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WPS Foundation Kicks Off Rewarding Responders with Grant to Life Link Helicopter

Published on 08/26/2025 under News First responders across the region will be better equipped during calls thanks to the continued support of the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation. As part of their Rewarding Responders program, the WPS Foundation will be visiting law enforcement, fire, EMS and rescue agencies around the Northwoods this week providing grants for crucial equipment, safety gear, and training. One of their first stops was at the Rhinelander Oneida County Airport where they met up with the crew of Life Link III medical helicopter. WPS Foundation contributed funds to help purchase what is known as a sapphire pump. Josh Howell CEO of Life Link III explained the new infusion pump plays a vital role in ensuring safe and accurate medication to patients during air medical transport. He says they are honored to receive the generous grant and the investment will directly enhance their ability to provide high quality care. Coming up later this week, we'll take a look at some of the other Northwoods agencies receiving funding this cycle. Including this year, the WPS Foundation Rewarding Responders grants have now surpassed $675,000. Beth Straka, president of WPS foundation says, "We are honored to continue our support of public safety agencies and the invaluable impact they make in our communities every day."

Published on 08/26/2025 under News A Wisconsin Rapids man is facing numerous charges in Lincoln County after deputies investigated a suspicious vehicle this past week. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, a woman initially reported that a vehicle was tailgating her and possibly following her while she drove near Tomahawk. The woman told deputies she had even pulled over at one point in an attempt to allow the other car to pass, however the other driver stopped behind her. The deputy responded to the area and attempted a traffic stop, but the suspected woman continued to follow the woman's vehicle including after she pulled into a private driveway. The deputy also pulled into the driveway. According to the report, the driver, identified as 32 year old Brandon Banuelos of Wisconsin Rapids, was non-compliant and refused field sobriety tests. He was taken into custody and brought to the jail. The reporting party told the deputy she had no idea why Banuelos was following her. Court records show Banuelos has been charged with 5th offense OWI, resisting, failure to stop, and bail jumping. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for September 2.

Published on 08/26/2025 under News An individual was rescued from a house fire in Vilas County. Responders were paged to a house fire on Peace Pipe Road in Lac du Flambeau at shortly before 7pm Monday evening. The homeowner reported they had fallen in the kitchen and wasn't able to evacuate the home. Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police were first on the scene. They reported flames at the back of the structure with the entire home filled with smoke. They were able to help the homeowner get out of the home. The individual brought to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Two pets were also rescued. Fire crews were able to contain the fire. As of the update, they were still assessing damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Published on 08/26/2025 under News It's back to school season; not just for students, but educators as well. Up in Rhinelander, the district held a special orientation day on Monday for around two dozen new staff members which included an introduction to the community. The event was organized by the school district, Rhinelander Partners in Education and the Rhinelander Chamber. Following some on-campus sessions in the morning, the group hopped on a bus for a "Welcome to Rhinelander Tour, " checking out notable spots around the community. That included a visit to the Chamber, where the staff gathered for a group photo in front of the iconic hodag statue. The Chamber also had some welcome bags, a reminder of the community spirit that defines Rhinelander. The day wrapped up at CAVOC, the district's outdoor classroom, for lunch and another session. Local leaders shared additional information about businesses and organizations and potential partnerships to help connect community and classroom.

Published on 08/26/2025 under News Wisconsin manufactures make a lot of really interesting products. A friendly competition held each fall looks to identify the coolest, and they're currently accepting nominations. The appropriately named Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin launched this week. The contest, now in it's tenth year, is an initiative of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce to celebrate the products and the workers, while highlighting the important role the industry plays in the state economy. Kurt R. Bauer, President & CEO of WMC says, "Wisconsin has the best manufacturers in the world, and it's always our pleasure to highlight the fantastic – and truly cool – products they make." Over the years we've tracked a number of Northwoods entries as they've made their way through the competition including St. Croix Fishing Rods, Thorogood work boots, Minocqua Popcorn, and Samuel Pressure Group tanks made in Tomahawk. People can submit nominees through September 12. The finalists will be announced ahead of the start of voting the following week. The winner is announced in October, coinciding with Wisconsin Manufacturing month.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Football Team Wins Season Opener

Published on 08/26/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's football squad opened up the 2025 season in dominating fashion, overwhelming the Crandon Cardinals at Hatchet Field Friday night, 42-6. The Hatchets dominated from opening kickoff all the way to the final whistle stuffing the Cardinals' rush offense and leaving them dazed and confused defensively. The Hatchets outrushed Crandon 194-120 despite allowing a 65-yard scoring run from Cruz Palubicki. Sophomore Running Back Max Larson rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries. Cash Olsen threw his first career passing touchdown, a 25-yard strike to Jonah Dickens in the second quarter. Rex Reilly also rushed for two scores while also consistently making plays on the defensive side of the ball. The 42 points scored by Tomahawk is also the most they put in a game since scoring 65 against Goodman-Pembine in 2021. The win puts Tomahawk at 1-0 on the season. It is also the third time in the last four years the Hatchets won their season opener. Tomahawk will look for their first 2-0 start since 2022 next week against Wittenberg-Birnamwood. Tune in for the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:10 and opening kick at 7:00. Alex Koch and Jon Long will be in the broadcast booth.

Published on 08/22/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's girls' swim squad opened up the season with a ninth-place team finish in the Fun in the Sun Outdoor Relays in Merrill Thursday. The Hatchets finished with 124 team points, just six behind Wisconsin Rapids. The top finish from Tomahawk in the Relays came in the 200 freestyle and 400 Medley relay. The team of Anita Ziert, Emma Hoff, Kaylee Roberts, and Kami Gabrich finished with a time of 2:02.45 in the 200 freestyle. In the 400 Medley Relay, Roberts, Hoff, Aubrey Tollefson and Morgan Kretzchmar clocked in at 5:12.11. Tomahawk will head back on the road for the next meet Thursday, which is a triangular at Black River Falls with the host and Eau Claire North.

Published on 06/09/2025 under Sports Hatchet Junior Track and Field Athlete Alicia Voermans finished 13th in the Pole Vault at the WIAA Division 2 State Track and Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Friday. Voermans equaled the school record with a leap of ten feet even. Voermans finished ahead of Angelina Appelbaum of New Berlin Eisenhower, Calee Klein of Clinton, and Amelia Sikri of New Berlin West. Voermans' GNC opponent, Rhinelander's Macy Myers placed eighth with a leap of 11 feet. This concludes the Tomahawk Track and Field Season.

Published on 06/05/2025 under Sports Tomahawk's Sawyer Hanna's Season ended in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Golf Meet at Hayward Golf Course Wednesday in a playoff. Hanna finished with a score of 74 and headed into a three-way playoff with Medford's Zach Hintz and St. Croix Central's Braiden Rasmussen. In the playoff, Hanna and Hintz both pared on the playoff hole. However, Rasmussen chipped in a birdie from 40 feet to be the final individual state qualifier from the Sectional Meet.

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