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.
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.
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