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Hatchet Baseball Team Ends GNC Season With a Road Loss Published on 05/19/2023 under Sports

The Hatchet baseball squad wrapped their Great Northern Conference season winless Thursday, losing to Rhinelander at Hodag Park, 13-1.

Tomahawk got just three hits in the game, including an RBI single from Tyler Jablonski in the top of the fifth inning. The Hatchets gave up six runs in both of the bottom of the second and third innings, dropping their record to 0-16 on the season and finish their Great Northern Conference record 0-12.

Tomahawk will have their final road game of the 2023 season today when they travel southeast to Wittenberg-Birnamwood. First pitch is at 4:00 today.

In Other News

‘Think Smart Before You Start’ ATV/UTV Safety Enforcement Returns this Weekend

Published on 06/04/2026 under News The DNR is encouraging ATV and UTV operators to be on their best behavior this weekend. That's because the agency is teaming up with local law enforcement for its "Think Smart Before You Start" enforcement campaign. Conservation wardens and county recreation deputies will focus on preventing ATV/UTV crashes by watching for dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding and operating while intoxicated. According to the DNR, Wisconsin has recorded 15 ATV and UTV deaths this year. The most common causes were rollovers and collisions. DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator Lt. Jacob Holsclaw says the goal is to reduce accidents through enforcement and personal responsibility. He says, "Our goal is 100% safety compliance and the elimination of dangerous operation that can lead to crashes." The DNR is also reminding riders that new ATV and UTV regulations are now in effect as of June 1. Riders are encouraged to review the updated rules, take a safety course, and make smart decisions every time they turn the key on their machines.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News The Tomahawk Police Department is expanding its lifesaving resources thanks to more than $2,000 in grant funding and donations aimed at combating opioid overdoses. In his monthly report to the city's Health and Safety Committee and Common Council, Police Chief Al Elvins announced that the department recently received two cases of Narcan (naloxone) through a $1,080 grant from the Wisconsin Division of Care and Treatment. North Central Health Care matched that support by donating two additional cases to the department at no cost. Narcan is a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses and can be quickly administered by law enforcement officers in emergency situations. Elvins noted that all department employees are required to complete Narcan training, adding that officers have already used the medication to save several lives in the past. Looking ahead, Elvins stated that the department will continue to pursue grant opportunities. Current efforts include an application to NAMI-Wisconsin for the reimbursement of Crisis Intervention Team Training costs, as well as grants to help replace the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) carried in police squads.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News If spring cleaning has uncovered a closet full of dusty electronics, an event in Lincoln County this weekend will offer a chance to clear that clutter while helping local students and nonprofits. Good News Project is bringing its annual electronics recycling event back to Merrill on Friday and Saturday. Organizers call the weekend event a win-win, offering residents a safe way to dispose of unwanted electronics while raising funds for local outreach. There is a 49-cent-per-pound recycling fee, with proceeds going toward Good News Project programs like their Mobile HELP truck, which provides loaner medical equipment. New this year, they're also partnering with the Merrill Area School District's NESTs program. The initiative helps ensure students have access to basic necessities such as clothing, food, and school supplies so they can focus on learning and success in the classroom. Good News Project Director Christine Daniels says, "At Good News Project we are passionate about saving resources and helping people. This Merrill event allows us to do both." Over the past two decades, these efforts have also helped keep more than 4 million pounds of e-waste out of local landfills. They'll be set up at the Merrill Festival Grounds-Sell Building on Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. We've got those details in the WJJQ Community Calendar as well.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News Tomahawk's National Night Out is still a few months away, but organizers are already busy working to grow the event in its third year. National Night Out is a nationwide campaign designed to strengthen relationships between first responders, local organizations, businesses, and the community through a fun, family-focused evening. The Tomahawk Chamber organizes the local event, which is scheduled for August 4. After the event doubled in size from year one to year two, Chamber Director Charis Lau says the goal is to build on that momentum. "This year we hope to continue growing the event and creating even more opportunities for local organizations to connect with families and visitors," Lau said. To encourage more participation, registration will be open to both Chamber members and non-members alike. Businesses, nonprofits, and community groups interested in taking part can contact the Tomahawk Chamber for more information. For community members looking to attend, you can expect interactive booths, children's activities, safety demonstrations, and food vendors.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News As summer travel, severe weather, and busy schedules begin to impact blood drives, the American Red Cross is encouraging donors to roll up their sleeves while warning of a typical drop in summer blood donations. The organization says summer is traditionally one of the most challenging times for blood collection. School breaks, family vacations, outdoor activities, extreme heat, and storms can all reduce donor turnout and cause blood drive cancellations. At the same time, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day often sees a greater demand for blood products due to seasonal accidents related to increased travel and recreational activities. The Red Cross says maintaining a strong blood supply is critical for trauma, surgery, and other patients who rely on transfusions. Those interested in donating blood can visit the Red Cross website to locate a drive nearby or schedule an appointment.

Published on 06/03/2026 under Sports The Hatchet golfing season would end in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet at Spooner Wednesday, placing ninth at the Spooner Golf Club. Tomahawk would finish with a 345, 13 strokes behind St. Croix Central. The top Hatchet golfer in the Sectional meet was Jake Albert, who placed 28th overall with an 82. Rounding out the top three were Rocco Carew with an 83 and Oliver Childers with an 87. Jaxon Kaiser finish with a 93 and Brayden Lamer finished with 100. This concludes the Tomahawk golfing season.

Published on 06/03/2026 under News A major housing development is moving forward in Tomahawk. At their meeting Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved a development agreement with S.C. Swiderski for a new 72-unit apartment complex on the city's east side. The project, located off of Comfort Drive, has been years in the making. Community Development Authority Chairman Roger Schlegel told council members the CDA has spent the last five years working through site challenges, including wetlands and the need for significant fill, to bring the project to fruition. Schlegel noted that rising construction costs and interest rates have made public incentives increasingly important in getting new housing projects like this built. Under the agreement, the CDA will transfer the property to the developer, who must begin construction by September and complete the project by 2028. The development is expected to have a minimum assessed value of $9.5 million. The developer will also be eligible for a $400,000 tax increment financing grant, but only after the city is reimbursed for its land acquisition costs through new tax revenue generated by the project. Construction is expected to begin this fall and take approximately 18 months to complete, adding 72 much-needed apartment units to Tomahawk's housing inventory. Mosinee-based SC Swiderski lists housing and apartment holdings in more than 30 communities around the state including Athens, Eagle River, Merrill, Medford, and Wausau.

Published on 06/03/2026 under News The Tomahawk City Council has taken the first step toward restricting artificial wake enhancement on Lake Mohawksin. Council members on Tuesday introduced a proposed ordinance that would prohibit the use of ballast tanks, ballast bags, and wake-shaping fins designed to create larger boat wakes. Supporters say the measure is intended to reduce shoreline erosion, protect private property, and limit the spread of invasive species. The proposal was recommended by the city's Parks and Recreation Committee and supported by the Friends of Lake Mohawksin. Traditional boating activities, including water skiing, tubing, and standard wakeboarding, would still be allowed. An exemption is also included for the Kwahamot Water Ski Club. Police Chief Al Elvins raised concerns about enforcement and noted that similar regulations adopted elsewhere in Wisconsin are currently facing legal challenges. This is just the beginning of the process. Before the ordinance can officially take effect, it must be reviewed by the DNR, face a public hearing, receive final council approval, and be matched by an identical ordinance from the Town of Bradley.

Published on 06/03/2026 under News Today is Heat Awareness Day in Wisconsin, and safety officials are urging residents to prepare before summer temperatures spike. According to preliminary data from the State Department of Health Services, Wisconsin saw ten heat-related deaths and over one thousand emergency room visits last year. State emergency management and health officials say heat-related illness and death is preventable. Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle says, "Extreme heat is something people should prepare for before hotter temperatures arrive...Now is the time to have a plan" To beat the heat this summer, ReadyWisconsin recommends staying in air-conditioned buildings during the hottest parts of the day, wearing loose clothing, and drinking plenty of water before you feel thirsty. They also issue a stark warning about vehicles: on an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can jump 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. Never leave children or pets inside a parked vehicle. Pay attention to heat advisories, watches, and warnings. Be sure to check on vulnerable populations including children, older adults and outdoor workers when it gets hot, and look out for warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, including confusion, nausea, or a rapid heartbeat.

Published on 06/03/2026 under News A Price County man has drowned in what appears to be a tragic accident on an area lake. According to the Price County Sheriff's Office, emergency responders were called to Lac Sault Dore in the Town of Elk following reports of an unresponsive man in the water near a pontoon boat. The man's body was recovered and brought back to shore, where he was pronounced dead. Based on a preliminary investigation, it appears the man was filling the fuel tank on the pontoon when his leg became trapped in the boat ladder. He was unable to free himself from underwater. The victim has been identified as Stanley Gruszka of Phillips. The incident remains under investigation. This marks the fourth boat or water-related death in the Northwoods over the past three weeks.

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