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Hatchet Wrestling Teams Seasons End at Sectionals Published on 02/24/2025 under Sports

The Hatchet Wrestling Season came to an end this weekend at the WIAA Sectional Meets. Tomahawk's girls had a rough day in Shawano, winning only three matches all night. At 120 pounds, Elise Gibeault was upset in the first round. Kylie Peissig and Kami Gabrich were the only wrestlers that won matches. Kylie Peissig made it to the finals at 107, but lost both her final match and her second-place wrestleback. Gabrich finished fourth at 185 pounds.

The Hatchet boys only won one match in their WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet in Amery Saturday. Tomahawk's lone win came from Hudson Evans at 165 pounds. Evans finished fourth in his weight class after losing his third-place match. The Hatchets lost their matches from Zander Zehner, Fletcher Baumann, and Nathan Norman.

This conculdes the 2024-25 Hatchet Wrestling Season.

In Other News

Tomahawk FBLA Holding Warm Clothing Drive

Published on 12/11/2025 under News The FBLA chapter at Tomahawk High School has launched a community initiative called the Warm Clothing Drive to support individuals and families in need during the cold winter months. They are collecting new or gently used winter clothing items—including coats, snow pants, hats, gloves, and boots—for people of all ages. Their goal is to ensure that everyone in our community has access to the essential items they need to stay warm and safe this season. To help make this drive as successful as possible, they are seeking additional support and donations from local community members. The collection will run through December 19th, and all donations can be dropped off at the Tomahawk High School main office.

Published on 12/11/2025 under News Tomahawk Main Street will resemble a scene taken from a classic holiday movie. Coming up on Friday, the district will host the second night of a two-part Christmas celebration. Among the highlights is the Main Street Memories Christmas windows. This is year number six for the live mannequin displays. We caught up with Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz to talk a bit about what has become an annual tradition. She notes that the event has become something very special with families coming out to enjoy the evening. The original idea was inspired by large department stores of yesteryear, they plan on having actors portraying holiday and winter scenes in the store windows. It's an impressive undertaking, and Turkiewicz was quick to share credit with Mary Smith who has taken the reins. Turkiewicz joked that Smith takes a rest on the December 26th like Santa before she begins planning for the following year on the 27th. They include more than 40 businesses and 200 to 250 actors who make up the scenes. This year's theme is the '12 Days of Christmas'. Turkiewicz was excited to see what see what all the shops have planned for this year and encouraged people to come down in check it out. We'll offer a preview of some of the other activities later this week.

Published on 12/10/2025 under News Aspirus Wausau Hospital has opened a new dual helipad that expands its capacity for emergency air transport and supports faster access to advanced medical care for patients across north central Wisconsin. The upgraded facility replaces the former single landing space and positions two landing pads adjacent to the emergency department for direct, rapid patient transfer. The new helipad was developed in response to growing MedEvac demand. Aspirus receives more than six hundred helicopter transports each year, often involving patients who require immediate trauma, cardiac, stroke or specialty services. The dual landing zones allow aircraft to arrive without delay, particularly during incidents with multiple patients or simultaneous requests. "This helps us move patients quickly and safely to the care they need," said Chad Eckhard, Base Aviation Manager and helicopter pilot. "It is better for the patients, safer for the crews and a positive step for the community." The site incorporates several upgrades designed to increase safety and reliability. A heated snow melt system keeps the landing surface clear throughout winter, pilot-controlled lighting enhances visibility during landings and future GPS flight approaches will support access in lower visibility. These features reduce operational delays and improve safety for both patients and clinical teams. The helipad project aligns with broader facility planning at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, including recent emergency department expansion and long-term growth of specialty services.

Published on 12/10/2025 under News A local hospital will be getting into the holiday spirit with a special tree lighting ceremony this evening. For the past month, the Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital Foundation has been collecting donations for their Love Lights Tree. Sponsors were able to reserve a white light in memory of a loved one or blue lights in the honor of a relative, family member or friend. Last year more than 200 lights were dedicated as part of the ceremony. Proceeds will be used by the Foundation to improve the health and wellness of the Tomahawk Community. This includes both Aspirus Foundation programs like their youth bike helmets, hospital/clinic resources, and even community non-profits. Coming up this evening the Foundation will hold a dedication and lighting ceremony at the hospital at 5:30pm and the public is invited to attend. The event will include local vocalists sharing Christmas songs. The tree will remain lighted throughout the holiday season.

Published on 12/10/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's hockey squad gutted out their fifth straight win to begin the season, coming from behind to defeat Great Northern Conference rival Northland Pines, 6-5, Tuesday night. The Hatchets trailed by two goals in the first and second periods before coming back to get their third conference win of the season. Jonah Dickens' second goal of the night gave Tomahawk the lead with under two minutes remaining. The Hatchets also got goals from Jett Reilly, Brayden Lamer, and Caiden Reichelt. Tomahawk improves their record to 5-0 on the season and 3-0 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action Saturday afternoon for a non-conference showdown with 2025 state qualifier Somerset. Alex Koch and Keith Hanse will have the broadcast on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show will begin at 1:35 and opening face-off will be at 2:00 from SARA Park Saturday.

Published on 12/10/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's boys' basketball squad suffered their third straight loss at the Hatchet House Tuesday night, losing to Tigerton, 79-40. The Hatchets were unable to overcome a dominating performance from Junior Center James Brady. Jerry Johnson led the way in scoring with 11 points for the Hatchets. Ryan Montag added ten. The loss drops Tomahawk to 1-3 on the season and 0-1 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back in action Thursday for the second half of a girls-boys doubleheader @ Three Lakes. Tip will be at approximately 7:15.

Published on 12/09/2025 under News On Monday in Weston, Gov. Tony Evers signed "Bradyn's Law", creating a new crime of sexual extortion in Wisconsin. The new law, Assembly Bill 201, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 48: • Creates a new crime of sexual extortion; • Includes graduated penalties on offenses depending on the actor, the act, the victim's actions, or the victim's age; and • Modifies and expands the crime victim compensation program, including by adding a victim's suicide or attempted suicide to the list of acts that may be compensated by DOJ. "Bradyn's Law" was introduced in response to the tragic passing of Bradyn Bohn, a 15-year-old student from the Wausau Area who took his own life earlier this year as a result of a sexual extortion, or "sextortion," scheme. The FBI defines sextortion as a crime where offenders coerce minors to send explicit images, using them for extortion. The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force noted a rise in sextortion-related tips, with 237 cybertips received in 2024, up from 176 in 2023. They also have resources for online safety on their website.

Published on 12/09/2025 under News While we're still in the fall hunting season, hunters need to begin planning for next year. The DNR is reminding hunters of a pair of deadlines for tag applications is quickly approaching. Both black bear permits and spring turkey authorization applications must be submitted by the end of the day Wednesday. The spring turkey season begins in mid-April, the fall in September. The bear season also opens in September. Both are divided into zones across the state, and applicants are encouraged to review them before submitting an application. Due to the high interest, bear hunters may need to apply for several years before receiving a permit through the drawing. Turkey hunters can typically apply for multiple zones and weeks, in order of preference. The DNR says the drawings for turkey permits will be held in January, bear in February.

+ Read More Jeans for Teens

Published on 12/09/2025 under News 'Tis the season to be generous. The holiday season is fast approaching and sadly this year there are still many families left struggling to just get by. About 17 percent of children in the Northwoods live below the poverty level. These children may go through their day to day life without the necessities needed to live a healthy life such as food, shelter, and clothes. Rhinelander High School FBLA/DECA would love to help these children out in its latest service activity; Jeans for Teens. From December 17th - January 6th, the group will be collecting gently used jeans and giving them to teens and others in the community who need them. Please help out FBLA/DECA by donating some of your old jeans. The collection sites to drop off your jeans donations are: Rhinelander High School, James Williams Middle School, Crescent Elementary School, Pelican Elementary School, Central Elementary School, Maurices, Rhinelander District Library, Campfire Coffee & Creamery (A'La Mode), Bath and Body Creations, and the YMCA. Look for the big box wrapped in colorful Christmas paper. Jeans of all conditions and colors will gladly be accepted. Donated jeans will go to the local Frederick Place so children and families in our area can feel the love and warmth.

Published on 12/08/2025 under News Tomahawk middle schoolers have been getting into the holiday giving spirit. The students are planning to make Christmas cards for the elderly population in our community including the senior living and nursing homes. The school-wide community service project is being led by the middle school PBIS committee. They're currently asking the community to contribute art materials that could be used in making the cards. This includes any old holiday cards, and other Christmas or winter-themed scrap-booking materials, stickers, ribbons, and markers. The collection got underway last month and continues through December 15. That will allow students time to get those cards made and delivered in time for the holidays. Any donated materials can be dropped off at the middle school office.

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