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Hatchets Sports Recap - Weekend Published on 10/25/2021 under Sports

FOOTBALL

The Tomahawk Hatchets Football season came to an end on Friday night with a 54-12 loss to Wittenberg-Birnamwood in the first round of the WIAA Tournament.

The Chargers used more than 580 yards of offense to propel themselves to the blowout win.

The Tomahawk Hatchets finish the season with a 4-7 record. They made their first postseason appearance since 2015.

STATS:

RB Logan Bishop - 7 Carries, 42 Yards

WR Jake Kaminski - 3 Catches, 42 Yards, 1 TD

DB Addison Peissig - 1 INT

CROSS COUNTRY

On Saturday, Tomahawk traveled to Colby High School, the site of WIAA Division 2 Sectional Cross- Country Meet. Ideal conditions greeted the 16 teams as they competed to earn the right to advance to Wisconsin Rapids next weekend for the State Championships.

In the opening event of the day, the Tomahawk boys had one of their best scoring split efforts of the year as they placed 5th overall with 156 points. For the Hatchets, they were led by sophomore Owen Dickrell with his 23rd place finish in a time of 18:17. Sophomore Presley Gutbrod, freshman Sam Zastrow and senior Arden Ziert all crossed together in 18:30 (placing 32,33, and 34 respectively), with a PR for Zastrow.

In the final event of the sectional, sophomore Rachael Reilly led her team and punched her individual ticket to the State Meet in Rapids next weekend with her 7th place overall finish in a seasonal best time of 20:21 for the 5K distance.

Her teammates put together a valiant effort, but couldn't overcome state-ranked teams from Medford and West Salem. Placing for the Hatchets was senior Macey Mann (15th-20:28 SB), freshman Alli Palmer (18th-21:12 PR), seniors Kate Reilly (35th-21:56), Ava Dragosh (40th-22:19 PR) and Emily Lacina (44th-22:22). Junior Serena Reinke had her 2nd fastest time of the year as she placed 46th in 22:35. There were 86 finishers in the girl's race.

With Rachael Reilly's individual Tomahawk continued their rich tradition in being represented at the state meet for the 27th time in the last 30 years (28 qualifying teams and 16 individual qualifiers).

The boys finished their season with a W-94 L-25 (Pct. 790) record and the girls concluded with a W-107 L-8 (Pct. 930).

In Other News

Downtown Tomahawk Shops Prepare for Fall Fest

Published on 10/30/2026 under News Fall Fest is returning to downtown Tomahawk this Saturday, and organizers are preparing for a major Halloween weekend turnout. In addition to offering family fun, the event provides a welcome boost to local business owners. While Fall Fest is free for attendees, local shop owners invest significant off-hours time and purchase their own candy and decorations. Tomahawk Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz highlights that this investment pays off by introducing new customers to local storefronts. "The exposure for our businesses and giving them that opportunity to shine really is why we keep doing these events," Turkiewicz said. It is not just out-of-town visitors discovering these downtown shops; Turkiewicz notes it is common for local residents to discover stores they do not normally visit. Because Fall Fest falls directly on Halloween this year, Turkiewicz expects an extra surge in foot traffic as families incorporate downtown festivities into citywide trick-or-treating. The event typically draws between 600 and 1,000 people. Turkiewicz encourages everyone to come down and enjoy the fun, festive atmosphere, noting that family-themed costumes are one of her favorite parts of the day. Full schedules and details on participating businesses can be found on the Tomahawk Main Street Facebook page.

Published on 10/30/2026 under News Students at Tomahawk High School are getting a real-world look at the skilled trades, swapping traditional classroom time for heavy machinery and hands-on concrete work. Members of the school's Technology Education program recently visited the CASE Construction Equipment Proving Grounds right here in Tomahawk. Students got behind the controls of bulldozers, tractor loaders, and excavators, gaining a firsthand look at the equipment, technology, and career pathways available in the construction industry. Back on campus, students applied their skills to pour a brand-new sidewalk in front of the high school, gaining practical experience in concrete preparation, placement, and finishing. It's a project they will be reminded of every time they enter the building. School district officials say these hands-on experiences highlight the immense value of technical education and the importance of connecting students with local industry partners. By completing real-world projects alongside local businesses, students leave with practical skills and a clearer path toward careers in the skilled trades.

Published on 10/30/2026 under News Downtown Rhinelander has a brand-new, colorful backdrop celebrating local pride, and leaders say it's only the first step in a broader push to revamp the area's visual landscape. The Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce officially unveiled the completed "Greetings from Rhinelander" mural at 2 North Brown Street earlier this week. Commissioned by the Chamber and painted by artist Alixandra Jade, the project aims to build community identity, drive foot traffic downtown, and create a signature photo spot for residents and visitors alike. Beyond painting the wall, Jade also spent time working with local high school art students. Chamber officials view the new artwork as a catalyst for economic vitality and local connection, and they're already looking to keep the momentum going with plans for additional public art installations across Rhinelander in 2027.

Published on 10/30/2026 under News Daylight savings comes to an end this weekend. When setting your clock back, local emergency officials are encouraging people to check home safety. In addition to enjoy an extra hour of rest Sunday morning, it's time once again to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Statistics show around 350 people are treated for carbon monoxide poisoning in Wisconsin emergency rooms each year. With furnaces and home heating, these incidents occur most frequently in the winter months. In addition to checking batteries, make sure the units are in-date. Carbon monoxide detectors are typically good for five years, while smoke alarms are recommended for 10 years. And heading into the winter months, it's also a good reminder to check home emergency kits this weekend. Look for expired products or items that may have been borrowed and need to be replaced.

Published on 10/30/2026 under News Halloween is coming up this weekend, and children across the Northwoods are gearing up for a big night of trick-or-treating. But before kids set out in search of sweet treats, state and local officials are reminding parents to keep safety top of mind." First and foremost, officials urge families to "know before you go." That means double-checking the exact dates and times for trick-or-treating in your specific community. With Halloween on a weekend this year, most communities will be holding their trick-or-treating on Saturday. When heading out, keep these key safety guidelines in mind:Supervision: Children under 12 should always be accompanied by a responsible adult. Regardless of age, kids should trick-or-treat in groups, and parents should always know the planned route and expected return time.Costumes: Choose flame-resistant fabrics, avoid long trailing material that could cause trips, and make sure masks don't block vision.Visibility: Equip kids with flashlights, glow sticks, or reflective tape so drivers can easily see them in the dark.Unfortunately Halloween is a day when crashes involving pedestrians spikes. Drivers are urged to exercise extra caution on the roads. Expect a significant increase in foot traffic.

Published on 10/30/2026 under News If you live in a rural area, reaching a hospital during an emergency can take time—and when it comes to a stroke, every single minute counts. On World Stroke Day, Aspirus Health is reminding rural residents that recognizing the early warning signs can help bridge that crucial gap. When a stroke strikes, brain tissue dies by the minute, making rapid action essential for those living farther from specialized medical centers. Aspirus Interventional Neurologist Dr. Divyajot Sandhu stresses that knowing what to look for can save lives. Health professionals use the acronym BE FAST to spot the signs: B for sudden loss of BalanceE for Eye or vision changesF for Face droopingA for Arm weaknessS for slurred Speech T for Time to call 911 immediatelyDr. Sandhu warns against driving yourself or a loved one to the emergency room. Calling 911 allows EMS teams to start care immediately and notify the receiving hospital so stroke specialists are prepared before the ambulance arrives. Through telestroke consultations, advanced imaging, and clot-busting medications, rural patients can now access life-saving care faster than ever. While rapid emergency response is vital, doctors emphasize that prevention remains the best defense. Managing blood pressure, staying physically active, and avoiding tobacco significantly reduce the risk of a stroke occurring in the first place.

Published on 10/29/2026 under News The Tomahawk School Board has finalized the district's budget and tax levy for the 2026–27 school year. The board held a special meeting Tuesday to approve the spending plan after finalizing student enrollment and state aid figures. The newly approved tax levy stands at 15.3 million dollars, approximately 250,000 dollars below the maximum allowed under state levy limits. District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry noted that over the past five budget cycles, the board's decision to consistently underlevy has saved local taxpayers roughly 1.7 million dollars. As a result, Tomahawk's equalized tax rate drops to 5 dollars and 15 cents per thousand dollars of property value, the lowest rate in district history. Quesinberry says, "We believe the approved budget strikes an appropriate balance between supporting the educational needs of our students, maintaining a strong and competitive workforce, and remaining mindful of the financial responsibility placed on our local taxpayers." The board achieved those tax savings despite continued challenges. State-required payments for students attending private schools through Wisconsin's voucher program jumped nearly 33 percent, costing local taxpayers over 323,000 dollars. Additionally, the district continues to see a 15% annual decline in general state aid,another $225,000 drop from last year. Budget season continues across the Northwoods as municipalities and counties work to finalize their spending plans for the upcoming year.

Published on 10/29/2026 under News As communities across Northern Wisconsin work to expand their trail networks, a new state grant is helping showcase the Minocqua area as a year-round destination for bicyclists. The Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau received a $39,550 marketing grant from Travel Wisconsin. The state funding kicks off a three-year plan to connect and promote the area's many biking options including paved paths, gravel routes, mountain bike trails, and winter fat-tire biking. The project aims to connect trail networks in Minocqua, Arbor Vitae, Hazelhurst, and Woodruff directly to downtown business districts, hotels, and local restaurants. "Outdoor recreation has always been at the heart of what makes the Minocqua area such a special destination," said Visitors Bureau President Krystal Westfahl. She noted that the goal is to build on existing trails while finding ways to grow and make improvements. First-year efforts will focus on studying trail traffic to guide future efforts, updating local trail signs and maps, and launching a marketing campaign to promote the Minocqua area as a top cycling spot in all four seasons.Photo left to right: Melissa Doering, Managing Director; Chris Jennings, Regional Tourism Specialist, Travel WI; and Kailey Barutha, Marketing Director

Published on 10/29/2026 under News Election Day is less than a week away, but students at Rhinelander High School just got a hands-on look at what it actually takes to run an election behind the scenes. Yesterday, the high school transformed its social studies classes into a full simulated polling place in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Northwoods. Rather than just learning about government from a textbook, students stepped into every role of the voting process. Trained student volunteers ran the election under the guidance of League mentors; working check-in stations, handing out ballots, and overseeing voting booths for their classmates. While their votes cast Wednesday won't count in the actual election, the mock ballot featured major real-world races. League President Debra Durchslag noted that giving young people a peek behind the curtain helps demystify the voting process. Organizers hope this nonpartisan experience builds civic confidence and inspires students to become active, lifelong voters once they become voting age.

Published on 10/29/2026 under News The Wisconsin Department of Transportation relaunched a public safety campaign Wednesday aimed at increasing seat belt usage and curbing distracted driving across the state. Known as "Buckle Up, Phone Down," the initiative highlights two critical driving safety factors. According to WisDOT data, nearly half of all traffic fatality victims were not wearing seat belts, while distracted driving played a role in more than 9,000 crashes statewide last year. WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman emphasized that distraction-related crashes are entirely preventable, pointing out that seat belts remain the single best defense against severe injury or death on the road. She noted that the campaign brings both habits together to help drivers stay focused and safe behind the wheel. Cell phone use remains one of the primary drivers of distraction, which triggers all three major forms of distraction simultaneously: • Visual: Taking your eyes off the road • Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel • Mental: Taking your mind off driving The DoT and their partners have been using the Buckle Up, Phone Down campaign since 2021.

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