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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

Local 911 Centers Recognized for National Telecommunicators Week

Published on 04/18/2024 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. Their 9-member 911 center handled nearly 6,300 calls last year. 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. The Sheriff's Office said, "When you experience a critical incident, they are the first voices that help calm the chaos. They not only take phone calls regarding emergency and non-emergency situations, but they also coordinate resources to get help to those in need; they truly are the first, First Responders." It's a similar story in Oneida County. The Sheriff's Office says their 13-member 911 center works with 17 fire departments, 5 ambulance services, 10 first responder groups and 3 law enforcement agencies.

Published on 04/18/2024 under News A Northwoods teacher has been selected for a state award for her efforts to immerse students in different cultures. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction named Crandon High School Spanish teacher Jodi Resch Brownell as their Global Educator of the Year. According to the announcement, "With three decades of experience as a teacher, Resch Brownell has instilled a love of learning about other cultures and the world among students." She's credited with bring the Global Scholars Program to the school. Students are able to learn about the world, explore diverse perspectives, engage in intercultural communication, and collaborate to address global issues. With that inspiration, the students created book and film clubs on those topics. State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said. "From helping her students learn about the world and diverse experiences in unique ways, to going out of her way to create opportunities for colleagues and the surrounding community to grow as individuals, Ms. Resch Brownell is so deserving of this honor In addition to helping students understand other cultures and languages through field trips and virtual exchange, Resch Brownell created a Global Learning Guide for staff, and sustains lifelong learning through travel and professional development. As this year's recipient, Council on International Educational Exchange scholarship to represent Wisconsin on a visit to a site.

Published on 04/18/2024 under News The Tomahawk Public Library is more that just books...and their latest effort is all about the birds. This week kicked off the Great Wisconsin Birdathon and the local library is taking part. The statewide effort is organized by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin and participants include not only libraries, but schools, classes, bird organizations or simply interested individuals. Last year, they had 72 teams which registered 274 species of birds. There are two parts to the Birdathon...Between April 15 and June 15th, they're encouraging people to break out binoculars to spot and record as many bird species as possible. They described it like a walk-a-thon, but instead of logging miles, participants log bird sightings. Participants can search anywhere in the state, and organizers noted there are no shortage of birding opportunities and habitat here in the Northwoods. They're also collecting pledges for sightings, with a statewide collection goal is $125,000. They're on their way, already reaching $19,000. We'll include all the links in the online version of the story, or visit the TPL Facebook.

Published on 04/18/2024 under News Northcentral Technical College announced the grand opening of a new program and facility to offer training and certification for meat processing. Known as the Pasture to Plate Butchery program, the school says the certificate is designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience in every aspect of the meat production process, from sourcing livestock to humane harvest to preparing cuts for consumption to retail sales. They'll utilize a combination of classroom instruction, practical training and field experiences working with local farms as well as the NTC Agriculture Center of Excellence. Culinary Arts Faculty Chef Travis Teska, "As the demand for locally sourced, high-quality meats continues to grow, NTC is leading the way in preparing skilled professionals who can meet this demand while promoting ethical and sustainable practices." A key feature of the program is its emphasis on farm-to-table principles, which ensures that students understand the entire supply chain. Teska says, "The Pasture to Plate Butchery program exemplifies our dedication to equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the modern meat industry while upholding the highest standards of ethics and sustainability." NTC is currently accepting applications for the program.

Published on 04/18/2024 under News The Rhinelander Chamber has officially announced the return of the Hodag Heritage Festival, and the week-long celebration is just under a month away. For more than a century the Hodag has been synonymous with Rhinelander. Back in 2021, the Chamber and their partners established the Hodag Heritage Festival. It was a way to celebrate not only the connection to the mythical beast, but also the city's history and community. This will be the fourth edition of the Hodag Heritage Festival and the event continues to grow. Rhinelander Chamber event and program coordinator Rachel Bohlen says, "We have more Hodag & cryptid vendors, food trucks, and activities than ever before. There truly is something for everyone!" She teased a few events including a hodag calling contest, historical bus tours, a city-wide scavenger hunt and the re-dedication of the Hodag Historical marker. The Chamber has a schedule of events on their website. Some of the week-long activities will kick-off May 12, while the main celebration on Saturday May 18.

Published on 04/18/2024 under News The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest will see some improvements to watershed health and infrastructure flood resistance in the coming years. The USDA Forest Service received nearly $1.8 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund a series of projects over the next two years. According to the announcement, there will be an investment into the Brule River Headwaters Restoration Plan in Florence, Forest, and Vilas counties. Watershed Program Manager Chris Ester says, "These were selected as priority watersheds due to their inherent climate resilience and high-quality resilient habitats. They are projected to remain a stronghold for cold water aquatic communities despite climate change." The restoration plan includes 21 stream crossing replacements, four dam removals, and road reconstruction. A detailed look at the various projects is available on the CNNF website. The National Forest staffers have been working with a number of partners on these projects including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Trout Unlimited, the DNR, the Sokoaogon Chippewa and Forest County Potawatomi and local officials.

Published on 04/17/2024 under News It's Road Construction Awareness Week, and Lincoln County drivers will soon be able to put those lessons to practice. The Lincoln County Highway Department announced several upcoming projects scheduled to take place in the first half of the road construction season. Interim Highway Commissioner Jason Lemmer provided some of the details. In the Tomahawk area, signs were put out this week for a project on the north/south segment of County Hwy A between the City of Tomahawk and Hwy 8. That project is currently scheduled to begin May 1 and run through mid-July. According to the announcement, the road will be closed to thru traffic, and drivers can expect lengthy delays. The other two projects are in the southern portion of the county. They'll work on County K between Larson Lake and Highway 51 and Tug Lake Road between Woodenware Road and Resort Lane in the Town of Rock Falls. We'll continue to share any updates as we receive.

Published on 04/17/2024 under News Crossbridge Community Bank has found its next president, and it's a promotion from within. This week Crossbridge announced that PJ Childers will take over the role, overseeing operations and strategic planning for the bank alongside Crossbridge CEO, Mark Zulliger. She'll also serve on the board of directors. Childers has been with Crossbridge for nearly two decades. She most recently served as Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending while also part of their executive leadership team. According to the announcement, she was integral to the creation and implementation of the banks 2022 re-brand. Zulliger says, "PJ has always had a clear and distinct vision to propel the bank into our next era. She is rooted in the community and is an example of the integrity and service model that drive our organization," Childers said, "I am very excited for this next step in my banking career. Crossbridge Community Bank is more than just an employer. To be able to work for an organization that puts purpose first has truly been fulfilling." The THS grad earned a finance degree at UW-LaCrosse before completing the Graduate School of Banking at the UW-Madison. Outside of the bank, Childers has been heavily involved in the community including the Tomahawk STAR Foundation and the Tomahawk Hockey Association. She takes over for Kathy Rankin who retired earlier this month after 46 years. Childers says, "I have been beyond blessed to have had Kathy as a mentor for the past 19 years. Though she (left) some pretty big shoes to fill, I'm confident I will make her proud." That transition took effect this week.

Published on 04/17/2024 under News Rain here in the Northwoods is a welcome sight after firefighters spent another day battling small wildfires around the state. According to the DNR's tracker, crews responded to another 42 wildfires across their protection area on Tuesday. Combined they burned approximately 40 acres. Nearly half of those fires were right here in North Central Wisconsin including a pair in Lincoln County. A fire in Skanawan burned 1.8 acres and was attributed to debris burning. A fire in Harrison burned 0.2 acres and was power related. Elsewhere there were 3 wildfires in Vilas County; 2 in Oneida County; 5 in Price County; 3 in Taylor County; and 2 in Langlade County. Dating back to the weekend, this has been one of the busiest stretches this year. Elevated wildfire risk is typically associated with warm temperatures, low humidity, high winds, and still-dormant vegetation. While the rain should offer some relief, people are encouraged to always monitor local fire conditions and avoid activities that may create a spark.

Published on 04/17/2024 under News Last week we told you about the SkillsUSA Wisconsin State Leadership and Skills Conference. Several Northwoods students found success in the competition. The two-day event was held at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Madison. The 51st edition features more than 1,500 students who competed across 80 skilled and technical trade competitions in categories such as carpentry, culinary arts, and robotics. Gold medal winners earned a place in the national competition in Atlanta this June. Among them, Axel Jacobs of Nicolet College who won the college barber competition. Another gold went to MacKenzie Wissbroecker of Antigo High School in the first aid/CPR category. While they didn't qualify for nationals, several other local students medaled. In cosmetology, Tomahawk's Rachael Reilly, earned a bronze in high school competition; Ruby Mischler, from Nicolet in the college version. Marty Bauer of Antigo High School scored a silver in the job interview category.

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