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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

Nina, Lincoln County Sheriff K9 Retiring

Published on 04/24/2026 under News After nearly a decade on the job, one of Lincoln County's most recognizable deputies is trading in her badge for belly rubs and boat rides. K-9 Nina, a longtime member of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, is retiring after nine years of service, wrapping up her final shift Thursday. Nina was trained as a dual-purpose tracking and narcotics detection dog, and paired with Deputy Sam Steckbauer. They worked their first shift on June 19, 2017. Over the course of her career, Nina was deployed hundreds of times, assisting in both civil and criminal cases. She helped track lost individuals and played a role in numerous drug-related arrests, becoming a valuable asset to the department. Beyond her work in the field, Nina was also a familiar face at community events, where she quickly became a favorite among residents. In retirement, they said Nina will remain with Detective Steckbauer and his family. They said her retirement will also include plenty of well-earned rest, pontoon rides, barking at the mail carrier, and the occasional treat including a little extra pumpkin mixed in with her kibble.

Published on 04/24/2026 under News While their next production isn't coming until fall, the Tomahawk Community Theater is staying busy. The community theater group was established five years ago as a way for those interested in the fine arts to connect and create. Since that time, they've put on four productions, two children's workshops, and even a talent show, but they're not slowing down. Board Members Jen Turkiewicz and Sherry Hulett have been involved in theater since the first production. Earlier this week, they stopped by the WJJQ studios to talk about an upcoming open house on Sunday that will serve as both a preview of their upcoming calendar as well as an opportunity for more people to get involved. At Sunday's event, they plan to roll out a full year of events and productions including the return of the annual children's theater workshop held each July. Attendees can also meet cast and board members, explore ways to get involved, and learn about opportunities both on stage and behind the scenes from acting and set design to lighting, makeup. They said the open house is designed to be casual and welcoming, whether you're a longtime supporter or just curious about community theater. Those interested in the theater can stop by Sideways in Downtown Tomahawk Sunday from 1pm to 4pm.

Published on 04/24/2026 under News One person is dead, another injured in a two vehicle accident in Langlade County earlier this week. According to the Langlade County Sheriff's office, that crash happened Wednesday night at shortly before 10:30pm. Responders were called to Highway 45 near County X in the Town of Antigo for what appeared to be a head-on collision with serious injuries. The drivers were the lone occupants of their vehicles. One driver, identified as 45 year old Gina Marie Brunner of Wittenberg, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver, a 25 year old Antigo man, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. His name was not immediately released. According to the release, alcohol is suspected was a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

+ Read More Garage Fire in Arbor Vitae

Published on 04/24/2026 under News A garage was destroyed, a nearby home damaged following a fire in Vilas County earlier this week. According to Arbor Vitae Fire/Rescue, crews were dispatched to a property on Coons Lane Tuesday morning. They arrived to find a two-car garage that was completely destroyed with debris still smoldering. A home around 40 feet from the garage sustained heat damage. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish any remaining hotspots. No one was home and no injuries were reported. In the news release, the fire department noted the fire spread closer to the home through a layer of leaves on the ground, serving as a reminder to clear yard debris from the areas surrounding structures. Damage is estimated at approximately $50,000 to the garage, contents, and nearby home. It is believed the fire started in the garage sometime during the night, an exact cause wasn't immediately determined.

Published on 04/24/2026 under News After starting off the week with Earth Day activities and education, today is focused on the trees. The last Friday of April is Arbor Day. The observance was started in Nebraska more than 100 years ago and continues to this date. The DNR continues to take part in their annual mission of providing tree education to young learners. Along with classroom lessons, many students can get their hands dirty by planting a tree themselves. This gives kids a chance to follow the growth of the tree through their schooling. The DNR has once again donated tree seedlings to fourth-grade classrooms around the state for students to plant, more than 50,000 trees in all. Wisconsin is home to around 17 million acres of forest lands that offer numerous benefits through the forest industry, outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and protecting the environment. DNR Applied Forestry bureau director Carmen Hardin says Arbor Day is a good time to reflect the importance of both urban and rural forests. She added, "Everyone has a role in ensuring that both continue to serve a vital role in the ecological, cultural and economic health of our state, our local communities and our individual lives."

Published on 04/24/2026 under News When taking care of spring cleaning, people are encouraged to check their medicine cabinets as well. The first of two scheduled drug-take back events takes place on Saturday across the state of Wisconsin. Ridding your home of unused and unwanted prescriptions not only clears clutter, but also eliminates the chance of misuse while also offering an environmentally safe way to dispose of medications. More and more communities are featuring permanent drop-off locations available year-round, and the semi-annual Drug Take Back day serves as a good reminder to utilize the service. Residents here in Lincoln County have 4 permanent drop-off locations including the Marshfield Clinic-Merrill, Tomahawk Pharmacy, and the Merrill and Tomahawk Police Departments. The Tomahawk Police Department, alone, collected more than 21,000 pills, along with liquid, cream and gel medications, and over 6000 syringes last year. The Wisconsin Department of Health website features an interactive map listing drop-off locations. Wisconsin is annually a nationwide leader in these efforts.

Published on 04/24/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's baseball squad put up double-digit runs for the third time this year, dominating the Antigo Red Robins at TK Field Thursday night, 16-8. The Hatchets scored at least two runs in every inning, including ten in the final three. Cash Olsen finished three for five with a double, a triple, and a home run, along with six RBIs. Olsen also picked up the win on the mound, giving up just one run and striking out eight. Max Larson finished with three RBIs, improving the Hatchet record to 4-3 on the season, and 4-1 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk is back in action Tuesday for another home GNC Battle against Northland Pines. Alex Koch and Keith Hanse will be in the broadcast booth with the Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show at 4:35 and first pitch at 5:00 on Sports Talk 810 AM/97.7 FM WJJQ.

Published on 04/24/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Softball Squad was swept in their Great Northern Conference Doubleheader at Antigo Thursday. Game 1 Saw Tomahawk come back from down 7-1, but came up just short, losing, 8-7. Ellie Micke finished two for three. Kylie Peissig finished with a two-run single. Camryn Kraklow picked up the loss, giving up seven runs in two innings. As for Game Two, the Hatchets surrendered nine runs in the final inning, losing, 17-9. Tomahawk would allow three home runs in Game Two, including a grand slam in the seventh. Aubrey Seubert would hit her first home run of the season, one of two hits she finished with. Anita Ziert would go two for four with three runs scored. The losses drop Tomahawk to 3-5 on the season and in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action for a tournament down in Monroe Saturday. Game One is against Madison East/LaFollette.

Published on 04/24/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's track and field squads competed in the Raider Outdoor Invite at Medford Thursday. The Hatchet girls placed second, only eight points behind first place Medford. Elise Gibeault and Alicia Voermans each placed first in two different events. Gibeault placed first in the 200 and 400 meter dashes. Gibeault's time of 57.93 seconds in the 400 meter dash broke her own school record. Voermans placed first in the 100 meter dash and the Pole Vault. Tomahawk's boys placed seventh overall. Tomahawk's top finish was the 4x200 meter relay team of Jack Reilly, Mason Reibe, Braxton Stromberg, and Henry Nieman, placing third with a time of 1:44.54. Tomahawk's next meet is today in Eagle River at Northland Pines. Events begin at 4:00.

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