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NTC Hosts Apprenticeship Workshop Published on 11/23/2021 under News

This past week was National Apprenticeship Week, and dozens of area business leaders were able to learn more about those partnerships through Northcentral Technical College.

NTC hosted a "Grow Your Workforce Through Apprenticeship" workshop last week. The event was designed to showcase the benefits that apprenticeship brings to businesses as they work to recruit and retain top talent.

Organizers said they had more than 70 business leaders from 60 local companies participate.

Katie Metko helps facilitate those partnerships in her role as apprenticeship manager at NTC. She says, "We have seen the positive impacts that both youth and adult apprenticeships have had on area businesses and are excited to help more employers implement these programs at their institutions."

The event also included an employer-led panel that highlighted the process that businesses can follow by partnering with NTC to begin apprenticeship programs.

-Photo provided by Northcentral Technical College

In Other News

Hatchet Fall Sports Update 10/24/26

Published on 10/24/2026 under Sports Gibeault, Lund Head to State Cross Country Halloween Afternoon Two Hatchet Cross Country athletes will be making their trip to the Ridges in the Wisconsin Rapids for the WIAA Division 2 State Cross Country Meet next week. At the Sectional Meet in Rhinelander, Senior runner Elise Gibeault and Sophomore athlete Charlee Lund would each finish in the top ten time-wise, making the Hatchet athletes automatic qualifiers. Gibeaults placed fifth with a time of 20:17. Lund was right behind Gibeault, placing sixth with a time of 20:22. As a team, the Hatchets would finish just outside of the top two, placing third behind Lakeland and Wittenberg-Birnamwood. Tomahawk's boys would place eighth overall in the Sectional Meet. Jordyn Carew finished as the boys' fastest runner with a time of 18:24. Gibeault and Lund will compete in the WIAA Division 2 State Cross Country Meet at the Ridges in Wisconsin Rapids Halloween. The Division 2 Race begins at 12:40. Tomahawk Football Stymied in Second Half at Brillion, Ending Season The Hatchet Football Season would end in the WIAA Division 5 First Round of the Playoffs as they would fall to #3 Brillion Friday night, 27-7. Tomahawk led 7-0 with less than 30 seconds remaining on a 20-yard touchdown run by Hudson Evans. However, the Lions scored 13 points in the final seconds of the first half, including a pick-six as it came to end. After the interception, the Hatchets failed to re-establish any momentum in the second half. Tomahawk was limited to less than 50 total yards and failed to cross the Brillion 50 in the second half. Max Larson finished with 47 rushing yards, leading the way on the ground for Tomahawk. The Hatchet Football squad would finish 4-6 on the season and 4-3 in Great Northern Conference play. 11-Player Football Playoff Scores: ,#5 D2 Marshfield 44, #4 D2 Wausau East 14 #2 D3 Medford 42, #7 D3 Green Bay West 0 #3 D3 Fox Valley Lutheran 54, #6 D3 Rhinelander 14 #4 D3 Luxemburg-Casco 42, #5 D3 Merrill 14 #3 D7 Hilbert 46, #6 D7 Abbotsford 7 8-Player Football Playoff Scores: #6 Athens 48, #2 Hurley 42 Hatchet Girls Swimmers Place Ninth in GNC Meet at Lakeland At the Great Northern Conference Girls Swimming Meet in Lakeland Friday, the Hatchet girls as a team would place ninth to wrap up their regular season. The Hatchets as a team would have a couple of ninth-place finishes in relay events. Kami Gabrich, Kortney Busterud, Aubrey Tollefson, and Kaylee Roberts placed ninth in the 400 yard freestyle with a time of 4:33.61. Tomahawk also had Roberts, Busterud, Gabrich, and Sloane Eisenman place ninth in the 200 yard freestyle, clocking in at 2:04.95. Tollefson placed tenth in the 100 breastroke with a time of 1:22.14. The WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet for the Hatchet Girls Swimmers will take place November 7th at Rice Lake.

Published on 10/23/2026 under News An increase in food insecurity has created a growing need for outreach programs. An impressive event in Minocqua this weekend will help replenish local food pantries and school backpack programs. The Lakeland-Area Lions Club is hosting "Food for Kidz," an annual meal-packaging event, this Saturday and is encouraging community members to lend a helping hand. During the event, volunteers measure bulk food contributions into individual meal-sized packages. The packaged meals are distributed to around two dozen area food pantries, shelters, and after-school backpack programs. The event is also part of a broader outreach initiative that sends packaged meals to areas in need. The local event typically packages around 250,000 meals in a single day—achieving this in just four short hours. That success is made possible by 500 to 600 volunteers working efficiently along assembly lines. Some volunteer slots are still available, and organizers note that while it is a busy day, it is a fun experience supporting a great cause. Organizers have set an ambitious goal of 300,000 meals this year, which would push their lifetime total past 3 million meals since the mission began. Online registration to volunteer, walk-ins can also help. The packing event will take place at Lakeland Union High School on Saturday morning with shifts at 9am and 11:30am.

Published on 10/23/2026 under News Following a well-received premiere last month in Tomahawk, a new feature-length documentary capturing local history is getting a financial boost through regional tourism funds. The Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce has awarded a 5,000-dollar room tax grant to support Tomahawk: City in the Pines. Produced by Tomahawk native Clay Schmit alongside filmmaker John Newcombe, the project uses historical photographs, archival research, and contemporary footage to bring local heritage to life in the 90 minute film. The film debuted in September to strong local reviews. Chamber officials say the grant program supports initiatives that showcase the area's culture and drive local tourism. Executive Director Charis Lau noted that the documentary helps residents reconnect with their roots while offering visitors a deeper appreciation for the community. Looking ahead, Chamber officials say they are exploring additional collaborative film projects to keep sharing Tomahawk's story. For those that missed the screening of Tomahawk City in the Pines; the film is now available to stream online through Kinema.

Published on 10/23/2026 under News As waterfront property owners pull their docks, lifts, and boats for the season, local conservation officials are encouraging residents to check all equipment for aquatic invasive species (AIS). Fall equipment removal provides an ideal opportunity for inspection and thorough cleaning. Taking time to inspect gear helps keep local waterways free from invaders like zebra and quagga mussels, which easily attach to solid structures left underwater over the summer. Others like Eurasian watermilfoil and spiny waterfleas can be spread in weeds and mud. Officials note that pressure washers are an excellent tool for cleaning gear, especially if docks, lifts, or watercraft will be moved to a different body of water. Fall removal is also a prime opportunity to thoroughly drain, wipe down, and dry boats and trailers before placing them into winter storage, preventing invasive hitchhikers from surviving the winter and spreading next spring Property owners are urged to stay vigilant for any new AIS discoveries. If you spot something unusual, snap a clear photo, collect a sample if possible, and share the information with your local AIS coordinator or the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Published on 10/23/2026 under News Law enforcement agencies and local health departments across Northern Wisconsin are gearing up for statewide Drug Take Back Day this Saturday. Special drop-off sites will be set up statewide throughout the day. These collection events serve multiple crucial purposes: they keep unused medications out of landfills and municipal water systems while preventing dangerous pharmaceuticals from falling into the wrong hands. "If somebody has a cabinet full of medications that they're saving 'just in case,' I would tell them it's time to go through it and get rid of them," said Aspirus Pharmacist Allison Waraska. "It's very important to take a few minutes to look through your medications, identify what you no longer need or what is expired, and bring those back on Drug Take Back Day." Residents in Lincoln County are fortunate to have several permanent drop-off locations year-round, including drop boxes at both the Tomahawk and Merrill Police Departments. While these boxes are always available, statewide collection days serve as a helpful reminder to clean out home medicine cabinets. During his report at the most recent Tomahawk Health and Safety Committee meeting, Police Chief Al Elvins highlighted the community's continued active use of the local collection program. For those looking to find a prescription drug disposal location, the state health department offers an interactive online map that allows users to search for both temporary event sites and permanent drop-off boxes.

Published on 10/23/2026 under News A buck at a Northwoods deer farm has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the positive result came from a 3-year-old white-tailed buck tested at a deer breeding farm in Taylor County. State officials did not identify the farm further in the release. Due to the positive test result, the property has been placed under quarantine while state veterinarians and staff conduct an epidemiological investigation. This was one of two positive CWD cases announced yesterday by state officials. The other involved a wild buck in Marinette County that was euthanized after showing visible signs of illness. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. Transmission occurs through direct contact between animals or exposure to contaminated environments.

Published on 10/23/2026 under News The Marathon County Sheriff's Office is warning the public about a renewed phone scam involving fake law enforcement callers. Deputies say scammers are calling residents claiming to be from the Sheriff's Office—even using real staff names like Lt. Gladden—to demand money or personal information for "urgent legal matters." Officials remind the public that caller ID numbers can easily be faked, and legitimate law enforcement will never demand immediate phone payments for warrants or jury duty. If you receive one of these high-pressure calls, simply hang up. To confirm whether a call is real, dial the Marathon County Sheriff's Office directly. Anyone who has lost money to a scam should contact non-emergency dispatch right away.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Efforts are underway to shape the future of Lincoln County's outdoor recreation industry and boost the local economy. Following a public session last night in Tomahawk, community stakeholders are meeting today at the Lincoln County Service Center in Merrill to analyze local recreation infrastructure and identify opportunities for economic growth. The workshops come after Lincoln County was selected to participate in the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation's Technical Assistance Program, in partnership with UW-Stout's Center for Sustainable Communities. The initiative brings together local, state, and federal partners to assess trail and water access, wayfinding, and business support across the county. Local officials say input from residents, business owners, and outdoor groups-including trail users, anglers, and tourism operators- is a critical piece of the planning process. According to Sara Guild, Executive Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation, feedback gathered during these sessions will help pinpoint specific challenges and guide future public planning, capital investment, and regional partnerships. Today's session in Merrill continues through 3:30 this afternoon, with organizers planning to use the findings to build a long-term recreation strategy for the county.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Lincoln County and City of Merrill leaders are moving closer to finalizing a major update to local emergency medical services. After negotiations throughout the summer, a final contract agreement has reached the voting stage. At its meeting Tuesday, the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors approved the agreement via voice vote following board discussion. In a joint news release, County Board Chair Don Friske and Merrill Mayor Steve Hass provided a brief overview of the deal. While EMS is legally a municipal responsibility under Wisconsin law, Lincoln County has coordinated services regionally since 1969, partnering with Merrill Fire and EMS in the south and Aspirus Health in Tomahawk to the north. Officials say the updated agreement modernizes a contract that hasn't been overhauled since 2007. Funding will jump from 1.3 million dollars this year to 1.6 million dollars next year, with a two-percent annual adjustment moving forward. Under the proposed terms, the county will supply the ambulances and communication equipment, while the city will be responsible for staffing and medical supplies. The deal grants the city operational flexibility to address rising call volumes, while offering the county long-term cost certainty. Following discussion at Tuesday's meeting, Board Chair Don Friske reflected on the negotiation process, stating: "We didn't always agree, but we were able to come up with an agreement that continues to provide a high quality of emergency medical service response while honoring the city's ability to provide oversight of their organization." The City of Merrill Committee of the Whole is expected to take up the contract at its meeting this coming Tuesday.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News A colorful new addition is taking shape in the heart of downtown Rhinelander. Muralist Alixandra Jade is currently at work on a new public art piece titled "Greetings from Rhinelander," painted on the side of the Flanders Realty building at 2 North Brown Street. Designed in the retro-style of a classic destination postcard, the large-scale mural features vibrant colors and artwork celebrating Northwoods scenery, the city's identity, and Rhinelander's iconic Hodag. Commissioned by the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce and funded through the Rhinelander Tourism and Marketing Committee, local officials say the project aims to revitalize the downtown core while creating a landmark for residents and visitors to enjoy and photograph. Jade has been working over the past few weeks transforming the brick background into a creative canvas, and community members are invited to head downtown to watch the transformation unfold in real time, or simply follow along on the Chamber Facebook for regular progress updates.

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