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Hatchet Cross Country Teams Compete in Shawano Invite Published on 09/16/2019 under Sports

After unsafe course conditions canceled their meet at Fall Creek, a quick revision enabled the Hatchet Cross-Country team to travel to Shawano on Saturday for a 27-team invitational against several StateRanked teams. The girls and boys varsity both placed in the runner-up spot in D2, while the JV squads both placed 3rd overall out of all D1-2-3 teams. Overall the varsity girls placed 3rd of 26 teams, while the boys placed 4th of 27 teams.

Drew Bolder was the top Hatchet as he placed 4th in D2 (15th overall in the 177 runner field) with his 17:27 5K effort. He was the lone D2 medalist for the Hatchet boys. Teammate Noah Buckwalter (D214th-17:55), Garron Albrent (D2-18th-18:18), Keaton Jed (D2-22nd-18:31), Trey Baalke (D2-25th-18:39), Arden Ziert (D2-28th-18:45), and Jack Lacina (D2-43rd-19:37) completed the varsity scoring for the runner-up D2 finishers.

Seniors Haley-Voermans-Dean and Meagan Berg led the lady Hatchets with their 4th and 9th place D2 medalists efforts. Haley covered the 5K course in 20:01 and Meagan went 20:56. They were followed closely by sophomores Emily Lacina (D2-12th-21:05), Macey Mann (D2-18th-21:47), Kate Reilly (D2-19th21:51), and Geena Wanta (D2-33rd-23:24). Also, contributing on the varsity level was freshman Neenah Fuste as she placed 43rd in 24:12.

The girls JV squad started the invitational off in the first race of the day by placing 3rd overall out of 18 teams. They were led by freshman Greta Tjugum's personal best 5K effort of 23:19. Greta finished as a 6th place medalist. She also shared space on the medalist podium with teammates Serena Reinke (10th23:28 PR) and Gillian Buckwalter (15th-23:49 SB). Other JV finishers included: Autumn Peissig (25th24:30), Leslie Vance (38th-25:16 PR) and Ava Dragosh (68th-26:30).

The boys JV squad was led by Alex Norman's 9th place medalist PR effort of 18:48. Hunter Borchardt (17th-19:22 SB), Hunter VanRyen (30th-19:58 SB), Reed Zedler (43rd-20:19 PR), Brady Tjugum (53rd-20:42 SB), Jacob Towle (81st-21:14 PR), Taje Casey (119th-22:23 PR), John Mark Hawley (154th -23:39 PR), Trey Miller (193rd) and Henry Calhoun (194th) were the final Hatchet JV finishers.

Boys Varsity (D2) Team Scores: New London (31), Tomahawk (79), Winneconne (97), Shawano (131), Peshtigo (131), Seymour (133), Xavier (137), Oconto Falls (181), Marinette (Inc) and Sturgeon Bay (Inc).

Girls Varsity (D2) Team Scores: Winneconne (43), Tomahawk (59), Xavier (89), Shawano (90), New London (130), Oconto Falls (172), Marinette (173), Peshtigo (197), Sturgeon Bay (209) and Seymour (Inc.)

Next week Saturday the Hatchets make their annual visit to the Tribute Golf Course on the north side of Wausau for the prestigious Smiley Invitational, one of the largest Cross-Country invitationals in the Midwest. The meet gets started with the boys JV race at 8:30 am.

In Other News

Nina, Lincoln County Sheriff K9 Retiring

Published on 04/24/2026 under News After nearly a decade on the job, one of Lincoln County's most recognizable deputies is trading in her badge for belly rubs and boat rides. K-9 Nina, a longtime member of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, is retiring after nine years of service, wrapping up her final shift Thursday. Nina was trained as a dual-purpose tracking and narcotics detection dog, and paired with Deputy Sam Steckbauer. They worked their first shift on June 19, 2017. Over the course of her career, Nina was deployed hundreds of times, assisting in both civil and criminal cases. She helped track lost individuals and played a role in numerous drug-related arrests, becoming a valuable asset to the department. Beyond her work in the field, Nina was also a familiar face at community events, where she quickly became a favorite among residents. In retirement, they said Nina will remain with Detective Steckbauer and his family. They said her retirement will also include plenty of well-earned rest, pontoon rides, barking at the mail carrier, and the occasional treat including a little extra pumpkin mixed in with her kibble.

Published on 04/24/2026 under News While their next production isn't coming until fall, the Tomahawk Community Theater is staying busy. The community theater group was established five years ago as a way for those interested in the fine arts to connect and create. Since that time, they've put on four productions, two children's workshops, and even a talent show, but they're not slowing down. Board Members Jen Turkiewicz and Sherry Hulett have been involved in theater since the first production. Earlier this week, they stopped by the WJJQ studios to talk about an upcoming open house on Sunday that will serve as both a preview of their upcoming calendar as well as an opportunity for more people to get involved. At Sunday's event, they plan to roll out a full year of events and productions including the return of the annual children's theater workshop held each July. Attendees can also meet cast and board members, explore ways to get involved, and learn about opportunities both on stage and behind the scenes from acting and set design to lighting, makeup. They said the open house is designed to be casual and welcoming, whether you're a longtime supporter or just curious about community theater. Those interested in the theater can stop by Sideways in Downtown Tomahawk Sunday from 1pm to 4pm.

Published on 04/24/2026 under News One person is dead, another injured in a two vehicle accident in Langlade County earlier this week. According to the Langlade County Sheriff's office, that crash happened Wednesday night at shortly before 10:30pm. Responders were called to Highway 45 near County X in the Town of Antigo for what appeared to be a head-on collision with serious injuries. The drivers were the lone occupants of their vehicles. One driver, identified as 45 year old Gina Marie Brunner of Wittenberg, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver, a 25 year old Antigo man, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. His name was not immediately released. According to the release, alcohol is suspected was a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

+ Read More Garage Fire in Arbor Vitae

Published on 04/24/2026 under News A garage was destroyed, a nearby home damaged following a fire in Vilas County earlier this week. According to Arbor Vitae Fire/Rescue, crews were dispatched to a property on Coons Lane Tuesday morning. They arrived to find a two-car garage that was completely destroyed with debris still smoldering. A home around 40 feet from the garage sustained heat damage. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish any remaining hotspots. No one was home and no injuries were reported. In the news release, the fire department noted the fire spread closer to the home through a layer of leaves on the ground, serving as a reminder to clear yard debris from the areas surrounding structures. Damage is estimated at approximately $50,000 to the garage, contents, and nearby home. It is believed the fire started in the garage sometime during the night, an exact cause wasn't immediately determined.

Published on 04/24/2026 under News After starting off the week with Earth Day activities and education, today is focused on the trees. The last Friday of April is Arbor Day. The observance was started in Nebraska more than 100 years ago and continues to this date. The DNR continues to take part in their annual mission of providing tree education to young learners. Along with classroom lessons, many students can get their hands dirty by planting a tree themselves. This gives kids a chance to follow the growth of the tree through their schooling. The DNR has once again donated tree seedlings to fourth-grade classrooms around the state for students to plant, more than 50,000 trees in all. Wisconsin is home to around 17 million acres of forest lands that offer numerous benefits through the forest industry, outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and protecting the environment. DNR Applied Forestry bureau director Carmen Hardin says Arbor Day is a good time to reflect the importance of both urban and rural forests. She added, "Everyone has a role in ensuring that both continue to serve a vital role in the ecological, cultural and economic health of our state, our local communities and our individual lives."

Published on 04/24/2026 under News When taking care of spring cleaning, people are encouraged to check their medicine cabinets as well. The first of two scheduled drug-take back events takes place on Saturday across the state of Wisconsin. Ridding your home of unused and unwanted prescriptions not only clears clutter, but also eliminates the chance of misuse while also offering an environmentally safe way to dispose of medications. More and more communities are featuring permanent drop-off locations available year-round, and the semi-annual Drug Take Back day serves as a good reminder to utilize the service. Residents here in Lincoln County have 4 permanent drop-off locations including the Marshfield Clinic-Merrill, Tomahawk Pharmacy, and the Merrill and Tomahawk Police Departments. The Tomahawk Police Department, alone, collected more than 21,000 pills, along with liquid, cream and gel medications, and over 6000 syringes last year. The Wisconsin Department of Health website features an interactive map listing drop-off locations. Wisconsin is annually a nationwide leader in these efforts.

Published on 04/24/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's baseball squad put up double-digit runs for the third time this year, dominating the Antigo Red Robins at TK Field Thursday night, 16-8. The Hatchets scored at least two runs in every inning, including ten in the final three. Cash Olsen finished three for five with a double, a triple, and a home run, along with six RBIs. Olsen also picked up the win on the mound, giving up just one run and striking out eight. Max Larson finished with three RBIs, improving the Hatchet record to 4-3 on the season, and 4-1 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk is back in action Tuesday for another home GNC Battle against Northland Pines. Alex Koch and Keith Hanse will be in the broadcast booth with the Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show at 4:35 and first pitch at 5:00 on Sports Talk 810 AM/97.7 FM WJJQ.

Published on 04/24/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Softball Squad was swept in their Great Northern Conference Doubleheader at Antigo Thursday. Game 1 Saw Tomahawk come back from down 7-1, but came up just short, losing, 8-7. Ellie Micke finished two for three. Kylie Peissig finished with a two-run single. Camryn Kraklow picked up the loss, giving up seven runs in two innings. As for Game Two, the Hatchets surrendered nine runs in the final inning, losing, 17-9. Tomahawk would allow three home runs in Game Two, including a grand slam in the seventh. Aubrey Seubert would hit her first home run of the season, one of two hits she finished with. Anita Ziert would go two for four with three runs scored. The losses drop Tomahawk to 3-5 on the season and in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action for a tournament down in Monroe Saturday. Game One is against Madison East/LaFollette.

Published on 04/24/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's track and field squads competed in the Raider Outdoor Invite at Medford Thursday. The Hatchet girls placed second, only eight points behind first place Medford. Elise Gibeault and Alicia Voermans each placed first in two different events. Gibeault placed first in the 200 and 400 meter dashes. Gibeault's time of 57.93 seconds in the 400 meter dash broke her own school record. Voermans placed first in the 100 meter dash and the Pole Vault. Tomahawk's boys placed seventh overall. Tomahawk's top finish was the 4x200 meter relay team of Jack Reilly, Mason Reibe, Braxton Stromberg, and Henry Nieman, placing third with a time of 1:44.54. Tomahawk's next meet is today in Eagle River at Northland Pines. Events begin at 4:00.

Published on 04/23/2026 under News Preparations are ramping up for an event set to bring local business leaders and community members together. The Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation is hosting its 2026 Economic Summit next Tuesday where they'll focus on the theme "Energizing the Small Business Spirit." Continuing the alternating city format, they'll return to Merrill after last spring's event was in Tomahawk. LCEDC Executive Director Sara Guild says the full-day event will highlight ways to strengthen local businesses and grow the regional economy. It is designed to spark collaboration and support long-term economic success across Lincoln County and the surrounding region. The morning will feature updates from local leaders, economic partners, and experts. In the afternoon, attendees will take part in interactive sessions focused on practical strategies from improving marketing efforts and connecting with support resources. The summit will wrap up with a presentation centered on community-driven growth in small towns, aimed at turning ideas into action. Guild says they already have more than 100 attendees registered. There are still some seats available with options including half-day, full-day, and group opportunities. Visit the LCEDC website for more information.

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