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Tomahawk Fall Ride: Thunder Parade, An Iconic Tradition

Published on 09/18/2026 under News Action revs up for the 45th annual Tomahawk Fall Ride, highlighted by one of the weekend's most iconic traditions: the Friday night Thunder Parade. The Thunder Parade began in 1991. Like many Fall Ride traditions, the Thunder Parade started small in 1991 and has grown over the years. Now around 1,000 riders depart from the Tomahawk School Campus to take part in a scenic, 18-mile cruise through rural Tomahawk. The final stretch runs down business corridor along North Fourth Street, across Veterans Memorial Bridge, and right down Main Street which is closed off to regular traffic. Much like a traditional parade, spectators line the route to cheer on riders and feel the rumble of thunder as hundreds of engines passing by. Riders planning to participate can begin lining up at the school complex around 5:00 p.m, they leave at 6:00pm. The procession typically reaches the city around 6:30 p.m. While the Thunder Parade serves as Friday's main attraction, visitors can find live music, vendor displays, and events running all weekend at SARA Park, downtown Tomahawk, and area businesses throughout the region.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News An enhanced wake ban is coming to Lake Mohawksin and nearby stretches of the Wisconsin and Tomahawk Rivers. Following a vote by the Tomahawk City Council earlier this month, the Town of Bradley has approved a matching ordinance. Because both municipalities share shoreline jurisdiction, DNR rules required both to approve an identical ordinance. Under the joint rules, boaters cannot use ballast tanks, ballast bags, or wake-enhancing fins to create artificially large waves. Traditional watersports like skiing, tubing, and standard wakeboarding is allowed, as long as wake-enhancing gear is not used. The Kwahamot Water Ski Club also keeps its limited exemption. The main goals are protecting local shorelines from erosion, preventing lake bed disturbance, and keeping water recreationists safe. Groups like the Friends of Lake Mohawksin, made up largely of riparian landowners, heavily supported the effort. With both votes locked in, Tomahawk and Bradley join nearly 100 other Wisconsin communities with similar wake protections. The final steps include filing paperwork with the DNR and posting signs at public boat landings.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News While the Rhinelander community typically embraces Hodag green, the Hodag Dome will turn purple this weekend as residents gather to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's disease. Organizers are putting the finishing touches on the local Walk to End Alzheimer's, scheduled for Saturday morning. The event is already off to a strong start, with nearly 350 people registered. More than 60 teams have raised $148,000, or 72% of the event's $206,000 fundraising goal. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer's Association, supporting families affected by the disease while funding research toward treatments and prevention. Julie St. Pierre with the Alzheimer's Association called this a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer's. "With new treatments and proven lifestyle habits that support brain health, there is real hope," St. Pierre said. "Together, we can build a brain-healthy future and help end this disease." One of the morning's key highlights is the Promise Garden Ceremony, where participants carry distinctively colored flowers to represent their personal connection to the cause—whether they are living with the disease, caring for a loved one, or honoring someone they lost. In addition to the Rhinelander event, another walk is taking place Saturday in Antigo, with Wausau hosting its walk next weekend.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News Combining modern transportation with vintage charm, and built right in the Northwoods, a local product is in the running for the latest edition of the "Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin." Crandon's Hometown Manufacturing is featured in the annual contest for its trackless trolley buses. Designed to mimic classic 19th-century streetcars, these custom-built vehicles are crafted locally and now operate in more than 300 communities nationwide. Hosted by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, this year's contest features over 107 nominees showcasing the state's $73 billion manufacturing sector. The small-town company faces stiff competition from iconic Wisconsin brands, ranging from Ariens zero-turn mowers to classic yellow foam Cheeseheads. The lineup also the food and beverage industry, such as Kikkoman soy sauce, Jack Link's jerky, and Kwik Trip Glazer donuts. Public voting kicks off Monday to narrow the field down to the top 16, who will then compete in a head-to-head, bracket-style tournament until the winner is crowned on October 27th. Supporters can view all nominees and cast their votes starting Monday at madeinwis.com.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News The Merrill Fire Department is providing some mutual aid to first responders more than 2,000 miles away. The Merrill Fire Department contributed locally retired turnout gear to the non-profit organization Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners. Firefighters dropped off the protective equipment at the group's Stevens Point hub, where it's now being packed up for Central American crews in urgent need of protective gear. Merrill firefighters shared on social media that they were "glad to pay it forward," while program organizers expressed their thanks to Chief Josh Klug and the crew for delivering the life-saving haul and giving the equipment a second life. Since 1965, the organization has connected local volunteers and donors with critical projects in Nicaragua. Along with fire equipment, the group ships essential goods collected from across the state. The latest haul also included bicycles from Campus Cycle. Thanks to the team in Merrill, gear retired in Lincoln County will continue to save lives.

Published on 09/18/2026 under News Despite slight improvements statewide, the Northwoods drought is expanding. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, released on Thursdays, shows persistent dryness across Wisconsin, with more than 86% of the state experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions. That marks a slight improvement from 92% last week, driven primarily by rainfall in southern counties. It's the opposite in the Northwoods as drought conditions have expanded. A growing pocket of extreme drought now covers most of Price, Iron, Oneida, and Vilas Counties, while the remainder of northern Wisconsin is classified as experiencing moderate to severe drought. The prolonged dry spell has impacted local farms and gardens, lowered water levels on area lakes and rivers, and elevated the risk of wildfires. Forecasters expect dry conditions to linger as fall approaches.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Girls Swimmers Fall to Ladysmith

Published on 09/17/2026 under Sports The Hatchet girls' swimmers had their closest Conference dual meet of the season, losing at home to Ladysmith Thursday, 66-56. Tomahawk as a team had three first-place finishes in the dual meet. Kami Gabrich had two of them, coming in the 50 and 200 yard freestyles. Aubrey Tollefson placed first in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 1:27.09. The loss drops Tomahawk to 0-6 in Dual meets this season. The Hatchets are back in the pool next Thursday for another GNC Dual meet against Antigo. Events begin at 5:30.

Published on 09/17/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's volleyball squad's struggles would continue at the Hatchet House Thursday night as they would lose to non-conference perennial powerhouse Stratford, 25-22, 25-14, 25-16. Despite the strong start, the Hatchets were unable to overcome the consistent power and strength of the Tigers. The loss drops Tomahawk to 4-14 on the season and 0-3 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the court for a Great Northern Conference match in Antigo Tuesday. The match will be broadcast on the WJJQ app, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ with the Fehrman Orthodontics Prematch Show at 6:35 and First serve at 7:00. Alex Koch and Matt Theiler will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 09/15/2026 under Sports In the battle for Lincoln County Volleyball, Tomahawk was swept at the Hatchet House by the Merrill Blue Jays Tuesday night, 25-13, 25-12, 25-10. The Hatchets were unable to compete with the Blue Jays' serving and serve-receiving Tuesday. Lauren Reibe led the way with five kills for the Hatchets as they fall to 4-13 on the season and 0-3 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk will have a night of practice before returning back to the Hatchet House Thursday for a showdown with perennial powerhouse Stratford. First serve is at 7:00.

Published on 09/13/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's volleyball squad would split their four matches at the Waupaca Invite over the weekend, improving their record to 4-12 on their season. The Hatchets' two losses were to the host, Waupaca, and fellow Sectional opponent Wittenberg-Birnamwood. However, their two wins would be over Wisconsin Rapids and Two Rivers. The Hatchets' win over Two Rivers came in three sets, 25-16, 21-25, 16-14. The Hatchets' record now stands at 4-12 on the season and 0-2 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets resume Great Northern Conference play Tuesday at the Hatchet House against Merrill. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Prematch Show will begin at 6:35 with first serve at 7:00. Alex Koch and Matt Theiler will be in the broadcast booth Tuesday night.

Published on 09/11/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Cross Country squads would finish in the top ten in the Nightfall Cross Country Classic in Neenah Friday night. Tomahawk's girls would place ninth overall, sandwiched in between Sheboygan Falls and Freedom. Charlee Lund would finish in the top ten overall, placing ninth with a time of 20:04. Elise Gibeault would finish second on the team with a time of 21:06. The Hatchet boys placed tenth overall, between Freedom and Edgerton. Jordyn Carew placed 50th overall with a time of 18:46. Connor Zorn was 52nd with a time of 18:48. The Hatchets' next Cross Country invite is the 9-Mile Invite, hosted by Wausau East next Saturday at 9:00 AM. Girls Results: Tomahawk - 9th Merrill - 17th Northland Pines - 20th Antigo - 22nd Boys: Tomahawk - 10th Northland Pines - 15th Antigo - 17th Merrill - 21st

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