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Marshfield Clinic Researchers Continue Tick Study, Seeking Submissions and Stories

Published on 03/24/2026 under News With spring returning to the Northwoods, tick activity will be picking back up. Researchers are once again asking for the public's help tracking them. The Marshfield Clinic Research Institute is kicking off its third year of the Tick Inventory via Citizen Science, or TICS, encouraging residents to submit ticks they find while working or enjoying the outdoors. Researchers say the data helps them better understand where ticks are found and the risks of tick-borne illnesses. The project has already seen strong participation, with nearly 6,000 ticks collected in each of the first two years. A majority of submissions were identified as the common wood tick, followed by the smaller deer tick, of concern due to carrying Lyme disease and other infections. They've also identified less common species, including some typically found in warmer climates like the lone star tick. Beyond collecting ticks, researchers are expanding the project this year to include personal stories from people impacted by tick-borne illnesses. It is aimed at engaging individuals who have experienced Lyme or another tick-infection to tell their story, and individuals can share as little or as much as they feel comfortable sharing. Collection kits are available through the Research Institute, at various Marshfield Clinic locations, and even partnering with some public parks and recreation areas. Each kit will come with a unique identification number that people can use to look up, via an online dashboard, the species of ticks they submitted. We've already received some listener reports of tick activity in Lincoln County this year. In addition to the TICS project, officials also reminded people about tick prevention including repellents, protective clothing, and tick checks after coming inside after being in wooded or brushy areas.

Published on 03/24/2026 under News Road construction season is right around the corner and the DoT continues to announce projects, with the latest here in Lincoln County. Governor Tony Evers has approved a $450,000 project for improvements to the Highway 86/County D overpass at Highway 51 in Tomahawk. The project includes resurfacing the bridge, along with the replacement of guardrails and updated drainage. Contractor Zenith Tech, Inc. will handle the project. The work will require a temporary closure of Highway 86 overpass between the US 51 ramps. Drivers will be detoured using County A or County S interchanges. Work is actually set to begin next week. Construction is expected to wrap up by June, though the timeline will depend on weather and overall progress. Information can be found on the DoT project webpage.

Published on 03/24/2026 under News While the Northwoods snowmobile season had a brief return, it didn't last long. The Oneida County Forestry Department announced the closure of the Oneida County snowmobile trail system for the remainder of the season as of 8:00 am Tuesday. Trails had briefly reopened last week following fresh snowfall, giving snowmobilers an extra week of riding. But warming conditions have once again forced the trail closure, now for the season. In the announcement, they thanked local snowmobile clubs and volunteers for their work throughout the season, helping keep trails safe and well maintained. Riders were also thanked for supporting local businesses. As of this morning, no announcement has been made regarding the Vilas County trails, though local clubs reported rapidly deteriorating conditions.

Published on 03/24/2026 under News Tomahawk High School Forensics has traditionally sent a large group of students to the state festival, and this year is no different. The team competed in their district competition over the weekend with a full contingent advancing including ten repeat qualifiers. Poetry-Phoebe Hrdina and Abbigail Doleshal; Farrago-Galen Schmidt and Alena Cerkas; Prose-Lydia Shaney, Maddie Long, and Aubrey Graeber. Four group interpretation teams also qualified, comprised of Avery Suchomel, Avi Kromm, Skye Scheffler, Matilda Van Asten, Gabby Ulrich, Toby Schumacher, Skylar Hernandez, Finn Colburn, Jayden Dellinger, Sadie Ruder, and Payton Loka. The team now turns its attention to the state competition, set for April 17th at University of Wisconsin–Madison. Coaches say they're proud of the group's hard work, dedication, and teamwork, and are excited to see them represent the Tomahawk community on the state stage. Photo provided by Tomahawk Forensics: Back row from left to right, Finn Colburn, Tobias Scott, Galen Schimidt, Phoebe Hrdina, Alena Cerkas, Maddie Long; Middle row from left to right, Skylar Hernandez, Avi Kromm, Avery Suchomel, Skye Scheffler, Matilda Van Asten, Abbigail Doleshal, Aubrey Graeber, Lydia Shaney; Front Row from left to right, Gabby Ulrich, Payton Loka, Jayden Dellinger, Sadie Ruder

Published on 03/24/2026 under News Each spring Wisconsin Conservation Congress and the DNR offer an opportunity for interested parties to weigh in all things outdoors. The annual Fish and Wildlife Spring Hearings are right around the corner, and the partners recently shared some of the details. A familiar format will return with hearings held simultaneously across all 72 counties. Those will all take place on the evening of Monday, April 13. The Lincoln County meeting will be at the Lincoln County Service Center, Oneida County's at James Williams Middle School in Rhinelander. DNR staff and WCC delegates will be on hand at these spring hearings to discuss local issues, answer questions and open dialogue. That same evening, a three-day, online public input survey will go live. The responses are advisory only, and the questions are currently available for review on the DNR website. There are more than 45 yes/no questions, covering a wide variety of topics such as license costs and season structures, updates to the deer harvest registration process, and lake-specific fishing regulations. Another proposal would designate the Hine's emerald dragonfly as the state insect, while redefining the honeybee as the state agricultural insect. We'll offer up a reminder as that date approaches.

Published on 03/23/2026 under News Students in the Northwoods now have a new pathway into engineering without leaving the region. Nicolet College has launched a new Associate of Science Engineering Pre-Major program, designed to help students begin their engineering education close to home. The program is offered in partnership with University of Wisconsin–Platteville, allowing students to earn an associate degree locally while working toward a bachelor's degree. Students can focus on fields like mechanical, electrical, or industrial and systems engineering before transferring to complete their four-year degree. College officials say the program expands access to high-demand careers while giving students a more affordable option with flexible scheduling. Student Jesse Schoonover says the partnership makes it possible to pursue engineering without taking on heavy debt, while staying rooted in the Northwoods. Supporting the new program is a familiar face in higher education. Dr. Sharon Anthony has joined Nicolet College as a mathematics and physics instructor, bringing nearly 30 years of teaching experience, including 17 years at Northland College. In addition to engineering, Nicolet continues to expand its pre-major offerings, including programs in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, natural resources, business administration, elementary education, and psychology.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Boys Basketball Team Season Comes to an End in Playoff Opener

Published on 03/04/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's boys' basketball squad's season would come to an end Tuesday night in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Playoffs, losing at Peshtigo, 81-43. The Hatchets would surrender 45 first half points and had a hard time slowing down the dynamic duo of Dominic Baxter and Levi Hodgins. Colton Seslar and Ryan Montag tied for the team lead in scoring with ten points a piece. Logan Norman would finish with eight points for the Hatchets. Tomahawk finishes the 2025-26 season with a 2-23 record and an 0-14 Great Northern Conference record. The Hatchets graduate six seniors from their roster. They are Seslar, Norman, Jerry Johnson, Jason Watkins, Edwin Riese, and Niklas Nelson.

Published on 03/01/2026 under Sports At the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison, both Hatchet wrestlers would bow out in the consolation brackets. Kylie Peissig would bow out in the consolation quarterfinals to Wausau West's Aleeah Le. Peissig started off the tournament losing by fall to Winneconne's Addison Brown Thursday. Peissig would win her first consolation match of Horicon's Keleigh Holl. Kami Gabrich would go winless at the State Tournament. Gabrich lost in the first round to Janesville Parker's Katie Kent. She then would lose to Holmen's Avalee Euler in the first round of the consolation brackets.

Published on 02/25/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Girls' Basketball season would end in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal Tuesday night at the Hatchet House, losing to Spooner, 50-46. The Hatchets were unable to overcome Freya Alberg and Lizzy Arnott fouling out of the game late in the second half. In her final High School game, Alberg finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. Anita Ziert also finished with a double-double, scoring 16 points and hauling down 11 boards. Tomahawk finishes the 2025-26 season with a 12-13 record and a 6-8 Great Northern Conference record. The Hatchets graduate one senior from their team, Freya Alberg, who will be playing College Ball next year at Grinnell College in Iowa.

Published on 02/20/2026 under Sports On Thursday night, the Hatchet Hockey Team traveled to Hudson for a WIAA Regional Final game. The host Raiders are the #1 seed in Sectional One and also the top ranked division one team in Wisconsin. The Raiders jumped out to an early lead on Tomahawk, scoring six minutes into the game on an even strength goal. Then with 7:21 remaining in the first, Hudson scored another even strength goal to lead 2-0. The Raiders would add their third goal of the first, 00:22 later and led 3-0. The Hatchets would respond with their first goal of the game, with 5:51 left in the first, Jonah Dickens scored on a power play goal from the high slot. The Dickens goal was assisted by Brayden Lamer and Jake Albert. No more scoring would occur, and Hudson led Tomahawk 3-1 after one. The Raiders out-shot Tomahawk 21-5 in the first period and Hudson Seymour had numerous huge saves to keep Tomahawk in it. The second period would see two goals for each team, with Hudson scoring 00:47 in on a power play and led 4-1. Tomahawk would respond when Jake Albert hit Jett Reilly on a stretch pass, Reilly would bury the puck and the Hatchets cut the lead to 4-2. Hudson came back with an even strength goal a minute and a half later to regain a three goal advantage. Tomahawk would close out the scoring on a nifty goal from Cole Peterson with just 00:07 remaining. The Peterson goal was assisted by Beau Stromberg. The Raiders led 5-3 after two. The Raiders again out-shot Tomahawk 15-6. Tomahawk would come out firing in the third period, scoring just 00:15 in to cut the deficit to 5-4. Brayden Lamer with a snipe from the left face-off dot. Just over three minutes later, Jonah Dickens scored his second of the night and Tomahawk tied it at five apiece. The goal assisted by Jett Reilly. Dickens would complete his hat trick 3:30 later at the 7:04 mark of the third on a power play goal. That goal assisted by Lamer and Albert. Tomahawk scoring four unanswered goals to get a 6-5 lead with 9:54 remaining in the game. Hudson would respond with three unanswered goals to advance in the playoffs. The Raiders got a power play goal with just 2:26 remaining in the game to tie it 6-6. The Raiders took the lead, 7-6 00:57 later and would add an empty net goal with under 00:40 to play for the 8-6 win. Shots were even, 7-7 in the third. Jonah Dickens (three goals), Brayden Lamer (one goal, 2 assists) and Jake Albert (three assists) all had three points, Jett Reilly had two points (one goal, one assist), while Cole Peterson had a goal and Beau Stromberg had an assist. It was an exciting game as Tomahawk's season comes to an end with a 22-4 record. The Hatchets are champions of the Great Northern Conference for the third straight year finishing 10-0 in league play. Hudson advances to the sectionals and will host Superior on Tuesday. The Spartans defeated Eau Claire Memorial to advance. The Hatchets graduate from the program Jonah Dickens, Brody Hilgendorf, Rex Reilly, Beau Stromberg, Caiden Reichelt, Landyn Seymour, and Michael Samundsen (pictured above).

Published on 02/18/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's Hockey squad would dominate in the WIAA Division 1 Regional Semifinal Tuesday night at Hobbs Municipal Ice Center in Eau Claire Tuesday night, defeating Eau Claire North, 7-1. The Hatchets won by peppering Husky Goalie Carson Ivey, notching 48 total shots. Five different Hatchets would put goals on the board. Brayden Lamer and Landyn Seymour would each notch two goals on the night. Jett Reilly would finish with one goal and five assists. Jonah Dickens would have a goal and two assists on the night. The win improves Tomahawk's record to 22-3 on the season. The Hatchets will head back out on the road Thursday night for the WIAA Division 1 Regional Final at #1 Hudson. Tune in for the broadcast on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ with the Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show at 6:35 and opening faceoff at 7:00 from the Hudson Civic Sports Center.

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