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Hatchet Track & Field Teams Compete in Ashland Invite Published on 03/20/2024 under Sports

Tomahawk's track and field squads opened the 2024 season with the Oredocker Indoor Invite Tuesday evening.

The Hatchet girls came away with a second-place finish and the boys placed seventh. Tomahawk's girls finished behind just Hayward in the meet with 136 team points. Tomahawk had three first-place finishes in the meet, with two of them coming in the 4x800 and 4x200 relays. Faith Derleth came away with the top finish in the 200 meter dash with a time of 28.31 seconds.

The Hatchet boys finished with 36 team points, finishing ahead of Ironwood, Michigan.

Tomahawk came away with a fourth-place finish in the 4x200 meter relay, while Nathan Rosenmeier placed fifth in the high jump and Patrick Samundsen placed fifth in the shot put.

Tomahawk will have their next meet up in Lakeland Saturday morning at 9:00.

In Other News

Food, Family, and Fun: St. Mary’s Summer Festival Returns This Weekend

Published on 07/24/2026 under News When the final weekend of July arrives, so does a beloved Tomahawk tradition: the annual St. Mary's Summer Festival, a local favorite going strong for more than 30 years. Event organizers Gary Luedtke and Lynn Grube stopped by the WJJQ studios to share a sneak peek at what's in store. The duo represents dozens of dedicated volunteers who work year-round to pull off the weekend festivities centered, as always, on food, family, and fun. Grube highlighted that the festival stands as one of the parish's largest annual fundraisers. Luedtke noted that proceeds directly support vital St. Mary's programs and community outreach, including the local Soup Kitchen and Our Sisters House shelter. Attending on an empty stomach is highly recommended. Among the culinary highlights is the famous "pie garden"—a massive spread of homemade slices that gives even the most decisive dessert lovers a run for their money. Main course staples include a classic Friday night fish fry prepared by Outboards Bar & Grill. New this year, Grube teased Where's the Beef, a onsite game inspired by Let's Make a Deal with cuts of meat as prizes. Beyond the food, guests will find a stacked lineup of raffle prizes suited for all ages and interests, alongside a full schedule of games and entertainment to keep kids and families busy all weekend long. You don't need to be a parishioner to join in. The organizers emphasize that the festival is a true community gathering, and everyone is invited to take part. Festivities get underway at 4pm Friday and resume at 3pm Saturday.

Published on 07/24/2026 under News Swimming in a backyard pool or a Northwoods lake can be a refreshing way to spend a hot summer day. However, it's vital to keep a close eye on kids and watch all swimmers for signs of distress. Saturday marks World Drowning Prevention Day. To keep families safe, Aspirus Health and the Oneida County Public Safety Dive Team have partnered to share important facts about drowning and practical rescue tips. Michael Fraley, a team leader with the Oneida County Dive Team who also works at Aspirus, explains that real-life drowning looks quite different from the frantic splashing often shown on TV or in movies. He notes a struggling swimmer is trying to stay afloat, they won't be able to wave their arms or call for help. According to Fraley, bystanders typically have less than a minute to react to someone in distress. When offering assistance, it's important not to become a victim yourself. Always use a flotation aid such as a life jacket, throwable cushion, or even a pool noodle. Call 911 immediately so emergency responders can get on the scene to provide life-saving care. Communities also play a key role. Local leaders, schools, and outreach groups are encouraged to host activities and events that promote water safety awareness and education.

Published on 07/24/2026 under News A fisheries research project right here in Northern Wisconsin is getting national recognition. The DNR's ongoing study at Sanford Lake in Vilas County has earned a Sport Fish Restoration Project Award from the American Fisheries Society. Since 2015, researchers have been dropping fallen trees, known as fish sticks, into the shoreline to study how natural wood habitat affects lake life. DNR Fisheries Research Leader Dr. Greg Sass says the results were clear: adding the trees actually doubled the total number of fish the lake can support. The trees enhance the habitat for fish, including providing places to hide from larger predators. The "fish sticks" also naturally decompose over time, adding critical nutrients to the water and supporting the aquatic ecosystem. Additional research from the study also confirmed that adding fallen trees does not negatively affect lake water quality, a concern among lakeshore property owners. The DNR research team will be officially presented with the award at the American Fisheries Society national meeting in late August. Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR - Trees that have fallen into shallow water provide a refuge for fish, nutrients and other benefits to lake ecosystems.

Published on 07/24/2026 under News If your garden is struggling and your lawn is looking a bit more brown than green, you aren't alone. While the region has seen a few fleeting showers, this month has brought relatively sparse rainfall across the Northwoods. The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor confirms that much of Northern Wisconsin is feeling the stretch of dry weather. All of Lincoln County and southern Oneida County are now classified as "Abnormally Dry" (D0). Conditions worsen further north: northern Oneida County and the majority of Vilas County have slipped into a "Moderate Drought" (D1) classification, while a small pocket in northern Iron County is now experiencing "Severe Drought" (D2). Statewide, roughly 73% of Wisconsin is currently registering on the drought monitor's scale. The extended dry spell brings challenges well beyond crunchy lawns and wilting vegetable patches. It can also stress agricultural crops for farmers, and raises the risk of wildfires. Fortunately, relief may be on the way. Weather forecasts show several chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms in the coming days, which could bring some much-needed precipitation to the region.

Published on 07/24/2026 under News The Northwoods is home to a vibrant community of talented artists—and this weekend, many of them are opening their studios and workshops to the public. Established in 2000, the Northwoods Art Tour was created to help people connect with artists who work out of home studios rather than traditional galleries. Over the past 25 years, the tour has nearly doubled in size. This year's event features more than 30 stops across Vilas, Oneida, Iron, and Lincoln counties, including four locations at the southern end in the Tomahawk/Irma area. From painting and pottery to woodworking and sculpture, the featured artists represent a wide variety of mediums. The weekend layout allows guests to step directly into creative workspaces, meet the artists, and see their processes firsthand. Because the tour is completely self-guided, visitors can design their own itinerary and focus on the stops that interest them most. The Northwoods Art Tour runs Friday through Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A digital brochure with maps, studio locations, and artist descriptions is available at northwoodsarttour.com. (For those who miss this weekend's event, organizers will also host a fall tour later this year.)

Published on 07/24/2026 under News If you recently upgraded your phone, replaced your TV, or have an old PC laying around, an event in Oneida County this weekend will offer another chance to clear that clutter while helping local athletes and nonprofits. Good News Project is bringing its traveling electronics recycling back to Rhinelander on Saturday. Organizers call the weekend event a win-win-win, residents can dispose of unwanted electronics, do so safely and responsibly, while also supportting 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. They're also teaming up with the Rhinelander Ice Association, which will receive 100% of round up donations to support their ongoing needs at the rink and facility. Over the past two decades, these efforts by the Good News Project have also helped keep more than 4 million pounds of e-waste out of local landfills. They'll be set up at the Rhinelander Ice Arena Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3pm.

Published on 07/23/2026 under News A major community partnership is bringing generations together in Rhinelander to complete an accessible playground project. Rennes Health & Rehab Center has pledged a $50,000 donation to the Rhinelander Kiwanis Playground Project at Hodag Park. While Rennes primarily serves local seniors through skilled nursing and assisted living care, its leadership is investing directly in the youth of the Northwoods. The contribution supports Phase 2 of the broader initiative: constructing a fully inclusive playground where children of all abilities can play side by side. The new playground will complement the Hodag Park splash pad that opened earlier this year, expanding a central gathering space where grandparents, parents, and kids can make memories together. Kerry Brekke, President of the Rhinelander Kiwanis Club says, "We are incredibly grateful to Rennes of Rhinelander for their generosity and commitment to our community. Their investment will have a lasting impact on local families and visitors for generations to come." Kiwanis leaders note that fundraising for the project is still underway. To learn how to contribute, search for the Rhinelander Kiwanis Foundation on Facebook. Photo provided by Rhinelander Kiwanis (left to right) Brandon Karaba – Kiwanis Club Board Member; Anna Klemann – Rennes Administrator; and Amanda Aylesworth – Director of Marketing at Rennes

Published on 07/23/2026 under News While stormy weather is usually to blame for power outages, a brief blackout in Tomahawk on Wednesday morning was triggered by a different force of nature. According to a nearby resident affected by the outage, a sandhill crane flew into a power line near Somo Avenue on the city's west side. The impact cut power to local customers. It also sparked a small fire, which was quickly contained by Tomahawk police and fire crews stationed just a few blocks away. Power was restored shortly after. Unfortunately, the bird did not survive the incident.

Published on 07/23/2026 under News A construction accident in the Town of Merrill sent one worker to the hospital Tuesday after roof trusses collapsed during installation. According to Merrill Fire and EMS, emergency crews responded to a reported building collapse on Hemlock Lane. First responders discovered that a set of roof trusses shifted and toppled onto a crew of construction workers. One worker was briefly trapped under the wreckage before managing to free themselves. First responders evaluated three workers at the scene, with one individual transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital for further treatment. No update on their condition was provided. First responders noted that the department was stretched thin during the emergency, handling three other simultaneous ambulance calls at the time.

Published on 07/23/2026 under News Lincoln County will have a new finance director during one of the busiest times of the year. At its meeting on Tuesday, the Lincoln County Board filled the newly vacated position following the resignation of Heather Marheine, who stepped down after two years in the role. Based on a recommendation from the Finance Committee, the full board unanimously approved Korey Bloch to take over effective August 17. Board Chair Don Friske highlighted that Bloch is from Merrill with financial experience at a large, local business. Friske then introduced Bloch, who was in attendance, who received a brief welcome and round of applause. Bloch's appointment comes as the county works to craft its 2027 budget. The board typically receives a preliminary spending plan in August or September, reviews it in October, and votes on final approval in November.

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