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Coach Hernandez of Tomahawk Named Packer Coach of the Week Published on 11/06/2020 under Sports

The Packers have announced that Sam Hernandez of Tomahawk High School in Tomahawk, Wis., has been named the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week.

Hernandez, in his second year as head coach of the Hatchets, has his team at 2-4 overall this season and 2-3 in Northwoods Conference play. The Hatchets look to even their conference record Friday, Nov. 6, as they close out their regular season against Coleman High School.

Since taking over the team this past year, Hernandez's impact has been felt not only on the football field, but on the whole community. From helping elderly people move to new homes, assisting community members who need help with their yard work, and volunteering at the local Kinship of Tomahawk, the team continues to pursue a variety of ways to help others in need. Not only has giving back been beneficial to the community, but it has also been uplifting for the players.

"I think for a lot of them, it gives them a sense of pride and a sense of doing something for others," said Hernandez. "And as a football program, we want people to come sit in the stands and watch us play, and we feed off of that. So this is an opportunity for us to provide a platform for these kids to do good things for others without anything in return. If we can send the players out into life after high school with that skillset of doing good things to be good people, then that is a great lesson for them to take."

Hernandez graduated from Marshall High School in Marshall, Wis., in 2004. Throughout high school, he participated in football, basketball and baseball. He played nose tackle, running back and kicker under head coach Mike Zimmerman. Following high school, he went on to graduate from UW-Whitewater in 2009. In addition to coaching other high school sports, Hernandez's football coaching career began as an assistant coach for Lake Mills High School in 2008. He went on to coach at Johnson Creek High School in 2013, before being named the head coach of the Hatchets in 2019.

To Hernandez, the Coach of the Week Award speaks to the work being done by the program on and off the field.

"This award is really an award for the kids, the program and my coaching staff. I'm just one person as part of a bigger group. I'm so honored to have our program and have our kids be recognized for this because they do work hard. We've struggled in terms of wins over the last couple of years, but the kids work hard, the coaching staff works hard every week, and we do work in the community and outside of the football field. To see those kids get recognized with other programs around the state, is a really cool opportunity for this program and highlights the really good things that we are doing."

Hernandez and his staff oversee a program of 43 players with 33 suiting up for varsity games. His assistant staff includes Andy Peissig, Jeremy Zimmerman, Aaron Evans, Dave Long, Jon Long, Nick Schertz and Steven Shrigley. In addition to being the head coach, Hernandez is also an English teacher at the high school. Hernandez and his wife, Ashley, have three sons, Derek, Brett and Vaughn.

About the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week Program:

The Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week program supports football outreach efforts by giving high school coaches the recognition they deserve. Nominations can be submitted by 10 a.m. every Monday to Ryan Fencl, Packers football outreach specialist, at coachoftheweek@packers.com. All nominations should include the nominee's name, address, school, phone number and reason he/she is deserving of the award. This year, because some schools have postponed their football seasons to the spring due to COVID-19, the Packers are seeking coaches to be nominated regardless of their teams' on-field performance or whether they are playing in the fall or spring. Rather, the nominee could be honored for how they have turned programs around, how the team has impacted the community, or how the coach impacts the players and their families.

In Other News

One Dead, Two Injured in SUV/UTV Crash near Tomahawk

Published on 08/18/2026 under News An 82-year-old Tomahawk woman has died following a two-vehicle crash involving a UTV and an SUV on Monday evening in Lincoln County. Emergency responders were dispatched to the intersection of U.S. Highway 8 and County Road CC in the Town of Wilson at approximately 6:07 p.m. on August 17 after receiving a 911 call reporting a collision with multiple injuries. According to preliminary findings from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the UTV was attempting to cross Highway 8 when it was struck by a westbound SUV. The driver of the UTV was transported by ambulance to the hospital, and later died from her injuries. Her name is being withheld pending family notification. A 79-year-old passenger on the UTV was also taken to the hospital by ambulance with injuries and is expected to recover. The driver of the SUV, a 40-year-old woman, sustained injuries in the crash and was transported to the hospital via private vehicle. She is also expected to recover. The crash remains under active investigation.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help following a serious hit-and-run crash early Sunday morning in the Town of Merrill. At approximately 2:00 a.m., deputies responded to the area of County Highway K and Lake Pesobic Road after a man was found lying in the roadway with a head injury. The victim had little memory of the incident and was unable to provide a description of the vehicle. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Investigators determined the man was walking along the west side of County Highway K when he was struck by a southbound vehicle. Based on evidence recovered at the scene, deputies believe the suspect vehicle may be a truck with damage to its passenger-side mirror. The Sheriff's Office noted a couple of additional details from the investigation. A nearby Flock automated license plate camera was non-operational at the time due to previous vandalism. Additionally, while deputies located a second person along the roadside, that individual was determined to be an intoxicated pedestrian unrelated to the crash. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has information about the vehicle, or was driving through the area between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. Sunday is asked to contact the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News State Highway 17 will remain closed as transportation officials prepare to launch a pavement replacement project earlier than originally scheduled. According to Lincoln County Highway Commissioner Jason Lemmer, the road's rapid deterioration prompted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to move the timeline forward. Keeping the highway closed now was determined to be the most cost-effective decision given the road conditions. Crews previously completed work to replace the Barnes Creek Bridge along the route earlier this summer. According to Lemmer, a new detour route will be posted shortly, while the official construction start date has not yet been announced. Highway 17 remains completely closed to traffic. The local highway department will continue to provide updates as construction schedules are finalized, and we'll of course share that information. The newly announced pavement project will extend into next year.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News With the new school year quickly approaching, a new list of unusual mascots has been released—and the Rhinelander Hodag is once again in the spotlight. Selected from more than 24,000 high schools nationwide, the Rhinelander Hodags landed at No. 7 on a new list of the Top 50 Most Interesting U.S. High School Nicknames. The rankings were compiled by high school nickname expert David Winder, author of Where Are the Fighting Giraffes: A Guide to the Ordinary, Odd and Outrageous Nicknames of U.S. High Schools. Winder says he created the list to celebrate the local stories behind unique team names, noting that "the best ones make people ask a question, tell a story, or immediately picture the place they represent." This is familiar territory for the Hodag, which regularly finds itself near the top of national lists celebrating unique, legendary, and downright strange mascots. The Hodags finished ahead of several other unusual contenders, including the Fluvanna County Flying Flucos, the Maryville Spoofhounds, the Yuma Criminals, the Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms, and the Mount Clemens Battling Bathers.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News A speeding motorcyclist received an unexpected educational lesson on proper firearm protocol during a recent traffic stop. The incident began last week when a deputy clocked a motorcycle traveling 91 mph in a 55 mph zone near the intersection of County Highways Q and K in the Town of Scott. According to the Sheriff's Office, after coming to a stop, the driver reached down and removed a handgun from his holster. The deputy immediately ordered the man to drop the weapon, and he complied without further incident. When questioned about his actions, the driver explained he had previously been advised to disarm himself if he was ever pulled over by law enforcement. The deputy took the opportunity to explain proper protocol for legal firearm owners during a traffic stop to ensure safety for both the driver and the officer. The Sheriff's Office emphasizes that drivers should never reach for a firearm during a stop. Instead, drivers are advised to keep their hands clearly visible, immediately notify the officer of the weapon's location, and wait for further instructions. The driver was ultimately issued citations for speeding and other traffic violations.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News Extremely dry conditions helped fuel a field fire near Eagle River Monday evening. The Eagle River Area Fire Department was called out around 5 p.m. after a combine sparked a fire in dry, cut hay. The fire spread quickly through the field. The department worked alongside the Eagle River DNR Wildland Firefighting Crew and farm workers. Crews were able to get the flames under control. A department drone equipped with thermal imaging was also used to help locate any remaining hotspots from above.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News A Northwoods attraction is teaming up with a local nonprofit this evening, using a pirate-themed fundraiser to tackle childhood food insecurity in Vilas and Oneida counties. Pirates Hideaway in Eagle River is hosting the "Pirates FOR Kids" event from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., donating proceeds to the organization Feed Our Rural Kids, or FORK. Organizers say the goal is simple: helping the nonprofit protect what they call the community's "real treasure," its youth. Ticket sales from Captain Steve's pirate ship cruises on the Eagle River Chain, as well as a portion of food and drink sales, will directly fund meal programs for area children. The event features live music, food sales, and raffles. All funds raised will support FORK's nutrition initiatives across the Northland Pines, Three Lakes, and Phelps school districts.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News Each summer, the city of Merrill celebrates its local area and all it has to offer with a special community gathering. On Tuesday evening, the annual Merrill Community Night Out returns for its 14th year. The event is inspired by the nationwide National Night Out initiative, the later date is due to timing with the Lincoln County Fair. Organizers note the event gives residents a chance to learn more about local services while meeting the people who make those programs possible. As in years past, a lengthy list of local professionals and organizations are scheduled to attend. Local First Responders will be on site to give kids an up-close look at emergency equipment. Other scheduled participants include Merrill-Go-Round transit, Northcentral Technical College, the T.B. Scott Free Library, and Lincoln County Crime Stoppers. The event will be held at the Merrill Festival Grounds inside the Expo Center from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Featuring food, activities, and live entertainment, organizers encourage residents to bring the whole family out.

Published on 08/17/2026 under News A teenager sustained life-threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Tomahawk late last week. The incident occurred late Thursday morning near SARA Park. According to reports, the teen was walking in a group when she was hit by a vehicle. She was transported to a nearby hospital before being airlifted to another facility for additional treatment. Court records indicate that a 17-year-old female driver is facing multiple charges including reckless injury and recklessly endangering safety. She made an initial court appearance on Friday, where bond was set at $5,000. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for August 24.

Published on 08/17/2026 under News Voter participation in Lincoln County increased slightly during last week's Fall Primary, both in total votes cast and the percentage of registered voters who participated. According to preliminary results, turnout reached 41%, up from 39% in the 2024 fall primary. A total of 7,360 ballots were cast, an increase over the roughly 6,500 cast in 2024. Voter turnout was likely driven by several high-profile primary contests on both the Republican and Democratic side. The breakdown included approximately 4,200 Republican ballots, 2,600 Democratic ballots, and 10 ballots cast for third-party candidates, including the Green, Constitution, and Libertarian parties. Lincoln County results mirrored overall totals in most top-of-ticket races: Tom Tiffany-Republican Governor nomination; David Crowley-Democratic Governor nomination; and Michael Alfonso-Republican 7th congressional district nomination. There was an exception in the 7th congressional district Democratic nomination. While Ginger Murray received the most in Lincoln County, Fred Clark scored more votes district-wide to win the nomination. Voter turnout typically increases in the Fall General Election, the first Tuesday in November.

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