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Hatchet Girls Cross Country Team Advances to State Published on 10/28/2024 under Sports

On Friday, Tomahawk headed west to Colby High School to compete at the WIAA Division II Sectional Cross Country Meet. It was a chilly, but sunny, fall evening that saw a total of 15 teams face the Hatchets for the right to advance to Wisconsin Rapids next weekend for the WIAA State Championships.

The first division II race of the day were the girls at 4:15 PM. Coming off of the heart crushing finish of last year the girls were determined to advance. Despite never once appearing in the state rankings of the top Division II teams in Wisconsin the Hatchets proceeded to climb their way to the top throughout the race. The end result was a Sectional Championship by one point defeating last year's winning team, Shawano.

The lady Hatchets scored 67 points and were led by senior Alli Palmer who finished the race taking 3rd place with a new career best of 20:03. Junior Lydia Shaney followed, nearly cracking the top ten with an 11th place finish in 21:06. The ever improving sophomore Abbie Rosenmeier finished next in 15th place with, yet again, a new personal record of 21:22. Directly behind her was the impressive freshman Ellie Micke taking 16th with a new personal record of 21:23. Rounding out the scoring five was sophomore Elise Gibeault, continuing her return after her six month long injury, with a 22nd place finish in a season best time of 21:54. Rounding out the girls impressive race was sophomore Norah Mann and junior Faith Derleth. Norah finished the race in 35th place in a time of 22:34 with Faith finishing in 43rd in 23:26.

There were 79 runners in the girls race with finishing team results as follows: Tomahawk-67, Shawano-68, Oconto Falls-104, Medford-116, Lakeland-141, Rhinelander-143, Clintonville-160, New London-183, Antigo-253, Seymour-256, Northland Pines-267, Mosinee-293, Merrill-DNS, and Menominee Nation-DNS.

The boys Division II race began at 5:00 PM. The boys continue to make progress, despite finishing in a lower place than last year they were much closer to the other top teams points wise. New London claimed the Championship title with Rhinelander stunning Lakeland to advance. The Hatchets scored 136 points to tie Seymour and were led by senior Dominic Boos taking 9th place in a new personal record of 17:47. Closely finishing behind him was the dependable senior Sam Zastrow taking 13th in a time of 17:53. Though neither boy advanced individually to the state meet, they were both close and finished their cross country careers in the upper echelon of the boys Sectional. Eclipsing yet another personal record taking 21st with a time of 18:18 was freshman Joe Zastrow. Having a repeat time from the Great Northern Conference Meet was junior Jeremiah Johnson with a 43rd place finish in 18:59. The determined junior Beau Stromberg rounded out the scoring five with a 50th place finish in 19:06. Tomahawk's 6 and 7 runners, sophomore Drew Voermans and freshman Jordyn Carew, took 56th in 19:20 and 71st in 19:52.

There were 95 runners in the boys race with finishing team results as follows: New London-76, Rhinelander-86, Lakeland-101, Menominee Nation-129, Seymour-132, Oconto Falls-136, Tomahawk-136, Shawano-150, Northland Pines-247, Medford-249, Colby/Abbotsford-275, Merrill-316, Mosinee-344, Clintonville-DNS, and Antigo-DNS.

In Other News

Workshops Target Outdoor Recreation Growth in Lincoln County

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Efforts are underway to shape the future of Lincoln County's outdoor recreation industry and boost the local economy. Following a public session last night in Tomahawk, community stakeholders are meeting today at the Lincoln County Service Center in Merrill to analyze local recreation infrastructure and identify opportunities for economic growth. The workshops come after Lincoln County was selected to participate in the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation's Technical Assistance Program, in partnership with UW-Stout's Center for Sustainable Communities. The initiative brings together local, state, and federal partners to assess trail and water access, wayfinding, and business support across the county. Local officials say input from residents, business owners, and outdoor groups-including trail users, anglers, and tourism operators- is a critical piece of the planning process. According to Sara Guild, Executive Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation, feedback gathered during these sessions will help pinpoint specific challenges and guide future public planning, capital investment, and regional partnerships. Today's session in Merrill continues through 3:30 this afternoon, with organizers planning to use the findings to build a long-term recreation strategy for the county.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Lincoln County and City of Merrill leaders are moving closer to finalizing a major update to local emergency medical services. After negotiations throughout the summer, a final contract agreement has reached the voting stage. At its meeting Tuesday, the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors approved the agreement via voice vote following board discussion. In a joint news release, County Board Chair Don Friske and Merrill Mayor Steve Hass provided a brief overview of the deal. While EMS is legally a municipal responsibility under Wisconsin law, Lincoln County has coordinated services regionally since 1969, partnering with Merrill Fire and EMS in the south and Aspirus Health in Tomahawk to the north. Officials say the updated agreement modernizes a contract that hasn't been overhauled since 2007. Funding will jump from 1.3 million dollars this year to 1.6 million dollars next year, with a two-percent annual adjustment moving forward. Under the proposed terms, the county will supply the ambulances and communication equipment, while the city will be responsible for staffing and medical supplies. The deal grants the city operational flexibility to address rising call volumes, while offering the county long-term cost certainty. Following discussion at Tuesday's meeting, Board Chair Don Friske reflected on the negotiation process, stating: "We didn't always agree, but we were able to come up with an agreement that continues to provide a high quality of emergency medical service response while honoring the city's ability to provide oversight of their organization." The City of Merrill Committee of the Whole is expected to take up the contract at its meeting this coming Tuesday.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News A colorful new addition is taking shape in the heart of downtown Rhinelander. Muralist Alixandra Jade is currently at work on a new public art piece titled "Greetings from Rhinelander," painted on the side of the Flanders Realty building at 2 North Brown Street. Designed in the retro-style of a classic destination postcard, the large-scale mural features vibrant colors and artwork celebrating Northwoods scenery, the city's identity, and Rhinelander's iconic Hodag. Commissioned by the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce and funded through the Rhinelander Tourism and Marketing Committee, local officials say the project aims to revitalize the downtown core while creating a landmark for residents and visitors to enjoy and photograph. Jade has been working over the past few weeks transforming the brick background into a creative canvas, and community members are invited to head downtown to watch the transformation unfold in real time, or simply follow along on the Chamber Facebook for regular progress updates.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Here in the Northwoods, the fall colors have come and gone, leaving us with plenty of yard work. For those planning to clean up the yard over the weekend, experts encourage repurposing fallen leaves around the home rather than burning them. While burning yard waste might seem convenient, it releases air pollutants and carries a serious risk of sparking wildfires. Instead, a little creativity can put that yard waste to good use. First, consider leaving at least a portion of your lawn natural. Many beneficial insects, including essential pollinators, spend the winter hibernating under fallen leaves. Experts also point out that leaves are packed with carbon and minerals that naturally enrich your lawn and garden for next summer. Leaves work best when used as mulch, and you can speed up the decomposition process by running them over with a mulching mower or running them through a leaf shredder. Dried leaves also make an ideal base for compost piles. They recommend keeping a two-to-one ratio of brown material, like dry leaves, to green waste, such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps. Finally, if you can't use your yard waste at home, most local municipalities offer drop-off locations or curb collection. As a quick reminder for City of Tomahawk residents, citywide curbside yardwaste pickup is scheduled for next week.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Major state and federal funding is heading to Northern Wisconsin to accelerate the removal of toxic lead water pipes. Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Natural Resources announced more than 102 million dollars in financial assistance awarded to twelve Wisconsin communities. The City of Wausau is set to receive the largest allocation in Northern Wisconsin, securing over 10.6 million dollars. City officials expect the funding to support the replacement of nearly 1,200 private lead service lines, with a major focus on lower-income census tracts. Nearly 4.9 million dollars of Wausau's package comes as principal forgiveness, with the remainder offered through ultra-low-interest loans. The City of Mellen, up in Ashland County will also receive funding. Funded through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program aims to eliminate lead pipes statewide. Governor Evers emphasized that no level of lead exposure is safe for children, noting the state has removed more than 86,000 lead lines since 2019.

Published on 10/22/2026 under News Candidates competing for Wisconsin's open 7th Congressional District seat are meeting virtually today for a non-partisan candidate townhall. Democratic nominee Fred Clark and Republican nominee Michael Alfonso will field questions during the event, hosted by local chapters of the Wisconsin Farmers Union and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. With the seat open as current Representative Tom Tiffany runs for governor, the district covers much of northern Wisconsin, making agriculture and rural infrastructure central issues in the race. Organizers say today's forum runs virtually from noon to 1:30 p.m., focusing entirely on policy questions impacting regional farmers, rural businesses, and agricultural communities.

Published on 10/21/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Volleyball season came to a quick end in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal Tuesday night as they would get swept at Weyauwega-Fremont, 25-14, 25-12, 25-8. The Hatchets were unable to overcome hot starts by the Warhawks and allowed 13 aces in the match. In her final high school volleyball match, Senior Outside Hitter Averi Petta led the Hatchets with eight kills. Lexi Palmer had 12 assists on the night. Tomahawk finishes the 2026 season with a 6-29 overall record and a 1-9 Great Northern Conference record. The lone Hatchet Senior to graduate is Averi Petta.

Published on 10/21/2026 under News Lincoln County has a balanced spending plan for supervisors to consider next month. At Tuesday's board meeting, Finance Director Korey Bloch presented supervisors with an updated 2027 budget draft. The proposed property tax levy comes in at $13.6 million, up approximately $300,000 from last year. However, driven by a 6.9 percent increase in equalized property values and a 1.3 percent boost in net new construction, the average mill rate is projected to drop by 2.6 percent for townships and just over 2 percent for cities. The county finance team successfully closed an estimated $900,000 deficit from the preliminary July draft. Notable spending updates include increased funding for emergency medical services following a new joint EMS agreement with the City of Merrill. The summary also highlights rising IT software costs and ongoing capital maintenance expenses. Budget numbers were further bolstered by steady growth in county sales tax revenue, a multi-year upward trend attributed in part to local investments in recreation and tourism promotion. The finalized 2027 budget will return to the Lincoln County Board for full approval in November as local municipalities and school districts wrap up their own financial planning.

Published on 10/21/2026 under News Following another summer of community support, the organizers behind the annual Wishes for Kids fundraiser have officially presented a $30,000 check to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. The major contribution comes after a full season of local fundraising efforts in the Northwoods. While the popular Wishes for Kids Pork Roast held at Surewood Forest on Lake Alice served as the summer's main event, organizers expanded their reach in recent weeks by hosting both a cornhole tournament and a golf outing to boost total donations. The $30,000 gift matches the organization's record-setting total from last year, bringing their multi-year fundraising total to nearly a quarter-million dollars. Over the past decade, Wishes for Kids has raised more than $240,000 to grant life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses across northern Wisconsin. Funds raised through these local events help grant a wide range of wishes for Northwoods children, from dream vacations and sporting event trips to personalized home accessibility projects and local outdoor adventures. Many of those stories are told through the Wall of Wishes at Surewood Forest.

Published on 10/21/2026 under News The timber industry plays a critical role in the Northwoods economy, and this week state officials are recognizing the trade's lasting impact across Wisconsin. The third week of October marks National Forest Products Week. The annual observance highlights the economic and environmental benefits provided by the state's estimated 17 million acres of public and private forestland. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the state's forest products industry directly generates nearly $28 billion in goods each year and supports more than 55,000 jobs statewide. It also remains a top economic driver across northern Wisconsin. In Lincoln County alone, forestry accounts for more than 1,800 direct and indirect jobs. DNR Forest Products Team Leader Scott Lyon noted that residents rely on Wisconsin forest products daily, from paper packaging and tissue to structural lumber, flooring, and furniture. Beyond the bottom line, DNR officials emphasize that sustainably managed forests protect clean air and water, enhance wildlife habitat, and offer endless recreational opportunities for Northwoods residents and visitors alike.

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