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WIAA Board Approves Sports Changes for 2020-21 Season Published on 06/25/2020 under Sports

As the learning environment has changed due to the Coronavirus, so too has the landscape of high school sports, especially here in Wisconsin. On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control made some changes for the guidelines for student athletes for the upcoming sports seasons. In regards to student eligibility with their grades, a school is allowed the option to defer the determination of academic eligibility until the first grading period of the 2020-21 school year.

They also extended the window by one week for coaches to use their five unrestricted coaching days for this summer only. This allows, for 11-player football teams to have their coaches unrestricted contact with their teams until August 1, as well as all other coaches through the eighth of August.

In terms of winter sports, for boy's and girl's basketball, the W.I.A.A. Board decided to implement a computerized seeding system for the state tournaments, with development expected for the upcoming season, with the latest time frame being for the 2021-22 season. However, with this new implementation, it will require the home team in these games to enter the scores of all of their W.I.A.A. regular-season games into the database. On the hockey side the Board approved keeping just a two-division State Tournament indefinitely. They also approved that for the boy's State Tournament to have the head coaches of the qualifying teams for both divisions to decide team seeding's for this upcoming season. Finally, an agreement was reached to add an eight-minute sudden death overtime period, which would be followed by a five-minute three v. three period. If still there is no winner found after that, the game will end in a tie. In a tournament game, there would be another eight-minute sudden death overtime period instead of ending in a tie.

One of the biggest changes that the board determined to add a girl's division to the wrestling State Tournament. The girl's only tournament is expected to begin in the 2021-22 school year, but girl will be allowed to wrestle boys during the regular season. Also in wrestling news, Trackwrestling.com will be used by the W.I.A.A. to randomly place sectional champions on the State Individual Tournament brackets in all of the divisions, with second and third-place finishers in the sectionals placed on the other side of the bracket.

Finally, due to lost revenue, the Board agreed to increase all regional, Sectional and State Tournament by $1. Also, State Tournament reimbursements for all teams and individuals will decrease starting this season by 50 cents per mile. Moreover, regional and sectional host schools tat share revenue will decrease by 5 percent for this year only. Also, all Coaches Committee Meetings will be done virtually for the 2020-21 seasons.

In Other News

Repairs Coming to Stretch of Somo Avenue in Tomahawk, Temporary Detour

Published on 05/12/2026 under News Somo Avenue in Tomahawk is one of the roughest stretches of road in the city. In the coming days that will change... for a few blocks at least. Last month, the Tomahawk Board of Public Works approved a project with Lincoln County to remove the top layer of asphalt and apply an overlay on Somo Avenue between the 4-way stop and Tomahawk Avenue. A previous overlay began to peel, leaving behind large potholes that are difficult to fill and maintain. Those repairs are scheduled for this week. As a result, that four block stretch will be temporarily closed today through Thursday. Those looking to access businesses along that stretch should utilize either side streets or the adjacent alley. This project is intended as a temporary measure for that four-block segment. The State of Wisconsin has tentatively scheduled a full reconstruction of Somo Avenue, which doubles as State Rd. 86, for the year 2030. While the closure is scheduled through Thursday; the work, as always dependent on weather and construction progress.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News Nearly a year after a life-threatening ATV crash in rural Lincoln County, a Merrill first responder and the man he helped save were reunited during an emotional ceremony. At the first-ever Trauma Survivor's Day ceremony Friday at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, paramedic Dylan Schielke received the hospital's inaugural Golden Hour Award for his actions during a response last summer. Following an ATV crash last July, Brian Brendemuehl suffered critical injuries in that crash near his Pine River home. Schielke, the lead paramedic on the call, was credited with stabilizing the patient before transport to an Aspirus MedEvac helicopter. Aspirus MedEvac flight paramedic Michelle Micke nominated Schielke for the honor, praising his quick thinking, accurate assessment, and professionalism during the emergency response. Micke said she believes Schielke's actions were instrumental in saving Brendemuehl's life and helping preserve his neurological recovery. The award recognizes exemplary emergency medical care during high-acuity, time-sensitive trauma situations. Schielke said he was surprised to learn he won the award. He believed he was simply attending a ceremony to reconnect with Brendemuehl. The Merrill Fire Department thanked Aspirus Wausau Hospital for hosting the ceremony and recognized Schielke for reflecting the department's core values and the work of the Lincoln County–Merrill Ambulance Service.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News A belated Mother's Day gift for a camera friendly peregrine falcon. According to Wisconsin Public Service, the first falcon chick has emerged at the WPS Weston Power Plant nest box near Wausau. Proud parents Sheldon and an unbanded female welcomed the fluffy new addition Monday afternoon. The new chick will soon have siblings. As of yesterday's update, a second egg was starting to hatch with two more remaining. The birds will share themed names, voted on by fans. This year's selections are inspired by local news personalities. According to the announcement, across the four nesting boxes at WPS and WE Energies facilities, there are seven chicks and six eggs as of Monday afternoon. People can continue to watch the young peregrine falcons hatch and grow via the nest box webcams.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News A weekend crash in Lincoln County involving a deer sent two people to the hospital. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, responders were dispatched to an area along Highway 51 near Tomahawk on Saturday for a reported crash with injuries. Deputies determined the vehicle was traveling north on Highway 51 and struck a deer that entered the roadway. Both the driver and passenger reported minor injuries. The patients were transported to Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. This comes at a time when officials have been reminding motorists about increased deer activity which typically occurs in the months of May and June.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News Memorial Day weekend typically means a steady influx of people returning to summer homes or cabins here in the Northwoods. But travel experts are expecting a slight drop in traffic next week. Triple A released their annual Memorial Day travel forecast on Monday. According to their estimates, nearly 835,000 Wisconsinites are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday weekend. That is down slightly from last year and after several consecutive record breaking years. Most of that travel, approximately 750,000 people, will be on the road. Nick Jarmusz, director of public affairs for AAA says, "Memorial Day travel demand remains strong, but higher fuel prices are slowing the pace of growth in some segments." With an average of $4.40 cents per gallon, gas is up more than a dollar from the same point last year. Jarmusz added, "Some Wisconsinites are taking a more measured approach this year by shortening trips, choosing closer destinations, or making other cost-conscious adjustments." Those looking to avoid traffic next week may want to plan early departures. Northbound traffic is typically heaviest Friday evening, while southbound traffic typically peaks Memorial Day Monday in the afternoon.

Published on 05/12/2026 under News A bipartisan agreement between Governor Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders to address Wisconsin's $2.4 billion budget surplus is drawing praise from local lawmakers, including Calvin Callahan. Callahan said the deal will return money to taxpayers through direct refunds and tax relief measures. The agreement includes $300 income tax refunds for individuals and $600 for married couples filing jointly, along with eliminating state income taxes on tips and overtime pay. Callahan said affordability remains the top concern he hears from residents across the 35th Assembly District and called the agreement a "major win" for families struggling with rising costs. The bipartisan package also directs $300 million toward general school aid, another $300 million for special education, and $50 million in technical college property tax relief. State leaders say the school funding measures are expected to reduce local property tax levies statewide. Callahan says, "A lot of time and effort went into this; I am incredibly pleased that families in the 35th will finally receive much-needed economic relief. This agreement is a sign of hope that both parties can come together to do what's right for the people of Wisconsin." The Legislature is expected to vote on the package Wednesday.

Published on 05/11/2026 under Sports Quiet Bats Haunt Hatchet Baseball in Loss to Medford Tomahawk baseball's struggles would continue Monday at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field, losing to Great Northern Conference foe Medford, 8-2. The Hatchets would allow two runs in four of the seven innings on the mound and three of the runs allowed were unearned. The lone two runs from Tomahawk came in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run home run by Sophomore Cash Olsen, his third of the season and second in as many games. After trimming the lead to four, the sixth inning would end on a double play flyout by catcher Colin Black. The loss puts Tomahawk at 5-9 on the season and 4-7 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the diamond Thursday night going for the season sweep of the Merrill Blue Jays. First pitch is at 5:00. A Stroke of Luck Gives Tomahawk Golf 2nd in Medford The Hatchet golfers had their highest Great Northern Conference meet finish at Black River Golf Course in Medford Monday, placing second overall. Tomahawk would finish one stroke ahead of third-place Mosinee and 14 strokes behind first-place Lakeland. The top Hatchet Golfer was Jake Albert, who placed fourth overall with a 78. Oliver Childers rounded out the top ten with an 85. The third-lowest golfer was Jaxon Kaiser with an 88. The Hatchets are back on the course Wednesday at the Northwood Golf Club hosted by Rhinelander. Tee-off is at 11:30 AM.

Published on 05/11/2026 under News Students in the Tomahawk High School Building Trades program spent their spring semester turning classroom lessons into a project designed to benefit local families. The students recently completed construction of a custom toddler playhouse for Nokomis Park. Instructor Andy Peissig said the project gave students hands-on experience in carpentry, design and construction, with students handling every stage of the build from reading blueprints and measuring materials to framing and finishing the structure. Peissig said the project helped students strengthen teamwork, problem-solving and project management skills while also giving them a chance to give back to the community. The students learned the importance of community involvement and how their abilities can make a real difference. He said, "Knowing that younger children will be able to enjoy something they built has given students a strong sense of pride and ownership in their work." Peissig added, "We are proud of the dedication and effort these students demonstrated, and we're excited for the community to enjoy the finished playhouse at Nokomis Park."

Published on 05/11/2026 under News For more than a decade now, the Ties That Bind Us has provided a cancer support network here in the Tomahawk Community. Their latest effort is aimed at expanding access to breast cancer screenings. The Ties That Bind Us recently made a $10,000 donation to Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital to support mammogram screenings for uninsured or underinsured patients, helping reduce financial barriers to early breast cancer detection. Carla Gerstenberger, president of Ties That Bind Us of Tomahawk, said the organization is proud to partner with Aspirus to help improve access to screenings and support better outcomes for local patients. According to the news release, demand for 3D mammography at the Tomahawk hospital screenings has increased significantly this year following the addition of updated imaging technology, including Genius AI-assisted mammography. Courtney Oberg, RT Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital, said mammograms remain one of the most important tools for detecting breast cancer early, and the donation will help more women access that care.

Published on 05/11/2026 under News Over the past decade, the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation has awarded more than a half million dollars in grants to first responders across their service footprint. They're currently accepting applications for the next round of recipients. Each summer, the WPS Foundation presents Rewarding Responder grants to help agencies purchase lifesaving equipment and fund training for first responders across Northern Wisconsin. Over the years local grants have gone to law enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency medical. These agencies have used funding for items such as coldwater rescue gear, thermal imaging, drones, and AED units. In recent years, the Foundation increased the annual funding pool to $75,000. Dating back to 2014, the Foundation has awarded nearly $700,000 to 220 public safety agencies across the Northwoods and the Fox Valley. The application period is currently open, and recipients will be announced this summer.

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