Brian Jopek

Recent Stories

Seventh Firehouse Chili Feed Challenge raises over $8,000

Members from five area volunteer fire departments faced off in the 7th Annual Firehouse Chili Feed Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 21. The chili feed is hosted by a different area fire department each year and this year’s event was held at Minocqua’s main fire station on U.S. Highway 51.

Oneida County seeking a new medical examiner

Over the course of the past several weeks, Oneida County has been without a full-time medical examiner. Crystal Schaub, who started as an limited term employee (LTE) deputy medical examiner in June 2016, was promoted to the position of medical examiner in January, 2019.

Fire and ambulance committee authorized in Lac du Flambeau

The Lac du Flambeau town board voted, after meeting in closed session during its Feb. 19 meeting, to establish a fire and ambulance committee.

BOA upholds CUP revocation

The seven members of the Oneida County Board of Adjustment (BOA) last week voted to uphold the July, 2024, revocation of a conditional use permit (CUP) by the Oneida County board’s planning and development committee.

MHLT school board approves PFAS treatment project

The school board for the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district last week approved a bid for a project intended to treat the district’s Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) issue.

MHLT school board OKs Baird budget program

To better prepare the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district for what is an anticipated operating referendum at some point in the near future, the school board last week voted to purchase a program titled the “Baird Budget Forecast Model” for $4,000.

Possession of child pornography charges against Arbor Vitae man dismissed

A 47 year-old Arbor Vitae man charged with possession of child pornography had the case against him dismissed in Vilas County court on Feb. 14. At the time of his arrest in early March, 2023, Lucas R. Aschbrenner had been on the teaching staff of the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district for seven years.

Minocqua hits the brakes on QR parking

The Minocqua town board has, for now, decided to shelve a plan to implement a plan to use quick-response (QR) code technology for a seasonal paid parking plan. The town board initially intended to use the QR technology for the entire downtown area and the rest of what is known as “the island.”

Vilas County highway committee denies Thompson Excavating permit

The Vilas County board’s highway committee Tuesday denied a driveway permit application from Chris Thompson of Thompson Excavating. Thompson has property on the north side of State Highway 70 and just east of the intersection with County Highway F where he’d like to build a shop facility for his business.

Vilas County highway committee approves Hwy. W construction bid

One bid for a road construction project on County Highway W in Vilas County was approved at Tuesday’s meeting of the Vilas County board’s highway committee. County highway commissioner Troy Schalinske said a base bid of $3,659,810.10 was submitted by Pitlik and Wick.