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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

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign Runs Through Labor Day

Published on 08/20/2026 under News An annual campaign targeting impaired driving is underway in Wisconsin. Local law enforcement agencies are joining state partners for the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" initiative. The two-and-a-half-week campaign highlights drunk driving and drug-related impairment. According to Wisconsin Department of Transportation statistics, there were just over 7,000 alcohol- or drug-related crashes in the state last year, along with more than 20,000 OWI convictions. State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan says "Strong partnerships are critical to prevent impaired driving crashes. This includes our law enforcement partners, but more importantly, it means working with motorists and communities to make sure impaired drivers never get behind the wheel." Officials emphasize that impaired driving threatens not only the person behind the wheel, but also their passengers and everyone else sharing the road. To combat the issue, the increased enforcement push is paired with a public education campaign across traditional media, social media, and even digital highway messaging signs. Drive Sober will continue through Labor Day weekend.

Published on 08/20/2026 under News The Lincoln County Board has fast-tracked repairs on the County Highway M bridge west of Merrill, bypassing the standard competitive bidding process in an effort to complete the project before winter. Following a brief presentation from Highway Commissioner Jason Lemmer, supervisors approved an emergency measure to address severe structural damage discovered during a July inspection. A 10-ton weight limit has since been posted, and officials warned that further deterioration could force a complete bridge closure if left unrepaired. The emergency status allows Lemmer to solicit direct bids from three contractors rather than running a lengthy public bidding process. This streamlined approach ensures the county can meet a strict Sept. 15 deadline for stream bed work in the Copper River. The $325,000 repair focuses on replacing the bridge's damaged steel piles. Funding includes $58,000 from the Highway Department for design costs, with the remaining $267,000 drawn from the county's general fund. Lemmer noted that the rest of the structure remains in good condition and estimated these repairs will last approximately 50 years. Further updates on traffic impacts will be provided as the official project timeline is finalized.

Published on 08/20/2026 under News As we enter the dog days of summer, we've been getting some reports of some area lakes showing signs of blue-green algae blooms. Health officials are reminding the public to avoid affected waters. Blue-green algae is naturally occurring in Wisconsin waterways. Problems may arise when the algae goes into bloom. Factors leading to a bloom include stagnant waters, fertilizer run-off, warm temperatures, and sunlight. Despite the name, blue-green algae can appear in a variety of colors including reds, browns and whites. Its appearance is often described as looking like pea soup or spilled paint on the water surface. There are a variety of symptoms from exposure or ingestion including skin irritation, nausea and illness. In addition to humans, pets can also be affected. The Health Department recommends showering or rinsing off if you have been in affected waters. And with fall fishing, avoid eating the catch if a bloom is present at your favorite fishing spot. While some popular swimming areas like beaches may be monitored, it is typically up to swimmers to be on the lookout for algae. Officials often say, "When in doubt, stay out!"

Published on 08/20/2026 under News Beyond high-profile races atop the ballot, voters in Minocqua will decide on a school funding request this November. At a meeting earlier this week, the Minocqua J1 School District finalized a recurring operational referendum question for the upcoming election. The district includes Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lakeland (MHLT), along with Creative Minds Charter School and Lakeland STAR Charter School. If approved, the measure would allow the district to exceed state revenue limits by $3.5 million annually. District officials estimate the initial property tax impact will be approximately 66 cents per $1,000 of equalized property value, though they project the mill rate could decrease over time due to rising property values and declining enrollment. To help community members review the proposal before casting their ballots, the district is launching an informational website and planning several public presentations. According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction-Referenda Reporting Portal, more than 40 school districts across the state are seeking voter approval for referendum funding this fall.

Published on 08/20/2026 under News A group of roving volunteers recently rolled into the Northwoods to lend a hand at a local bird rescue and rehabilitation facility. The RV Volunteer Friends (RVVF) are a crew of Good Samaritans who spend their retirement traveling the country in motorhomes, donating their time and skills to maintenance projects at non-profits, state parks, and historic sites. Last month, the travelers made a stop at the Raptor Education Group, Inc. (REGI) in Antigo. During their two-week stay, the volunteers completed a wide range of property upgrades, including general maintenance, hanging new doors, adding roof snow guards to bird enclosures, and repairing fencing. REGI staff noted that the volunteers' infectious energy left a lasting mark on the team, while their stay provided a welcome boost to the local Antigo economy. Just as quickly as they arrived, the volunteers packed up and hit the road for their next project—leaving behind a re-energized team and a safer home for recovering wildlife.

Published on 08/20/2026 under News For the second time in a month, a local restaurant is warning customers about unauthorized promotional mailers circulating in the community. The latest alert comes from Castaways in Tomahawk. The mailers advertise an upcoming seminar hosted by MASA Medical Air Services, offering attendees a free meal at the restaurant. However, Castaways clarified that the promotion was not created, approved, or authorized by their management. They emphasized that any legitimate promotions will come directly from Castaways or be announced on their official Facebook page. A similar warning was issued in July by The Loop Hole after similar unapproved flyers were sent out to local residents.

Published on 08/20/2026 under News With the new school year just around the corner, parents scrambling to check student-athlete physicals off their back-to-school to-do lists can tackle two needs with a single appointment. According to Dr. Sarah Dennison, a pediatrician with Aspirus Health, scheduling a comprehensive annual well-child visit satisfies sports participation requirements while offering a far broader look at a child's overall development. Unlike a standard sports physical, which focuses strictly on athletic eligibility, an annual checkup evaluates a child's physical growth, mental health, and medical history. Dr. Dennison notes that these visits allow providers to review past injuries like concussions, address changes in health history, and discuss year-round habits such as proper hydration and nutrition. Getting a full checkup helps catch underlying concerns early so they don't impact a student's health, academic performance, or athletic season down the road. Parents heading to their child's appointment should bring along any required school or athletic participation forms so providers can complete the necessary paperwork well before practices and competitions begin.

Published on 08/19/2026 under Sports A Hatchet athlete will continue her softball career in the Fox Cities after she graduates. Tomahawk Senior Averi Petta announced her commitment yesterday to play softball at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. In her three years in Tomahawk, Petta pitched and played in the infield. In a statement, Petta extended a thank you to her parents for their unconditional support. She also thanked Coaches John Larson and Ron Volz for helping her grow from her first day of practice as a freshman. As for her athletic career, Petta will wrap up her high school career as a hitter on the Hatcher Volleyball squad in the fall while also playing for Tomahawk's softball squad in the spring.

Published on 08/19/2026 under News The Lincoln County Board took another step towards potentially replace the county's aging highway facilities in Tomahawk and Merrill. At their meeting Tuesday, the board approved a twice-amended resolution supporting the development of plans for new Highway Department buildings at the existing Tomahawk and Merrill sites. This was based on recommendations by the County's Highway Committee as well as an Ad Hoc Facility Committee. Other options included identifying new sites or consolidating operations into a single central location. They concluded that rebuilding on current sites was the most cost-effective approach: saving on land purchases, preserving existing infrastructure like fueling and salt storage, and service in both the northern and southern halves of the county. The original resolution was amended to allocate up to $175,000 from the Highway Department budget to cover site surveys, architectural plans, and initial cost estimates. A second amendment removed language referencing a potential move of the Forestry Department. Responsibility for oversight now shifts to the Public Property Committee. The full County Board will review all completed site plans and financial estimates before any construction receives final approval. If the project progresses to the building stage, construction on the Tomahawk and Merrill facilities will likely be scheduled sequentially for logistical purposes.

Published on 08/19/2026 under News It's back-to-school season...not just for students, but for educators as well. On Monday, the School District of Rhinelander held a special orientation day for about two dozen new staff members, which included a guided introduction to the local community. The event was co-organized by the school district, Rhinelander Partners in Education, and the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce. Following morning sessions on campus, the group boarded a bus for a "Welcome to Rhinelander Tour" to explore notable spots around town. The itinerary featured a stop at the Chamber of Commerce, where new staff received welcome bags and gathered for a group photo in front of the iconic Hodag statue. The day concluded at CAVOC, the district's outdoor classroom, for a final session where local leaders shared information about area businesses, organizations, and potential partnerships designed to connect community and classroom. -Photo provided by School District of Rhinelander

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