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Hatchets Sports Recap - Thursday Published on 09/24/2021 under Sports

VOLLEYBALL

The Tomahawk Varsity Volleyball team hosted a quad on Thursday night and the Hatchets played really well all night long.

The Hatchets first swept Newman 25-11 and 25-16. Mackenzie Scholz, Emerson Lange, Claire Albert and Alyssa Zehner each contributed an ace to the match. Meghan Scholz led the team with 6 blocks and 8 kills, followed by Alyssa Zehner and Claire Albert each with 6. Claire Albert led the team with 8 digs. Mackenzie Scholz finished the match with 18 assists.

Next they swept Prentice 25-23 and 25-14. Claire Albert and Alyssa Zehner each led the team with 2 aces. Alyssa Zehner led the team with 10 kills and 12 digs. Meghan Scholz led the team with 2 blocks. Mackenzie Scholz finished the match with 20 assists.

In the final match, they swept GNC rival Lakeland 25-20 and 25-17. Emerson Lange, Samantha Gebauer and Alyssa Zehner each contributed an ace to the match. Meghan Scholz led the team in blocks with 2 and led in kills with 12, followed by Alyssa Zehner with 7. Samantha Gebauer led the team with 10 digs and Mackenzie Scholz finished the match with 23 assists.

The Hatchets finished the night 3-0 in matches and 6-0 in games.

CROSS COUNTRY

Tomahawk traveled to Big Stone Golf Course on Thursday for the annual Three Lakes Blue Jay Invitational. With solid "pack-style" running the Hatchets were dominant bringing home two team trophies in the ten team event. In the first high school race of the day, a group consisting of Arden Ziert, Owen Dickrell, Brett Borchardt, Presley Gutbrod, and Sam Zastrow worked as a "pack" coming thru both the first and second mile, separated by no more than two seconds. They gave Rhinelander a solid run for the title, placing all five scorers in front of the Hodags #4

runner, however it was not enough to offset the Hodags low total of 35 pts. Owen (7th-18:53), Brett Borchardt (8th-19:00), Arden (9th-19:01), and Presley (10th-19:02) were all medalists and freshman Sam Zastrow placed 13th in 19:10. That scoring split of 17 seconds was their best effort to date.

Top 3 Boys team scores - Rhinelander 35, Tomahawk 47, Marathon 56

The varsity girls followed and gave the Hatchets their first outright championship of the day with a season low 23 pts in route to the title. Like their counterparts, the girls placed four in the top ten earning medalist honors, led by sophomore Rachael Reilly's first individual 5K championship of 2021 as she covered the course in a seasonal best time of 20:59, surging past a Three Lakes runner in the last 1000 meters to claim the crown. The other Hatchet medalists were seniors: Macey Mann (4th-21:35), Emily Lacina (5th-21:36) and Geena Wanta (9th-22:16 PR).

Top 3 Girls team scores - Tomahawk 23, Marathon 53, Rhinelander 66

MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

On Thursday afternoon, the MS Cross Country team traveled to Three Lakes for the Three Lakes Invitational. Overall the boys finished 5th and the girls finished 2nd.

Individually, Jeremiah Johnson led the boys with a 6th place finish, followed by Masen Towle in 21st, Ryan Montag 25th, Joe Zastrow 27th, Dane DeKiep 29th, Teddy Frederickson 30th, Gerard Gorell 35th, and Eli Albrent in 37th.

The girls were led by Elise Gibeault in 5th place, Joa Reilly in 9th, Anita Ziert in 13th, Faith Derleth in 14th, Elli Micke in 18th, Abi Micke in 19th, Lydia Shaney in 20th, Norah Mann in 30th, Summer Gaedtke in 34th, Kinsley Lange 37th, Sophia Lacina 39th, Freya Alberg 43rd, Jennie Frederickson 53rd.

In Other News

Recent 3-Year Report Highlights Success of Lincoln County/Discover Wisconsin Partnership

Published on 09/29/2026 under News A marketing strategy to put Lincoln County on the map is paying off in viewers, visitors, and tourism dollars. Over the past three years, the Lincoln County has partnered with Discover Mediaworks to showcase its local gems through television episodes, social media features, and short-form video content. Josh Osterman, Director of Content Strategy and Partnerships at Discover Mediaworks, recently presented a glowing report on the initiative to the Lincoln County Board. Osterman highlighted how taking a "30,000-foot view" of the area has helped draw attention to lesser-known locations alongside long-standing staples, from off-road riding in the Harrison Hills and guided fishing excursions to local dining spots and scenic drives along Highway 107. Broadcast viewership across full episodes, themed specials, and promotional spots on the Discover Wisconsin network surpassed 10 million viewers. Meanwhile, short-form social clips pulled in another 2.5 million views. County leaders earned praise for keeping the area top-of-mind for Upper Midwest travelers, with out-of-state interest surging in major metro markets like Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, and the Twin Cities.Broadcast Viewership: 10,180,174Digital Impressions: 2,106,958Digital Views: 959,521Digital Engagements: 20,100Digital Reach: 2,180,275Podcast Listens: 16,936Podcast Views: 2,514,170Emails Contacted: 330,771Emmy: 1The ultimate goal was to boost the local economy, and state data shows it worked. Figures from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism show Lincoln County's total economic impact grew 11.6% over the three-year stretch, while direct visitor spending rose more than 12.5%, outpacing several neighboring counties and state tourism hubs. The report also teased upcoming feature topics like local hiking trails, waterfront dining, and adventures along the Wisconsin River.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News Vehicle-versus-deer crashes are on the rise across Lincoln County, but over the weekend, a driver's attempt to avoid an animal led to a rollover wreck that left two people injured. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, emergency responders were paged to Highway 8 near Martin Road in the Town of Somo for a single-vehicle crash. The driver, an Olivia, Minnesota man, reported he was traveling eastbound when a deer ran onto the highway. He swerved to avoid hitting the animal, causing his vehicle to enter the south ditch and become airborne before coming to rest. Both the driver and a passenger suffered minor injuries. Deputies reported 12 vehicle-versus-deer collisions on Lincoln County roadways last week, marking a noticeable uptick from recent weeks.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News A Merrill man thrown from his vehicle in a rollover spent the night in the ditch before the crash was discovered. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, deputies were sent to the area of County G and Alder Road in the Town of Pine River back on September 7 for a rollover crash involving injuries. The driver stated he had been in the ditch since the night before. He told deputies he was heading to his home when he missed a curve and crashed. The man was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and received injuries as a result. No update on his condition was provided.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News The Wisconsin State Patrol and local partners are reminding parents and caregivers to protect their most precious passengers by reviewing their child car seats. The agency named child passenger safety its September Law of the Month, focusing on proper seat selection and installation. According to federal traffic data, approximately half of all car seats are installed incorrectly. State law sets specific minimums based on age and size—starting with newborns in rear-facing car seats, transitioning to forward-facing harnessed seats, and eventually moving to booster seats until a child reaches age eight, eighty pounds, or four feet nine inches in height. State Patrol officials say keeping children in the appropriate seat significantly reduces the risk of injury in a crash. Superintendent Tim Carnahan emphasized that proper installation is a simple way to protect young passengers, adding that adults should set a good example by making it a habit to buckle up themselves on every trip, no matter the distance. Additional safety guidelines and certified inspection locations can be found online at wisconsindot.gov.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News A high school junior from Delavan-Darien High School has taken top honors in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' 2027 State Park and Forest admission pass design contest, while a Northwoods student finished among the top entries. Junior Kiet Tuan Tran won first place out of more than 120 statewide submissions. Tran's winning design captures a rustic camping scene, complete with a tent sporting a fitting cheese-pattern print set beneath a tree canopy shaped like the outline of Wisconsin. Local student Skylarr Martin of Rhinelander High School also earned recognition, receiving an Honorable Mention for their artwork. Now in its 36th year, the DNR-sponsored contest invites high school students from across the state to showcase their artistic talents. "The contest is a great way to get students thinking about our public lands and the different ways they can support the state's natural resources," said Chris Pedretti, DNR Business Operations Section Supervisor. The new vehicle admission passes featuring the winning design will be available for purchase ahead of the 2027 state park season. Contest materials for the 2028 pass design contest are available now, with submissions accepted through April 30, 2027.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News Two Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps programs are set to receive new grant funding to continue their community outreach missions across the state. Serve Wisconsin recently announced the distribution of $9.2 million in federal AmeriCorps grants to support 17 programs statewide. Through these initiatives, AmeriCorps members will assist with a wide range of local efforts, from conservation projects to after-school youth programming. Marshfield Clinic Health System secured funding for two specific programs. The first grant supports the "Community Corps" program, placing 50 members in non-profits and public health organizations across the region to expand capacity and address community health needs. The second grant funds the "Recovery Corps" program, training 20 members as recovery coaches to assist individuals battling opioid and substance use disorders while delivering community education. "Our AmeriCorps members serving this year are building upon the service legacy of those who have served before them," said Kyle Clower, Executive Director of Serve Wisconsin. In addition to funding the 17 statewide programs, Serve Wisconsin received $354,374 through the federal Volunteer Generation Fund to further support local volunteer initiatives across Wisconsin.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News We are still three months away from Christmas, but a Lincoln County group is already preparing its annual holiday gift distribution for families in need. Christmas Spirit Lincoln County works with local partners each holiday season to ensure a Merry Christmas for children across Tomahawk, Merrill, and surrounding areas. The non-profit's mission is to fulfill gift requests for parents and guardians who are struggling financially and may otherwise be unable to provide presents for their kids. Volunteer Chris Copiskey says the group helped more than 150 families and nearly 400 children last year. In addition to traditional toys and gifts, they also focus on providing essential items like winter coats, hygiene products, and bedding. Calling the effort "a heartwarming and humbling process," Copiskey noted that community generosity is always unbelievable. The first phase of the mission is already underway: collecting applications and wish lists. Although the deadline is October 31st, participating parents are encouraged to submit their paperwork as soon as possible. Applications are available at WJJQ in Tomahawk, as well as the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce and the Merrill Fire Department. Once requests are gathered, individual gift tags will be placed on community Giving Trees, allowing local residents to pick a tag and purchase items. In early December, volunteers will organize and distribute the gifts—an experience organizers call one of the most rewarding parts of the project.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News Artificial intelligence is rapidly expanding across health care, but local experts say human judgment must remain at the center of patient care. Erica Neilitz, simulation coordinator at Nicolet College, recently brought that message to the state capitol. Neilitz testified before the legislative Study Committee on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care, presenting alongside representatives from the UW-Madison School of Medicine and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Drawing on 26 years of nursing experience, Neilitz offered legislators insight into how AI is shaping both nursing education and the workforce. At Nicolet College, Neilitz uses hands-on simulations to prepare students for real-world medical settings, honing their decision-making and critical thinking. While AI offers promising new capabilities for health care, she emphasized to lawmakers that technology can never replace core nursing values. "There is significant value in artificial intelligence in health care, but it has to remain a tool that humans use responsibly," Neilitz stated. "As AI becomes more integrated into practice, we need to make sure nurses are prepared to use it without losing the clinical judgment, critical thinking, and caring that are foundational to nursing." Lawmakers on the study committee focused their questions on responsible student AI use, AI literacy, and recommendations for future state policy. Neilitz hopes her testimony will help ensure upcoming regulations support innovation while keeping human-centered care the top priority.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News Last Monday, another group of Northwoods veterans traveled to Washington, D.C., aboard the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, and local organizers are continuing their push to get more eligible veterans on the waiting list. As part of that effort, officials are working to dispel some of the most common reasons veterans hesitate to sign up. Many veterans believe they shouldn't apply because they didn't see combat, while others worry about health or mobility issues. Organizers stress that any military member, whether active duty, Reserve, or National Guard, who served prior to May 7, 1975, qualifies for the trip. Full medical support and personal assistance are provided throughout the entire day if needed. Other veterans say they have already been to Washington or fear reliving difficult memories. Honor Flight officials emphasize that traveling alongside fellow service members offers a unique experience—one that often brings long-overdue closure and healing. Since the local hub was founded in 2010, the program has flown more than 5,400 area veterans to the nation's capital. The local chapter typically takes 4 missions per year, with one more on the schedule this fall.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News The Town of Boulder Junction is gearing up for a milestone celebration in 2027, marking 100 years since its founding—and local organizers want the community's personal stories to help bring that history to life. The town's Centennial Committee is planning a full lineup of anniversary events, including commemorative plaques, a town-wide birthday party, a historical theatrical performance, and a summer art installation. To help preserve Boulder Junction's rich heritage, the committee is gathering written, audio, and video stories from residents, past visitors, and families. Submissions may be featured in the upcoming centennial booklet, theatrical performance, or on the town's historical website. We'll include all contact info online.They note that no memory is too small, and stories can span any topic or era in the town's past. There are a number of opportunities for community members to share their story. Community members can participate in video or audio recording sessions at the Boulder Junction Community Center on three upcoming Thursdays: October 1st, 8th, and 15th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled by contacting Wendi Neupert at 715-574-3850 or Cherie Sanderson at 715-892-0761. Stories and photos can be submitted via email (boulderjunctionwicentennial@gmail.com) or via the BoulderJunctionHistory.org website.

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