Fins fly for walleyes

Lakeland Times publisher Gregg Walker looks on as Travis Strasburg tosses a walleye into the boat’s holding tank for Walleyes For Tomorrow on Lake Minocqua April 24. For more photos of the group working to grow the population in the chain, see pages 24 and 25.

Bangstad assassination posts get FBI’s attention

The Milwaukee field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation acknowledged this week that it was aware of social media posts by Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad promising to celebrate the death of President Donald Trump, as Democrats and Republicans alike distanced themselves from the activist’s remarks this past …

Lakeland track & field wins inaugural Oneida County Triangular

Lakeland track and field came back to Minocqua with the inaugural Oneida Country Triangular trophy following Tuesday’s meet. The Oneida County Triangular featured three schools — Lakeland, Rhinelander and Three Lakes. The Thunderbirds had the most combined points between the boys’ and girls’ teams.

Metrich reflects on last year’s state pheasant stamp win

If you like to hunt pheasants in Wisconsin or are just a collector of stamps, this year’s state pheasant stamp through the Department of Natural Resources features artwork from one of Lakeland’s very own, Caleb Metrich.

Minocqua Fire Department announces community pancake breakfast fundraiser

The Minocqua Fire Department will host a community pancake breakfast on Saturday, May 23, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Minocqua Fire Station II, located at 8528 N. Bo-di-Lac Drive. All community members are invited to attend and support the firefighters of Station II.

Equestrian center donates $2,000 to Plum Lake Public Library

Plum Lake Event & Equestrian Center made a $2,000 donation to the Plum Lake Public Library, made possible through proceeds from the 2026 Family FunFest held in March. The annual Family FunFest has become a community tradition, bringing together families from across the Northwoods for a day of fun, connection, …

LUHS approves 9% health insurance increase, passes off-agenda dental plan for employees

The Lakeland Union High School board of education agreed to approve employee health and dental insurance plans during an April 27 meeting. While the item of health insurance was properly listed on the agenda, the item of dental insurance wasn’t on the agenda at all. The board’s discussion, at times, …

Fire for fowl

Any woods walker who wanders the trunks this time of year can hear the crunchy needles or leaves beneath them. Before any substantial amount of rain saturates our forests and before any new green growth sprouts to the sky and shades the understory, fire season engulfs our arid and fuel-rich …

Back on track: LUHS golf wins second GNC meet

Scores may have been higher, but the Lakeland golf team did what they needed to do to earn its first victory of the season.

Bear aware: Winter Park’s ‘Wild Side’ series begins for 2026

Fifty-one people took some time out of their Saturday to hear a presentation about black bears. Winter Park board member Wendy Kraly said the 90-minute presentation, made by Randy Johnson, who has been a large carnivore specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) since 2020, was part of …

Boulder Junction appoints town chairman to EMS district board

The Boulder Junction town board agreed at its April 28 meeting to appoint town chairman Dennis Reuss to the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) board of directors. Reuss said the town’s current representative on the board, Dan Wahlgren, is “retiring from the board.”

Campground host opportunities

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest (NHAL), Buckhorn State Park and Roche-A-Cri State Park are looking for campground host volunteers for the 2026 camping season. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who loves camping and the outdoors.

Lady Thunderbirds score season-high nine goals

Lakeland girls’ soccer scored a season-high nine goals in a 9-1 Great Northern Conference road win over Antigo Tuesday. The Thunderbirds (7-0-0, 5-0-0-0 GNC) got goals from five different players. The game ended in the 65th minute due to the mercy rule with Lakeland up by eight goals.

Island City Dragon Boat Club announces new paddler info session and free on‑water practices

The Island City Dragon Boat Club invites community members to discover the excitement and teamwork of dragon boat racing at its upcoming new paddler info session on Sunday, May 3, at 1 p.m. The session will be held at Tone Zone Fitness in Minocqua, where attendees can learn about the …

St. Germain man charged with possession of child pornography

A St. Germain man is alleged to have been in possession of child pornography and is being charged in Vilas County Court with a class D felony. Eric Williams, 33, was booked into jail on April 22 and, according to court records, a cash bond was set by judge Daniel …

School garden project grows at Terrie’s Tree House with store support

The Minocqua Tractor Supply store is supporting Terrie’s Tree House in developing a school garden that will provide students with an enriched, hands-on learning experience.

Lakeland boys’ tennis showing improvement

The Lakeland Union High School boys’ tennis team got to face a variety of competition with five non-conference matches and one conference clash. The Thunderbirds went 0-5 in five matches at the De Pere Invite Friday, April 24 through Saturday, April 25. Lakeland then fell 3-4 to Rhinelander in a …

Minocqua Antique & Classic Boat Show June 19-20

The Minocqua Antique & Classic Boat Show is June 19-20 at Torpy Park in Minocqua. The event benefits local charitable organizations.

The Lake Where You Live

We’ve been gone for a week. When we left the big snowbanks beside our driveway were just on their way to oblivion. Thick ice still covered Birch Lake, but it had turned black, a sign of ice-out near. While we were gone, the lake opened up (on April 17, a …

Rhinelander team wins dartball state championship

Rhinelander’s McDonald Bus Service dartball team, captained by Jeff McDonald, shot a bullseye — or hit a home run rather — in the 2026 State Dartball Tournament, taking home the Class C championship after defeating Balz Inn of Athens last month at the Central Wisconsin Convention and Expo Center in …