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Hatchet Volleyball Team Defeats Northland Pines Published on 09/27/2023 under Sports

Tomahawk's volleyball squad came away with another Great Northern Conference victory Tuesday night in Northland Pines, winning in four games, 25-7, 25-27, 25-16, 25-17.

The Hatchets were able to toughen up and grind their way to a victory as they have done so many times this season.

Tomahawk got double-digit kills from four hitters in the match, led by a season-high 19 from Macy Jankiewicz. Siennah Caulkins, Cadee Benaszeski, and Claire Albert each came away with ten.

The win improves Tomahawk's record to 13-15 on the season and 5-2 in GNC play. The Hatchets will have senior night Thursday night back at home against Medford.

In Other News

Plow Drivers Recognized Ahead of Snowy Season

Published on 11/28/2023 under News As snow plow drivers await the first major snow of the season, Monday was dedicated to their efforts throughout the winter. Monday was Snowplow Driver Appreciation Day in Wisconsin. DOT Secretary Craig Thompson said, "Wisconsin's snowplow drivers work long hours in tough conditions to keep roads clear and safe every winter season." He added, "We applaud them for their dedication to safety and service, and also ask that drivers do their part to keep our roadways safe. According to the DoT, most traffic crashes in winter are attributed to drivers going too fast for conditions. They note that posted speed limits apply when travel conditions are ideal. Drivers are advised to slow down when roads are slick or visibility is reduced. Motorists should maintain at least 200 feet behind a working snowplow. A good rule of thumb, make sure you can see the plow's mirrors to ensure the driver can see you. When passing a snowplow, remember the cloud of snow that follows, and note road conditions will be worse ahead of the plow. Finally monitor road conditions. When driving conditions are poor consider delaying your trip until after the plows have been out. Snowplow operators and other road maintenance vehicles in Wisconsin have started to display special flashing green warning lights. It's meant to increase safety, enhance driver awareness, and improve visibility while distinguishing these from other emergency vehicles on the roads.

Published on 11/28/2023 under News One person is dead following a weekend crash near Tomahawk. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, dispatch received a report Sunday evening of a vehicle spotted off County Road S, south of Crass Road in the Town of Bradley. The vehicle had rolled and was seen submerged in nearby Skanawan Creek. Responders were able to locate the driver who was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim's name is being withheld pending notification of family. According to the Sheriff's Office, it wasn't immediately determined when the crash happened. Their preliminary report indicated the driver was traveling north on County S at the time they left the roadway. The incident remains under investigation.

Published on 11/28/2023 under News After a weekend of holiday shopping; today is set aside for giving back. Giving Tuesday has become a national movement encouraging people to donate to non profits. Those looking to donate are encouraged to a do a little research, and not to forget local organizations. Groups including the BBB and State Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection offered warnings about scammers taking advantage of a good cause. As usual, avoid pressure tactics, ask questions, and skip any unusual payment requests. When in doubt, think local, as there are a number of groups and organizations in every community that are able to fulfill their missions thanks to community generosity. That includes: food pantries, animal rescues, youth programs, and temporary shelters. And if money is tight at this time of year, get creative. Consider donating food, winter clothing items, toys, blood, or even your own time to an organization that interests you.

Published on 11/28/2023 under News This holiday season the Northwoods will be well represented in Madison via a pair of donated Christmas trees. Both the trees in the State Capital and the Executive Residence come from Northern Wisconsin this year. The 32 foot balsam fir in the capital rotunda comes from Rhinelander. After several decades, the tree had outgrown the front yard of homeowner Marge Van Heuklon. When presented with the idea of contributing it, she was happy to agree. Each year the Capital tree is decorated with ornaments created by students around the state. This year's theme for the tree is "175 Years of Wisconsinites" in honor of the state's anniversary. Meanwhile, Governor Evers shared that this year's tree at the executive residence comes courtesy of the Wegner Family of Butternut. The theme for that tree is 'Tribute to Our Troops.' The Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association facilitated the trees including selecting, cutting, and transporting them south.

Published on 11/28/2023 under News The Merrill Fire Department responded to a chimney fire over the weekend. That call came in Sunday morning at around 10:30. A homeowner on Tug Lake Avenue in the Town of Rock Falls reported a fire had emerged in the chimney of the home. Fortunately they were able to put out the fire without it spreading beyond. No further damage, nor injuries were reported. Using their FotoKite system, the Fire Department says they were able to confirm the fire was contained. The aerial equipment allows thermal imaging photos from above a structure to locate any potential hot-spots. The report highlighted this is the first red bulb to appear on their holiday fire prevention awareness 'Keep the Wreath Green' wreath outside their station. They also noted it serves as a good reminder to have your chimney inspected or cleaned ahead ahead of the home heating season. -Photo provided by Merrill Fire Department: FotoKite allows aerial thermal imaging of fires

Published on 11/28/2023 under News A UTV operator in Lincoln County was injured after striking a deer over the weekend. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, that collision happened Saturday afternoon in the Town of Skanawan. The driver of a UTV was traveling on Grundy Road at shortly before 8am when he struck a deer. The collision caused him to leave the roadway and the machine rolled before coming to rest. The driver, a 73 year old Madison man, was transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. No updated on his condition was provided.

Published on 11/27/2023 under News Lincoln County will be joining into an award winning marketing campaign that showcases the county through it's people and places. That campaign is known as Uniquely Wisconsin, similar to the more popular and well-known Discover Wisconsin series. Through video, social media, and podcasts, they highlight the stories of the people, culture and history of a location to help promote economic development and tourism. At their November meeting, the Lincoln County Supervisors heard a brief presentation from Uniquely Wisconsin's Josh Osterman and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann. Ostermann teased a new feature on Price County as an example of this creative story telling. Rather than focusing on snowmobiling specifically, one of the Price County pieces tells the story of a group of volunteers who have maintained their trail system for more than a half century, which in turn will promote the popular sport by putting a face and personality on the topic. (YouTube link) It was a similar technique for the feature at Stoney Acres in Marathon County which recently received a regional Emmy award. As of the November meeting, there were 13 Wisconsin counties in the campaign through two seasons. There is a cost of $60,000 to create, produce, and market the videos and associated campaigns. Lincoln County will utilize American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA funds that had already been earmarked for marketing the county. These types of projects have been a main focus of ARPA spending in Lincoln County which has invested in trails, campgrounds, and parks. It's in pursuit of growing the visitor base and tourism mirroring the new county vision: Lincoln County: Where the Northwoods Start and Your Adventure Begins. As for the timeline on this Uniquely Wisconsin project, Osterman says they'll spend the next couple of months planning the topics. Filming will follow, with a goal of releasing the videos in late summer or early fall.

Published on 11/27/2023 under News Fire stations around the Northwoods have become a bit more festive in recent days. It's all part of the annual 'Keep the Wreath Green' campaign. During the holiday season, participating fire stations hang wreaths outfitted with green bulbs. When the individual agency responds to a fire, they change one of the green bulbs to a red one. The wreath serves as a visual reminder of the fire risks over the holiday season. Here in Lincoln County, both the Tomahawk and Merrill Fire Departments put up their wreaths over the weekend. In addition to the traditional green bulbs, the Merrill wreath has two additional bulbs with special meaning, one white and one blue. The white bulb represents fallen firefighters, while the blue bulb signifies fallen law enforcement. For Merrill, the Department had their first 'red' bulb from a chimney fire on Sunday. As for fire safety over the holidays, a few tips, keep your Christmas tree watered and be careful not to overload electrical outlets. Keep an eye on food cooking, and avoid open flames and candles near flammable materials. Most of the wreaths will remain up through New Year's, hopefully remaining green during that time. Photo: The Tomahawk (left) and Merrill (right) Fire Departments have hung their annual 'Keep the Wreath Green' wreaths for the holiday season.

Published on 11/27/2023 under News Throughout the summer, nearly the entire state experienced drought conditions. While it impacted many crops, this year's Christmas trees shouldn't be among them. Greg Hann, with the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association says, "The growing season has been tough for the small trees, but those aren't the ones we're (currently) harvesting." Most Christmas trees harvested for home use are between eight and ten years old, which Hann says typically do fine in drought years. He also noted that many of the state's growers have also adapted to drier conditions in recent years by installing watering systems. Wisconsin is home to more than 850 Christmas tree farms, which the association highlights on their website with a 'Find a Real Tree' interactive map. More than 700,000 evergreens are harvested in Wisconsin each fall, ranking fifth in the nation. Beyond the local economic impact of Christmas Tree Farms, a sustainable harvest also produces oxygen, absorbs carbon dioxide and other gases, and provides habitat for native Wisconsin wildlife.

Published on 11/27/2023 under News After Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday, today marks the third in a holiday shopping trio...Cyber Monday. The Better Business Bureau is reminding online consumers to shop safe and shop smart. Over the years, more and more consumers have shifted to online shopping for at least a portion of their holiday purchases. The Bureau says a little bit of extra research can held avoid these Grinches and their holiday scams. Watch for misleading advertisements, lookalike websites, and untrustworthy sellers. A few quick tips BBB offered... keep your antivirus software up-to-date, be wary of unsolicited offers and those that appear 'too good to be true.' Check shipping and return policies, and read the fine print before you buy. Finally, keep a paper trail and monitor your statements through the holiday season.

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