Donald J. Winninghoff
Donald J. Winninghoff, 85, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025. A proud Wisconsin native, Don lived a life defined by his devotion to his family and his appreciation for the Northwoods.
Bon bon ballerinas
Dancers, from left, Haiden Jaramillo, Sloane Borowczyk, Stella Lasier, Harper Fitch-Collins, and Rachel McMahon as Mother Ginger & her Bon Bons during The Nutcracker Home Alone performance by Minocqua Dance on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua. See page 16 for more photos of the performance.
Vilas EDC announces Ferrel as new board chair
The Vilas County Economic Development Corp. (VCEDC) has elected Kate Ferrel, president of Nicolet College, as chair of its board of directors, according to a press release. The election was announced at the organization’s annual meeting Dec. 12. Ferrel will begin her term Jan. 1, succeeding Jim Tuckwell, who is …
Oneida chair ‘totally against’ four-day highway department work week in winter
Oneida County board chairman Scott Holewinski, for the second time in two weeks, attended the county board’s public works and solid waste committee meeting Dec. 18. He told The Lakeland Times on Dec. 19 one of the main reasons he went to the meeting was because of a significant work …
Thunderbirds go into holiday break with momentum
It’s been a strong start to the non-conference season for the Lakeland Union High School boys’ hockey team. That continued on Friday night. The Thunderbirds (3-2, 0-2 GNC) beat non-conference West Bend 3-1 in Minocqua to close out their 2025 slate of games.
Survey to be done for Lakeland area YMCA input
The Lakeland Area Y Steering Committee is exploring the feasibility of creating a YMCA that reflects the heart of our community — and they need your voice to guide the process. Community members are invited to participate in a Community Needs Assessment to help determine what gaps in facilities, programs, …
Fire/EMS director in Lac du Flambeau claims he didn’t resign
On Dec. 12, the Lac du Flambeau town board, after a closed session regarding the status of fire department and emergency medical services (EMS) director Mike Zimmerman, accepted Zimmerman’s resignation after the town board reconvened in open session.
Emma Brooks, Jazmine Chapman, Kady Lohoff take first for LUHS girls’ wrestling
Looking to get time on the mat, the Lakeland girls’ wrestling team took part in the first Wisconsin Valley Conference/Great Northern Conference Challenge meet on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Washburn defeats Tiger boys’ basketball team
The Mercer boys’ basketball team remained winless on the season following an 85-32 loss to conference foe Washburn on Wednesday. “Turnovers and not getting enough second chances has been hurting us this season,” coach Anthony Pemble said. “And that continued in this game.”
Delve into ‘Medical Ethics’ with Fe University class
Tune in from the comfort of your home as Tom Evans, Ph.D., presents four engaging sessions on considering ethical decisions that are involved in medicine, whether as patients, caregivers, or citizens.
Boulder Junction town board to stick with Wahlgren as EMS district rep
The Boulder Junction town board at a Dec. 16 meeting agreed to reappoint Dan Wahlgren to the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD), a new ambulance service created between four northwest Vilas County towns and besides Boulder Junction, includes Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle and Winchester.
Minocqua Lions Club donates to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office
The Minocqua Lions donated $1,000 to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office in recognition of its response to social media threats aimed at disrupting the 2025 Fourth of July celebration in Minocqua, according to a press release. The threats were posted by Kirk Bangstad on his Minocqua Brewing Company social media …
Antigo man arrested on charges related to 2016 case against him
A 34-year-old Antigo man charged with first degree child sexual assault (sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 13), a Class B felony, and causing a child under the age of 13 to view or listen to a sex act, a Class F felony, pled not guilty to …
Respiratory illness activity increasing in northern region
Based on emergency department visit data, respiratory illness activity is currently moderate in Wisconsin’s northern region which includes Oneida County. More specifically, these data show increasing activity of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, with influenza A rising more quickly than other respiratory illnesses.
Eagle River hit with property tax, double-digit sewer increases
Eagle River residents and businesses were dealt a double-whammy of levy and utility increases when the common council of the city of Eagle River voted during its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9 to raise both property taxes and water and sewer rates.
Reader laments ‘Christ-less’ Christmas concert
To the Editor: Isn’t the birth of Jesus the reason we celebrate Christmas? My heart was crying as I left the “Winter Concert 2025,” to see my great-granddaughter in pre K. Yes, the kids were all excited and happy and they did an awesome job. But not one song included, …
Rob Reiner and Donald Trump
At first, when I saw it on Facebook, I thought someone had fallen for some AI slop, was reposting “fake news.” Even President Donald Trump could not be that tasteless. He could be. He is. This is the full post: “A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob …
The dumbest assumption in all of politics
One of the most persistent mistakes in modern politics is the insistence on flattening all ideologies — pretending that all human beings think the same way, want the same things, and are motivated by the same forces. Every time policymakers fall into this trap, the result is not compassion or …
Kathleen E. Felker
Kathleen E. Felker, 95, Greendale, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and the warmth of an Irish heart. Born on October 9, 1930, to the late William and Agnes (Sheehan) Monahan. Kathleen’s family was the centerpiece of her world. She is survived …
