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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

Langlade County Highlighting Mental Health Resources in May

Published on 05/18/2026 under News As Mental Health Month continues in May, the Langlade County Health Department is working to raise awareness about mental health resources and encourage residents to reach out for support when needed. The department has launched a county-wide awareness campaign featuring informational displays, posters and social media outreach throughout Langlade County including the Health Department, Senior Center, the library, and local business partners. Officials are highlighting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a free and confidential service available 24 hours a day. They are also promoting CredibleMind, a free online mental health platform which offers articles, videos and tools on topics like stress, anxiety, depression, sleep, and building healthy habits. Karen Marten, a public health nurse with Langlade County, said mental health deserves the same attention as physical health. She added, "It is okay to ask for help, and no one should feel alone. Small steps, like talking to someone or using helpful tools, can make a big difference." The Langlade County Health Department encourages residents to check in with loved ones, learn more about available services, and make use of local mental health resources.

Published on 05/18/2026 under News With summer riding season getting underway, the DNR is reminding ATV and UTV operators to make safety a priority before heading out on the trails. That includes taking a safety course and going over new riding rules. The ATV/UTV safety courses are required for operators born in or after 1988, but encouraged about all operators. DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator Lt. Jacob Holsclaw said Wisconsin continues to see a high number of ATV and UTV crashes involving riders who have never taken a safety course. The classes focus on crash prevention and provide practical skills designed to help riders operate safely. Holsclaw compared the safety certification to getting a driver's license. In addition to the safety class, the DNR also highlighted some new regulations related to ATV and UTV operation. That includes a seatbelt requirement for all operators and passengers in a UTV. Operators and passengers are all required to wear a seatbelt in a UTV. Intentionally causing damage with an ATV or UTV can cost you more than a fine – up to three times the cost to repair the damage.ATV or UTV operators may not tow objects bearing any person on a trail or route. Towing persons on ice is limited to 10 mph.UTVs now have window tint restrictions.The DNR will soon release a new regulations pamphlet detailing these updates and more.

Published on 05/18/2026 under News Heading into the weekend, the DNR issued a warning about elevated fire risk. Those conditions kept fire firefighters busy. According to the DNR wildfire tracker, crews responded to 40 wildfires around the state this weekend which burned approximately 51 acres of land. Here in the Northwoods there were four wildfires listed in Vilas County, two in Oneida, and one each in Price, Iron, Forest, and Langlade Counties. Debris burning remains the leading cause of wildfires, accounting for around half Overnight rains in the Northwoods should help improve conditions. The DNR reminds people to check burn restrictions, updated daily at 9am.

Published on 05/18/2026 under News Back in 2024, the Tomahawk School District unveiled the Wall of Honor to recognize students who went on to serve in the military. Now they're inspiring other districts to do the same. The Medford School District recently announced plans to create their own Wall of Honor, citing the Tomahawk School District in the announcement. The concept includes emblems of each service branch, above the names of each student who served. Local veterans including Bill Vach, are working with the district's social studies department to bring the concept to life. That includes securing donations to help fund the project as well as identifying the names of Medford graduates who served. Their goal is to dedicate the Honor Wall during the school's Veterans Day ceremony in November.

Published on 05/18/2026 under News While bicycling is typically a solo sport, Wausau hosted a rally this weekend for those who ride bicycles built for two. And an even larger event is on the schedule for next year. This past weekend, the Couples on Wheels-Wisconsin Tandem Bicycle Club hosted its annual Spring Rally in the Wausau area. Nearly 90 tandem riders were able explore routes around Rib Mountain, downtown Wausau, Lake DuBay and the Big Eau Pleine River area. Next Fall, over Labor Day weekend, Wausau has been selected as the location for the 2027 Midwest Tandem Rally. The four-day event is the largest of it's kind in North America; and is expected to bring more than 400 tandem bicyclists to Northern Wisconsin. Visit Wausau was recently awarded a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to support the event. Visit Wausau Executive Director Tim White said the event will help showcase the region as a growing outdoor recreation destination, while also generating overnight stays and tourism spending. Activities will include daily rides, educational sessions, vendor exhibits and social events.

Published on 05/18/2026 under News A quick update on some local road construction here in the Tomahawk area. Starting with the newest project to the list, work on a bridge replacement on Highway 17 in the Town of Merrill. Crews will remove and replace the existing Barnes Creek bridge with a new concrete girder bridge. Highway 17 will be closed at the bridge with traffic detoured onto County G. Work is scheduled through July 24. A bit further north, work continues on Highway 51 between US Highway 8 and the north end of Oneida County L. That segment remains closed and detoured through noon on Thursday. After the Memorial Day holiday, they will resume work, but Highway 51 will be open to traffic. This project is scheduled to run into mid-June. The Lincoln County Highway Department also has a project on County YY. Crews are working on culverts on the north side of Squaw Creek Avenue this week. This requires a closure at the construction site and no through traffic. Following Memorial Day, they'll be pulverizing and paving, this portion of the project will be local traffic only. Elsewhere in the Northwoods... Up in Minocqua, crews are working on Highway 51 between the Minocqua Bridge and Front Street. They will maintain at least one lane of traffic in each direction throughout the work. They'll continue to work through June 18; then resume Sept. 8. And a project in Rhinelander, they are working Highway 8 between Highway 47 and 17 North. During construction, traffic will be detoured through Rhinelander. Work is schedule to run into September.

Published on 05/16/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's field throwers competed at the Thunder Throw in the Woods Invite in Minocqua Saturday morning. For the Hatchet boys, two athletes finished in the top ten in shot put. Michael Samundsen finished with a 42'7.5" throw. Ethan Gibeault had a 38'10" toss. The two seniors joined Elliot O'Connor in the top ten in discus. Samundsen was the top Hatchet with a throw of 114'4". In the female shot put, it was two freshmen that placed in the top ten. Abbigail Doleshal had a throw of 26'8". Lillian Rigby had a throw of 21'4". In the discus, both Doleshal and Rigby placed in the top five. Doleshal had a throw of 94'1". The Great Northern Conference Track & Field Meet is Tuesday at Mike Webster Stadium in Rhinelander.

Published on 05/15/2026 under Sports Hatchet Baseball Comes Alive, Holds Off Crandon The Hatchet baseball squad notched their second consecutive win in as many days, outlasting the Crandon Cardinals, 6-3. Tomahawk scored in every inning but the first, going ahead for good in the third. The Hatchets were able to withstand a Cardinal rally in the fifth to seal the victory. Jonah Dickens picked up the win on the mound, allowing just three runs on four hits while striking out six. Wally Horabik, Colin Black, and Brody Hilgendorf each had an extra-base hit. Dickens went two for four with an RBI while Max Larson went two for three. The win puts Tomahawk at 7-9 on the season and 5-7 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets will take the weekend off and get set for their final road game of the season in Antigo Monday. First pitch is at 5:00. Childers Propels Tomahawk Golf to 2nd in St. Germain The Hatchet golfers bounced back and finished second in their invite at St. Germain Golf Club, hosted by Northland Pined Friday afternoon. Tomahawk finished with a team score of 352, 17 strokes behind first-place Rhinelander. Two Hatchets placed in the top ten overall. Oliver Childers placed fifth with an 82. Jaxon Kaiser placed ninth overall with an 89. The final Great Northern Conference meet of the season will be Monday at Indianhead Golf Course in Mosinee. Tee-off is at 1:00.

Published on 05/15/2026 under News The popularity of food trucks has exploded in recent years with these mobile restaurants now present in most Northwoods communities. Many are heading to Merrill this weekend for the third annual 'Food Truck-a-Palooza.' Organizers said, "The event continues to grow each year and provides a fun opportunity for residents and visitors to experience everything Merrill has to offer." Back in 2024 the city put out a call for food trucks to park at the Merrill Festival Grounds for a day-long smorgasbord. They had around a dozen participants in that first year, doubled in size last year. Now, the third edition, 35 food trucks signed up. Many of the Lincoln County-based trucks will be in attendance, while other chefs will be putting on the miles, coming from the Northwoods, central Wisconsin and even the Fox Valley. Whether you like Mexican, Asian or American classics like burgers and BBQ they'll have something for everyone including drinks and desserts focused-trucks. Between bites, attendees can burn off a few calories by walking through the Merrill Festival Grounds for a craft and vendor show, live entertainment, and other fun activities. The third Annual Food Truck-a-Palooza runs from 11am to 6pm.

Published on 05/15/2026 under News The Tomahawk School Board received an update this week on the district's School Resource Officer (SRO) program, which was first approved in 2018. Now eight years into the initiative, the board heard a presentation from Officer Brett Susa, who served as the district's first SRO and remains the only officer in the role. Susa explained that his mission is to foster a safe learning environment through a three-pronged approach: law enforcement, mentoring, and teaching. In his capacity as an on-campus officer, Susa handles student violations such as truancy and substance use. He shared the positive news that the number of referrals and citations has decreased this year compared to last. Beyond enforcement, Susa's report emphasized the importance of "positive interactions" to build trust with the student body, which he noted is essential for preventing issues before they arise. He highlighted several examples of these efforts, including providing classroom education and participating in a "lunch buddy" program at the elementary school. In addition to his work with students, Susa collaborates with the buildings and grounds crew to assess and address safety concerns across the campus. When school is not in session, he continues his service by working directly with the Tomahawk Police Department.

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