(Photo Story) Working out of cramped and handicapped-unfriendly quarters at its current location, St. Mary's Catholic School is launching a $995,000 drive to remodel the recently acquired, former Tomahawk Clinic building into an educational facility. "For the Past, Present and Future Generations of St. Mary's School" is the tag line of the "Legacy Campaign 2010," which officially kicks off this week with a mass mailing to school alumni. Vacant since Sacred Heart Hospital and neighboring Ministry Medical Group-Tomahawk Clinic moved to their new Mohawk Drive campus in 2003, the 14,000-square-foot former medical facility offers a multitude of perks for the school including placement of all classrooms on one level, an elevator, larger cafeteria, additional bathrooms and updated wiring. And, the valuable property was purchased from the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mothers and Ministry Health Care for just $1. "Please help us continue the legacy of St. Mary's Catholic School by purchasing a set of 'Angel Wings,'" the fund-raising brochure states. Payment in full or over several years is possible. Donations also may be made in honor or memory of a loved one. They may be sent to: St. Mary's School, 110 N. 7th St., Tomahawk, WI 54487.

Indefinite layoffs of 25 to 35 hourly people will take place in April at Tomahawk Harley-Davidson plants. Those involved in temporary layoffs last fall will be called back in February, with the upcoming layoffs based on seniority and the union contract. Both plants in Tomahawk will be affected. They currently employ about 300 hourly workers.

He has many fans who already stop by the office just to say hi and/or bring treats, and now Typo, the Tomahawk Leader Office Cat, is on Facebook and welcoming new friends. A stray kitten, Typo was brought to our office by a community member a little more than a year ago in hopes that we would take him in. Actually, at the time, we thought he was a she and we thought of calling "her" Miss Print. He lives here 24/7 and, as a way of earning his keep, writes a popular column (Mews by Typo). He also does freelance advice work for area veterinarians, helping them answer questions the public poses about pets. You can submit a question about pet care to typo@tomahawkleader.com; mention Typo in the Subject Line. This week Typo is hungry for a fish fry and found a coupon in our First Friday promotion in this week's newspaper. There are a number of special deals you'll want to take advantage of. Check out the pdf below: clip and save.

Two people have been taken into custody after a dog bite report led to the seizure of numerous firearms last Tuesday in the town of Schley outside of Gleason. Delcina P. Hochstetler, 50, Gleason, told deputies that her dog had been struck by a car, which caused it to act aggressive and bite her. When told the dog would need to be quarantined under state statutes for the purpose of rabies control, Hochstetler allegedly lied and said the dog died. Deputies went to Hochstetler's home later that night to follow up and found the dog was still alive. Deputies noted firearms inside the residence and what they suspected to be signs of drug activity. Later, they learned Hochstetler is a convicted felon from a prior burglary charge. Deputies recovered 17 firearms, including an AR15 military style rifle, which is believed to have been converted to a fully automatic weapon, along with hundreds of items used for the consumption of methamphetamine and marijuana. Hochstetler and Randy J. Ballmer, 47, Gleason, were jailed on charges including several felonies related to drug paraphernalia possession.

(Photo Story) The Winter 2010 Edition of the Tomahawk Leader's NorthCountry Style has hit the newsstands. Among the stories: **Information on the new ice shanty contest that's drawing interest across the Northwoods. The entry deadline is Feb. 1; top prize is a trophy and prize package valued at $500. **Cross country skiing. **Snowmobiling in Lincoln, Oneida and Price counties. **The first-even FROSTival weekend Feb. 26-28, including the Kinship of Tomahawk Polar Plunge, Somo Fish and Game Club Ice Fishing Jamboree, second annual Tumble in the Tundra mud wrestling event and much more. **Camp 10 Ski 'n Snowboard. **Merrill Ice Drags. **Treehaven activities. **Calendar of Events. **Recognizing frostbite and winter health problems. Pick up your copy at the Tomahawk Leader or on stands throughout the area. The section also is available in the pdf below and is part of the Online Edition of the Tomahawk Leader available by subscription.

Whether you ride in your classic snowmobile or just travel to enjoy them, the Devil's Creek Stump Jumpers Vintage Snowmobile Show and Ride is sure to have something for every enthusiast. Located at Schult's Country Inn just south of the city of Merrill, registration starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. Schult's Country Inn is two miles south of Merrill at W5931 Church Ave. For more information, call 675-8502, 848-2670 or 536-5726, www.devilscreek.org. **Check our Trail Report for snowmobile and other outdoor activity updates for Lincoln, Oneida and Price counties, and our Fishing Report for the latest there. Also refer to City Editor Jed Buelow's blog on our Message Board and experience his love of fishing.

Take time to learn more about the very successful Kinship of Tomahawk mentoring program by looking at the accompanying pdf. Fifteen children currently are on the waiting list, hoping to be matched with a caring adult, couple or family. Learn more about them, current mentors and the program itself. The information is included in the Jan. 19 Tomahawk Leader and was made possible by the business supporters you see listed. Also, sign up for the Kinship Polar Plunge, a major fund raiser slated Feb. 27 at SARA Park. If you can't plunge, consider making a donation by calling 715-453-1910 or 966-0996.

When you give blood at the American Red Cross blood drive in Tomahawk today (Feb. 2), you're helping create a new scholarship for a graduating Tomahawk High School student. Based on the number of units collected, between $750 and $1,000 will be distributed for post-secondary endeavors. The Red Cross is partnering with the school to thank students for being an important part of the blood collection program, according to Craig Harrison, blood center representative.

The Tomahawk Leader is pleased to announce a new online feature: Money-saving, national grocery coupons powered by RedPlum. The Leader Coupons (CLICK HERE) are accessible here and continually via a link under our Paper Clips in the left column. Check back often for updates, clip and save! If you have any problems printing the coupons, check the pdf below.

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.

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 Feb. 2, 2010, Tomahawk Leader include:

**Martin Uttech, 88, Tomahawk, born in Merrill, married Irene Natzke, lived in Wausau, moved to Tomahawk in 1985, 1940 graduate of Merrill High School, U.S. Navy World War II veteran, optician with American Optical until retiring in 1983 (1-28-10)

**Dwight Charles Richard, 97, Tomahawk, born in Crystal Falls, Mich., married Merle Walsh, was a county worker until 1943, entered U.S. Army, chef in Iron Mountain, Mich., later ran own restaurant until 1952, worked for National Tea Company as meat cutter until retiring in 1972 (1-31-10)

**William "Bill" Kolasa, 64, Tomahawk, born in Gilman, 1963 graduate of Gilman High School, moved to Tomahawk in 1965 where he began his teaching career (taught 35 years), married Sandra Hessefort, long-time hockey coach for Tomahawk High School, also baseball coach (1-25-10) Note: there are comments about Bill by several friends/coaches in a tribute in this week's sports section.

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

Last week, members of North Central Wisconsin Development Corporation (NCWDC) joined Tomahawk Main Street Inc. (TMS) in touring the completely reconstructed facility located at 118 W. Wisconsin Avenue, which is now home to Sew Pieceful Quilting. (See Photo Album) The business was the first to receive a pair of loans provided through NCWDC aimed at promoting economic growth in the multi-county regional area it serves. The two loans include a micro-loan and another that will provide funds for facade improvements. The Community Development Loan Fund was created in 2008, and is considered an economic development tool that provides funding to fill gaps in the local markets and stimulate private sector capital improvements. Anyone who would like to learn more about the loan programs should contact the Tomahawk Main Street office at 453-1090.

You can now subscribe to an online version of the Tomahawk Leader. (Click on this direct Online Edition link for information; please use this link for ordering.) The online version a replica of the newspaper that is mailed to subscribers, but will include more color photography. That means online readers will have access to complete news, sports and feature stories; popular columns such as those by publishers Larry and Kathy Tobin, Mark Gaedtke and Allan Bell; full obituaries and vital statistics including births, along with engagements and weddings; health items and tips; business announcements and legal notices; Lincoln County Sheriff's Department and Tomahawk Police Department reports; court news; Nature Notes; opinion pieces; school news; and advertising that has not been available to those who simply view the condensed Internet Edition. The Online Edition is being made available through a special service purchased by the Leader. The annual subscription rate is similar to local rates, which means a substantial savings to out-of-area and out-of-state residents. That results in the convenience of immediate access for distant subscribers who will no longer have to rely on mail delivery. The Tomahawk Leader Online Edition is accessible 24-7 beginning each Tuesday morning. The service also includes access to archived editions.

***Please continue to visit this web page for its condensed news summaries, active Message Board, extensive Photo Album with many unpublished pictures and Community Calendar and School Calendar, Fishing Report and Snowmobile Report, and other offerings. We have new features planned here, too, so check back often.

**After Tomahawk failed to score a single point in the first quarter, the Merrill Blue Jays basketball team went on to post an easy 58-35 victory Merrill's Paul Jesperson was the game's high scorer with 35 points, including five two-point field goals, eight treys and a free throw."It was a battle of pace. We wanted to play slow, and they tried to push the issue," coach Tim Albert said of Friday's 54-37 loss at Lakeland. **Tomahawk wrestlers captured 12 wins against Antigo Thursday, winning 68-12 in Great Northern Conference (GNC) action. **It may not have resulted in a "W," but it was fun to coach and fun to watch. So says coach Amanda Cushman about Friday's girls' hoops 48-30 matchup with visiting Lakeland. The Merrill Jays downed the T-hawks 41-11. Wisconsin Rapids' depth was not its pool but surfaced in its swimmers, which led to its 107-63 win against the boys from Tomahawk. The Hatchets had two first place finishes: 100-meter butterfly with a nice last 5-meter finish from John Lazarz and Joe Nettesheim's 50-meter freestyle. **Striving to continue their four-game winning streak at the expense of the Mosinee boys' hockey team, the host Hatchets began the game with a first period goal from Quinn Goretski. That advantage didn't hold up, however, and the Tomahawk skaters eventually fell by a 6-2 margin. Tomahawk scored first and was controlling Thursday's game against Merrill when penalties got the better of the Hatchets. Merrill came back to score three unanswered goals in the first period, well on its way to a 6-1 win. **In a battle of one-win girls' hockey teams at SARA Park, the visiting Medford Raiders topped the Tomahawk ice gals 7-4, then Tomahawk fell to Northland Pines 10-3 Friday night. **Look for the Hatchet sports schedule in the online School Calendar.

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, Tomahawk IGA 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.

**EMS and Tomahawk Police officers were called to a North Sixth Street residence for a 46-year-old woman who had her head stuck under a seat in her van for almost four hours. **Deputies are looking for community help after several ice fishing shanties were broken into on Lake Somo, north and west of Tomahawk this past week. Of the 10 break-ins that were discovered or reported. The list of stolen items included tip ups, jig poles, a power auger, an LED flashlight, two 20-pound LP tanks, a 12-volt deep cycle battery and a propane stove. If you have any information, call 453-5747 or 536-6272 or Crime Stoppers of Lincoln County at 536-3726. Read more about these and other reports in this week's newspaper.

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.

With an average 10-12 inches of snow or so on the ground, all area snowmobile trails are open, along with opportunities to snowshoe, downhill skiing (including Camp 10 Ski Area) and cross country trails. For condition updates related to snowmobiling in Lincoln, Oneida and Price Counties, check our Trail Report link. Be sure to stay on marked trails. Ice fishing updates are in our Fishing Report link.

Click on the pdf below to see the week-by-week news highlights from 2009. A second pdf looks back at the top stories of 2009. They include the recession; Derek Domke sentencing; Seth Louis' prison sentence; H1N1 scare; 951st Sapper Engineer Company return home; North Fourth Street/bridge replacement plans; deer harvest/water levels down.

The Town Square is a great place to check for places to stay, shop and dine while in the Tomahawk area. For information on adding your business link with web site, call 715-453-2151 or email sales@tomahawkleader.com.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Send "Paper Kisses" to someone important in your life. Check the pdf below for details.

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

Lincoln County Humane Society

Newspaper Public Notices Online

Oneida County Mining Exploration

Tomahawk Fire and Rescue School

Wisconsin Road Reports

Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry Information