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Hatchet Cross Country Teams Host Hatchet Invite Published on 10/10/2022 under Sports

Tomahawk hosted 9 teams for their annual Cross-Country Invitational on Saturday. This year's
homecoming race was ran at the Inshalla Country Club. It was a beautiful day with a brisk fall breeze on
the magnificent golf course. After running the game ball into the Hatchet football team the night before
the Tomahawk Cross-Country team competed in their home invitational with the following finishes: Girls
Varsity-3rd, Boys Varsity-4th, Girls JV-1
st
, and the Boys JV-1st.

The lady Hatchets were led by medalist Alli Palmer in a time of 21:17 with a 6th place finish. A pack of Hatchet varsity teammates trailed her, including: medalist Rachael Reilly (21:45), Halle Derleth (21:55), Morgan Hansmann (22:08), Serena Reinke (22:34), Marie Gorell (22:51), and Robin Schmidt (22:57). A mixed bag of good and bad races resulted in an overall 3rd place finish behind GNC conference

competition Lakeland and Division III State ranked Phillips.

Girls team scores were: Phillips-60, Lakeland-60, Tomahawk-66, Rhinelander-89, Crandon-94, Antigo-147, Hurley-204, Mosinee-Inc., and Laona/Wabeno-Inc.

The boys positioned two in the top fifteen for medalist honors led by Presley Gutbrod as he placed 12th in a time of 18:11 and medalist Sam Zastrow who placed 13th in a time of 18:27. Varsity teammates included: Ty Anthes (18:59), Owen Dickrell (19:32), Taje Casey (19:49), Jacob Riemer (19:50), and Brett Borchardt (19:52). Similar to the girls some boys excelled while others were stalled in the cool breeze landing the boys in 4th place behind Division III powerhouse Phillips, Lakeland, and Rhinelander.

Boys team results: Phillips-36, Lakeland-59, Rhinelander-69, Tomahawk-78, Crandon-121, Mosinee-156,

Hurley-Inc., Antigo-Inc., and Laeona/Wabeno-Inc.

Never to disappoint, both the junior varsity squads took first place. Most noticeable was that the entire scoring five of the girls JV team were top 10 medalists. They were led by junior Kambyl Mattke who placed 2nd with a time of 23:07. Her scoring teammates were: Faith Derleth (23:21), Abi Micke (23:22), Izzy Lee (23:25), and Lydia Shaney (25:05). Other varsity girls who helped contribute point differentials in favor of Tomahawk were Summer Gaedtke (27:47) and Jennie Frederickson (36:02).

The boys were led by 2nd place finisher Jeremiah Johnson who ran the course in 20:39. His medalist teammates included: Nathan Rosenmeier (20:50), Elliot O'Connor (21:39), and Masen Towle (22:03). Other JV boys who helped in the victory were: Bruce Peetz (22:44), Gerard Gorell (22:57), Eli Albrent (23:27), and Cayden Shepler (24:23).

Next race is Saturday as the Hatchets travel to Medford High School for the Great Northern Conference Meet. The first race will be the girls varsity at 11:00 am.

In Other News

Hatchet Volleyball Season Ends in First Round

Published on 10/21/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Volleyball season came to a quick end in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal Tuesday night as they would get swept at Weyauwega-Fremont, 25-14, 25-12, 25-8. The Hatchets were unable to overcome hot starts by the Warhawks and allowed 13 aces in the match. In her final high school volleyball match, Senior Outside Hitter Averi Petta led the Hatchets with eight kills. Lexi Palmer had 12 assists on the night. Tomahawk finishes the 2026 season with a 6-29 overall record and a 1-9 Great Northern Conference record. The lone Hatchet Senior to graduate is Averi Petta.

Published on 10/21/2026 under News Lincoln County has a balanced spending plan for supervisors to consider next month. At Tuesday's board meeting, Finance Director Korey Bloch presented supervisors with an updated 2027 budget draft. The proposed property tax levy comes in at $13.6 million, up approximately $300,000 from last year. However, driven by a 6.9 percent increase in equalized property values and a 1.3 percent boost in net new construction, the average mill rate is projected to drop by 2.6 percent for townships and just over 2 percent for cities. The county finance team successfully closed an estimated $900,000 deficit from the preliminary July draft. Notable spending updates include increased funding for emergency medical services following a new joint EMS agreement with the City of Merrill. The summary also highlights rising IT software costs and ongoing capital maintenance expenses. Budget numbers were further bolstered by steady growth in county sales tax revenue, a multi-year upward trend attributed in part to local investments in recreation and tourism promotion. The finalized 2027 budget will return to the Lincoln County Board for full approval in November as local municipalities and school districts wrap up their own financial planning.

Published on 10/21/2026 under News Following another summer of community support, the organizers behind the annual Wishes for Kids fundraiser have officially presented a $30,000 check to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. The major contribution comes after a full season of local fundraising efforts in the Northwoods. While the popular Wishes for Kids Pork Roast held at Surewood Forest on Lake Alice served as the summer's main event, organizers expanded their reach in recent weeks by hosting both a cornhole tournament and a golf outing to boost total donations. The $30,000 gift matches the organization's record-setting total from last year, bringing their multi-year fundraising total to nearly a quarter-million dollars. Over the past decade, Wishes for Kids has raised more than $240,000 to grant life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses across northern Wisconsin. Funds raised through these local events help grant a wide range of wishes for Northwoods children, from dream vacations and sporting event trips to personalized home accessibility projects and local outdoor adventures. Many of those stories are told through the Wall of Wishes at Surewood Forest.

Published on 10/21/2026 under News The timber industry plays a critical role in the Northwoods economy, and this week state officials are recognizing the trade's lasting impact across Wisconsin. The third week of October marks National Forest Products Week. The annual observance highlights the economic and environmental benefits provided by the state's estimated 17 million acres of public and private forestland. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the state's forest products industry directly generates nearly $28 billion in goods each year and supports more than 55,000 jobs statewide. It also remains a top economic driver across northern Wisconsin. In Lincoln County alone, forestry accounts for more than 1,800 direct and indirect jobs. DNR Forest Products Team Leader Scott Lyon noted that residents rely on Wisconsin forest products daily, from paper packaging and tissue to structural lumber, flooring, and furniture. Beyond the bottom line, DNR officials emphasize that sustainably managed forests protect clean air and water, enhance wildlife habitat, and offer endless recreational opportunities for Northwoods residents and visitors alike.

Published on 10/21/2026 under News A two-week trial is now underway in Lincoln County Circuit Court for a teen charged in a fatal 2024 assault of a counselor at the Lincoln Hills. Javarius Hurd faces one felony count of first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of battery by a prisoner. Following jury selection Monday, opening statements were delivered Tuesday morning. The charges stem from a June 2024 altercation at the youth correctional facility, where two counselors were injured. During the incident, 49-year-old counselor Corey Proulx was struck, causing him to hit his head on a hard surface. He died from his injuries a short time later. State prosecutors began presenting their case Tuesday, calling former Lincoln Hills resident Rian Nyblom to the stand. Nyblom previously pleaded guilty to two counts of battery by a prisoner for his involvement in the incident. Hurd had reached a plea agreement on amended charges earlier this year, but later withdrew it. Court officials have set aside two weeks for the proceedings.

Published on 10/21/2026 under News New operational changes are now in effect for mail delivery and personal communications at the Lincoln County Jail. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the facility transitioned this week to an off-site digital mail processing system aimed at improving facility security and preventing contraband. All personal, non-legal mail must now be sent to a central processing center in Longview, Texas, where staff scan the letters and deliver them electronically to inmates via jail kiosks and tablets. Legal correspondence must still be sent directly to the jail in Merrill. In addition, the sheriff's office is introducing new video visitation and electronic messaging options through NCIC Correctional Services. Officials note these service updates come at no cost to local taxpayers and offer expanded ways for families and friends to stay in touch with those incarcerated.

Published on 10/21/2026 under News Two new leaders have officially taken their seats on the Nicolet College Board of Trustees. Kristin Allen of Lac du Flambeau has been sworn in to serve a three-year term. Allen currently serves as the Higher Education Transition Coordinator for the Lac du Flambeau Tribe and brings over a decade of board experience to the post. Joining her is Tomahawk resident Teri Theiler, President of the Aspirus North Division, who will serve a two-year interim term. Theiler also serves on boards for Howard Young Medical Center and the Wisconsin Hospital Association. Nicolet College President Kate Ferrel welcomed both appointees, noting that their deep professional expertise and passion for higher education will strengthen the institution's service across Northwoods communities.

Published on 10/20/2026 under News Throughout this week, a Rhinelander-area church is collecting unused wheelchairs and mobility equipment to send to developing nations. For individuals with limited mobility, a wheelchair is a vital tool—yet it is something many take for granted. The organization Wheels for the World is working to change that by partnering with Calvary Baptist Church in Rhinelander for a local collection drive. According to Pastor Rod Ankrom, volunteers take used wheelchairs and restore them to like-new condition before distributing them overseas. Ankrom noted that in many developing nations, people with mobility challenges are often left isolated simply because they lack a way to get around. In addition to complete wheelchairs, the church is accepting crutches, canes, and wheelchair parts that can be used during the refurbishment process. Drop-offs are being accepted at Calvary Baptist Church on Lincoln Street in Rhinelander from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, as well as Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Anyone unable to make those times can arrange an alternative drop-off by calling the church directly.

Published on 10/20/2026 under News In-person absentee voting gets underway across Wisconsin today, marking exactly two weeks until Election Day. Starting Tuesday, Oct. 20, municipal clerks can open early voting sites, allowing voters to request and complete their absentee ballots in a single visit. Locations and operating hours vary by municipality. Just like on Election Day, voters will need to present an acceptable photo ID to cast their ballot. State election data shows that over 173,000 mail-in absentee ballots have already been returned, though more than 191,000 requested ballots remain outstanding. Local numbers reflect that statewide trend: in Lincoln County, just under 1,300 ballots were requested and about 650 have been returned so far. In Oneida County, roughly 1,500 of the 2,800 absentee ballots sent out have come back. State officials note that overall mail-in requests are down compared to four years ago, signaling that more residents may plan to vote early in person before Nov. 3. More than 2.6 million Wisconsinites are expected to cast ballots in this year's general election. Voter information, including sample preview ballots, is available on the state's official website at MyVote.wi.gov.

Published on 10/20/2026 under News With beautiful fall weather in the forecast, it is a great time to get the yard ready for winter, but health experts warn that seasonal chores come with hidden injury risks. Raking leaves and cleaning gutters put unique strains on your body. Raking involves repetitive twisting and pulling, which frequently leads to lower back and shoulder injuries. To protect yourself, treat yard work like exercise: do a quick dynamic stretch before starting, keep your knees slightly bent, and switch sides often to balance the workload. If you are tackling chores that require a ladder, such as trimming branches or clearing gutters, keep safety top of mind. Officials advise placing ladders on firm, level ground, maintaining three points of contact at all times, and never overreaching. Always wear supportive shoes with soles clear of mud or debris that could cause a slip, and stay facing the ladder whenever you climb up or down. And in general, take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, and listen to your body so your yard gets prepped without an unexpected trip to urgent care. As a reminder, the City of Tomahawk will conduct its annual curbside fall yard waste collection next week.

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