Resendiz sentenced for role in 2024 Woodruff armed robbery
A 35 year-old Chicago man was sentenced in Oneida County court on July 22 for charges related to his role in an armed robbery in the area of Thies Road and Lorann Drive in Woodruff in mid-January, 2024.
AV-W school board OKs next step for bike path extension on district property
The Arbor Vitae-Woodruff (AV-W) school district’s board of education has, while not formally approving the use of school district property for a bike trail extension, did approve at its Aug. 13 meeting the next step in moving forward with the project.
Lynne town supervisor named town chairman
Jeff Brown intends to serve the balance of the term but doesn’t intend to seek re-election to the town board in April
Two months after Jeff Viegut gave his notification he was planning to resign as Lynne’s town chairman effective July 31, a successor has been named. Town supervisor Jeff Brown was appointed to the position during the Aug. 12 town board meeting.
LdF school board will meet to fill seat on the board
Vacancy created following resignation of Brian Jackson
The Lac du Flambeau school district’s board of education is scheduled to meet in special session on Aug. 24, the purpose of the meeting to appoint a new member. Brian Jackson, elected to the school board in April of 2025, submitted his resignation on July 8. In April of this year, his wife, Melissa Doud, lost her bid for re-election to the school board.
A-frame home on Spies Court in Minocqua destroyed by fire
No injuries, fire’s cause undetermined
A home on Spies Court was destroyed in a fire on the afternoon of Aug. 10. No one was hurt in the blaze as the A-frame’s owners, Joe and Monica Beinarauskas, weren’t home at the time. Minocqua fire chief Rich Carani on Tuesday told The Lakeland Times a cause for the fire hadn’t yet been determined.
Minocqua plan commission OKs certified survey map
Property involved is for proposed housing project on Minocqua’s west side
The Minocqua plan commission Tuesday approved a certified survey map (CSM) for two lots totaling nearly 14 acres between the Careview nursing home and Oak Park subdivision on Minocqua’s west side. The map’s approval split the property and by meeting’s end, it was determined there would be much more discussion in the near future as to how the property would accomodate a proposed housing project.
Lac du Flambeau tribe claims road, bridge ownership
It’s been a little more than a year since a federal judge ruled in favor of the town of Lac du Flambeau in a lawsuit brought against it by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
Hazelhurst fire department picnic raises over $21,000
The Hazelhurst volunteer fire department held its annual picnic on Aug. 8, a fundraising event for the department. In addition to food and beverages available to the public, there was a “bouncy house” for kids, a dunk tank, raffles and a water fight featuring teams from the Hazelhurst, Arbor Vitae, Boulder Junction and Woodruff fire departments as well as the Manitowish Waters fire company.
Two people injured in Minocqua boat fire
Two people were injured on Aug. 2 as the result of a fire that destroyed the boat they were on as it was on Lake Minocqua. According to a report from Minocqua fire chief Rich Carani, the Minocqua fire department was dispatched to a 911 call reporting a boat on fire near the Yacht Club on Lake Minocqua “and there was also a report of two passengers with burn injuries.”
A parking lot battle in Woodruff
As the town looks to find ways to expand public parking, one business owner is pushing pack
An update for potential options to increase public parking at the July 28 meeting of the Woodruff town board turned contentious as Scott Hopkinson, owner of Sam’s Rental in Woodruff abruptly left the meeting during an exchange he had with town chair Judi Nelson.
Lakeland Airport Commission discusses administrator position
Will be a standing meeting agenda item
Since mid-May, when Jesse Birginal resigned as the administrator of the Lakeland Airport in Arbor Vitae, members of the Lakeland Airport Commission (LAC) have been filling in in an administrative capacity.
Minocqua plan commission settles Eagle Wings parking question
After it was initially denied by the Minocqua plan commission on June 30, an administrative review permit (ARP) application that would allow for construction of an accessory storage building on a lot behind Eagle Wings in downtown Minocqua was approved by the plan commission during a meeting on July 28.
Cement mixer rolls in Hwy. 70 accident near Eagle River
An accident on July 30 in Eagle River involving three vehicles at the junction of State Highway 70 and State Highway 17 resulted in the closure of Hwy. 70 for few hours.
A Very Special Birthday
The Arbor Vitae fire department at 50
This weekend is the annual celebration in Arbor Vitae known as the “Fireman’s Summerfest” and the 2026 edition of the event will highlight the 50th year of the Arbor Vitae fire department.
Untreated effluent gets into the Tomahawk River from Lakeland Sanitary’s wastewater plant
Apparent construction project damage to treatment system may be the cause
The Lakeland Sanitary District (LSD) has, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), rectified an issue related to the LSD’s wastewater ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system which is used to treat effluent from the facility that goes into the Tomahawk River.
Mama Meg’s Kennels opens its doors in Arbor Vitae
Evans: ‘I’ve always loved it up here’
Meg Evans has a passion and that passion is a big enough part of her life it led to her to opening a business to follow it. That passion is, essentially, taking care of other peoples’ pets.
Burkett resigns from Eagle River city council
A long-time member of the Eagle River city council has made other council members and city staff know he has resigned from the city council. Jerry Burkett, also chairman of the Vilas County board, made his announcement in a brief July 23 email to Eagle River mayor Deb Brown and city administrator Robin Ginner.
LUHS board hears Capstone program update
Property purchased by school district in 2017 a big part of the plan
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) district has plans to move forward with property it purchased in 2017 to get its Capstone building trades program going. In June of 2017, the district held a special meeting of the electors that resulted in authorization for the district to purchase a house at 8678 Niemi Drive owned by Mark and Tina Westphal for $134,500 and to be used for school district purposes.
Minocqua town board OKs draft agreement for new TID project
In 2024, the Minocqua town board approved the formation of a tax incremental district (TID) as way to encourage development of affordable housing in the Minocqua area. Essentially, a TID is most commonly used to create industrial or commercial areas and less commonly to create residential areas, unless it is a major subdivision.
One person injured in Hwy. 70 motorcycle versus deer accident
A Park Falls man on a motorcycle and heading to Minocqua on State Highway 70 on July 23 was injured when his Harley Davidson struck a deer near the intersection with Malby Road.
Minocqua man injured when motorcycle strikes deer on Hwy. 47 in Lake Tomahawk
A 57 year-old Minocqua man was injured when the 2024 Harley Davidson FLHX Street Glide motorcycle he was operating struck a deer in Lake Tomahawk on July 22.
House in Minocqua’s ‘Reubentown’ heavily damaged by fire
East Chicago Avenue home was vacant at the time of the blaze
Fire heavily damaged a vacant home in the “Reubentown” area of Minocqua the morning of July 23. “The call came in just before 4 a.m. as a neighbor had called reporting smoke in the backyard,” Minocqua fire chief Rich Carani said.
OVTC continues new location effort for Northwoods Transit Connections
By the first part of August, the Oneida Vilas Transit Commission (OVTC) should know who will be doing an appraisal of property owned by Oneida County in the town of Pelican that is being considered as the site for the new headquarters of Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC).
DNR and Minocqua study Minocqua trestle
State agency in partnership with the town to address needed repairs
Over the course of the next couple of years, the Minocqua trestle, at the trailhead for the Bearskin Trail near the Minocqua post office, could get some needed repairs and maintenance work done.
What’s next for GLITC in Cassian?
With a favorable court ruling, a decision needs to be made by the tribal agency on $3 million in property it owns there
With the Cassian town board formally deciding during a special meeting on June 29 not to appeal the decision of Oneida County judge Mary Sowinski in a 2024 lawsuit the town had filed against the Oneida County board of adjustment (BOA), a question has arisen for the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC).
Car catches fire in garage at St. Germain home
Firefighters able to keep fire damage to a minimum
A vehicle that caught fire in the attached garage of a home on Sunrise Lane in St. Germain Monday caused no injuries and according to St. Germain fire chief Tim Gebhardt, damage to the home was minimal.
LdF town board approached regarding no-wake amendment for boats with electric motors
The town of Lac du Flambeau’s boating ordinance has been amended after property owners on Ross Allen Lake submitted a petition requesting the change, which is implementation by the town of a no-wake restriction the lake.
Minocqua sends Bangstad producer full-service retail sales application to state DOR
State of Wisconsin seeking town input
Despite zoning and other issues the town of Minocqua and Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad have had over the course of the past few years in relation to the business’s location on the southwest corner of the intersection of Front Street and Oneida Street, the town board at its July 21 meeting approved by a margin of 4 to 1 Bangstad’s Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) producer full-service retail sales application.
Initial plans revealed for DOT’s Hwy. 70 west project
Slated for 2030, the project from Morgan Road to County Highway F features new pavement and a new bridge
Representatives with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) and a consulting firm involved with a project to improve State Highway 70 from the Vilas County line east to where the road becomes a four-lane roadway near the Morgan Road intersection in Minocqua conducted a public information meeting at the Minocqua public library on July 15.
Lac du Flambeau won’t be joining Northwoods EMS district
Town looking for financial relief from Oneida ambulance contract and may end up going to referendum
The town of Lac du Flambeau won’t be joining the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) anytime soon. That was the update the town board received from town chairman Matt Gaulke during its July 15 meeting.
White Sand Lake Association sues the Lac du Flambeau tribe over boat landing access
The White Sand Lake Association in Lac du Flambeau filed on July 6 a federal lawsuit in the United States District Court’s Western District of Wisconsin against the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
One injured in Arbor Vitae duplex blaze
Fire destroys structure on White Pine Lane; heat from the blaze not the only heat firefighters had to contend with
The owner of an Arbor Vitae duplex on White Pine Lane was injured in a July 11 fire that destroyed the structure. Even before Arbor Vitae fire chief Mike Van Meter arrived at the scene, he activated the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) because of a personnel shortage and the hot and humid conditions.
Fireworks at AV-W school board meeting
District patron calls out a critic of district superintendent Dr. Jocelyn Hardy
For the past several months, Arbor Vitae resident Tiffany Trainor has been conducting a campaign against Dr. Jocelyn Hardy, the Arbor Vitae-Woodruff (AV-W) school district superintendent in an attempt to get her fired or to get her to resign before her current contract expires on July 31, 2027.
Woodruff town board OKs parking ordinance amendment
Changes are in the permit parking section of the ordinance
The Woodruff town board, after the permit parking section of the town’s parking ordinance had been reviewed and received a first approval with amendments at the town board’s June 23 meeting, formally approved the amended ordinance at its July 14 meeting.
Minocqua Fourth of July fireworks location change draws mixed reviews
By many accounts, the change back to the Aqua Bowl for the July 4 fireworks display was a booming success. For years, the fireworks had been fired from a clearing northeast of the town’s water tower and southeast of the mill pond near Save More that town chairman Mark Hartzheim said was privately owned but the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau had been able to use.
Attorney’s fees questions linger in Manitowish Waters
Hanson pledges to make town board aware of consulting with town attorney
A question about attorney’s fees was a topic of discussion during the July 7 meeting of the Manitowish Waters town board. The question was brought up by town board member Doug Zeise, who asked the item be on the agenda; it was a continuation of his inquiry he made at the town board’s June 13 meeting in which Zeise said he wanted to specifically mention for the record he didn’t agree with the attorney’s fees of roughly $2,000 the town had to pay.
Lynne town board approves conflict of interest resolution
Town chairman resigning effective July 31
The Lynne town board, by a vote of 2 to 1, on July 8 approved a resolution establishing standards for conduct of town officials intended to “prevent conflicts of interest and maintain public confidence in town government.”
Phone survey underway for MHLT referendum
Results to be shared with school board on July 20
With the board of education for the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district in June deciding to go to an operational referendum in November of this year, the next step is gathering input from the public regarding the issue.
New information presented to Oneida County in Willow Road issue
Town of Lynne maintains at one time, it had been a county road
The town of Lynne, currently with a request submitted to the Oneida County Highway Department to take over Willow Road, has presented information to the county believed to show that at one time, Willow Road had been a county road. Its designation, according to a map discovered by a seasonal resident of Lynne, shows that as of 1939, it was County Highway T.
Manitowish Waters town board questioned about bass tournament
Effect on lakes stressed by wake boat advocate
The position of the town board of Manitowish Waters regarding the use of wake boats was questioned during the public comment portion of the town board’s July 7 meeting. The towns of Manitowish Waters and Boulder Junction had a lawsuit filed against them on June 8 seeking to block enforcement of parallel ordinances the towns have adopted essentially banning wake surfing on the Manitowish chain of lakes.
Names of Oneida County deputies released in June 17 Lake Tomahawk shooting
DOJ continues investigation
The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of two deputies involved in a shooting at a residence on Lumen Lake Drive in Lake Tomahawk on June 17. Terri Hook, chief deputy for the sheriff’s office, confirmed for The Lakeland Times on June 25 the identity of the person who was shot by law enforcement personnel as John Krga, 76.
‘Together for Tomorrow’
$100K fundraiser launches feasibility work on a possible Lakeland YMCA
An effort to look into the possibility for a Lakeland area YMCA got a boost on June 13 from a fundraising event at Firemen’s Park in Arbor Vitae. John Weiss, who with his wife Shelly owns Lakeland Fitness and Golf in Woodruff, said what was done in the time leading up to the June 13 fundraiser was their business was brought together with Generations Senior Center and the YMCA of the Northwoods in Rhinelander.
Minocqua plan commission, town board forward grooming business CUP application
The Minocqua town board, in a very brief special meeting on June 30, forwarded a conditional use permit (CUP) application for a dog grooming business to the Oneida County board’s planning and development committee.
Rhinelander man charged in pickup truck/motorcycle collision
A Rhinelander man has been charged with causing an injury while operating while intoxicated (OWI) as the result of a collision in Pine Lake between the pickup truck he was driving and a motorcycle just after midnight on June 28.
Minocqua plan commission clips Eagle Wings’ ARP over parking concerns
An administrative review permit (ARP) application that would allow for construction of an accessory storage building on a lot behind Eagle Wings in downtown Minocqua was denied by the Minocqua plan commission during its June 30 meeting.
New Winchester town supervisor appointed
In the final step to a restructuring of the Winchester town board that started with the resignation in May of town chairman Joe Discianno, Discianno’s successor as town chairman, Nicholas Newton, town supervisor Robert Silvas and town clerk Luke Huybrecht appointed Daniel Dye to the town board during a brief special meeting on July 2.
Lac du Flambeau eyes EMS breakaway
Town board has expressed interest in possibly joining NEMSD
When the Lac du Flambeau Town Board met in regular session on June 17, members agreed to approach the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) about the possibility of joining the consortium, which currently includes the towns of Manitowish Waters, Boulder Junction, Presque Isle and Winchester.
Name released in Lake Tomahawk officer-involved shooting
Investigation into the June 17 incident continues
As the investigation into an officer-involved shooting at a residence on Lumen Lake Drive in Lake Tomahawk on June 17 continues, the Oneida County Sheriff’s has confirmed the identity of the person who was shot by law enforcement personnel.
Authorities investigating Lac du Flambeau deaths
Authorities are investigating the deaths of two members of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians on June 27. According to a press release from the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call at approximately 9 p.m., the caller advising the Vilas County dispatch center “that two individuals were believed to be deceased at a Lac du Flambeau residence.”
No serious injuries in Woodruff collision
A one-block section of southbound U.S. Highway 51 in Woodruff was temporarily closed Monday morning following a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Hwy. 51 and Third Avenue.
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