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WIAA Cancels Remaining Boys and Girls HS Basketball Tournaments Published on 03/13/2020 under Sports

STEVENS POINT, Wis. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association determined all remaining games of the State Girls Basketball Tournament, and the boys basketball sectional finals and the State Tournament will be canceled in response to the evolving concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

The WIAA regrets the lost opportunity for teams and players that have worked to achieve their goals and the communities that have supported them throughout the year.

"I want the student-athletes and their coaches to know that your school leaders, the WIAA Executive Staff, all our committees and the Board of Control have done everything imaginable to try to provide and preserve these opportunities for you," Executive Director Dave Anderson said. "However, we want and need to be responsible in helping the global and state efforts to stem the tide and spread of this virus."

Earlier today, the WIAA was informed the Kohl Center would not be available for the State Boys Basketball Tournament scheduled for March 19-21. Many professional, collegiate and high school associations have postponed or canceled scheduled events as a result of the pandemic.

Tickets for the WIAA Girls and Boys State Basketball tournaments will be refunded in full. Please allow staff time to make these refunds and contact the WIAA office only if you do not see a refund to your account within two weeks of the tournament.

Any tickets purchased at school will be refunded by your school and not the Resch Center or the WIAA.

In Other News

Radon Awareness Month; Lincoln County Health Dept. Encourages Home Tests

Published on 01/12/2026 under News January is Radon Awareness Month, and local health departments are encouraging residents check their home levels every few years. Radon is a colorless and odorless gas found naturally in soil and rock. It can enter homes through cracks in the foundation or gaps around pipes. The Lincoln County Health Department says radon is actually the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. It occurs in as many as 1 in 10 Wisconsin homes. There are areas of the state that are more susceptible including a pocket in North Central Wisconsin. Lincoln County environmental health specialist Michael Mandli noted "Winter is the ideal time to test your home for radon." He notes, "Homes are sealed tight during winter, allowing radon to accumulate more easily." This allows for more accurate testing. A basic test can be purchased for around $15 at most home improvement stores. Both the state and local health departments have additional information including further testing and mitigation solutions if the readings come back elevated.

Published on 01/12/2026 under News Students from around North Central Wisconsin competed in chess while also supporting a good cause. Edgar hosted an annual chess tournament dubbed 'Checkmate to Homelessness.' In addition to the games on the chess board, the students raised awareness and support for homelessness in the community. The competitors even collected monetary donations and items of need that will be donated to local shelters. Sara Sternberg, Marathon Chess Coach, said, "The turnout was fantastic, and it's exciting to see middle and high school students connecting and cheering each other on." She added, "Students from different schools are meeting, building camaraderie, and demonstrating great sportsmanship." The tournament was held in collaboration with the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation and featured students from ten schools around Northern Wisconsin and the Fox Valley.

Published on 01/12/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's girls basketball squad's winning streak would stop at five Friday night as they would lose at home to Great Northern Conference foe Lakeland, 55-45. After going into halftime tied at 18, the Hatchets would allow a 16-0 run to begin the second half. Tomahawk also struggled defensively after Freya Alberg fouled out with eight minutes remaining. Lizzy Arnott led the way in scoring for the Hatchets, putting in a career-high 15 points. The loss drops Tomahawk to 7-3 on the season and 3-2 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action Monday night for a non-conference showdown against Northland Lutheran.

Published on 01/12/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's boys basketball squad would start 2026 with a sour defeat at the hands of Lakeland in Minocqua, losing 65-18. The loss drops Tomahawk to 2-8 on the season and 0-4 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the court Tuesday for another Great Northern Conference showdown at home against Mosinee.

Published on 01/12/2026 under News The Lincoln County Veterans Service Office announced the continuation of an outreach program in Tomahawk. While their office is located in Merrill, this service provides a convenient location for veterans in the Northern half of the county to meet with the veteran's service officer to receive assistance with benefits and services such as compensation, education and training, healthcare, and housing assistance. According to LCVSO Matthew Pultz, the decision to continue these visits was made in response to overwhelmingly positive feedback from veterans in the community. He says they recognize the importance of making services easily accessible to all veterans. This outreach program is just one way they are working to achieve that goal. The service is hosted at Tomahawk City Hall every other Thursday. The next opportunity is January 22. While they will accommodate walk-ins if time allows, vets are encouraged to call the Veteran's Service Office to schedule an appointment.

Published on 01/12/2026 under Sports The Hatchet girls' wrestling squad would go 2-2 in their Duals at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Friday night. Tomahawk finished 13th out of 16 teams in the meet. The Hatchets would lose their first two matches of the day to Holmen, 42-21, and Bonduel, 48-24. Tomahawk would bounce back and defeat Kickapoo/La Farge, 54-12. The Hatchets would then end the day with a 42-30 victory over Eau Claire North. Tomahawk's dual record now stands at 4-3 on the season. The Hatchets' next time on the mats is Tuesday in St. Croix Falls.

Published on 01/12/2026 under News MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin teen who killed a prison guard during a fistfight has pleaded guilty to reckless homicide but is claiming he's not responsible for his actions because he was mentally ill. Court records indicate 17-year-old Javarius Hurd entered the plea Friday. He also pleaded guilty to one count of battery by a prisoner. Prosecutors dropped a second battery count in exchange for the pleas. The next step for Hurd is a February jury trial to determine whether he's legally responsible. According to court documents Hurd was an inmate at the state's youth prison when he attacked two counselors in June 2024. One of the counselors fell during the fight and later died.

Published on 01/12/2026 under News Marshfield Clinic has announced some temporary visitation restrictions at their birthing facilities. According to the Friday announcement, this will impact outpatient and inpatient obstetrics, all newborn nurseries across Marshfield Clinic region, and the NICU at Marshfield Children's Hospital. They said, "These measures help protect our most vulnerable patients, infants under 6 months, who face the highest risk-No visitors under age 18 (including siblings) -Labor and Delivery: Up to two support people allowed -Hospitalization: Only two support people (including grandparents) allowedThe Wisconsin Department of Health currently lists both COVID and flu activity high and rising in Northern Wisconsin.

Published on 01/09/2026 under News Over the next two weekends, Eagle River will once again be crowning some of the fastest snowmobiles in the world, both modern machines and vintage classics. While the big draw, the World Championship Derby starts next week, the upcoming weekend has been set aside for some souped up sleds of yesteryear. While originally part of the main Derby weekend, vintage sleds go their own dedicated race weekend in 2002, making this the milestone 25th edition. The popularity of the event has continued to grow. With winter recreation slowed due to mild conditions the last two years, it's also a welcome boost to the local hospitality businesses, drawing in racers, their teams, and racing fans. Track efforts at the Derby Complex are ongoing throughout the year, but those crews have been working overtime in recent days to get the frozen oval ready for racing. Registration and practice sessions got underway Thursday with racing through the weekend in various classes and divisions. The Vintage World Championship race is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Published on 01/09/2026 under News A local couple are doing their part to help with cancer research at the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, while tying in their love of classic cars. Last month, Dan and Linda Neve met with more than 100 researchers, physicians and scientists at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute to present a $175,750 check to fund cancer research. That's just the tip of the ice berg. Over the years, they've raised more around $1.5 million for cancer research. Their story actually started in 2010 when Linda was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Dan decided to use passion for cars to fight back, and he launched Cruise for a Cause. Traveling the country in his Mustang Shelby GT 500, they attend car shows, auto races and other events. Chief Research Officer Dr. Jennifer Meece says, "The fight against cancer is taking place in our backyard and Marshfield Clinic Research Institute is a key component." She added,"The latest treatment options for cancer, research studies and clinical trials are being worked on by our physicians and scientists in Marshfield, Weston, Minocqua, Eau Claire, and other communities." In addressing the staff before making this year's donation. Dan said, "It's all of the researchers and scientists who make me and everyone else believe and have hope. Keep doing what you do and one day we'll all be able to say, 'we won'."

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