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Hatchet Hockey Team Advances in WIAA Playoffs Published on 02/21/2025 under Sports

The #1 seeded Hatchet Hockey Team started their trek back to Madison with a dominating 9-0 win over #8 seed Rhinelander in the WIAA Division 2 First-Round Playoff Thursday night at SARA Park. Tomahawk outshot Rhinelander 70-7 and had seven players find the back of the net. They were Jake Albert, Caiden Reichelt, Jonah Dickens, Jett Reilly, Austin Lamer, Sawyer Hanna, and Max Larson, who got his first career varsity goal. Lamer had a hat trick and three assists on the night. Tomahawk also got two assists from Dickens and Landyn Seymour.

The win puts Tomahawk at 21-3 on the season, adding on to the school record for most wins in a season by a Hatchet Hockey team. #1 seed Tomahawk will battle it out with #4 seed Northland Pines in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Semifinal at SARA Park Tuesday night.

The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show will begin at 6:35 and opening faceoff is at 7:00. Alex Koch and Keith Hanse will be in the broadcast booth.

In Other News

Tomahawk HS Raise Your Voice Club Members Participate in Youth Advocacy Day in Madison

Published on 03/17/2026 under News A group of Tomahawk High School students recently took part in a statewide effort to advocate for mental health resources. Members of the district's Raise Your Voice Club leadership group traveled to the state capitol for Youth Advocacy Day, joining nearly 200 students from across Wisconsin. Among the goals of Raise Your Voice Club is to eliminate the stigma around mental health while breaking down barriers and building community. While in Madison, students from Tomahawk High School met with staff for Northwoods legislators including State Senator Mary Felzkowski and Representative Calvin Callahan. The group discussed the importance of funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, as well as expanding mental health services in public schools. The district said they're proud of the students for engaging in the civic process and using their voices to support the well-being of others. The event was organized with help from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which also helped prepare students to speak with lawmakers and advocate for mental health awareness._____ Speaking of the Tomahawk Raise Your Voice Club, the students are organizing their 2nd annual Mental Health Awareness Color Run. That will take place on May 2nd. Registration is currently available. We'll provide a link in the online version of the story.

Published on 03/17/2026 under News The weekend snow has brought good news for our local snowmobilers. The Oneida County Forestry, Land, and Recreation Department announced the county-funded snowmobile trail system has officially reopened as of 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. In the announcement, they did caution that some segments will remain closed due to unsafe conditions. We'll list those trails in the online version of the story. They also noted that many of the trails that are re-opening will be minimally groomed and remain in rough, late-season condition. Officials also warn that lake and river trails should be considered unsafe unless clearly marked by local clubs. County officials remind snowmobilers to stay on marked trails, noting that off-trail riding is considered trespassing and could lead to fines or trail closures. Speaking of trails re-opening, as we previously announced, most Vilas County Trails re-opened over the weekend.

Published on 03/17/2026 under News Utility crews are continuing to restore power across northern Wisconsin following a record-setting snow. Wisconsin Public Service says more than 11,000 customers have already had their power restored. Crews dealt with challenging situations working through whiteout conditions, dangerous roads, and more than two feet of snow. In some cases, crews even had to plow to clear paths and reach damaged power lines and equipment. Around 1,000 outages remained as of Tuesday morning, primarily in the Door County area. All available crews remain in the field and will continue working until service is fully restored. They hope to have that work done by the end of the day. Customers without power can check restoration updates using the WPS outage map or mobile app. And they also reiterated a few reminders to clear snow and ice from energy meters and vents to prevent damage and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide buildup indoors.

Published on 03/17/2026 under News Local business owners will have a chance to learn how to use artificial intelligence at an upcoming event in Tomahawk. The Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation is hosting its next LinC and Learn Business Connections session Thursday morning. LinC and Learn is a monthly information and networking opportunity which launched earlier this year. The featured topic for the month of March, "Using AI for Everyday Marketing," will highlight how tools like ChatGPT can help business owners generate content ideas, improve social media posts, draft emails, and clarify messaging. They noted the session is designed for beginners and those just starting to explore AI, offering simple, real-world strategies that can save time and make marketing more effective. Presenter Scott Steele of Next Step Marketing will lead the conversation. The LinC and Learn events are free, though they do ask participants register ahead of time. They alternate between Merrill and Tomahawk, with this week's session at the PCA Buedingen Training Center. It's Thursday at 7:30am with additional time set aside for networking before and after the discussion.

Published on 03/16/2026 under News Mother Nature was the big story of the weekend, as a pair of storm systems dumped significant snow across much of Wisconsin. Here in the Tomahawk area, snowfall totals came in around 10 to 12 inches. But just to our south, totals were even more impressive. Areas in and around Wausau reported more than two feet of snow. While the snow tapered to flurries overnight, strong winds are still causing blowing and drifting snow, leading to reduced visibility in some areas. Travel was dangerous throughout the weekend and remains difficult for the Monday morning commute. Drivers are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel if possible, and it's a good idea to call ahead to make sure your destination is open. Many communities have declared snow or winter weather emergencies through Monday or Tuesday. Nearly all school districts in the area are playing it safe by canceling classes. In Tomahawk, students will shift to a virtual learning day. Fortunately, power outages have been minimal. As of Monday morning, Wisconsin Public Service reports around 1,000 customers without power across its entire service area, primarily in Northeastern Wisconsin.

Published on 03/16/2026 under News Residents across Wisconsin are digging out after a storm dropped more than a foot of snow in some areas this week. Along with clearing driveways and sidewalks, professionals say it's important to remove snow from several other spots around your property. Wisconsin Public Service is reminding customers to keep natural gas meters and vents clear of snow. The utility says a buildup of snow or ice on a gas meter can place stress on the piping and potentially lead to a natural gas leak. A buried meter can also make it harder for technicians to safely service the equipment. WPS recommends clearing snow away from meters using your hands, a brush, or a broom rather than a shovel, which could damage the unit. Residents should also check above the meter for large icicles that could fall and cause damage. Customers are also encouraged to check appliance vents around their homes. Snow or ice buildup can block vents and potentially trap carbon monoxide indoors, creating a dangerous situation. Emergency responders are also reminding residents to clear snow away from fire hydrants near their homes and to make sure address markers remain visible. When seconds matter during an emergency, responders say being able to quickly locate a home can make a critical difference. And one more reminder—don't forget about your mailbox. Clearing enough snow for postal vehicles to safely approach and pull away helps keep mail delivery running smoothly and prevents carriers from having to back into the roadway.

Published on 03/16/2026 under News A home in Lincoln County is a total loss following a fire Sunday afternoon. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the fire was reported around 3:30pm at a residence along County Road K in the Town of Merrill. The homeowner called 911 and told dispatchers the house was on fire, but no one was inside at the time. No injuries were reported, but officials say the home appears to be a complete loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Multiple agencies responded, including the Corning and Russell Fire Departments, the Merrill Fire Department, Tomahawk EMS, Wisconsin Public Service, deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, and officers from the Merrill Police Department.

Published on 03/16/2026 under News Turkey hunters looking for additional tags, or those who missed the original drawing, have another chance ahead of the spring season. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is releasing bonus harvest authorizations for the upcoming spring turkey season this week. Wisconsin's spring turkey hunt is divided into seven zones and six week-long hunting periods. Most of the initial permits were distributed through a drawing held in December. According to the DNR, nearly 100,000 bonus turkey harvest authorizations statewide, though the number here in the Northwoods zones are limited. Bonus authorizations are being released on a daily schedule this week, beginning with Zone 1 on Monday and continuing through Friday, when tags for Zones 5-7 will be available. Each morning at 9:45, hunters can enter a queue through the DNR's Go Wild online licensing system. This year's turkey season begins with the youth hunt weekend on April 11th and 12th, with the regular season opening the following Wednesday.

Published on 03/16/2026 under News The recent winter weather will allow snowmobilers in far northern Wisconsin another chance to get on their sleds. While we're typically announcing snowmobile closures at this time of year, we've got a re-opening to pass along. According to Vilas County Forest, Recreation, and Land, the trails in Vilas County were able to open back up over the weekend. Riders are encouraged to use a little extra caution. In the announcement, they noted that some trail segments may remain closed or have been re-routed due to open waters or other hazards. There are also segments the groomers are no longer able to reach. They credited the local snowmobile clubs and their efforts in preparing the trails to allow for this extended season.

Published on 03/16/2026 under News Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry reached another milestone last year, and Northwoods recreation played a big role. Governor Tony Evers says new data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows outdoor recreation contributed more than 12 billion dollars to Wisconsin's economy in 2024, setting a new record and topping the previous high set in 2023. The report also found the industry supports more than 100,000 jobs statewide and generated nearly 5.7 billion dollars in wages. State tourism officials say the numbers reflect Wisconsin's strong outdoor culture from boating and fishing to ATV riding and camping. Those activities are especially important in Northern Wisconsin, where lakes, forests, and trail systems attract visitors year-round. The latest data re-enforces the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Economic Impact Program reports released earlier this year which included both Oneida and Vilas County. According to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, outdoor recreation continues to be one of the main reasons travelers visit the state, helping support small businesses, guides, outfitters, and communities throughout the Northwoods. Officials say with spring and summer approaching, the region's outdoor opportunities will again play a key role in driving tourism and local economic activity.

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