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Repairs Coming to Stretch of Somo Avenue in Tomahawk, Temporary Detour

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.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News Nearly a year after a life-threatening ATV crash in rural Lincoln County, a Merrill first responder and the man he helped save were reunited during an emotional ceremony. At the first-ever Trauma Survivor's Day ceremony Friday at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, paramedic Dylan Schielke received the hospital's inaugural Golden Hour Award for his actions during a response last summer. Following an ATV crash last July, Brian Brendemuehl suffered critical injuries in that crash near his Pine River home. Schielke, the lead paramedic on the call, was credited with stabilizing the patient before transport to an Aspirus MedEvac helicopter. Aspirus MedEvac flight paramedic Michelle Micke nominated Schielke for the honor, praising his quick thinking, accurate assessment, and professionalism during the emergency response. Micke said she believes Schielke's actions were instrumental in saving Brendemuehl's life and helping preserve his neurological recovery. The award recognizes exemplary emergency medical care during high-acuity, time-sensitive trauma situations. Schielke said he was surprised to learn he won the award. He believed he was simply attending a ceremony to reconnect with Brendemuehl. The Merrill Fire Department thanked Aspirus Wausau Hospital for hosting the ceremony and recognized Schielke for reflecting the department's core values and the work of the Lincoln County–Merrill Ambulance Service.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News A belated Mother's Day gift for a camera friendly peregrine falcon. According to Wisconsin Public Service, the first falcon chick has emerged at the WPS Weston Power Plant nest box near Wausau. Proud parents Sheldon and an unbanded female welcomed the fluffy new addition Monday afternoon. The new chick will soon have siblings. As of yesterday's update, a second egg was starting to hatch with two more remaining. The birds will share themed names, voted on by fans. This year's selections are inspired by local news personalities. According to the announcement, across the four nesting boxes at WPS and WE Energies facilities, there are seven chicks and six eggs as of Monday afternoon. People can continue to watch the young peregrine falcons hatch and grow via the nest box webcams.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News A weekend crash in Lincoln County involving a deer sent two people to the hospital. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, responders were dispatched to an area along Highway 51 near Tomahawk on Saturday for a reported crash with injuries. Deputies determined the vehicle was traveling north on Highway 51 and struck a deer that entered the roadway. Both the driver and passenger reported minor injuries. The patients were transported to Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. This comes at a time when officials have been reminding motorists about increased deer activity which typically occurs in the months of May and June.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News Memorial Day weekend typically means a steady influx of people returning to summer homes or cabins here in the Northwoods. But travel experts are expecting a slight drop in traffic next week. Triple A released their annual Memorial Day travel forecast on Monday. According to their estimates, nearly 835,000 Wisconsinites are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday weekend. That is down slightly from last year and after several consecutive record breaking years. Most of that travel, approximately 750,000 people, will be on the road. Nick Jarmusz, director of public affairs for AAA says, "Memorial Day travel demand remains strong, but higher fuel prices are slowing the pace of growth in some segments." With an average of $4.40 cents per gallon, gas is up more than a dollar from the same point last year. Jarmusz added, "Some Wisconsinites are taking a more measured approach this year by shortening trips, choosing closer destinations, or making other cost-conscious adjustments." Those looking to avoid traffic next week may want to plan early departures. Northbound traffic is typically heaviest Friday evening, while southbound traffic typically peaks Memorial Day Monday in the afternoon.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News A bipartisan agreement between Governor Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders to address Wisconsin's $2.4 billion budget surplus is drawing praise from local lawmakers, including Calvin Callahan. Callahan said the deal will return money to taxpayers through direct refunds and tax relief measures. The agreement includes $300 income tax refunds for individuals and $600 for married couples filing jointly, along with eliminating state income taxes on tips and overtime pay. Callahan said affordability remains the top concern he hears from residents across the 35th Assembly District and called the agreement a "major win" for families struggling with rising costs. The bipartisan package also directs $300 million toward general school aid, another $300 million for special education, and $50 million in technical college property tax relief. State leaders say the school funding measures are expected to reduce local property tax levies statewide. Callahan says, "A lot of time and effort went into this; I am incredibly pleased that families in the 35th will finally receive much-needed economic relief. This agreement is a sign of hope that both parties can come together to do what's right for the people of Wisconsin." The Legislature is expected to vote on the package Wednesday.

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Sports Headlines

Tomahawk Spring Sports Recap 5/11/26

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.

Published on 05/08/2026 under Sports Hatchet Baseball Mercy-Ruled For Second Straight Game Tomahawk's baseball team were the first victims of the Lakeland Thunderbirds in Minocqua Friday night, losing, 14-1. The Hatchets tied a season-high with six errors committed in the field, resulting in eight unearned runs. The lone run scored by Tomahawk was a solo home run from Sophomore Cash Olsen in the third inning. The pitching combination of Olsen, Wally Horabik, and Hunter Hilgendorf allowed eight runs in the fourth inning. The loss drops Tomahawk to 5-8 on the season and 4-6 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the diamond Monday afternoon for another GNC showdown with Medford. Alex Koch and Keith Hanse will have the broadcast on Sports Talk 810 AM/97.7 FM WJJQ. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show gets underway at 4:35 and First Pitch is at 5:00. Tomahawk Golf Stays at 5th in GNC Meet at Eagle River Up at the Eagle River Golf Course, the Hatchet golfers would place fifth again in their Great Northern Conference meet Friday afternoon. Tomahawk would finish with a score of 346, six strokes behind fourth-place Merrill. The top golfer for the Hatchets was sophomore Jaxon Kaiser, who finished with an 83. Oliver Childers would finish one stroke behind Kaiser. The Hatchets have their next Great Northern Conference Meet Monday at Black River Golf Course in Medford. Tee-off is at 3:00. Elise Gibeault Dominates, Hatchet Runners Finish in Top Four At the Otto Bacher Invite in Merrill Friday night, the Hatchet track and field athletes came away with top-four team finishes. Tomahawk's girls placed second overall, placing behind only Great Northern Conference foe Rhinelander. The meet was dominated Junior runner Elise Gibeault. The Hatchet athlete placed first in the 100, 200, and 400 meter dashes. She also placed first in the high jump. Gibeault's 400 time of 58.36 seconds set a meet record. Also placing first in the meet was the 4x200 meter relay squad of Siennah Calkins, Alicia Voermans, Lauren Reibe, and Aliyah Nelson. As for the Hatchet boys, they would place fourth in the invite, behind Rhinelander, Lakeland, and Wausau East. Tomahawk's boys had two third-place finishes in the invite. Connor Zorn placed third in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.73 seconds. Mason Reibe placed third in the pole vault with a leap of 11 feet. The next meet for Tomahawk is their home meet at Hatchet Field Tuesday. Alex Koch will be in the press box with the Fehrman Orthodontics Premeet Show at 3:55 and opening events will begin at 4:15 on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ.

Published on 05/07/2026 under Sports It was a bittersweet final Great Northern Conference home game for the Hatchet Seniors at Hatchet Field Thursday afternoon as they would fall to the Lakeland T-Birds, 3-2. Tomahawk jumped out to a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Aubrey Seubert in the first inning. The Hatchets held the lead until the top of the fourth inning when Lakeland's Addison Trapp hit a single, then had two runners score on an error by Averi Petta. The Hatchets would tie it in the bottom of the fourth on a run-scoring base hit from Autumn Merrigan. However, Tomahawk would surrender the lead in the top of the sixth when Britta Kemnitz singled in the go-ahead run. Lakeland pitchers would retire the final 11 batters of the game to seal the win. The Hatchets would muster just two runs on three hits, while committing four errors. Tomahawk drops to 8-9 on the season and 5-7 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the diamond Saturday when they travel to Gilman for an invite. Tomahawk's first game will be against Marathon at 10:00 AM. Game Two will be against Mondovi at 2:00 PM.

Published on 05/06/2026 under Sports The Hatchet track and field squads would each finish second in the T-Bird Outdoor Invite at Lakeland Tuesday night. Each of Tomahawk's boys' and girls' squads came away with a second-place individual finish. For the girls, Alicia Voermans would finish second in the Pole Vault with a leap of 9'6". On the boys' side, it was Lukas Morrison who placed second in the long jump with a leap of 17'9.25". The next invite for Tomahawk is Friday in Merrill. The Otto Bacher Invite begins at 4:00.

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