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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

Tomahawk Finance Committee Holds Brainstorming Session, Eyeing April 2027 Levy Referendum

Published on 09/03/2026 under News Tomahawk city leaders are retooling their strategy for a possible spring levy referendum. Members of the Tomahawk Finance Committee held a special meeting Wednesday night to brainstorm strategies for winning over voters if they make another funding request. In April 2026, the City Council asked residents to increase the base levy by 20%—a boost of up to $276,000. Voters rejected the proposal, with 56% opposing the increase. Because the deadline to place a measure on the upcoming November ballot has passed, the committee is targeting the April spring election instead. They have not yet finalized the referendum question or dollar amount. Much of the session Wednesday centered on outreach, education, and messaging. Acknowledging that number-heavy spreadsheets can overwhelm voters, the committee plans to highlight tangible impacts. Moving forward, they will detail the exact municipal services at risk after years of cumulative budget cuts. This could be snow plow policies, reduced times for the splash pad, the yard waste site, and Fall Ride expenditures. Finance Chair Mickey Loka emphasized that city leaders must do a better job of making their case, stating that they need to "sell our need" and take the facts directly to the public. To ensure the message lands, the city is preparing a multi-pronged outreach strategy combining public informational sessions, online updates, traditional media coverage, and even door-to-door visits by local alders. A successful vote next spring would not affect the city's bottom line until the 2028 fiscal year. In the meantime, committee members will ramp up work on the 2027 budget over the coming weeks.

Published on 09/03/2026 under News Vilas County's trail network continues to expand, thanks to new grant funding for a major local project. The Town of Cloverland, west of Eagle River, secured nearly $1.3 million through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to launch the River Trail project. (additional information on the trail project) Phase 1 will construct a 1.9-mile multi-use, off-road paved trail stretching from Old Highway 70 Road to Wilderness Trail, complete with wayfinding and bike route signage. This segment will connect to the St. Germain Trail and the popular 55-mile Heart of Vilas Bike Trail System. The effort is a partnership between the City of Eagle River, the Towns of Cloverland and St. Germain, and the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation, which committed nearly $500,000 to cover required local matching funds, engineering design work, and project administration. With funding secured, local leaders are ready to advance Phase 1, though a project timeline was not immediately available. When fully complete across future phases, the proposed 10-mile River Trail will connect Eagle River to St. Germain and link up with the Three Eagle Trail. The River Trail segment is one of 49 bicycle and pedestrian projects receiving funding through this TAP grant cycle.

Published on 09/03/2026 under News Riders heading out on ATVs or UTVs this holiday weekend should be on their best behavior. As part of the state's "Think Smart Before You Start" safety campaign, Department of Natural Resources wardens are joining forces with county recreation deputies to increase patrols along local trails and routes. Their goal is to crack down on risky driving while providing operators with safety tips. The effort comes during a dangerous year on Wisconsin trails, with 31 fatal ATV/UTV crashes reported statewide. DNR Lt. Jake Holsclaw noted that crash numbers have been trending in the wrong direction. "A large percentage of injury and fatal crashes involve riders not wearing helmets or seatbelts, operating without completing a safety course, or driving with some level of impairment." During the weekend patrol, wardens and deputies will be actively looking for operating while intoxicated (OWI), speeding, careless operation, and violations of helmet and seatbelt laws. While the extra enforcement is focused on the holiday weekend, officials hope the message inspires safe driving habits year-round.

Published on 09/03/2026 under News Officials expect heavy holiday travel this weekend and are encouraging motorists to follow the rules of the road. Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the final travel weekend of the summer. Traffic is expected to be heavy at times as drivers head north to enjoy the long weekend or close up their cabins for the season. Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Krstina Boardman says, "Labor Day weekend is a time to make memories and enjoy one last summer adventure." That means making safety part of the plan, whether you are traveling near or far. Officials remind drivers to stay safe by giving emergency responders plenty of room, eliminating distractions behind the wheel, driving sober, and allowing extra travel time when passing through construction zones. To keep traffic moving, the DOT plans to pause most road construction projects over the holiday weekend. However, motorists should still expect occasional lane closures or reduced speed limits in work zones. Drivers hoping to avoid peak traffic should plan around typical holiday weekend flow: northbound traffic is expected to be heaviest late Friday afternoon into the evening, while southbound traffic will remain steady throughout the day on Monday. At a state average of $3.81 per gallon, travelers will pay nearly a dollar more per gallon than last year, when prices hovered around $2.99. Additionally, law enforcement agencies will continue their annual "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign through the end of the holiday weekend.

Published on 09/03/2026 under News A weekend rollover crash in Lincoln County resulted in the OWI arrest of an Edgar man. According to this week's Lincoln County Sheriff's Office report, deputies responded Saturday to a single-vehicle crash with injuries on County Highway J. Upon arrival, deputies located an unoccupied vehicle. A preliminary investigation indicated the vehicle was traveling northbound when the driver misjudged a curve, entered the inside ditch, and rolled the vehicle. Deputies later learned that the driver and a passenger had been transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. After contacting the driver at the hospital, deputies placed him under arrest for first-offense OWI, going armed while intoxicated, and a probation violation. Upon release from the hospital, he was transported to the Lincoln County Jail Other notes from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report… Deputies made one other weekend OWI arrest. It involved a Merrill man, who was allegedly passed out behind the wheel while his vehicle was in the lane of traffic at the intersection of County Roads K and Q. The number of vehicle versus deer crashes was steady with another 5 this past week on Lincoln County Roadways.

Published on 09/03/2026 under News The Vilas County Health Department has issued a temporary health advisory for Big Arbor Vitae Lake Beach due to an active blue-green algae bloom. Wednesday's advisory impacts the beach located on the northeast shoreline of Big Arbor Vitae Lake off Buckhorn Road. Health Department staff are working alongside the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to assess water conditions and post advisory signage at the beach and nearby public access points. Blue-green algae occurs naturally in most Wisconsin bodies of water, but high temperatures and late-summer conditions frequently trigger blooms. Calm winds allow the algae to float to the surface and accumulate along downwind shores, though higher winds and wave action will eventually break up and disperse the floating scum Ingesting contaminated water during recreational activities is the primary cause of algae-related illness. Pets can also be affected. While public health agencies like the Vilas County Health Department monitor some popular swimming areas, it is generally up to the public to check most lakes and rivers and avoid waters where blue-green algae is present.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News New restrictions could be coming to local waters after the Tomahawk City Council votes to crack down on enhanced wakes. At their meeting last night, the Tomahawk City Council approved an ordinance regulating enhanced wakes on Lake Mohawksin and portions of the Wisconsin and Tomahawk Rivers within city limits. Under the new rules, boaters are prohibited from using ballast tanks, ballast bags, or wake-enhancing fins to operate a boat in a bow-high manner that amplifies its wake. Tuesday's meeting drew a large crowd, requiring extra rows of chairs to be brought into Council Chambers. More than a dozen Lake Mohawksin residents spoke in favor of the ordinance during the public hearing and subsequent council discussion, while many others attended to offer silent support. Speakers raised concerns shared by a growing number of communities passing similar restrictions—primarily protecting shorelines and lakebeds from erosion and sediment disturbance, alongside general safety and wildlife preservation. Council members acknowledged that enforcement will be challenging. However, they anticipate that the ordinance itself, combined with public awareness, signage, and community pressure, will serve as an effective deterrent. Traditional activities such as water skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding continue to be allowed as along as wake-enhancing equipment is not used. The ordinance also includes a limited exemption for the Kwahamot Water Ski Club. First-time violations carry a $500 fine, increasing to $1,000 for a subsequent offense within a single year. The Council ultimately passed the measure in a 6–2 roll-call vote. (Aye: Kahle, Garske, Haskin, Soward, Nelson, Wegener; Nay: Mike Loka, Mickey Loka; Absent: Bartz) Because the waters are shared with the Town of Bradley, they're expected to take up a similar ordinance later this month.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News Beer and Bacon will be back on the menu in Tomahawk next month. At their meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk City Council approved the special event application for the second annual Beer and Bacon Bash. The celebration is hosted at SARA Park by WaWui, the volunteer-led group that supports and operates the facility. The October 3 event is described as a celebration of local flavor, fun, and philanthropy, raising money for the non-profit. As the name implies, beer and bacon will be featured throughout the menu, while they'll also have entertainment including a new-this-year kickball tournament. We'll offer a preview in the lead up to the event. The Council also approved the application for the annual Tomahawk High School Homecoming parade. That will be held on October 2 with no proposed changes from past years.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News A local Northwoods tavern set out to honor area veterans, and thanks to community support, they blew their original fundraising goal out of the water. JEB's Bar and Grill recently hosted its "American Beers for American Heroes" event with an initial goal of raising between $2,500 and $5,000, typically enough to send five to ten local veterans to Washington, D.C., through the Never Forgotten Honor Flight program. Instead, generous patrons and neighbors helped the establishment double their expectations, raising a total of $10,000 to cover the cost for 20 local veterans to visit the national monuments built in their honor. Jim Campbell with the Never Forgotten Honor Flight stopped by for a check presentation. An inside wall now includes the silhouettes of 20 saluting service members to recognize the accomplishment. Organizers thanked the community for their support and say they are already looking forward to raising even more next year. The Northwoods Honor Flight chapter typically runs four trips to the nation's capital each year, with two more missions scheduled on the calendar for this fall.

Published on 09/02/2026 under News While we've been talking back to school this week, it's back to work for a Northwoods road construction project that paused over the summer. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced that crews will return to Minocqua next week to resume work on Highway 51 between Front Street and the Lake Minocqua Bridge. Work on the project originally started this spring before pausing in early June for the busy summer season. Crews are scheduled to resume operations following Labor Day weekend. Drivers can expect one more temporary weekend pause. Construction materials and traffic controls will be removed for the annual Beef-A-Rama celebration the weekend of Sept. 26. Outside of the Beef-A-Rama break, single-lane closures will be in effect through downtown Minocqua during active construction. The project is scheduled for completion on Oct. 20, 2026.

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