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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

Hatchet Fall Sports Update 9-24-26

Published on 09/24/2026 under Sports Hatchet Cross Country Places in Top 5 at Three Lakes Tomahawk's cross country squads finished in the top three of the Three Lakes Invitational Thursday afternoon. The Hatchet girls placed second out of nine teams in the invite, placing only behind GNC Favorite Lakeland. Charlee Lund and Elise Gibeault each finished in the top five individually. Lund placed fourth with a time of 20:19. Gibeault was fifth with a time of 20:49. As for Tomahawk's boys, they would finish tied for third with Laona-Wabeno in the invite. The Hatchets only placed behind Florence and Lakeland. Three Hatchet boys placed in the top 20. They were Jordyn Carew at 14th, Connor Zorn at 15th, and Dawson Jones at 20th. The Hatchets' next meet is next Thursday as they head to Athens. Events begin at 4:00. Girls Team Results: Lakeland - 1st Tomahawk - 2nd Three Lakes/Phelps - 3rd Northland Pines - 4th Antigo - 5th Boys Team Results: Lakeland - 1st Florence - 2nd Tomahawk 3rd Laona-Wabeno - 4th Northland Pines - 5th Antigo - 6th Crandon 7th Tomahawk Girls Swimmers Suffer Narrow Loss to Antigo The Hatchet Girls swimmers came up just short in their Great Northern Conference Dual Thursday in Antigo, losing to the Red Robins, 68-56. Despite the loss, the Hatchets had six first-place finishes in the GNC Dual meet. Kaylee Roberts would place first in the 50 and 100 Freestyles. Roberts would finish with times of 35.84 seconds and 1:17.67, respectively. Aubrey Tollefson took first in the 400 freestyle with a time of 5:44.29. Kourtney Busterud placed first in the 200 Freestyle and 100 backstroke. The final first-place finish came from Sloane Eisenmann in the 100 breaststroke. The loss drops Tomahawk to 0-7- in Dual action. The Hatchets are back in the pool Tuesday for a double dual with Wausau East and Medford. Events begin at 5:30. Hatchet Volleyball Upsets Prentice at Home, Goes 1-2 at Quad Tomahawk's volleyball squad would go 1-2 in their home quad Thursday night. The Hatchets would start the night off with an upset of #5 in Division 5 Prentice in three sets. After the victory, Tomahawk would get swept in straight sets by defending Division 5 State Champion Newman Catholic and #3 in Division 3 Marathon. The Hatchets now stand at 5-16 on the season and 0-4 in GNC Play. Tomahawk heads out on the road this weekend for an invite at Abbotsford. Their matches will be against Mondovi, Adams-Friendship, Abbotsford, Spencer, and Rosholt. Matches begin at 9:00.

Published on 09/24/2026 under News Over the past six years, the Tomahawk Community Thrift Shop has handed out more than a quarter of a million dollars to support local non-profits. But now the group is looking for a little community support. While the volunteer-run organization usually hands out grant checks twice a year, recent unexpected building repairs have forced them to temporarily shift funds to address immediate maintenance. Work has included heating, air conditioning, water heater, and masonry work. To ensure long-term stability, board members Joe and Bonnie Trapp are focusing on building up a dedicated building, and if all goes well could potentially raise enough to purchase their building. Supporters can contribute through donation jars at the registers, by scanning the digital donation link on the shop's Facebook page, or simply continuing to shop at the store. In addition to construction campaign, they are also accepting applications for the volunteers that keep the store running, especially with winter coming as many of their staff are snowbirds who head south for at least a portion of winter. Despite these sudden expenses, the shop remains committed to its core mission: their winter grant period will still run from November 1st through the end of December. That conversation with the Trapps is available in the WJJQ Audio Center.

Published on 09/24/2026 under News Some retired medical equipment right here in Tomahawk is getting a second life, helping train the next generation of healthcare workers. Aspirus Health announced they have donated two ultrasound systems, previously in service at the local hospital, to Concordia University's sonography program. Instead of simply decommissioning the machines during recent technology upgrades, health leaders decided to pass them along to students for real-world practice. Aspirus Imaging Manager Laurie Lemke says they wanted to ensure the equipment kept providing value by giving students hands-on time with the exact tech they'll use in their future careers. Along with the ultrasound units, Aspirus is sending over extra probes and transducers—helping build a stronger pipeline for future imaging professionals across northern Wisconsin.

Published on 09/24/2026 under News Several people were injured late Wednesday morning after an SUV crashed into the Tomahawk Family Restaurant on North 4th Street. Responders were dispatched to the popular eatery after the vehicle struck the south side of the building, with its front half plowing completely into the dining area. Fortunately, witnesses report that no diners were sitting directly in the path of the vehicle at the time of the crash. However, several individuals received treatment for undisclosed, non-life-threatening injuries. Crews spent several hours on the scene removing the SUV and boarding up the damaged wall. There is no immediate word on what caused the crash. After initially saying they would be closed a few days, Tomahawk Family Restaurant announced they will actually re-open Thursday afternoon. This marks the second time in a week that a vehicle has struck a business along the North 4th Street corridor, following an SUV crashing into a local car wash last week.

Published on 09/24/2026 under News Numerous published authors call the Northwoods home, and an upcoming event in Rhinelander aims to showcase their work. The Rhinelander District Library is partnering with Rhinelander High School to host its fourth annual Local Author Fair. Having nearly doubled in size, this year's event features 24 writers representing a wide array of styles and genres—from short stories and children's books to full-length novels. One common thread among the participants is their connection to Wisconsin and the Northwoods, a region that frequently serves as the setting or inspiration for their work. Event organizers note that attendees will have the opportunity to interact with authors directly to learn more about their backgrounds, writing processes, and creative influences. Following the meet-and-greet, New York Times bestselling Wisconsin author and humorist Michael Perry will deliver a keynote speech. Best known for works such as Population 485 and Truck: A Love Story, Perry will share insights from his storied career as a writer, speaker, and rural firefighter. The fair begins at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday at Rhinelander High School, with the keynote address taking place at noon.

Published on 09/24/2026 under News With thousands of hunters hitting Wisconsin waters for duck and goose season, the Department of Natural Resources is issuing a reminder on water safety. Around 75,000 hunters participate in the state's waterfowl season each year. Beyond basic boating safety, officials note that late-season hunting introduces extra hazards that require added caution. Safety starts on land. Overloading a boat can cause instability and increase the risk of capsizing. DNR Lt. John Sinclair notes, "A balanced boat is a stable boat." Weight should be evenly distributed throughout the craft, and gear must be loaded so it doesn't obscure navigational lights. Sinclair also emphasized that wearing a life jacket is the best defense against unexpected mishaps, recommending bright, easily visible colors. Other essential safety tips include:Watch for environmental hazards: Keep an eye out for sudden weather changes; and with low water levels this fall, keep an eye out for stumps, rocks, sandbars, and floating debris.Stay connected: Bring a fully charged cell phone and always let someone know your destination and expected return time.

Published on 09/24/2026 under News Seniors across Wisconsin have been gathering over the past year to raise their voices on key issues. Later today, Wausau takes center stage as local older adults gather for the North Central Wisconsin Senior Summit. The event runs this afternoon, September 24th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Lakeview Conference Center in Wausau. The summit gives area seniors a direct platform to share their daily struggles, discuss regional hopes, and connect with neighbors face-to-face. Across previous statewide events, recurring concerns have centered on housing, isolation, healthcare, and transportation—with healthcare and transit consistently ranking highest. Organizers stress that while these challenges exist statewide, meeting in person is crucial to understanding how they uniquely impact local communities. Local organizer Tony Omernik says, "It's one thing to look at reports and figures, and another to look one another in the eye." Omernik added, "We share the issues and opportunities we see for our communities, and then we create a path forward." The summit opens with a keynote presentation from Ben Lee, CEO of United Way of Marathon County, highlighting the area's most pressing needs to kick off community discussions.

Published on 09/23/2026 under News Fresh off the Fall Ride, one of the area's biggest tourism events of the year, Tomahawk's Finance Committee took a closer look at how one specific category of visitor dollars is spent. The City currently collects a 4% room tax, which is administered through a partnership with the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce. At a special meeting last night, the Finance Committee recommended establishing a Tourism Commission to provide an added layer of guidance and oversight for those funds. State law restricts how room tax revenue can be spent, requiring the majority to be earmarked for tourism promotion. During the meeting, Chamber Director Charis Lau gave a presentation detailing current marketing efforts, which range from targeted digital advertising to regional partnerships with Discover Wisconsin. While only the City of Tomahawk and the Town of King currently collect a room tax locally, there is a growing push to include neighboring townships like Harrison, Nokomis, and Bradley. Regional adoption could eventually allow the Chamber to transition into a Visitors Bureau, a specific state designation with separate operational and funding guidelines. The Finance Committee acted on two ordinance proposals, recommending both for final approval by the City Council. This includes creating the Tourism Commission, though the original draft was amended to expand the body from five to seven members, combining city officials and representatives from the local lodging industry. If approved by the full Council, the local commission may ultimately be short-lived. Should neighboring townships adopt their own room taxes, the next logical step would be forming a joint municipal commission to oversee the shared funding.

Published on 09/23/2026 under News Mental health and substance use disorders affect every community, family, and age group. A gathering in Rhinelander this evening aims to break the stigma and celebrate recovery. Community partners in Oneida County are hosting "Light Up the Night for Recovery" as part of National Recovery Month this September, serving as a reminder that recovery is possible for everyone. Because support is a vital piece of the recovery journey, the family-friendly event will feature a community resource fair, games, refreshments, and a space for story-sharing. Attendees will have the opportunity to celebrate recovery, honor those lost, and connect with peer support networks. Jenny Chiamulera, Oneida County Community Health Specialist and event co-organizer says, "Recovery looks different for everyone, but no one should have to walk the journey alone. Light Up the Night for Recovery brings our community together to celebrate hope, share stories, and remind people that support is available." Light Up the Night for Recovery takes place tonight at Hodag Park in Rhinelander from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Published on 09/23/2026 under News More than 1,300 Oneida County residents are currently living with dementia—and over the weekend, many of those individuals, their families, and local supporters came together to walk for a cure. Rhinelander hosted its annual Walk to End Alzheimer's at the Hodag Dome on Saturday morning. According to event organizers, nearly 400 walkers participated, helping to raise more than $200,000. That fundraising total is expected to grow, as organizers will continue accepting donations through the end of the year. Dave Grams, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association Wisconsin Chapter, called the turnout "nothing short of extraordinary." He says, "To see so many people come together, each with their own story and their own reason to walk, was incredibly moving." In addition to funding critical research, the proceeds directly support local families by providing access to education, community resources, and support services.

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