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Tomahawk PD Bolsters Patrols for Annual Fall Ride Surge

Published on 09/16/2026 under News As thousands of motorcyclists roll into town for Fall Ride weekend, the Tomahawk Police Department is bringing in backup. To cover expanded patrols throughout the city during Fall Ride, the department relies on neighboring agencies to provide extra manpower. Each year, Tomahawk requests mutual aid, bringing in outside officers to work alongside local police throughout the event. The goal is to increase law enforcement presence and visibility, particularly in the downtown area, which hosts many of the weekend's festivities. In recent years, the event has seen no major incidents—a trend officials hope to maintain. The department puts out a call each year to fill roughly 30 additional shifts through mutual aid. During a recent Health and Safety Committee meeting, Sgt. Matt Gorell noted that a majority of this year's shifts will be filled by the Mountain Bay Metro Police Department, which serves Rothschild, Schofield, and Weston. To get into the Fall Ride spirit, visiting and local officers typically trade their traditional police blues for special Harley-Davidson-inspired black-and-orange uniforms. Because event activities spill outside city limits, other agencies like the Lincoln and Oneida County Sheriff's Offices and the Wisconsin State Patrol, also typically increase their presence in the area. While early arrivals and preliminary activities are already underway, the Fall Ride unofficially kicks off Thursday and runs through Sunday.

Published on 09/16/2026 under News Authorities are looking into a risky incident over Lincoln County after someone on the ground aimed a laser at a commercial airliner. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, air traffic controllers at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport reached out to local dispatchers to report that a Boeing 737 cruising at 34,000 feet had been targeted by a laser beam. Thanks to onboard navigation tech, the flight crew provided exact coordinates where the light originated, leading deputies straight to the area of County Highway E and Wadell Road in the Town of Bradley. Deputies searched the neighborhood and spoke with local property owners, but were unable to track down a suspect. Fortunately, the pilot reported no disruptions, and the plane continued safely on to its destination. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a serious federal crime that can temporarily blind pilots and put everyone on board at risk. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office says the investigation remains ongoing.

Published on 09/16/2026 under News A Northwoods lawmaker is calling for a statewide ban on government-operated automated license plate reader cameras as communities across Wisconsin reconsider the technology. State Representative Calvin Callahan says systems like Flock Safety cameras raise serious concerns about privacy, mass surveillance, and how data on law-abiding motorists is collected and shared. Callahan, who is seeking reelection this November, currently serves as chair of the Assembly Committee on Consumer Protection. He plans to hold a legislative hearing on surveillance cameras when lawmakers return in January to examine who can access license plate data, how long it is retained, and whether it is shared with outside agencies. While calling for broad restrictions, Callahan says he would consider allowing the technology for serious criminal investigations, provided law enforcement obtains a warrant and operates under judicial oversight.

Published on 09/16/2026 under News Health officials have confirmed a case of measles in a Marathon County resident. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Marathon County Health Department, state testing confirmed the diagnosis. Authorities say the individual contracted the virus while traveling out of state. Officials say this case is unrelated to the ongoing measles outbreak in Southwestern Wisconsin, which has seen over 160 cases concentrated primarily in Iowa, Lafayette, and Grant counties. No identifying details or personal health information about the patient are being released due to privacy laws. Public health teams are working to trace and notify anyone who may have been exposed. At this time, officials have not identified any public exposure locations.

Published on 09/16/2026 under News The Tomahawk STAR Foundation is stepping up once again to support area organizations, announcing a new round of community grant funding aimed at preserving local history, boosting local athletics, and brightening the holiday season. Leading the latest round of funding is a $5,000 pledge to Tomahawk's Hometown Christmas. The committee will use the grant to help purchase additional lighted holiday decorations throughout the city. In addition to holiday festivities, the foundation announced a $1,000 grant toward the production of the historical documentary Tomahawk: City in the Pines, which premiered locally to fantastic reviews over the weekend. Another $1,000 award will support the Tomahawk Titans baseball team. Additional grants are being announced and highlighted via the STAR Foundation Facebook page. Over the years, the STAR Foundation has served as a vital community chest, directing local donations back into non-profits, civic projects, and area programs. Its two primary fundraisers are the summer "Best Burger in Paradise" contest and the icy New Year's plunge into Lake Mohawksin known as the STAR Splash.

Published on 09/16/2026 under News As Northwoods bowhunters head out following the opening weekend of archery and crossbow deer season, state wildlife officials are issuing a timely reminder to protect the local herd, adhering to all deer baiting and feeding bans. Officials explain that placing food or attractants causes deer to group together unnaturally. This significantly raises the risk of spreading Chronic Wasting Disease. Under state law, any CWD detection triggers an immediate multi-year baiting and feeding ban in that county and adjacent areas. There are currently 60 counties under the restriction. Locally that includes Lincoln, Oneida, Langlade, Marathon, Vilas, and Forest Counties. Hunters can check county-specific rules and CWD drop-off testing locations online at dnr.wi.gov before heading out into the woods this season.

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Sports Headlines

Lincoln County Volleyball Battle Ends in Merrill's Sweep over Tomahawk

Published on 09/15/2026 under Sports In the battle for Lincoln County Volleyball, Tomahawk was swept at the Hatchet House by the Merrill Blue Jays Tuesday night, 25-13, 25-12, 25-10. The Hatchets were unable to compete with the Blue Jays' serving and serve-receiving Tuesday. Lauren Reibe led the way with five kills for the Hatchets as they fall to 4-13 on the season and 0-3 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk will have a night of practice before returning back to the Hatchet House Thursday for a showdown with perennial powerhouse Stratford. First serve is at 7:00.

Published on 09/13/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's volleyball squad would split their four matches at the Waupaca Invite over the weekend, improving their record to 4-12 on their season. The Hatchets' two losses were to the host, Waupaca, and fellow Sectional opponent Wittenberg-Birnamwood. However, their two wins would be over Wisconsin Rapids and Two Rivers. The Hatchets' win over Two Rivers came in three sets, 25-16, 21-25, 16-14. The Hatchets' record now stands at 4-12 on the season and 0-2 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets resume Great Northern Conference play Tuesday at the Hatchet House against Merrill. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Prematch Show will begin at 6:35 with first serve at 7:00. Alex Koch and Matt Theiler will be in the broadcast booth Tuesday night.

Published on 09/11/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Cross Country squads would finish in the top ten in the Nightfall Cross Country Classic in Neenah Friday night. Tomahawk's girls would place ninth overall, sandwiched in between Sheboygan Falls and Freedom. Charlee Lund would finish in the top ten overall, placing ninth with a time of 20:04. Elise Gibeault would finish second on the team with a time of 21:06. The Hatchet boys placed tenth overall, between Freedom and Edgerton. Jordyn Carew placed 50th overall with a time of 18:46. Connor Zorn was 52nd with a time of 18:48. The Hatchets' next Cross Country invite is the 9-Mile Invite, hosted by Wausau East next Saturday at 9:00 AM. Girls Results: Tomahawk - 9th Merrill - 17th Northland Pines - 20th Antigo - 22nd Boys: Tomahawk - 10th Northland Pines - 15th Antigo - 17th Merrill - 21st

Published on 09/11/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's football squad came out on the right side of the scoreboard for the first time in 2026 as they would come from behind to defeat Antigo at Hatchet Field Friday night, 26-14. After trailing 14-7 at halftime, Tomahawk's second half got kick-started by a 56-yard kickoff return from Zander Zehner and was capped off with a six-yard touchdown run from Max Larson. The Hatchet back rushed for a career-high 161 yards in the victory. Lucas Haring would rush for 83 yards and two scores in the victory. Jack Reilly also threw his second touchdown pass of the season, a ten-yard strike to Braxton Stromberg. The Hatchets improve to 1-3 on the season and 1-1 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk will have their first road GNC game next Friday as they head to Incredible Bank Field in Minocqua for a battle with the Lakeland Thunderbirds. Tune in for the broadcast on the WJJQ app, online at wjjq.com and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ with the Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin at 6:15 and kickoff at 7:00. Alex Koch and Jon Long will have the broadcast. 11-Player Football: Wausau East 27, Lakeland 22 Medford 36, Merrill 0 Rhinelander 28, Mosinee 22 Shiocton 8, Northland Pines 0 Coleman 36, Crandon 0 Loyal-Greenwood 14, Abbotsford 12 8-Player Football: Thorp 66, Rib Lake 26 Laona-Wabeno 53, Three Lakes/Phelps 6 Phillips 46, Chequamegon 20 Assumption 54, Athens 20

Published on 09/10/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's girls swimmers would continue to struggle in Great Northern Conference dual meets Thursday night as they would lose to Rhinelander and Colby. The Hatchets' top finish in the double dual came in the 100 and 200 yard freestyles. Kami Gabrich placed third in the 100 with a time of 1:07.67, tied with Colby's Myra Hopperdietzel. Aubrey Tollefson placed third with a time of 2:26.67 in the 200 freestyle. Finishing right behind her was Kortney Busterud at 2:28.39. The Hatchets are back in the pool next Thursday for another GNC Dual against Ladysmith. Events begin at 5:30.

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