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Oneida County Kicks Off Northwoods Fair Season

Published on 07/30/2026 under News Fair season is officially underway in the Northwoods, and one area fair has never been interested in following a traditional script. Today marks opening day of Oneida County at Pioneer Park in Rhinelander. Organizers have long aimed to create lasting memories while showcasing the best of a Northwoods summer, while leaning heavily into a quirky, high-energy mix that gives the fair its distinct local flavor. The most noticeable change for fairgoers this year is on the midway. The fair has partnered with Spectrum Carnival to introduce an all-new lineup of rides, highlighted by a gondola-style Ferris wheel, a high-altitude drop tower, and a thrilling 360-degree swing pendulum. Yet it is the non-traditional attractions that truly set this fair apart. The schedule features everything from professional wrestling and high-flying aerialists to returning fan favorites like the Cast Iron Skillet Throwing Contest and competitive cheese curd eating. Visitors will also find plenty of live music, family entertainment, and traditional fair food. A complete schedule of events is available on the fair's official website. Consider this weekend a bit of a appetizer, as both the Lincoln County and Wisconsin Valley Fairs are set to launch next week. Opening ceremonies for the Oneida County Fair begin Thursday at 4:00 PM, with festivities continuing straight through Sunday. Best of all for families planning their weekend, admission to the grounds is completely free.

Published on 07/30/2026 under News Officials have released additional details regarding a fatal incident that followed a multi-county vehicle pursuit in the Northwoods earlier this week. The chase began in Lincoln County shortly after noon Tuesday, when deputies requested assistance while following a southbound vehicle into Marathon County. Minutes later, officers located the vehicle on County Highway K in the Village of Maine, just north of Wausau. Upon approaching the vehicle, deputies discovered the driver and sole occupant deceased inside. Authorities have now identified the driver as 48-year-old John Wallace of Oregon, Wisconsin. A preliminary autopsy determined he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to investigators, preliminary findings indicate that no law enforcement officers involved in the pursuit discharged their weapons during the incident. Authorities have not yet released what prompted the initial pursuit. The Wood County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation. All officers involved are cooperating fully. No additional details are available at this time.

Published on 07/30/2026 under News While it remains four years off, planning continues for a major, much-needed road reconstruction project in Tomahawk. During its meeting Tuesday, the Tomahawk Board of Public Works discussed the upcoming Highway 86/Somo Avenue project, which is currently scheduled for 2030. Because the stretch doubles as State Highway 86, the city is coordinating the work directly with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and engineering firm MSA Professional Services. The scope of the project recently expanded slightly. City Clerk Amanda Bartz noted officials were informed that construction will now extend to include the first block of South Tomahawk Avenue, spanning between Somo Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue (Main Street). Safety and pedestrian access near local schools are also central to the plans. Because the work zone intersects heavily used routes to the school campus, the project includes sidewalk expansions and upgrades stretching out to Voermans Street. Plans also call for a pedestrian-activated crossing alongside ADA-compliant sidewalk improvements. While the state will oversee the roadway itself, the City of Tomahawk is responsible for underground infrastructure, including water main and sanitary sewer replacements. Earlier this year, crews televised the existing pipelines and presented a map Tuesday identifying specific segments slated for repair or complete replacement. As preliminary design work moves forward, the Board approved a professional service agreement with MSA to handle engineering for the sanitary sewer and water main portions of the project.

Published on 07/30/2026 under News It was a season-high turnout for WaWui Bingo in Tomahawk on Wednesday, and one lucky player walked away with a near-record payout. Tasha Tennant of Brantwood is a regular at the weekly summer bingo sessions, and her dedication paid off in a big way. Tennant filled her card during the night's blackout game to claim a massive $5,529 jackpot. That's one of the top five largest payouts in the history of the progressive game. While the blackout game required players to cover their full card in 59 called numbers or fewer, Tennant managed to complete hers in just 55 calls. As progressive jackpots grow each week, so do the crowds. The volunteers reported 210 players on Wednesday, marking their biggest turnout of the summer season so far. This marks the second progressive jackpot awarded this summer, following opening night in May when two players split a prize of nearly $4,000. Proceeds from WaWui Bingo directly support operations and facility improvements at SARA Park in Tomahawk. Games return next Wednesday, when the progressive jackpot will reset.

Published on 07/30/2026 under News While summer is still in full swing, it won't be long before hunters head out into the field looking to harvest a deer. That includes participants in Wisconsin's special Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced this week that eligible hunters can now contact sponsors to secure land for the upcoming October 3–11 season. Timing for the second weekend, overlaps with the statewide Youth Deer Hunt. On those two days, eligible hunters with disabilities can hunt all lands, even those not enrolled. However, for the first seven days of the season (October 3–9), hunting must take place on an approved sponsor's property. The DNR says more than 70,000 acres have been made available across 47 counties, including several properties right here in the Northwoods. A full sponsor directory is available on the DNR website, and hunters can contact landowners directly to sign up. Because some smaller properties have limited capacity, officials encourage hunters to make arrangements as soon as possible ahead of the September 15 enrollment deadline. The announcement coincides with Disability Pride Month in July, as the DNR highlights its ongoing commitment to expanding accessibility so everyone can enjoy Wisconsin's outdoors.

Published on 07/30/2026 under News No criminal charges will be filed against the officers involved in a fatal shooting in Forest County earlier this summer. Dodge County District Attorney Andrea Will was brought in as an independent prosecutor to review the May 23rd shooting death of 51-year-old Floyd Vanzile Junior in the Town of Nashville. According to state investigators, officers from the Crandon Police Department, Forest County Sheriff's Office, and DNR responded to reports of an active shooter firing a rifle at an occupied housing complex. Two Crandon police officers and a DNR conservation warden returned fire, striking Vanzile. He was pronounced dead at the scene. In her final report, DA Will wrote that Vanzile was an "active shooter firing with complete disregard for human life." She concluded that officers acted in self-defense and that their use of force was objectively reasonable to protect both themselves and the public.No officers or civilians were injured.

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Sports Headlines

Gibeault Places 3rd in 400 meter dash

Published on 06/06/2026 under Sports In the WIAA Division 2 State Track & Field Meet at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this weekend. Elise Gibeault and Ellie Micke competed in three separate events. Gibeault's top finish came in the 400 meter dash, placing third with a time of 56.7 seconds. Gibeault would finish 2.26 seconds behind state champion Harper Sheehan of Hayward. In her final event, the Hatchet Junior would set a brand new school record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.38 seconds, a full second behind Sheehan. As for Micke, her season would end in the High Jump Preliminaries. Micke would finish tied for 12th with Martin Luther's Dynasty Fancher. This concludes the Tomahawk Track & Field Season.

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.

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