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Hodag Music Festival Draws Big Names, Big Crowds to Rhinelander

Published on 07/09/2026 under News A sea of lawn chairs, campers, and cowboy boots has once again taken over the Northwoods. The legendary Hodag Country Music Festival is celebrating its 48th year this weekend, drawing more than 30,000 music lovers to Rhinelander for one of the region's largest summer events. The four-day festival officially kicks off its musical lineup today, Russell Dickerson is the headliners. Over the rest of the weekend, country stars like LeAnn Rimes, Jo Dee Messina, Brothers Osborne, and Old Dominion will take the stage. For the most dedicated Hodag attendees, the fun starts early. Fans gather Wednesday for the traditional "chair line" lottery where concert-goers secure their prime viewing real estate for the weekend. Beyond the music, the festival is a massive boon for the community. The Wisconsin Department of Tourism estimates Hodag injects more than $10 million into the local economy, while giving area non-profits and civic groups a prime opportunity to raise funds. The Hodag runs through Sunday.

Published on 07/09/2026 under News A month-long effort to get Lincoln County residents off their screens and connected with others appears to have made a real difference. The Lincoln County Health Department has released the results of its second annual Social Connection Challenge, held during Mental Health Month in May. They had 173 participants, tasked with a selection activities designed to strengthen relationships and reduce social isolation. The most popular challenges included calling a friend or family member, meeting someone for coffee or dinner, spending time with children or grandparents, and performing random acts of kindness. The results were overwhelmingly positive. Nearly all participants said the challenge helped improve their mental health; three quarters said it strengthened their connections with others; and 86 percent said they plan to continue making social connection a priority. The Social Connection Challenge was organized by the Lincoln County Health Department in partnership with Aspirus Health and the Healthy Minds for Lincoln County Coalition to raise awareness of the importance of social connection and its role in supporting mental well-being.

Published on 07/09/2026 under News Fresh off a huge Fourth of July weekend, the Kwahamots Water Ski Show Team is back on the water tonight, and they're welcoming some special guests Tonight is WJJQ Night at ski show. While the radio staff are staying on dry land, we will be handing out tickets for a chance to win a variety of WJJQ prizes including t-shirts, water bottles, and campfire coffee mugs. On the water, the Kwahamots are stars of skiing, jumping, barefooting, and wakeboarding. This is also a tune-up for the team as they prepare to compete in the Wisconsin State Show Ski Championships next weekend. So come out, support the squad before they head to State, and walk away with some swag from the WJJQ crew. The show begins at 7:30pm.

Published on 07/09/2026 under News A vital summer lifeline for Northwoods families is returning this week with a massive expansion plan to tackle childhood hunger. Now in its fifth year, the Hodag Food Wagon provides nutritional support during the summer months when some in-school programs addressing food insecurity pause. After distributing more than 12,000 meals last year, the program is aiming to nearly triple its impact this summer as it rolls into new communities. Coordinated by the Rhinelander Food Pantry alongside UW-Extension FoodWIse, and additional funding through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Summer Food Service Program. The goal is to give families a boost by pairing kid-friendly food with nutritional education, recipes, and hands-on activities through the "Healthy Hodag" adventure series. While the "Hodag" name is synonymous with Rhinelander, the program's expanded footprint means it will look a little different depending on where you live: In Elcho: The service will operate under the Hornet Food Truck name to match local school pride.In Tomahawk: Organizers have partnered with Kinship of Tomahawk to directly serve local "Kinskids."By tailoring the program to individual towns, organizers hope to ensure no Northwoods child goes hungry this summer.

Published on 07/09/2026 under News After a successful statewide bat count last month, Wisconsin residents will once again have the chance to help researchers this weekend. More than 150 volunteer community scientists participated in June's Great Wisconsin Bat Count, documenting more than 15,000 bats emerging from bat houses, barns and other roosts at more than 60 locations across the state. The survey counted more than 12,500 little brown bats, over 2,500 big brown bats, and even four rare tricolored bats. The DNR says the June survey produced encouraging results, including record numbers of little brown bats while continuing to find tri-colored bats, the states smallest species. The next count takes place July 10 through 12. Unlike the June survey, which occurred before baby bats, known as pups, could fly. This weekend's count will include newly flying juvenile bats. The information helps biologists track how bat populations are recovering from white-nose syndrome and other threats. Healthy bat populations are important natural form of pest control, eating thousands of insects each night including mosquitoes and crop pests. Anyone interested in participating in the surveys or learning how to make their property more bat-friendly can find more information on the Wisconsin Bat Program website.

Published on 07/09/2026 under News The Minocqua J1 School District (MHLT and Lakeland STAR) is taking the next step toward a possible referendum this fall by asking residents for their input. The district has hired Morris Leatherman Company to conduct a random telephone survey of community members between July 6 and July 17. District officials say the survey will help gauge public opinion on potential referendum plans and what level of financial impact taxpayers would support. District leaders say the survey is an important part of ensuring the referendum reflects the priorities of the community while addressing the needs of students and the school district. Results of the survey will be presented to the school board at their meeting this month, they plan to finalize the referendum resolution at their August meeting. The Board is looking to place the referendum on the fall general election ballot in November.

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Sports Headlines

Gibeault Places 3rd in 400 meter dash

Published on 06/06/2026 under Sports In the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this weekend. Elise Gibeault and Ellie Micke competed in three separate events. Gibeault's top finish came in the 400 meter dash, placing third with a time of 56.7 seconds. Gibeault would finish 2.26 seconds behind state champion Harper Sheehan of Hayward. In her final event, the Hatchet Junior would set a brand new school record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.38 seconds, a full second behind Sheehan. As for Micke, her season would end in the High Jump Preliminaries. Micke would finish tied for 12th with Martin Luther's Dynasty Fancher. This concludes the Tomahawk Track & Field Season.

Published on 06/03/2026 under Sports The Hatchet golfing season would end in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet at Spooner Wednesday, placing ninth at the Spooner Golf Club. Tomahawk would finish with a 345, 13 strokes behind St. Croix Central. The top Hatchet golfer in the Sectional meet was Jake Albert, who placed 28th overall with an 82. Rounding out the top three were Rocco Carew with an 83 and Oliver Childers with an 87. Jaxon Kaiser finish with a 93 and Brayden Lamer finished with 100. This concludes the Tomahawk golfing season.

Published on 05/29/2026 under Sports Junior Athlete Elise Gibeault and Sophomore Athlete Ellie Micke would become the only Hatchets to qualify for the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse next weekend. Gibeault would finish second in both the 200 and 400 meter dashes. Gibeault would re-set personal bests and school records in both events. The Junior finished with a run of 25.74 seconds in the 200 meter dash and a run of 56.39 seconds in the 400 meter dash. Gibeault would place behind only Hayward's Harper Sheehan in both events. As for Micke, she was the last qualifier in the field in the High Jump. Micke tied for the 4th spot in the sectional and would advance by way of tiebreaker. Micke's leap in the High Jump was 5'3". Gibeault and Micke will compete in the WIAA Division 2 State Meet in La Crosse Friday. Field Events begin at 3:00 PM. Running events begin at 3:30 PM.

Published on 05/28/2026 under Sports Despite coming back from down four runs in the fifth inning, Tomahawk's baseball squad would fall in extra innings in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field to the Crandon Cardinals, 8-5. The Hatchets trailed 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning before tying the game up behind two-run hits from Nick Arndt and Max Larson. After the Hatchets stranded the winning run on third in the seventh, Crandon rolled off three runs off Hatchet pitcher Logan Norman to take the lead. Tomahawk would bring the tying run to the plate, but Arndt flew out to center to end the game and the season. Arndt finished two for five with a triple and two RBIs. Max Larson finished one for five with a double and two RBIs. Despite pitching five scoreless innings and retiring ten straight, Norman absorbed the loss on the mound. The Hatchets finish the 2026 season with a 9-11 record and a 7-7 Great Northern Conference record. Tomahawk graduates Norman, Arndt, Jonah Dickens, Wally Horabik, Colton Seslar, and Brody Hilgendorf.

Published on 05/27/2026 under Sports The Marawood Conference Champion Prentice Golf Team won the WIAA Regional Championship on Tuesday at the Inshalla Country Club. The Bucs set a school scoring record with a 297. Ladysmith finished 30 strokes behind Prentice. Eliah Harding led the way with an even par 70, Matti Heikkinen shot a 74, Hagan Isaacson a 76, Evan Lord a 78 and Jackson Isaacson shot a 79. Prentice will compete in the WIAA Sectional Meet on Tuesday at Big Fish Golf Club in Hayward. The first tee times are at 9:00 am.

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