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Hatchet Cross Country Team Sending One to State Published on 10/24/2022 under Sports

On Saturday, Tomahawk made the trek to Skyline Golf Course in Black River Falls, WI, to compete at the site of WIAA Division 2 Sectional Cross-Country Meet. The weather was absolutely perfect with an unnoticeable breeze with temperatures around 60 degrees at the hilly Skyline Golf Course. A total of 17 teams faced the Hatchets for the right to advance to Wisconsin Rapids next weekend for the WIAA State

Championships.

Kicking off the day's races were the girls, who ran the challenging course taking 3rd place. Missing out on going to state by one team. All was not bleak however as Rachael Reilly again earned her spot to compete individually at the WIAA State Meet as she led the team placing 4th overall in a time of 20:58. Continuing Tomahawk's legacy of being represented at the state meet making it the 28th time in a row (28 qualifying teams and 17 individual qualifiers). Rachael began the race in 6th place and made decisive moves to pace one runner each mile putting her amongst the elite girls of the sectional meet. The Hatchet ladies valiant effort was rounded out by teammates: sophomore Alli Palmer (16th-21:54), junior

Halle Derleth (21st-22:19), senior Morgan Hansmann (24th-22:41), junior Kambyl Mattke (30th-23:03), junior Robin Schmidt (34th-23:18), and senior Serena Reinke (57th-26:19). There were 89 finishers in the girls race.

Once again Medford won the meet with a score of 31 points followed by West Salem with 55 points and Tomahawk with 91 points. This completes the 2022 girls team season with a record of 90 teams beaten and 12 teams defeated by.

The Noon boys race would find the Hatchets squaring off against some of the finest Division 2 teams in the state. The tight race was won by Mauston with 72 points, followed by the other state qualifying team, West Salem with 78 points. The Hatchet boys would finish in 9th place with 208 points out of the 17 teams competing. The Hatchet boys were led by junior Presley Gutbrod who began the race in 34th place and managed to finish in 21st with a time of 18:33. The squad was completed with: junior Owen Dickrell (38th-19:14), Sam Zastrow (41st-19:20), senior Ty Anthes (48th-19:29), junior Brett Borchardt (60th-20:06), sophomore Jacob Riemer (84th-21:37), and senior Taje Casey (90th-22:14). A total of 111

athletes finished the boys sectional race. This wraps up the 2022 boys team season with a record of 74 teams beaten and 27 teams defeated by.

The Great Northern Conference will be well represented in Wisconsin Rapids next weekend. Along with the girls from Medford the boys from Lakeland also qualified (out of the Oconto Falls Sectional). Individual boys state qualifiers from Rhinelander, Antigo, Medford and girl's athletes from Mosinee, Tomahawk, and Northland Pines will be competing.

Next Saturday Rachael Reilly will represent Tomahawk at the WIAA State Cross-Country Championships at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. The Division II girls race begins at 12:40 pm.

In Other News

Aspirus Wausau Hospital Opens New Dual Helipad

Published on 12/10/2025 under News Aspirus Wausau Hospital has opened a new dual helipad that expands its capacity for emergency air transport and supports faster access to advanced medical care for patients across north central Wisconsin. The upgraded facility replaces the former single landing space and positions two landing pads adjacent to the emergency department for direct, rapid patient transfer. The new helipad was developed in response to growing MedEvac demand. Aspirus receives more than six hundred helicopter transports each year, often involving patients who require immediate trauma, cardiac, stroke or specialty services. The dual landing zones allow aircraft to arrive without delay, particularly during incidents with multiple patients or simultaneous requests. "This helps us move patients quickly and safely to the care they need," said Chad Eckhard, Base Aviation Manager and helicopter pilot. "It is better for the patients, safer for the crews and a positive step for the community." The site incorporates several upgrades designed to increase safety and reliability. A heated snow melt system keeps the landing surface clear throughout winter, pilot-controlled lighting enhances visibility during landings and future GPS flight approaches will support access in lower visibility. These features reduce operational delays and improve safety for both patients and clinical teams. The helipad project aligns with broader facility planning at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, including recent emergency department expansion and long-term growth of specialty services.

Published on 12/10/2025 under News A local hospital will be getting into the holiday spirit with a special tree lighting ceremony this evening. For the past month, the Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital Foundation has been collecting donations for their Love Lights Tree. Sponsors were able to reserve a white light in memory of a loved one or blue lights in the honor of a relative, family member or friend. Last year more than 200 lights were dedicated as part of the ceremony. Proceeds will be used by the Foundation to improve the health and wellness of the Tomahawk Community. This includes both Aspirus Foundation programs like their youth bike helmets, hospital/clinic resources, and even community non-profits. Coming up this evening the Foundation will hold a dedication and lighting ceremony at the hospital at 5:30pm and the public is invited to attend. The event will include local vocalists sharing Christmas songs. The tree will remain lighted throughout the holiday season.

Published on 12/10/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's hockey squad gutted out their fifth straight win to begin the season, coming from behind to defeat Great Northern Conference rival Northland Pines, 6-5, Tuesday night. The Hatchets trailed by two goals in the first and second periods before coming back to get their third conference win of the season. Jonah Dickens' second goal of the night gave Tomahawk the lead with under two minutes remaining. The Hatchets also got goals from Jett Reilly, Brayden Lamer, and Caiden Reichelt. Tomahawk improves their record to 5-0 on the season and 3-0 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action Saturday afternoon for a non-conference showdown with 2025 state qualifier Somerset. Alex Koch and Keith Hanse will have the broadcast on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show will begin at 1:35 and opening face-off will be at 2:00 from SARA Park Saturday.

Published on 12/10/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's boys' basketball squad suffered their third straight loss at the Hatchet House Tuesday night, losing to Tigerton, 79-40. The Hatchets were unable to overcome a dominating performance from Junior Center James Brady. Jerry Johnson led the way in scoring with 11 points for the Hatchets. Ryan Montag added ten. The loss drops Tomahawk to 1-3 on the season and 0-1 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action Thursday for the second half of a girls-boys doubleheader @ Three Lakes. Tip will be at approximately 7:15.

Published on 12/09/2025 under News On Monday in Weston, Gov. Tony Evers signed "Bradyn's Law", creating a new crime of sexual extortion in Wisconsin. The new law, Assembly Bill 201, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 48: • Creates a new crime of sexual extortion; • Includes graduated penalties on offenses depending on the actor, the act, the victim's actions, or the victim's age; and • Modifies and expands the crime victim compensation program, including by adding a victim's suicide or attempted suicide to the list of acts that may be compensated by DOJ. "Bradyn's Law" was introduced in response to the tragic passing of Bradyn Bohn, a 15-year-old student from the Wausau Area who took his own life earlier this year as a result of a sexual extortion, or "sextortion," scheme. The FBI defines sextortion as a crime where offenders coerce minors to send explicit images, using them for extortion. The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force noted a rise in sextortion-related tips, with 237 cybertips received in 2024, up from 176 in 2023. They also have resources for online safety on their website.

Published on 12/09/2025 under News While we're still in the fall hunting season, hunters need to begin planning for next year. The DNR is reminding hunters of a pair of deadlines for tag applications is quickly approaching. Both black bear permits and spring turkey authorization applications must be submitted by the end of the day Wednesday. The spring turkey season begins in mid-April, the fall in September. The bear season also opens in September. Both are divided into zones across the state, and applicants are encouraged to review them before submitting an application. Due to the high interest, bear hunters may need to apply for several years before receiving a permit through the drawing. Turkey hunters can typically apply for multiple zones and weeks, in order of preference. The DNR says the drawings for turkey permits will be held in January, bear in February.

+ Read More Jeans for Teens

Published on 12/09/2025 under News 'Tis the season to be generous. The holiday season is fast approaching and sadly this year there are still many families left struggling to just get by. About 17 percent of children in the Northwoods live below the poverty level. These children may go through their day to day life without the necessities needed to live a healthy life such as food, shelter, and clothes. Rhinelander High School FBLA/DECA would love to help these children out in its latest service activity; Jeans for Teens. From December 17th - January 6th, the group will be collecting gently used jeans and giving them to teens and others in the community who need them. Please help out FBLA/DECA by donating some of your old jeans. The collection sites to drop off your jeans donations are: Rhinelander High School, James Williams Middle School, Crescent Elementary School, Pelican Elementary School, Central Elementary School, Maurices, Rhinelander District Library, Campfire Coffee & Creamery (A'La Mode), Bath and Body Creations, and the YMCA. Look for the big box wrapped in colorful Christmas paper. Jeans of all conditions and colors will gladly be accepted. Donated jeans will go to the local Frederick Place so children and families in our area can feel the love and warmth.

Published on 12/08/2025 under News Tomahawk middle schoolers have been getting into the holiday giving spirit. The students are planning to make Christmas cards for the elderly population in our community including the senior living and nursing homes. The school-wide community service project is being led by the middle school PBIS committee. They're currently asking the community to contribute art materials that could be used in making the cards. This includes any old holiday cards, and other Christmas or winter-themed scrap-booking materials, stickers, ribbons, and markers. The collection got underway last month and continues through December 15. That will allow students time to get those cards made and delivered in time for the holidays. Any donated materials can be dropped off at the middle school office.

Published on 12/08/2025 under News A Medford man has died after falling through the ice in the Washington Flowage in the Township of Hammel Friday afternoon. According to a release from the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, on Friday at approximately 4:17 pm the Taylor County dispatch received a 911 call from a woman reporting that her husband was out ice fishing on the flowage earlier in the afternoon and had not yet returned. Upon arrival, authorities saw a sled trail leading out to the open water. A sled was also located floating in the water. The release further states that Wings of Hope and Bruce's Legacy were contacted for their specialized equipment and expertise in open water searches, along with the Marathon County Sheriff's Office Dive Team. The deceased man, identified as 69-year-old Randall K. Runge, was located and carefully recovered. Authorities say there is no indication of foul play. Taylor County Deputies, along with Medford Fire personnel, Taylor County Emergency Management, and Taylor County EMS personnel were also dispatched to the scene and the investigation remains ongoing.

Published on 12/08/2025 under News In a special check presentation on Saturday our Tomahawk VFW Post 2687 presented a check to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight for $30,000.00. In attendance was State Commander Ty Letto as well as veterans who participated in past Never Forgotten Honor Flights. Post 2687 has now funded 291 veterans for their Trip of a Lifetime to Washington. A big thank you to all the people who participated and volunteer workers in the Veterans Pool Tournament last month as nearly $19,000.00 was raised in that event and other donations to the VFW made up the donation.

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