WJJQ Radio

Story Details

Hatchet Girls Swimming Team Loses to Mosinee Published on 09/11/2020 under Sports

The Tomahawk Hatchet Girls Swimming Team hosted Mosinee on Thursday in a Great Northern Conference Dual at the Tomahawk Swimming Pool.

Mosinee wins the meet, 77-70 over Tomahawk.

Tomahawk won all three relays, the 200 medley, 200 and 400 freestyles.

Tomahawk also have a pair of firsts from Joanna Phillips in the 50 and 100 free. Abby Jaecks won the 500 free.

Tomahawk is now 0-2 on the season.

In Other News

Vilas County Sheriff Among Wisconsin Assembly First Responders of the Year

Published on 10/15/2025 under News A retiring Northwoods Sheriff was among first responders recognized by state lawmakers on Tuesday. The State Assembly announced the recipients of their First Responder of the Year Awards which including Vilas County Sheriff Joseph Fath. Representative Rob Swearingen and State Senator Mary Felzkowski present Sheriff Fath with the honor for the 34th district during a ceremony at the state capital in Madison. Earlier this year, Fath announced his plans to retire in December after 44 years with the Vilas County Sheriff's Office. He began as a patrol deputy in 1981, working his way through the ranks to Sheriff, a position he's held since 2013. Rep. Swearingen said, "For more than four decades, (Sheriff Fath) has been a steady hand and a respected leader in our community. His commitment to the safety and well-being of Vilas County residents has set the standard for law enforcement across the Northwoods." The "First Responder of the Year" award was established in 2019 to recognize Wisconsin's firefighters, law enforcement, and EMS who demonstrate exceptional service and selflessness. Each state representative selects one honoree from their district based on community nominations, highlighting those who go above and beyond in their duties.

Published on 10/15/2025 under News The Tomahawk School District is moving closer to a finalized budget for the current school year. Each fall, the Tomahawk School District presents and approves a preliminary spending plan. That initial budget uses some estimates for figures like state aid and school enrollment which aren't finalized until after the school year begins. Those numbers are starting to come in and Administrator Wendell Quesinberry provided the board with an update last night. The enrollment is calculated on the 3rd Friday of the school year using a formula that also incorporates factors such as open enrollment and pre-k. Tomahawk's enrollment this year is approximately 1,070; down about 30 students from last year. Those numbers are factored into a three year rolling average. Quesinberry noted this isn't a trend specific to Tomahawk, but around the state. As for the general state aid, those numbers are expected to be released Wednesday. DPI estimates released in July indicated an approximately $500,000 loss for Tomahawk. With these numbers being finalized, Quesinberry says they'll be able to plug them into the budget in short order. The School Board will likely reconvene later this month to approve the final budget. A few other quick notes from last night's meeting… • Quesinberry highlighted several generous donations towards the district's lunch fund and the Elementary Families in Need Program. • The district continues to discuss an updated agreement with WaWui for the hockey team's use of the SARA Park Ice arena and details such as ice rental, event workers, and admission. • The board heard another update on the Community Education program in its second full year.

Published on 10/15/2025 under News The Lincoln County Emergency Planning Committee will be discussing a waste water leak in Tomahawk over the summer. As we covered back in August, the City of Tomahawk Board of Public Works discussed a force main break which leaked approximately 6 million gallons of waste water near County Road S and Military Road. The leak was identified on August 7, though had likely been occurring for some time prior. Crews were able to isolate the leak in the more-than-80 year old pipe within a few hours and repaired it the following day. The department worked with the DNR on testing in the area and in notifying nearby property owners who may have been impacted. The Lincoln County Emergency Planning Committee first discussed the incident and response at their September meeting where they expressed concern over communications between the various entities involved, as well as the public. According to the minutes of that meeting, the Committee intended to invite the city, county, and state officials to their next meeting. Among groups they identified: City of Tomahawk, Wisconsin DNR, Wisconsin DHS, Lincoln County Health Department, Lincoln County Land Services, and Lincoln County Corporation Council. That meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 2:30pm at the Lincoln County Service Center.

Published on 10/15/2025 under News A local bird rescue facility is well-stocked with food for the winter after a generous donation, but rather than money, it was fish. In what has now become an annual tradition they affectionately refer to as Salmon Day, the Raptor Education Group in Antigo shared via social media that they were the recipient of several tons of salmon. The fish came from the DNR Strawberry Creek Chinook fishery in Sturgeon Bay. The facility, established back in 1969, is the primary source of Chinook salmon eggs stocked in Lake Michigan. Salmon naturally die after spawning. Rather than allowing those fish to go to waste, the fishery donates them. While smaller fish are suitable for food pantries, larger fish are used for other purposes such as donations to animal rescues like REGI. And the local volunteers got the call this week to travel over to Door County to load up a trailer filled with salmon, which were then put out away for storage for use in the coming months. REGI says they will utilize the fish to help keep the birds fed through the winter.

Published on 10/15/2025 under News Langlade County is seeking resident input on how to address opioids including spending settlement funding. The Langlade County Opioid Task Force announced a community survey aimed at identifying local needs, uncovering service gaps and prioritizing solutions In recent years, counties and municipalities have been awarded opioid settlement dollars through group lawsuits. The Force said in announcing the survey, "These funds present a critical opportunity to invest in prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction strategies that reflect the needs of Langlade County." In order to include different perspectives, the survey is designed to gather input from community members, service providers, individuals with lived experience, and anyone impacted by substance use. The Langlade County survey is available on the Health Department website through November 3. Lincoln County went through a similar process earlier this year.

Published on 10/15/2025 under News Over the years, dozens of Northwoods schools have improved their tech ed programs through Fab Lab Grants. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is offering another cycle for applications. Fab Labs or Fabrication Laboratories, are high-tech workshops that provide students with modern manufacturing skills on equipment like 3-D printers, laser engravers, and computer controlled routers. Of course, many of these pieces carry a hefty price tag, but there are a number of programs that offer financial support. That includes the WEDC which is offering up to $25,000 in 50% match grants. There is also an option for districts to form a consortium. Deputy Secretary Sam Rikkers says, "Fab labs provide students a powerful opportunity not just to build in-demand skills, but also to explore innovation, creativity and hands-on problem-solving." Rikkers added, "These labs serve as a launchpad for the talent that will drive Wisconsin's economy forward." Since the program's inception, WEDC has awarded over $5 million in grants to 133 districts including several right here in Northern Wisconsin. The application period is now open, and the grants will be announced in the spring. They expect to selected 10 recipients that will share in $250,000.

Published on 10/14/2025 under News After considering several open races, a local elected official will stay in her current position. Wisconsin Senate President Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) announced she will not seek higher office in the 2026 midterm elections and will instead remain as the Senator for Wisconsin's 12th Senate District. Felzkowski's name had been mentioned for both the Wisconsin governor race as well as US Congressional seat in the 7th district. Felzkowski said in her announcement, "This is not the right time for my family, and besides, I love representing my constituents in Madison as a State Senator. There's a lot of work still to be done in Wisconsin, and I look forward to continuing to fight for a brighter future in our state."(full statement below) Felzkowski has spent more than a decade representing the Northwoods in Madison, first in the state assembly and now the senate where she began her second four year term this year. Full statement from Mary Felzkowski on decision not to run for higher office in 2026...I have spent my entire life in Wisconsin's Northwoods, growing up working on my family's Christmas tree farm, raising my children, and running a small business. I love the Northwoods, and representing the people of Northern Wisconsin in Madison is a true honor. After months of thought, prayer, and discussions with my husband, I have decided to not seek higher office. This is not the right time for my family, and besides, I love representing my constituents in Madison as a State Senator. There's a lot of work still to be done in Wisconsin, and I look forward to continuing to fight for a brighter future in our state. I am truly grateful for all those who have reached out with words of encouragement and support over the last several months, and I make this decision knowing that the Northwoods will continue to have strong representation in both Washington, D.C., and Madison.

Published on 10/14/2025 under News As road construction season winds down for the summer, the DoT continues to plan for future projects. On the docket for 2027, is the intersection at Highway 51 and County K/Swamp Lake Road in Oneida County. Coming up this evening, the DoT will host a public involvement meeting to discuss current plans for the project. After studying several options, the proposed improvements would include reconstructing the intersection as a single-lane roundabout, which the DoT says is aimed at reducing the number of severe crashes at the intersection and maintain traffic operations. Tonight's meeting will be held just down the road from the intersection at the Northwoods Community Elementary School in Harshaw. A brief presentation is scheduled to begin at 5 pm with the remainder of the meeting to follow an open-house format.

Published on 10/14/2025 under News Students in the Northwoods are fortunate to live and learn with nature. They'll once again be able to showcase that knowledge and a little creativity. The Lincoln County Conservation Program announced the return of their annual Conservation Contests which includes both a poster category and a speech category replacing the previous essay contest. Each edition has a theme, and this year they'll look beneath their feet. It's "Soil. Where it all Begins' The contest is described as a way for students to expand their appreciation and get involved with the environment and conservation. It also serves as an opportunity for teachers to incorporate the topic into their classroom lessons. It is open to public, private, and home-school students. Participants will be judged based on grade-level groupings. Winners will advance to regional, state, and ultimately a national contest. Lincoln County Conservation has additional information on their website.

Published on 10/14/2025 under News A La Crosse County woman convicted of supplying drugs to a Rhinelander man who overdosed has been sentenced. Andrea Walker of Bangor Wisconsin was back in Oneida County Court for a sentencing hearing Friday. Back in August, the 44 year old was found guilty of reckless homicide as party to a crime following a week-long jury trial. Investigators said a 45 year old Rhinelander man obtained drugs from Walker shortly before his death in January of 2023 from a mix of methamphetamine and fentanyl. At Friday's hearing, Judge Mary Sowinski ordered Walker serve seven years in prison followed by five years of extended supervision.

+ Read More