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Hatchet Boys Cross Country Team Wins GNC Title Published on 10/21/2019 under Sports

On Saturday the Hatchets traveled to Gartzke XC Ski Trails near Antigo for the Great Northern Conference Cross-Country Championships. For the first time in over a decade (since 2008), the Hatchet varsity boys sits atop the Great Northern Conference by capturing the title as they edged a solid improving Lakeland team by a 51-54, 3-point margin. The varsity girl's race found three state-ranked teams in a tight battle, separated by only 7 points when the dust settled, defending state champion Medford-40 pts, followed by Lakeland-45 pts and the lady Hatchets with 47 pts placed a close 3rd. The Boys JV squad won the boys GNC title and the Girls JV finished 3rd.

Earning All-Conference medalist honors for the Hatchets were: Haley Voermans-Dean, Noah Buckwalter, Drew Bolder, Kate Reilly, Emily Lacina, Garron Albrent, and Macey Mann. Haley earned All-Conference 1st Team status for the 4th straight year, as she placed 3rd overall. Noah Buckwalter also earned AllConference 1st Team status with his 3rd place finish in the varsity boys race. Drew Bolder and Kate Reilly both placed 7th completing the Hatchet first team All-Conference honorees. Emily Lacina (8th), Garron Albrent (12th), and Macey Mann (14th) earned 2nd Team All-Conference status by virtue of their placement at the GNC event.

Other Hatchet varsity finishers were: Trey Baalke (15th), Meagan Berg and Arden Ziert (16th), Alex Norman (17th), Keaton Jed (21st), Greta Tjugum (28th), and Serena Reinke (34th).

Varsity results: BV-THS-51, Lake-54, Med-73, Mos-78, Rhine-95, NPHS-179, Ant-Inc GV-Med-40, Lake-45, THS-47, Mos-92, Rhine-129, NPHS-190, Ant-Inc

Junior Ethan Liebnitz topped the field in the final GNC event of the day as he won the Boys JV title, leading the field from start to finish. Helping propel the Boys JV to their 2nd straight JV title were: Hunter Borchardt-4th, Jack Lacina-7th, Reed Zedler-8th, Brady Tjugum-11th, Matt Johnson-15th, Taje Casey-20th, Trey Miler-32nd, John Mark Hawley-34th, and Henry Calhoun-35th.

The 4th place girls JV squad was led by Tiana Gerstenberger as she finished 11th overall. Other Tomahawk girls JV placers were: Neenah Fuste-14th, Gillian Buckwalter-16th, Ava Dragosh-20th, Geena Wanta-21st, Autumn Peissig-24th, and Yumo Zhang-33rd.

JV results: BJV-THS-31, Lake-34, Rhine-56, NPHS-Inc, Med-Inc GJV-Med-49, Lake-49, Mos-51, THS-82, Rhine-106

Next race for the Hatchets is on Saturday as Tomahawk hosts the WIAA Division 2 Northeastern Wisconsin Sectional race. The meet gets underway at 11:00 a.m. with the girls varsity race. The top 2 teams and the top five non-qualifying team members advance to the state meet the following weekend in Wisconsin Rapids.

In Other News

Back to School Day for All Tomahawk Students

Published on 09/01/2026 under News For students in the Tomahawk School District, it's back to school day: part two. Today marks the first traditional full day of class for all students in Tomahawk. That's because of a one-day, orientation-style program that took place yesterday known as WEB and Link Crew. On Monday, Tomahawk 6th and 9th grade students participated in special activities to get the students acclimated to their new space in the middle and high schools respectively. While freshmen and 6th graders were getting settled, upperclassmen enjoyed one final day of summer vacation before returning to campus today. The district's youngest learners at the elementary school also had their first day today, as they were unaffected by the orientation programs.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News Ice Age Trail volunteers returned to the Northwoods last month for another trail-building effort. During a four-day project in early August, the crew added nearly a mile of new footpath along the Underdown Segment in Lincoln County. The new 0.9-mile section replaces a road segment. Along with clearing the path, volunteers built two stone steps, three wooden boardwalks, and a designated rustic campsite; the first along this 30-mile stretch of trail. According to the Ice Age Trail Alliance, the campsite is located atop a high ridge, offering overnight backpackers scenic views of the surrounding glacial landscape. Favorable weather allowed crews to finish early and assist the local Northwoods Chapter with grooming existing sections of the nearby trail. Organizers noted that the event also served as a training session for 14 new volunteers, who worked alongside experienced trail builders to learn proper techniques. The Ice Age Trail Alliance has kept busy in the Northwoods this summer, following two trail-building weekends in Langlade County. The group will head to Taylor County this fall for its another volunteer trail effort.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News When a cardiac emergency strikes, the first person on the scene is rarely a paramedic, but rather a neighbor, coworker, or family member. To ensure residents can act fast during those critical opening minutes, the Little Rice Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a free Community CPR Class on Saturday, September 12. American Heart Association-certified instructors will provide hands-on instruction in CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) usage. Fire Chief Larry Mathein says, "We want people in our community to feel confident that they can step forward and help." Mathein added, "CPR is a skill we hope someone never has to use, but when it is needed, knowing what to do can make an enormous difference." The training runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Lynne Town Hall. The class is free, but organizers request advance registration to ensure adequate space. Call or Text "CPR" to 715-966-0250

Published on 09/01/2026 under News One person died following a boating incident in Vilas County over the weekend. According to the Vilas County Sheriff's Office, a resident on Sumach Lake in Arbor Vitae called 911 around 2:30 p.m. Sunday after spotting a capsized boat and two men in the water. One of the men swam to shore for help. A good Samaritan assisted in pulling the second man from the water, and they immediately began CPR until first responders arrived. The 75-year-old victim was initially conscious and speaking, but he suffered a medical emergency and became unresponsive. He was transported to Aspirus Howard Young Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld pending family notification. The Wisconsin DNR is investigating the incident.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News Officials are offering their annual warning to parents about sharing too much back-to-school information on social media. Over the next week or so, social media feeds will be filled with kids holding 'first day of school' signs or chalkboards. The photos provide a memorable look at a child throughout their school years. While it can be a fun way to celebrate and share these milestones with friends and families online, it can also provide private information to scammers and other unsavory characters. Officials say you should limit the amount of personal information shared on social media, especially when it comes to kids. That means leaving off information about their school, teacher, and address. That information can be used to gain a child's trust, is frequently used for online security questions, and can be manipulated using AI. Another tip they offered if you do want to share with friends and family...turn on the privacy settings to limit who can see posts.

Published on 09/01/2026 under News With the calendar flipped to September, the fall hunting season is officially underway, starting with the early goose season that opened at daybreak. According to the DNR, this two-week early season offers an increased daily bag limit of five Canada geese compared to the traditional season. The early hunt targets Wisconsin's resident goose population before the broader fall migration crosses the state. Based on spring surveys, the current population estimate for Wisconsin-breeding Canada geese sits at 114,000 birds. That figure is slightly lower than last year and the five-year average, but still well above the long-term baseline. The regular goose season will follow immediately after the early season ends, opening on September 16. State wildlife officials remind all hunters to keep safety a top priority whenever heading into the field this fall.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News It's day one of the new school year in Tomahawk...at least for a select group of students. The district is once again using a staggered start schedule, a program designed to ease the transition to a new school building. While most kids in Tomahawk are enjoying one final day of summer break, sixth and ninth graders—along with students new to the district—are filling the halls today. Since 2018, Tomahawk has relied on two nationwide peer-mentoring initiatives: the W.E.B. program in the middle school and Link Crew at the high school. Created by the Boomerang Project and used in over 4,500 schools nationwide, these programs give incoming students exclusive access to campus today. They spend the day learning their class schedules, practicing locker combinations, participating in group activities, and building connections with older student mentors that last all year long. The rest of the student body returns tomorrow for a more traditional first day of school and to kick off the full school year. And for those students already keeping track...summer break is just 274 days away.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News A plea deal has been reached for a man involved in a high-speed pursuit and highway shooting that spanned Marathon and Lincoln counties in October 2023. Court records show 44-year-old Bennie Green pleaded guilty to seven charges earlier this month. This includes five felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety with a dangerous weapon, along with OWI causing injury and possession a firearm as a felon. The charges stem from an incident in October 2023 where Green fired at a vehicle on Highway 51 near Brokaw, injuring two people in that vehicle. Lincoln County deputies later spotted Green's vehicle, sparking a pursuit back into Marathon County that ended when a deputy disabled Green's car near Wausau. As part of the plea agreement, six additional charges were dismissed but will be considered at sentencing on November 30.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News Most Northwoods students head back to school this week, prompting local law enforcement to remind drivers to slow down, watch for buses and pedestrians, and obey traffic laws. The Wisconsin State Patrol and the Department of Transportation recently highlighted the critical need for school bus safety. According to the DOT, Wisconsin recorded 655 crashes involving school buses last year, resulting in 70 injuries. State courts also logged more than 1,300 convictions for failure to stop for a school bus. DOT Secretary Kristina Boardman says, "This is an exciting time for families across Wisconsin as another school year approaches, and students are counting on all of us to help keep them safe as they go to and from school." As a reminder, when you see flashing amber lights, slow down and proceed with caution as the bus prepares to stop. Once the buses' red warning lights are activated, stop at least 20 feet away and remain until the lights are switched off. Officials offer several key safety tips for motorists: Slow down in school zones and residential areas and where children are present. Yield right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks and intersections. Avoid distractions, put away mobile devices and keep your full attention on the road.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News Drivers heading through Lincoln County will need to plan for extra travel time starting today as work begins on a major Highway 17 resurfacing project. Highway 17 remains closed to through traffic between Highway 64 and Big Hay Meadow Creek. The project will unfold in two separate phases. They'll work into early November before pausing for the winter. The project will resume next spring, tentatively scheduled from April to July. This is a project that was moved up on the construction calendar due to road conditions. Crews will replace the existing asphalt surface and concrete curb and gutter, install new centerline rumble strips, and apply a protective thermoplastic coating at designated snowmobile crossings to prevent track wear on the fresh pavement. The posted detour uses Highways 64, 51, and 8. Local access to homes and businesses along the construction corridor will be maintained.

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