(Photo Story) Continuing his dominance of the Division 2 130-pound weight class at the WIAA state wrestling tournament in Madison, Hatchet senior Zach Zehner pins Seth Liegel of River Valley in the third period of the semifinals match. Following his 6-2 win over Cullan Morrissey of Oconto Falls in the finals, Zehner stands atop the winners' podium for the second straight year. Look for lots more unpublished pictures of local and area state wrestling action in our Photo Album.

Unhappy in the Great Northern Conference (GNC), Hatchet football has been given the okay to court another conference for as early as this fall. A similar separation vote was approved for Eagle River. Both are for football only. The Northland Pines Eagles have their sites set on a Michigan conference. Tomahawk has a couple options and will remain flexible as the process works its way through WIAA channels and the other teams are approached. In the GNC as it now stands, Tomahawk must face gridiron opponents two to three times its size. When one team's same 11 players are playing both offense and defense, and the other team can play a fresh squad, and make substitutions later in the game, "fatigue turns into an issue of safety and wellbeing, let alone being competitive," Principal Scott Swenty said. Among the options is participation in the Marawood Conference. With an enrollment of 525, Tomahawk would be the largest of eight schools, but Swenty indicated some of the smallest of the opposing schools are known for their strong, competitive football programs. Teams include: Edgar (235), Marathon (269), Stratford (259), Rib Lake/Prentice (314), Pittsville (219), Auburndale (291), Phillips (311) and Chequamegon (346). One of the strong appeals of the Marawood is the average travel distance would be 62 miles one-way. An additional option is the Central Wisconsin Large Conference: Shiocton (222), Pacelli (248), Iola-Scandinavia (249), Manawa (300), Bonduel (322), Weyauwega (359), Wittenberg (427) and Amherst (282). The average travel distance one-way is 97 miles, with Shiocton 126 miles. The Heart O' North Conference has a distance disadvantage of an average 120 miles, but is a third possibility. Membership includes: Northwestern (488), Bloomer (393), Cumberland (386), Hayward (749), Ladysmith (335), Chetek (300), Spooner (465) and Barron (449). Travel would be 168 and 139 miles one-way at its worst.

The loss of a second officer to an injury will require extended time off, notes Tomahawk Police Chief Don Johnson as adjustments are being made to staff the department. During hours the department has lapses, the Lincoln County Dispatch Center will dispatch Sheriff's deputies to emergency 911 calls within the city. Tomahawk officers will also be called out from home to respond to emergency calls as needed. Non-emergency calls placed to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department (453-5747) will forwarded to the Tomahawk Police Department for investigation and follow-up beginning at 7 a.m.

It's easy to get all the Tomahawk area news 24-7 with a subscription to an online version of the Tomahawk Leader. (Click on this direct Online Edition link for information.) The online version is a replica of the newspaper that is mailed to subscribers. That means online readers 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 searchable service also includes access to archived editions and direct links to web sites and email references.

***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.

Our "Just for the Health of It" section in the Feb. 9, 2010, Tomahawk Leader is filled with useful information. Among the topics are stories on a local, well-known heart attack victim, Gregg Albert; safe and unsafe pill splitting; nosebleeds in children; falls can be life-threatening; a menopause roadmap; Blastomycosis; heart-healthy recipes; local weight-loss strategy; help with stopping smoking; cold weather pet tips; suicide warning signs; flu prevention; and the Feb. 13 cancer remembrance concert, plus many others. The section also contains information on services available through area businesses and health providers. Be sure to pick up a copy on newsstands or subscribe to the Tomahawk Leader Online Edition and you'll automatically receive this helpful section as part of this week's newspaper.

Nearly 50 foreign nationals were arrested in central and western Wisconsin, including Merrill, during a weeklong enforcement action targeting criminal aliens and immigration fugitives, according to Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. The undertakings are in partnership with the United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U. S. Border Patrol in Duluth and Wisconsin Department of Justice special agents. Some prior histories included carrying a concealed weapon, drug possession cocaine, fourth degree sexual assault, felony fraud, multiple OWIs and possession of methamphetamine. The arrestees come from Mexico, China, Germany, South Africa, Macedonia, Romania, and Yugoslavia. To date, ICE has arrested over 325 criminal illegal aliens.

Typo the Tomahawk Leader Office Cat earned his I'm Too Chicken to Plunge t-shirt with a $140 donation to Kinship of Tomahawk, thanks to several supporters. Look for an update on Facebook. 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. 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.

Hundreds gathered at Inshalla Country Club Saturday to watch around 20 costumed contestants grapple in the mud to raise money for a good cause. For the second year in a row, the Tomahawk Lions Club's Tumble in the Tundra generated thousands of dollars for local non-profit organizations selected by those brave enough to get covered in mud in support of their causes. We have pictures to prove it in the Photo Album. Ask participants about their antics, as well as their scrapes and bruises.

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 March 2, 2010, Tomahawk Leader include:

**Beatrice Voermans (Schuit), 88, lifelong residents of town of Harrison, born in Chicago, married Peter J. Voermans, worked most of her life on family farm (2-22-10).

**Frances K. Piehl, 96, Tomahawk (2-23-10; memorial service this summer; Krueger Family Funeral Home assisting).

**ARRIVING AFTER PUBLICATION:

**Iris "Mickey" Hein (Meister), 80, Tomahawk, married John F. Hein, formerly lived in Long Beach, Calif., later in Saudi Arabia, moved to Tomahawk in 1962, she and husband owned Inshalla Country Club for many years, received Registered Nurse degree, employed as surgical nurse at Seaside Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, Calif., finished nursing career at Golden Age Nursing Home, Tomahawk. (3-3-10; Mass of Christian Burial 4 p.m. Friday, March 5 at St. Mary Catholic Church; visitation Friday beginning 1 p.m. at the church. Krueger Family Funeral Home handling arrangements.)

(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.)

Warm weather (with temperatures hovering around 40 Thursday) is taking its toll on area snowmobile trails.

A News Release issued by the Lincoln County Forestry, Land & Parks Department says: Due to rapidly deteriorating trail conditions, all Lincoln County snowmobile and winter ATV trails are closed effective 12:01 a.m. March 5, 2010.

Check our Snowmobile Trail Report in the left-hand column for the latest on temporary closures and other updates. We also have an extended, 15-day Weather report in that link at the top of the page.

Rep. Don Friske (R-Merrill) announced today (March 5) he will not pursue re-election for the 35th Assembly District in November. He will continue to serve the remainder of his current legislative term through 2010.

"I will miss working for the people of Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon and Oneida counties as well as the rest of Wisconsin," Friske said. "Over the last 10 years I met many wonderful people in the 35th District and I want to say thank you for all the support, advice and spirited debate on the issues that face this great state."

Among many issues facing Wisconsin, Friske focused his time on forestry, criminal justice and the State's budget process:

"When I first ran for office in 2000, I promised a strong voice for northern Wisconsin families," Friske said. "Over the course of the past ten years, the citizens of the 35th Assembly District and I used our real life experience and perspective to re-shape our State for the better."

In 2006, Friske purchased and began operating a CARQUEST Auto Parts franchise in Merrill. In 2008 he expanded into his hometown of Tomahawk. Friske plans to spend more time running his family-owned business and camping, fishing and hunting with his family.

**Three Tomahawk wrestlers trekked to the Kohl Center in Madison to compete in the WIAA individual wrestling tournament. Sam Arnott, a senior 119-pounder, won his first match but lost his next two and finished out of the medals. Rudy Chagoya, battling flu-like symptoms throughout the tourney, won third place at 135 pounds. Senior Zach Zehner dominated the Division 2 130-pound weight class and collected his second straight state championship. He finished his career with 177 wins. **Three players on the Great Northern Conference list of honorable mentions represented the Hatchet boys' hockey team. Tyler Saindon, Craig Swan and Matt Gerber were chosen as "HM" by the conference coaches. **The girls' hockey team placed Kendall Nelson and Kacey Iwen on the GNC first team. Junior Taylor Laack was recognized with an "honorable mention." **The Hatchet wrestling squad fared well in the All-GNC post-season selections and had five wrestlers earn spots on the all-conference first team. Those wrestlers were Sam Arnott (119 pounds), Zach Zehner (130), Rudy Chagoya (135), Chris George (145) and Jordan McAllister (160). Zehner also was named the league's "Outstanding Wrestler." **Tomahawk's girls' basketball team slipped to 1-19 for the season and 0-12 in the Great Northern Conference after losing 40-43 to host Three Lakes last Tuesday and 20-38 at Antigo Friday. Anna Sudbury and Sara Maday led the Hatchets in scoring at Three Lakes with a dozen points apiece, while Lindsay Terkelsen was Tomahawk's top scorer at Antigo with six points. **The Hatchet boys' basketball team lost 46-69 to host Ladysmith last Tuesday and 39-84 to visiting Antigo Friday in a GNC tilt. Mike Anderson was the top Tomahawk scorer in both games with 16 and eight points, respectively.

A wrongful death suit was filed last week by the family of Rochelle Anderson against the Tomahawk man convicted of murdering her during a gas station robbery on North Fourth Street Easter weekend in 2008. The civil suit against Derek Domke, 19, Tomahawk, is on behalf of Rochelle's now-3-year-old daughter, noted grandparents Randy and Tara Anderson Sr. As per state statutes, no monetary amount is suggested, nor is it anticipated any sizeable sum will be forthcoming since Domke, cited as Inmate #449548, is incarcerated at Green Bay Correctional Institution until 2053, Tara Anderson noted. The point is to place a lien on any money Domke may, for example, inherit or "if and when he walks - if he ever gets out of prison - and seeks a car loan or purchases a house, he's held accountable that he did something unforgettable," she said. The filing comes less than two weeks after Domke appeared in court attempting to withdraw his guilty plea and be re-sentenced for the crime. Learn how the family is dealing with Rochelle's tragic death and a heart-wrenching update on Rochelle's daughter and the picture she drew and wants her mother to see. The full story is in the Feb. 23 Tomahawk Leader.

You won't want to miss the first Explore Tomahawk section inserted in this week's Tomahawk Leader and in the Wausau Daily Herald. The invitation is extended to visitors everywhere to come see what Tomahawk has to offer, whether it's for the day, a weekend, a week or much longer. Maybe you'll find that special cabin in the woods or lakefront property. Perhaps you'll capture a picture of your child's first fish. You're certainly going to enjoy our many places to shop, dine, and all Tomahawk has to offer, from snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing to community events and natural beauty. "The scenery and serenity are just minutes away." The Winter/Spring edition includes details on the big FROSTival weekend, area segments of the Ice Age Trail, events at Treehaven, and a glimpse at upcoming calendar items (more are available in our Community Calendar). Note: the Explore Tomahawk section incorrectly lists the email address for the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce. It should be chambert@gototomahawk.com (we omitted the t after the chamber, but have corrected it in the online version we posted here). You'll find a copy of Explore Tomahawk in the pdf below for you to enjoy.

The Feb. 23 Tomahawk Leader includes our Wedding Planner 2010, complete with a feature about how "sass and a little shyness" have led to 55 years of wedded bliss for Glady and Cliff Fishbeck. You'll enjoy the story. Punky and Allan Kainz also mark their 60th wedding anniversary. There are items about sharing news of one's engagement, planning the wedding of one's dreams, money merging strategies, 10 questions to ask your caterer, wedding folklore, a feature about the Feb. 27 Wedding Wonderland Expo, toasting tips, changing the bride's name and ads from businesses that are eager to serve you as you plan for the big day and your new life together. Check out the pdf below.

**Area snowmobile trails are in need of new snow as many courses are now icy with bare spots in open areas. **Ice fishermen are reminded that all ice shanties and shelters must be removed from the ice by March 14. **Check our Trail Report link in the left column for snowmobile and other outdoor activity updates for Lincoln, Oneida and Price counties. **Our Fishing Report has tips and other information. Also refer to City Editor Jed Buelow's blog on our Message Board and experience his love of fishing.

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.

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.

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

THS Graduation Date Survey

Tomahawk Fire and Rescue School

Wisconsin Road Reports

Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry Information