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Hatchet Girls Basketball Advance in Playoffs Published on 02/26/2025 under Sports

On Tuesday night, the Tomahawk Hatchet Girls Basketball Team hosted Sturgeon Bay at the Fieldhouse in a WIAA Regional Quarter Final game.

The Hatchets jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, and would build their lead to nine, 22-13 at the half.

In the second half of play, Tomahawk jumped out early on the Clippers, and gained a 15 point advantage. Sturgeon Bay cut that lead to ten, but Tomahawk would respond and win the playoff game 50-35.

Tomahawk was led by Freya Alberg with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Lizzy Long hit four three's on her way to 16 points. Lydia Ziert added eight, while Claire Albert had seven rebounds and eight assists in the win.

Tomahawk will play on Friday night at Menomonie Nation against the third seed. The opening tip is at 7:00 pm.

In Other News

Great Wisconsin Birdathon Raises Records $134,000

Published on 08/13/2026 under News A statewide bird-watching effort has raised big dollars for bird-related projects and organizations. Earlier this year, we told you about the 15th annual Great Wisconsin Birdathon. The effort is organized by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and participants include individuals, teams, bird-related organizations, and local libraries. That included 15 classrooms that incorporated the event into their curriculum. There are two parts to the Birdathon: first, organizers encouraged participants to break out their binoculars to spot and record as many bird species as possible, and second, participants collected pledges in exchange for sightings. And it was a record-setting year across the board, bringing together 83 teams and more than 660 birders. Together, they identified 284 bird species around the state and raised just shy of $134,000. Those funds will go toward various organizations and projects dedicated to bird-related causes, from habitat improvement and protection to bird-tracking projects and putting binoculars into the hands of new birders. For those looking to participate next year, the 2027 Great Wisconsin Birdathon kicks off on April 15.

Published on 08/13/2026 under News The nearly century-old Crandon Fire Response Ranger Station is among the projects approved for state funding. The Wisconsin State Building Commission met this week, approving approximately $374 million in state-funded projects statewide. Among the approved projects is a brand-new facility in Crandon to replace the current station, which has been in service since the 1930s. Officials say the new, modern facility will better support the Department of Natural Resources by protecting vital forestry, wildlife, and law enforcement equipment. Crucially, it will help streamline emergency response times across five surrounding counties: Oneida, Florence, Marinette, Oconto, and Langlade. This project is part of a broader list of infrastructure investments around the state, which also includes repairs to veterans' facilities, university campuses, and state parks. Governor Tony Evers praised the vote, stating the projects will strengthen state facilities for decades to come. The Wisconsin State Building Commission is made up of six legislators and a citizen member. The Northwoods is well-represented, with both State Senator Mary Felzkowski and State Representative Rob Swearingen serving on the committee. Continuing a past tradition, the commission met at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Published on 08/13/2026 under News While summer routines and vacations can lead to a drop in donations, the demand for life-saving blood across Northwoods hospitals never slows down. Today, The Community Blood Center is hosting its final community stop of the summer on its "STAT"—or Summer Tour for All Types—collection drive. Donors can roll up their sleeves at the Northwoods Veterans Post in Merrill until 4:30 p.m. In keeping with tradition, the Blood Center will make a monetary donation to local veterans' organizations for every unit collected today. All donors receive a meal, a limited-edition STAT t-shirt, and first-time donors will get a gift card. If you miss today's collection in Merrill, you'll have one more chance to give next month. The Community Blood Center is teaming up with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for a special bobblehead blood drive at Fox Cities Stadium on Saturday, August 22nd. To make an appointment, visit communityblood.org.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News As quickly as it began, Tomahawk's summer concert series comes to a close this evening, and organizers are bringing back a local favorite to wrap up the season. The Cougars will perform tonight at the seventh and final week of Music on the River at Memorial Park. The six-piece band, a series regular, features a unique lineup with three female lead singers and lively blend of rock, pop, and a touch of country. The Cougars were originally scheduled to kick off this year's concert series, but their performance in June was postponed due to rain. Now, they get to close out the summer instead. Throughout the summer, fans packed the waterfront, whether in lawn chairs in the park or pontoons on the shoreline. Tonight offers one last chance to catch the music on the water. The free concert begins at 6:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Tomahawk.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News Voters across the Northwoods turned out in steady numbers on Tuesday to choose their candidates for the fall election. The most closely watched contest was at the top of the ticket. With Governor Tony Evers not seeking re-election, the open seat drew heavy statewide attention. A local candidate will anchor the Republican ticket, as current 7th District Congressman Tom Tiffany cruised to the GOP nomination as expected. On the Democratic side, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley mounted a dramatic comeback after re-entering the race last month. It appears Crowley after he narrowly defeated state Representative Francesca Hong, who led polling through much of the campaign. Tiffany's run for governor also left an open seat in Northern Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District. On the Republican side, Michael Alfonso emerged victorious from a field of five candidates. For the Democrats, former state Representative Fred Clark won a tight three-way race in which every candidate captured at least 30 percent of the vote. The primary winners now advance to the November 3 general election.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News In just a few short weeks, Northwoods students will head back to the classroom, meaning back-to-school shopping is in full swing. With rising costs, a little extra planning can go a long way in preventing sticker shock. According to the National Retail Federation, parents of K-12 students anticipate spending a little over $400 on basic supplies and clothing alone. That figure climbs even higher when factoring in electronics or college-bound students. However, consumer experts say smart habits can lead to significant savings:Stick to the List: Start with your district's official classroom supply list—and stick to it. Keeping purchases focused on essential items prevents costly impulse buys.Shop at Home First: Before heading to the store, check closets and desks. Supplies left over from previous school years can often be reused.Buy in Bulk: Team up with neighbors, relatives, or classmates to purchase items in bulk, then divide the supplies and split the savings.Shop Sales and Closeouts: Keep an eye out for weekly back-to-school sales. While driving to multiple stores requires extra effort, those small discounts add up quickly.Finally, take advantage of local community organizations that host school supply drives and distribution events. On Wednesday afternoon and early evening, Tomahawk Kinship is teaming up with several area churches to host a free backpack and school supply giveaway at the Kinship House on Main Street.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News While school staffers have been busy preparing campuses for the return of students, administrators and school board members have been hard at work on district budgets. The preliminary spending plan for the Tomahawk School District was on the board's agenda Tuesday, with District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry providing a brief overview. As previously reported, rising local property values and declining enrollment mean Tomahawk no longer qualifies for state general aid. That funding is expected to decrease annually, shifting more of the tax burden locally. Quesinberry noted that unreimbursed special education costs also remain a major financial hurdle. On the local tax front, a significant jump in overall property values could potentially lower the district's mill rate by 35 to 40 cents, even with a slight increase in the tax levy. As he does each August, Quesinberry cautioned that the preliminary budget is subject to change. School districts rely on placeholders for categories like student enrollment and state aid until official figures are finalized after the school year begins. Quesinberry reassured the board that the district remains in a strong financial position, describing the proposal as a "good, strong budget." The plan will be formally presented to the public at the district's annual meeting next month, with final board approval expected in late September or early October.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News Firefighters from across the Lakeland region teamed up to contain a house fire in Minocqua that threatened neighboring homes and woods. According to Minocqua Fire & Rescue, crews responded to a reported home fire on Spies Court off Kobart Road on Monday afternoon at shortly before 5pm. Seeing a thick column of smoke before even arriving, they immediately called in mutual aid. The first firefighters on the scene encountered heavy flames and worked to quickly knock down the main fire. The blaze had spread to a nearby garage and into the surrounding wooded area. This triggered a wildland fire response as well. In the end, more than a dozen area fire departments and emergency crews joined the effort, deploying multiple hose lines to bring the flames under control and protect nearby homes from damage. No injuries were reported, and Minocqua Fire leaders expressed deep gratitude to all the neighboring departments whose mutual aid kept the fire from spreading further.

Published on 08/12/2026 under News Nicolet College is looking to make it easier for busy community members to learn about education opportunities through special evening outreach events in the lead up to the fall semester. In August, the college brought back its popular "Nicolet @ Night" program, designed specifically for prospective students who cannot visit campus during regular business hours. Katie Ourada is an admissions manager at Nicolet. She says, "Many of our future and continuing students are full-time workers, parents, and busy people, who need support when it's convenient for them. She says they've designed the evening to give students the flexibility to take the next step. Admissions representatives will be on hand to discuss academic pathways, class schedules, financial aid, and campus support services. As an added bonus, Nicolet is waiving its application fee for attendees, who can also enter a drawing for a $250 scholarship from the Nicolet College Foundation. Tonight marks the second of three consecutive Wednesday events. Representatives will be available on the second floor of the Red Oak Center on the Rhinelander campus from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. tonight and again next Wednesday. The fall semester begins August 31.

Published on 08/11/2026 under News It's primary election day in Wisconsin, as voters head to the polls to narrow the field for November's general election. Here in northern Wisconsin, relatively few contested local races are on the ballot, so most of the attention is focused on the top of the ticket. The headline statewide race is the Democratic primary for governor. Governor Tony Evers is not seeking another term, and while seven names appear on the ballot, three of those candidates have since dropped out. The winner will face the presumptive Republican nominee, Congressman Tom Tiffany. Locally, voters across much of northern Wisconsin are also selecting candidates for the 7th Congressional District. Three Democrats are competing for their party's nomination, while five Republicans are vying for the chance to run for the seat in November. Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The general election will take place on Nov. 3.

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