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Hatchet Swimmers Compete in GNC Meet Published on 10/23/2023 under Sports

The Hatchet girls' swimmers competed in the Great Northern Conference Meet in Antigo Friday night and finished sixth overall as a team. Tomahawk finished ahead of Mosinee and Antigo in the meet.

The Hatchets got three podium finishes, including fifth in both the Medley Relay and 200 Freestyle Relay. Paige DeKiep had the lone first-place finish of the night for the Hatchets, placing first in the 50 Freestyle.

Tomahawk will take two weeks off before their sectional meet, which will be November 4th in Prairie River.

In Other News

ADRC Continues to Deliver Meals, Resources for Lincoln County Seniors

Published on 09/22/2026 under News For many Lincoln County residents, the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) provides invaluable support, from nutritional assistance to navigating complex senior care options. As the local population continues to age, these services are becoming more essential than ever. Unlike most county-based ADRC offices, the ADRC of Central Wisconsin operates as a regional partnership serving Lincoln, Langlade, Marathon, and Wood Counties. During last week's meeting, the Lincoln County Board received an annual update from Executive Director Michael Rhea detailing the organization's regional impact. The ADRC's most visible initiative remains its nutrition program. Between home-delivered Meals on Wheels and congregational dining sites, the organization serves hundreds of meals in Lincoln County each week—and provided more than 170,000 meals across its four-county service area over the past year. Maintaining that reach has come with financial hurdles. Rhea noted that the ADRC continues to navigate rising food costs while operating on a relatively flat budget. These economic pressures have led to operational adjustments, including a reduction in the total number of meals delivered. To help offset budget deficits, the organization established a fund with the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin to encourage private donations. Volunteer support remains critical to keeping costs down. Approximately 384 volunteers contributed more than 26,000 hours of service over the past year—a contribution valued at roughly $855,000. Beyond nutrition, the "Resource" aspect of the ADRC remains a vital lifeline. Staff members help residents navigate public benefits, healthcare coverage, transportation assistance, and home care options. Ultimately, these efforts share a single focus: helping local seniors "age in place" and remain safely in their own homes for as long as possible.

Published on 09/22/2026 under News The School District of Rhinelander recently celebrated a major community investment in its students and the region's future workforce. On Monday afternoon, community members, district staff, and local leaders gathered for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of a major capital improvement project. The highlights include a cutting-edge technical education area outfitted with new fabrication, welding, woodworking, and machining labs. District leaders say these state-of-the-art upgrades are designed to provide students with hands-on training to jump-start careers with local manufacturers and trade employers. "When our students walk into these spaces, we want them to see possibility," said Superintendent Eric Burke. "We want them to know that our community believes in them and is willing to invest in their success." The enhancements at Rhinelander High School are part of a broader $26 million capital improvement project approved by voters in April 2024, which includes investments at both the high school and James Williams Middle School. Following the ceremony, attendees toured the new facilities to see the community's investment in action firsthand.

Published on 09/22/2026 under News The Lincoln County Health Department is inviting new parents, grandparents, and caregivers to mark their calendars for its upcoming Community Baby Shower. Now in its fourth year, the free outreach event next month serves as a one-stop shop for local families looking for resources, support, and essential guidance on topics like safe sleep practices, car seat safety, and regional childcare options. The event features a variety of informational booths and community partner organizations, with new vendors joining each year to expand services for parent and child well-being. After holding its spring event in Tomahawk, the health department is bringing the shower back to Merrill at a new venue: the Merrill Enrichment and Expo Center. Local agencies, organizations, and groups interested in hosting a vendor booth still have a brief window to get involved. Event organizer Allie Renzelmann noted that a few spots remain open, with a registration deadline of Wednesday, September 23. Additional details and reminders will be released as the October 7 event approaches.

Published on 09/22/2026 under News A motorcycle operator was injured after a collision with a deer over Fall Ride weekend. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, responders were sent to County D in the Town of Harrison on Friday for a reported motorcycle vs deer crash with injuries. Deputies located a 57 year old man from Hurlbert Michigan, who reported the deer walked onto the road in front of his motorcycle and he was unable to avoid the collision. The man was treated for rib and leg injuries.

Published on 09/22/2026 under News Today marks the official start of autumn, but health professionals at Aspirus are using the season to shed light on a different kind of fall, the kind that impacts older adults. The warning comes during Fall Prevention Awareness Week. Physical therapists say a fall rarely comes completely out of nowhere. In fact, one of the earliest warning signs is simply a growing fear of losing your balance, which often leads people to slow down and skip out on everyday activities. "When people get the indication that their balance isn't very good, they tend to not want to move as much," said Aspirus Health physical therapist Jessica Brandt. "It creates a cycle where people limit what they do and where they go." Brandt emphasizes that physical decline doesn't have to be a given as we age. While going for walks is great exercise, adding targeted lower-body strength training is key. That is especially true for your ankles, which act as your body's first line of defense when you step on an uneven surface. "I think people have the misconception that getting weak and getting immobile is part of the aging process, and it doesn't have to be," Brandt said. "You can keep yourself moving and combat a lot of those things that make you more susceptible to falls."

Published on 09/22/2026 under News Just a head's up for residents here in the City of Tomahawk. The water department will begin conducting pressure testing on fire hydrants throughout the city this week. The testing may temporarily cause rusty or discolored tap water in affected areas. Waterworks officials advise residents who experience discoloration to run their cold water until it flows clear. The Water Department thanks the community for its patience during this routine maintenance. Locations scheduled for pressure testing include: • Tannery Rd at Tomahawk Iron & Metal • Bridge St at Bronsted Ave • W Mohawk Dr at Industrial Packaging Co. • N 4th St at Erv's Sale & Service • N 4th St at Mohawk Dr • N 4th St at Ace Hardware • N 4th St at Prospect Ave • W Lincoln Ave at N Tomahawk Ave • W Somo Ave at the WisDNR Building • S Tomahawk Ave at Wisconsin Ave • S 4th St at Spirit Ave • 1010 Theiler Dr • Southgate Dr at Brief St • Anna St at McKinley St • Whitetail Dr at the cemetery • Entrance to LP

Published on 09/22/2026 under News Officials have provided some additional information on a motorcycle crash in Oneida County during Fall Ride Weekend. According to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, on Saturday afternoon, responders were called to the intersection of US Highway 51 and County Highway L in the Town of Nokomis, just north of Tomahawk. According to an initial investigation by the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, two motorcycles were entering Highway 51 from County Highway L when they were struck by a southbound pickup truck. Their were two riders on the first motorcycle, a 38 year old man and 37 year old woman, both of Marshfield. Both were transported from the scene with life-threatening injuries. The operator of the pickup truck and the operator of the second involved motorcycle were not injured. The State Patrol is handling the investigation. _____ Two people were injured in Oneida County following a crash involving two motorcycles and a pickup truck during Fall Ride weekend. The collision occurred shortly after 4:00 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Highway 51 and County Highway L, just north of Tomahawk. According to a preliminary investigation, the motorcycles were attempting to turn left onto Highway 51 when they collided with an oncoming pickup truck. Both motorcyclists were transported to the hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries; their current conditions have not been released. Traffic on Highway 51 was temporarily detoured while crews cleared the scene.

Published on 09/21/2026 under News A quiet calm has returned to Tomahawk after the community wrapped up another successful Fall Ride weekend. Just as quickly as they arrived last week, thousands of motorcyclists rolled out of town Sunday afternoon. An estimated 30-40,000 visitors travel to the greater Tomahawk area each year for the annual event, proving that more than four decades in, the tradition remains as popular as ever. As festivities wound down on Sunday, local organizers reflected on the weekend. The general consensus was that attendance was down slightly compared to the past few years. Weather likely played a key role, as cool temperatures and periodic rain kept some riders from making the trip or venturing out to explore. Despite the damp weather, organizers noted that those who did attend were as enthusiastic as ever. Marking the event's 45th anniversary, the community rolled out a stacked lineup of entertainment options for guests. While overall headcounts are hard to measure, one event provides an exact metric: the Friday night Thunder Parade. Parade organizer Roxanne Consolver shared that approximately 250 motorcycles participated this year. That's about a third of the turnout seen in recent years. With another milestone year in the books, organizers are taking a brief breather before shifting their focus to year 46. In the coming days, local leaders and committee members will meet to review this year's event and begin planning for next year.

Published on 09/21/2026 under News A motorcyclist was arrested for an eighth-offense OWI in Lincoln County over Fall Ride weekend. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, a trooper pulled over a motorcycle shortly after 1:00 p.m. Sunday for speeding on Highway 86, near County Highway T west of Tomahawk. During the traffic stop, the trooper noticed signs of impairment. Following an investigation, authorities determined the driver, 51-year-old Ryan Plisch of Wausau, was operating the motorcycle while under the influence. Plisch was arrested for eighth-offense OWI, along with operating with a revoked driver's license and misdemeanor bail jumping.

Published on 09/21/2026 under News Another group of Northwoods veterans are traveling to the nation's capital on Monday to visit the monuments built in their honor. The Never Forgotten Honor Flight is taking the third of four planned missions to Washington, D.C., this year. Organizers welcomed 93 veterans for the trip, including eight from the Korean War and 85 from the Vietnam era. Today's mission marks the 57th flight for the local hub since its founding in 2010, bringing the total number of local veterans served to nearly 5,400. The public is invited to give the veterans a warm welcome home at the end of their journey tonight. Honor Flight officials recommend arriving at Central Wisconsin Airport no later than 8:30 p.m. Organizers continue to encourage any veteran who served in any capacity prior to June 7, 1975, to sign up if they have not yet taken part. This includes a renewed campaign dispelling some of the reasons veterans give as to why they haven't participated.

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