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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

Officials Encourage Motorcycle Safety Ahead of Tomahawk Fall Ride

Published on 09/15/2026 under News With an influx of visitors arriving in the Northwoods for the Tomahawk Fall Ride, local officials are asking all motorists—whether traveling on two wheels or four—to safely share the road. While the event brings a festive atmosphere, the weekend typically sees a handful of motorcycle crashes. Local law enforcement agencies hope drivers and riders alike will do their part to prevent accidents. Officials emphasize that motorcycles have a smaller profile than passenger vehicles, making it easy to misjudge their speed and distance. Drivers are urged to look twice at intersections, double-check blind spots before changing lanes, and stay alert for increased pedestrian traffic around event venues. Motorists should also watch for temporary speed limit reductions, added stop signs, and street closures put in place to accommodate the crowds. Above all, public safety officials offer a familiar reminder: slow down, put away distractions, and never drive impaired. Speaking of law enforcement, the Tomahawk Police Department continues their Fall Ride tradition of bringing in additional officers via mutual aid requests. We'll have a bit more on that program later this week.

Published on 09/15/2026 under News Local history is having a major moment in the Northwoods this season. Author and historian Thomas E. Burg recently released his latest work, The Milwaukee Road's Gleason Line, offering readers a deep dive into regional logging and rail transportation. A frequent guest on Morning Conversation to discuss his fictional sheriff series, Burg now returns to his lifelong passion for railway history. The 52-page book documents Gleason's critical role as a regional rail hub between 1900 and World War II. During this era, the branch line transported timber directly to the bustling sawmills of Merrill and Wausau, spurring new settlements along the tracks. Packed with detailed maps, historical narratives, and rare, high-quality photographs, the release preserves a vital chapter of local heritage. Regional historians have already praised the work for safeguarding area logging and railroad lore. Released in late August, The Milwaukee Road's Gleason Line is available at the Merrill Historical Society, Janke Book Store in Wausau, and other local outlets. Though unrelated, the book's arrival pairs nicely with last weekend's premiere of the local historical documentary Tomahawk: City in the Pines.

Published on 09/15/2026 under News Wisconsin Public Service employees are turning on-the-job safety into direct support for local heroes, awarding a five-thousand-dollar grant to a well-known regional veterans organization. The contribution to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight comes through the WPS Safety Charity Challenge. Under the company-wide initiative, WPS employees who meet quarterly safety benchmarks select area non-profits to receive grants funded by the WPS Foundation. Since launching in 2010, the Never Forgotten Honor Flight has flown nearly 5,400 Northwoods veterans to Washington, D.C., to tour the memorials built in their honor. Coincidentally, the latest donation comes right as the organization prepares to board its 57th mission this Monday.

Published on 09/15/2026 under News Crews worked carefully Monday morning to recover a small airplane that crash-landed on Lake Wausau while carrying Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany. The aircraft went down Saturday evening after losing power as Tiffany and the pilot were returning from an event in La Crosse. Both men were able to exit the plane safely and were treated for minor injuries. With rain and thunderstorms in the forecast for Monday afternoon, removal teams worked together through the morning to float the plane to a public access area, where it was loaded onto a flatbed trailer. Navigating city streets posed another challenge as crews hauled the aircraft to the Wausau Downtown Airport. The plane will likely remain in a hangar there while the Federal Aviation Administration investigates the cause of the power loss. A preliminary report could be released within a month, though a full investigation may take up to a year.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News It's Fall Ride week in the Tomahawk area, and preparations are well underway. This marks the 45th year of the Tomahawk Fall Ride. Before the bikes roll into town, local businesses are gearing up for what is typically one of their busiest and most important weeks of the year. A quick drive through the community will find tents popping up outside numerous businesses to accommodate beer gardens, outdoor entertainment, and traveling vendors. That same transition is underway in the Nokomis area where fields are also being converted into temporary, large-scale campgrounds with early-bird campers already moving in over the past week. Fall Ride week typically begins slowly and builds towards the weekend as tens of thousands of motorcycles descend upon the Northwoods. Some of the highlights include the Chamber Brat Fry and Bon Fire at SARA Park on Thursday; Tomahawk Main Street will play host to the Friday Thunder Parade and Street Dance; and a weekend's worth of entertainment at SARA Park. As always stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the week for all of your Fall Ride news, updates, and reports.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News U.S. Representative and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany is recovering after a plane crash over the weekend in Marathon County. Around 8:50 Saturday night, while returning from La Crosse, the four-seat plane lost power as it approached the Wausau Downtown Airport, forcing the pilot to make an emergency water landing on Lake Wausau. As the aircraft began to submerge, Tiffany and the pilot called 911, exited the plane, and reached a shallow area where they awaited first responders. Both men were treated and released from Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Tiffany required stitches above his right eye, but was otherwise unharmed. In a statement, the congressman praised the quick response of local emergency crews and expressed gratitude to the pilot, Len Boltz. He held a short press conference with first responders Sunday. His Democratic opponent in the governor's race, David Crowley, released a statement wishing Tiffany a quick recovery. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News While many used the anniversary of the September 11th attacks as a moment of quiet reflection, a dedicated group of local volunteers used it as an opportunity to give back. Volunteers spent Saturday morning at the Northwoods National Cemetery in Harshaw wiping down headstones, clearing off gravesites, and helping with general groundskeeping. The cleanup effort was part of a nationwide initiative led by Carry the Load, an organization focused on honoring the sacrifices of military members, veterans, and first responders. The group organizes volunteer service events across the country to inspire community action, on civic holidays throughout the year including: Memorial Day, Patriot Day, and Veterans Day. Saturday's work in Harshaw was part of a broader effort, with simultaneous Carry the Load events held at more than 140 cemeteries nationwide.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News A summer-long art scavenger hunt in downtown Antigo has wrapped up, and organizers are calling it a huge success. Coordinated by Antigo Visual Arts, the project brought together 32 local artists and 36 downtown businesses. Artists contributed paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures. Each piece was displayed inside or outside a participating business, turning the downtown district into an interactive, walk-through gallery. Antigo Visual Arts President Danna Gabriel says the event gave local artists a stage to share their creativity, while encouraging residents and visitors to explore downtown and support local shops. Participating business owners noted that the hunt was especially popular with families, with parents, kids, and grandparents teaming up to complete their lists and vote on their favorite pieces. Following the strong turnout and positive feedback, Antigo Visual Arts plans to make the scavenger hunt an annual tradition, with hopes to expand the event even further in 2027. Photo: Winning art piece created by Vicki Eldridge

Published on 09/14/2026 under News With archery and crossbow season now underway, the Wisconsin DNR is reminding hunters to make sure they properly identify their target before taking the shot. While white-tailed deer are far more common across the state, Wisconsin's elk population continues to grow. Though the state's two main elk herds are located in the Clam Lake and Black River Falls areas, young bulls often wander outside those zones during the fall mating season. The DNR points to three key differences to help hunters tell them apart: size, coloring, and antlers. An adult elk stands one to two feet taller than a whitetail. Elk are also darker brown with black legs and a dark mane, while deer are lighter tan with a white tail. Additionally, a bull elk's antlers sweep backward, while a buck's curve forward. Accessories are another clear sign; most elk in Wisconsin wear an ear tag or a bright GPS collar. Accidentally shooting an elk without a tag can result in heavy fines and the revocation of hunting privileges. Wisconsin's archery season runs through early January.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News Facility renovations will force the Lincoln County Veterans Service Office to temporarily relocate. Starting today, and during the renovation period, public operations will move down the road to the Lincoln County Human Services Building. Directional signage will be posted at both buildings to guide visitors.Just check in at the front desk, and a staffer will get you. Office hours will stay the same. Veterans Service Officer Matthew Pultz says that these updates are designed to enhance facilities for local veterans and their families. Officials appreciate the community's patience and encourage veterans to plan their service needs around the transition.

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