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Hatchet Spring Sports Teams Open Season on Monday Published on 04/15/2021 under Sports

The official start to the WIAA Spring Sports Season is on Monday, April 19 when teams around the state can begin practicing for the 2021 seasons.

The Hatchet Boys Golf, Baseball, Softball and Boys and Girls Track and Field Teams will begin practice on Monday. Over the last couple of weeks, the coaching staffs' have been working with the athletes during contact days.

The first action of the spring season will be on Friday, April 23 when the Hatchet JV and Varsity Golf Teams host Wittenberg-Birnamwood at 4:30 pm at the Inshalla Country Club for a nine-hole meet.

The Hatchet JV and Varsity Softball and Baseball Teams will open their seasons on Tuesday, April 27. The softball teams are at Mosinee, with both games beginning at 5:00 pm. The baseball teams will travel to Antigo, with action at 5:00 pm.

The first meet of the season for the Hatchet Boys and Girls Track and Field Teams is on May 6, when the Hatchets travel to Ashland for the Ashland Invite.

Northwoods 92-5 will have daily updates on the Hatchet Spring Sports Season with Hunter Baumgardt. You can also join Hunter on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 pm for the Sport Q, talking state and local sports on WJJQ.

In Other News

Music on the River: The Cougars Return for Season Finale

Published on 08/12/2026 under News As quickly as it began, Tomahawk's summer concert series comes to a close this evening, and organizers are bringing back a local favorite to wrap up the season. The Cougars will perform tonight at the seventh and final week of Music on the River at Memorial Park. The six-piece band, a series regular, features a unique lineup with three female lead singers and lively blend of rock, pop, and a touch of country. The Cougars were originally scheduled to kick off this year's concert series, but their performance in June was postponed due to rain. Now, they get to close out the summer instead. Throughout the summer, fans packed the waterfront, whether in lawn chairs in the park or pontoons on the shoreline. Tonight offers one last chance to catch the music on the water. The free concert begins at 6:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Tomahawk.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News Voters across the Northwoods turned out in steady numbers on Tuesday to choose their candidates for the fall election. The most closely watched contest was at the top of the ticket. With Governor Tony Evers not seeking re-election, the open seat drew heavy statewide attention. A local candidate will anchor the Republican ticket, as current 7th District Congressman Tom Tiffany cruised to the GOP nomination as expected. On the Democratic side, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley mounted a dramatic comeback after re-entering the race last month. It appears Crowley after he narrowly defeated state Representative Francesca Hong, who led polling through much of the campaign. Tiffany's run for governor also left an open seat in Northern Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District. On the Republican side, Michael Alfonso emerged victorious from a field of five candidates. For the Democrats, former state Representative Fred Clark won a tight three-way race in which every candidate captured at least 30 percent of the vote. The primary winners now advance to the November 3 general election.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News In just a few short weeks, Northwoods students will head back to the classroom, meaning back-to-school shopping is in full swing. With rising costs, a little extra planning can go a long way in preventing sticker shock. According to the National Retail Federation, parents of K-12 students anticipate spending a little over $400 on basic supplies and clothing alone. That figure climbs even higher when factoring in electronics or college-bound students. However, consumer experts say smart habits can lead to significant savings:Stick to the List: Start with your district's official classroom supply list—and stick to it. Keeping purchases focused on essential items prevents costly impulse buys.Shop at Home First: Before heading to the store, check closets and desks. Supplies left over from previous school years can often be reused.Buy in Bulk: Team up with neighbors, relatives, or classmates to purchase items in bulk, then divide the supplies and split the savings.Shop Sales and Closeouts: Keep an eye out for weekly back-to-school sales. While driving to multiple stores requires extra effort, those small discounts add up quickly.Finally, take advantage of local community organizations that host school supply drives and distribution events. On Wednesday afternoon and early evening, Tomahawk Kinship is teaming up with several area churches to host a free backpack and school supply giveaway at the Kinship House on Main Street.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News While school staffers have been busy preparing campuses for the return of students, administrators and school board members have been hard at work on district budgets. The preliminary spending plan for the Tomahawk School District was on the board's agenda Tuesday, with District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry providing a brief overview. As previously reported, rising local property values and declining enrollment mean Tomahawk no longer qualifies for state general aid. That funding is expected to decrease annually, shifting more of the tax burden locally. Quesinberry noted that unreimbursed special education costs also remain a major financial hurdle. On the local tax front, a significant jump in overall property values could potentially lower the district's mill rate by 35 to 40 cents, even with a slight increase in the tax levy. As he does each August, Quesinberry cautioned that the preliminary budget is subject to change. School districts rely on placeholders for categories like student enrollment and state aid until official figures are finalized after the school year begins. Quesinberry reassured the board that the district remains in a strong financial position, describing the proposal as a "good, strong budget." The plan will be formally presented to the public at the district's annual meeting next month, with final board approval expected in late September or early October.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News Firefighters from across the Lakeland region teamed up to contain a house fire in Minocqua that threatened neighboring homes and woods. According to Minocqua Fire & Rescue, crews responded to a reported home fire on Spies Court off Kobart Road on Monday afternoon at shortly before 5pm. Seeing a thick column of smoke before even arriving, they immediately called in mutual aid. The first firefighters on the scene encountered heavy flames and worked to quickly knock down the main fire. The blaze had spread to a nearby garage and into the surrounding wooded area. This triggered a wildland fire response as well. In the end, more than a dozen area fire departments and emergency crews joined the effort, deploying multiple hose lines to bring the flames under control and protect nearby homes from damage. No injuries were reported, and Minocqua Fire leaders expressed deep gratitude to all the neighboring departments whose mutual aid kept the fire from spreading further.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News Nicolet College is looking to make it easier for busy community members to learn about education opportunities through special evening outreach events in the lead up to the fall semester. In August, the college brought back its popular "Nicolet @ Night" program, designed specifically for prospective students who cannot visit campus during regular business hours. Katie Ourada is an admissions manager at Nicolet. She says, "Many of our future and continuing students are full-time workers, parents, and busy people, who need support when it's convenient for them. She says they've designed the evening to give students the flexibility to take the next step. Admissions representatives will be on hand to discuss academic pathways, class schedules, financial aid, and campus support services. As an added bonus, Nicolet is waiving its application fee for attendees, who can also enter a drawing for a $250 scholarship from the Nicolet College Foundation. Tonight marks the second of three consecutive Wednesday events. Representatives will be available on the second floor of the Red Oak Center on the Rhinelander campus from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. tonight and again next Wednesday. The fall semester begins August 31.

Published on 08/11/2026 under News It's primary election day in Wisconsin, as voters head to the polls to narrow the field for November's general election. Here in northern Wisconsin, relatively few contested local races are on the ballot, so most of the attention is focused on the top of the ticket. The headline statewide race is the Democratic primary for governor. Governor Tony Evers is not seeking another term, and while seven names appear on the ballot, three of those candidates have since dropped out. The winner will face the presumptive Republican nominee, Congressman Tom Tiffany. Locally, voters across much of northern Wisconsin are also selecting candidates for the 7th Congressional District. Three Democrats are competing for their party's nomination, while five Republicans are vying for the chance to run for the seat in November. Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The general election will take place on Nov. 3.

Published on 08/11/2026 under News A Tomahawk dog has earned a year-long role reminding people to think before they dig. Ruby, a 1-and-a-half-year-old English Cream Golden Retriever, has been named Wisconsin Public Service's next safe digging "ambassa-dog." She secured 60% of the online vote in a contest featuring 10 finalists and more than 13,000 total votes. Ruby is the second Tomahawk canine to earn the title, following Arlo, who was selected as the inaugural spokes-pup in 2024. Her new job carries an important message: call 811 at least three days before starting any digging project, from planting a garden to installing a fence. According to WPS, more than 150 underground utility lines have been damaged since 2024 because someone failed to make that call. Ruby's safe digging campaign will appear on digital billboards and social media over the next year. The timing of the announcement is no coincidence. Today is National Safe Digging Day—August 11, or 8/11—matching the number to dial when scheduling an appointment with Diggers Hotline.

Published on 08/11/2026 under News A new butterfly is taking flight along the Springbrook Trail in Antigo, and it's made entirely from recycled plastic bottle caps. The colorful monarch butterfly now welcomes visitors to the Wild Ones butterfly garden along 2nd Avenue, serving as both a vibrant new sign and a creative reminder to think about the environment. The artwork was created through a collaboration between Wild Ones Northwoods Gateway and Antigo Visual Arts. Work on the piece began over the winter, as local artists crafted the monarch and its background using discarded orange, black, blue, and white bottle caps and jar lids. The installation is part of Antigo Visual Arts' ongoing bottle cap art initiative, launched in 2019 to raise awareness about waste and demonstrate how discarded materials can be transformed into something beautiful. There are now half a dozen pieces of bottle cap art on display around the community. The double-sided sign also features a painted mural on the back, highlighting colorful butterflies and native area plants. Organizers unveiled the new sign on Friday, hoping it will catch the eye of trail walkers while bringing key environmental messages to light. -Photos contributed from Antigo Visual Arts

Published on 08/11/2026 under News The Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department spent Monday evening getting hands-on training with some new gear. Firefighters put a new suite of Milwaukee M18 battery-powered tools to the test—practicing cutting and breaching through metal, wood, drywall, and other materials they routinely hit during rescue calls. The new lineup includes everything from reciprocating saws, circular saws, and cutoff grinders to job-site lighting, high-velocity fans, impact wrenches, and drills. Department officials say the equipment was funded entirely by the community, thanks to local fundraisers and generous local donations. Leaders expressed their deep gratitude to the community, noting these versatile tools will help ensure crew members are better prepared for whatever call comes next.

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