Minocqua town board to hold public meeting on new paid parking plan
Hartzheim: ‘There’s going to be a learning curve’
The Minocqua town board’s November decision to enact a seasonal paid parking plan using quick-response (QR) code technology in the entire downtown area and the rest of what is known as “the island” hasn’t been the most popular.
Use of ATVs and UTVs on all Vilas County roads heads to the county board
Muelbach: ‘I think that’s where the decision should be made’
The stage is now set for a decision next week from the Vilas County board regarding all terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use on all county roads. Tuesday, the county board’s highway committee voted 4 to 1 to send a draft resolution containing a proposed amendment to Chapter 26 of the county’s Motorized Recreational Trails and Routes ordinance to the county board at its Jan. 28 meeting.
Vilas and Iron counties open snowmobile trails for the season
Oneida County trails to remain closed
Heading into the week of Jan. 13, what has been a relatively mild winter from a snowfall perspective in the Lakeland area had kept snowmobile trails in Vilas, Iron and Oneida counties closed. Following snowfall on Tuesday night into Wednesday, that changed things.
Lac du Flambeau tribal police to issue trespassing citations
Tribal council decides not to barricade four roads but non-tribal landowners using those roads to be fined
The tribal council for the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Chippewa Indians let a Jan. 16 deadline expire without barricading four roads that have been at the center of a dispute with the town of Lac du Flambeau for nearly two years. However, non-tribal landowners on those roads are to be cited for trespassing.
MHLT’s PFAS filtration project goes out for bids
Project to be funded through grant
In December of 2023, the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district sent a drinking water advisory to parents regarding perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances.
MHLT’s PFAS filtration project goes out for bids
District awarded a grant to fund the project
In December of 2023, the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district sent a drinking water advisory to parents of MHLT students in early December regarding perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances. District superintendent Dr. Jim Ellis told The Lakeland Times then that starting in the summer of 2023 public entities like MHLT not on a public water system are required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to test their wells for PFAS.
LdF town board files joint injunction with property owners in DOJ lawsuit
Dept. of Justice filed a lawsuit against the town in connection with road dispute with the LdF tribe
The Lac du Flambeau town board on Monday directed the town’s legal counsel to file an injunction jointly with landowners directly involved in a federal case related to a nearly two- year-old road easement dispute with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
Woodruff town board chooses street names for new housing development
The Woodruff town board at its Jan. 14 meeting named three roads that residences for the Woods Hollow Cottages and Town Homes development will be on. Northpointe Development Corporation has town and Oneida County–approved plans for 50 housing units — 29 cottages and 21 houses — and the excavation for the project, according to Northpointe’s Andy Dumke, is to begin later this month.
Lac du Flambeau town board denies access to Patterson Lane for excavating company
The Lac du Flambeau town board during its Jan. 8 meeting took action to make sure Patterson Lane remains designated as a town road not to be used for heavy trucks that haul heavy equipment such as bulldozers and excavators.
Lakeland Baseball Association continues fundraising effort
Gee: ‘We need a little push here to get us over the top’
During the town of Minocqua’s April, 2024, annual meeting, voters approved construction of a 6,400 square foot practice facility on town property, that being at the Minocqua Sports Complex.
Minocqua town board approves beer sale permit for pond hockey tournament
The Minocqua town board last week approved a full-service retail sales application from Rocky Reef Brewing Company in Woodruff to sell product during the American Pond Hockey Tournament over two weekends next month.
Lac du Flambeau tribe prepares to barricade roads in easement dispute
The ongoing road easement dispute between the town of Lac du Flambeau and the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians is about to head into another chapter. That chapter is in the form of another barricading by the tribe of four roads that have had expired easements of tribal property on them for more than a decade.
Minocqua town board pares back QR parking plan for downtown
Fricke: ‘Businesses have a hard enough time making it downtown’
The Minocqua town board, during a nearly two-hour special meeting Tuesday approved a plan, on a 3-1 vote, that would scale back the scope of a plan approved in November for paid parking using quick-response (QR) code technology in the entire downtown area and the rest of what is known as “the island.”
Lakeland Airport Commission accepts administrator’s resignation
Roger Grahl appointed as interim administrator
For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Noble F. Lee Memorial Field, otherwise known as the Lakeland Airport in Arbor Vitae, is without a full-time administrator.
Winchester town board to send letter to Vilas County in opposition to ATVs and UTVs
The Winchester town board will send a letter to Vilas County stating its position on the use of all terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use on county roads. The decision to do so was made during the Jan. 6 town board meeting and prompted in part by Vilas County supervisor Richard Logan, who represents Winchester as well as the town of Presque Isle.
Boulder Junction’s ‘The Glide’ officially opens for the winter
There was a ribbon-cutting for a nearly one-mile-long “ice skating ribbon” in Boulder Junction’s Winter Park on Tuesday, Dec. 31. The grand opening for what is known as “The Glide” was originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 28, but warmer temperatures delayed it.
Vilas County Human Services stands up
Gardener: ‘We beat the end of the year’
With the new year comes a new service for Vilas County communities. Well, not entirely new. On Jan. 1, 2025, Vilas County Human Services officially came into being, a successor to what had been the county’s department of social services.
Arbor Vitae woman charged in connection with Hazelhurst accident
The next court appearance for a 30-year-old Arbor Vitae woman involved in a Dec. 17 accident on U.S. Highway 51 in Hazelhurst is set for Feb. 10. Amanda May Woodard is charged with one count of disorderly conduct/domestic abuse, a B misdemeanor, in connection with the accident.
Lac du Flambeau still waiting on fire station completion
Project approved by electors in 2022, construction began in 2023
The town of Lac du Flambeau will have to wait just a bit longer to fully utilize its new fire station on State Highway 47 near the intersection with Raven Lake Road. The multi-million dollar facility was supposed to have been officially completed and turned over to the town by NASI Construction of Hurley, the primary contractor, by the end of September, 2024.
Lac du Flambeau town board mulls 2025 Oneida County ambulance contract
As 2025 begins, so does the latest contract for ambulance service between Oneida County and the town of Lac du Flambeau. With the new year, the contract automatically renews with a four percent increase to $303,175, up from a little more than $290,000 for 2024.
Landfill Venture Group agreement to be amended
Intergovernmental document formed the LVG in 1988
As things progress to get the expansion of the County G Landfill in the town of Cloverland started, the multi-municipality-organization in Vilas County that owns the facility, the Landfill Venture Group (LVG), has taken a step toward amending the original agreement that formed the LVG in May, 1988.
ATV/UTV issue in Boulder Junction continues to pick up steam
Reuss: ‘We’ve gone through this once before’
The issue of all terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use on public roads, whether they’re town roads or stretches of county highways, in the town of Boulder Junction has recently heated up publicly once again.
Winchester holds off on Oneida County ambulance contract
Hartman: ‘We’ll be as patient as we can’
The Winchester town board is holding off on formal approval of a new contract with Oneida County to provide ambulance service. The town, with its own volunteer ambulance service, is part of the newly formed Northwoods Emergency Services District (NEMSD) with the towns of Boulder Junction, Presque Isle and Manitowish Waters.
The ‘Winter Wellness Program’ for veterans
Kleiman-Zeller: ‘I know there’s a need for it’
Ann Kleiman-Zeller is a small business owner who feels the need to give back to U.S. veterans in the area. She was contacted by the staff at the Vilas County Veterans Service in Eagle River and asked if she would like to participate in a “Winter Wellness Campaign” that kicked off on Veterans Day and runs through March 20, 2025.
Arbor Vitae town board recommends ATV/UTV use on county roads
The Arbor Vitae town board last week made the decision to recommend to Vilas County that stretches of county highways M and N in the town be open for all terrain (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use.
Lac du Flambeau town electors vote to make a change
Treasurer position to be appointed and not elected starting in April
Residents of the town of Lac du Flambeau who attended a special meeting of the electors last week voted to switch the town treasurer position from elected to appointed effective in April of 2025.
Area fire departments conduct a practice burn on Mercer Lake Road
Sipin: ‘We had a number of objectives for this burn’
Firefighters from seven Lakeland area fire departments converged on a vacant home on Mercer Lake Road on Dec. 14. The structure, owned by Madison and Andrew Alesauskas, was donated by the couple for use in a practice burn.
Smudde offered MHLT district administrator position
Former LUHS administrator has been MHLT principal for just a few months
Four months after he was hired as principal by the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district’s board of education, administrator Bob Smudde has been offered — and he’s accepted — the position of district administrator.
MHLT school board OKs playground equipment purchase
$300,000 cost to be covered by the district and its Firebird Foundation
The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district’s board of education Monday approved the expenditure of up to $225,000 toward the purchase of a “school fitness course” for sixth through eighth grade students.
North Lakeland ‘exceeds expectations’ with latest DPI report card
The board of education for the North Lakeland School (NLS) district heard during its Dec. 9 meeting a report on the latest district report card from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
Lake Tomahawk to receive DNR funding for Bass Road improvements
The town of Lake Tomahawk has up to $150,000 in funding waiting for improvements to a little more than a mile of Bass Road.
Arbor Vitae-Woodruff school board fires finance director
The board of education for the Arbor Vitae-Woodruff (AV-W) school district Monday fired the district’s finance director following a closed session.
Fire heavily damages St. Germain home
Firefighters from three area fire departments responded to the report of a house fire Monday evening. According to a press release from the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, the dispatch center received a report before 7 p.m. of a house on fire on State Highway 155 in St. Germain.
Lac du Flambeau’s 2025 town budget and property tax levy approved
Residents of the town of Lac du Flambeau Tuesday approved the town’s 2025 budget and property tax levy. The unanimous vote to accept the budget and mill levy took place during a special town meeting after a budget hearing was conducted.
2025 Minocqua budget questions
Hartzheim: ‘Trying to do more with less’
When the town of Minocqua’s 2025 budget and property tax levy were approved during the town’s Nov. 21 budget meetings, town chairman Mark Hartzheim, in his opening remarks, went over areas of the budget where the town board agreed to make cuts during the budget process.
Lac du Flambeau electors to decide on town treasurer position
Remain elected or change to appointed?
The town of Lac du Flambeau will conduct a special town meeting of electors on Dec. 19 at the Lac du Flambeau town hall. The purpose of the meeting is to have town residents determine whether or not the position of town treasurer remain an elected position or be changed to one that is appointed.
Manitowish Waters a ‘Snowmobile Friendly Town’
Among the latest Lakeland area towns named as “Snowmobile Friendly” by the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC) is the town of Manitowish Waters. Leigh Ann Petrusky is a member of the Manitowish Sno-Skeeters Snowmobile Club.
Eagle River woman dies after Hwy. 17 crash
A 70 year-old Eagle River woman died late Friday morning as the result of a one vehicle crash on State Highway 17 in Sugar Camp. According to a press release from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the report of the crash near the intersection of Hwy. 17 and Sunset Road.
Minocqua town board OKs fee increases
Split vote on beer and alcohol license charges
The Minocqua town board Tuesday addressed fees the town charges for licenses, permits and services. “We talked a little bit maybe at budget time and maybe over some meetings about bringing some of our fees, let’s say up to date, for certain things,” town chairman Mark Hartzheim said, adding the town had already addressed fees for the Minocqua Park Complex on State Highway 70.
Arbor Vitae man dies in Hwy. J crash
One man died last week on County Highway J when the vehicle he was driving struck a tree in the town of Newbold near St. Germain last week. According to a press release from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call at around 3:20 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, of a one-vehicle crash on Hwy. J.
Winchester 2025 budget, mill levy approved by electors
Voters authorize exceeding mill levy
The Winchester town board Monday during a special meeting approved the town’s 2025 budget and mill levy. Electors, during a special town meeting just before, approved on a vote of 57 to 3 a resolution authorizing the town board to exceed the town’s property tax levy by $202,567, or 21.115 percent.
A Thunderbird who flew Falcons
Minocqua native Nathan Harrold reflects on his Air Force career
There was a time Minocqua native Nathan Harrold, son of Minocqua attorney Greg Harrold, played free safety and quarterback for the Lakeland Union High School Thunderbirds football team.
Boulder Junction town board moves closer to adopting an enhanced wake ordinance
Meessmann: ‘Local control is the way to go’
The Boulder Junction town board last week moved its enhanced wake ordinance effort forward. While not yet formally approving the ordinance, the town board did agree to add verbiage related to the ordinance itself and on signage for boat landings suggested by Robin Miller, a recreation warden with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), who reviewed the draft ordinance.
ATV/UTV issue in Boulder Junction back in the limelight
Duke: ‘The tide has turned’
For several years now in the town of Boulder Junction, the issue of whether or not all terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use should be permitted on town roads has been bubbling under the surface.
North Lakeland school district earns Spectrum award
The award is intended to recognize excellence in school communications
The North Lakeland school district was recently honored with a Spectrum Award of Excellence by the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association (WSPRA) for work district staff has done in school communications.
Minocqua town board extends shipping container moratorium
The Minocqua town board took action at its Nov. 19 meeting to extend the town’s moratorium on shipping containers through Dec. 31, 2025. The storage container issue is one that has come up from time to time over the past few years, the town enacting a shipping container moratorium in 2021 and extending it periodically since then.
Oneida County ADRC committee approves DOT grant application
Rideout: ‘We need after-hours and weekend transportation options’
The Oneida County board’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) committee Monday approved for submission to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) its plan for transportation of the elderly and disabled.
Minocqua’s 2025 budget and mill levy approved
Hartzheim: ‘We were able to fund some things better than we had been’
The Minocqua town board last week approved the town’s 2025 budget, its first since voters approved a referendum in August authorizing the town to exceed its annual tax levy by $750,000.
Vilas County ATV Alliance looking for ATV/UTV county road access
Hanson: ‘We’re not interested in having them’
The Vilas County ATV/UTV Alliance has submitted a letter to Vilas County highway commissioner Troy Schalinske “in support” of opening all Vilas County highways to all terrain vehicle and utility terrain vehicle traffic.
OVTC considers land possibilities for new facility
The Oneida Vilas Transportation Commission (OVTC), which oversees Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC), has been, for the past several months, looking for a new home for an NTC facility. At the moment, NTC operates out of a facility it rents on State Highway 47 in Rhinelander near the intersection of Highway 8.
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