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Tomahawk Kinship: Director Patti Hilgendorf Planning Retirement

Published on 10/27/2026 under News After nearly three decades of guiding youth mentoring in Tomahawk, a familiar face at Kinship is preparing to pass the torch. Patti Hilgendorf joined our Monday Morning Conversation to share her plans to step down as Executive Director of Kinship of Tomahawk in the coming year, capping off nearly three decades of service that began at the organization's founding. Under Hilgendorf's guidance, Kinship grew from a basic mentor-matching service to a comprehensive community program offering after-school care, tutoring, and life skills. The organization experienced a similar transformation in its location, starting in a small, windowless office before moving into the Kinship House, and ultimately its new downtown facility last year. Hilgendorf says the timing is right as she looks forward to traveling and spending more time with her grandchildren. However, she plans to stay closely involved with Kinship and will assist her successor throughout the leadership transition. "I'm still around, but it's time to step back a little bit," Hilgendorf said. "I will always be involved—it is my passion." As the organization prepares for its 30th anniversary in January, Kinship's Board of Directors is actively recruiting for the Executive Director position as well as a part-time Administrative Assistant. You can listen to our full Monday Morning Conversation with Patti Hilgendorf in the WJJQ Audio Center.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News Lincoln County is home to more than 700 lakes and 650 miles of rivers and streams, and local officials are taking steps to ensure ongoing water protection programs continue into next year. At its meeting this past week, the Lincoln County Board unanimously approved three annual resolutions related to state grant applications and local stakeholder matching funds. Conservation Program Manager Tom Boisvert presented an overview of the measures, which include renewed funding requests through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Clean Boats, Clean Waters program and the Lake Monitoring and Protection Network. If awarded, the recurring grant dollars will sustain and expand local educational outreach, aquatic invasive species prevention, and shoreline restoration projects across the county. A third resolution formalized local matching pledges required for the Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant. Under state guidelines, local partners must cover a 25 percent cost share. Stakeholders stepping up to provide those annual matching funds include the Lake Nokomis Lake District, Friends of Lake Mohawksin, and the Spirit Reservoir Association. If both annual grant applications are awarded for the full amount, Lincoln County will secure up to $30,000 in combined state and local funding to maintain its water conservation efforts.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News Volunteers in Minocqua came together over the weekend to cross a major milestone in the fight against food insecurity. More than 500 community members gathered at Lakeland Union High School on Saturday for the 18th annual Food for Kidz meal-packing event, hosted by the Lakeland-Area Lions Club. Working across two high-energy, two-hour assembly shifts, a crew of 506 packagers, alongside table hosts, restockers, and setup crews, packed 690 cases totaling nearly 220,000 meals. Organizers say those results officially pushed the event's lifetime impact past 3.1 million meals packaged over its 18-year history in the Northwoods. The packaged meals will now be distributed to roughly two dozen local food pantries, shelters, and school backpack programs, with additional meals going to broader relief efforts across the country and overseas.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News The homicide trial against an 18-year-old charged in the fatal attack of a Lincoln Hills youth counselor enters its final stretch today in Lincoln County Circuit Court. Javarius Hurd is facing charges of first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of battery by a prisoner in the June 2024 death of 49-year-old Corey Proulx. Prosecutors say Proulx suffered fatal head injuries after pursuing Hurd into an outdoor courtyard following an initial assault on another staff member. The trial began last Tuesday with opening statements. After a week of testimony, both the prosecution and defense rested Monday afternoon. Hurd did not testify in the trial. Closing arguments are set for this morning, after which the case will go to the jury for deliberations. If convicted on all charges, Hurd faces up to 60 years in prison.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News Early voting and absentee balloting remain underway across Wisconsin, with thousands of Northwoods residents having already cast their ballots ahead of the upcoming fall election. Many voters continue to utilize absentee ballots by mail or early in-person voting, which opened last week at local municipal clerks' offices. According to daily statistics from the Wisconsin Elections Commission, as of Monday, more than 440,000 state residents had already voted. Local clerks report a steady stream of early voters as well, with state data showing roughly 1,500 early votes cast in Lincoln County, 2,000 in Vilas County, and 2,800 in Oneida County. Election Day is next Tuesday. Voters can visit myvote.wi.gov for election information including sample ballots.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while regular screening mammograms are essential, getting called back for additional imaging can cause immediate anxiety. To help patients navigate that uncertainty, Aspirus Health relies on a dedicated team of "Nurse Navigators" to provide personalized guidance, care coordination, and emotional support. From explaining pathology and testing procedures to coordinating care across the health system, Nurse Navigators serve as an expert, ongoing resource. Aspirus Nurse Navigator Stephanie Ostrowski says, "Health care is complicated, and a lot of patients are overwhelmed. We're here to support patients, help them understand what's happening, and make sure they don't feel lost in the system." The navigation service is available at no cost to patients across the entire Aspirus network.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Fall Sports Update 10/24/26

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

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.

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