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Voters in Nokomis Turn Down Proposed EMS Housing Expansion at Fire Department

Published on 11/13/2026 under News It's back to the drawing board for the Nokomis Town Board after voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposed $1.2 million expansion to the fire station to house its 24/7 ambulance crew. Residents packed town hall beyond capacity for Thursday evening's special meeting of the electors, spilling out into the hallways and food pantry. When the ballots were counted, 156 voters opposed the proposal as presented, while just 76 voted in favor. The town board has been working to fix the living situation for the Medic 4 EMS unit, which operates round-the-clock. Crew members currently sleep on cots or air mattresses in an area that does not meet building codes. After weighing five options, a town committee recommended building an addition featuring dedicated bedrooms, office space, and a shared living area. Ahead of the vote, more than a dozen residents spoke during public comment, reflecting a similar split to the final tally. Most prefaced their remarks by saying they want to keep the local ambulance service, noting their opposition was instead aimed at the price tag, the lack of specifics, the chosen option, or the overall process. Another common refrain was to secure outside funding support through grants; though many do require prior project approval or shovel-ready plans to apply. With the proposal defeated, the Town Board will review the feedback and reevaluate its plans.

Published on 11/13/2026 under News As hunters head into the woods and homeowners tackle fall yard cleanup, Lincoln County health officials are reminding residents to watch out for blastomycosis—commonly known as "blasto." While overall risk remains low, local incidence rates are higher than normal, and mild fall weather can create ideal conditions for the fungus to thrive in moist soil, rotting leaves, and decaying wood. Disturbing that ground—by raking brush, digging, hiking, or hunting—can send microscopic spores into the air where they can be inhaled. Health officials say blasto is tricky because symptoms can take anywhere from two to 15 weeks to show up, and they closely mimic common respiratory illnesses—including fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, and chest or back pain. If you develop respiratory symptoms that linger or get worse, officials urge you to see your healthcare provider and mention any recent outdoor activities that disturbed the soil. Early diagnosis is key, as most cases require prescription antifungal medication. You can find more information on the Lincoln County Health Department's website.

Published on 11/13/2026 under News A Wausau-based nonprofit is helping Northwoods veterans through the use of service dogs. Since 2017, the four-person team at Patriot K9s has paired 130 service dogs with local veterans. That team includes Program Manager Sarah Kasper, a Tomahawk native, who joined our morning conversation this week. She explained the organization specializes in psychiatric service dogs for veterans living with conditions like PTSD. Kasper notes that dogs, in general, are really good at recognizing behavior. These dogs are specially trained to spot subtle physical "tells" when their handler starts getting anxious or overwhelmed—nudging them to step away, or using deep pressure therapy to lower stress hormones. Basic obedience begins when the puppies are just eight weeks old, through a partnership with a prison-based program at Redgranite Correctional Institution. Upon completion, the dogs are brought to Patriot K9s to be matched with a veteran and undergo further service training. The training process costs approximately $30,000, and Patriot K9s provides the dogs to veterans at no cost. Kasper says they rely heavily on community donations. With a year-long waitlist, their vision is to expand kennel space to help even more veterans. Those interested in hearing the entire conversation with Sarah can check out the WJJQ audio center or visit the organization's website at patriotk9s.org.

Published on 11/13/2026 under News A little elbow grease and local know-how will be on full display at the Hodag Dome tomorrow as Rhinelander hosts a free community Repair Fair. Earlier this year, event organizers put out a call for skilled local fixers to volunteer their time and knowledge. The event covers a wide range of everyday essentials including textile and jewelry repair, bicycle adjustments, woodworking, knife sharpening, tech troubleshooting, and fixes for small electronics and sewing machines. They also plan to have a donated craft exchange table. The goal isn't just to repair your belongings for free; it's to keep useful items out of the landfill and pass along practical, hands-on skills so you can learn how to make future fixes yourself. As organizers put it, sometimes all it takes is the right person with the right skill to bring something back to life. The Repair Fair runs Saturday, November 14th, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hodag Dome. Admission and repairs are completely free.

Published on 11/13/2026 under News Quick work by Pine River firefighters kept a vehicle fire from spreading into the woods yesterday. Just after 11:30 yesterday morning, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reporting a vehicle fire on Pine Dells Road. When the first deputy arrived on the scene, the cab of a Ford F550 utility truck was almost completely engulfed. The deputy deployed his fire extinguisher, though the flames were already too advanced to contain. Pine River firefighters arrived shortly after and quickly extinguished the truck fire. DNR crews assisted on the scene as they worked to contain the flames that had spread into the nearby woods. The truck, registered out of the Wausau area, was unoccupied. An immediate cause wasn't determined and remains under investigation.

Published on 11/12/2026 under News More than 120 of the area's top high school singers and musicians are heading to Eagle River tomorrow for the 16th annual Great Northern Conference Music Festival. Northland Pines was selected as this year's host school, with students from the eight GNC schools attending the day-long event. The festival gives invited young musicians a chance to connect with peers from across the region while working directly with collegiate instructors. Two professors from Northern Michigan University in Marquette will serve as this year's guest conductors—Dr. Erin Colwitz leading the choir, and Dr. Steven Riley directing the band. Choir students will also be accompanied by Norma Yaeger and featured local violinist Cindy Nelson. The day wraps up with a public concert by the GNC All-Conference ensembles at 5 p.m. in the Northland Pines Middle and High School auditorium, located at 1800 Pleasure Island Road in Eagle River. Admission is free, though donations will be accepted to help cover festival costs.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Girls Swim Season Ends at Rice Lake

Published on 11/09/2026 under Sports The Hatchet girls' swim season would end at the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet in Rice Lake Saturday afternoon. As a team, the Hatchets would finish 10th out 12 teams, ahead of Mosinee and Colby/Abbotsford. The top finisher for the Hatchets in the meet was Kaylee Roberts, placing seventh in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 1:11.83. Aubrey Tollefson placed tenth in the 100 yard breaststroke, clocking in at 1:21.62. Tollefson, Roberts, Kortney Busterud, and Sloane Eisenman would finish ninth in the 200 medley relay with a time of 2:21.31. This concludes the Hatchet girls' swim season.

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

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