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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

Tomahawk ‘Youth Fishing Classic’ Returns with Support of Local Veterans Groups

Published on 06/05/2026 under News A long-standing youth fishing event is set to return to Tomahawk this weekend with a meaningful new twist. For decades, the Kids Fishing Contest was a summer staple at Veterans Memorial Park, giving local youngsters the chance to cast a line into Lake Mohawksin for some friendly competition. The event came to an end a few years ago when the Tomahawk Fishing Unlimited group disbanded. Now, as part of their growing community outreach, local veterans' groups, including the VFW, American Legion, and Auxiliary have decided to dust off the fishing rods and bring the tradition back. Organizers hope the return of the Youth Fishing Classic will spark an interest in outdoor recreation like fishing, while also building strong relationships between local youth and veterans. Moving forward, the event also plans to honor a local veteran each year. The inaugural honoree perfectly embodies both fishing and service to the country: this weekend's contest will be held in memory of Chuck Grigg, a veteran and the long-time owner of Chuck's Sport Shop, who passed away earlier this year. The Youth Fishing event takes place this Saturday and will feature multiple age groups and fish categories. Free registration begins at 9:00 AM, and fishing kicks off at 10:00 AM near the fishing pier at Veterans Memorial Park. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles; organizers will supply the worms, as well as some goodie bags for the first 100 kids to register.

Published on 06/05/2026 under News People will be able to fish, hike, and explore Wisconsin this weekend without pulling out their wallets. The DNR is officially kicking off the unofficial start of summer by bringing back its popular "Free Fun Weekend" this Saturday and Sunday. The annual event waives most state park fees, trail passes, and fishing licenses encouraging residents and visitors alike to check out the state's natural, outdoor playground. Steve Schmelzer, DNR Bureau Director of Parks and Recreation says, "If you've never checked out a Wisconsin state park before, Free Fun Weekend is the perfect opportunity to come visit for the first time." Finding a spot to explore won't be difficult. Wisconsin boasts 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, thousands of miles of rushing rivers, and roughly 15,000 lakes. For those looking to cast a line, fishing licenses are completely waived for the weekend. However, the DNR reminds anglers that all other traditional regulations apply. This includes bag limits, species seasons, and size restrictions. To help newcomers get started, several state properties will host hands-on fishing clinics throughout the weekend. No matter how you choose to spend the weekend, officials urge everyone to prioritize safety, respect fellow outdoor enthusiasts, and help keep the state's public lands clean.

Published on 06/05/2026 under News Governor Evers has never been shy about his love for ice cream, and on Thursday afternoon, he enjoyed a sweet treat at an iconic local spot. As part of his tour celebrating June Dairy Month, Governor Evers visited the Windmill Ice Cream Shop in Nokomis. This was his second stop of the day, following an earlier visit to a dairy farm in Osseo. During the visit, the Governor touted the strong partnerships between the state and local dairy producers. The Berg family, who owns the shop, also shared on social media that their matriarch, Pat Berg, shared connected with the Governor over their shared past careers as educators. According to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Wisconsin is home to approximately 1.3 million dairy cows and more than 5,000 dairy farms. Beyond milk, Wisconsin is a national leader in dairy products like cheese, butter, yogurt, and, of course, ice cream, including the many selections featured at the Windmill. As for his flavor pick, the Governor opted for a double scoop of New York Cherry and Sea Salt Caramel Nut, which he enjoyed on the Bearskin State Trail trestle overlooking Lake Nokomis.

Published on 06/05/2026 under News May went down as one of the driest months on record, and the impact is starkly visible in the latest weekly report from the U.S. Drought Monitor. The latest data, published Thursday, shows that the area classified as "abnormally dry" jumped from roughly 13% of the state all the way to 77% this week. That massive increase encompasses nearly the entire Northwoods, with the lone exception of a small pocket in Marathon County. Additionally, about 13% of the state, specifically across southeastern and west-central Wisconsin, has officially entered "D-1," which marks the first formal stage of drought. While Thursday's rainfall won't make a major dent in the new data, it was a welcome sight for farmers, gardeners, and homeowners battling browning lawns. The prolonged dry spell has also extended the wildfire season. Officials reported 54 wildfires across the state this past week, with more than a dozen right here in our local listening area, primarily sparked by debris burning.

Published on 06/05/2026 under News Nicolet College is welcoming two new academic leaders to help guide workforce training programs. The college has named Bojan Ljubenko as Dean of Applied Technology and Trades and Amber Laffin as Dean of Public Safety and Transportation. The appointments follow a recent retirement and an internal promotion. Ljubenko joins Nicolet from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he served as director of institutional strategy and effectiveness. In his new role, he will oversee programs including welding, metal fabrication, electromechanical technology, field service technician and information technology. Laffin comes to Nicolet from Bemidji State University, where she coordinated the Criminal Justice program. She also brings experience as a probation and parole officer in Minnesota and Wyoming. Her new responsibilities include leadership of criminal justice, law enforcement training, emergency medical services, firefighting, traffic safety and automotive technician programs. Vice President of Academic Affairs Bobbi Fields says both leaders bring strong experience in higher education and workforce-focused training that will help strengthen opportunities for students while supporting regional employers. Both got a few weeks under their belts before the end of the semester, with Ljubenko beginning in late April, Laffin in early May.

Published on 06/05/2026 under News Wisconsin is known for it's many lakes, rivers, and streams. There are a number of efforts throughout the year aimed at protecting these valuable resources. Starting today and through the weekend, the DNR and their partners will be conducting their annual 'Drain Campaign.' It's focus is on encouraging boaters and anglers to always drain live wells, ballasts, and fish buckets before leaving boat landings. Officials note that draining is key in preventing the spread of AIS and disease. In addition to draining obvious water sources, officials recommend, boaters pull the drain plugs on their boat and tip their motor straight up to drain any water before securing it for the drive ahead. Throughout the weekend, Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteers will be out at select boat launches around the state. In addition to sharing these tips, they'll be handing out reminders of this important message.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News The DNR is encouraging ATV and UTV operators to be on their best behavior this weekend. That's because the agency is teaming up with local law enforcement for its "Think Smart Before You Start" enforcement campaign. Conservation wardens and county recreation deputies will focus on preventing ATV/UTV crashes by watching for dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding and operating while intoxicated. According to the DNR, Wisconsin has recorded 15 ATV and UTV deaths this year. The most common causes were rollovers and collisions. DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator Lt. Jacob Holsclaw says the goal is to reduce accidents through enforcement and personal responsibility. He says, "Our goal is 100% safety compliance and the elimination of dangerous operation that can lead to crashes." The DNR is also reminding riders that new ATV and UTV regulations are now in effect as of June 1. Riders are encouraged to review the updated rules, take a safety course, and make smart decisions every time they turn the key on their machines.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News The Tomahawk Police Department is expanding its lifesaving resources thanks to more than $2,000 in grant funding and donations aimed at combating opioid overdoses. In his monthly report to the city's Health and Safety Committee and Common Council, Police Chief Al Elvins announced that the department recently received two cases of Narcan (naloxone) through a $1,080 grant from the Wisconsin Division of Care and Treatment. North Central Health Care matched that support by donating two additional cases to the department at no cost. Narcan is a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses and can be quickly administered by law enforcement officers in emergency situations. Elvins noted that all department employees are required to complete Narcan training, adding that officers have already used the medication to save several lives in the past. Looking ahead, Elvins stated that the department will continue to pursue grant opportunities. Current efforts include an application to NAMI-Wisconsin for the reimbursement of Crisis Intervention Team Training costs, as well as grants to help replace the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) carried in police squads.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News If spring cleaning has uncovered a closet full of dusty electronics, an event in Lincoln County this weekend will offer a chance to clear that clutter while helping local students and nonprofits. Good News Project is bringing its annual electronics recycling event back to Merrill on Friday and Saturday. Organizers call the weekend event a win-win, offering residents a safe way to dispose of unwanted electronics while raising funds for local outreach. There is a 49-cent-per-pound recycling fee, with proceeds going toward Good News Project programs like their Mobile HELP truck, which provides loaner medical equipment. New this year, they're also partnering with the Merrill Area School District's NESTs program. The initiative helps ensure students have access to basic necessities such as clothing, food, and school supplies so they can focus on learning and success in the classroom. Good News Project Director Christine Daniels says, "At Good News Project we are passionate about saving resources and helping people. This Merrill event allows us to do both." Over the past two decades, these efforts have also helped keep more than 4 million pounds of e-waste out of local landfills. They'll be set up at the Merrill Festival Grounds-Sell Building on Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. We've got those details in the WJJQ Community Calendar as well.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News Tomahawk's National Night Out is still a few months away, but organizers are already busy working to grow the event in its third year. National Night Out is a nationwide campaign designed to strengthen relationships between first responders, local organizations, businesses, and the community through a fun, family-focused evening. The Tomahawk Chamber organizes the local event, which is scheduled for August 4. After the event doubled in size from year one to year two, Chamber Director Charis Lau says the goal is to build on that momentum. "This year we hope to continue growing the event and creating even more opportunities for local organizations to connect with families and visitors," Lau said. To encourage more participation, registration will be open to both Chamber members and non-members alike. Businesses, nonprofits, and community groups interested in taking part can contact the Tomahawk Chamber for more information. For community members looking to attend, you can expect interactive booths, children's activities, safety demonstrations, and food vendors.

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