Vilas County Sheriff stays with Flock
Ritter: ‘We’re going to continue to use it as long as the law says we can use it’
Last week, as reported in the Sept. 25 edition of The Lakeland Times, Oneida County sheriff Grady Hartman announced the sheriff’s office has ended its use of what has become across the country in recent months controversial Flock automated license-plate reading surveillance technology.
Vilas County board OKs resolution for new forestry building
The Vilas County forestry and recreation department received the green light from the county board during its Sept. 22 meeting to proceed with plans to replace the building currently housing offices for the department’s staff and storage of its equipment.
Two people injured in motorcycle/pickup truck collision
Crash resulted in Hwy. 51 closure
Two people were injured in a crash involving motorcycles and a pickup truck on U.S. Highway 51 at the intersection with County Highway L in Nokomis on Saturday, Sept. 19. According to a press release from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, during the initial investigation, authorities found two motorcycles entering Hwy. 51 from Hwy. L were struck by a southbound Ford F250 pickup truck driven by David Larson, 66, Fond du Lac.
Vilas County board chairman goes off on Eagle River term limit referendum
Burkett to county board: ‘You’re next’
Vilas County board chairman Jerry Burkett Tuesday issued a warning to the rest of the 21-member county board. Burkett, also until recently a long-time member of the Eagle River city council, spoke out during his chairman’s report toward the end of the county board meeting against an ongoing drive by a citizen’s group in favor of a term limit referendum for the city council on the November ballot.
Hwy. 70 maintenance work continues on Minocqua’s west side
Culvert reinforcement at the Tomahawk River
Work to better protect what is a rusting culvert began this week on the bridge over the Tomahawk River on State Highway 70 on Minocqua’s west side.
Cross Country Cruisers seek financial contribution from Woodruff
With 2027 budget preparation time here, the Woodruff town board was approached by representatives of the Cross Country Cruisers Snowmobile Club regarding a financial contribution for the club’s operations during the town board’s Sept. 22 meeting.
Lakeland area man charged with solicitation of prostitutes
Arrest comes after year-long investigation by tribal police
A Lac du Flambeau man charged with one count of solicitation of prostitutes, a Class H felony in Wisconsin, faces up to six years in prison if ultimately convicted. Richard J. Fimreite, 64, could also have to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
October electors meeting scheduled in Lac du Flambeau
Town board accepts $250,000 counter-offer for former fire station; electors to vote on proposed sale
The Lac du Flambeau town board will conduct a special town meeting in October to give town residents the opportunity to vote on the proposed town sale of its former fire station building on Wild Rice Avenue. The building was taken out of service as a fire station by the town last year when the new fire station on State Highway 47 was put into service.
Non-voting seat on the Lakeland Airport Commission discussed
Pilot’s association would have a seat “at the table”
The Lakeland Airport Commission, in the months since airport administrator Jesse Birginal resigned in May, continues to work through matters of different types and get things in order to commission satisfaction before the decision is made to bring another administrator onboard.
Arbor Vitae town board’s choice to stay with appraisal company takes heat rounds
The Arbor Vitae town board’s decision to stay with Bowmar Appraisal to handle the town’s property assessments during its revaluation came under fire during the public comment portion of the town board’s Sept. 16 meeting.
AV-W eighth graders get an in-depth look at 9/11 on its 25th anniversary
Session includes a virtual tour of the 9/11 museum
With Sept. 11, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States that resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people on that date in 2001, commemorations and observances were held all over the country.
Decision on Nokomis fire station expansion for Med 4 could come sooner than later
Med 4 helps Med 5 cover Oneida’s west side
At 6:49 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, Oneida County’s Med 4 ambulance, based at the Nokomis fire station, was dispatched to a residence on McCord Road in Little Rice in response to a call to assist a 76 year-old man who was injured.
LdF school board raises meal prices, approves district propane bid
The school board for the Lac du Flambeau public school district last week raised school breakfast, lunch and snack prices for the 2026-27 school year. Introducing the agenda item, district administrator Dr. Josh Ernst, included the prices for 2025-26 as a comparison; during that school year, the breakfast price was $2.95, lunch $4.90 and snack $1.17.
Faulty concrete found in DOT’s downtown Minocqua road project
Warranty work to be done following Beef-A-Rama
On Sept. 1, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation issued a press release stating work on the north and southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 51 in Minocqua, on hold since June, was to resume on Sept. 8.
Three AEDs donated for use in the Manitowish Waters area
Three publicly available automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have recently been deployed in the Manitowish Waters area. Their locations are the Manitowish Waters Youth Center/pickleball courts, Koller Park and the WinMan Trails Base Camp.
Bond set at $50,000 for Illinois man arrested for fentanyl possession in Lac du Flambeau
An Illinois man charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl had his cash bond set at $50,000 by Vilas County judge Daniel Overbey on Sept. 4. According to the complaint against Donald Ladon Emery, 44, Macomb, Ill., the charge stems from a Sept. 2 traffic stop of Emery in Lac du Flambeau by a trooper with Wisconsin State Patrol for “an observed equipment violation.”
Lac du Flambeau town board approached about ATV/UTV use on paved town roads
The Lac du Flambeau town board was approached during its Sept. 2 meeting about the possibility of opening paved town roads to all terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) traffic. The request came from Rick LaRock, who said he’d been talking to people “for quite some time about this.”
Manitowish Waters town supervisor Lynn Schroeder resigns
Question raised about the appointment process for his successor
The Manitowish Waters town board will be seeking a successor for town supervisor Lynn Schroeder, who has submitted his resignation which was accepted during the town board’s Sept. 8 meeting.
The next phase of Boathouse reconstruction begins
Oneida County board of adjustment grants variance
Nearly a year after the Boathouse’s closure for a major reconstruction, the next phase of the project – the current building’s demolition to make way for a new structure – is proceeding. For the first time since a 1972 fire destroyed what had been the original Bosacki’s Boathouse, the business, purchased by Gage Marine from Minocqua businessman Bill Fricke in 2024, has been closed as the building was prepared for the project.
Lakeland Airport commission takes step toward a new administrator
The Lakeland Airport commission during a special meeting on Sept. 1, last week and following a nearly 45-minute closed session with Lac du Flambeau town clerk Susan Schoonover, voted to pay Schoonover for work she’s done since May after airport administrator Jesse Birginal suddenly resigned.
Lac du Flambeau man sentenced for sixth OWI offense
A Lac du Flambeau man charged for his sixth offense of operating while intoxicated (OWI) was sentenced last week in Vilas County court to a year and a half in prison. Scott A. Smith, Sr., 60, will also be under extended supervision for three and a half years following his release from prison.
Nokomis looks at options to keep Oneida County’s Med 4
In October, 2025, Wendy Smith, the clerk for the town of Nokomis, sent an email to Oneida County sheriff Grady Hartman, town officials for the western portion of Oneida County including Minocqua, Little Rice, Cassian, Hazelhurst and Woodruff as well as Aspirus Health representatives and state legislators.
Rhinelander roundabout work to be complete this month
If necessary, though, there’s a provision for an early October finish date
Construction crews continue work toward completion of single lane roundabouts in Rhinelander, one at the intersection of State Highway 17 and Boyce Drive and the other at the intersection of County Highway G with U.S. Highway 8.
Lac du Flambeau man charged for fentanyl, methamphetamine possession
A 42 year-old Lac du Flambeau man charged for alleged offenses such as driving or operating a vehicle (Polaris all terrain vehicle) without the owner’s consent, battery to a law enforcement officer, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possesion of narcotics (fentanyl) and felony and misdemeanor bail jumping is being held on $10,000 bond in the Vilas County jail.
Funding OK’d for Hwy. 70 maintenance on Minocqua’s west side
Current condition of the roadway before major project in 2030 prompts DOT approval
With the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) planning a major 2030 paving project for State Highway 70 on Minocqua’s west side from Morgan Road to the Vilas County line, questions have arisen about what’s going to be done to address deteriorating conditions of the heavily traveled road between now and then.
Woodruff town board continues to look for public parking spaces
Sam’s Rental owner’s issue with the town appears resolved
Woodruff town supervisors heard another update on the town’s search for more public parking space during the town board’s Aug. 25 meeting. Unlike the July 28 town board meeting, there were no fireworks.
Vilas County sets public hearing for data center moratorium ordinance
A draft ordinance for a moratorium on data centers, a major national news item recently, has become something that may soon reach the Vilas County board for its consideration.
Boathouse reconstruction on schedule
New building to replace the former Bosacki’s Boathouse
An April, 2027, grand opening of the new Boathouse is still something the restaurant’s owner, Gage Marine, is planning. For nearly a year following its late October, 2025 closing for a major reconstruction, work has taken place to meticulously dismantle the structure that for decades housed the legendary Bosacki’s Boathouse and prepare it for demolition.
Fire destroys iconic Minocqua location
Area firefighters battle simultaneous structure fires in Arbor Vitae and Minocqua
Two separate Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) activations were used as firefighters and equipment from the Lakeland area and beyond responded to two structure fires early Wednesday morning, Aug. 26.
Minocqua Fire and Rescue receives WPS grant
The Minocqua fire department, during a brief, low-key presentation Monday at the fire department’s station on U.S. Highway 51, received from the Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation medical supplies for mass incident emergency response kits.
Lac du Flambeau teen faces up to 60 years for alleged sexual assault
Alleged victim is a 10-year-old girl
A Lac du Flambeau teenager charged with one count of first degree sexual assault and sexual intercourse with a child under 13 years old faces up to 60 years in prison. According to the complaint against Merik Allen, 17, Det. Sgt. Adam Grisa with the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department talked to an Indian Child Welfare (ICW) worker about an alleged sexual assault of a child who lived at the residence of a 39 year-old woman in Lac du Flambeau.
Lac du Flambeau school board chooses a successor to Jackson
The board of education for the Lac du Flambeau (LdF) public school district Monday selected a successor to Brian Jackson, who resigned his seat on July 8. He was elected to the school board in April, 2025.
Portion of Vilas County Highway F to be temporarily closed
Motorists who use Vilas County Highway F between State Highways 70 and 47 in Lac du Flambeau will need to make other route plans for approximately 10 days beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Vilas County board passes resolution to borrow nearly $6.6 million
The Vilas County board during its Aug. 25 meeting approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds not to exceed $6,580,000.
Oneida County public works denies Willow Road transfer request
Towns of Lynne and Minocqua had requested the county take on nearly 30 miles of town road
The Oneida County board’s public works committee during its Aug. 20 meeting denied a jurisdictional transfer request from the towns of Lynne and Minocqua to the county. The issue centers around 12.9 miles of Willow Road, which intersects with U.S. Highway 8, goes through Lynne, becomes Pine Lake Road at the town line with Minocqua and eventually becomes Squirrel Lake Road, connecting to State Highway 70 on Minocqua’s west side.
Lac du Flambeau town board responds to latest from the tribe
Board agrees to send tribal president a letter, town seeks to maintain roads on inventory
In a continuing back and forth between the town of Lac du Flambeau and the tribal council for the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, the town board last week, following a closed session, responded to the most recent correspondence from tribal president John Johnson, Sr.
Cross Country Cruisers approach Arbor Vitae with budget requests
2027 budget season begins for the town board
The Arbor Vitae town board last week was presented with budgetary requests from the Cross Country Cruisers (CCC) Snowmobile Club as the town board begins its 2027 budget process. The town board had received a July 27 letter from club president David Clairmore highlighting two requests.
10th annual Dragon Boat Festival raises over $125,000 toward new UTV ambulance
22 teams, 550 paddlers participate in 2026 event
2026 marked the 10th year of the Dragon Boat Festival in Minocqua and Erin Biertzer, president of the Howard Young Foundation, told The Lakeland Times “it was awesome.”
A good day for a car show in Minocqua
Second Annual Wheels In The Woods event draws nearly 200 entries
The Wheels In The Woods Car Show at the Minocqua Park Complex on the west side of Minocqua made a successful debut in 2025. The second annual edition of the show, held on Aug. 15, was even more successful.
$75,000 bond for Winnebago man charged with 9th OWI
Arrest made Aug. 15 in Minocqua
A Winnebago man charged with a ninth offense of operating while intoxicated (OWI) is being held in the Oneida County jail on $75,000 cash bond.
Minocqua town board sends certified survey map to Oneida County
Property involved is for a planned housing project
The Minocqua town board’s Aug. 18 meeting was brief, clocking in at a little over eight minutes, the shortest Minocqua town board meeting in some time.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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