Aspirus Health to close Woodruff’s Seasons of Life Hospice
Transition focused on home-based hospice care planned
In May, 2021, Tennessee-based Compassus announced it would be closing its Seasons of Life Hospice in Woodruff, which was first opened in 2000. On Nov. 1, 2021, Aspirus Health assumed operations of Seasons of Life from Compassus and now, nearly five years later, officials with the health care system announced on Oct. 12 the doors to the facility will close.
NTSB report points to pilot delay in switching fuel tanks
Pilot error has been identified as the cause of a Sept. 12 crash landing in Lake Wausau of a single engine Beech K35 airplane with U.S. Rep. and Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany onboard. Tiffany and the pilot, Leonard Boltz, escaped serious injury as a result of the incident.
Minnesota man sentenced for traveling to engage in sex with a minor
Mithaugen was indicted in March following his arrest in Rhinelander
A Faribault, Minn., man was sentenced in federal court last week by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to eight years in federal prison for traveling from Minnesota to Wisconsin to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. The prison term for Creighton Mithaugen, 38, will be followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
Confusion in Nokomis
Special meeting of electors for fire station expansion for Med 4 ambulance personnel could be delayed
The town of Nokomis may — or may not — have a special meeting of the electors on Nov. 12. The intent of the meeting is to give eligible voters the opportunity to have their say on a proposal to construct a 1,700 square foot addition on the north side of the town’s fire station which is also where Oneida County’s Med 4 ambulance and paramedics are based and have been since 2009.
No injuries in Pike Lake garage fire
A Pike Lake garage was destroyed in fire Wednesday afternoon. According to a press release from the Pike Lake fire department, firefighters and equipment were responded to the report of a structure fire at a Thorofare Road residence on Round Lake. The owners of the property are listed as Doug and Laurie Walter.
LdF voters authorize sale of former fire station
Maulson’s offer of $250,000 approved
Electors in the town of Lac du Flambeau voted during a very brief special meeting on Oct. 12 to authorize the sale by the town 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.
Playground equipment for Torpy Park OK’d by Minocqua town board
The Minocqua town board, meeting in special session Tuesday afternoon, authorized Mark Pertile, the town’s public works director, to order new playground equipment for Torpy Park.
Issues facing Lakeland Airport get a spotlight
Radio controlled aircraft club’s long-standing use of part of a runway called out by Woodruff town chair
In the early 1970s, members of the Lakeland Loons, a radio controlled (RC) model airplane club, began flying their planes on a section of the east-west runway at Noble F. Lee Memorial Field in Arbor Vitae, more commonly known as Lakeland Airport.
Lac du Flambeau school board OKs preliminary 2026-27 budget
The board of education for the Lac du Flambeau school district approved the district’s preliminary 2026-27 budget during its Oct. 8 meeting.
Minocqua man arrested for OWI following vehicle rollover
A Minocqua man escaped serious injury on Oct. 3 when the 2008 Ford F-250 he was driving overturned in the south shoulder of State Highway 47 near the intersection with South Farming Road in Arbor Vitae.
Sayner woman in Rudolph Road crash
A Sayner woman escaped serious injury when the 2019 Toyota RAV4 sport utility vehicle she was driving struck a tree off of Rudolph Road in Arbor Vitae on Oct. 1.
Vilas County fairgrounds group meets in Eagle River
Vilas County corporation counsel advised it not be a county committee
The first meeting of a citizens group tasked with coming up with a plan for a nearly 1,000 foot strip of Vilas County-owned property known as Riverside Park on West Division Street in Eagle River met Tuesday.
LdF tribal elections held Oct. 6
Tribal president John Johnson, Sr. re-elected to fourth term
The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians conducted its tribal council election Tuesday. Council president John Johnson, Sr. was re-elected to a fourth two-year term. He defeated William (Billy) Mitchell, 344 votes to 262.
New Plum Lake town hall and community center nears completion
Dedication plans being made
The new Plum Lake town hall and community center is just weeks away from completion. In 2024, the town board began the process to replace the former town hall, applying for and ultimately awarded a $4.2 million Flexible Facilities Program (FFP) grant facilitated by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
Downtown Minocqua DOT project encounters delay
For a couple of days last week, people going through downtown Minocqua noticed traffic control items had been placed but very little — if any — work was being done on the pavement that had been designated as closed.
Minocqua traffic stop leads to 8th OWI charge for Florida man
A Marco Island, Florida man has been charged for an eighth operating while intoxicated (OWI) charge as the result of a Sept. 18 traffic stop in Minocqua. John David Ash, 64, is held on $50,000 bond in the Oneida County jail, his next appearance in Oneida County court to be a preliminary hearing on Oct. 30.
Birth to 3 screenings at the Minocqua public library Oct. 7
Oneida County program helps determine ‘milestones’ in child development
“Give a child a good start in the first 1,000 days.” That’s the theme of a free developmental screening event for children from birth to three years of age conducted by Oneida County Human Services.
Ethics complaint filed against Vilas County board chair
Eagle River citizen’s group takes action against Jerry Burkett following September county board meeting
An Eagle River woman has filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission (WEC) regarding comments made by Vilas County board chairman Jerry Burkett during his chairman’s report at the Sept. 22 Vilas County board meeting. Kathryn Craffey filed the complaint with the state this week.
A matter of an inch
Minocqua plan commission sends certified survey map to town board with unanswered questions
The Minocqua plan commission Tuesday, following a lengthy discussion regarding a certified survey map for property the Rynders Revocable Trust has on Richardson Plat Road Road, held off on a recommendation and forwarded the matter to the town board for consideration at its Oct. 6 meeting.
Lakeland Airport Commission discusses upcoming annual four town meeting
The town boards for the four towns that own the Lakeland Airport — Arbor Vitae, Lac du Flambeau, Woodruff and Minocqua — are scheduled to meet on Oct. 14 at the Michael K. Timmons Community Center in Woodruff.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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