Recent Stories
Hodag Challenge 2026 sees jump in shooters
The Hodag Sports Club pulled in shooters from across the midwest and beyond for the 2026 Hodag Challenge July 18 and 19. This years Hodag Challenge marked just the second time Rhinelander individually hosted the event. In the past, the club hosted it with the Wausau Skeet and Trap Club.
Otto reflects on community relationships as a warden in the Northwoods
At the intersection of conversation and dead end roads, there are connections. Connections are what can build trust, and some may say they’re what brings dawn to the duck blind. Long-time Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warden, Tim Otto, has driven down countless roads in nearly 27 years with the department, but one sticky memory boiled to his attention as he underlined the importance of community relationships and connections.
Train locally, compete (inter)nationally
Saoirse Cichy represents the Northwoods on many stages
Earlier this summer, Saoirse Cichy traveled to Lithuania as the youngest member on Team USA Federation of Pankration Athlima (FPA). After she returned to the United States, Cichy went to South Carolina to compete in the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) Youth National Tournament.
Snowhawks edged by Chicago All-Stars
The Lake Tomahawk Snowhawks were defeated 16-9 by the Chicago All-Stars Saturday during their annual Independence Day showdown at Snowshoe Park.
High Gun awards sent downrange for RHS trap team
The Rhinelander High School trap team capped off its season after 14 athletes competed at the state trap singles event at the Wisconsin Trapshooting Association Homegrounds in Nekoosa on June 19. The team awarded “High Gun” honors to five Hodags at the end of the season, and coach Phil Kriesel highlighted some other bullseyes from the season.
State approves zero doe quota for DMU 116
Youth antlerless harvest still authorized
The Natural Resources Board (NRB) approved the final quotas and season structure for the 2026 deer season on June 24 during a meeting in Black River Falls.
team review: rhs girls’ soccer
Chemistry crosses the field throughout ‘a heck of a year’
The Rhinelander High School girls’ soccer team finished the year with a deep WIAA Division 3 tournament run, finding itself in the sectional final game for the first time since 2018.
Rebels drop a pair of games in Merrill
The Rhinelander Post 7 Rebels lost back-to-back games at Athletic Park in Merrill last Saturday, June 27. The Rebels fell 17-1 in five innings to Northwoods in game one, and 14-5 to host Merrill in game two of the Merrill Legion Post 46 Baseball Tournament.
Team review: RHS baseball
Hodags strike conference title, learn lesson in playoffs
Just over two weeks after securing the outright Great Northern Conference championship for the first time since 2012, the Rhinelander High School baseball team lost their opening playoff contest as 9-seed Bloomer came to town and sneaked past the Hodags, 5-4.
Team Review: RHS softball
Hodag fastpitch finishes another year heading in the right direct
The Rhinelander High School softball team ended the season with an improved record from the two seasons prior, going 10-15 on the year and 4-9 in the Great Northern Conference. Last season, the Hodags went 2-10 in conference and 5-16 overall, while 2024 produced a 1-11 GNC record (1-16 overall).