Brian Jopek

Recent Stories

Fire destroys iconic Minocqua location

Two separate Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) activations were used as firefighters and equipment from the Lakeland area and beyond responded to two structure fires early Wednesday morning, Aug. 26.

Lac du Flambeau teen faces up to 60 years for alleged sexual assault

A Lac du Flambeau teenager charged with one count of first degree sexual assault and sexual intercourse with a child under 13 years old faces up to 60 years in prison. According to the complaint against Merik Allen, 17, Det. Sgt. Adam Grisa with the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department talked to an Indian Child Welfare (ICW) worker about an alleged sexual assault of a child who lived at the residence of a 39 year-old woman in Lac du Flambeau.

Minocqua Fire and Rescue receives WPS grant

The Minocqua fire department, during a brief, low-key presentation Monday at the fire department’s station on U.S. Highway 51, received from the Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation medical supplies for mass incident emergency response kits.

Lac du Flambeau school board chooses a successor to Jackson

The board of education for the Lac du Flambeau (LdF) public school district Monday selected a successor to Brian Jackson, who resigned his seat on July 8. He was elected to the school board in April, 2025.

Portion of Vilas County Highway F to be temporarily closed

Motorists who use Vilas County Highway F between State Highways 70 and 47 in Lac du Flambeau will need to make other route plans for approximately 10 days beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Vilas County board passes resolution to borrow nearly $6.6 million

The Vilas County board during its Aug. 25 meeting approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds not to exceed $6,580,000.

Oneida County public works denies Willow Road transfer request

The Oneida County board’s public works committee during its Aug. 20 meeting denied a jurisdictional transfer request from the towns of Lynne and Minocqua to the county. The issue centers around 12.9 miles of Willow Road, which intersects with U.S. Highway 8, goes through Lynne, becomes Pine Lake Road at the town line with Minocqua and eventually becomes Squirrel Lake Road, connecting to State Highway 70 on Minocqua’s west side.

Lac du Flambeau town board responds to latest from the tribe

In a continuing back and forth between the town of Lac du Flambeau and the tribal council for the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, the town board last week, following a closed session, responded to the most recent correspondence from tribal president John Johnson, Sr.

Cross Country Cruisers approach Arbor Vitae with budget requests

The Arbor Vitae town board last week was presented with budgetary requests from the Cross Country Cruisers (CCC) Snowmobile Club as the town board begins its 2027 budget process. The town board had received a July 27 letter from club president David Clairmore highlighting two requests.

10th annual Dragon Boat Festival raises over $15,000 toward new UTV ambulance

2026 marked the 10th year of the Dragon Boat Festival in Minocqua and Erin Biertzer, president of the Howard Young Foundation, told The Lakeland Times “it was awesome.”