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Hatchet Boys Cross Country Team Wins GNC Title; Girls Second Published on 10/16/2020 under Sports

On Thursday Tomahawk hosted the Great Northern Conference Cross-Country Championships. The boys successfully defended their Conference title placing five runners in the top ten and all the Hatchets on the All-Conference squad. The girls closed the gap on a strong Medford team by placing all five scorers on the All-Conference squad and finishing within 14 points of the 4-time conference champions. Both Hatchet JV squads started the evening off with conference wins as well.

Earning All-Conference medalist honors for the Hatchets were: Noah Buckwalter, Drew Bolder, Alex Norman, Arden Ziert, Owen Dickrell, Hunter Borchardt, Rachael Reilly, Kate Reilly, Macey Mann, and Morgan Hansmann.

Earning Honorable Mention status were: Ethan Liebnitz and Greta Tjugum.

Noah and Rachael earned All-Conference 1st Team status as they both placed 2nd overall in their respective races with P.R. efforts (Noah-16:44/Rachael-19:59). Drew (4th-17:24) and Alex (7th-17:50-PR) also earned 1st Team status with their top 7 finishes.

Kate Reilly (9th-20:55), Arden Ziert (9th-18:10),Owen Dickrell (10th-18:10), Macey Mann (11th-21:07), Morgan Hansmann (12th-21:15-PR) and Hunter Borchardt (14th-18:47) earned 2nd Team All-Conference status by virtue of their placements in theirrespective races at the GNC event.

Rounding out the All-Conference Honorable Mention squad for Tomahawk were: Greta Tjugum (18th-21:42), and Ethan Liebnitz (20th-19:01).

Other Hatchet varsity finishers were: Emily Lacina (23rd), Ava Dragosh (30th), and Geena Wanta (32nd).

Varsity results: BV-THS-32, Lake-63, Med-93, NPHS-109, Rhine-112, Ant-119, Mos-163

GV-Med-38, THS-52, Lake-69, Mos-87, Rhine-115, Ant-166, NPHS-203

Freshman Presley Gutbrod topped the field in the opening GNC event of the day as he won the Boys JV title, taking the lead at 2000 meters and never looking back. Presley covered the 5K course in a time of 19:16. Helping propel the Boys JV to their 3rd straight JV title were: Hunter VanRyen (2nd), Brett Borchardt (4th), Jacob Towle (5th), and John Mark Hawley-10th.

The champion girls JV squad was led by Serena Reinke as she won the 5K event in a time of 22:59. She was followed closely by Tiana Gerstenberger in a PR time of 23:11 for 2nd and Kambyl Mattke 4th with a 23:30 PR effort. Other Tomahawk girls JV placers were: Autumn Peissig-6th and Robin Schmidt-15th.

JV results: BJV-THS-15, Lake-INC, Mos-Inc, Med-Inc

GJV-THS-27, Rhine-41, Mos-52, Med-Inc, Lake-Inc, Ant-Inc

Next race for the Hatchets is on Tuesday as Tomahawk travels to Oconto Falls to compete in the 9-team Sub-sectional meet. The top two teams will advance to the WIAA Division 2 Northeastern Wisconsin Sectional race hosted at Tomahawk on Saturday, October 24th. The meet gets underway at 11:00 a.m. 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

Recent 3-Year Report Highlights Success of Lincoln County/Discover Wisconsin Partnership

Published on 09/29/2026 under News A marketing strategy to put Lincoln County on the map is paying off in viewers, visitors, and tourism dollars. Over the past three years, the Lincoln County has partnered with Discover Mediaworks to showcase its local gems through television episodes, social media features, and short-form video content. Josh Osterman, Director of Content Strategy and Partnerships at Discover Mediaworks, recently presented a glowing report on the initiative to the Lincoln County Board. Osterman highlighted how taking a "30,000-foot view" of the area has helped draw attention to lesser-known locations alongside long-standing staples, from off-road riding in the Harrison Hills and guided fishing excursions to local dining spots and scenic drives along Highway 107. Broadcast viewership across full episodes, themed specials, and promotional spots on the Discover Wisconsin network surpassed 10 million viewers. Meanwhile, short-form social clips pulled in another 2.5 million views. County leaders earned praise for keeping the area top-of-mind for Upper Midwest travelers, with out-of-state interest surging in major metro markets like Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, and the Twin Cities.Broadcast Viewership: 10,180,174Digital Impressions: 2,106,958Digital Views: 959,521Digital Engagements: 20,100Digital Reach: 2,180,275Podcast Listens: 16,936Podcast Views: 2,514,170Emails Contacted: 330,771Emmy: 1The ultimate goal was to boost the local economy, and state data shows it worked. Figures from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism show Lincoln County's total economic impact grew 11.6% over the three-year stretch, while direct visitor spending rose more than 12.5%, outpacing several neighboring counties and state tourism hubs. The report also teased upcoming feature topics like local hiking trails, waterfront dining, and adventures along the Wisconsin River.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News Vehicle-versus-deer crashes are on the rise across Lincoln County, but over the weekend, a driver's attempt to avoid an animal led to a rollover wreck that left two people injured. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, emergency responders were paged to Highway 8 near Martin Road in the Town of Somo for a single-vehicle crash. The driver, an Olivia, Minnesota man, reported he was traveling eastbound when a deer ran onto the highway. He swerved to avoid hitting the animal, causing his vehicle to enter the south ditch and become airborne before coming to rest. Both the driver and a passenger suffered minor injuries. Deputies reported 12 vehicle-versus-deer collisions on Lincoln County roadways last week, marking a noticeable uptick from recent weeks.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News A Merrill man thrown from his vehicle in a rollover spent the night in the ditch before the crash was discovered. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, deputies were sent to the area of County G and Alder Road in the Town of Pine River back on September 7 for a rollover crash involving injuries. The driver stated he had been in the ditch since the night before. He told deputies he was heading to his home when he missed a curve and crashed. The man was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and received injuries as a result. No update on his condition was provided.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News The Wisconsin State Patrol and local partners are reminding parents and caregivers to protect their most precious passengers by reviewing their child car seats. The agency named child passenger safety its September Law of the Month, focusing on proper seat selection and installation. According to federal traffic data, approximately half of all car seats are installed incorrectly. State law sets specific minimums based on age and size—starting with newborns in rear-facing car seats, transitioning to forward-facing harnessed seats, and eventually moving to booster seats until a child reaches age eight, eighty pounds, or four feet nine inches in height. State Patrol officials say keeping children in the appropriate seat significantly reduces the risk of injury in a crash. Superintendent Tim Carnahan emphasized that proper installation is a simple way to protect young passengers, adding that adults should set a good example by making it a habit to buckle up themselves on every trip, no matter the distance. Additional safety guidelines and certified inspection locations can be found online at wisconsindot.gov.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News A high school junior from Delavan-Darien High School has taken top honors in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' 2027 State Park and Forest admission pass design contest, while a Northwoods student finished among the top entries. Junior Kiet Tuan Tran won first place out of more than 120 statewide submissions. Tran's winning design captures a rustic camping scene, complete with a tent sporting a fitting cheese-pattern print set beneath a tree canopy shaped like the outline of Wisconsin. Local student Skylarr Martin of Rhinelander High School also earned recognition, receiving an Honorable Mention for their artwork. Now in its 36th year, the DNR-sponsored contest invites high school students from across the state to showcase their artistic talents. "The contest is a great way to get students thinking about our public lands and the different ways they can support the state's natural resources," said Chris Pedretti, DNR Business Operations Section Supervisor. The new vehicle admission passes featuring the winning design will be available for purchase ahead of the 2027 state park season. Contest materials for the 2028 pass design contest are available now, with submissions accepted through April 30, 2027.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News Two Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps programs are set to receive new grant funding to continue their community outreach missions across the state. Serve Wisconsin recently announced the distribution of $9.2 million in federal AmeriCorps grants to support 17 programs statewide. Through these initiatives, AmeriCorps members will assist with a wide range of local efforts, from conservation projects to after-school youth programming. Marshfield Clinic Health System secured funding for two specific programs. The first grant supports the "Community Corps" program, placing 50 members in non-profits and public health organizations across the region to expand capacity and address community health needs. The second grant funds the "Recovery Corps" program, training 20 members as recovery coaches to assist individuals battling opioid and substance use disorders while delivering community education. "Our AmeriCorps members serving this year are building upon the service legacy of those who have served before them," said Kyle Clower, Executive Director of Serve Wisconsin. In addition to funding the 17 statewide programs, Serve Wisconsin received $354,374 through the federal Volunteer Generation Fund to further support local volunteer initiatives across Wisconsin.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News We are still three months away from Christmas, but a Lincoln County group is already preparing its annual holiday gift distribution for families in need. Christmas Spirit Lincoln County works with local partners each holiday season to ensure a Merry Christmas for children across Tomahawk, Merrill, and surrounding areas. The non-profit's mission is to fulfill gift requests for parents and guardians who are struggling financially and may otherwise be unable to provide presents for their kids. Volunteer Chris Copiskey says the group helped more than 150 families and nearly 400 children last year. In addition to traditional toys and gifts, they also focus on providing essential items like winter coats, hygiene products, and bedding. Calling the effort "a heartwarming and humbling process," Copiskey noted that community generosity is always unbelievable. The first phase of the mission is already underway: collecting applications and wish lists. Although the deadline is October 31st, participating parents are encouraged to submit their paperwork as soon as possible. Applications are available at WJJQ in Tomahawk, as well as the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce and the Merrill Fire Department. Once requests are gathered, individual gift tags will be placed on community Giving Trees, allowing local residents to pick a tag and purchase items. In early December, volunteers will organize and distribute the gifts—an experience organizers call one of the most rewarding parts of the project.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News Artificial intelligence is rapidly expanding across health care, but local experts say human judgment must remain at the center of patient care. Erica Neilitz, simulation coordinator at Nicolet College, recently brought that message to the state capitol. Neilitz testified before the legislative Study Committee on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care, presenting alongside representatives from the UW-Madison School of Medicine and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Drawing on 26 years of nursing experience, Neilitz offered legislators insight into how AI is shaping both nursing education and the workforce. At Nicolet College, Neilitz uses hands-on simulations to prepare students for real-world medical settings, honing their decision-making and critical thinking. While AI offers promising new capabilities for health care, she emphasized to lawmakers that technology can never replace core nursing values. "There is significant value in artificial intelligence in health care, but it has to remain a tool that humans use responsibly," Neilitz stated. "As AI becomes more integrated into practice, we need to make sure nurses are prepared to use it without losing the clinical judgment, critical thinking, and caring that are foundational to nursing." Lawmakers on the study committee focused their questions on responsible student AI use, AI literacy, and recommendations for future state policy. Neilitz hopes her testimony will help ensure upcoming regulations support innovation while keeping human-centered care the top priority.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News Last Monday, another group of Northwoods veterans traveled to Washington, D.C., aboard the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, and local organizers are continuing their push to get more eligible veterans on the waiting list. As part of that effort, officials are working to dispel some of the most common reasons veterans hesitate to sign up. Many veterans believe they shouldn't apply because they didn't see combat, while others worry about health or mobility issues. Organizers stress that any military member, whether active duty, Reserve, or National Guard, who served prior to May 7, 1975, qualifies for the trip. Full medical support and personal assistance are provided throughout the entire day if needed. Other veterans say they have already been to Washington or fear reliving difficult memories. Honor Flight officials emphasize that traveling alongside fellow service members offers a unique experience—one that often brings long-overdue closure and healing. Since the local hub was founded in 2010, the program has flown more than 5,400 area veterans to the nation's capital. The local chapter typically takes 4 missions per year, with one more on the schedule this fall.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News The Town of Boulder Junction is gearing up for a milestone celebration in 2027, marking 100 years since its founding—and local organizers want the community's personal stories to help bring that history to life. The town's Centennial Committee is planning a full lineup of anniversary events, including commemorative plaques, a town-wide birthday party, a historical theatrical performance, and a summer art installation. To help preserve Boulder Junction's rich heritage, the committee is gathering written, audio, and video stories from residents, past visitors, and families. Submissions may be featured in the upcoming centennial booklet, theatrical performance, or on the town's historical website. We'll include all contact info online.They note that no memory is too small, and stories can span any topic or era in the town's past. There are a number of opportunities for community members to share their story. Community members can participate in video or audio recording sessions at the Boulder Junction Community Center on three upcoming Thursdays: October 1st, 8th, and 15th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled by contacting Wendi Neupert at 715-574-3850 or Cherie Sanderson at 715-892-0761. Stories and photos can be submitted via email (boulderjunctionwicentennial@gmail.com) or via the BoulderJunctionHistory.org website.

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