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Officials Encourage Motorcycle Safety Ahead of Tomahawk Fall Ride

Published on 09/15/2026 under News With an influx of visitors arriving in the Northwoods for the Tomahawk Fall Ride, local officials are asking all motorists—whether traveling on two wheels or four—to safely share the road. While the event brings a festive atmosphere, the weekend typically sees a handful of motorcycle crashes. Local law enforcement agencies hope drivers and riders alike will do their part to prevent accidents. Officials emphasize that motorcycles have a smaller profile than passenger vehicles, making it easy to misjudge their speed and distance. Drivers are urged to look twice at intersections, double-check blind spots before changing lanes, and stay alert for increased pedestrian traffic around event venues. Motorists should also watch for temporary speed limit reductions, added stop signs, and street closures put in place to accommodate the crowds. Above all, public safety officials offer a familiar reminder: slow down, put away distractions, and never drive impaired. Speaking of law enforcement, the Tomahawk Police Department continues their Fall Ride tradition of bringing in additional officers via mutual aid requests. We'll have a bit more on that program later this week.

Published on 09/15/2026 under News Local history is having a major moment in the Northwoods this season. Author and historian Thomas E. Burg recently released his latest work, The Milwaukee Road's Gleason Line, offering readers a deep dive into regional logging and rail transportation. A frequent guest on Morning Conversation to discuss his fictional sheriff series, Burg now returns to his lifelong passion for railway history. The 52-page book documents Gleason's critical role as a regional rail hub between 1900 and World War II. During this era, the branch line transported timber directly to the bustling sawmills of Merrill and Wausau, spurring new settlements along the tracks. Packed with detailed maps, historical narratives, and rare, high-quality photographs, the release preserves a vital chapter of local heritage. Regional historians have already praised the work for safeguarding area logging and railroad lore. Released in late August, The Milwaukee Road's Gleason Line is available at the Merrill Historical Society, Janke Book Store in Wausau, and other local outlets. Though unrelated, the book's arrival pairs nicely with last weekend's premiere of the local historical documentary Tomahawk: City in the Pines.

Published on 09/15/2026 under News Wisconsin Public Service employees are turning on-the-job safety into direct support for local heroes, awarding a five-thousand-dollar grant to a well-known regional veterans organization. The contribution to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight comes through the WPS Safety Charity Challenge. Under the company-wide initiative, WPS employees who meet quarterly safety benchmarks select area non-profits to receive grants funded by the WPS Foundation. Since launching in 2010, the Never Forgotten Honor Flight has flown nearly 5,400 Northwoods veterans to Washington, D.C., to tour the memorials built in their honor. Coincidentally, the latest donation comes right as the organization prepares to board its 57th mission this Monday.

Published on 09/15/2026 under News Crews worked carefully Monday morning to recover a small airplane that crash-landed on Lake Wausau while carrying Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany. The aircraft went down Saturday evening after losing power as Tiffany and the pilot were returning from an event in La Crosse. Both men were able to exit the plane safely and were treated for minor injuries. With rain and thunderstorms in the forecast for Monday afternoon, removal teams worked together through the morning to float the plane to a public access area, where it was loaded onto a flatbed trailer. Navigating city streets posed another challenge as crews hauled the aircraft to the Wausau Downtown Airport. The plane will likely remain in a hangar there while the Federal Aviation Administration investigates the cause of the power loss. A preliminary report could be released within a month, though a full investigation may take up to a year.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News It's Fall Ride week in the Tomahawk area, and preparations are well underway. This marks the 45th year of the Tomahawk Fall Ride. Before the bikes roll into town, local businesses are gearing up for what is typically one of their busiest and most important weeks of the year. A quick drive through the community will find tents popping up outside numerous businesses to accommodate beer gardens, outdoor entertainment, and traveling vendors. That same transition is underway in the Nokomis area where fields are also being converted into temporary, large-scale campgrounds with early-bird campers already moving in over the past week. Fall Ride week typically begins slowly and builds towards the weekend as tens of thousands of motorcycles descend upon the Northwoods. Some of the highlights include the Chamber Brat Fry and Bon Fire at SARA Park on Thursday; Tomahawk Main Street will play host to the Friday Thunder Parade and Street Dance; and a weekend's worth of entertainment at SARA Park. As always stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the week for all of your Fall Ride news, updates, and reports.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News U.S. Representative and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany is recovering after a plane crash over the weekend in Marathon County. Around 8:50 Saturday night, while returning from La Crosse, the four-seat plane lost power as it approached the Wausau Downtown Airport, forcing the pilot to make an emergency water landing on Lake Wausau. As the aircraft began to submerge, Tiffany and the pilot called 911, exited the plane, and reached a shallow area where they awaited first responders. Both men were treated and released from Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Tiffany required stitches above his right eye, but was otherwise unharmed. In a statement, the congressman praised the quick response of local emergency crews and expressed gratitude to the pilot, Len Boltz. He held a short press conference with first responders Sunday. His Democratic opponent in the governor's race, David Crowley, released a statement wishing Tiffany a quick recovery. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Volleyball Doubles Win Total in Waupaca

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.

Published on 09/08/2026 under Sports Tomahawk Volleyball Drops in Five to Rhinelander Tomahawk's volleyball squad would lose a heartbreaker in their home opener at the Hatchet House Tuesday night, dropping to Great Northern Conference foe Rhinelander, 25-17, 23-25, 21-25, 25-17, 15-12. The Hatchets would bounce back from losing game one and from trailing set four by 20 points. However, the Hodag hitting came up clutch in Game 5, holding off a furious Hatchet killing attack. Sophomore Lauren Riebe thrived in the match, notching a career-high 16 kills. Freshman setter Lexi Palmer would notch 19 out of 27 Tomahawk assists. The two teams combined for 64 kills, 60 assists, and 38 aces in the match. The loss drops Tomahawk to 2-10 on the season and 0-2 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the court for an invite Saturday at Waupaca. Tomahawk Cross Country Places in Top 10 at Marshfield The Hatchet Cross Country squads would finish in the top ten in their invite at Marshfield Tuesday afternoon. Tomahawk's girls would place sixth overall out of 14 teams. The Hatchets finished two points behind fifth place Athens and 11 points ahead of Columbus Catholic. The top Hatchet female finisher was Sophomore Charlee Lund, placing 16th with a time of 22:26. Elise Gibeault would place 23rd overall with a time of 22:52. For the Hatchet boys, they would place tenth with 239 points. The Hatchets' top finisher was Sophomore Connor Zorn with a time of 20:03. Luke Morrison placed second on the team with a time of 20:47. The Hatchets's next meet will be the Night Invite in Neenah Friday. Events begin at 7:00 PM. Girls: Phillips – 1st Athens – 5th Mosinee – 10th Medford – 11th Boys: Phillips – 3rd Mosinee – 6th Medford – 7th

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