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Hatchet Softball Team Loses GNC Opener Published on 04/10/2024 under Sports

The Hatchet softball squad opened Great Northern Conference play on a whimper Tuesday afternoon, losing to reigning GNC Champion Medford, 9-3.

Tomahawk was unable to overcome a ten-hit performance from the Raiders, who got two doubles from Zayleah Leonhardt.

Macy Jankiewicz went two for four in the game with a double and three RBIs. Kayleigh Haring allowed seven runs on eight hits, dropping the Hatchets to 3-2 on the season and 0-1 in Great Northern Conference play.

Tomahawk will be back in action Friday for another Great Northern Conference battle against Mosinee. Tune in for the broadcast on Sports Talk 810 AM and 100.7 FM WJJQ with Matt Theiler and I in the broadcast booth. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show will begin at 3:35 and opening pitch from Hatchet Field is at 4:00.

In Other News

Tomahawk Music on the River Announces Summer Concert Line-Up

Published on 04/29/2024 under News It won't be long before Veteran's Memorial Park in Tomahawk is filled with people for the summer Music on the River concert series. This past week, organizers unveiled the tentative line-up. Now entering year 17, they continue to offer a mix of returning favorites and newcomers making their debut. They'll have a little something for everyone...with bands featuring pop, rock, and country with more eclectic influences like jazz and reggae. It all kicks off June 19 with Ember. Then over the next five Wednesdays it'll be: Jerry Schmitt Band (June 26); Copper Box (July 3); The Tamaracks (July 10); Billy Bronsted Trio(July 17); and Santy and Son (July 24) The series will close out on July 31 with the Hip Pocket. Each night of concerts is free to attend. They're held in the pavilion at Veteran's Memorial Park offering not only viewing by land, but also by water. Stayed tuned to WJJQ each Wednesday morning as we'll preview that night's concert, while featuring some of their music and occasionally even band interviews.

Published on 04/29/2024 under News A Northwoods School district was recognized nationally for their sustainability efforts. Wrapping up Earth Week, the US Department of Education announced the recipients of their Green Ribbon Schools and sustainability awards. Nationwide just 41 schools, ten school districts, and three colleges were honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and offer effective sustainability education. Among the 54 recipients were five right here in Wisconsin including the Northland Pines School District in Eagle River. Pines was nominated by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Just a few examples of the many steps they highlighted: solar power generation on each campus, conversion to LED lights, efficiency fixtures, green cleaning products and and the use of several electric buses in their fleet. They've also brought those efforts into the classroom, or often brought the classroom outside, to teach a curriculum that includes sustainability and the environment. Other Wisconsin recipients include: · Madison – Creative Learning Preschool and Child Care Center · Milwaukee – Hawthorne Elementary School · Bay View – Milwaukee Parkside School for the Arts · University of Wisconsin-StoutOf the recipients, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona says, "These awards represent thousands of students, and countless hours of hard work in schools and on college campuses, ensuring equitable access to healthy, climate-resilient learning environments where students are prepared for the sustainability challenges of the present and future."

Published on 04/29/2024 under News Tick season is right around the corner, and scientists at the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute will be collecting and studying ticks with the help of the public. The research is focused on the distribution of tick species in the area, including any new, invasive ticks that may be moving into Wisconsin. They will also identify the microbes carried by each tick, and any disease-causing pathogens. To establish their 'Tick Inventory' they'll be seeking help from the public through tick submissions. According to a news release, the first phase of this survey is targeting the Marshfield area specifically. Later this summer, they'll expand to other areas of the state. Survey areas will be supplied with collection kits placed at parks, hiking trails and veterinary clinics. Those kits will also come with an ID, which will allow the person who submits the tick to look up the species and any additional information. Alexandra Linz, MCRI associate research scientist notes that ticks are moving into new areas in response to environmental changes. She says, "This is an opportunity for Wisconsinites to act as citizen scientists and help us learn about ticks and their diseases, which can potentially help us better inform on disease prevention and early detection as well as develop improved diagnostic tools and treatments."

Published on 04/29/2024 under News Spring and summer bring plenty of outdoor projects, and residents and professionals alike are reminded to always use Digger's Hotline before breaking ground. April is recognized as National Safe Digging Month. The goal is to serve as a reminder to call 811 before every digging project, large or small. Officials say this will prevent injuries, while avoiding repair costs and potential fines that occur when underground gas, electric, communications, water or sewer lines are damaged. PSC Chair Summer Strand says, "No matter the size of a project, a free call to 8-1-1 before digging can keep our communities safe and connected." While major projects may be obvious, Diggers Hotline should also be used for smaller work such as installing a fence, a mailbox, a patio, trees or hedges. They recommend a call or scheduled an appointment at diggershotline.com three days before you begin.

Published on 04/29/2024 under News Road construction season is picking up with several new projects set to begin this week...three in Lincoln County. (As with all projects, the timelines are dependent upon factors such as the weather.) According to the Lincoln County Highway Department, crews are scheduled to begin work on Tug Lake Road in the Town of Rock Falls Today. Then on Wednesday, they'll begin work on County Road A between the City of Tomahawk and Highway 8. Both work zones will be limited to local traffic only. Both are tentatively scheduled to run through mid-July. Also starting this week, in the City of Merrill, crews will work on O'Day Street between South Center Avenue and Tee Lane Drive. There may be some days with limited access, and the work zone will be limited to local traffic. They hope to complete the project by June 1. And according to the Town of Bradley, they'll begin work on Schmidtbauer Road and Muskellunge Lake Road between Dereg and Nibler Roads. Then on May 6 they plan to resurface those roads, as well as Wildwood Road. And just a quick update from the DoT on the ongoing Highway 51 work in Minocqua between Manitou Park and the Minocqua Lake Bridge. This week's schedule includes continued work on the retaining walls, curbs, and sidewalks. Both north and southbound traffic are sharing the two northbound lanes. This project is scheduled to run through mid-July.

Published on 04/29/2024 under News While a rainy weekend didn't allow for much yard work, it did offer a bit of relief for local firefighters. According to the DNR's wildfire tracker, between Thursday and Saturday, crews responded to another 6 wildfires in Lincoln County and Oneida County. None were reported on Sunday. Each of the local fires was small and contained to less than a half an acre. Wildfires can spark in a number of ways, and these served a good illustration. They were attributed to a campfire, debris burning, equipment, and a downed power line. We've seen an extended wildfire season in 2024, and last week was one of the busiest. According to the DNR tracker there were 68 wildfires last week, which burned 260 acres. The yearly total now at 630 fires which burned nearly 1,400 acres.

Published on 04/26/2024 under News Hodag Park in Rhinelander could be getting a makeover thanks to a community organization and some local generosity. This week, the Rhinelander Kiwanis announced plans to build a brand new 13,000 square foot playground, along with a 3,000 square foot splash pad at Hodag Park. Kiwanian Brandon Karaba is spearheading the project. He said, "The Kiwanis mission has always been to give back to the children in the Rhinelander community, this is a project that so many kids will be able to use for many years to come." The project carries a $1.6 million price tag, and they've launched a fundraising campaign. The good news...thanks to private donations and local business support they're nearly half way there. Those that would like to contribute can do so through the Rhinelander Community Foundation. Karaba says if they hit some of their fundraising targets by summer($1.1 million), they could install the playground this fall and begin site prep for the splash pad work next spring. Karaba said, "We are very excited to put this project together... This community deserves it and without all of them, we couldn't get it done." People can follow along on the Kwaninis of Rhinelander Facebook page for project and fundraising updates.

Published on 04/26/2024 under News The expansion of sustainability continues in the Northwoods, and several local businesses were recently selected to receive funding for solar projects. As part of Earth Week festivities, Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa announced 19 clean energy projects in Wisconsin will receive funding through the US Department of Agricultural Rural Energy for America program. Lassa said, "(This) announcement showcases the variety of rural people and businesses using programs like the Rural Energy for America Program to save money on their energy costs that can then be reinvested in their operations. This not only strengthens their business but helps sustain and build the local economy." Three businesses in Lincoln County will receive funding to install solar arrays: •Daigle Brothers Inc. in Tomahawk will use a $341,850 grant to install a small solar electric array. The project is expected to save $24,463 per year. It will replace 437,991 kilowatt hours (100 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power 40 homes. •Foley's Forest Products LLC in Tomahawk will use a $29,880 grant to install a small solar electric array. The project is expected to save the small business $3,637 per year. It will replace 30,060 kilowatt hours (31 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power two homes. •Andy Pagel Ginseng Farms LLC in Merrill will use a $16,072 grant to install a small solar electric array. This project is expected to save the rural ag producer $2,008 per year. It will replace 11,261 kilowatt hours (kWh) (64 percent of the business's energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power one home. In all, the 19 recipients will share in $2.8 million. While most of the grants were earmarked for solar, others went towards green investments such as energy efficient farm equipment.

Published on 04/26/2024 under News Each year the Friends of Council Grounds put in many hours to ensure people continue to enjoy the state park here in Lincoln County. This spring and summer, they're recruiting volunteers to participate in four 'Friend for a Day' events. The first coming up Saturday in coordination with the DNR's Work-Play-Earth Day activities. Ahead of the event, we heard from Paul Thomas, president of the Friends group. He said they're looking for families, clubs, business employee groups or organizations to assist with clearing branches and other debris from park trails, picnic areas and campsites while also picking up litter in those spaces. You don't have to be a 'Friends' member to participate, and there is no commitment to join. They'll be meeting at the park entrance at 9am Saturday morning to hand out assignments. Thomas recommends dressing accordingly with good shoes, a pair of gloves and tick protection. Park admission fees will be waived for volunteers, and they are encouraged to stick around and enjoy the park once the morning's work is finished. For those that can't attend tomorrow, they' have 3 additional 'Friend for a Day' projects scheduled later this year.

Published on 04/26/2024 under Sports Tomahawk's track and field squads had top-three finishes in the Eagle Relays at Northland Pines Thursday. The Hatchet girls had another impressive showing, placing second behind just the host. Tomahawk had three first-place finishes, coming from the 4x1600 meter relays, the 4x100 meter throwers, and the 4000 meter distance relays. The Hatchet boys placed third overall, finishing behind just the host and Rhinelander. The boys' top finish was in the 4000 meter distance relay. The next meet for Tomahawk is Tuesday when they travel to Three Lakes.

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