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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

Storm Clean-Up Ongoing; Two Tornadoes Confirmed in Marathon, Lincoln Counties

Published on 04/20/2026 under News Cleanup is continuing across north central Wisconsin after powerful storms moved through the region late Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service has confirmed two tornadoes touched down around 4:45 p.m. The stronger of the two struck parts of Marathon County, including Kronenwetter and Ringle. It has been rated an EF-3, with estimated wind speeds of 145 miles per hour. The tornado was about 600 yards wide and stayed on the ground for 13 and a half miles in roughly 17 minutes. Officials say around 75 homes were damaged in that storm. Anyone looking to help can donate to a relief fund through the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, which is supporting both immediate and long-term recovery efforts. A website has also been established at www.wi4ringle.com/ to connect residents and resources. At the same time, a second tornado touched down in northern Marathon County and moved into southeastern Lincoln County. That storm was rated an EF-1, with winds near 110 miles per hour. It was about 100 yards wide and remained on the ground for just over four miles. Despite the damage, no injuries have been reported. The storms also brought heavy rain, strong winds, and hail larger than an inch in diameter. Widespread power outages also impacted the area. The severe weather caps off an active week across Wisconsin. So far this year, 24 tornadoes have been confirmed statewide; already surpassing the annual average of 23.

Published on 04/20/2026 under News After a week of stormy weather across Wisconsin including heavy rain in the Northwoods, the DNR is encouraging private well owners to monitor their drinking water to ensure it is safe. Officials say significant rainfall and flooding can introduce bacteria and other contaminants into private wells, increasing the risk of waterborne illness. Wells located in basements, pits, or low-lying areas are especially vulnerable. The DNR advises homeowners who notice changes in taste, color, or sediment, or who experienced flooding near their well, to assume the water may be contaminated. In those cases, residents should stop drinking the water immediately, switch to a safe alternative source, and have the well disinfected, ideally by a licensed professional. Water should also be tested before it's used again. Even without visible flooding, contamination is still possible. The DNR recommends annual testing of private wells for bacteria and nitrates as a routine safety measure. For those on public water systems, officials say those supplies are designed to keep contaminants out, but anyone with concerns should contact their local provider. Additional guidance on well safety and flood recovery is available through the DNR and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Published on 04/20/2026 under News Local Scouting groups wrapped up another successful community food drive here in the Tomahawk community. Members of Boy Scout Troop 548 and Cub Scout Pack 548 spent Saturday morning canvassing select neighborhoods. A team of 27 scouts went door-to-door to collect donations directly from residents' porches. While the door-to-door approach makes it easier for citizens to donate, the collection also provided scouts with awareness of food insecurity and community service. In the end, the effort resulted in more than 700 pounds of food donations that will be distributed to the local food pantries. The scouts expressed their sincere thanks to the Tomahawk community for their continued generosity. They also extended their gratitude to the food pantry volunteers who worked side-by-side with the scouts to sort and organize the incoming donations.

Published on 04/20/2026 under News Food lovers in the Northwoods will have a new reason to fire up their appetites this week. Nicolet College is hosting its first-ever Chef Week: Fire, Flavor & Food Trucks, a three-day culinary event that kicks off today. The event is designed to bring together professional chefs, aspiring cooks and the community for live demonstrations, hands-on learning and a look at the business side of the food industry. Organizers say the goal is not just to showcase great food, but to inspire creativity and connect people with opportunities in the growing culinary and hospitality industries. A highlight of the week will be a Food Truck Rally on Wednesday, April 22nd, offering a family-friendly chance for the public to sample a variety of local flavors. They've arranged to have a handful of food trucks descend on campus from 1pm to 6pm. They also have several instructional sessions with regional chefs and food entrepreneurs including Luke Zahm, Chef and owner of the Driftless Café, a James Beard Award semifinalist, and host of "Wisconsin Foodie." Courses are limited in size and require registration, while the food truck rally is open to the public with food available for purchase.

Published on 04/20/2026 under News Despite the recent rains, wildfire danger remains elevated in the region. Multiple crews in Oneida County responded to a brush fire in the Town of Pelican late last week. Firefighters were dispatched to EZ Drive to find an approximately 1 acre already burned, with the fire spreading into the woods. According to the update, crews began knocking the fire down, while a DNR heavy unit was utilized to plow a line around the leading edge of the fire. Firefighters also dealt with rough terrain and thick brush to access the fire, using more than 2,000 feet of forestry hose line. The fire ended up burning just over 3 acres. Firefighters were on scene for approximately 3.5 hours. According to the DNR wildfire tracker, the cause was attributed to debris burning. Over the past five days, crews have responded to eight wildland fires across Vilas, Oneida, Lincoln, Langlade and Price Counties.Wildfires within the DNR Protection Area between April 14-21

Published on 04/20/2026 under News The deer hunting season is still a half year away, but planning the season structure is ongoing. Over the next two weeks, Community Deer Advisory Councils around the state will meet to form recommendations on antlerless harvest goals, tag availability and season options. These recommendations are reviewed and set each year so they can be adjusted as needed in response to the previous year's deer harvest, winter severity and other factors. Those meetings get underway this week and will continue into next week as well. A reminder that the northern forest zone now uses habitat-based boundaries rather than the traditional county-based lines. Stakeholders are encouraged to review their zone to attend the correct meeting. The locations are listed on the DNR website. (Unit 119, most of Lincoln County, will meet Wednesday, April 22 at 6:30pm Lincoln County Service Center.) Once finalized, the recommendations are sent to the Natural Resources Board for final approval.

Published on 04/17/2026 under News While their work is often behind the scenes, dispatchers play a crucial role in emergency response, and this week is set aside to recognize their efforts. Over the past few days, local law enforcement agencies have been taking the time to observe National Telecommunicators Week by recognizing their dispatch staff. That includes the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office which referred to the telecommunicators as the 'first, First Responders.' They dispatch for not only the Sheriff's Office but two police departments, two ambulance services, one full-time fire department, and four volunteer fire departments. It's a similar story in Oneida County where their 911 center works with 17 fire departments, 5 ambulance services, 10 first responder groups and 3 law enforcement agencies. They handled around 39,000 calls last year. Jake Simkins, Captain of Emergency Services said, "You won't find a more dedicated group of people who are ready to assist their emergency services family and the citizens of Oneida County." They not only take phone calls regarding emergency and non-emergency situations, but they also coordinate resources to get help to those in need. Oneida County Sheriff Grady Hartman added, "They are the first people that citizens reach out to when they need help. This week, we honor them for their commitment, devotion and hard work."

Published on 04/17/2026 under News So far during Severe Weather Awareness week, we've talked about tornadoes and flooding...today we turn our attention to the skies and lightning. Lightning can come in the blink of an eye, and safety officials remind people, "when thunder roars, head indoors!" According to the National Lightning Safety Council, around 200 people are struck by lightning each year. Unfortunately, a man was killed in a fatal lightning strike in Waukesha County this week. Among common activities where lightning strikes occur frequently: fishing, visits to the beach, camping, and farming. Ready Wisconsin says the safest place to seek shelter is indoors. Even the inside of a car is safer than being out in the open during a thunderstorm. You should never seek cover under a tree or think you are safe by being low to the ground. They also note that while lightning is associated with rain, it can strike from as far away as 10 miles, even instances of sunny skies. These are commonly referred to as 'bolts from the blue.' Lightning strike victims can, and should be cared for immediately by calling 911 and performing CPR. Don't be afraid to touch the victim, as the human body does not hold an electrical charge following a lightning strike.

Published on 04/17/2026 under News Earlier this week, we reported a tornado in northwestern Taylor County. The National Weather Service provided some additional information. The tornado touched down near Gilman Monday evening at 5:38pm. It was on the ground for about 10 minutes and traveled approximately 3.5 miles. It was approximately 20 yards width, with peak wind speeds estimated at 80 miles per hour, classified as an EF0. Officials say the tornado caused only minor damage to trees and outbuildings along its path, with no injuries or fatalities reported. Emergency management crews assisted in the damage survey. A second location near Chelsea was also investigated, bu no tornado confirmed. The tornado near Gilman was the first in the state this year, though six additional tornadoes have been confirmed in southern Wisconsin this week. It was also the first tornado ever recorded in the month of April in Taylor County.

Published on 04/17/2026 under News Aspirus Health is hosting a program next month focused on mental health and student athletes, and they're bringing in a Packer legend to participate in that conversation. Aspirus Health is hosting "Beyond the Game," a mental health summit focused on the well-being of athletes. It is coming up Thursday, May 14th at the Jefferson Street Inn in Wausau. The one-day event will feature a strong connection to the Green Bay Packers, including appearances by Pro Football Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler and the team's director of performance psychology, Dr. Chris Carr. Organizers say their involvement brings a powerful perspective on the mental and emotional challenges athletes face at every level. The summit will also include local and national speakers discussing how to better support student-athletes, coaches, and families, with a focus on mental health, resilience, and prevention. Heidi Pritzl, Suicide Prevention Coordinator for Aspirus Health, says, "This summit is about hope, connection, and prevention for the young people in our communities. Prtizl added, "My hope is that attendees leave knowing how to help athletes feel seen, supported, and never alone during difficult moments." The event run is free to attend, and open to the public, though registration is required. Coaches, educators, health care professionals, parents, and community members are encouraged to attend and take part in the conversation.

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