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Published on 11/03/2026 under News Polling places across the Northwoods are officially open today as local residents step into the voting booth to decide local, state, and national contests." At the top of the ballot, an open governor's seat features Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and current 7th District Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany. Tiffany's run leaves an open seat in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District, where Republican Michael Alfonso faces Democrat Fred Clark. Statewide, voters will also decide races for Attorney General, Treasurer, and Secretary of State, along with three proposed constitutional amendments. In the state legislature, a pair of local rematches are on the ballot. District 35 Republican Calvin Callahan faces Democratic challenger Elizabeth McCrank, while District 34 Representative Rob Swearingen takes on Democratic challenger Merlin Van Buren. Sheriff races in Vilas, Oneida, Lincoln, Langlade, and Marathon counties are also up for election, though each incumbent or candidate is running unopposed—with Lincoln and Langlade counties set to welcome new sheriffs following a pair of retirements. Finally, voters in the Athens, Edgar, and Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lakeland school districts are among those deciding on local school referendum funding. Voters can visit MyVote.wi.gov and enter their address to view their specific sample ballot and polling place details before heading out to vote.

Published on 11/03/2026 under News Beyond high-profile candidate races, voters in several Northwoods communities are deciding on a major local school funding request today. The Minocqua J1 School District has placed a recurring operational referendum question on the ballot. The district serves Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lakeland (MHLT), along with Creative Minds and Lakeland STAR charter schools. If approved, the measure will allow the district to exceed state revenue limits by $3.5 million annually starting in the 2027–2028 school year. District officials estimate the initial tax impact will be approximately 66 cents per $1,000 of equalized property value, though they project the mill rate could stabilize or even drop over time as local property values grow. Other North Central Wisconsin districts with referendum questions on today's ballot include Athens and Edgar. Athens is seeking $600,000 annually for four years for operational and maintenance expenses. Edgar is looking to extend its existing referendum at $1.4 million annual for another 5 years to maintain programs, services and maintenance. Statewide there are more than 70 districts seeking additional funding.

Published on 11/03/2026 under News Aspirus Merrill Hospital is celebrating a century of service to Lincoln County by looking straight toward the future. First opening its doors in November 1926, the hospital is marking its 100th anniversary this month while putting the final touches on a major 40-million-dollar renovation set to wrap up early next year. The project modernizes key patient spaces, adding a new Emergency Department triage room, expanded imaging and laboratory facilities, a dedicated inpatient physical therapy suite, and ten new patient rooms to double inpatient capacity to 20 beds. Interim Chief Administrative Officer Deakin Washatko called reaching 100 years an incredible milestone, noting that leadership is proud of the hospital's history, while they continue to focus on securing quality care close to home for generations to come. The Aspirus Health Foundation plans to host a community open house in early 2027 to showcase the upgrades and celebrate a century of service to Merrill-area families.

Published on 11/03/2026 under News An 80-year-old Grafton man made his initial appearance in Lincoln County Court Monday following a wrong-way chase and crash on Highway 51 last week. Rory Hofmann is formally charged with recklessly endangering safety, second-offense OWI causing injury, and two counts of fleeing an officer causing bodily harm. The charges stem from Thursday evening after dispatchers received reports of a vehicle driving southbound in the northbound lanes in northern Lincoln County. Hofmann failed to pull over leading deputies on a short pursuit, before a patrol lieutenant maneuvered his squad into the vehicle's path to stop it. The crash damaged the squad car and a civilian vehicle, injuring both the lieutenant and the civilian driver. The judge at yesterday's hearing set a combination one thousand dollar cash and nine thousand dollar signature bond. Release conditions require absolute sobriety, a prohibition on driving, and installation of a personal sobrieter device. Future court dates will be set at a later time.

Published on 11/03/2026 under News A long-time Northwoods educator is being recognized by her peers across the state for her dedication to business and marketing education. Rhinelander High School teacher Mischell Fryar was named Marketing Teacher of the Year by the Wisconsin Marketing Education Association during a recognition luncheon at the annual BEcoME IT Conference. Fryar has been an active member of the association for 26 years, serving on its board of directors for 25 of those years in several leadership roles, including president, secretary, and current treasurer. She called the award extra special for two reasons: first, the recognition was voted on by her fellow marketing educators statewide, and second, the award was presented by one of her former students who followed in her footsteps to become a marketing teacher herself. The annual two-day BEcoME IT Conference brings together business, IT, and marketing educators from across Wisconsin every October for professional development, industry networking, and state education updates.

Published on 11/03/2026 under News Northcentral Technical College is teaming up with three local employers to boost artificial intelligence and tech training. Utilizing over $500,000 in grant funding through Wisconsin's WisTRAIN program, NTC will deliver specialized instruction in AI, cybersecurity, and advanced workplace technologies. The initiative supports 175 current employees and new hires at Apogee Wausau Group, Enerquip Thermal Solutions (Medford), and REI Engineering. Training is tailored to each company's specific needs. NTC President Jeannie Worden says the partnerships help local workers build confidence with emerging tech while keeping regional businesses competitive. The grants are part of a $6.6 million statewide investment by Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Workforce Development.

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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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