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Hatchet Cross Country Teams Finish Their Seasons at State Meet Published on 11/02/2020 under Sports

On a windy Saturday the Hatchet Cross-Country team finished their season at the State Division 2 Championships at Colby High School in the second session of the day on their school grounds. The girls won their grouping of four teams and improved upon last year's finish as they placed 8th of 12 teams while senior Noah Buckwalter, an individual qualifier for the Hatchet boys also improved (some 20 places) with his 45

th place in the 114-runner D2 state field.

In the first race of session two, Tomahawk freshman Rachael Reilly put herself in a nice position early and worked her way into a top ten finish (9th) in her session and placed 27th overall (13th in the team scoring) in a time of 20:30 over the 5000 meter course. Sophomore Greta Tjugum ran strong through her entire race placing 13th in session two 43rd overall (24th in the team scoring) in 21:08. Junior Kate Reilly was the next Hatchet to the finish tape with her 19th place effort in session two, (62nd overall/36th in the team scoring) in a time of 21:40. Sophomore Morgan Hansmann and junior Emily Lacina were the final scoring Hatchets placing 22nd and 23rd in session two (73rd and 75th overall & 45th and 47th in the team scoring) in times of 22:08 and 22:10 respectively. Junior Macey Mann became an important displacer as

she finished 25th in session 2 (85th overall and 56th in the team scoring) in a time of 22:25. Also, getting great state-level experience in her first state championship race was junior Ava Dragosh (110th overall, 80th team)-23:47.

This was the lady Hatchets second consecutive trip to State and 17th team appearance since 1993.

The Tomahawk boys were represented at State by senior Noah Buckwalter. In his final Cross-Country race as a Hatchet, Noah was in the top ten in session two early on and sat 14th after two miles. His 17:45 clocking was good for a 15th place finish in session two
and 45th place overall in the 114-runner field.

In Other News

Several Northwoods Dogs in Running for WPS Canine Spokesperson

Published on 07/20/2026 under News Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) has officially opened public voting for its third annual safe digging competition, seeking its next canine spokesperson. The contest pairs cute pups with an important message: reminding residents to call Diggers Hotline at least three days before starting any home project that involves digging. The winning "ambassadog" will be featured on social media and billboards promoting Diggers Hotline as safe, free, and required by law. Back in 2024, Arlo, an Aussiedoodle from Tomahawk, became the first spokes-dog, followed by Pearl from Schofield last year. With Pearl's term coming to a close, WPS put out a call for a new batch of pup-ular candidates. Out of dozens of submissions, a pack of 10 finalists was selected, including three local Northwoods favorites:Luna (Merrill): An 11-month-old who loves digging at the beach almost as much as she loves cuddling up for family movie nights.Maisie (Rhinelander): A sweet 1-year-old golden retriever famous for unearthing yard rocks and playing fetch.Ruby (Tomahawk): A playful 1-year-old water lover who balances her digging hobby with outdoor bird-watching.Voting is open to everyone at the WPS website through next Monday, July 27. The winner will be announced on August 11 (8/11) a reference to 811, the national number to call before you dig.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News The Kwahamots skied their way back onto the podium after a strong performance at the Wisconsin State Show Ski Championships over the weekend. Competing at the 60th annual state championships on Lake Wazeecha in Wisconsin Rapids, the Kwahamots finished third in the Division 3 team competition. The top three teams separated themselves from the rest of the field in a tight battle, with the Chain Skiers of Waupaca claiming the state title and Crivitz's Twin Bridge Ski Team taking second. The Tomahawk-based team was led by Ryan Koth, who was recognized as the Division 3 Most Valuable Male performer. A true Swiss Army knife, Koth excelled in wakeboarding, hydrofoil, jumping, and barefooting. The Kwahamots also posted the top score in the barefoot category. This podium finish marks the fourth time in the past five years that the Kwahamots have placed among the top three at the state championships, continuing their run as one of Wisconsin's premier show ski clubs. The four-day event featured teams from across the state competing in individual events prior to the team competition, where performances were judged across a dozen categories—including showmanship, difficulty, boat driving, and overall entertainment. After a successful trip on the road, the team returns home to Kwahamot Bay to resume their schedule of three weekly shows through Labor Day.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News Wildfire smoke put the brakes on a Northwoods aviation tradition on Sunday. The 28th annual AirVenture Cup Race, which serves as the unofficial kickoff to EAA AirVenture week in Oshkosh, was postponed after thick smoke created poor flying conditions across much of Wisconsin. Pilots spent Sunday at the Wausau Downtown Airport receiving periodic weather updates while organizers monitored air quality and visibility in hopes of getting the race underway. Instead, competitors were asked to report back to the airport at 7 a.m. Monday, with organizers tentatively planning a 9 a.m. start, weather permitting. The AirVenture Cup typically attracts more than 100 pilots for a roughly 400-mile sky race from Wausau through northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula before returning to the Northwoods. Tomahawk and Merrill serve as the final two checkpoints on the course. Following the race, most pilots will head to Oshkosh for the start of EAA AirVenture, one of the world's largest aviation gatherings.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News The investigation into a suspected drug overdose death in Eagle River has expanded, with authorities making an arrest and executing a search warrant. Eagle River Police say a suspect was taken into custody Thursday by the Portage County Sheriff's Department after a traffic stop connected to the investigation. Earlier that afternoon, investigators from multiple agencies executed a search warrant at a residence in the Town of Lac du Flambeau. Two people were also taken into custody at the residence, but police say those arrests were unrelated to the overdose investigation. The investigation began after officers responded to a report of an unresponsive person at an Eagle River residence shortly after 2:15 a.m. Tuesday. Despite life-saving efforts, the 37-year-old victim died at the scene. Officials say the investigation remains active, and no additional information is being released at this time.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News Northcentral Technical College has been selected to join a national effort to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs into nontraditional careers. NTC was one of just 11 schools across the country chosen for the Association of Community College Trustees' Scaling Apprenticeship at Community Colleges project. The college says the selection recognizes its strong employer partnerships and workforce training experience. Through the program, NTC will receive technical assistance and planning resources as it works to become a Registered Apprenticeship Program sponsor. The goal is to create new paid apprenticeship opportunities in high-demand fields while helping employers develop long-term workforce pipelines. College officials say they expect to submit new apprenticeship standards and begin enrolling apprentices in approved nontraditional career pathways by the end of the project.

Published on 07/20/2026 under News A traffic safety upgrade in Oneida County is paying off. According to new data released by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, total crashes dropped by roughly 42% at the intersection of US 8 and WIS 47 near Rhinelander after it was converted from a traditional traffic signal into a roundabout. In the six years leading up to the roundabout's construction, the intersection saw 40 total crashes. In the six years following the transformation, that number dropped to 23. Beyond simply preventing collisions, roundabouts also reduce crash severity. The design causes drivers to slow down and largely eliminates T-bone and head-on collisions. WisDOT highlighted the US 8 and WIS 47 junction as a prime example of data-driven engineering that improves commuter safety while keeping traffic moving smoothly.

Published on 07/17/2026 under News A group of local kids in Tomahawk have spent their summer vacation getting a crash course in theater, and tonight, they are ready to take the stage. After spending the last two weeks memorizing lines, hitting their marks, and building confidence, the participants of the Tomahawk Community Theater Youth Summer Workshop are bringing a cast of colorful characters to life in their performance of "Knock Knock." The comedy follows two delivery drivers who never know what they'll find behind the next door as they encounter a series of quirky characters along the way. Now in its fourth year, the youth workshop features a cast and crew made up entirely of upper-elementary and middle school students. However, those involved say the production is about much more than just putting on a show. Eleven-year-old Stephanie Van Asten says theater has helped her build confidence and see the world through the eyes of different characters. Fellow actor Elton Hau, now in his fourth year, said he has learned valuable stage skills like stage positioning, voice projection, and how to stay in character when the unexpected happens. Terry Bucaro, one of the adults overseeing the workshop, noted that the entire production, from auditions to opening night, comes together in just two weeks. It is a fast-paced experience that gives young performers a unique chance to develop acting skills, teamwork, and lasting friendships. It will be a limited run, just one performance Friday night, 6pm at the Tomahawk School Auditorium. It's free, and the show is about an hour.

Published on 07/17/2026 under News The best water skiers in the state are taking over Lake Wazeecha this weekend, and several Northwoods favorites are hunting for a championship. Wisconsin Rapids is once again hosting all three divisions of the Wisconsin State Show Ski Championships. It's the milestone sixtieth anniversary. The action got underway on Thursday with individual events, including freestyle jumping, swivel skiing, and doubles. That all builds up to the highly anticipated team competition, which kicks off bright and early Friday morning. Each team has exactly one hour to put on their best performance. Competitors are judged across twelve distinct categories, including showmanship, difficulty, boat driving, announcing, and overall performance. While they are typically used to performing in the evenings, the Tomahawk-based Kwahamots were fourth on the dock this morning. And the Northwoods will be well-represented throughout the weekend, with the Plum Ski-ters of Sayner and the Chain Skimmers of Conover also competing for the crown. The routines will continue through Sunday with the Division 1 competition. We will share the official results as soon as they are announced. For those who can't make to Rapids, USA Waterski offers a live stream on their website.

Published on 07/17/2026 under News A stretch of hot summer weather has pushed water temperatures across Northern Wisconsin into the high 70s. While that might sound perfect for a swim, local fishing experts say it is dangerous territory for the state's most prized sport fish. All three experts in our stable for the WJJQ Fishing Minute updates discussed the risks to musky survival rates when practicing catch-and-release in the 75- to 80-degree range. Even when muskies appear healthy when let back into the water, the stress and exhaustion from the catch can have a lasting, often fatal impact. Guides Steve Heiting and Tim Buffington both shared that they are temporarily holding off on targeting muskies, choosing instead to pivot to other game fish. While the muskies rest in the cooler, deeper pockets of the lake, Northwoods guides recommend taking advantage of other active summer bites, including bass and panfish. To learn more, stay tuned to the WJJQ fishing reports as our experts go more in-depth on the topic. In the meantime, if the water is pushing 75°F or warmer, give our local muskies a breather so they can fight another day.

Published on 07/17/2026 under News A fire at a Tomahawk funeral home was quickly contained, thanks to a rapid response from local emergency crews. Firefighters were called to Generations Funeral Home on Thursday afternoon. In a social media post, owner Kevin Krueger said the fire occurred in the back of the building, and primarily resulted in smoke damage. He says the Generations building remains intact and fully operational, and the funeral home will continue providing all of its services without interruption. Krueger, himself a longtime firefighter, thanked the Tomahawk Fire Department for its quick response. No injuries or a cause of the fire have been reported.

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