Front office gains at MHLT, teachers feel shortchanged
Smudde: ‘I need to know I have people I can count on’
At its May 19 meeting, the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district board approved, following a closed session, a 3 percent salary increase plus longevity adjustments for its professional staff and a 3 percent raise for its support staff.
Oneida, Vilas and Forest counties adjusting human services agreement
Lynch: ‘There are discussions’
On Jan. 1, 2025, a new agreement between Oneida, Forest and Vilas counties went into effect that established a human services department for each county. The human services departments replaced each county’s social services departments.
Boulder Junction to consider raising room tax
Chamber seeks increase
The Boulder Junction chamber of commerce has requested an overall increase in the town’s room tax from 5.5 percent to 8 percent. In a May 13 letter to the town board, Taylor Miner, president of the chamber’s board of directors, stated the chamber of commerce has ensured that, since the town’s room tax ordinance was first established in 1993 and its increase adopted in 2016, “our portion of the money collected from our visitors is put right back to use attracting more visitors to spend their money in our community.”
Fire destroys St. Germain home
Cause traced to an eBike
A fire Tuesday night destroyed a home in St. Germain. According to a press release from the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, the dispatch center received a 911 call at 9:35 p.m. from a residence on Greenwood Drive which is owned by Brigette and Thomas Ryan reporting a garage fire that spread to the house which was destroyed in the blaze. There were no injuries as the occupants were able to leave the structure.
Lakeland Sanitary board decides on financing option for over $20M facility upgrade
In an effort to keep overall cost to its customers lower, the board of directors for the Lakeland Sanitary District (LSD) Tuesday opted to go with a 30 year payoff for the LSD’s facility upgrade project that is underway.
Fire destroys Presque Isle home
A Presque Isle man was injured as the result of a fire that destroyed his home on State Line Road early Tuesday evening. According to a press release from the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, the dispatch center received a 911 call at 6:33 p.m. from a neighbor reporting a possible structure fire.
LVG preps lawsuit against BOMAG over ‘million-dollar paperweight’
It’s been nicknamed the “million dollar paperweight” and now, the executive committee of the Landfill Venture Group (LVG) has decided to do something about it. The LVG is the consortium of 13 Vilas County towns and the city of Eagle River that operated the County G Landfill in the town of Cloverland.
Federal budget cuts a concern for the Vilas County health department
During her committee chair report at Tuesday’s Vilas County board meeting, county supervisor Carolyn Ritter informed the rest of the board about a primary concern for the county’s public health office: staffing.
Towanda Lake Association files appeal with Vilas County over Lakeland Disposal CUP
Carroll: ‘Unfortunately, people aren’t happy about it’
The board of directors for the Towanda Lake Association in Arbor Vitae has filed an appeal of a decision by the Vilas County board’s zoning and planning committee to approve a conditional use permit (CUP) application from Chad Metzger, owner of Lakeland Disposal.
Vilas County puts highway facility back on the frontburner
The Vilas County board’s highway committee is preparing for another go at plans to replace the main building at the highway department’s Eagle River location. In early 2023, the project got as far as an extensive needs assessment study conducted by Kueny Architects in Pleasant Prairie before it was ultimately put on the shelf later that year during the county’s 2024 budget process.
Lake Tomahawk town board finalizes building sale to American Legion
Voters authorized the sale in April
In February, 2024, fire damaged the building that, at the time, housed Lake Tomahawk’s Colin F. Schultz American Legion Post 318. The building was owned by the town and leased by the American Legion.
Lac du Flambeau tribe offers rewards in Poupart, Beson cases
Susan Poupart murdered in 1990; Melissa Beson missing since mid-March
The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians is offering rewards totaling up to $50,000 for information regarding two missing tribal members.
Lake Tomahawk town board purchases new plow truck
Vehicle will replace another destroyed by fire
The Lake Tomahawk town board, meeting in special session on Friday, May 16, approved the purchase of a new plow truck. Town chairman George DeMet, during the town board’s regular meeting on Wednesday, May 14, announced the town’s 2016 Western Star plow truck had been destroyed in a fire on Friday, May 9 and to replace it, he said he wanted to meet on May 16 to consider approval of a truck the town of Nokomis had ordered but then backed out of.
Landfill Venture Group presented with idea to purchase land from Vilas County
Burkett: ‘It lessens the county’s exposure’
The possibility of Vilas County selling the land the County G Landfill is on in the town of Cloverland to the Landfill Venture Group (LVG) was brought up by Vilas County board chairman Jerry Burkett at the May 16 meeting of the LVG’s executive committee.
Lac du Flambeau school board, administration get grilled at meeting
Maulson: ‘What are you going to change now?’
The April 1 election marked several changes for town boards and school boards in the Lakeland area that The Lakeland Times regularly covers. The May 13 meeting of the Lac du Flambeau school board was an example of a major change there.
Lakeland area spared widespread damage in storm aftermath
Pertile: ‘It could have been worse’
Aside from trees down in certain locations and other calls regarding some power lines down, a storm system that went through the area Thursday night caused relatively little damage.
North Lakeland school board approves 2025-26 teacher salary increase
Jelinski: ‘We’re slowly trying to bring that up’
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
Event draws 40 disc golfers
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
Gaulke: ‘The matter is over’
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
Benbenek: ‘It’s just like any other business having difficulty filling those spots’
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
Town board has several questions regarding the county’s process
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
Arbor Vitae’s Towanda Lake Association may appeal decision
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
Discianno: ‘How much more time do we need?’
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
Program sheds light on the dangers of online activity and urges vigilance in the digital age
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.
High-speed chase ends in rollover
Pursuit began in Vilas County, ended in Oneida County
Multiple area law enforcement agencies were involved in a high-speed pursuit on April 24. According to a press release from the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, sheriff’s deputies responded to a request for a welfare check in the town of Lincoln and upon arrival, “they encountered an armed male sitting in a vehicle.”
Suspect in 2024 Woodruff armed robbery in custody
Resendiz also accused of taking part in beating of robbery victim
A 33 year-old Chicago man is in the Oneida County jail in connection to his role in an armed robbery in the area of Thies Road and Lorann Drive in Woodruff in mid-January, 2024.
From turbulence to takeoff: Lakeland Airport runway project out for bid — again
Nearly a year after an extensive rehabilitation project for the two runways at Lakeland Airport in Arbor Vitae was pushed back because of what the Lakeland Airport commission was informed were environmental issues, the project is once again out for bid.
A well-placed concern?
Rhinelander’s water plans stir Pelican feathers
The very early stages of what might result in a water well for the city of Rhinelander on the grounds of Nicolet College was a major topic of discussion at Monday’s meeting of the Pelican town board. In fact, it was major enough that once the town board moved on to other agenda items, all but one of the 15 or 20 town residents who attended the meeting left.
OVTC schedules required public hearing for late May
Two possible sites considered for new Northwoods Transit Connections facility
A public hearing has been scheduled by the Oneida Vilas Transit Commission (OVTC) regarding two possible locations for a new home for Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC), which the OVTC oversees.
Lakeland Sanitary District board OKs annexations
Two upcoming housing construction projects were annexed into the Lakeland Sanitary District (LSD) by its three-member board of directors during the board’s most recent meeting Tuesday. Two upcoming housing construction projects were annexed into the Lakeland Sanitary District (LSD) by its three-member board of directors during the board’s most recent meeting Tuesday.
More seasonal road weight limits to be lifted
As spring progresses, Lakeland area counties and towns are making plans to lift road weight limit restrictions. Oneida County highway commissioner Alex Hegeman removed weight limits on county roads on April 23 and Vilas County will, according to highway commissioner Troy Schalinske, lift limits on county roads Monday, April 28 at 6 a.m.
Arbor Vitae home sustains heavy damage in fire
A two-story house on Grouse Covey Lane in Arbor Vitae sustained heavy damage as the result of a fire Friday afternoon. No one was injured in the fire.
Lac du Flambeau town board adopts policy to lock town hall during business hours
Action taken as a result of the April 1 election outcome
The close outcome of the April 1 election for the office of Lac du Flambeau town chair resulted last week in action to keep the town office locked during the business day when only one person is there.
Minocqua rolls out food truck season
The Minocqua town board approved during its April 15 meeting the first applications of the season from food truck vendors. 2025 is the second season for the town’s food truck ordinance which was formally adopted by the town board in early June of 2024 after much discussion during previous meetings.
Minocqua town board gets Camp Nine Road project update
Work to install a bridge expected to begin in mid-June
The Minocqua town board last week received an update on a project for installation of a bridge on Camp Nine Road over the Tomahawk River.
Vilas County recognized as ‘snowmobile friendly’
In early April, the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC) issued a press release announcing Vilas County has been recognized as a “snowmobile friendly county.”
Where the rubber meets the road
Vilas County Sheriff’s Office conducts vehicle training at Lakeland Airport
Last week, 26 members of the Vilas County law enforcement community went through required training in Arbor Vitae. Jeff Schaub, a lieutenant with the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, is one of three trainers for the department’s emergency vehicle course (EVOC).
MHLT school board hires LUHS’s business manager
Eddie Then to start July 1
The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district’s board of education Monday formally approved the hiring of Eddie Then to be the district’s business manager. The board took the action following a closed session.
Losing weight creatively
TOPS is there to help
“It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle,” the website for the non-profit Taking Pounds Off Sensibly reads. “For a lifetime. With TOPS Club, you’re throwing yourself a lifeline. Join us for the support, accountability and connections that you need on your journey to better health.”
AV-W school board approves 2025-26 salary increase for its staff
Hardy: ‘We’re going to have to talk about going back to referendum’
The school board for the Arbor Vitae-Woodruff (AV-W) school district Monday approved a 2.95 percent salary increase for all of the district’s teaching, administrative and support staff for the 2025-26 school year.
Vilas County board approves forestry fund cap at $400,000
The Vilas County board Tuesday approved a resolution to increase the cap on the forestry, recreation and land department’s committee segregated land account, known as Fund 250, from $300,000 to $400,000. A nearly 45-minute discussion before the decision consumed about half of an otherwise brief meeting agenda.
Search for missing Lac du Flambeau woman continues
Melissa Beson last seen on March 17
Authorities continue the search for a 37 year-old Lac du Flambeau woman who’s been missing since mid-March. Melissa Beson was last seen March 17 and T.J. Bill, the chief of the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department, told The Lakeland Times last week searches for Beson are still being conducted.
Final meeting for 29 year member of the Lac du Flambeau school board
Smith: ‘It’s been an honor’
The April 9 meeting of the board of education of the Lac du Flambeau school district was the final meeting as a member of the school board for Gary Smith, who’s been a member for 29 years and its president since 2020.
No ordinary whiskey
Camp American Legion and Northern Waters Distillery team up for the camp’s 100th birthday
A special whiskey went on sale at Minocqua’s Northern Waters Distillery on April 9. “Camp American Legion Centennial Whiskey” is its name said Sarah Johnson, a co-owner of Northern Waters Distillery, the business had been contacted “by the folks at Camp American Legion.”
Lakeland Sanitary District tables annexation requests
The board of directors for the Lakeland Sanitary District (LSD) Tuesday tabled two annexation requests for service, one of them from Matt Ritchie, owner of Aspen Grove Minocqua. His company is planning on the construction of a 112 unit apartment complex on Minocqua’s west side near the LSD facility.
Lac du Flambeau school board increases staff salaries for 2025-26
Adopts stipend proposal for retirement notifications
The Lac du Flambeau school board approved raises for district personnel during its April 9 meeting. During the nearly 10-minute open session portion of the meeting, district administrator Josh Ernst recommended a three percent increase in compensation for support staff based on the latest consumer price index (CPI) of 2.95 percent.
Lac du Flambeau set to request speed limit reduction for Hwy. 47
The town of Lac du Flambeau will have to submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) for a speed limit reduction on a section of State Highway 47. The town of Lac du Flambeau will have to submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) for a speed limit reduction on a section of State Highway 47.
Woodruff’s first female town chair sworn in
Judi Nelson steps up after the sudden passing of Mike Timmons
As preparations are made for Woodruff’s annual meeting, one of those items was the swearing in of the successor to town chairman Mike Timmons, who died suddenly on March 22. On the town board since 1993 and town chairman since 2007, Timmons was unopposed for another term going into the April 1 election.
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