Minocqua to go with QR technology for downtown parking
Interstate Parking to develop system to track parking fees and permits
After one season with a new electronic system using quick response (QR) codes to charge boaters to use public boat landings, the Minocqua town board is moving ahead with the same technology for parking on the island, or downtown area.
Lac du Flambeau town board responds to tribal council demand
Oct. 18 letter from tribal president urged the town to ‘vacate and quit’ maintenance on three roads
The stage is set for what could be another road battle between the town of Lac du Flambeau and the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
DNR personnel shortage may cause LVG plan change
New cell at the County G Landfill in Cloverland set to be ready by September, 2026
The Landfill Venture Group (LVG), the consortium of Vilas County municipalities that own the County G Landfill in the town of Cloverland, may have to change some plans before the next new cell of the landfill’s expansion becomes operational.
MHLT school board OKs 2025 election notice
The school board for the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district Monday approved the 2025 election notice. There are two seats up for election in April, 2025; Christy Seidel, currently the school board’s president, was first elected in April, 2010.
Space-needs analysis for Vilas County highway department back on
Money for the study budgeted for 2025
The Vilas County board’s highway committee will once again explore the prospect of a space-needs analysis for the highway department’s Eagle River facility.
Bids opened for Lakeland Sanitary’s water plant upgrade
Three bids received; decision expected in December
The Lakeland Sanitary District’s board was presented at its Nov. 12 meeting with information on three bids for a multi-million dollar upgrade for the district’s wastewater treatment plant on Morgan Road in Minocqua.
‘It’s very bittersweet’
Retiring after 17 years with the Minocqua police department, Dave Jaeger is honored by the town of Minocqua
Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, was Dave Jaeger’s last day on duty as Minocqua police chief. With a total of 32 years in law enforcement, 17 of it with the Minocqua police department, Jaeger officially notified the town board earlier this year of his retirement effective Jan. 3, 2025.
Former Boulder Junction town board member Jeff Long dies
Duke: ‘He devoted his life to everything Boulder Junction’
Jeff Long, who served on the Boulder Junction town board for nearly 38 years, died Tuesday following a long illness. He was 72. Long, who’s family moved to Boulder Junction in the 1950s, was first elected to the town board in April, 1973, four years after he graduated high school in 1969.
Woodruff town board approves 2025 budget
The Woodruff town board, following a budget hearing and approval during a town meeting of the electors, formally approved the town’s 2025 budget and property tax levy Tuesday.
Vilas County board OKs 2025 budget and mill levy
The Vilas County board Tuesday approved the county’s 2025 budget. The final number is $53,600,695 with a property tax levy of $17,768,807. The county’s finance director, Darcy Smith, said Vilas County’s equalized value increased 10.1 percent, or $1.1 billion, over the past year to $11,899,001,900.
Price County sheriff’s office arrests murder suspect
Victim’s body found on the side of a road
A Marshfield man has been arrested by deputies with the Price County Sheriff’s Office in connection to the death of a woman. A Nov. 5 press release from the sheriff’s office stated there was an investigation into the death of a person who’s body had been found on Nov. 3 just before 9 p.m. near the area of State Highway 13 and Whitby Road in the town of Hackett.
Pearson selected as Cobb’s replacement on Lac du Flambeau town board
The Lac du Flambeau Town Board has returned to its full three-member complement with the selection of Dennis Pearson to replace Gloria Cobb.
Presidential election turnout ‘phenomenal‘ in Oneida and Vilas counties
Hartman: ‘It was cool to see voters vested that much in this election’
Voter turnout in the 2024 presidential election was very high across the country, a fact mirrored by the voter turnout in places such as Oneida and Vilas counties. Of the 17,236 registered voters in Vilas County, 16,189 people, or 94 percent, voted.
Tri-County Council’s lease with Vilas County expires
Fanning: ‘There’s a need’
The Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault has moved out of the space it had leased on the second floor of the Vilas County Courthouse in Eagle River to conduct outreach service for clients. Vilas, Forest and Oneida counties make up the Tri-County Council with its administrative office in Rhinelander and “promotes non-violence as a life choice and provides a safe environment for persons in crisis,” according to its website.
Vacant Arbor Vitae district seat on Vilas County board to be filled
When the Vilas County board meets Tuesday, aside from conducting the 2025 budget hearing and consideration of the county budget for approval, there’s expected to be the naming of an individual to fill one of two vacant seats on the board. That seat is the District 5 seat, which comprises wards 2 and 7 in the town of Arbor Vitae.
Winchester town board tables ATV/UTV ordinance issue
Newton: ‘This is important to a lot of people’
With it being November and all three seats on the Winchester town board up for election in April, the town board last week tabled, after some discussion, any action on an ordinance for all terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use on town roads.
Minocqua town board to consider Aqua Bowl rental agreement
American Pond Hockey owner Will Jeffrey looks for changes in town’s non-profit policy
The town of Minocqua’s policy to not approve things like picnic, beer or liquor licenses for businesses during events such as the annual Beef-A-Rama festival if they aren’t tied in in some manner to a non-profit organization will be on the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting of the Minocqua town board.
Boulder Junction town board OKs disc golf on town land
The Boulder Junction town board last week approved the establishment of a disc golf course on town property. The approval is contingent on fundraising for the course’s construction, which is estimated at $24,000.
Lac du Flambeau school board approves 2024-25 budget
School board members to receive raises
The school board for the Lac du Flambeau public school district last approved the district’s budget and property tax levy for 2024-25.
AV-W school board approves 2024-25 budget and tax levy
The Arbor Vitae-Woodruff (AV-W) school district’s board of education Monday approved the district’s mill levy and budget for the 2024-25 school year. Following the budget hearing in the school board’s meeting room with no attendance from the general public with the exception of a district employee and The Lakeland Times, the district’s 2024-25 budget of $11,093,483.74 was approved as was a property tax levy of $5,753,302.
Plum Lake community center building committee meets for first time
With the award to the town of Plum Lake by the federal government of a grant of $4,250,000 to fund construction of new community center in Sayner, the first meeting of the committee that will oversee the project took place Monday.
OVTC discusses Rhinelander public transportation program cancellation
Schreier: ‘Very concerned about this’
The Oct. 14 decision by the Rhinelander Common Council to, because of budget constraints, cancel its shared ride program was a topic of discussion at the Oct. 24 meeting of the Oneida Vilas Transit Commission (OVTC) which oversees the Rhinelander-based Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC).
OVTC gets its space needs analysis for new building
Oneida County supervisor Steve Schreier brings up possible open meetings violation
The Oneida Vilas Transit Commission (OVTC) received an overview of a space needs assessment for a new facility at its Oct. 24 meeting. The OVTC oversees Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC) which has public transportation routes established in Oneida and Vilas counties and is currently based in a rented facility in Rhinelander.
Zimmerman appointed fire and ambulance director in LdF
Ordinance creating five-member town board adopted
The Lac du Flambeau town board formally appointed Mike Zimmerman to be the town’s first full-time fire and ambulance director at its Oct. 23 meeting. Town chairman Matt Gaulke and town supervisor Bob Hanson also passed a resolution that has the town adopting Vilas County zoning ordinances.
LdF tribe sends town of Lac du Flambeau a ‘notice to vacate and quit’ maintenance
The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians has sent another letter to the town of Lac du Flambeau related to the parties’ ongoing dispute over expired tribal land easements.
LdF tribal council issues ultimatum in road dispute
Town of Lac du Flambeau behind on road access permit payments
The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians has issued the town of Lac du Flambeau an ultimatum in connection with the ongoing expired road easement dispute involving four town roads. According to an Oct. 18 letter from tribal president John Johnson, Sr. to town chairman Matt Gaulke, the town has until Jan. 16, 2025, to come up with the money for monthly road access permit fees.
One person dead in Lac du Flambeau motorcycle crash
One person died and two were injured as the result of a motorcycle crash in Lac Du Flambeau Friday night. According to a press release from the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, the dispatch center received multiple 911 calls at around 8:40 p.m. reporting an accident involving two motorcycles on County Highway H near Sundance Trail in Lac du Flambeau.
Lac du Flambeau town board creates fire/ambulance director position
Town zoning department to be abolished and county zoning to be adopted
In a move Lac du Flambeau town chairman Matt Gaulke said is intended to help get a full-time ambulance service established for the town, the creation of a position of fire and ambulance director was approved by the town board during a special meeting on Oct. 18.
Town of Lac du Flambeau receives another road ultimatum from LdF tribe
This time, it’s a ‘Notice to vacate and quit’ maintenance
The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians has fired another round at the town of Lac du Flambeau in its dispute with the town over expired tribal land easements. In a letter dated Oct. 18 and received by the town Tuesday, tribal president John Johnson, Sr., informed town chairman Matt Gaulke the town is “hereby noted to vacate and quit all maintenance and surrender possession of Indian lands” on the three roads that were identified in an attachment to Johnson’s letter.
Vilas County board denies Presque Isle ATV/UTV request
Town had requested county road access in Winchester
The Vilas County board Tuesday took action on two resolutions to amend its Motorized Recreational Trail Ordinance, both requesting the use of sections of county roads in those towns for all terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use.
Lac du Flambeau town board looks to replace Cobb as town supervisor
The two remaining members of the Lac du Flambeau town board have given themselves at least a few days to find a successor to town supervisor Gloria Cobb. Town chairman Matt Gaulke and town supervisor Bob Hanson, during a special meeting on Friday, Oct. 18, set the close of business on Friday, Nov. 1 as the deadline for people interested in being considered a Lac du Flambeau town supervisor to submit letters of interest to the town.
DNR approves license for controversial septage spreading in Lac du Flambeau
Legal action by the LdF tribe isn’t out of the question
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Oct. 14 cleared the way for Howard Brothers to apply septage to portions of what is known as “Plummer Lot 7” in Lac du Flambeau.
LdF town supervisor Gloria Cobb resigns
The three-member Lac du Flambeau town board is now a two-member board, at least for the time being, following the resignation of town supervisor Gloria Cobb during the Oct. 16 meeting.
AV-W school board hears charter school proposal
Nelson: ‘There’s a lot to look at’
The Arbor Vitae-Woodruff (AV-W) board of education may at some point consider the idea of an outdoor charter school. Following a brief presentation at its Oct. 14 meeting from two kindergartners and their teachers regarding a recent visit to a cranberry farm, the school board then heard a presentation from Emilymae King-Ryden, the program director for Terri’s Treehouse in Arbor Vitae, a pre-school accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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