Having a tubular time
Fifteen-year-old Evan Barden holds on to 9-year-old William Barden’s tube as they race down the hill during the grand opening of The Flying Squirrel on Monday, Dec. 29, at Minocqua Winter Park.
Wisconsin Conservation Congress citizen resolution submission opens Jan. 5
Wisconsin residents have the opportunity annually to be involved in a process that is unique to the state, that of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress citizen resolution process. In this process, residents are able to put forth a resolution that they would like to see become a regulation in relation to …
The snow everyone wanted, but storm causes outages and hazardous conditions
A winter snow storm affecting much of Wisconsin swept through the Northwoods the evening of Dec. 28 and lasted through the afternoon of Dec. 29. According to the National Weather Service in Green Bay, there was over a foot of snow reported in many parts of north central Wisconsin.
Violet’s spectacular return home
It is never an easy thing when a beloved family pet goes missing. It is even harder when the pet is a rescue, trying to recover from unbearable conditions in a new, loving home. This was the case for Violet, a six-year-old basset hound, rescued by Elizabeth Kowieski’s family only …
Trees stand tall
The Lakeland boys’ basketball team concluded its 2025 slate of games with a 91-60 non-conference loss at D.C. Everest on Monday.
Enjoying winter activities
Christmas Day may be in the past, but the fun doesn’t have to stop. There is plenty of fun winter activities to take in over the holiday break. It’s still Christmas break for kids in school and I know a lot of parents like to take time off work during …
My love for sports and music
The 20th anniversary of the Disney Channel Original Movie “High School Musical” is coming up in a couple of weeks. It’s a movie that I grew up with, and one that I can relate to. People might disagree with me, but I consider the original “High School Musical” from 2006 …
Gas prices hit lowest price on average in US since 2020
Pump prices, on average, were at their lowest since 2020 in the United States last month. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline fell below $3 on Dec. 1 for the first time since February of 2021.
Minocqua Winter Park celebrates grand opening of ‘The Flying Squirrel’ tubing hill
Minocqua Winter Park celebrated the grand opening of its new tubing hill, The Flying Squirrel, with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony held Monday, Dec. 29.
The Lake Where You Live
In summer our lakes have thermal stratification, a fancy term for layers of water based on temperature. In August, for example, a layer of water at perhaps 80-plus degrees F floats atop a layer of denser water in the 50s.
Eagles co-op goes 1-2 at Culver Cup
The Northland Pines girls’ hockey co-op salvaged a win in its final game of the Culver Cup on Monday, to end the three-day tournament in Verona with a 1-2 record. The Eagles — comprised of skaters from Northland Pines, Rhinelander, Lakeland, Antigo, Three Lakes, Hurley and Norway (Mich.) high schools …
Four lanes, zero excuses: Drivers must stop for school buses
As people transit roads in the Lakeland area during the school year, a question has surfaced regarding Wisconsin state law as it relates to stopping for school buses on four lane highways. More specifically, the concern centers on U.S. Highway 51 from south of Minocqua through Arbor Vitae, and on …
Reduce, reuse and recycle waste this holiday season
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering tips to help families save money, reduce waste and keep recycling and trash workers safe during upcoming holidays.
Northwoods Almanac
I participated in two Audubon Christmas Bird Counts – the 126th year of the counts – beginning on 12/18 with the Minocqua count. Here the group tallied 24 species, a typical number, despite the mist and rain that morning. Most counters, however, felt the woods were abnormally quiet – the …
No injuries in Hwy. 47 accident involving Oneida County plow truck
A slippery road surface was determined to be the cause of a three-vehicle, non-injury accident on State Highway 47 near at the intersection of Bay View Road in Woodruff just before 6 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 26.
Fe U presents ‘Snowshoes and You!’ this month
Learn to snowshoe! Snowshoeing is perhaps the perfect way to experience nature in winter. In the Fe University class “Snowshoes and You!” on the afternoons of Monday, Jan. 19, and the Sundays of Jan. 26 and Feb. 1, instructor Chad McGrath will help prepare you to take to the snowy …
2025 elk hunting season wraps up
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrates the completion of the 2025 elk hunting season. The state’s eighth managed elk hunt opened on Oct. 18 and concluded Dec. 19. “This elk season marks another rewarding hunt for 13 lucky state hunters,” said Christina Kizewski, DNR Central Elk Zone biologist. …
Minocqua plan commission approves two single-family short-term rentals
The Minocqua plan commission approved two administrative review permits (ARPs) for short-term rentals that fall within single-family zoning during a meeting on Dec. 30. The first ARP approved was for a property at 8297 West Amber Lake Road, applied for by Maggie Siclovan and owned by Timber Ridge Builders LLC.
DOT urges safe driving, implements strategies to reduce wrong-way driving on roads
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) is urging drivers to stay alert and make safe choices behind the wheel as dangerous driving behaviors continue to be an issue on Wisconsin roads. Preventable behaviors, including wrong-way driving, contribute to an unacceptable number of crashes and deaths.
