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THS Seniors Set to Receive Diplomas; Friday Graduation Published on 05/26/2023 under News

Another group of Tomahawk High School students will reach a milestone as they officially graduate this evening.

For the class of 2023, the district lists 86 seniors expected to cross the stage to receive their diplomas. It's been a busy few weeks for Tomahawk Senior with a class trip, senior awards night, and their community service day. It's all led up to their final school day and tonight's graduation.

The students selected "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen as their class song, and their class motto is a quote from Winston Churchill "Success is not final, and failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts."

Four students will share the valedictorian honors. The recipients: Drew Albert, Kyle Norman, Gavyn Palmer, and Joanna Phillips are all expected to address their fellow graduates during the ceremony.

Rounding out the Top 10, those students graduating with honors include: Serena Lee Reinke, Zachary David Hanse, Brynnen Elisabeth Stefan, Joseph Walter Jones, Kiona Mae Smedbron, and Catalina Rayne Dieter .

While this year won't feature a live, online stream of the ceremony as they have in years past, they do plan on posting a video of the commencement on the district's YouTube Channel following the ceremony.

In Other News

Castaways Warns Customers About Unapproved Mailers

Published on 08/20/2026 under News For the second time in a month, a local restaurant is warning customers about unauthorized promotional mailers circulating in the community. The latest alert comes from Castaways in Tomahawk. The mailers advertise an upcoming seminar hosted by MASA Medical Air Services, offering attendees a free meal at the restaurant. However, Castaways clarified that the promotion was not created, approved, or authorized by their management. They emphasized that any legitimate promotions will come directly from Castaways or be announced on their official Facebook page. A similar warning was issued in July by The Loop Hole after similar unapproved flyers were sent out to local residents.

Published on 08/20/2026 under News With the new school year just around the corner, parents scrambling to check student-athlete physicals off their back-to-school to-do lists can tackle two needs with a single appointment. According to Dr. Sarah Dennison, a pediatrician with Aspirus Health, scheduling a comprehensive annual well-child visit satisfies sports participation requirements while offering a far broader look at a child's overall development. Unlike a standard sports physical, which focuses strictly on athletic eligibility, an annual checkup evaluates a child's physical growth, mental health, and medical history. Dr. Dennison notes that these visits allow providers to review past injuries like concussions, address changes in health history, and discuss year-round habits such as proper hydration and nutrition. Getting a full checkup helps catch underlying concerns early so they don't impact a student's health, academic performance, or athletic season down the road. Parents heading to their child's appointment should bring along any required school or athletic participation forms so providers can complete the necessary paperwork well before practices and competitions begin.

Published on 08/19/2026 under Sports A Hatchet athlete will continue her softball career in the Fox Cities after she graduates. Tomahawk Senior Averi Petta announced her commitment yesterday to play softball at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. In her three years in Tomahawk, Petta pitched and played in the infield. In a statement, Petta extended a thank you to her parents for their unconditional support. She also thanked Coaches John Larson and Ron Volz for helping her grow from her first day of practice as a freshman. As for her athletic career, Petta will wrap up her high school career as a hitter on the Hatcher Volleyball squad in the fall while also playing for Tomahawk's softball squad in the spring.

Published on 08/19/2026 under News The Lincoln County Board took another step towards potentially replace the county's aging highway facilities in Tomahawk and Merrill. At their meeting Tuesday, the board approved a twice-amended resolution supporting the development of plans for new Highway Department buildings at the existing Tomahawk and Merrill sites. This was based on recommendations by the County's Highway Committee as well as an Ad Hoc Facility Committee. Other options included identifying new sites or consolidating operations into a single central location. They concluded that rebuilding on current sites was the most cost-effective approach: saving on land purchases, preserving existing infrastructure like fueling and salt storage, and service in both the northern and southern halves of the county. The original resolution was amended to allocate up to $175,000 from the Highway Department budget to cover site surveys, architectural plans, and initial cost estimates. A second amendment removed language referencing a potential move of the Forestry Department. Responsibility for oversight now shifts to the Public Property Committee. The full County Board will review all completed site plans and financial estimates before any construction receives final approval. If the project progresses to the building stage, construction on the Tomahawk and Merrill facilities will likely be scheduled sequentially for logistical purposes.

Published on 08/19/2026 under News It's back-to-school season...not just for students, but for educators as well. On Monday, the School District of Rhinelander held a special orientation day for about two dozen new staff members, which included a guided introduction to the local community. The event was co-organized by the school district, Rhinelander Partners in Education, and the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce. Following morning sessions on campus, the group boarded a bus for a "Welcome to Rhinelander Tour" to explore notable spots around town. The itinerary featured a stop at the Chamber of Commerce, where new staff received welcome bags and gathered for a group photo in front of the iconic Hodag statue. The day concluded at CAVOC, the district's outdoor classroom, for a final session where local leaders shared information about area businesses, organizations, and potential partnerships designed to connect community and classroom. -Photo provided by School District of Rhinelander

Published on 08/19/2026 under News Statistics show that volunteers make up approximately 65% of all firefighters in the United States, with 82% of fire departments utilizing volunteers in some capacity. In rural regions like Northern Wisconsin, that ratio is even higher, making Tuesday a fitting time to honor these dedicated individuals. August 18 marks Volunteer Firefighter Recognition Day. Volunteer departments face unique challenges, particularly when it comes to recruitment and securing limited budgets for essential equipment. To support these first responders, the National Volunteer Fire Council offers several assistance programs. Its "Make Me A Firefighter" campaign actively helps volunteer and combination fire and EMS departments recruit new members, recently launching a dedicated portal to streamline the recruitment process. The organization also facilitates grants to help local departments purchase vital equipment, including protective safety gear, rescue tools, and communication devices.

Published on 08/19/2026 under News From a foggy dock to vibrant wild fungi, the Friends of Council Grounds State Park received a wide array of stunning submissions for their annual photo contest. Now, the public has the chance to help select the winners. Hosted every summer by the park's Friends Group, this year's contest invited parkgoers to submit photos taken at Council Grounds over the past two years. Entrants submitted a creative mix of images featuring outdoor recreation, scenic landscapes, local wildlife, and native plants. Organizers have narrowed down the entries to three top finalists in each category, and community members can now vote for their favorites.To cast your vote, visit the official Friends of Council Grounds Facebook page before the end of the month. Each category has its own separate post. Simply "like" your favorite photo to submit a vote, keeping in mind that only one vote per category is allowed.

Published on 08/19/2026 under News Bird migration is already underway for several species, including the chimney swift. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group are asking volunteers across the state to count these unique birds as they pass through Wisconsin on their journey to South America. According to the DNR, chimney swifts become highly communal during migration, gathering by the hundreds or even thousands in the evening to roost inside old brick chimneys. These massive flocks are typically seen in northern Wisconsin by mid-August. Chimney swifts have teardrop-shaped bodies and boomerang-shaped wings While chimney swift populations have unfortunately been declining, monitoring numbers and mapping roosting locations play a vital role in protecting the species. To support these efforts, the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group launched a mapping and tracking tool for volunteers interested in monitoring active roosts and nest sites. "Anyone out birding or counting swifts at a roost site can use the tool," said Rich Staffen, a DNR conservation biologist and co-chair of the Wisconsin Chimney Swift Working Group. "It also allows folks to add information on summer chimney swift nesting sites." Tips for Volunteer Counters: Locate Potential Sites: Look for tall, uncapped brick chimneys. Watch for swifts swooping and circling overhead in the evening to determine if they are using the chimney to roost.Time the Survey: Begin counting approximately 20 minutes before sunset and continue until 10 minutes after the final swift enters the chimney.Record the Count: Count or estimate the birds as they swoop inside to enter your findings into the tracking tool.

Published on 08/19/2026 under News A tragic incident in western Taylor County Monday afternoon, when a young child died after being struck by a vehicle while checking the mail. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened around 3:05 p.m. near County Highway H and Polley Lane in the Town of Aurora. According to the preliminary investigation, the 8 year old crossed the Highway to check the mailbox. In attempting to cross back, they stepped into the path of a northbound vehicle. The child was struck by the vehicle, and later died from injuries sustained in the crash. The crash remains under investigation with assistance from the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Published on 08/18/2026 under News An 82-year-old Tomahawk woman has died following a two-vehicle crash involving a UTV and an SUV on Monday evening in Lincoln County. Emergency responders were dispatched to the intersection of U.S. Highway 8 and County Road CC in the Town of Wilson at approximately 6:07 p.m. on August 17 after receiving a 911 call reporting a collision with multiple injuries. According to preliminary findings from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the UTV was attempting to cross Highway 8 when it was struck by a westbound SUV. The driver of the UTV was transported by ambulance to the hospital, and later died from her injuries. Her name is being withheld pending family notification. A 79-year-old passenger on the UTV was also taken to the hospital by ambulance with injuries and is expected to recover. The driver of the SUV, a 40-year-old woman, sustained injuries in the crash and was transported to the hospital via private vehicle. She is also expected to recover. The crash remains under active investigation.

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