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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

Lincoln County Board Supports Agricultural Enterprise Area Designation in Towns of Harding, Corning

Published on 06/17/2026 under News Lincoln County is throwing its support behind a new initiative to safeguard agricultural land and strengthen the local farming economy. At Tuesday's meeting, the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution supporting the creation of the proposed "Copper River Agricultural Enterprise Area" in the Towns of Corning and Harding. These specialized agricultural zones are designated by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as part of the Agriculture Enterprise Area program. They help protect farmland by allowing eligible landowners to participate in the state's Farmland Preservation Program, which offers tax credits in exchange for keeping acreage dedicated to agricultural use. Supervisor Julie DePasse, whose district includes the proposed zone, described the program as a valuable tool for supporting local farmers. She noted that these state tax credits are available to participating landowners without impacting the local tax levy. County officials say agriculture remains an important part of the Lincoln County economy, contributing an estimated $132 million annually. However, the resolution notes that the county has seen a steady decline in the number of farms over the past decade. Officials hope that protecting this land will help sustain existing farming jobs while attracting new agricultural businesses to the area. The measure passed on a unanimous voice vote with little discussion. The final decision on the Agricultural Enterprise Area designation will be made by the state.

Published on 06/17/2026 under News A major fundraising milestone is paving the way for a permanent, year-round Boys & Girls Club in Merrill. The Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area announced it has secured the $3 million needed to renovate the former Merrill National Guard Armory building into a full-service youth facility. For the past four years, the club has operated out of Prairie River Middle School, but leaders say a dedicated home will allow them to expand programming and serve more local children. Originally built in 1953, the armory has been used sparingly by the National Guard in recent years. The upcoming makeover will completely transform the space, adding four classrooms, a playground, a teaching kitchen, an art studio, a gymnasium, and an academic center. This expansion will allow the club to accommodate younger students and boost participation in STEM, academic support, leadership, and workforce readiness initiatives. The latest announcement builds on efforts that began last year when the City of Merrill, with financial backing from the Bierman Foundation, purchased the armory and invited the Boys & Girls Club to become its long-term tenant. While construction funding is officially complete, the organization is now shifting its focus toward raising the remaining operational funds required to open the doors. If everything stays on track, renovations are scheduled to begin this October. The new facility is expected to welcome its first students by next summer, perfectly coinciding with the Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area's 30th anniversary. Visit the Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area-Merrill webpage for more information, project designs, and donation opportunities.

Published on 06/17/2026 under News Hundreds of bicyclists are spending the week on an annual tour of the state, following a route that mirrors the Wisconsin River. The ride is part of the Great Annual Bicycle Adventure Along the Wisconsin River, or GRABAAWR. Cyclists cover the 427-mile length of the river, pedaling along low-traffic roads and stopping at various communities along the way. The journey began over the weekend at the headwaters of the Wisconsin River in the Northwoods, with riders leaving from Eagle River. Their first checkpoint was approximately 70 miles south in Tomahawk. From there, Day 2 takes the riders to Mosinee. Ultimately, the tour will lead the cyclists to Southwestern Wisconsin, where they are scheduled to arrive in Prairie du Chien by the coming weekend. The event is organized by Bike Wisconsin and is one of a half-dozen rides planned for the summer months. The group will actually return to the area in just a few weeks for the Bike Northwoods Tour, which kicks off on the Fourth of July. With bike season in full swing, motorists are encouraged to be mindful of these and all cyclists on the road this summer.

Published on 06/17/2026 under News Tonight (Wednesday, June 17), the state is laying out its long-term fix for a notoriously rough stretch of Highway 86 in Tomahawk. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is hosting a public meeting this evening to discuss permanent reconstruction plans for Somo Avenue/Highway 86 between Wisconsin Avenue and US 51. While local crews put down a temporary pavement overlay on a four block segment earlier this spring, the state's full overhaul isn't scheduled until 2030. Tonight's session starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Tomahawk High School Cafeteria, featuring a brief presentation followed by an open house where residents can view maps, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Published on 06/17/2026 under News Good news for Northwoods forests: a destructive tree-eating caterpillar population is expected to remain at very low levels again this year. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says forest tent caterpillar populations remain low across northern Wisconsin, extending a remarkable 23-year trend. Spring surveys found very few caterpillar egg masses, meaning widespread tree damage is unlikely in 2026. These caterpillars have typically shown strong growth cycles every ten to sixteen years according to forest health specialist Paul Cigan. The caterpillars feed on a variety of trees, including aspen, oak, maple, birch and basswood. During these low-population periods, defoliation remains localized and light in intensity, usually going unobserved and unreported. They did highlight an area in northern Taylor County that saw heavier defoliation last year, and could once again. The low population levels are welcome news for aspen stands that have already been stressed by drought and past insect outbreaks. However, DNR officials caution that forest tent caterpillar populations naturally rise and fall in cycles and say a future population increase is still expected. Landowners are encouraged to watch for and report any significant caterpillar damage to the DNR. 622p" target="_blank">They have a guide that can differentiate between defoliators including the eastern tent caterpillar, the forest tent caterpillar, and the spongy moth caterpillar, which all look similar to the untrained eye.

Published on 06/17/2026 under News Residents interested in the future of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest are being invited to help shape upcoming local projects. Forest officials are actively recruiting members for a new Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). This 15-member committee will review and recommend projects funded through the federal Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, fostering collaboration across the 12-county region encompassed by the national forest. To ensure a balanced perspective, the committee will represent a wide array of interests and stakeholders. Openings are available for recreational users, environmental groups, tribal representatives, local elected officials, school administrators, timber industry professionals, and members of the general public. Applicants must be Wisconsin residents, with preference given to those living within the forest's 12-county footprint. The committee is expected to meet two or three times a year, typically at the forest headquarters in Rhinelander. Applications for the four-year terms are being accepted through July 31. Those interested can find more information and application details by visiting the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest website.

Published on 06/16/2026 under News Those eager for the kickoff of Tomahawk's Music on the River will have to wait an extra week. With heavy rain in the forecast throughout the day on Wednesday, the opening night of the summer concert series has been postponed. The Cougars were scheduled to play the first show of the year; they will now return on August 12 to close out the 19th season instead. While SARA Park typically serves as a backup rain location, organizers noted they always prefer for bands to play at Veterans Memorial Park. Remaining at the outdoor venue preserves the atmosphere and true spirit of the event's name, Music on the River. Opening night also traditionally features the WJJQ Community Cookout. That event has been rescheduled for July 1, coinciding with a performance by Ember, which organizers hope will be a great way to kick off the Fourth of July holiday week. So once again, to update your calendars, Wednesday's Music on the River concert has been postponed due to the rain. Opening night will now take place June 24 with B.D. Greer with The GentsThe WJJQ Community Cookout is now July 1And the Cougars will now play August 12

Published on 06/16/2026 under News Tomahawk's signature downtown flower baskets are once again in place, bringing a burst of color to Main Street just as the summer tourism season gets underway. More than 2,000 wave petunias grown by Cerny's Greenhouse now fill the hanging baskets and flower boxes throughout the downtown area and should be in full bloom shortly. This year's display features a patriotic red, white, and blue theme in recognition of America's upcoming 250th birthday celebration. According to Cerny's Greenhouse, the vibrant display has been months in the making. The petunia seeds were started in late February, transplanted in April, and finally delivered to downtown Tomahawk this past week. Tomahawk Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz noted that the flowers have become one of the community's most recognizable features, helping create a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. Maintaining the flowers is a community effort. Turkiewicz credited local grower Justin Cerny for helping select the plants and providing expert knowledge on their care. The dedication extends to the volunteer "Rainmakers" crew, who are out bright and early each morning to keep the plants hydrated, while additional volunteers assist with weeding and general upkeep throughout the season. Turkiewicz added that volunteers are always welcome to help. Community members can also support the flower program's expenses through financial donations or by participating in local fundraising efforts, such as purchasing "North for the Fourth" t-shirts. With the colorful baskets now fully in place, the flowers are set to provide a bright, beautiful first impression for the thousands of visitors passing through Tomahawk during the busy summer months.

Published on 06/16/2026 under News A Langlade County conservation volunteer is being recognized statewide for her efforts to protect Northwoods forests and natural areas from invasive species. The DNR and the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council have named Terrie Pohjola as one of nine recipients of the 2026 Invasive Species Action Awards. Pohjola serves as Forestry Chair for the 2,400-acre Knight Templar Club Reserve on Duck Lake and is also a Wisconsin Master Naturalist. According to the DNR, she developed comprehensive maps and management plans to identify and control invasive species across the property. As a result, known populations of garlic mustard have been eliminated or brought under control, while tansy has been removed from environmentally sensitive areas. Pohjola also works closely with the reserve's Junior Naturalist Program, helping educate the next generation about conservation and stewardship. The Invasive Species Action Awards are presented annually during June, which is designated as Invasive Species Action Month in Wisconsin. This year, nine individuals and organizations were honored for their outstanding commitment to preventing the spread of invasive plants and animals and protecting the state's natural resources. To read more about this year's recipients

Published on 06/16/2026 under News It's graduation season, and eight interns recently celebrated a major milestone after completing Goodwill North Central Wisconsin's Project SEARCH program in Rhinelander. The 2026 class graduated from the program's site at Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital, capping off nine months of workplace training designed to help individuals with disabilities prepare for employment. Project SEARCH provides participants with hands-on experience through rotations in various hospital departments, including radiology, environmental services, food service and other support areas. The internships are intended to build job skills and confidence while exposing participants to a variety of career paths. Shana Herzfeldt is the director of mission operations. She says, "This program shows how a partnership with a shared vision can lead to a future full of opportunities for these students. Herzfeldt added, "It is extremely rewarding and inspiring to see their remarkable progress and achievements." Following graduation, Goodwill NCW continues to work with participants through individualized job searches, helping them secure employment either with the host organization or elsewhere in the community. The Rhinelander program operates through a partnership between Goodwill NCW, the School District of Rhinelander, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital, TMG, Lakeland Care and Inclusa.

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