Minocqua town board denies another Rocky Reef application
The town’s ‘non-profit’ policy a factor once again
The Minocqua town board Tuesday denied an application from Rocky Reef Brewing to sell beer under provisions of the business’s brewer’s permit at the town-owned Aqua-Bowl during a pond hockey tournament over two weekends in February.
Vilas County highway committee OKs ATV/UTV use on county roads in Winchester
Muelbach: ‘These are county roads’
When the Vilas County board convenes in regular session Tuesday, one item on the meeting agenda is resolutions for two amendments to the county’s Motorized Recreational Trails and Routes Ordinance.
Vilas County supervisor from Eagle River steps down
Arbor Vitae seat still vacant
The Vilas County board remains short of its 21-member complement. County clerk Kim Olkowski said Tuesday she’s still working to fill the District 5 seat, which comprises wards 2 and 7 in the town of Arbor Vitae.
The way ahead for Beef-A-Rama subject of post-event meeting
Hartzheim: ‘The public really enjoys this event’
The 59th Beef-A-Rama took place on Sept. 28 of this year and overall, went smoothly. That was the general consensus at a wide ranging Oct. 14 meeting conducted as, in U.S. military terms, an “after action review.”
NEMSD board offers mutual aid agreement to Oneida County
In June of this year, the Oneida County board’s public safety committee made the decision to, beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, charge towns outside the county not on contract for ambulance service $1,800 for each run.
Winchester town board OKs resolution of support for broadband grant
The Winchester town board during an Oct. 10 special meeting approved a resolution of support for a grant application submitted to the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin by fiber internet company Norvado.
Woodruff town board OKs CUP application for 50 unit housing project
Dumke: ‘A significant need in this community for affordable workforce housing’
The Woodruff town board Tuesday approved a conditional use permit (CUP) application for 50-unit housing development on eight acres behind the town’s community center and fire department/road department facilities.
Vilas County moves to help the Tri County Council
Burkett: ‘Let’s find out what we need’
There may be a way forward for the non-profit Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault to continue its outreach efforts in Vilas County as it has been for years.
Plum Lake receives federal grant funding for new community center
Postuchow: ‘This is the fairy godmother of grants’
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, together with representatives with the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA), Monday announced over $115 million in grants to local and Tribal communities through DOA’s Flexible Facilities Program.
Work on first budget for NEMSD continues
The Winchester town board Monday received an update on the status of the formation of the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD), made up of the towns of Winchester, Presque Isle, Boulder Junction and Manitowish Waters.
Vilas County’s 2025 budget headed for adoption by the county board
When the Vilas County board conducts its public hearing regarding the county’s 2025 budget during its Oct. 22 meeting, what will be considered is a budget county officials have indicated they’re pleased with. The county board’s finance and budget committee on Oct. 3, following a brief review and last minute, minor adjusting of the proposed 2025 county budget following weeks of meetings and preparation, approved a 2025 budget resolution that authorizes Vilas County’s 2024 property tax levy, a resolution that will now go to the full county board.
Vilas County forestry, highway departments to share a full-time employee
Resolution will need final approval from the county board on Oct. 22
A resolution creating a new position to be shared by the Vilas County highway and forestry departments was approved by the county board’s forestry, recreation and land committee during its Oct. 1 meeting. Vilas County finance director Darcy Smith said the new position, which will cost $83,139 including benefits, is included in the county’s 2025 budget proposal.
Boulder Junction town board sets 2025 budget hearing date
The town of Boulder Junction’s 2025 budget is still a work in progress but the town board, during a special meeting on Oct. 1, set Nov. 21 as the date for the annual budget hearing. That was done after the town board conducted a budget work session.
LdF school board sets preliminary district budget for 2024-25
The school board for the Lac du Flambeau public school district last week adopted the district’s 2024-25 preliminary budget and set a date for the budget hearing.
Minocqua town board OKs food truck policy extension
In June of this year, the Minocqua town board, which hadn’t had a really in-depth discussion about food trucks since 2018, adopted a food truck policy for what was considered a “trial run.”
LdF tribal council elections held Tuesday
Johnson re-elected as president; Lac du Flambeau town supervisor Gloria Cobb elected to council
The results of the latest general election of officers to the tribal council of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians may very well have an effect on the makeup of the current Lac du Flambeau town board.
NTC space needs analysis complete
County transit commission to hear results later this month
The October meeting of the Oneida Vilas Transit Commission (OVTC) is expected to include a review of the results of a space needs analysis. The OVTC is the joint committee that oversees Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC) which is based in Rhinelander. The committee has been looking at finding a new home for NTC, either an existing facility or one that needs to be constructed.
Federal judge orders injunction in LdF road dispute
Property owners had filed motion in federal court to keep roads open
A federal judge on Sept. 26 issued an injunction that essentially prohibits the United States government or any agencies associated with the government from closing four roads in Lac du Flambeau until a lawsuit the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has against the town of Lac du Flambeau is decided.
Vilas County board briefed on high speed broadband success
Tuckwell: ‘We stand out as a broadband destination’
The Vilas County board at its Sept. 24 meeting was presented with a report of the activities of the non-profit Vilas County Economic Development Corporation (VCEDC). The organization’s funding is through grants, fundraisers and a contribution from Vilas County annually; initially, the VCEDC received $98,000 each year from Vilas County.
Idea of Woodruff’s possible exit from boat patrol brought up
Timmons: ‘A very preliminary thought’
The Woodruff town board will decide this year whether to continue participating in a joint boat patrol with the town of Minocqua as it begins work on the 2025 budget.
Vilas County board OKs details for $5 million bond sale
Funds will be used for county road construction
The Vilas County board Tuesday approved a resolution that essentially details the sale of obligatory promissory bonds not to exceed $5 million. The county board had approved a resolution at its Aug. 27 meeting authorizing the sale.
Arbor Vitae firefighter training tower officially operational
Sipin: ‘This tower incorporates a number of different things’
Members of the Arbor Vitae fire department recently officially placed the department’s new, two-story fire-training tower into service with an evening of training on Monday, Sept. 16.
Lakeland Airport’s owners approve 2025 airport budget
Town boards for Arbor Vitae, Minocqua, Lac du Flambeau and Woodruff meet for annual airport meeting
The 2025 budget for the Lakeland Airport commission was formally adopted during the Sept. 19 annual meeting of the towns that own the airport. Three members each from the town boards for Minocqua and Arbor Vitae were present as were two of the three members of the Lac du Flambeau town board.
Lac du Flambeau town board hires a new appraiser
With the pending retirement of appraiser Paul Carlson, the town of Lac du Flambeau is among the most recent in the Lakeland area to hire a new appraiser. Last week, the town board approved a sole bid it received from Municipal Group LLC, the firm’s municipal consultant, Ryan Kernosky in attendance.
Gas line strike causes brief Hwy. 70 shut down
A stretch of both lanes of State Highway 70 on Minocqua’s west side was briefly closed to traffic late Thursday morning after a gas line was struck by a utility worker in the vicinity of Hwy. 70 and Royalwood Drive. There were no injuries related to the incident.
Where Young Eagles dare
Stengl: ‘All the kids are super-excited after their flight’
The Lakeland Airport in Arbor Vitae on Saturday, Sept. 14, hosted the local edition of Young Eagles Day, an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) program. According to the EAA’s website, the Young Eagles program was launched in 1992.
Minocqua town board denies Rocky Reef Brewery’s Beef-A-Rama application
Hartzheim: ‘The whole spirit of it is to be a fundraiser’
The Minocqua town board Tuesday declined a request from Christie and Tyler Smith to sell beer downtown during Beef-A-Rama on Sept. 28.
Presque Isle request for ATV/UTV use on county roads in Winchester moves forward
Logan: ‘How and who is asking is where I struggle’
The Vilas County board’s highway committee Tuesday, on a 3 to 1 vote, approved a request from the town of Presque Isle allowing all terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use on stretches of county highway, with the exception of County Highway K, in the town of Winchester.
Lac du Flambeau gets answers from Evers regarding road issue
The town of Lac du Flambeau has received a response from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to questions posed by town chairman Matt Gaulke to Evers and other elected officials as well as government agencies.
Ldf town board approves library board members
Gauthier: ‘I think you’re making a big mistake’
The Lac du Flambeau town board, at a special meeting conducted on Sept. 11, took action after a closed session to fill a vacant seat on the public library board of trustees created with the recent death of board member Chris Mayer and board alternate Sandy Gauthier.
LdF tribal council banishes Mary Felzkowski
‘Terrorism’ comment made at a meeting the reason
Wisconsin State Senator Mary Felzkowski has been banished from the reservation of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. A press release from the tribe issued Friday, Sept. 13, stated the tribal council passed a resolution on Sept. 9 to banish Felzkowski because of comments made during an Aug. 23 meeting at the Woodruff community center “in which she equated the Tribe to ‘terrorists’ amid discussions concerning the ongoing dispute between the Tribe and the Town of Lac du Flambeau regarding the Town’s trespass on tribal lands.”
Lake Tomahawk moves closer to stricter mosquito-control chemical regulation
The Lake Tomahawk town board is moving ahead with its intent to establish an ordinance that will regulate chemicals used in mosquito control. Town chairman George DeMet brought up the issue during the town board’s Aug. 14 meeting.
Lakeland Sanitary District facility upgrade almost to bidding status
Morrow with MSA: ‘Things are moving ahead’
It’s been a few years but after an extensive need study conducted by Pat Morrow, a wastewater specialist for MSA Professional Services, recommendations and looking at ways to cut costs, the multi-million dollar upgrade project for the Lakeland Sanitary District’s facilities in Minocqua is about to go out for bid.
Plum Lake town board receives petition opposing ATV/UTV use
Postuchow: ‘They just don’t want it’
In May, a majority of Plum Lake resident survey respondents indicated in a non-binding poll that they support the use of town roads, county roads and state highways for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs). In August, the town board approved an ATV/UTV ordinance.
Minocqua plan commission approves boat storage business CUP application
The Minocqua plan commission Tuesday unanimously recommended approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) application for a boat and trailer storage facility on Camp Pinemere Road next to an existing storage unit business west of the Minocqua Park Complex.
AV-W school board meets new staff members
The Arbor Vitae-Woodruff (AV-W) school board, or two of its five members, met some of the district’s new teaching staff at the beginning of its meeting Monday.
LUHS lockdown was a false alarm
Jaeger: ‘There was never an active threat’
Law enforcement personnel from several different agencies, including the Minocqua police department, Woodruff police department, Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police, the Oneida and Vilas County sheriff’s offices and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, responded to a report of a lockdown at Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) Friday morning.
Vilas County board chairman quashes County G Landfill sale talk
Burkett: ‘Holly is the head of forestry. For now.’
The 167 acres of land in the town of Cloverland, owned by Vilas County and leased to the Landfill Venture Group (LVG), is not going to be sold by the county. That was the message from Vilas County board chairman Jerry Burkett during a nearly 45-minute special meeting of the LVG’s executive committee and members on Sept. 6 in the Arbor Vitae community center.
Winchester town board discusses Presque Isle ATV/UTV request
Grimmer: ‘Let us do our job’
The town of Winchester will send a letter to Vilas County highway commissioner Troy Schalinske in response to a letter the town of Presque Isle sent to Schalinske in July.
LUHS board hires interim district administrator
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) has an interim district administrator. The hiring of Steven Kolden for the position was approved by unanimous vote during a special meeting of the LUHS board on Sept. 5. His first day was Friday, Sept. 6.
Winchester town board sends joint enhanced wake ordinance to planning commission
Ordinance would regulate wake boats on Papoose Lake
The Winchester town board at its Sept. 4 meeting sent the draft of a joint enhanced wake ordinance with the town of Presque Isle to the Winchester planning commission for further review.
Several injured in three-vehicle crash on Hwy. 51 at County Highway K
Five taken to area hospitals, one by medical helicopter
Several people were injured following a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 and County Highway K on Sunday afternoon.
Vilas County considering feasibility study of possible fairground land sale
The Vilas County board’s forestry, land and recreation department will be taking a much closer look at about 900 feet of lake front property the county owns on West Division Street in Eagle River for possible sale at some point.
Decision on CUP for controversial Cassian wellness center won’t be challenged by Oneida County
Jennrich: ‘They’re not appealing’
The Oneida County board’s planning and development committee will not pursue an appeal of a July 25 decision by the Oneida County board of adjustment (BOA) pertaining to a conditional use permit (CUP) application for a 36-bed adolescent wellness center (AWC) in the town of Cassian.
Wolf de-listing legislation status discussed at Woodruff town board meeting
Recent wolf attack of a dog prompts discussion
The Woodruff town board, in the aftermath of a recent wolf depredation incident that occurred on July 30 at a residence near the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Service Center on County Highway J, heard an update from town chairman Mike Timmons regarding legislation for the delisting of wolves at its Aug. 27 meeting.
Lac du Flambeau cabin destroyed in fire
Firefighters responded to a fire in the early morning hours of Monday, Aug. 26, that destroyed a cabin on Bills Lake Road in Lac du Flambeau.
Plum Lake town board approves enhanced wake ordinance
The Plum Lake town board last week became one of the most recent towns in the area to pass an enhanced wake ordinance. A draft of the ordinance was approved for a 60-day review by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) during the town board’s June 11 meeting.
Hot air balloon fundraising event planned to benefit Camp American Legion
The camp for veterans and families turns 100 years old in 2025
In 2025, Camp American Legion in Lake Tomahawk turns 100 years old and there are plans for at least one major fundraising event to mark the milestone.
Vilas board approves Judge Overbey recall resolution after affair acknowledged
Overbey: ‘If the citizens of Vilas County want a recall, they have the right to do that’
The Vilas County board Tuesday passed, on a 9 to 7 vote, a resolution supporting a recall of Vilas County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Overbey.
Cassian town board votes to proceed with appeal of BOA decision
Oneida County board of adjustment in July approved a CUP application for an adolescent wellness center
The Cassian town board, meeting in a rare Friday night special session on Aug. 23, voted unanimously to file a circuit court appeal of the July 25 Oneida County Board of Adjustment (BOA) decision to approve a conditional use permit (CUP) application for an adolescent wellness center (AWC) in the town of Cassian.
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