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‘Think Smart Before You Start’ ATV/UTV Safety Enforcement Returns this Weekend

Published on 06/04/2026 under News The DNR is encouraging ATV and UTV operators to be on their best behavior this weekend. That's because the agency is teaming up with local law enforcement for its "Think Smart Before You Start" enforcement campaign. Conservation wardens and county recreation deputies will focus on preventing ATV/UTV crashes by watching for dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding and operating while intoxicated. According to the DNR, Wisconsin has recorded 15 ATV and UTV deaths this year. The most common causes were rollovers and collisions. DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator Lt. Jacob Holsclaw says the goal is to reduce accidents through enforcement and personal responsibility. He says, "Our goal is 100% safety compliance and the elimination of dangerous operation that can lead to crashes." The DNR is also reminding riders that new ATV and UTV regulations are now in effect as of June 1. Riders are encouraged to review the updated rules, take a safety course, and make smart decisions every time they turn the key on their machines.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News The Tomahawk Police Department is expanding its lifesaving resources thanks to more than $2,000 in grant funding and donations aimed at combating opioid overdoses. In his monthly report to the city's Health and Safety Committee and Common Council, Police Chief Al Elvins announced that the department recently received two cases of Narcan (naloxone) through a $1,080 grant from the Wisconsin Division of Care and Treatment. North Central Health Care matched that support by donating two additional cases to the department at no cost. Narcan is a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses and can be quickly administered by law enforcement officers in emergency situations. Elvins noted that all department employees are required to complete Narcan training, adding that officers have already used the medication to save several lives in the past. Looking ahead, Elvins stated that the department will continue to pursue grant opportunities. Current efforts include an application to NAMI-Wisconsin for the reimbursement of Crisis Intervention Team Training costs, as well as grants to help replace the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) carried in police squads.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News If spring cleaning has uncovered a closet full of dusty electronics, an event in Lincoln County this weekend will offer a chance to clear that clutter while helping local students and nonprofits. Good News Project is bringing its annual electronics recycling event back to Merrill on Friday and Saturday. Organizers call the weekend event a win-win, offering residents a safe way to dispose of unwanted electronics while raising funds for local outreach. There is a 49-cent-per-pound recycling fee, with proceeds going toward Good News Project programs like their Mobile HELP truck, which provides loaner medical equipment. New this year, they're also partnering with the Merrill Area School District's NESTs program. The initiative helps ensure students have access to basic necessities such as clothing, food, and school supplies so they can focus on learning and success in the classroom. Good News Project Director Christine Daniels says, "At Good News Project we are passionate about saving resources and helping people. This Merrill event allows us to do both." Over the past two decades, these efforts have also helped keep more than 4 million pounds of e-waste out of local landfills. They'll be set up at the Merrill Festival Grounds-Sell Building on Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. We've got those details in the WJJQ Community Calendar as well.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News Tomahawk's National Night Out is still a few months away, but organizers are already busy working to grow the event in its third year. National Night Out is a nationwide campaign designed to strengthen relationships between first responders, local organizations, businesses, and the community through a fun, family-focused evening. The Tomahawk Chamber organizes the local event, which is scheduled for August 4. After the event doubled in size from year one to year two, Chamber Director Charis Lau says the goal is to build on that momentum. "This year we hope to continue growing the event and creating even more opportunities for local organizations to connect with families and visitors," Lau said. To encourage more participation, registration will be open to both Chamber members and non-members alike. Businesses, nonprofits, and community groups interested in taking part can contact the Tomahawk Chamber for more information. For community members looking to attend, you can expect interactive booths, children's activities, safety demonstrations, and food vendors.

Published on 06/04/2026 under News As summer travel, severe weather, and busy schedules begin to impact blood drives, the American Red Cross is encouraging donors to roll up their sleeves while warning of a typical drop in summer blood donations. The organization says summer is traditionally one of the most challenging times for blood collection. School breaks, family vacations, outdoor activities, extreme heat, and storms can all reduce donor turnout and cause blood drive cancellations. At the same time, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day often sees a greater demand for blood products due to seasonal accidents related to increased travel and recreational activities. The Red Cross says maintaining a strong blood supply is critical for trauma, surgery, and other patients who rely on transfusions. Those interested in donating blood can visit the Red Cross website to locate a drive nearby or schedule an appointment.

Published on 06/03/2026 under News A major housing development is moving forward in Tomahawk. At their meeting Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved a development agreement with S.C. Swiderski for a new 72-unit apartment complex on the city's east side. The project, located off of Comfort Drive, has been years in the making. Community Development Authority Chairman Roger Schlegel told council members the CDA has spent the last five years working through site challenges, including wetlands and the need for significant fill, to bring the project to fruition. Schlegel noted that rising construction costs and interest rates have made public incentives increasingly important in getting new housing projects like this built. Under the agreement, the CDA will transfer the property to the developer, who must begin construction by September and complete the project by 2028. The development is expected to have a minimum assessed value of $9.5 million. The developer will also be eligible for a $400,000 tax increment financing grant, but only after the city is reimbursed for its land acquisition costs through new tax revenue generated by the project. Construction is expected to begin this fall and take approximately 18 months to complete, adding 72 much-needed apartment units to Tomahawk's housing inventory. Mosinee-based SC Swiderski lists housing and apartment holdings in more than 30 communities around the state including Athens, Eagle River, Merrill, Medford, and Wausau.

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Sports Headlines

Hatchet Golf Season Ends in Spooner

Published on 06/03/2026 under Sports The Hatchet golfing season would end in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet at Spooner Wednesday, placing ninth at the Spooner Golf Club. Tomahawk would finish with a 345, 13 strokes behind St. Croix Central. The top Hatchet golfer in the Sectional meet was Jake Albert, who placed 28th overall with an 82. Rounding out the top three were Rocco Carew with an 83 and Oliver Childers with an 87. Jaxon Kaiser finish with a 93 and Brayden Lamer finished with 100. This concludes the Tomahawk golfing season.

Published on 05/29/2026 under Sports Junior Athlete Elise Gibeault and Sophomore Athlete Ellie Micke would become the only Hatchets to qualify for the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse next weekend. Gibeault would finish second in both the 200 and 400 meter dashes. Gibeault would re-set personal bests and school records in both events. The Junior finished with a run of 25.74 seconds in the 200 meter dash and a run of 56.39 seconds in the 400 meter dash. Gibeault would place behind only Hayward's Harper Sheehan in both events. As for Micke, she was the last qualifier in the field in the High Jump. Micke tied for the 4th spot in the sectional and would advance by way of tiebreaker. Micke's leap in the High Jump was 5'3". Gibeault and Micke will compete in the WIAA Division 2 State Meet in La Crosse Friday. Field Events begin at 3:00 PM. Running events begin at 3:30 PM.

Published on 05/28/2026 under Sports Despite coming back from down four runs in the fifth inning, Tomahawk's baseball squad would fall in extra innings in the WIAA Division 3 Regional Quarterfinal at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field to the Crandon Cardinals, 8-5. The Hatchets trailed 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning before tying the game up behind two-run hits from Nick Arndt and Max Larson. After the Hatchets stranded the winning run on third in the seventh, Crandon rolled off three runs off Hatchet pitcher Logan Norman to take the lead. Tomahawk would bring the tying run to the plate, but Arndt flew out to center to end the game and the season. Arndt finished two for five with a triple and two RBIs. Max Larson finished one for five with a double and two RBIs. Despite pitching five scoreless innings and retiring ten straight, Norman absorbed the loss on the mound. The Hatchets finish the 2026 season with a 9-11 record and a 7-7 Great Northern Conference record. Tomahawk graduates Norman, Arndt, Jonah Dickens, Wally Horabik, Colton Seslar, and Brody Hilgendorf.

Published on 05/27/2026 under Sports The Marawood Conference Champion Prentice Golf Team won the WIAA Regional Championship on Tuesday at the Inshalla Country Club. The Bucs set a school scoring record with a 297. Ladysmith finished 30 strokes behind Prentice. Eliah Harding led the way with an even par 70, Matti Heikkinen shot a 74, Hagan Isaacson a 76, Evan Lord a 78 and Jackson Isaacson shot a 79. Prentice will compete in the WIAA Sectional Meet on Tuesday at Big Fish Golf Club in Hayward. The first tee times are at 9:00 am.

Published on 05/27/2026 under Sports At the WIAA Division 2 Regional Track & Field Meet in Medford Tuesday, the Hatchets withstood a two-hour, 45-minute weather delay to have ten total events make the sectional meet. On the girls' side, Tomahawk will have six athletes compete. Taking the regional title in the 200 and 400 meter runs was Elise Gibeault with times of 26.19 and 57.28 seconds, respectively. For the second straight year, Alicia Voermans would advance to the sectional round in the Pole Vault. Voermans also qualified for sectionals in the 100 meter dash. Faith Derleth would advance in the 400 meter dash, placing third. Ellie Micke took home the regional title in the high jump with a leap of five feet even. Siennah Calkins was regional runner-up in the triple jump with a leap of 33'10". Lauren Riebe would finish as the regional runner-up in the 300 meter hurdles. Two Hatchet male athletes will compete in the sectional meet. Freshman Connor Zorn would take third in the Long Jump and the 100 meter dash. Beau Stromberg is moving on to the sectional meet in the 400 meter run, placing third with a run of 54.14 seconds. The WIAA Division 2 Track & Field Sectional Meet is Friday at Rice Lake. Opening Events begin at 4:00.

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