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Hatchet Wrestlers Win Bluejay Inviational Published on 01/07/2019 under Sports

On Saturday, the Tomahawk Hatchet Wrestling Team won the Merrill Bluejay Invitational. Tomahawk scored 426 points, with Wausau West second, Prairie Du Chien third and Merrill finishing fourth.

Here are individual results from Saturday's meet:

106
Blake Felser (17-6) placed 5th and scored 30.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Blake Felser (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by decision over Trevor Schenzel (Merrill) 12-14 (Dec 4-2)
• Round 2 - Blake Felser (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over Julia Cox (Barron) 6-15 (Fall 3:09)
• Round 3 - Tim Fox (Rhinelander) 15-7 won by fall over Blake Felser (Tomahawk) 17-6 (Fall 2:13)
• Consolation Bracket - Blake Felser (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over Hunter Feyereisen (Saint Croix Central) 8-8 (Fall 1:10)
• 5th Place Match - Blake Felser (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over David Hughes (Chippewa Falls) 12-9 (Fall 3:06)
113
Gage Robinson (10-6) placed 6th and scored 26.5 team points.
• Round 1 - Gage Robinson (Tomahawk) 10-6 won by major decision over Colton Cahill (Amherst) 3-7 (MD 12-0)
• Round 2 - Gage Robinson (Tomahawk) 10-6 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 3 - Jacob Pease (Wausau West) 14-4 won by decision over Gage Robinson (Tomahawk) 10-6 (Dec 8-6)
• Consolation Bracket - Gage Robinson (Tomahawk) 10-6 won by tech fall over Zander Ginet (Three Lakes/Phelps) 9-12 (TF-1.5 6:00 (15-0))
• 5th Place Match - Harry Nemcek (Lakeland/Mercer) 19-11 won by major decision over Gage Robinson (Tomahawk) 10-6 (MD 20-7)
120
Lance Knight (21-6) placed 5th and scored 31.5 team points.
• Round 1 - Lance Knight (Tomahawk) 21-6 won by fall over Trevor Schunk (Crandon) 5-9 (Fall 1:29)
• Round 2 - Lance Knight (Tomahawk) 21-6 won by fall over Will Swanson (Rhinelander) 5-15 (Fall 0:49)
• Round 3 - David Olson (Saint Croix Central) 13-9 won by decision over Lance Knight (Tomahawk) 21-6 (Dec 7-3)
• Consolation Bracket - Lance Knight (Tomahawk) 21-6 won by fall over Max Kersten (Wittenberg-Birnamwood) 3-7 (Fall 0:25)
• 5th Place Match - Lance Knight (Tomahawk) 21-6 won by tech fall over Dejsia Yang (Wausau West) 16-11 (TF-1.5 5:01 (15-0))
126
Luke Knight (22-5) placed 5th and scored 31.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Luke Knight (Tomahawk) 22-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 3 - Luke Knight (Tomahawk) 22-5 won by fall over Sylas Schaberg (Amherst) 5-10 (Fall 0:49)
• Quarterfinal - Tim Burnett (Lakeland/Mercer) 16-10 won by fall over Luke Knight (Tomahawk) 22-5 (Fall 3:14)
• Cons. Round 2 - Luke Knight (Tomahawk) 22-5 won by major decision over Kyle Wiseman (Adams-Friendship) 13-8 (MD 16-3)
• 5th Place Match - Luke Knight (Tomahawk) 22-5 won by decision over Bryce Zoromski (Wittenberg-Birnamwood) 17-9 (Dec 7-0)
132
Alex Bishop (18-5) placed 2nd and scored 40.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Alex Bishop (Tomahawk) 18-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 2 - Alex Bishop (Tomahawk) 18-5 won by fall over Alex Martinez (Barron) 8-17 (Fall 1:36)
• Round 3 - Alex Bishop (Tomahawk) 18-5 won by fall over Alex Lorbecke (Wittenberg-Birnamwood) 9-10 (Fall 2:22)
• Championship Bracket - Alex Bishop (Tomahawk) 18-5 won by decision over Gabriel Ramos (Wausau West) 19-9 (Dec 10-7)
• 1st Place Match - Keenan Holley (Prairie du Chien) 12-7 won in sudden victory - 1 over Alex Bishop (Tomahawk) 18-5 (SV-1 6-4)
138
Logan Bishop (21-5) placed 2nd and scored 41.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Logan Bishop (Tomahawk) 21-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 2 - Logan Bishop (Tomahawk) 21-5 won by fall over Bradley Shepherd (Crandon) 7-6 (Fall 4:28)
• Round 3 - Logan Bishop (Tomahawk) 21-5 won by major decision over Tyler Dormanen (Boyceville) 10-10 (MD 12-0)
• Championship Bracket - Logan Bishop (Tomahawk) 21-5 won by fall over Lucas Wanty (Three Lakes/Phelps) 9-6 (Fall 3:02)
• 1st Place Match - Reid Koenig (Prairie du Chien) 16-3 won by fall over Logan Bishop (Tomahawk) 21-5 (Fall 0:27)
145
Isaiah Sheffler (14-10) placed 9th and scored 20.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Jakob Lipinski (Edgar) 12-9 won by fall over Isaiah Sheffler (Tomahawk) 14-10 (Fall 1:37)
• Round 2 - Isaiah Sheffler (Tomahawk) 14-10 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 3 - Traeton Saint (Prairie du Chien) 19-5 won by fall over Isaiah Sheffler (Tomahawk) 14-10 (Fall 1:23)
• Consolation Bracket - Isaiah Sheffler (Tomahawk) 14-10 received a bye () (Bye)
• 9th Place Match - Isaiah Sheffler (Tomahawk) 14-10 won by decision over Jonas Hicks (Adams-Friendship) 5-13 (Dec 2-1)
152
Marcus Matti (11-12) placed 11th and scored 12.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Will Urquhart (Wittenberg-Birnamwood) 15-11 won by decision over Marcus Matti (Tomahawk) 11-12 (Dec 7-2)
• Round 2 - Brock Schlough (Boyceville) 26-0 won by fall over Marcus Matti (Tomahawk) 11-12 (Fall 2:08)
• Round 3 - Marcus Matti (Tomahawk) 11-12 won by decision over Logan Shackelton (Saint Croix Central) 2-12 (Dec 8-5)
• Consolation Bracket - Anthony Kujawa (Adams-Friendship) 7-6 won by fall over Marcus Matti (Tomahawk) 11-12 (Fall 3:26)
• 11th Place Match - Marcus Matti (Tomahawk) 11-12 won by decision over Dillan Adams (Barron) 5-7 (Dec 9-2)
160
Wyatt Wenninger (24-5) placed 2nd and scored 42.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Wyatt Wenninger (Tomahawk) 24-5 won by fall over Cassius Ramirez (Sun Prairie) 2-6 (Fall 0:30)
• Round 2 - Wyatt Wenninger (Tomahawk) 24-5 won by fall over Trystan Sanderfoot (Three Lakes/Phelps) 7-11 (Fall 0:54)
• Round 3 - Wyatt Wenninger (Tomahawk) 24-5 won by fall over Isaac Avery (Prairie du Chien) 11-12 (Fall 1:53)
• Championship Bracket - Wyatt Wenninger (Tomahawk) 24-5 won by fall over Ross Kaz (Chippewa Falls) 19-10 (Fall 5:10)
• 1st Place Match - Ty Guden (Edgar) 15-2 won by decision over Wyatt Wenninger (Tomahawk) 24-5 (Dec 3-1)
170
Ryan Skyees (10-13) placed 10th and scored 16.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Tyler Smock (Prairie du Chien) 18-9 won by fall over Ryan Skyees (Tomahawk) 10-13 (Fall 1:02)
• Round 2 - Harry Nawrot (Adams-Friendship) 15-5 won by fall over Ryan Skyees (Tomahawk) 10-13 (Fall 1:10)
• Round 3 - Ryan Skyees (Tomahawk) 10-13 received a bye () (Bye)
• Consolation Bracket - Ryan Skyees (Tomahawk) 10-13 won by decision over Ethan Cordova (Merrill) 7-14 (Dec 6-3)
• 9th Place Match - RJ Knetter (Edgar) 12-6 won by fall over Ryan Skyees (Tomahawk) 10-13 (Fall 1:43)
182
Kade Wenninger (17-6) placed 5th and scored 32.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Kade Wenninger (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over Forfeit Forfeit (Prairie du Chien) 8-10 (Fall 1:33)
• Round 2 - Kade Wenninger (Tomahawk) 17-6 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 3 - Brock Handrick (Edgar) 20-2 won by fall over Kade Wenninger (Tomahawk) 17-6 (Fall 1:02)
• Consolation Bracket - Kade Wenninger (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over Ben Sinclair (Rhinelander) 14-8 (Fall 4:55)
• 5th Place Match - Kade Wenninger (Tomahawk) 17-6 won by fall over Nathan LaRue (Wausau West) 15-12 (Fall 3:18)
195
Eric Decker (21-4) placed 1st and scored 50.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Eric Decker (Tomahawk) 21-4 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 2 - Eric Decker (Tomahawk) 21-4 won by fall over Jordan Haag (Barron) 7-19 (Fall 0:28)
• Round 3 - Eric Decker (Tomahawk) 21-4 won by fall over Joseph Nienow (Wausau West) 7-12 (Fall 2:22)
• Championship Bracket - Eric Decker (Tomahawk) 21-4 won by fall over Justyn Kniprath (Adams-Friendship) 11-7 (Fall 1:26)
• 1st Place Match - Eric Decker (Tomahawk) 21-4 won by fall over Brendan Shannon (Sun Prairie) 16-8 (Fall 4:46)
220
Tony Matti (23-5) placed 3rd and scored 38.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Tony Matti (Tomahawk) 23-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 2 - Tony Matti (Tomahawk) 23-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 3 - Tony Matti (Tomahawk) 23-5 won by fall over Lucas Edelburg (Amherst) 10-9 (Fall 1:01)
• Championship Bracket - Colten Wall (Prairie du Chien) 12-5 won by fall over Tony Matti (Tomahawk) 23-5 (Fall 3:19)
• 3rd Place Match - Tony Matti (Tomahawk) 23-5 won by forfeit over Luke Wright (Prairie du Chien) 14-4 (For.)
285
Austin Leinen (12-9) placed 11th and scored 16.0 team points.
• Round 1 - Ryan McKibben (Edgar) 15-8 won by fall over Austin Leinen (Tomahawk) 12-9 (Fall 1:47)
• Round 2 - John Farkas (Amherst) 16-6 won by fall over Austin Leinen (Tomahawk) 12-9 (Fall 0:32)
• Round 3 - Austin Leinen (Tomahawk) 12-9 won by fall over Mickie Wiza (Almond-Bancroft/Pacelli) 1-9 (Fall 2:34)
• Consolation Bracket - Vaughn Albrecht (Merrill) 10-5 won by fall over Austin Leinen (Tomahawk) 12-9 (Fall 1:47)
• 11th Place Match - Austin Leinen (Tomahawk) 12-9 won by fall over William Weise (Barron) 10-17 (Fall 0:57)

In Other News

Best Burger in Paradise Returns to Tomahawk; Cards on Sale, Contest Begins April 1

Published on 03/18/2026 under News There are plenty of great burgers in the Tomahawk area. Now, a friendly competition is back to determine the best of the best. The Tomahawk STAR Foundation has announced the return of its popular "Best Burger in Paradise." Board members Kathy Rankin and Jackie Leonard stopped by the WJJQ studios this past week to talk about this year's culinary competition. While bragging rights are on the line, Best Burger in Paradise also serves as one of two major fundraisers for the foundation, along with the STAR Splash. Over the years, the organization has raised and redistributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to local nonprofits and community groups. They say it's a win-win-win, offering a chance to support a good cause, explore local restaurants, and enjoy a great meal. There will be a new champion this year, as back-to-back winner B's Landing is taking the year off. The six competitors include Billy Bob's, Nachos, Stars and Stripes, Winding Trail, 10 Point Bar and Grill, and Castaways. Organizers say the smaller field should make it easier for participants to visit every location. The card costs 25 dollars. In past years, it featured a buy-one-get-one deal. This year, it's a "spend ten" promotion for the burger, which they said can be covered by a drink and appetizer. The contest is also starting earlier this year to beat the summer tourism rush. Burgers will be served from April 1st through June 30th. Cards are available now at participating restaurants, as well as Trig's, the Tomahawk Chamber, and here at WJJQ. The STAR Foundation has additional information on their website.

Published on 03/18/2026 under News Northern Wisconsin could see a major economic boost following Tuesday's action in the State Senate. In what was the final scheduled floor session of the year, lawmakers approved more than 90 bills, including several priorities from Senate President Mary Felzkowski. The local legislator released a statement following the session. She specifically highlighted the Forestry Revitalization Act, which would create tax incentives for a proposed new Northwoods facility producing sustainable aviation fuel using woody biomass. Supporters say the project could bring billions in economic impact while also improving forest health at a time when traditional wood markets have been declining. While the proposed facility would be built in Hayward, Felzkowski said, "The entire Northwoods will benefit from this investment: truckers, restaurants, loggers, trades workers, direct plant employees, and everyone in between. Northern Wisconsin needs this, and I'm glad my colleagues agreed." The Senate also approved a measure to release $132 million to help communities dealing with PFAS contamination—an issue affecting several Northwoods communities, including the City of Tomahawk, which is exploring building a PFAS treatment facility and applying for state assistance. Other bills passed include protections for hospital price transparency, a proposal to restrict certain purchases under FoodShare, and a plan to exempt overtime wages from state income tax. In her statement, Felzkowski called it a "great day for Wisconsinites," saying lawmakers took "action on issues that impact our constituents every day." The bills previously approved by the Assembly will next head to Governor Evers for consideration.

Published on 03/18/2026 under News Spring Break season is right around the corner. Those heading out of town are reminded to take a few simple steps to avoid scams and ensure you're able to spend your trip focused on fun, family and relaxation. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection offered up a few tips to avoid a vacation headache: • Before you leave, clean out your wallet or purse, removing unnecessary cards and documents with your personal information. • Document all trip details such as confirmation numbers, booking times, addresses, costs, and cancellation and refund policies. • Consider paying by credit card rather than debit cards which allows disputes. • Check bills and receipts for added fees. • Be cautious of public wi-fi networks which may not be secure and leave your devices vulnerable. • After returning home, travelers should review receipts and monitor credit card and bank statements for any suspicious charges If you're staying home while your family travels, be aware of 'grandparent scams' which are common at this time of year. Scammers will call, claiming a family member was either involved in an arrest or accident. They'll use a made-up emergency to pressure family members into providing money or personal information.

Published on 03/18/2026 under News The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has announced the rollout of a new inmate communications system at the county detention center, aimed at improving accessibility and affordability for inmates and their families. The system, provided by NCIC Inmate Communications, a company based in Longview, Texas, became operational this past week. The Sheriff's Office says the change is part of an ongoing effort to improve services and maintain connections between inmates and their support networks. Officials say one of the key benefits of the new system is reduced call rates compared to the previous provider, making communication more affordable for families. The Sheriff's Office also emphasized that the new system comes at no cost to taxpayers. With the transition now complete, friends and family members who wish to receive calls from individuals in custody must set up an account with NCIC website or calling 1-800-943-2189.

Published on 03/18/2026 under News The Lincoln County Board has approved an update to its ordinance extending hours of operation for county facilities. Under the change, most county offices will once again be open to the public Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The county had experimented with limiting public availability on Friday afternoons. During last night's discussion, several supervisors relayed concern from constituents about the reduced hours, noting it could be a hurdle for those looking to conduct county business. An example was provided of those with a secondary residence in Lincoln County like a cabin or hunting shack. These property owners often come north to Lincoln County on Friday afternoons for a weekend visit. The ordinance allows flexibility to temporarily adjust hours for things like training, construction, or special events. Some departments, like Highway and Solid Waste, have differing schedules. Following a lengthy discussion, the ordinance amendment was approved effective immediately._____ A couple of other quick notes from last night's Lincoln County Board meeting. The Board recognized Lincoln County Health Director Shelley Cohrs for 25 years with the County. The board approved a resolution requesting state legislators establish sustainable funding for roads; set parameters for funding requests to the Bierman Family Foundation; accepted a donation from the Tomahawk Community Thrift Shop, a resolution celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Lawrence Welk Show, and discussed numerous rules changes from the board's Ad-Hoc rules committee. The Board also ratified the emergency declaration from the winter storm this past weekend. While the snow is no longer falling, approval could help the county moving forward. Director of Emergency Management Tyler Verhasselt noted this action could also open up opportunities for the county to receive some emergency assistance and funding opportunities. The state of emergency will remain in effect through 'recovery' efforts.

Published on 03/17/2026 under News A group of Tomahawk High School students recently took part in a statewide effort to advocate for mental health resources. Members of the district's Raise Your Voice Club leadership group traveled to the state capitol for Youth Advocacy Day, joining nearly 200 students from across Wisconsin. Among the goals of Raise Your Voice Club is to eliminate the stigma around mental health while breaking down barriers and building community. While in Madison, students from Tomahawk High School met with staff for Northwoods legislators including State Senator Mary Felzkowski and Representative Calvin Callahan. The group discussed the importance of funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, as well as expanding mental health services in public schools. The district said they're proud of the students for engaging in the civic process and using their voices to support the well-being of others. The event was organized with help from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which also helped prepare students to speak with lawmakers and advocate for mental health awareness._____ Speaking of the Tomahawk Raise Your Voice Club, the students are organizing their 2nd annual Mental Health Awareness Color Run. That will take place on May 2nd. Registration is currently available. We'll provide a link in the online version of the story.

Published on 03/17/2026 under News The weekend snow has brought good news for our local snowmobilers. The Oneida County Forestry, Land, and Recreation Department announced the county-funded snowmobile trail system has officially reopened as of 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. In the announcement, they did caution that some segments will remain closed due to unsafe conditions. We'll list those trails in the online version of the story. They also noted that many of the trails that are re-opening will be minimally groomed and remain in rough, late-season condition. Officials also warn that lake and river trails should be considered unsafe unless clearly marked by local clubs. County officials remind snowmobilers to stay on marked trails, noting that off-trail riding is considered trespassing and could lead to fines or trail closures. Speaking of trails re-opening, as we previously announced, most Vilas County Trails re-opened over the weekend.

Published on 03/17/2026 under News Utility crews are continuing to restore power across northern Wisconsin following a record-setting snow. Wisconsin Public Service says more than 11,000 customers have already had their power restored. Crews dealt with challenging situations working through whiteout conditions, dangerous roads, and more than two feet of snow. In some cases, crews even had to plow to clear paths and reach damaged power lines and equipment. Around 1,000 outages remained as of Tuesday morning, primarily in the Door County area. All available crews remain in the field and will continue working until service is fully restored. They hope to have that work done by the end of the day. Customers without power can check restoration updates using the WPS outage map or mobile app. And they also reiterated a few reminders to clear snow and ice from energy meters and vents to prevent damage and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide buildup indoors.

Published on 03/17/2026 under News Local business owners will have a chance to learn how to use artificial intelligence at an upcoming event in Tomahawk. The Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation is hosting its next LinC and Learn Business Connections session Thursday morning. LinC and Learn is a monthly information and networking opportunity which launched earlier this year. The featured topic for the month of March, "Using AI for Everyday Marketing," will highlight how tools like ChatGPT can help business owners generate content ideas, improve social media posts, draft emails, and clarify messaging. They noted the session is designed for beginners and those just starting to explore AI, offering simple, real-world strategies that can save time and make marketing more effective. Presenter Scott Steele of Next Step Marketing will lead the conversation. The LinC and Learn events are free, though they do ask participants register ahead of time. They alternate between Merrill and Tomahawk, with this week's session at the PCA Buedingen Training Center. It's Thursday at 7:30am with additional time set aside for networking before and after the discussion.

Published on 03/16/2026 under News Mother Nature was the big story of the weekend, as a pair of storm systems dumped significant snow across much of Wisconsin. Here in the Tomahawk area, snowfall totals came in around 10 to 12 inches. But just to our south, totals were even more impressive. Areas in and around Wausau reported more than two feet of snow. While the snow tapered to flurries overnight, strong winds are still causing blowing and drifting snow, leading to reduced visibility in some areas. Travel was dangerous throughout the weekend and remains difficult for the Monday morning commute. Drivers are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel if possible, and it's a good idea to call ahead to make sure your destination is open. Many communities have declared snow or winter weather emergencies through Monday or Tuesday. Nearly all school districts in the area are playing it safe by canceling classes. In Tomahawk, students will shift to a virtual learning day. Fortunately, power outages have been minimal. As of Monday morning, Wisconsin Public Service reports around 1,000 customers without power across its entire service area, primarily in Northeastern Wisconsin.

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