Fundraising for autism awareness and acceptance
Aurora’s Guiding Light Foundation a success in more than one way
Perfect weather on June 14 helped make the fourth annual Autism Acceptance Fundraiser by the Aurora’s Guiding Light Foundation (AGLF) at Bonnie and Clyde’s Gangster Park in Harshaw a memorable event.
Wausau man hit by pickup truck in Woodruff
A 47-year-old Wausau man was injured on June 12 when he was struck by a pickup truck at the intersection of 1st Avenue and Hemlock Street in Woodruff. According to the state accident report filed by the Woodruff police department, Timothy Ives was one of two people crossing the road when he was struck by a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck driven by Gary Wheelock, 67, Oneida.
From Lakeland to the Air Force Academy
Kristiana Clay: ‘I’ve just really always wanted to do this’
A graduate of Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) is headed for the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Kristiana Clay graduated from LUHS in 2025 and spent the past year at the New Mexico Military Institute at Roswell, N.M.
LdF search for Beson continues
Law enforcement personnel from several different agencies were out in force on June 3 and 4 in another round of the search for a missing Lac du Flambeau woman. Melissa Beson was 37 years old at the time of her disappearance; the last time she was reported to authorities as having been seen was March 17, 2025 and on April 3, 2025, an “endangered person alert” was issued by the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Wisconsin Crime Alert Network (WCAN) that included two photos of Beson.
On the road to a resolution? Oneida County weighs 30–mile Lynn–Minocqua takeover
Committee examines costs, feasibility and whether federal grants could help pave the way
The Oneida County board’s highway committee continues to gather information related to requests from the towns of Lynn and Minocqua regarding a jurisdictional transfer request submitted to the highway committee in March. The request is, essentially, asking to transfer Willow Road in Lynn and Pine Lake Road and Squirrel Lake in Minocqua transferred from the town road inventories to the county highway system.
Woman arrested for cemetery vandalism
A 20-year-old Lac du Flambeau woman was formally charged June 4 with criminal damage to a cemetery or mortuary, a Class I felony, in Vilas County court in connection to vandalism and damage at Lac du Flambeau’s Memorial Cemetery.
Vilas County public property committee forwards housing resolution
If ultimately approved by the county board, county would own a tri-plex to temporarily house new employees
The Vilas County board’s public property committee Tuesday forwarded a resolution to buy a tri-plex in Eagle River not far from the county courthouse for $650,000. Committee chairman Joe Muelbach said the funding, if ultimately approved by the county board, to purchase the structure with two double bedroom units and a single one bedroom unit would come from the county’s general fund.
Winchester town board to appoint third member June 22
New town chairman begins tenure by scheduling interviews with three applicants for supervisor seat
With Nicholas Newton presiding over his first Winchester town board meeting as town chairman Monday, he and town supervisor Robert Silvis made the decision to appoint a new town supervisor during a special meeting on June 22.
Winchester, Presque Isle to explore sharing a town administrator
Winchester town board appoints town clerk to shared services committee
Winchester’s town clerk will serve on a joint shared services committee made up of people from the towns of Winchester and Presque Isle. That was the result of a discussion during the Winchester town board’s June 8 meeting at which town chairman Nicholas Newton, who opened the discussion by saying he’d talked to Presque Isle town chairman Al Eschenbauch and that the Presque Isle town board had “addressed a similar topic” at a recent meeting there.
AV-W school board hires a new EL coach
Nearly a month after committing the Arbor Vitae-Woodruff (AV-W) school district to a $44,450 contract with Expeditionary Learning (EL) for the 2026-27 school year, the school board Monday approved the contract for the district’s next EL coach.
MHLT school board commits to an operational referendum
The possibility of the need to go to financial referendum of some sort to help fund operations at the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district had been hinted at over the course of the past few years by Dr. Jim Ellis, former district superintendent.
Woodruff’s Dr. Kate Museum begins its 38th year
Open house well attended
The Dr. Kate Pelham Newcomb Museum in Woodruff opened its 38th year with an open house on Tuesday, June 2. For three hours, visitors were welcome to tour the museum’s exhibits, which this year includes a special exhibit intended to mark and celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.
Fireworks at Lakeland Airport Commission
Without an administrator, members finding their way forward
Meetings of the Lakeland Airport Commission (LAC) have recently been a bit longer than usual as the commission goes about piecing things together in the wake of the sudden resignation last month of airport administrator Jesse Birginal.
Vilas County recreation supervisor resigns suddenly
Todd Bierman was hired in February, 2021
Vilas County’s park and recreation supervisor Todd Bierman has resigned. “This letter is to inform you that I am resigning from my position as Vilas County Park and Recreation Supervisor starting immediately,” he wrote in a May 27 letter to Vilas County forest administrator Chad Keranen. “It has been a privilege and honor to serve the residents and visitors to Vilas County and to be a part of the upkeep and development of the recreational opportunities here in Vilas County.”
Newton succeeds Discianno as Winchester town chair
The Winchester town board has a new chairman. Town supervisor Nicholas Newton was appointed during a special meeting Tuesday morning after he and town supervisor Robert Silvis accepted the resignation of Joe Discianno, who announced last month his intent to resign.
Kelly Fire Lane resolution goes to the Oneida County board
The Oneida County forestry, land and recreation committee Tuesday sent to the full county board a resolution approving the addition of nearly six miles of Kelly Fire Lane in the town of Little Rice to the Oneida County forest road system. The section of the road originally on Oneida County land had been abandoned by the town and reverted to the county.
Two day search for Whitefish Lake drowning victim ends Saturday
Lake Geneva man sole occupant of a motorboat
A body of a 45-year-old Lake Geneva man who search and rescue personnel had been searching Lac du Flambeau’s Whitefish Lake since Thursday night was recovered from the lake Saturday. In a press release issued by T.J. Bill, chief of the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department, Kyle Ascheman was vacationing with his family on Whitefish Lake when he disappeared.
Arbor Vitae woman facing theft charges in Oneida County
An Arbor Vitae woman is scheduled to be in Oneida County court later this summer in connection with retail theft charges from 2024. According to the complaint against Alicia Mahler, 38, she was “a party to a crime” and intentionally took merchandise from the Walmart in Minocqua between April 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024.
Woodruff town board takes no action on Hasbrook Lake Association request
Town approached again regarding the establishment of no-wake zones
Nearly a year after taking no action on a request from the Hasbrook Lake Association (HLA) regarding a possible amendment to the town boating ordinance addressing enhanced wake restrictions, the Woodruff town board, at its May 26 meeting, maintained that stance.
Rice Lake man drowns in Spring Lake
The body of a Rice Lake man was removed by law enforcement from Spring Lake south of Eagle River on May 27. According to a press release from the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, the dispatch center received a 911 call shortly after 8 p.m. reporting a boat near the Spring Lake shore partially submerged in the water with the man, identified as Allan Gabriel, 76, floating face down nearby.
Vilas County tables ‘Beautification’ council; critics say title is a misnomer
Two years later, the county still hasn’t decided Riverside Park’s fate
A resolution that outlines the formation of what would be named the Vilas County Natural Beauty Advisory Council was tabled by the Vilas County board during its May 26 meeting. The idea for the council was first raised by Vilas County Board Chairman Jerry Burkett at the board’s Jan. 27 meeting. Burkett had previously introduced the possibility of selling the Riverside Park property in May 2024.
Large law enforcement response to reports of weapons
Lac du Flambeau man in custody, surrendered without incident
A Lac du Flambeau man was taken into custody Sunday evening following an incident in Lac du Flambeau. According to a press release from TJ Bill, chief of the Lac Du Flambeau Tribal Police Department, tribal police and the Vilas County Sheriff’s Department received a request for assistance from a homeowner on State Highway 70 who reported that Bert LaBarge, Jr., 50, was threatening the homeowner’s family members in her residence and refusing to leave the residence.
Vilas County board approves salary increase for finance director
Action takes place following a mid-meeting closed session
The Vilas County board Tuesday approved a resolution calling for a salary increase for county finance director Darcy Smith. The resolution states that under the county’s existing compensation policy, “a market adjustment can be made when required.”
St. Germain man dies in head-on crash on Hwy. 155
A St. Germain man died in a head-on crash the evening of Memorial Day. According to a press release from the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, the dispatch center received a 911 call just after 7 p.m. reporting a head on collision between a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a motorcycle on State Highway 155 just south of South Lost Lake Drive in St. Germain. The caller reported the operator of the motorcycle, later identified as Eric Powell, 64, was not alert.
LdF tribal council member arrested for OWI
A member of the tribal council for the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians had a cash bond of $1,000 set by Vilas County judge Martha Milanowski Tuesday.
Single-engine aircraft damaged during landing at Lakeland Airport
Van Meter: no injuries, wind was a factor
There were no injuries Saturday in an incident involving a four-seat, single-engine Commander 114TC at Lakeland Airport in Arbor Vitae. Arbor Vitae fire chief Mike Van Meter said the aircraft, piloted by Kenneth Matson of Highland Park, Ill., was attempting to land from the east.
LdF town board briefed on early talks for ambulance staging at tribal health center
The possibility of getting a full-time ambulance service established for Lac du Flambeau, something town chairman Matt Gaulke has publicly stated on more than one occasion is a goal of his, came up during the town board’s May 20 meeting.
Lakeland Airport Commission moves to keep operations aloft
Accepts administrator’s resignation and devises plans for the near future
The Lakeland Airport Commission (LAC) during a May 21 meeting lasting nearly 90 minutes accepted the resignation letter of airport administrator Jesse Birginal. Hired in June of 2025, he had submitted his resignation via email the week before on May 14 prior to a brief special meeting of the LAC.
Oneida County board of adjustment upholds zoning department permit decision
Issuance of a Minocqua home occupation permit had been appealed
The Oneida County board of adjustment (BOA) on May 14 upheld a decision by the Oneida County planning and zoning department to issue a home occupation permit to Minocqua resident David Hermes.
Arbor Vitae town board sets road crew starting wage
The Arbor Vitae town board is looking for a new member of the town’s road crew. The resignation of Luke Steffes, who began work with the town in late February of 2025, was accepted by the town board toward the conclusion of its May 20 meeting.
WPS crews respond to May 15 area power outages
Two separate power outages occurred within minutes of each other in the Minocqua, Woodruff and Arbor Vitae area on the afternoon of Friday, May 15, resulting briefly in power loss for nearly 3,000 customers.
Woodruff and Minocqua fire departments conduct joint training
House used in training donated by a retired Rockford firefighter
Firefighters with the Woodruff and Minocqua fire departments on the evening of Monday, May 18, took advantage of the donation of a house on Country Lane in Woodruff for use in a series of training exercises centered around the search and rescue of fire victims.
Winchester town chairman steps down
Joe Discianno first elected in 2019
The May 11 regular meeting of the Winchester town board was the final time Joe Discianno would preside over a town board meeting as town chairman. “It was my last monthly (meeting), yeah,” he told The Lakeland Times Monday, indicating his departure as town chairman is because of health and personal issues.
Dry, windy conditions result in brush fire on Kobart Road
Carani: homeowner had set a brush pile on fire behind his garage
Dry, mid-May conditions in the area, coupled with some wind, have kept area fire departments and firefighters with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) busy with wildfires and brushfires over the past couple of weeks.
Minocqua town board meeting brief but busy
The Minocqua town board met for a little more than 15 minutes Tuesday, appointing Joe Hegge and Angie Maki to the board of directors for the Minocqua public library. Also recommended for approval to the Oneida County board’s planning and development committee was a conditional use permit (CUP) application for a second boat storage building at Lakeside Boat Rentals on Rylee Lane, an application that had been forwarded from the town board’s plan commission during its May 12 meeting.
Hwy. 51 open from Tomahawk through Minocqua for Memorial Day weekend
Two U.S. Highway 51 projects that began in April and were scheduled by Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials to reopen before Memorial Day weekend have met that deadline.
No injuries, citation issued in two-vehicle collision on Hwy. 51
No one was injured as the result of a two–vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 51 near the intersection with Fir Street on Minocqua’s south side on Saturday, May 16.
Lakeland Airport clears land purchase as administrator resigns over internal turbulence
The Lakeland Airport Commission (LAC), meeting for less than 10 minutes in special session on May 14, accepted the formal approvals from each of the town boards representing the towns that own the airport — Lac du Flambeau, Arbor Vitae, Woodruff and Minocqua — that provides authorization for the LAC to purchase nearly eight acres of property.
Circle K Stores kills CUP application in Woodruff
Circle K Stores has pulled the plug on a conditional use permit (CUP) application it had submitted for the former bank building at 103 Elm Street (U.S. Highway 51) on the northwest corner of the Hwy. 51 and County Highway J intersection.
Woodruff man gets 5th OWI bond reduced
A 42-year-old Woodruff man charged with a fifth offense of operating while intoxicated and in custody in the Oneida County jail on $50,000 bond had that bond reduced by Oneida County judge Mary Sowinski on May 14.
Woodruff man charged with a second offense of marijuana possession
A Woodruff man has been charged with a second offense of possession of tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) as the result of a May 8 traffic stop in Minocqua by a deputy with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.
Winchester’s Scholl Community Impact Group branches out
People with disabilities given an opportunity to explore options to enjoy outdoors
“Scholl Community Impact Group (SCGI) is a 501(c)(3) ‘not for profit’ organization that strives to provide purposeful, supervised interactions with horses for families and individuals with physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities,” the SCIG mission statement on its website reads.
Lake Tomahawk man arrested for 7th OWI
A Lake Tomahawk man arrested a seventh time for operating while intoxicated (OWI) had his bond set by Oneida County judge Mary Sowinski during his initial court appearance Monday.
MHLT students win fire safety poster contest
Three students from the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district were treated to dinner at the Minocqua fire station on U.S. Highway 51 Monday night for their award-winning efforts in a poster contest sponsored by the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association (WSFA).
AV-W school board unanimously approves EL 2026-27 contract
On the other hand, a vote for a five-year commitment to EL was 3-2
The school board for the Arbor Vitae-Woodruff school district Monday approved the district’s $44,450 contract with Expeditionary Learning (EL) for the 2026-27 school year.
Minocqua plan commission approves ARPS, sends a CUP application to town board
The Minocqua plan commission Tuesday made quick work of its agenda with a meeting that clocked in at just under 13 minutes. There was one conditional use permit (CUP) application the plan commission forwarded to the town board for its May 19 meeting, that for a second boat storage building at Lakeside Boat Rentals on Rylee Lane.
Woodruff authorizes land purchase by Lakeland Airport Commission
Town board’s action the last to address April 29 illegal meeting issue
The Woodruff town board Tuesday approved a motion authorizing the Lakeland Airport Commission (LAC) to purchase nearly eight acres of land on North Farming Road in Arbor Vitae. Woodruff is one of four towns that owns the Lakeland Airport in Arbor Vitae, the others being Lac du Flambeau, Arbor Vitae and Minocqua.
One person dies in Hwy. 70 head on collision
Arbor Vitae woman arrested for homicide while under the influence of alcohol
An Arbor Vitae woman has been charged with homicide by vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant as the result of a May 5 head-on collision on State Highway 70 between Cator Drive and Jeanie Lane on Minocqua’s west side.
Dr. Kate museum open house on June 2
Special exhibit for the nation’s 250th birthday will debut
July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, an event that is considered to be the birth of the United States. To help celebrate and observe that milestone, volunteers at the Dr. Kate Museum in Woodruff are preparing an exhibit that will debut during the museum’s open house on June 2.
Minocqua town board forwards CUPs to Oneida County
The Minocqua town board during its May 5 meeting forwarded to the Oneida County board’s planning and development committee two conditional use permits (CUPs).
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