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Tomahawk School Board Approves Final Budget for 26-27 School Year

Published on 10/29/2026 under News The Tomahawk School Board has finalized the district's budget and tax levy for the 2026–27 school year. The board held a special meeting Tuesday to approve the spending plan after finalizing student enrollment and state aid figures. The newly approved tax levy stands at 15.3 million dollars, approximately 250,000 dollars below the maximum allowed under state levy limits. District Administrator Wendell Quesinberry noted that over the past five budget cycles, the board's decision to consistently underlevy has saved local taxpayers roughly 1.7 million dollars. As a result, Tomahawk's equalized tax rate drops to 5 dollars and 15 cents per thousand dollars of property value, the lowest rate in district history. Quesinberry says, "We believe the approved budget strikes an appropriate balance between supporting the educational needs of our students, maintaining a strong and competitive workforce, and remaining mindful of the financial responsibility placed on our local taxpayers." The board achieved those tax savings despite continued challenges. State-required payments for students attending private schools through Wisconsin's voucher program jumped nearly 33 percent, costing local taxpayers over 323,000 dollars. Additionally, the district continues to see a 15% annual decline in general state aid,another $225,000 drop from last year. Budget season continues across the Northwoods as municipalities and counties work to finalize their spending plans for the upcoming year.

Published on 10/29/2026 under News As communities across Northern Wisconsin work to expand their trail networks, a new state grant is helping showcase the Minocqua area as a year-round destination for bicyclists. The Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau received a $39,550 marketing grant from Travel Wisconsin. The state funding kicks off a three-year plan to connect and promote the area's many biking options including paved paths, gravel routes, mountain bike trails, and winter fat-tire biking. The project aims to connect trail networks in Minocqua, Arbor Vitae, Hazelhurst, and Woodruff directly to downtown business districts, hotels, and local restaurants. "Outdoor recreation has always been at the heart of what makes the Minocqua area such a special destination," said Visitors Bureau President Krystal Westfahl. She noted that the goal is to build on existing trails while finding ways to grow and make improvements. First-year efforts will focus on studying trail traffic to guide future efforts, updating local trail signs and maps, and launching a marketing campaign to promote the Minocqua area as a top cycling spot in all four seasons.Photo left to right: Melissa Doering, Managing Director; Chris Jennings, Regional Tourism Specialist, Travel WI; and Kailey Barutha, Marketing Director

Published on 10/29/2026 under News Election Day is less than a week away, but students at Rhinelander High School just got a hands-on look at what it actually takes to run an election behind the scenes. Yesterday, the high school transformed its social studies classes into a full simulated polling place in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Northwoods. Rather than just learning about government from a textbook, students stepped into every role of the voting process. Trained student volunteers ran the election under the guidance of League mentors; working check-in stations, handing out ballots, and overseeing voting booths for their classmates. While their votes cast Wednesday won't count in the actual election, the mock ballot featured major real-world races. League President Debra Durchslag noted that giving young people a peek behind the curtain helps demystify the voting process. Organizers hope this nonpartisan experience builds civic confidence and inspires students to become active, lifelong voters once they become voting age.

Published on 10/29/2026 under News The Wisconsin Department of Transportation relaunched a public safety campaign Wednesday aimed at increasing seat belt usage and curbing distracted driving across the state. Known as "Buckle Up, Phone Down," the initiative highlights two critical driving safety factors. According to WisDOT data, nearly half of all traffic fatality victims were not wearing seat belts, while distracted driving played a role in more than 9,000 crashes statewide last year. WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman emphasized that distraction-related crashes are entirely preventable, pointing out that seat belts remain the single best defense against severe injury or death on the road. She noted that the campaign brings both habits together to help drivers stay focused and safe behind the wheel. Cell phone use remains one of the primary drivers of distraction, which triggers all three major forms of distraction simultaneously: • Visual: Taking your eyes off the road • Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel • Mental: Taking your mind off driving The DoT and their partners have been using the Buckle Up, Phone Down campaign since 2021.

Published on 10/29/2026 under News The Hodag Country Music Festival is still more than 250 days away, but organizers of the summer staple gave fans a sneak peek this week at some of the artists set to take the stage. The lineup will once again feature a blend of iconic country names and rising stars. Hodag mainstay Neal McCoy will headline opening night on Thursday alongside Brantley Gilbert. Saturday night brings another mix of classic and modern country with Wynonna Judd and Dan + Shay. Closing out the festival on Sunday is American Idol winner Scotty McCreery. Hodag 2027 is scheduled for July 8–11. Fans can visit the Hodag Country Fest website to view the full list of confirmed performers.

Published on 10/29/2026 under News The 2026 bear harvest totals were up this year, led by strong numbers here in the Northwoods. The Department of Natural Resources announced preliminary results for the season, which wrapped up earlier this month. Hunters harvested 4,275 bears this year, about 500 more than last year and slightly above the five-year average. Wisconsin's black bear population is estimated at more than 24,000 animals, with the highest concentrations located in the northern half of the state. Natural food sources and weather played key roles in the season's success. DNR large carnivore specialist Randy Johnson noted that an abundant acorn crop in the southern half of the state reduced the effectiveness of baiting. Meanwhile, bears in the north changed their movement patterns due to widespread, ongoing drought. Statewide, about 28% of hunters successfully harvested a bear, aligning closely with the five-year average success rate of 30%. However, Northwoods hunters saw much higher success rates. Zones A and B, divided by Highways 51 and 64, reported success rates of 73% and 52%, respectively. More than 146,000 people applied for a bear hunting license or preference point for the 2026 season, setting an all-time record. The DNR reminds hunters that the application deadline for next season is December 10.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Fall Sports Update 10/24/26

Published on 10/24/2026 under Sports Gibeault, Lund Head to State Cross Country Halloween Afternoon Two Hatchet Cross Country athletes will be making their trip to the Ridges in the Wisconsin Rapids for the WIAA Division 2 State Cross Country Meet next week. At the Sectional Meet in Rhinelander, Senior runner Elise Gibeault and Sophomore athlete Charlee Lund would each finish in the top ten time-wise, making the Hatchet athletes automatic qualifiers. Gibeaults placed fifth with a time of 20:17. Lund was right behind Gibeault, placing sixth with a time of 20:22. As a team, the Hatchets would finish just outside of the top two, placing third behind Lakeland and Wittenberg-Birnamwood. Tomahawk's boys would place eighth overall in the Sectional Meet. Jordyn Carew finished as the boys' fastest runner with a time of 18:24. Gibeault and Lund will compete in the WIAA Division 2 State Cross Country Meet at the Ridges in Wisconsin Rapids Halloween. The Division 2 Race begins at 12:40. Tomahawk Football Stymied in Second Half at Brillion, Ending Season The Hatchet Football Season would end in the WIAA Division 5 First Round of the Playoffs as they would fall to #3 Brillion Friday night, 27-7. Tomahawk led 7-0 with less than 30 seconds remaining on a 20-yard touchdown run by Hudson Evans. However, the Lions scored 13 points in the final seconds of the first half, including a pick-six as it came to end. After the interception, the Hatchets failed to re-establish any momentum in the second half. Tomahawk was limited to less than 50 total yards and failed to cross the Brillion 50 in the second half. Max Larson finished with 47 rushing yards, leading the way on the ground for Tomahawk. The Hatchet Football squad would finish 4-6 on the season and 4-3 in Great Northern Conference play. 11-Player Football Playoff Scores: ,#5 D2 Marshfield 44, #4 D2 Wausau East 14 #2 D3 Medford 42, #7 D3 Green Bay West 0 #3 D3 Fox Valley Lutheran 54, #6 D3 Rhinelander 14 #4 D3 Luxemburg-Casco 42, #5 D3 Merrill 14 #3 D7 Hilbert 46, #6 D7 Abbotsford 7 8-Player Football Playoff Scores: #6 Athens 48, #2 Hurley 42 #1 Laona-Wabeno 42, #4 Northwood/Solon Springs 0 Hatchet Girls Swimmers Place Ninth in GNC Meet at Lakeland At the Great Northern Conference Girls Swimming Meet in Lakeland Friday, the Hatchet girls as a team would place ninth to wrap up their regular season. The Hatchets as a team would have a couple of ninth-place finishes in relay events. Kami Gabrich, Kortney Busterud, Aubrey Tollefson, and Kaylee Roberts placed ninth in the 400 yard freestyle with a time of 4:33.61. Tomahawk also had Roberts, Busterud, Gabrich, and Sloane Eisenman place ninth in the 200 yard freestyle, clocking in at 2:04.95. Tollefson placed tenth in the 100 breastroke with a time of 1:22.14. The WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet for the Hatchet Girls Swimmers will take place November 7th at Rice Lake.

Published on 10/21/2026 under Sports The Hatchet Volleyball season came to a quick end in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal Tuesday night as they would get swept at Weyauwega-Fremont, 25-14, 25-12, 25-8. The Hatchets were unable to overcome hot starts by the Warhawks and allowed 13 aces in the match. In her final high school volleyball match, Senior Outside Hitter Averi Petta led the Hatchets with eight kills. Lexi Palmer had 12 assists on the night. Tomahawk finishes the 2026 season with a 6-29 overall record and a 1-9 Great Northern Conference record. The lone Hatchet Senior to graduate is Averi Petta.

Published on 10/17/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's Cross Country squads provided some encouraging finishes in the Great Northern Conference meet Saturday at Hatchet Field, each placing third. For the girls, three Hatchets placed in the top 15. Charlee Lund placed fifth with a time of 19:34. Right behind Lund was Elise Gibeault, placing sixth and clocking in at 19:43. Ellie Micke placed 14th with a time of 21:51. On the boys' side, three athletes placed in the top 20. Jordyn Carew placed 12th, clocking in at 17:39. Connor Zorn finished 15th with a time of 17:58. Dawson Jones went 16th with a time of 18:11. The WIAA Division 2 Cross Country Sectional Meet for Tomahawk is Friday at Rhinelander. Team Finishes: Girls: 1st – Lakeland 2nd – Rhinelander 3rd – Tomahawk 4th – Merrill 5th – Mosinee 6th – Antigo 7th – Medford Boys: 1st – Lakeland 2nd – Rhinelander 3rd - Tomahawk 4th – Mosinee 5th – Northland Pines 6th – Medford 7th – Antigo

Published on 10/17/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's football squad would end the 2026 season with their first win over the Mosinee Indians Friday night at Veterans Park Friday, 6-3. The Hatchets held Mosinee under 100 total yards of offense, including just 14 yards allowed in the second half. Tomahawk's lone score came at the end of the third quarter when Max Larson ran it in from one yard out. The touchdown from Larson was his seventh of the season. He also led the Hatchets with 61 yards on 14 carries. Hudson Evans had 44 yards on eight touches. The Hatchets finish the 2026 Regular Season with a 4-5 on the season and 4-3 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk will play in the first round of the WIAA Division 5 Playoffs Friday night. The Hatchets are the #6 seed and will travel to #3 seed Brillion. The Fehrman Orthodontics Kickoff Cabin will begin at 6:15 with kick at 7:00 from Lion Field on the WJJQ app, online at wjjq.com, and on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ. Alex Koch and Keith Hanse will have the broadcast Friday night. 11-Player Football: Medford 48, Antigo 6 Rhinelander 27, Lakeland 14 Wausau East 21, Merrill 14 Stratford 45, Northland Pines 6 Crandon 48, Clintonville 30 Edgar 35, Abbotsford 0 8-Player Football Playoffs: #1 Laona-Wabeno 44, #8 Three Lakes/Phelps 6 #4 Northwood/Solon Springs 48, #5 Rib Lake 8 #6 Athens 44, #3 Turtle Lake 20

Published on 10/11/2026 under Sports At the Great Northern Conference Volleyball Tournament, Tomahawk went 1-2 in their matches Saturday. The Hatchets were swept by Mosinee and Medford in their first two matches. However, Tomahawk would steal a match against Rhinelander, winning in four sets. The Hatchets will finish the 2026 regular season with a 6-28 record and a 1-9 overall Great Northern Conference record. Seeding meetings across the state of Wisconsin will take place Monday. Stay tuned to find out who Tomahawk will play in the first round of the WIAA Division 3 Volleyball Postseason on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ.

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