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Upcoming Tomahawk Area Pool Tournament Supports Veterans, Honor Flight

Published on 11/05/2026 under News Some of the top billiard players in the Northwoods and beyond will face off in Tomahawk this weekend, all to support a great cause. With Veterans Day approaching, the community is hosting a mixed-doubles, 8-ball pool tournament. Proceeds will benefit the local Never Forgotten Honor Flight, an organization dedicated to transporting local veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor. Ahead of the event, we spoke with organizers, including Misty Bergsrud. The mission hits close to home for her family: Bergsrud served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, where she met her husband, a fellow service member. That background makes raising funds for veteran organizations, especially those serving older veterans, deeply meaningful to her. After nearly doubling proceeds in each of the tournament's first two years, organizers hope to build on that momentum with strong community and business support. This year's event features more than 70 raffle baskets, including several high-ticket items. Though player spots in the tournament are fully booked, organizers encourage community members to come out, cheer on the players, and buy raffle tickets. The local VFW will serve as raffle headquarters, with pool matches hosted across roughly a dozen area taverns.

Published on 11/05/2026 under News With the holiday shopping season right around the corner, the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging community members to keep their dollars close to home. Throughout the month of November, the Chamber is bringing back its annual "Loyal to Local" campaign. While the program previously ran during the summer, organizers shifted the focus to November to highlight local spending during the peak holiday shopping months. The initiative aims to showcase how everyday purchasing decisions impact the local economy. Studies show that approximately sixty-eight dollars of every one hundred dollars spent at an independent local business remains in the community, compared to just forty-three dollars spent at a chain store. Chamber C-E-O Lauren Sackett emphasizes that shopping small is an opportunity to explore everything the area has to offer. She says,"We encourage residents and visitors to find new favorites and remember local businesses when making everyday spending decisions." Residents are also invited to take the "Loyal to Local" pledge by committing to spend at least fifty dollars at a business they don't typically visit. Organizers estimate that if every Rhinelander resident took the pledge, it would generate over four hundred fourteen thousand dollars in local revenue. Community members who complete the pledge will be entered into a drawing for a local prize package. Beyond the pledge, the Chamber notes other ways to participate include sharing favorite businesses on social media, leaving positive reviews, and giving the gift of Chamber bucks which keeps spending within the community.

Published on 11/05/2026 under News Despite a challenging Election Day for Republicans statewide, Representative Calvin Callahan won re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly, though he will return to Madison under a vastly different political landscape. Callahan's victory on Tuesday secures his fourth term representing the 35th Assembly District. However, with Democrats taking control of the Capitol, Callahan will serve in the Assembly minority for the first time in his political career. Speaking after his win, Callahan thanked Northwoods voters for continuing to trust him to bring their voices to Madison, crediting his campaign's focus on local cost-of-living issues. He said, "This race was about affordability, lower taxes, lower utility bills, and lower health care costs." Looking ahead to his new role in the minority, Callahan pledged to remain a strong advocate for his constituents. "With a Democrat trifecta, I'll keep standing up for your home," Callahan said. "I'll vote no on tax increases, keep pushing to lower costs, and work across the aisle to do what's right for the Northwoods."

Published on 11/05/2026 under News Fresh off another busy election week, the Town of Nokomis is preparing for a major transition in local leadership. Though her name was not on the ballot on Tuesday, longtime Town Clerk Wendi Smith has announced she is stepping down after nearly 19 years of service to the township. Over the past two decades, Smith has served as a steady administrative pillar in Nokomis, overseeing municipal recordkeeping, town board operations, and dozens of local elections. In a farewell message to the community, Smith expressed her deep appreciation to residents for their support, trust, and cooperation throughout her tenure. "Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives and to serve this community," Smith said. "I leave with a grateful heart and treasured memories." As town officials prepare for the upcoming administrative transition, Smith extended her best wishes for the community's continued success and prosperity, capping off nearly two decades of commitment to the people of Nokomis.

Published on 11/05/2026 under News The Tomahawk City Council has officially given its final stamp of approval to the city's updated Emergency Management ordinance. Council members voted unanimously and without further discussion at their Tuesday meeting to adopt the measure, which modernizes local disaster response guidelines and cleans up the language in the municipal code. The updated ordinance establishes a clear chain of command during widespread emergencies, naming the Mayor as the city's Local Emergency Management Director. Delegating overall direction to the mayor ensures police and fire chiefs can stay focused on hands-on operational duties when disaster strikes. The measure also better defines when and how a local state of emergency can be declared. The measure was recommended by the Health and Safety Committee at their meeting in September, and introduced to the Council at their meeting last month.The vote followed a public hearing in which no members of the public spoke.

Published on 11/05/2026 under News A major fundraising effort is paving the way for a brand-new neonatal intensive care unit at Marshfield Children's Hospital. Thanks to community support and donations led by the Sanford Health Foundation, more than 12.5 million dollars has been raised to construct a modern, family-centered N-I-C-U. The effort included more than 1.6 million dollars committed by emeritus physicians and leaders. The new facility will feature 26 private rooms—more than double the size of the current unit—allowing parents to stay overnight with their infants. The space will also incorporate cutting-edge medical technology, research integration with the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, and support services like music therapy and child life programs in partnership with the Children's Miracle Network. Marshfield Clinic President and C-E-O Dr. Brian Hoerneman says the project reflects a shared commitment to local families, ensuring infants receive world-class care close to home in Northern and Central Wisconsin. Construction on the new N-I-C-U is scheduled to begin in late 2027.

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Sports Headlines

Gibeault, Lund Place in Top 100 at State

Published on 11/02/2026 under Sports At the WIAA Division 2 State Cross Country Meet in Wisconsin Rapids, The two Tomahawk female qualifiers placed in the top 100. Senior Elise Gibeault ended her high school cross country career placing 40th. Gibeault finished with a time of 20:12. As for Sophomore Charlee Lund, she placed 95th in her second straight state appearance. Lund clocked in with a time of 21:14. This concludes the Tomahawk Cross Country Season.

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

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