Brian Jopek

Recent Stories

North Lakeland school board approves 2025-26 teacher salary increase

The North Lakeland school district’s board of education Monday approved teacher contract renewals that include a 4.9 percent base salary increase for the 2025-26 school year.

New Cassian town board sends draft wake boat ordinance to the DNR

It took the new Cassian town board not even two minutes at Monday’s meeting to approve sending a draft of an enhanced wake ordinance to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for review.

Minocqua Winter Park hosts Spring Fling flex disc golf tournament

2025 marks the second year for the disc golf course at Minocqua Winter Park and on May 10, the facility and its staff hosted a Spring Fling flex disc golf tournament. Minocqua Winter Park trails manager Barb Blow and her husband, Dennis, designed the course.

Lac du Flambeau town board takes no action on election complaint

The Lac du Flambeau town board last week voted to take no action related to a complaint against town clerk Susan Schoonover by Stephanie Minisinookwe Thompson. Thompson, who lost by seven votes to Matt Gaulke in the April 1 election for town chair, filed the complaint on April 24 via email.

Minocqua town board OKs dispatcher pay increase

The Minocqua police department has been without a chief of police since the retirement of Dave Jaeger in early January. It also had, going into the May 6 meeting of the town board, a vacant police dispatcher position since February.

Minocqua town board denies new Minocqua Brewing Company CUP application

The Minocqua town board Tuesday, following nearly 45 minutes of discussion and deliberation, denied an application for a conditional use permit (CUP) from Kirk Bangstad, owner of Minocqua Brewing Company.

Vilas County zoning committee OKs Lakeland Disposal CUP

The Vilas County board’s zoning and planning committee last week approved a conditional use permit (CUP) application from Chad Metzger, owner of Lakeland Disposal, to construct a solid waste transfer station on just over five acres off of Justin Street in Arbor Vitae.

Oneida County highway dept. to remain at Kemp Street, eyes $10M in improvements

With the determination made the Oneida County highway department is to remain headquartered at its main facility on Kemp Street, the Oneida County board’s public works committee is tentatively planning to meet jointly with the executive committee later this month to go over plans for facility improvement that cover the next few years.

Winchester planning commission spins wheels on ATV ordinance

The Winchester town board’s planning commission, tasked with developing an all terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) ordinance, worked on a draft of the ordinance for a little more than a half-hour during its April 28 meeting. By the end of the discussion, it was tabled to the commission’s May meeting.

Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force presents sextortion awareness program at LUHS

Approximately 75 people were in the Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) auditorium the evening of Wednesday, April 23, to listen to a presentation from Chad Wanta, a 25-year law enforcement veteran and currently a detective sergeant with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.