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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

Tomahawk Kinship: Director Patti Hilgendorf Planning Retirement

Published on 10/27/2026 under News After nearly three decades of guiding youth mentoring in Tomahawk, a familiar face at Kinship is preparing to pass the torch. Patti Hilgendorf joined our Monday Morning Conversation to share her plans to step down as Executive Director of Kinship of Tomahawk in the coming year, capping off nearly three decades of service that began at the organization's founding. Under Hilgendorf's guidance, Kinship grew from a basic mentor-matching service to a comprehensive community program offering after-school care, tutoring, and life skills. The organization experienced a similar transformation in its location, starting in a small, windowless office before moving into the Kinship House, and ultimately its new downtown facility last year. Hilgendorf says the timing is right as she looks forward to traveling and spending more time with her grandchildren. However, she plans to stay closely involved with Kinship and will assist her successor throughout the leadership transition. "I'm still around, but it's time to step back a little bit," Hilgendorf said. "I will always be involved—it is my passion." As the organization prepares for its 30th anniversary in January, Kinship's Board of Directors is actively recruiting for the Executive Director position as well as a part-time Administrative Assistant. You can listen to our full Monday Morning Conversation with Patti Hilgendorf in the WJJQ Audio Center.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News Lincoln County is home to more than 700 lakes and 650 miles of rivers and streams, and local officials are taking steps to ensure ongoing water protection programs continue into next year. At its meeting this past week, the Lincoln County Board unanimously approved three annual resolutions related to state grant applications and local stakeholder matching funds. Conservation Program Manager Tom Boisvert presented an overview of the measures, which include renewed funding requests through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Clean Boats, Clean Waters program and the Lake Monitoring and Protection Network. If awarded, the recurring grant dollars will sustain and expand local educational outreach, aquatic invasive species prevention, and shoreline restoration projects across the county. A third resolution formalized local matching pledges required for the Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant. Under state guidelines, local partners must cover a 25 percent cost share. Stakeholders stepping up to provide those annual matching funds include the Lake Nokomis Lake District, Friends of Lake Mohawksin, and the Spirit Reservoir Association. If both annual grant applications are awarded for the full amount, Lincoln County will secure up to $30,000 in combined state and local funding to maintain its water conservation efforts.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News Volunteers in Minocqua came together over the weekend to cross a major milestone in the fight against food insecurity. More than 500 community members gathered at Lakeland Union High School on Saturday for the 18th annual Food for Kidz meal-packing event, hosted by the Lakeland-Area Lions Club. Working across two high-energy, two-hour assembly shifts, a crew of 506 packagers, alongside table hosts, restockers, and setup crews, packed 690 cases totaling nearly 220,000 meals. Organizers say those results officially pushed the event's lifetime impact past 3.1 million meals packaged over its 18-year history in the Northwoods. The packaged meals will now be distributed to roughly two dozen local food pantries, shelters, and school backpack programs, with additional meals going to broader relief efforts across the country and overseas.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News The homicide trial against an 18-year-old charged in the fatal attack of a Lincoln Hills youth counselor enters its final stretch today in Lincoln County Circuit Court. Javarius Hurd is facing charges of first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of battery by a prisoner in the June 2024 death of 49-year-old Corey Proulx. Prosecutors say Proulx suffered fatal head injuries after pursuing Hurd into an outdoor courtyard following an initial assault on another staff member. The trial began last Tuesday with opening statements. After a week of testimony, both the prosecution and defense rested Monday afternoon. Hurd did not testify in the trial. Closing arguments are set for this morning, after which the case will go to the jury for deliberations. If convicted on all charges, Hurd faces up to 60 years in prison.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News Early voting and absentee balloting remain underway across Wisconsin, with thousands of Northwoods residents having already cast their ballots ahead of the upcoming fall election. Many voters continue to utilize absentee ballots by mail or early in-person voting, which opened last week at local municipal clerks' offices. According to daily statistics from the Wisconsin Elections Commission, as of Monday, more than 440,000 state residents had already voted. Local clerks report a steady stream of early voters as well, with state data showing roughly 1,500 early votes cast in Lincoln County, 2,000 in Vilas County, and 2,800 in Oneida County. Election Day is next Tuesday. Voters can visit myvote.wi.gov for election information including sample ballots.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while regular screening mammograms are essential, getting called back for additional imaging can cause immediate anxiety. To help patients navigate that uncertainty, Aspirus Health relies on a dedicated team of "Nurse Navigators" to provide personalized guidance, care coordination, and emotional support. From explaining pathology and testing procedures to coordinating care across the health system, Nurse Navigators serve as an expert, ongoing resource. Aspirus Nurse Navigator Stephanie Ostrowski says, "Health care is complicated, and a lot of patients are overwhelmed. We're here to support patients, help them understand what's happening, and make sure they don't feel lost in the system." The navigation service is available at no cost to patients across the entire Aspirus network.

Published on 10/26/2026 under News Another group of Northwoods veterans is in Washington DC, today to visit the monuments and memorials built in their honor. Today's mission marks the 58th overall for the Wausau-based Never Forgotten Honor Flight. It features 98 veterans from across North Central Wisconsin, including 96 Vietnam-era veterans, one Korean War veteran, and one World War II veteran. That WWII Vet is Paul Donatell of Cumberland, Wisconsin; who is 101 years old. He is actually the second centenarian to fly with the organization this year. The roster also highlights strong local representation, including 10 veterans each from Lincoln and Oneida counties. This is the fourth and final flight planned for the year. Dating back to 2010, the hub has transported 5,482 local veterans to the nation's capital. The public, as usual, is invited to welcome the veterans home this evening. Officials recommend arriving at Central Wisconsin Airport no later than 8:30pm. Organizers continue to encourage any area veteran who served in the U.S. military in any capacity prior to May 7, 1975, and has not yet participated, to submit an application.

Published on 10/26/2026 under News Two influential figures in Merrill's history are being remembered following a pair of street sign dedications over the weekend. The City of Merrill Historic Preservation Committee unveiled two honorary street markers celebrating local leaders near the sites of their biggest contributions. On Saturday morning, community members gathered at Grand Avenue and North Genesee Street to honor Ralph "Fata" Voigt, Merrill's longest-serving mayor. After serving as a World War II Army lieutenant, Voigt returned home, established an insurance agency, and was elected mayor nine times, serving from 1960 to 1979. He also founded the "Merrill on the Move" initiative to champion local growth. Then on Sunday afternoon, Mayor Steve Hass and family members gathered at West Main and Thomas Streets to unveil a sign for early industrialist Ferdinand Ollhoff. Ollhoff built a major sawmill on North Thomas Street in 1910, providing steady jobs for early settlers in Merrill's Sixth Ward through the Great Depression. Known statewide for his absolute honesty, Ollhoff was recognized by the committee as a foundational builder of early Merrill.

Published on 10/26/2026 under News Major changes are coming to a popular Northwoods golf course. Rondele Ranch announced the purchase of Pinewood Golf Club in Harshaw, along with renovation plans for the property. Prior to a 2021 sale, the Bromann family operated Pinewood for six decades. Now, Rondele Ranch is taking the reins to revitalize the course. Owner Bob Chadwell says the purchase is about investing in the region and bringing people together. He added, "We see tremendous potential at Pinewood, and we're excited to help revitalize the course and create a place the community can enjoy for years to come." Among the plans for next year is a brand-new clubhouse, capable of hosting up to 150 guests for weddings and banquets. They also plan to install golf simulators. On the course, plans include a new irrigation system, tee boxes, and cart paths. During work they will use the existing clubhouse and all 18 holes will be open. Day-to-day operations will remain in familiar hands, with General Manager and PGA Pro Kyle Christian and Superintendent Tyler Nehls staying on to lead the team.

Published on 10/26/2026 under News With November right around the corner, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is urging residents to make arrangements ahead of the winter heating disconnection moratorium. During the moratorium, which runs from November 1 to April 15, utilities are prohibited from disconnecting residential customers who fall behind on their bills. While Wisconsin law prohibits utilities from disconnecting the service during the winter months, consumers currently disconnected must make arrangements to pay any outstanding bills and have their service restored by the end of the week. Energy assistance is available through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program. Most utilities will also work with their customers to provide payment plans.

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