WJJQ Radio

Story Details

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

Lincoln County Fair Kicks Off Wednesday

Published on 08/05/2026 under News A staple of the Northwoods for nearly a century and a half, the Lincoln County Fair gets underway in Merrill today. Following its 140th-anniversary milestone last year, "Kickin' It Up" is the theme and they'll be celebrating America's 250th birthday alongside traditional fairground fun. Organizers say longtime favorites will return alongside several new additions, headlined by a fresh carnival setup from Mr. Ed's Magical Midway. The upgraded midway brings a lineup of new rides, including a towering Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the fairgrounds. Of course, classic fair staples remain front and center. Visitors can explore livestock and exhibit barns, play carnival games, indulge in iconic fair food, and support local organizations hosting their biggest fundraisers of the year. Live entertainment will fill the grounds throughout the week, highlighted by The Glam Band performing on the Crossbridge Community Bank Stage on Saturday. While the grounds are already open, The Lincoln County Fair officially kicks of at 5pm Wednesday and then runs daily through Sunday at the Merrill Fairgrounds. Admission is free, with on-site parking available for $5.

Published on 08/05/2026 under News Antique boat and motor enthusiasts are making their way to Tomahawk this week with the 46th Annual Antique Outboard Show. The event draws collectors and hobbyists from across the Midwest and beyond to showcase vintage and classic outboard motors and boats. Visitors can browse displays, a swap meet, watch competitions, and hear stories from enthusiasts who share a passion for preserving boating history. The Tomahawk show has long promoted itself with the slogan, "If you can't find it at Tomahawk, they probably never made it." Competitors will take part in various judging divisions, along with on-water events throughout the week. Beyond the boating, new this year, outdoor cooking personalities Mad Dog & Merrill of Midwest Grill'n will make a special appearance for a filmed cooking demonstration. That's coming up at 11:00 Wednesday morning. After collectors spent the first part of the week setting up and settling in, organizers say Wednesday and Thursday are the best days for spectators to stop by SARA Park, float through the displays, and take a trip down memory lane. Admission is free.

Published on 08/05/2026 under News One person is dead following a crash between a bicycle and a semi-truck in Langlade County on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Antigo Police Department, officers were dispatched shortly before 2:00 p.m. to the intersection of Superior Street and 10th Avenue for a reported collision. Bystanders rendered aid until first responders arrived. Unfortunately, the bicyclist—a 45-year-old Antigo man—was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld pending family notification. No other injuries were reported. The crash remains under investigation, with the Wisconsin State Patrol assisting in crash reconstruction.

Published on 08/05/2026 under News Smokey Bear is celebrating another birthday, and the Tomahawk Public Library helped mark the occasion with one of its annual summer traditions. As part of the library's weekly Stories by the River program, Smokey Bear made a special appearance Tuesday to meet with children, share wildfire prevention tips and celebrate his 82nd birthday month. While rain forced the event indoors, families still gathered to hear stories and learn about fire safety alongside Smokey and local firefighting partners. Smokey Bear first appeared on August 9, 1944, and has spent more than eight decades reminding Americans about the importance of preventing wildfires. His famous message has evolved from "Only YOU can prevent Forest Fires" to "Only YOU can prevent Wildfires." The Tomahawk Public Library is continuing the celebration throughout August with a Smokey and Friends-themed Bingo Reading and Activity Challenge, giving young readers another chance to learn about conservation and fire safety while enjoying books and activities.

Published on 08/05/2026 under News A planned road construction project in Lincoln County has been moved up on the calendar and will begin later this month. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced upcoming work on Highway 17 between WIS 64 and Big Hay Meadow Creek in the Town of Merrill. Crews will remove and replace the existing pavement while also modifying the geometry of the County G and County C intersections. According to the announcement, the project was originally scheduled for next year but was bumped up due to deteriorating road conditions. During construction, WIS 17 will be closed to traffic, with a detour posted. An updated project timeline was not immediately available.

Published on 08/05/2026 under News Travelers in North Central Wisconsin will have to wait a little longer for a new flight option out of Mosinee. United Airlines has delayed the launch of its planned service between Central Wisconsin Airport and Chicago O'Hare. The airline originally planned to start flights this year. Airport officials say the decision is due to Federal Aviation Administration capacity limits at O'Hare, which have now been extended through October 2027. Those restrictions are capping new flights across United's network, affecting several regional airports throughout the Midwest. Officials said the delay is strictly an operational issue in Chicago, and not a lack of demand here at home. United says it remains committed to the Mosinee market and plans to launch the nonstop Chicago route as soon as those limits lift, tentatively set for November 2027. When United does take off at CWA, it will restore a route that ended in early 2022. It will also bring the airport back to offering all three major legacy carriers—United, American, and Delta—giving local travelers far more connection options worldwide.

Published on 08/04/2026 under News Tomahawk residents will once again have the chance to meet local first responders and enjoy a family-friendly evening as National Night Out returns to Veterans Memorial Park on Tuesday. National Night Out is part of a nationwide campaign spanning more than four decades aimed at strengthening relationships between community members and public safety agencies. Two years ago, the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce led the effort to bring the campaign to the area. Now in its third year, the local event continues to grow, featuring more than 20 interactive booths with obstacle courses, bounce houses, coloring stations, games, and activities for all ages. Attendees can also meet members of local law enforcement, fire crews, and EMS. Tomahawk Chamber Director Charis Lau says the event's success is made possible by strong support from local businesses, organizations, volunteers, and community members. Proceeds from the first two years have been donated to Tomahawk's volunteer fire departments to support their work in the area. Beyond public safety agencies, several other community groups and organizations will be present, including the WJJQ booth, along with a variety of local food vendors. National Night Out is free to attend and runs from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at Veterans Memorial Park.

Published on 08/04/2026 under News One person is dead and another is in custody following a single-vehicle rollover early Saturday morning in Taylor County. According to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, first responders were dispatched shortly after 1:00 a.m. to Highway 73 in the Town of Aurora. Investigators say the vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch before re-entering the highway, rolling over, and coming to rest in the middle of the road. Authorities identified the victim as 36-year-old Nathan Burke of Black River Falls, who was ejected from the vehicle and later succumbed to his injuries. The second occupant, 45-year-old Bradley Olson, also of Black River Falls, was treated for injuries before being taken into custody on drug-related charges. Investigators noted that neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt. The crash remains under investigation and was the first of two fatal crashes in Taylor County within a few hours of each other early Saturday morning.

Published on 08/04/2026 under News One person is dead following a multi-vehicle crash involving a house being transported along a Taylor County road early Saturday morning. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office reported that the crash occurred just after 3:00 a.m. on County Highway O near Oak Drive in the Town of Holway. According to investigators, a tractor pulling a house westbound was struck on the corner by an oncoming eastbound car. The car traveled beneath the house structure and collided with a pickup truck following behind the load. The driver of the car, 19-year-old Dylan Mickelson of Abbotsford, died at the scene. His passenger was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Authorities stated that the tractor operator and the pickup driver, both men from Thorp, were uninjured. The Wisconsin State Patrol is assisting with the ongoing investigation. This was the second of two fatal crashes in Taylor County occurring within a few hours of each other early Saturday.

Published on 08/04/2026 under News Members of the Merrill Fire Department recently traveled south to Wisconsin Rapids for a special assignment. Year-round, firefighters from across Wisconsin donate their time to keep the Wisconsin Fire and EMS Memorial pristine. Volunteers assist with mowing, landscaping, and maintenance around the park grounds and museum. This past week was Merrill's turn to step up. A team of current firefighters, department retirees, and family members made the trip to lend a hand. In a message thanking the crew, memorial organizers noted that their hard work ensures the grounds remain a dignified, beautiful place to honor Wisconsin's fallen heroes. The project hits close to home for Merrill firefighters. Former Chief Adlord Talbot, who led the department in the 1930s and '40s, is among those honored at the memorial.

+ Read More