WJJQ Radio

Story Details

Hatchet Boys Swimming Team Finishes Fifth at Sectionals Published on 02/01/2021 under Sports

The Tomahawk Hatchet boys Swimming Team competed in the WIAA Sectional Meet on Saturday at Rhinelander High School. Tomahawk finished in fifth place. Rhinelander won the meet and Menomonie was second.

Of the 13 individual event swims that the Hatchets competed in, 11 of them were either personal best or at the very least season best swim times, 1 was a re-broken school record, and 2 were overall 2nd place finishes with times solid enough to qualify for the WIAA State Swim Meet, next Friday Feb. 5, 2021 to be held at the Waukesha South High School Natatorium.

Of the 3 relays that the Hatchets competed in, all three registered considerable season time drops with a 3rd place finish for the Medley Relay and a pair of 5th's for the Freestyle Relay teams.

And as was said above most excitingly we aren't done yet! Next Friday, February 5th, (6:30 pm meet start) we'll have our individual State Meet Qualifier, Sophomore Zach Hanse to represent the Tomahawk Hatchets in both the 200 yard Individual Medley with a qualifying time of 2:09.46 as well as in the 100 yard Breaststroke, in which Zach broke his own school record of 1:03.21, down to a 1:02.66.

Scoring Points today for the Hatchets:
200 Medley Relay – Caleb Kretzschmar, Zach Hanse, Ethan Liebnitz and Adam Hall in 3rd for 32 points at 1:52.55

200 Freestyle – Caleb Kretzschmar in 9th place for 9 points at 2:05.74, Alex Norman in 10th place for 7 points at 2:13.26 and Cullen Flynn in 11th for 6 points at 2:17.78

200 Individual Medley – Zach Hanse in 2nd for 17 points and claiming a State Meet berth at 2:09.46, currently seeded 15th in the event

50 Freestyle – Adam Hall in 7th place for 12 points at :24.08

100 Freestyle – Ethan Liebnitz in 6th place for 13 points at :54.66, Alex Norman in 9th place for 9 points at :57.92

500 Freestyle – Caleb Kretzschmar in 6th for 13 points at 5:58.03, Taje Casey in 10th place for 7 points at 6:52.88

200 Freestyle Relay – Cullen Flynn, Taje Casey, Alex Norman and Ethan Liebnitz in 5th place for 28 points at 1:45.89

100 Backstroke – Cullen Flynn in 6th place for 13 points at 1:12.18

100 Breaststroke – Zach Hanse in 2nd for 17 points at 1:02.66 and also claiming his 2nd State Meet berth, currently seeded 9th in the event
Adam Hall in 4th for 15 points at 1:11.79

400 Freestyle Relay – Ethan Liebnitz, Caleb Kretzschmar, Adam Hall and Zach Hanse in 5th for 28 points at 3:45.97

The WIAA State Meet gets underway on Friday at 6:30 pm.

In Other News

Tomahawk 6th and 9th Graders Return to School

Published on 08/31/2026 under News It's day one of the new school year in Tomahawk...at least for a select group of students. The district is once again using a staggered start schedule, a program designed to ease the transition to a new school building. While most kids in Tomahawk are enjoying one final day of summer break, sixth and ninth graders—along with students new to the district—are filling the halls today. Since 2018, Tomahawk has relied on two nationwide peer-mentoring initiatives: the W.E.B. program in the middle school and Link Crew at the high school. Created by the Boomerang Project and used in over 4,500 schools nationwide, these programs give incoming students exclusive access to campus today. They spend the day learning their class schedules, practicing locker combinations, participating in group activities, and building connections with older student mentors that last all year long. The rest of the student body returns tomorrow for a more traditional first day of school and to kick off the full school year. And for those students already keeping track...summer break is just 274 days away.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News One person has died in a Vilas County boating incident over the weekend. According to the Vilas County Sheriff's Office, a resident on Sumach Lake called 911 at around 2:30 Sunday afternoon after observing a capsized boat and two men in the water. One of the men was able to swim to shore and seek help. Along with a good Samaritan, they were able to pull the man from the water. He was treated on scene, and transported to Aspirus Howard Young Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The man's name is being withheld pending notification of family. The DNR is handling the investigation.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News A plea deal has been reached for a man involved in a high-speed pursuit and highway shooting that spanned Marathon and Lincoln counties in October 2023. Court records show 44-year-old Bennie Green pleaded guilty to seven charges earlier this month. This includes five felony counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety with a dangerous weapon, along with OWI causing injury and possession a firearm as a felon. The charges stem from an incident in October 2023 where Green fired at a vehicle on Highway 51 near Brokaw, injuring two people in that vehicle. Lincoln County deputies later spotted Green's vehicle, sparking a pursuit back into Marathon County that ended when a deputy disabled Green's car near Wausau. As part of the plea agreement, six additional charges were dismissed but will be considered at sentencing on November 30.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News Most Northwoods students head back to school this week, prompting local law enforcement to remind drivers to slow down, watch for buses and pedestrians, and obey traffic laws. The Wisconsin State Patrol and the Department of Transportation recently highlighted the critical need for school bus safety. According to the DOT, Wisconsin recorded 655 crashes involving school buses last year, resulting in 70 injuries. State courts also logged more than 1,300 convictions for failure to stop for a school bus. DOT Secretary Kristina Boardman says, "This is an exciting time for families across Wisconsin as another school year approaches, and students are counting on all of us to help keep them safe as they go to and from school." As a reminder, when you see flashing amber lights, slow down and proceed with caution as the bus prepares to stop. Once the buses' red warning lights are activated, stop at least 20 feet away and remain until the lights are switched off. Officials offer several key safety tips for motorists: Slow down in school zones and residential areas and where children are present. Yield right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks and intersections. Avoid distractions, put away mobile devices and keep your full attention on the road.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News Drivers heading through Lincoln County will need to plan for extra travel time starting today as work begins on a major Highway 17 resurfacing project. Highway 17 remains closed to through traffic between Highway 64 and Big Hay Meadow Creek. The project will unfold in two separate phases. They'll work into early November before pausing for the winter. The project will resume next spring, tentatively scheduled from April to July. This is a project that was moved up on the construction calendar due to road conditions. Crews will replace the existing asphalt surface and concrete curb and gutter, install new centerline rumble strips, and apply a protective thermoplastic coating at designated snowmobile crossings to prevent track wear on the fresh pavement. The posted detour uses Highways 64, 51, and 8. Local access to homes and businesses along the construction corridor will be maintained.

Published on 08/31/2026 under News After several down years, Northern Wisconsin's wild rice crop is expected to be better this fall. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says heavy April rainfall across the Northwoods, followed by a dry summer, created unusually stable water conditions throughout the critical growing period for the state's wild rice crop. Jason Fleener is a DNR wetland habitat specialist. He says, "Wild rice harvesters who are looking to fill their pantries may find some good wild rice beds, but they may encounter low water levels that could make navigation by canoe a challenge." Water depth varies based on localized rainfall and regional dam operations. While production is up when compared to recent years, experts say the yield remains well below historical benchmarks, and some lakes continue to experience severe crop declines. State biologists point to broader long-term threats including climate change, land use pressures, and declining water quality. Still, for harvesters willing to scout and travel, viable beds are plentiful across the northern landscape this fall. The timing coincides with Wisconsin's inaugural Wild Rice Week, running from August 30 through September 6, established to raise public awareness around the ecologically and culturally significant crop.

Published on 08/29/2026 under Sports The Hatchet volleyball squad stumbled out of the gate to begin 2026, going 1-5 in their opening matches at the Just A Game Fieldhouse Friendship Tournament in the Wisconsin Dells over the weekend. Tomahawk went 0-4 Friday, losing to Wausau West, Wisconsin Dells, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau, and Oshkosh North. Saturday, the Hatchets started the day with getting swept by Cashton. The Hatchets would leave the Dells with a victory after sweeping Rio. Tomahawk begins Great Northern Conference play Thursday night at Medford. Tune in for the broadcast on the WJJQ app, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Prematch Show will begin at 6:35 with opening serve at 7:00. Matt Theiler and Alex Koch will be in the broadcast booth from Medford Thursday night.

Published on 08/28/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's football squad's offensive struggles would continue Friday night as they would lose at Charger Field to Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 23-6. The Hatchets would fail to crack 100 yards rushing for the second consecutive game. Tomahawk would allow 305 yards on the ground to the Chargers, including 171 in the second half. Max Larson led the way for the Hatchets with 99 yards and an 11-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The Hatchets would force three turnovers, but mustered only six points off of those takeaways. Tomahawk falls to 0-2 on the season and will begin Great Northern Conference Play against Wausau East next Friday. Tune in for the broadcast on the WJJQ App, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ with the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:15 and kickoff at 7:00. Keith Hanse and Alex Koch will be in the broadcast booth from Hatchet Field next week. Other Northwoods Week 2 Football Scores: 11-Player Football: New London 13, Antigo 0 Shawano 16, Lakeland 15 Onalaska 20, Medford 0 Merrill 27, Crandon 14 Menasha 46, Mosinee 20 Ashland 26, Northland Pines 23 Rhinelander 49, Hayward 12 La Crosse Logan 37, Wausau East 0 Colby 33, Abbotsford 13 8-Player Football: Chequamegon 58, Cornell 30 Hurley 20, Laona-Wabeno 14 (OT) Ironwood (MI) 52, Florence 15 Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas 47, Goodman-Pembine 6 De Soto 62, Rib Lake 26 Gilman 50, Athens 0

Published on 08/28/2026 under News Even at 82 years old, Smokey Bear is proving he can keep up with the digital age. Officials gathered outside the Minocqua Fire & Rescue Department for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially dedicate Wisconsin's first electronic Smokey Bear sign. It replaces the traditional, manual sign common across the country. Prominently positioned along Highway 51 directly in front of the station, the state-of-the-art, federally funded display allows local officials to instantly update wildfire conditions in real time. This ensures residents and visitors traveling through the Northwoods are immediately alerted to current fire danger levels. Since 1944, Smokey has been the nationwide voice of wildfire prevention, and local officials emphasize that clear, modern communication remains as vital as ever. To cap off the celebration, Dan's Minocqua Fudge created a S'mores-themed ice cream for the event, packed with marshmallow, chocolate chips, Teddy Grahams, and a hint of honey.

Published on 08/28/2026 under News Leaders, business owners, and residents from across the region will gather in Tomahawk this fall to help shape the future of rural Wisconsin. Lincoln County has been chosen as one of just two statewide host sites for the 2026 Wisconsin Small Community Forums. The half-day event, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, will focus on the unique economic and civic opportunities and challenges facing small towns. "Lincoln County is excited to host this year's forum," said Sara Guild, Executive Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation. She encourages local attendance for the event, which will focus on practical solutions for rural economic and community development. The forum brings together residents, elected officials, and regional organizations to share best practices and actionable strategies. The 2026 agenda highlights key local topics: Rural Housing: A panel discussion on tools, tactics, and strategies featuring state, county, and local leaders.Community-Involved Employers: A spotlight on area businesses that actively invest in local development.Local Case Studies: Presentations showcasing successful regional projects and community initiatives.Interactive Roundtables: Focused discussions on key issues impacting both residents and visitors.The event will take place at the Buedingen Training Center at PCA in Tomahawk. Dunn County will serve as the other statewide host site, holding its forum in Colfax next month. Additional information and registration information.

+ Read More