(Photo Story) The Tomahawk Lions Club Pow Wow Days Queen contest has been resurrected after an extended break. This year's candidates are shown with Mike Hilgendorf, Kwahamot Water Ski Club president. Vying for honors are, from left, Dolores Martens, Brittany Liberty, Alyssia Alsteen, Kole Greil and Annah Schneiderwent. Missing is Lizzy Hilgendorf. The top vote-getter will be crowned by the 1968 first-ever Pow Wow Queen, Terri Nelson, during intermission at the Kwahamot's Old-Timers Ski Show Friday, July 3. Showtime is 8 p.m. The 2009 queen will serve as parade marshal at this year's Pow Wow Days Parade at 1 p.m. July 4. This week's Tomahawk Leader also contains a feature about Terri Nelson and her 1968 crowning when she was age 16. Look for pictures with first runner-up Cindy Hilgendorf and second runner-up Mary Johnson in our Photo Album (one shown here).

Two years after the body of Tracey Maurer, 42, was found slain in her Tomahawk apartment, the final defendant named in the case was sentenced in Lincoln County Court Friday. Heather Ward, 20, will serve five years behind bars and an additional five years on extended supervision for assisting Seth Louis, 26, Rhinelander, on the night he broke into Maurer's residence and stabbed her repeatedly - an estimated 80 times. Louis, who is now serving a life sentence for first-degree intentional homicide, previously testified Ward stood watch outside the apartment and helped him change out of bloody clothing after the assault took place. Ward's attorney Sharon Gisselman suggested Ward was coerced into not going to police after driving Louis back to Rhinelander and helping him conceal bloody clothing. Gisselman said Louis committed the brutal act alone and then manipulated her client and Katie Decker, 18, who was dating Louis at the time, to lie for him. Decker was sentenced earlier this year for hiding evidence and lying to detectives. She received a combined 13 months in jail on separate charges in Lincoln and Oneida counties. Louis will spend nearly 50 years in prison. He will be eligible for parole when he reaches age 75. Look for the entire story in the June 30 Tomahawk Leader.

Hundreds of bicyclists from across the Midwest were in Tomahawk last week as the GReat Annual Bike Adventure Along the Wisconsin River (GRABAAWR) rolled into town. For the first time since the event began 24 years ago, Tomahawk was selected as one of seven cities along the Wisconsin River to serve as an overnight destination. Previously, Rhinelander and Merrill have hosted the event, and bicyclists made their way through town as part of the route south the next day. We have lots of pictures posted on our Photo Album. Cyclists left town last Tuesday for their next stayover destination in Wausau. Additional stays along the GRABAAWR route included Wisconsin Rapids, Mauston and Baraboo. Total distance from the start in Hurley to finish line in Muscoda totaled 489 miles.

Fifteen years after a proposal to mine minerals in the township of Lynne was abandoned, a new company is making a push to have the opportunity re-examined. Last week, the Oneida County Mining Impact Committee and Forestry Committee took up the request by the publicly traded, international mining company, Tamerlane Ventures of Blaine, Wash. The company wants to lease a sizeable portion of Oneida County forestland off the south end of Willow Lake near Tripoli for mineral exploration and eventual mining. The massive sulfide deposit in Lynne was first discovered in the 1980s and Noranda Minerals first reserved the rights to mine the property after Oneida County opened up the land for mineral exploration in 1989. The company abandoned its plans in 1993, citing low metal prices and uncertainty concerning wetlands and lakebed designations. Tamerlane Ventures is proposing a type of mining that would limit the surface footprint. Underground methods would be implemented that the company states have less of an impact on the environment than the traditional open pit process. Karl Jennrich, Oneida County Planning and Zoning, said before the land could be explored for minerals it would need to be rezoned and a conditional use permit would be required. He noted a number of public hearings would take place. Opposition surrounded the mine when it was first proposed in the early 1990s. Similar opposition was expressed last week concerning the environmental impact the mine would have on the region. Another meeting is scheduled at 9 a.m. July 9 at the Oneida County Courthouse in Rhinelander. For information on Tamerlane Ventures' proposal and mining ordinances now in place, look for the Oneida County listing in the Related Links elsewhere on this page.

The Tomahawk Lions Club is taking entries for this year's July 4 Pow Wow Days parade. Competition categories include: Organization, Merchant, Youth Group, Clown. Phone entries to Mark Eisenman at 715-966-4340 or mail to 10827 Red Pine Rd., Tomahawk, WI 54487. For additional information about Pow Wow Days, visit tomahawklions.org. Look for a link in the Related Links elsewhere on this page.

POW WOW DAY 5K/10K RUNS
We've had inquiries and now checked with John Zuelsdorf about registrations for this year's Pow Wow Days 5k/10k runs that take place at 9 a.m. July 4 at Veterans Memorial Park. The early fee is $20 if postmarked by June 20 and $25 after that with the last postmark date of June 30. There will be no 5k/10k race day registrations! There's also a 1 mile fun run/walk with a $15 fee ($2 discount to Tomahawk Area Runners Association members). T-shirts go to the first 300 entrants. There are varying age groups, with trophies to the first and second overall finishers, male and female, in the 5k/10k and medallions for first-third in each age category (no duplicate awards). There's also a Corporate Challenge 10K. Online registration at www.active.com. (See direct link in Related Links elsewhere on this page.) For other information, contact Z at 1245 E. King Rd., Tomahawk, WI 54487 or call 715-453-8975.

Many visitors and Tomahawk residents alike think securing a North for the Fourth T-shirt is just as important as the fireworks and other activities that make up Independence Day. Jim Wise, Tomahawk Surplus Store (learn more about this Town Square Business Directory member via the TravelTomahawk.com link at left), says, "Many years we run out before the holiday even gets here, since a lot of people preorder to make sure they get them," Wise said. "For many, the T-shirts are a tradition stretching back almost 30 years." The T-shirts this year will benefit downtown revitalization efforts and beautification projects through the Tomahawk Main Street Inc. program. Featuring an eagle and American flag in front of a Northwoods scene based on a view of Lake Mohawksin, now-Tomahawk High School senior Lizzy Schultz's drawing was unanimously selected for this year's shirt (See Photo Album). Shirts are available in all sizes for both women and men, and may be purchased at Ben Franklin, Tomahawk Surplus Store and Cover to Cover Books and Gifts for $15 apiece. To reserve a North for the Fourth T-shirt, call 715-453-3676.

**Expect fishing to improve with warming weather as we approach July. Bass are hitting spinner baits and crank baits in the Northwoods. Walleyes are in the cabbage weeds, and blue gills are in the shallows. Twister tails are catching the "eyes" and gold or red hooks tipped with pieces of worms are getting the "gills." **Northwoods ruffed grouse numbers should be better this fall with spring drumming numbers up six percent over last year. **The spring 2009 wild turkey season yielded a near-record harvest of 52,581 birds compared to 52,814 taken in 2008. **The Natural Resources Board was given an update last Tuesday on Wisconsin's gray wolf population, which is estimated to be between 626 and 662 animals. Department of Natural Resources wildlife managers are exploring a possible public wolf harvest. **For fishing tips refer to our Fishing Report link and you'll find the love of fishing shared in City Editor Jed Buelow's Fishing With Jed thread on our Message Board.

Lane restrictions on the US Hwy. 51 construction project in Lincoln County between North Star Drive and the Marathon County line will be removed after July 2 for the Fourth of July holiday weekend to allow travel in two lanes in each direction. Starting July 6, traffic will again be reduced to single lanes going north and south from 6 a.m. Mondays until noon Fridays. The speed limit also will be reduced to 55 mph. Crews are resurfacing the southbound lanes and making improvements to the US Hwy. 51/County Q overpass and working on overlays at the exit/entrance ramps on County Q, WIS 64 and County K. The $9.1 million project is expected to be completed by mid-July. For information on road projects and travel conditions, check the Related Links. There's also a 15-day weather forecast on the Weather link at the top of this page.

The Tomahawk Historical Society invites the public to the dedication of the new Boat House featuring "On Target" Tuesday, July 7, at 11 a.m., at the museum on Washington Avenue. The Boat House provides a permanent home for On Target, a prototype racing boat designed by Frank Winter and built in 1961 by the Tomahawk Boat Manufacturing Co. In 1998, after years in storage, the craft was donated to the society and was later refurbished through community contributions. Look for a story about Frank Winter and partner Fred Dreger and Tomahawk Boat Manufacturing Co. in this week's newspaper. You'll find a picture in our Photo Album.

This Wednesday, July 1 marks the first in the summer series of Music on the River concerts along the shores of the Wisconsin River at Tomahawk's Veteran's Memorial Park. This outdoor performance will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Those attending should bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic dinners and coolers, if desired. Copper Box, an Oshkosh-based group, will be performing with Cajun, fun, lively music. Additional concerts will continue each Wednesday from
6:30-8:30 p.m. until Aug. 5. In the event of rain, the entertainment will be moved indoors to SARA Park. Check our Community Calendar for music specifics.

You'll want to check out a new feature that provides a look at auction ads we've printed in the newspaper via our Classified Center and ClassyNet; both are accessible from this front page through links at the left. The ads are searchable for specific items they have listed and, if you click on the ad itself, you link directly to the sponsoring auction firm. It's auction season! Enjoy!?-Tomahawk Leader.

The Rodeo Saloon has commissioned local artist Natalie Watland to create a 3-foot by 4-foot acrylic, one-of-a-kind painting as a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and Tomahawk Fall Ride. There's more in a story in the June 16 Tomahawk Leader.

The Wisconsin Roads Report is accessible via a link elsewhere on this page. **For a 15-day forecast, see our Weather at the top of the page.

Obituaries in the June 30, 2009, Tomahawk Leader include:

**Margaret Mary Turgeon (Haring), 71, born in Harrison, married Tellasphore Turgeon, worked at Hurd Millwork in Merrill 10 years, DeHart's Mink Ranch, waitressed and cleaned cottages, 1955 graduate of Tomahawk High School, battled cancer (6-22-09).

**Alberta M. Orlowski (Morin), 96, died at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, born in Tomahawk, married Chester E. Orlowski, charter member of Red Cross Volunteers, volunteered at local nursing homes for over 40 years and 10 years while at Bell Tower (6-23-09; memorials to St. Mary's School or charity of one's choice.)

**Wilma "Billie" Alice Smith (Cook), 88, Menomonee Falls, born in Tomahawk, married Atty. John E. Smith Sr., lived most of life in Tomahawk area, graduated from Tomahawk High School, first woman to fly airplane in Lincoln County, in late 1960s, owned BJ's Gold Mine gift and grocery store on County A, employed at IGA Super Market and Gift Box, worked at Lincoln County Courthouse while husband was corporation counsel (6-27-09; funeral Thursday, July 2, noon, Krueger & Sons Funeral Home, Tomahawk; visitation begins at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Community Memorial Foundation, c/o John E. smith, N78W16398 Carl Ross Dr., Menomonee Falls, WI 53051-4258.)

**Hugo B. Rooni, 83, lifelong resident of Brantwood, born there, married Marie Mejerus, World War II Army veteran, heavy equipment operator and logger for Heikkinen Brothers Forest and Dairy Co. for over 40 years (6-27-09).

*William A. LaMure, 83, Tomahawk, formerly of Milwaukee, born in Milwaukee, served in U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, employed by Advanced Tool Die Casting, Milwaukee, many years, moved to Tomahawk area upon retirement (6-23-09).

**Patricia Ann (Lokken) Dotter Cremation Burial Thursday, July 2, 4 p.m. Prairie Rapids Cemetery. See accompanying pdf with more information.

(Complete obituaries are published in the Tomahawk Leader. Our sponsored Church Directory has been provided here as a pdf for informational and reference purposes.)

This year's Tomahawk Fourth of July Pow Wow Days activities get underway early Friday with an Arts and Craft Fair at SARA Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The party moves right on the street downtown that night as the band, The Britins, takes the stage for the annual Music on Main concert from 7 to 11 p.m. This year's Pow Wow Queen will be crowned at the Kwahamot Water Ski Old-Timer's Show at 8 p.m. Friday. The winner will serve at the parade grand marshal on July 4. Early Saturday morning, 5/10k runs will kick-off at 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, with pre-registration starting at 7:30 a.m. (We'll post the winners' list afterwards.) Kids' competition follows, including the favorites burlap bag races and frog jumping contests. The Tomahawk Lions Club's famous barbecue chicken will be served downtown starting at 10 a.m., with the big Pow Wow Days parade beginning at 1 p.m. (Lineup provided as pdf; note new entries will have been added.) Fire department water demonstrations follow. The Lions will host adult and children's entertainment at SARA Park after the downtown activities. Those planning to attend are encouraged to stick around for the fireworks show at dusk. Kwahamot Park will also host a ski show starting at 7:30 p.m. For much more on these Pow Wow Days events and other entertainment taking place in the region this summer, check our Community Calendar, and look for the Tomahawk Leader's WOW and NorthCounty Style special sections in this week's newspaper and posted in pdfs elsewhere on this page. Watch for Pow Wow scenes in our Photo Album.

Don't miss the WOW section in the June 30, 2009, Tomahawk Leader and on newsstands and at businesses throughout the area. There's information about all sorts of events, area parks, places to bike and hike. Learn about the tours at Harley-Davidson in Tomahawk; the 30th annual "international" Antique Outboard Motor Show in Tomahawk; music and movies in the parks; our rib cookoff, Tomahawk's new Dog Park, snowmobile destinations, the Tomahawk Fire and Rescue School, county fairs, the newly located Farmers Market, the Northwoods Road Trip and our huge Tomahawk Fall Ride Sept. 17-20, 2009. We have an extensive calendar of events and lots of advertisers to patronize. We've included a pdf of the entire section here. Remember, for updated items, check our Community Calendar and for places to stay, shop, dine and otherwise frequent while you're in town, visit the business directory at www.traveltomahawk.com. WOW!

**This week's newspaper features a 2-page spread on the upcoming dedication (Thursday, July 2) of Tyler Kahle Memorial Park and family/community efforts on behalf of Tyler's memory. It's a wonderful story and the ballpark is an impressive undertaking. We've included a pdf of the pages below. **Merrill has been informed by the WIAA that the Blue Jays will be moved back into the Wisconsin Valley Conference, and Rhinelander will replace them in the Great Northern Conference beginning in fall 2010. See a commentary by Sports Editor Tom Colstad in the Opinion thread on our Message Board. **The Tomahawk Titans baseball team beat Taylor County 11-9 Wednesday at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field. Chad Grube was the winning pitcher. Dave Cherney, Grube and Jeremy Theiler had two hits apiece for the winners. At Merrill Sunday, the host team defeated the Titans 8-4. Drew Christianson was the losing pitcher. Cody Madlung had three singles, while Theiler and Chad VanStrydonk (home run) had two hits apiece. **In American Legion baseball action, the Tomahawk Cubs lost 15-16 to Rhinelander last Monday. The Cubs smacked 17 hits, including Mitch Paulson's home run. At Tyler Kahle Memorial Field last Tuesday, the Cubs lost 13-19 to Medford. Paulson was the losing pitcher. Cody Brietzke had three hits to lead the T-hawk team. The Cubs won a doubleheader against Rib Lake Thursday by scores of 9-3 and 12-4. Sam Arnott pitched a complete game in the first contest, and Nate Schoone earned the "W" in Game Two. Jacob Jarvensivu and Eddie Malis both had a total of five hits. The Cubs defeated visiting Eagle River 15-14 and 7-3 Sunday. In the first game, Brietzke picked up the win in relief. He also batted in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. In the second tilt, Tyler Jones earned a complete game victory. Brietzke and Schoone led the Cubs with two hits each. **Winners at Tomahawk Speedway Friday were: Jason Zdroik, Midwest Modifieds; Jeff Klopstein Jr., Street Stocks; Wayne Eskola, Tomahawk Pure Stocks; and Mike Warga, Bandits. **Former Tomahawk athletes Dave Devenport (1955 graduate), DeAnn Janeczko (1997), Dennis Sweeney (1974) and Jeff Zehner (1982) were announced as Hatchet Athletic Hall of Fame inductees for 2009. **Tomahawk Youth Baseball tournament champions were - A-ball: Tigers defeated Harrison 14-6; B-ball: Nokomis Cougars beat Heafford Junction 10-3 to secure tourney crown. **Look for sports pictures in our Photo Album.

ATTENTION Reunion Organizers: The Tomahawk Leader would welcome group and candid pictures and information about where classmates are located and what they're doing following the various reunions. Send information to news@tomahawkleader.com with "Reunion" in the Subject Line; mail items to P.O. Box 345, Tomahawk, WI 54487 or call 715-453-2151. Thanks.

**The Tomahawk High School Class of 1984 is planning its 25th class reunion Friday, July 3 at The Happy Snapper, 1315 S. Tomahawk Ave., Hwy. 86 West, from 4 p.m. or sooner until ? Buy your own food and drink. Contact Randy White at 715-453-7505.

**The THS Class of 1999 will hold its reunion July 5 at Bradley Park starting at 11 a.m. Classmates and family are welcome. Bring a dish to pat at the brat and burger lunch. Information: Nikki Flohr at 715-966-3235 or nikkiflohr@gmail.com.

**THS Class of 1994 will hold its 15-year reunion Friday, July 3. Any person interested must contact Kim Kolbek at kimkolbek@yahoo.com or 715-370-1314.

**Tomahawk High School Class of 1969's 40th class reunion will be Friday, July 3 at The Big Moose. Call Kirk Kind at 453-8177 for details.

**THS Class of 1964's 45th reunion will be July 3 at Memorial Park. Call Bill Sparr at 715-453-1954 to register.

**The Tomahawk High School Class of 1979 will hold a 30-year reunion Saturday, Aug. 1. Help is needed finding Kelly Carpenter, Sue Eiche, Colleen Henschel, Karen Kramer, Harvey Moore Jr., Marty Ness, Jack Theiler and Dawn Williams. Contact Julie (Ecklund) Garfield at 715-453-3021 with information or questions.

A Lincoln County Circuit Court jury has found Ryan Petrouske, 25, Tomahawk, innocent of charges in a 2008 assault. Petrouske was arrested in early April 2008 along with Lonnie L. Hamann, 22, Wausau, and Ryan Schirmer, 27, Tomahawk, after they allegedly brutally assaulted two men outside a North Fourth Street tavern. Last week, the 12-person jury found Petrouske not guilty of charges of felony aggravated battery, substantial battery, bail jumping and misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The court entered an adjudication of innocence. Earlier this year, Hamann was found guilty by jury trial of misdemeanor charges of battery and disorderly conduct and not guilty of felony aggravated battery. He was sentenced to 15 days in jail with Huber release and 18 months' probation, along with other provisions. Schirmer was found guilty of charges of two felony counts of substantial battery and misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He will be sentenced in July. The victims in the battery were both injured. One suffered severe head trauma, internal bleeding and had to undergo reconstructive surgeries. The other had injuries to his face and chest.

Through the combined efforts of Louisiana-Pacific, the city of Tomahawk and community members alike, the nearly two-mile Old M.T. & W. Railroad Hiking and Walking Trail that now connects SARA Park to the Tomahawk School District was developed. Last week, those involved in securing a $100,000 LP Foundation grant that made the project possible were on hand at the Kings Road trailhead for a dedication (See Photo Album). Trails advocate AJ Theiler noted the trail is part of a bigger trail system, which will one day make a looping system through the city. Former city director of public works, Mark Dochnahl added LP has been a strong supporter of Tomahawk, and said the Old M.T. & W. Bike and Walking Trail provides an important piece of infrastructure in the city's overall trail system. Along with the trailhead just down the road from the school complex on Kings Road, the trail can also be accessed near SARA Park off Railway Street in the downtown, at an access point at the intersection of Fifth and Rice streets and where the trail intersects Somo Avenue by Winger Concrete.

Tomahawk Leader Publisher Larry Tobin has fulfilled a dream and published his first novel, "Pressing Matters". It's about small town corruption and the fallout experienced by a local newspaper (Fremont Press Gazette) publisher, Press, his family and staff after the news is brought into the public eye. "Pressing Matters" is available locally at Cover to Cover Books and Gifts, Tomahawk Ben Franklin, Nelson's County Market, Lemke's Tomahawk Foods and at the Tomahawk Leader office. Additional information on the author is posted online at larrymtobin.com and copies of Pressing Matters are available there and via a banner on this site (just click on the Pressing Matters front cover and go to "Buy a book"). The book also may be purchased through FathersPress.com. And, it's available on Amazon.com and can be ordered through any bookstore nationwide.

Top stories in 2008 in the Tomahawk Leader included: **Rochelle Anderson, 25, Tomahawk, victim of homicide; **Derek Domke, 18, Tomahawk, awaiting sentencing in murder of Anderson; **Lincoln County breaks ground for jail renovations; **951st Sapper Engineer Co. called to duty overseas; **Seth Louis, 26, Rhinelander, admits to killing Tracy Maurer, 42, Tomahawk, in 2007; **Explosion at Tomahawk PCA leaves three dead and one injured; **Tomahawk becomes designated Main Street Community; **Northland Stainless sold to Canadian firm for $8.7 million and will expand, creating jobs; **Lincoln County and the U.S. government finalize $80,000 settlement in child support reimbursement issue. For a week-by-week recap of story highlights from throughout the year, check the accompanying pdf.

The 2009 Senior Lifestyles section is included with the June 23 Tomahawk Leader. It also is accessible as a pdf below. The section contains a wealth of information of interest to an aging population, including stories about an 81-year-old woman, Delores Martens, who's running for Pow Wow Days queen; Retirement in tough economic times; Grandparent Book Boxes; the Importance of family health history; Grandparent Book Boxes, Becoming a Foster Grandparent; Keeping your brain in shape as you age; Tips about hearing loss; Library outreach services; and much more. Look for a pdf of the section immediate below.

Looking for things to do? Check our Community Calendar for an in-depth listing of area events. And, do some extra site-seeing with our online Town Square business directory to find places to stay, dine and shop. We also feature a 15-day forecast on our Weather link; front page Map; snowmobile Trail Report; and online Fishing Report, plus our School Calendars include student activities, sporting events and information about ACT testing and college visitation dates.

Our Internet Edition is just a summary of a few of the stories you'll find in our newspaper. We'd love to have you as a regular subscriber. For rates and other information, please see the related Subscription Information.

Some local Girl Scouts are currently in New Zealand after three years of fundraising. Learn more about their adventures in updates posted on our Message Board.

Click here for direct links to web sites related to stories in this week's Leader:

Larry M. Tobin Novel, Pressing Matters

Lincoln County Building Project

Newspaper Public Notices Online

Oneida County Mining Exploration

Plum Creek Community Involvement/Foundation

Pow Wow Days 5k-10K races

Run Across Alabama for Elliott Schotz

Tomahawk Fire and Rescue School

Tomahawk Lions Pow Wow Day

Wisconsin Road Reports