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‘Carry the Load’ Volunteer Day at Northwoods National Cemetery Published on 09/12/2025 under News

While many used the anniversary of the September 11 attacks as a moment of reflection, a group of volunteers used it as an opportunity to give back.

Volunteers spent Thursday morning at the Northwoods National Cemetery in Harshaw wiping down headstones, cleaning up grave sites, and some upkeep on the grounds.

It was all part of a nationwide movement led by an organization known as Carry the Load. They are all about giving back and honoring the sacrifices of military members, veterans, and first responders. Throughout the year, on notable days such as Memorial Day, Patriot Day and Veterans Day, they organize volunteer opportunities, looking to inspire action.

Thursday's effort wasn't unique to Harshaw. There were Carry the Load events held at more than 60 National Cemeteries around the country.

In Other News

Hatchet Volleyball Team Sweeps Ashland

Published on 09/12/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's volleyball squad bounced back with an emphatic sweep of the Ashland Oredockers Thursday, 25-18, 25-11, 25-22. The Hatchets got productive nights from their hitters. Siennah Calkins finished with eight kills, two aces and two blocks. Freya Alberg and Alicia Voermans each had six kills on the day. The win puts Tomahawk at 9-9 on the season. The Hatchets resume Great Northern Conference play Tuesday with their first home match of the season against Antigo. Tune in for the Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Prematch Show at 6:35 and opening serve at 7:00. Alex Koch and Matt Theiler will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 09/12/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's girls swim squad was swept in their home double dual against Colby and Rhinelander Thursday night. The Hatchets were dominated by Rhinelander, 128-38 and lost to Colby, 82-74. The Hatchets had three third-place finishes in the double dual. Kami Gabrich finished third in the 500 yard freestyle and Kaylee Roberts placed third in the 100 yard breaststroke. The Hatchet team of Emma Hoff, Lizzy Long, Kylie Peissig and Morgan Kretzschmar finished third in the 200 Freestyle. The Hatchets will be back in action next Thursday for their next Conference dual at Ladysmith. Events begin at 5:30.

Published on 09/12/2025 under News A familiar rumble is back in the air as tens of thousands of motorcycles descend upon the Tomahawk area this weekend. Now in it's 44th year, the Tomahawk Fall Ride actually has quite humble beginnings. The community-wide celebration we know today is quite different from how it all started. That story begins in the early 1980's when a few dozen local motorcycle riders planned an October outing to view the fall colors and enjoy a cookout. A few years later they moved the event to mid-September due to Wisconsin's unpredictable autumn weather. The event continued to grow, and the modern Fall Ride began to take shape. Initially riders could first be counted in the hundreds, eventually the thousands. Now an estimated 40,000-50,000 people visit the Northwoods each September for Fall Ride. Fastforward to the present, and the rally plays a crucial role in the local economy, boosting area businesses, supporting local non-profits and welcoming new visitors to the Northwoods each year, joining those who've been part of the tradition since the very beginning. As always stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the weekend for events and updates.

Published on 09/12/2025 under News Action revs up Friday for the 44th edition of the Tomahawk Fall Ride. Perhaps the most iconic of all Fall Ride events is the Friday night Thunder Parade. The Thunder Parade started back in 1991. Like many of the Fall Ride events, it was a tradition that started small, and has continued to grow. A bit later this evening, around 1,000 participants will leave from the Tomahawk School Complex on a scenic 18 mile cruise through rural Tomahawk. The end of the route takes riders through the Tomahawk businesses corridors of North Fourth Street, across Veteran's Memorial Bridge and right down Main Street. Like a traditional parade, people now line the route to welcome the bikers back into the city. In addition to watching the motorcycles, spectators can feel the rumble of thunder as they pass by. For riders looking to participate, they'll begin lining up at the school at around 5pm, leaving at 6pm. The escort and lead bikes typically make their way through the city at around 6:30pm. While the Thunder Parade is the highlight of the day, there's no shortage of activities at SARA Park, Downtown Tomahawk, and businesses and establishments throughout the greater Tomahawk area. We've got many of those events in our WJJQ Community Calendar.

Published on 09/12/2025 under News A new skate park is being planned in Rhinelander's Hodag Park. Coming up Saturday, partners behind the project are hosting a special event. The Rhinelander Skate Park Project was actually initiated by local youth who envisioned a safe, inclusive space for connection. The youth group has teamed up with the City of Rhinelander, ArtStart, and a few other community organizations. Tomorrow's event will serve as a fundraiser by combining art, music, skating, and mental health advocacy. They're calling it Push for Connection. They teamed up with twenty local artists for a unique fundraiser. The artists transformed blank skateboard decks into one-of-a-kind designs that will be auctioned off. (Online bidding is open) Melinda Childs, Community Cultural Development Director at ArtStart says, "From the very beginning, this project has been about more than a skate park; it's about creating a place where people feel supported, seen, and connected." Push for Connection will feature a community art activity, pop-up skate jam, information on the 988 crisis life line, mental health resources, and live music. It'll take place Saturday from 11am to 2pm outside the ArtStart building.

Published on 09/12/2025 under News Opportunities to bag a buck kick off this weekend with the opening of the fall crossbow/archery season. The DNR provided their annual overview a bit earlier this week. Last archery season, hunters registered nearly 38,000 deer, up slightly from 2023. Another 63,000 deer were harvested by crossbow. According to the DNR's Fall Hunting Forecast, the herd should benefit from a second consecutive mild winter. That typically leads to good fawn production and lower winter mortality. Hunters should see more healthy yearlings leading to two good age groups of deer in the woods this fall The DNR also noted that those heading out this weekend and throughout the season should remember safe hunting practices. That includes tree stand and firearm safety. The archery/crossbow season opens Saturday and runs through early January. The fall turkey season also kicks off, along with ruffed grouse in zone A.

Published on 09/12/2025 under News While the new school year is just a few weeks old, students in the Tomahawk School District have Friday off, and it's due to the Fall Ride. District administrator Wendell Quesinberry explained that this decision is all about student safety and dealing with the challenges of getting kids to and from school with the increased traffic in the community this weekend. In past years, the district has experimented with an early release on the Friday of Fall Ride weekend. But Quesinberry said they have had some close calls with the bussing. After communicating with the bus company, they decided to experiment with a day off instead. And while the students will be staying home, it is an in-service day for the teachers. Quesinberry noted it'll be a good opportunity for the staff to review the start of the school year and get some additional in-house learning.

Published on 09/11/2025 under News Fall Ride, Colorama, Harley Weekend...the ongoing festivities in Tomahawk go by a number names. No matter what you call it, the theme of motorcycles and the Northwoods remains the same. Fall Ride is better described as an umbrella title for the many separately-organized weekend events at various locations in Tomahawk and beyond. SARA Park and Tomahawk Main Street serve as major hubs of activity. While a majority of visitors come by bike, others simply come for the entertainment. Along with the motorcycles, a steady stream of campers, food trucks, vendors and musicians have also pulled into town. Several prominent motorcycle manufacturers have trailered in the their demo fleets for riders to check out. While events come and go, the most popular tend to stick around. Everyone has their favorite, but some of the most popular include tonight's Chamber Brat Fry and Bon Fire; the Friday night Thunder Parade and Street Dance, Harley Davidson Plant Tours, and the motorcycle raffle. You can check out the WJJQ Community Calendar for a quick rundown of events. The unofficial start of the Fall Ride Festivities, kicks off this evening with the Tomahawk Chamber Bon Fire and Brat Fry.

Published on 09/11/2025 under News A bit of good news for drivers here in the Tomahawk area ahead of Fall Ride weekend, a month long road closure has been lifted. We heard from the Oneida County Highway Department a bit earlier Thursday morning...they announced that work has wrapped up work on the Bearskin Creek Bridge on County L in Nokomis. They were able to meet their timeline, and County L is once again open to through traffic ahead of the busy Fall Ride Weekend. The bridge replacement, which began in early August, was phase one of a two part project. Starting next Tuesday, they'll begin milling and paving the remainder of County L from Lincoln County to Highway 51.

Published on 09/11/2025 under News On this anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the Tomahawk community continued an annual tradition with an observance. While those tragic events occurred hundreds of miles away, the Tomahawk community has continued to recognize the date, the lost lives, and the tremendous bravery of those who responded. Other communities have seen similar programs come and go over the years, the Tomahawk observance has been held each of the past 23 years.The program features local first responders, along with city representatives, veterans, and community members. For the organizers, many first responders themselves, it's a way to ensure those in the community "never forget." The program also provides an educational opportunity for a younger generation who either weren't born or were too young to remember. The public is invited and encouraged to attend, the observance is in Veteran's Memorial Park. A 'Time of Reflection' takes place at 10am, with the official program starting at 10:30am.

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