Two of the four winners had a wing up, as their anchors spent time in both markets. That includes Feathersoon Lehmann, in honor of Emerson Lehmann currently at WBAY and Jade Egg-schell inspired by WFRV's Jade Henschel. Kyle Prey-zorksi is the namesake of Kyle Pozorski of WAOW. And lastly Matt Tweet from Matt Z on WTAQ. People can follow along on nesting cams. In addition to these WPS birds, WE Energies has three nest boxes. As of Tuesday there were 9 hatched and 4 eggs remaining.

Published on 05/13/2026 under News The Tomahawk School District will be using some additional dollars to improve reading skills at the elementary level. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk School Board approved a pair of agenda items to utilize the outside funding to invest in two new reading related positions. The first is an AmeriCorps Reading Corps grant to hire an interventionist. This hire would provide direct one on one reading support with students. The second was a two year reimbursement from the Department of Public Instruction or DPI for an early literacy coach. This individual would work with teachers, specifically in K-3. Following the brief presentations, the board approved each unanimously. It was an otherwise routine meeting for the board which included approval of the graduation list and a report from the school resource officer.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News Somo Avenue in Tomahawk is one of the roughest stretches of road in the city. In the coming days that will change... for a few blocks at least. Last month, the Tomahawk Board of Public Works approved a project with Lincoln County to remove the top layer of asphalt and apply an overlay on Somo Avenue between the 4-way stop and Tomahawk Avenue. A previous overlay began to peel, leaving behind large potholes that are difficult to fill and maintain. Those repairs are scheduled for this week. As a result, that four block stretch will be temporarily closed today through Thursday. Those looking to access businesses along that stretch should utilize either side streets or the adjacent alley. This project is intended as a temporary measure for that four-block segment. The State of Wisconsin has tentatively scheduled a full reconstruction of Somo Avenue, which doubles as State Rd. 86, for the year 2030. While the closure is scheduled through Thursday; the work, as always dependent on weather and construction progress.

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Sports Headlines

Golfers Back to Middle of Pack

Published on 05/13/2026 under Sports The Hatchet golfers would fall back to the middle of the pack in their Great Northern Conference meet Wednesday at Northwood Golf Club in Rhinelander, placing fourth. Tomahawk would finish with a score of 354, five strokes behind Rhinelander and eight strokes ahead of Northland Pines. The finish marks the sixth GNC Meet in which Tomahawk placed fourth or lower. Oliver Childers placed ninth overall with an 84. Rounding out the top three for the Hatchets are Jaxon Kaiser with an 86 and Jake Albert with an 87. Tomahawk is back in action today for their next Great Northern Conference meet at Trout Lake in Minocqua. Tee-off is at 3:00.

Published on 05/12/2026 under Sports At the Hatchet High School Track & Field Meet, it was a great performance from both the Hatchet Boys and Girls Tuesday night. The Girls would finish third overall, their second consecutive top-three finish. Tomahawk would finish behind Stratford and Rhinelander. The highlight of the night was Hatchet Sophomore Elise Gibeault breaking two different school records. Gibeault would break the record for the 200 meter dash for the fourth time this season with a time of 25.76 seconds. Then, she would break the 400 meter school record with a time of 58.63 seconds. In addition, Ellie Micke would place second in the high jump with a leap of 4'10". Lydia Shaney would place second in the 3200 meter run with a time of 13:45. Tomahawk's boys would place eighth overall in the invite, placing 2.5 points behind Lakeland. The winner of the Meet for the Boys was Edgar, edging out Stratford. The top finisher for the boys was Senior Beau Stromberg, placing second in the High Jump with a leap of 5'10". Stromberg also placed fifth overall in the Triple Jump with a leap of 38'8". Senior Michael Samundsen placed fourth in the shot put with a toss of 42'3". The next meet for Tomahawk is Saturday morning up in Minocqua, which is a throwers invite. Events will begin at 10:00.

Published on 05/12/2026 under Sports The Hatchet softball squad was shut out for the second time this year by the Medford Raiders, this time at Raider Field, Tuesday, losing, 9-0. The loss by Tomahawk is their fourth in their last five games, with their lone win coming Saturday against Mondovi. Across the two games against Medford, the Hatchets were outscored 15-0. Tomahawk would muster only two hits on the day, coming from Averi Petta and Autumn Merrigan. Also, the Hatchets' fielding woes would continue as they would commit five errors, resulting in five unearned runs. The loss drops Tomahawk to 9-11 on the season and 5-8 on the season. The Hatchets will have their final Great Northern Conference game of the season Thursday in Merrill against the Blue Jays. First pitch is at 5:00.

Published on 05/11/2026 under Sports Quiet Bats Haunt Hatchet Baseball in Loss to Medford Tomahawk baseball's struggles would continue Monday at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field, losing to Great Northern Conference foe Medford, 8-2. The Hatchets would allow two runs in four of the seven innings on the mound and three of the runs allowed were unearned. The lone two runs from Tomahawk came in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run home run by Sophomore Cash Olsen, his third of the season and second in as many games. After trimming the lead to four, the sixth inning would end on a double play flyout by catcher Colin Black. The loss puts Tomahawk at 5-9 on the season and 4-7 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the diamond Thursday night going for the season sweep of the Merrill Blue Jays. First pitch is at 5:00. A Stroke of Luck Gives Tomahawk Golf 2nd in Medford The Hatchet golfers had their highest Great Northern Conference meet finish at Black River Golf Course in Medford Monday, placing second overall. Tomahawk would finish one stroke ahead of third-place Mosinee and 14 strokes behind first-place Lakeland. The top Hatchet Golfer was Jake Albert, who placed fourth overall with a 78. Oliver Childers rounded out the top ten with an 85. The third-lowest golfer was Jaxon Kaiser with an 88. The Hatchets are back on the course Wednesday at the Northwood Golf Club hosted by Rhinelander. Tee-off is at 11:30 AM.

Published on 05/09/2026 under Sports While in Gilman Saturday afternoon, the Hatchet softball squad bounced back with splitting their two games. Tomahawk started the day with a 12-2 loss to Central Wisconsin Powerhouse Marathon. The lone two runs scored by the Hatchets were on a two-run single by Senior Kylie Peissig. However, the Hatchets allowed eight unearned runs and committed six errors. Senior Siennah Calkins went two for three with a double in the loss. In Game Two of the invite, the Hatchet bats came alive late, outlasting Mondovi, 15-5. Tomahawk took a 5-2 lead into the sixth inning before piling on ten runs in the final two innings of the game. Senior Pitcher Sophie Olsen allowed just one run on three hits in four innings of work. The star of the game offensively was Junior Averi Petta. The Hatchet Center fielder went four for four with two home runs, including a seventh-inning grand slam. Calkins also went two for four with a home run, Petta and Calkins combined to drive in 11 runs on the day. The Hatchets' record goes to 9-10 on the season and 4-6 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk resumes action Tuesday on the road at GNC opponent Medford. First pitch is at 5:00.

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