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Tomahawk Salvation Army Prepares for Annual Bell Ringing Campaign

Published on 11/17/2025 under News As the seasons shift, the familiar sound of the Salvation Army Bell Ringers will soon fill the Northwoods. Here in Tomahawk, the local Salvation Army chapter is kicking off their holiday bell ringing efforts a bit later this week. Ahead of the launch we spoke with organizers Terry Derleth and Win Semmler. The bell ringing effort is their main source of funding, and 86 cents for every dollar donated stays in the community it's collected. Last year, the Tomahawk Chapter raised just shy of $35,000. Derleth says they are hoping to match that total. She noted those funds are utilized their temporary emergency voucher program and the Happy Kids Backpack program. With the Bell Ringing set to begin Friday and running through Christmas, there are 28 days to fill. Semmler says they've been fortunate to have a groups and businesses volunteer to ring as a team, filling 23 of the 28 days. That includes local banks, churches, realty offices, school staff and local non-profits. Derleth added that ringing can be a rewarding way to spend a few hours ahead of the holidays. She added that it is one of the highlights of her entire year. They'll be back at their two traditional locations, Trigs and in front of the post office downtown. People can call or text Semmler at 630-667-3250 or email win.semmler@gmail.com

Published on 11/17/2025 under News It was America Recycles Day on Saturday, and the DNR announced latest winners of the Wisconsin Recycling Excellence Awards including a Northwoods winner. This year, a record 22 recipients received awards across four categories: Projects and Initiatives, Overall Program, Special Events and Innovation. Among the Special Event winners was the 3rd Annual Recycling Extravaganza held in Eagle River over the summer. The effort, organized by Robert Blaus, served as a one-stop shop for a number of items and materials including: electronics and metal; a prescription drug take-back; American flag retirement; and eyewear and hearing aids collection for redistribution. And for a small town, the numbers were impressive…When the collection, there said there were already more than 500 vehicles waiting in line. They collected 25 tons of electronics and 26,000 pounds of metal and appliances along with 49 pounds of pharmaceuticals. The effort also supported the Vilas County Food Pantry. Recyclers contributed nearly 900 pounds of non-perishable food items and more than $1,200 in monetary donations. Organizers said they are already looking forward to the 4th Annual Recycling Extravaganza next summer. For the last 13 years, the DNR has celebrated outstanding recycling and waste minimization efforts through its annual awards recognizing high-performers and highlighting proven ideas and strategies that other organizations may use to improve their recycling efforts.

Published on 11/17/2025 under News As the use of electric vehicles grows, so does the need for a reliable charging network. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced additional funding to build charging stations around the state including several locations here in the Northwoods. The funds come from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. According to the announcement, these fast-charging stations will help ensure residents and visitors alike have access to the charging infrastructure needed to travel from point A to point B in Wisconsin. In all 26 locations will share in $14 million in partial match funding. Locally, that includes: the Kwik Trips in both Arbor Vitae and Marathon City; along with the Prentice Truck and Travel Center and the Merrill Travelodge by Wyndham. The charging stations will be built along Wisconsin's Alternative Fuel Corridor, reaching all corners of the state to support the more than 37,000 EVs registered in the state, as well as travelers and visitors. WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman says, "WisDOT is pleased to help offer drivers reliable and convenient places to stop, so they can feel comfortable making a trip across the state and have the opportunity to support local businesses along the way." The locations of every planned charging station can be found on WisDOT's EV charging station dashboard.

Published on 11/17/2025 under News Emergency management teams around the state are reminding residents to prepare for the upcoming winter season. It's time for Wisconsin Winter Awareness Week. In the coming days, safety officials and meteorologists will be sharing valuable information and safety tips as people prepare for what Mother Nature has to offer in the coming months. According to the National Weather Service, Wisconsin averages three to six major winter storms each season. For a second consecutive winter, it was unusually mild with below average snowfall totals and above normal temperatures. Despite the relatively mild winters, preparation remains important. Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle says, "Being prepared doesn't have to be complicated, but it does take a little time and planning. That effort can make all the difference for you and your loved ones." That includes preparing home and vehicle emergency kits, going over a family emergency plan, and paying attention to weather forecasts. Stay tuned to WJJQ all week long for additional information on Winter Awareness Week.

Published on 11/17/2025 under News The countdown is on for the opening of the 9-day gun-deer season. And while the goal is to bag a buck, the most important thing to remember is safety. That starts with TAB-K. What may seem like a nonsensical phrase, TAB-K is the mnemonic device that safety official use to help hunters handle their firearms properly. They are all common recommendations found in the Hunter's Safety Courses. The DNR offered a quick refresher.The T stands for Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.The A stands for Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.The B Be certain of your target, and what is in front of and beyond it.And the K Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until you are safe to shoot.Last season there was a single, non-fatal firearm incident during the gun-deer season. The victim was struck in the foot by an errant shot. Stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the week for coverage of the deer season.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Football Seasons Ends With Sectional Championship Loss

Published on 11/10/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's football squad's dream season would end in the WIAA Division 5 Sectional Championship against three-time defending state champion Stratford at Hatchet Field Friday night, 29-0. The Hatchet defense stepped up in the first half and forced three turnovers, including intercepting Tiger quarterback Brady Berg twice. However, Tomahawk would fail to score off of those three turnovers and mustered just over 100 yards of offense. Jett Reilly would lead the Hatchets in rushing, running for 31 yards on eight carries. Tomahawk was also held under 100 yards for the first time this season. The Hatchets finish the 2025 season with a 10-2 record, the most wins in school history. Tomahawk also graduates 11 seniors. They are Wally Horabik, Jason Watkins, Rex Reilly, Jonah Dickens, Nathan Reimer, Logan Norman, Kenny Turner, Ethan Gibeault, Kaiden Kapellusch, Nathan Norman, and Michael Samundsen. The Hatchets also finished with their first playoff win since 2015 and their first trip to the Sectional Championship since 2007.

Published on 11/03/2025 under Sports In the WIAA Division 5 Football Playoffs, #1 Seed Tomahawk would advance to the Sectional Championship for the first time since 2007, defeating #5 Seed Spencer/Columbus Catholic Halloween Night at Hatchet Field, 34-12. The Hatchets jumped out to a 21-0 Halftime lead thanks to a stout defense and two time-consuming touchdown drives. After Spencer/Columbus Catholic cut it to nine heading into the fourth, Tomahawk forced two of the Rockets' three turnovers on the night. Jonah Dickens would come up with a key interception that would pave the way for touchdown runs by Tiegan Sarazin and Max Larson. Sarazin would rush for 100 yards and two touchdowns. The Hatchets also got a touchdown run from Rex Reilly and a 19-yard scoring pass from Jett Reilly to Jonah Dickens. The win gives Tomahawk its first double-digit winning season in school history, moving to 10-1 on the season. The Hatchets will play for their first state semifinal berth since 1990 in the Sectional Championship next week against three-time defending state champion Stratford. Tune in for the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:10 and the opening kick at 7:00 next Friday. Alex Koch and Jon Long will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 10/24/2025 under Sports On Friday night, the Tomahawk Hatchet Football Team won their ninth game of the season, with a 41-14 Level One WIAA Playoff victory over Omro. Tomahawk dominated the line of scrimmage all night, as they rushed for 290 yards and had over 35 minutes of possession offensively. On the other side of the ball, Tomahawk held Omro to just 39 yards rushing. Rex Reilly had three rushing touchdowns, and carried the ball 13 times for 59 yards. Jonah Dickens also had three touchdowns, two touchdown catches, both from Jett Reilly, one from 43 yards out the other from ten. Dickens also added a nine yard touchdown run. Jett Reilly, along with those two touchdown passes and 72 yards through the air, had 76 yards on the ground. Tomahawk is now 9-1 on the season and will host Spencer/Columbus Catholic on Friday night at Hatchet Field. Spencer/Columbus defeated New Holstein 31-12. The #1 seed Hatchets and #5 seed Spencer/Columbus will play at Hatchet Field on Friday night at 7:00 pm. Northwoods 92-5 will have the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:10 pm, and the opening kickoff at 7:00 pm. In other scores from Level One action: In D-5: Stratford beat Richland Center 41-9 In D-4: Mosinee defeated Turner 41-7 In D-3: Merrill defeated Lakeland 38-12, Rhinelander lost to Edgewood 35-7, Wausau East lost to Mount Horeb/Barneveld, and Medford lost to Grafton 49-14

Published on 10/24/2025 under Sports The Tomahawk Hatchet boys and girls cross country teams competed in the Division Two WIAA Sectional Meet at the MARC in Merrill on Friday. The Hatchet girls will have an individual qualifier at the WIAA State Meet next Saturday at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids, as Freshman Charlee Lund in fifth place overall and will competed at state. The Hatchet girls finished in fourth place overall, Abbie Rosenmeir was 18th, Lydia Shaney finished 20th, Faith Derleth was 35th, and Elise Gibeault was 38th. Wittenberg-Birnamwood finished first and Shawano was second. On the boys side, Tomahawk was fifth. Lakeland ran away with the boys race scoring 45 points and Shawano qualifies for state with their second place finish. Caiden Reichelt let Tomahawk and finished just one place out of qualifying. Reichelt was 10th overall, Connor Zorn was 37th, Jordyn Carew was 39th, Dawson Jones 42nd and Ryan Montag was 48th. The WIAA Division Two Girls State Race will be at 2:25 pm next Saturday and will feature Hatchet freshman Charlee Lund.

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