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Lincoln County Group Looking to Address Issues Affecting Seniors After Successful Breakfast Conversation

Published on 04/02/2026 under News More than 80 seniors and their advocates came together in Lincoln County over the weekend for the Northwoods Senior Breakfast, part of the Senior Empowerment Project...and the conversation was just as important as the meal. Attendees at the Saturday morning breakfast in Merrill shared their top concerns affecting local seniors. Transportation continues to be a challenge, especially to other communities and weekends. Social isolation was another major topic of concern, particularly for seniors who feel left behind by technology and struggle to stay connected to community resources. Access to healthcare, along with caregiver support and respite care, also ranked high on the list. Organizer Eileen Guthrie says the work doesn't stop there. The group will now take what they heard over the weekend and begin working toward solutions to better serve seniors in the Northwoods. The Senior Empowerment Project has grown into a statewide movement, building on efforts in several Wisconsin counties to preserve and expand services for older adults. Here in Lincoln County, the group emerged out of the efforts of People for Pine Crest. Organizers say they were encouraged by the strong turnout in Merrill and are eager to keep the momentum going. As for the meal, they asked for a $1 donation for the Merrill Area Food Pantry and raised more than $250. If you'd like to get involved, you can learn more by visiting their website at Senior-Empowerment.org, their Facebook page, or revisit our earlier conversation with Guthrie in the WJJQ audio center.

Published on 04/02/2026 under News Students at Rhinelander High School got a chance to experience some real world financial situations in a fictional setting. On Wednesday, the district collaborated with Rhinelander Partners in Education to offer their annual Mad Money learning event. They provided a full day of opportunity for students to learn more about home budgeting and job hiring process. The morning session was focused on finances. The students were assigned to fictional lives including jobs, families, bills, medical and childcare needs, and other real-world expenses. The students had to balance a budget within their assigned life. Then in the afternoon session, those same students experienced a job search which included mock interviews. The district brought in more than 30 local business professionals to conduct the interviews. The session also included a Shark Tank-inspired game and a presentation from speaker Michael McGowan. In addition to Rhinelander, students from Three Lakes were able to participate.

Published on 04/02/2026 under News Wednesday marked the official start of the new Wisconsin fishing season. Before casting a line, anglers are reminded to review any new rules that may affect their favorite fishing spots and grab a new license. Although Wisconsin's general inland fishing season doesn't open until May 2, the DNR notes there are still some outstanding angling opportunities available throughout the state. That includes both catch-and-release options or species-specific options on select waterways. Anglers can check out the DNR regulation guide to see which waters are open, as well as checking for any new regulations. It's also time to purchase a new fishing license, which runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year. (A single license for a Wisconsin resident will run $20; spouses get a discount when purchased together at $31.) And anglers are also encourages to do a preseason check on fishing gear, boats, and trailers to ensure they are in good working order while aquatic invasive species aren't hitchhiking.

Published on 04/02/2026 under News A Lincoln County man is behind bars after an investigation into child pornography. According to a news release from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, investigators executed a search warrant at a home in the Town of Merrill on Wednesday morning following a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. They traced activity to an IP address connected to the home. According to the release, deputies discovered numerous child sexual abuse materials during the search. As a result, a 59 year old man was booked into the Lincoln County Jail on multiple counts of possession of child pornography. The man's name was not immediately released. The Sheriff's Department says there is no information to suggest the individual victimized anyone within the community. The investigation is ongoing.

Published on 04/02/2026 under News After more than a decade of service, a longtime food assistance program in the greater Rhinelander area has come to an unexpected end. Ruby's Pantry announced it is ending its monthly pop-up food distribution efforts across Wisconsin and Minnesota effective April 1. The program had served families in the Rhinelander community for over 12 years, including the past eight and a half years through Calvary Baptist Church. Pastor Rod Ankrom says the closure came without warning, calling it a surprise to both organizers and volunteers. He added the ministry is grateful for the many people who stepped up over the years to help provide food and support to local families. In a statement, Ruby's Pantry leadership says the decision follows months of internal restructuring, aimed at better aligning their mission and resources. While the loss leaves a gap in local food distribution, residents in need are reminded that support is still available through the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry, which continues to serve the community. Local leaders say they're hopeful other efforts will step in to help meet the ongoing need.

Published on 04/01/2026 under News A wintery mix of precipitation isn't unusual at this time of year, and with an ice storm in the forecast overnight officials are reminding residents to take some precautions. In addition to a potentially difficult Thursday morning commute, icing can also lead to power outages. The weight of ice can weigh down or break branches which can fall on power lines or electric equipment. Wisconsin Public Service offers a handy online guide for those looking to cover all the bases before, during, and after a major storm that may result in power outages. We frequently cover home emergency kits, and that remains important. It should include food, water, flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit. WPS recommends downloading their app and storing their phone number for any emergency communication. It's a good idea to charge up phones when severe weather approaches. If you have a generator; check that it is accessible, working, and full of gas. Coincidentally, we had a similar ice storm one year ago, almost to the day, that left more than 100,000 people without power, some for several days.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Track and Field Competes in T-Bird Indoor Invite

Published on 03/30/2026 under Sports Despite having only 16 athletes Saturday, the Hatchet Track & Field Squads had a productive showing at the T-Bird Indoor Invite in Lakeland Saturday. Tomahawk's girls had three first-place finishes. Lauren Reibe placed first in the 200 meter hurdles. Charlee Lund took the top spot in the 800 meter run. Lizzy Arnott took the top spot in the Pole Vault. For the boys, the lone top finisher with Hunter Brigham, who topped the 55 meter hurdles. The next invite for Tomahawk is the UW-Stevens Point Distance Carnival next Saturday. Events begin at 2:00.

Published on 03/27/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Track & Field Squads had a productive first indoor meet in Eagle River at the Northland Pines Fieldhouse Thursday. For the girls, Tomahawk had five total first-place finishes in the Eagle Indoor Invite. For the girls, Elise Gibeault returned to the track with a top finish in the 400 meters. Freshman Charlee Lund finished first in the 3200 meters. Ellie Micke placed first in the High Jump with a leap of 4'10". Siennah Caulkins took the top spot in the Triple Jump, finishing with a hop of 31'9". The lone top relay finish for the girls came from Gibeault, Micke, Lauren Reibe, and Aliyah Nelson in the 4x400 relay. For the boys, Beau Stromberg placed first in the high jump at 5'8". The senior also placed second in the triple jump at 37'4.5". Michael Samundsen had a personal best in the Shot Put, placing second at 43'8.25". Freshman Connor Zorn placed second in the 400 meters with a time of 59.74 seconds. The next indoor invite for Tomahawk is Saturday in the T-Bird Fieldhouse at Lakeland. Events begin at 9:00. Track and Field Top Finishers: Hatchet Boys: Connor Zorn 2nd in 400 Meters Michael Samundsen – 2nd in Shot Put – 43'8.25" Ethan Gibeault – 4th in Shout Put – 38'9.75" Beau Stromberg – T-1st in High Jump – 5'8" Beau Stromberg – 2nd in Triple Jump – 37'4.5" Hatchet Girls: Alicia Voermans – 3rd in 55 Meters – 7.87s Faith Derleth – 3rd in 200 Meters – 28.9s Elise Gibeault – 1st in 400 Meters – 1:01.24 Lydia Shaney – 5th in 800 Meters – 2:56.66 Chrlee Lund – 1st in 3200 Meters – 12:16.02 Kailynn Hanse – 2nd in 3200 Meters – 16:46.69 Aliyah Nelson – 3rd in 200 Meter Hurdles – 34.66s Voermans, Nelson, Ellie Micke, and Lauren Reibe – 2nd in 4x200 Relay – 1:57.90 Gibeault, Micke, Riebe, Nelson – 1st in 4x400 Relay – 4:42.88 Shaney, Lund, Abbie Rosenmeier, and Norah Mann – 2nd in 4x800 Relay – 11:18.76 Shelby Borowski – 2nd in Shot Put – 30' Abbigail Doleshal – 4th in Shot Put – 28'6" Ellie Micke – 1st in High Jump – 4'10" Reagan Gorell – 4th in High Jump – 4'4" Siennah Caulkins – 5th in High Jump – 4'4" Alicia Voermans – 3rd in Pole Vault – 10' Elizabeth Arnott – T-4th in Pole Vault – 8' Faith Derleth – 4th in Long Jump – 13'9" Siennah Caulkins – 1st in Triple Jump – 31'9"

Published on 03/25/2026 under Sports The post season honors continue to file in for the Hatchet Hockey team after the 2025-26 season. Jonah Dickens was a unanimous 1st Team All Great Northern Conference selection and Player of the Year. Jett Reilly joined Dickens on the 1st Team as a unanimous choice at forward. Brayden Lamer was selected 1st Team All Conference as a defenseman. Tomahawk had two 2nd Team All Conference selections; Jake Albert on defense and Landyn Seymour at forward. Rounding out the all conference honorees were Beau Stromberg (forward) and Rex Reilly (defense). Jonah Dickens, Jett Reilly, and Brayden Lamer were all named to the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association All State First Team. Dickens and Reilly were honored as forwards and Lamer was named as a defenseman. Also being honored as a 2nd-Team All-State Defenseman is Sophomore Jake Albert. In addition, Dickens, Reilly, Lamer, and Albert were also selected to represent Wisconsin at the CCM National Invitational Tournament in Minnesota. Dickens was selected to be a part of the Senior NIT Team. Lamer was selected as a member of the NP 18 NIT Team. Reilly and Albert as members of the Sophomore NIT Team. The Team Wisconsin NIT events will begin April 23 in Plymouth, Minnesota. Team Wisconsin will be playing all star teams from Wisconsin, Michigan and North Dakota.

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.

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