Woodruff’s first female town chair sworn in
Judi Nelson steps up after the sudden passing of Mike Timmons
As preparations are made for Woodruff’s annual meeting, one of those items was the swearing in of the successor to town chairman Mike Timmons, who died suddenly on March 22. On the town board since 1993 and town chairman since 2007, Timmons was unopposed for another term going into the April 1 election.
April 3 RV fire in Pine Lake was admittedly intentional
DNR investigating to determine what, if any, penalty there might be
A fire destroyed that destroyed a recreational vehicle (RV) in the town of Pine Lake on County Highway C the night of April 3 is being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Four-town EMS update
Saving lives, shaving seconds — rapid response stats satisfy Winchester board
The Winchester town board Monday received an activity update for the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) from the district’s chief, Jason Joling. The district, comprising the towns of Winchester, Boulder Junction, Presque Isle and Manitowish Waters, began operations with full-time ambulance crews earlier this year.
Downtown Minocqua’s $1.7 M street light installation slated for 2026
The update for a downtown lighting project was a topic of brief discussion during the Minocqua town board’s April 2 meeting. Director of public works Mark Pertile provided an overlay of the downtown area showing the current planned configuration of 52 street lights, 24 for the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 51, or Chippewa Street, with the remainder for both sides of southbound Hwy. 51, or Oneida Street, from the intersection of Oneida and Front streets south to the Hwy. 51 bridge.
Summer release of Oneida County housing study results
Pharo: ‘I’m pushing to get this done’
A housing study conducted by the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC) in conjunction with the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) wraps up today. The two entities began gathering input on March 14 and OCEDC executive director Tony Pharo told The Lakeland Times his goal is to have the results ready for release to the public in the June or July time frame.
Another chief deputy medical examiner resigns in Oneida County
Roach: ‘I was betrayed and lied to’
The Oneida County board’s public safety committee continues to deal with personnel matters in the county’s medical examiner’s office. The committee met last week and following a closed session, voted to stay with its previous decision not to pay former chief deputy medical examiner Luke Johnson for paid time off (PTO) he’d accrued.
Lac du Flambeau town chair’s race contested
The April 1 election for the Lac du Flambeau town board brought three notable developments. First, it marked the inaugural election for the expanded town board, which grew from three to five members — one chairperson and four town supervisors — following approval by town electors during a special meeting last year.
Woodruff election questions answered by the WEC
Nelson to be sworn in as town chair by April 15
In the aftermath of the April 1 election, there were some questions regarding the direction to be taken. The questions revolved the outcome of the town chair’s election results; incumbent Mike Timmons, who died suddenly on March 22, was on the ballot and unopposed.
American Pond Hockey seeks rental agreement for the Aqua Bowl
Hartzheim: ‘I think we want to do what we can’
The town of Minocqua will work with Will Jefferey to see if the two sides can work out what amounts to a lease agreement for the Aqua Bowl. Jefferey, with American Pond Hockey (APH), was on the agenda for the April 2 meeting of the town board, beginning with a brief presentation regarding the benefits for the town the event provides.
Oneida County waiting on nine new plow trucks
Some truck orders go back to 2022; labor, material shortages cited as primary reasons
One of the items on the agenda for the April 3 meeting of the Oneida County board’s public works and solid waste committee was an equipment update. Part of the update county highway commissioner Alex Hegeman provided included the news the highway department, as of April 3, has nine patrol trucks, or plow trucks, on order; four equipped with tri-axles, four with tandem axles and one single-axle truck.
Lakeland area town, school board election results
While the major statewide, as well as national, news coming out of the April 1 election was the coverage of the Wisconsin state supreme court race, there was plenty of news at the local level in relation to town board and school board election results in The Lakeland Times coverage area.
Frozen fury: Ice storms ravage Northwoods
WPS deploys hundreds of line workers in one of its largest-ever restoration efforts
The Northwoods was hit last weekend with a combination of freezing rain and snow.
Lake Tomahawk garage destroyed in Sunday fire
A garage on property owned by Lake Tomahawk resident Ronald Nietzel on Big Doe Road in Lake Tomahawk was destroyed in a fire on Sunday.
Mercer man dies in rollover crash
A 29-year-old Mercer man died Sunday from injuries he sustained in the rollover of the vehicle he was driving on U.S. Highway 51 in Iron County.
Vilas County board OKs general fund transfer for tower gear removal, upgrade and reinstall
Plan backs Eagle River water tower repaint with modern comms equipment and fiber loop
The approval by the Vilas County board at its March 25 meeting of a resolution to transfer nearly $425,400 from the county’s general fund to the communications portion of the county budget will pay to remove county communications equipment from the water tower in Eagle River.
County courts push the state legislature for more funding
Overbey: ‘We have to keep putting off these cases’
The Vilas County board last week unanimously approved a resolution urging Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers as well as the legislature to support county courts. Vilas County’s clerk of the circuit court, Beth Soltow, was unable to attend the March 25 meeting of the Vilas County board but a letter she wrote was read to the county board by county supervisor Holly Tomlanovich, Soltow advocating in the letter county board support of the resolution.
Making people aware of internet crimes against children in Oneida County
Wanta: ‘People aren’t aware of what’s going on’
Social media and the internet in general can be beneficial. However, there’s a darker side that many people aren’t aware of and that was a large part of the message that Chad Wanta, a detective sergeant with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, intended to convey during a presentation for Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) at the Rhinelander High School auditorium on March 26.
Mike Timmons remembered
Lavonne Timmons: ‘He thought everything in the world of his family’
Woodruff town chairman and Oneida County board supervisor Mike Timmons died suddenly on Saturday, March 22, 2025. He was 66.
Woodruff town board discusses the town chair vacancy
The Woodruff town board convened into regular session Tuesday with one very notable exception; the absence of town chairman Mike Timmons, who died suddenly on Saturday, March 22 at the age of 66.
Oneida County clerk moves to find a replacement for Timmons on the county board
As the Woodruff town board plans for next steps to find a new town chair following the sudden death of Mike Timmons on March 22, Oneida County clerk Tracy Hartman is having to make similar plans. Timmons, in addition to his town chair duties, was also the Woodruff representative on the Oneida County board.
Putting Arbor Vitae on the map
Progress made in recent weeks from the tourism and marketing perspective
The Arbor Vitae town board during its Feb. 19 meeting had a fairly extensive discussion regarding what could be done to make the town more visible. Board members emphasized that, as the largest town in Vilas County by square mileage, Arbor Vitae needed to establish a stronger presence in promoting tourism-related activities.
Vilas County medical examiner issue resurfaces in Arbor Vitae
Carroll: ‘Vilas County needs to start stepping up’
The Arbor Vitae town board has lobbied Vilas County to establish a county-wide ambulance service. Now, it will do the same when it comes to re-establishing an office for a Vilas County medical examiner.
Arbor Vitae’s ‘Adopt-A-Town Road’ program is official
Town board approves five sign applications
At the Jan.15 meeting of the Arbor Vitae town board, town supervisor Pam Carroll introduced an idea for a town road cleanup program similar to what the state of Wisconsin has for groups across the state to pick up trash along state highways.
Cassian, Nokomis firefighters dispatched to deadly Lincoln County fire
One person is dead as the result of a fire Friday morning in the town of Bradley in Lincoln County. According to a press release issued by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the dispatch center received a call reporting a residential fire shortly after 6 a.m. Flames were reported to be coming from the residence.
Vilas County ADRC and the future of Medicaid
Richmond: ‘It’s very concerning’
Discussions regarding the prospect of drastic cuts in federal programs such as Medicaid have been agenda items on recent meetings of the Vilas County board’s aging and disability resource center (ADRC) committee. It was a topic of discussion at last week’s ADRC committee meeting and Sue Richmond, ADRC director for Vilas County, told The Lakeland Times it’s something she and others in her profession are monitoring.
Lakeland Sanitary District board tables sewer rate increase
More information needed regarding increased revenue to help finance major facility upgrade
With the start of a facility upgrade project that will cost just over $20 million on the verge of beginning, the Lake Sanitary District’s three-member board and superintendent Wilbur Peters met in special session Tuesday, most of that time with Brian Reilly of Ehlers Public Finance Advisors.
Evers tours Camp American Legion, highlights veteran support in budget
Evers: ‘They’ve done well with very little’
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers visited Camp American Legion in Lake Tomahawk Monday. The stop at the facility, which on June 14 of this year will observe its 100th year in existence, was the third visit of the day for Evers and Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs secretary James Bond, a Marine Corps veteran.
Minocqua to get a new style Smokey Bear fire danger sign
The town of Minocqua is getting a new style, digital Smokey Bear fire danger sign. Rich Carani, chief of the Minocqua fire and rescue department, received the official green light from the Minocqua town board to have the sign installed at the fire station on Minocqua’s south side during its March 4 meeting.
Lac du Flambeau school board OKs summer projects
Higher bids approved for carpeting, grounds equipment
Approval of summer building and grounds projects for the Lac du Flambeau school district was the theme for the March 13 meeting of the school board. The largest expenditure approved for the district’s main building was for the gymnasium as the school board approved a $25,850 bid from New London-based Stalker Sports Floors to have the gym floor sanded and finished.
Plastic fantastic: Seniors weigh in on waste
LUHS class of 2025 is over halfway to a goal
A corner of the commons area at Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) was the scene of a plastic bags weigh in on the morning of March 6. The weigh-in is an activity conducted by the LUHS senior class in conjunction with the NexTrex Recycling challenge.
AV-W, MHLT school boards go back to sharing a business manager
Nelson: ‘We don’t really need a full-time business manager’
The school boards for the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) and Arbor Vitae Woodruff (AV-W) school districts Monday each approved the hiring of a business manager who will be shared by the districts.
Spring road weight limits set in most places
Oneida County’s won’t be posted just quite yet
It’s mid-March and with that comes posting of road weight limits. In the Lakeland area, different towns have set or are about to set the date and time weight limits will be in effect for town roads.
Arbor Vitae home sustains damage in early morning fire
Firefighters from Arbor Vitae, Woodruff and St. Germain responded early Tuesday morning to a fire at a house owned by Karen Kiey and Donald Kiey Jr. on Witches Lake Road in Arbor Vitae.
MHLT school board OKs tech ed room expansion
The technical education program at the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district received a boost of sorts Monday with the approval of a project that will expand its current space to include a storage area for projects students are working on.
Cassian town board shelves enhanced wake ordinance
While several area towns in the past year or so have approved hazardous wake ordinances, the Cassian town board has shelved the matter at least until after the April 1 election.
Lakeland Airport set to transition smoothly with new interim airport administrator
Extensive process for a permanent replacement underway
The Lakeland Airport commission is advertising for a new airport administrator. The interim administrator, Roger Grahl, was appointed to that position following the resignation of Jon Schmitz in late December.
LdF town board in favor of county-wide ambulance service
The Lac du Flambeau town has let Vilas County government know the county should take the steps needed to establish a countywide ambulance service. The town, with two ambulances and volunteers to crew them, currently has a contract with Oneida County for ambulance service that is dispatched when Lac du Flambeau is unable to respond to a call.
Fire destroys Peninsula Point home in Minocqua
Carani: ‘It was very narrow and not a lot of room’
A home on Peninsula Point Road on Minocqua’s very west end is a total loss as the result of a fire Sunday. The call initially came in as an explosion in the detached garage with fire spreading to the nearby house. Minocqua fire chief Rich Carani told The Lakeland Times even though the initial call was the report of an explosion in the garage, he doesn’t feel that was the case.
Minocqua town board approves contracts
Mower purchased for Minocqua Park Complex
The Minocqua town board Tuesday approved contracts for groundskeeper services at the Minocqua Park Complex on Minocqua’s west side, installation of a new dock at the municipal boat landing at The Thirsty Whale, repairs to a rooftop compressor condenser for the community building.
Boulder Junction sends draft of border lake enhanced wake ordinance to DNR
A month after the Boulder Junction town board approved an enhanced wake ordinance for lakes within the town’s boundaries, the town board last week took action to begin the process of establishing an enhanced wake ordinance for lakes the town shares with other towns, also known as “border lakes.”
Winchester starts service recognition program
Discianno: ‘I just think it’s something we need to do’
The Winchester town board Monday approved a program that will recognize town residents who have made contributions to the community. Town chairman Joe Discianno said it was something the town board had discussed last year.
Lac du Flambeau tribe won’t block roads
Tribal council will wait for the outcome of a federal lawsuit against the town of Lac du Flambeau
The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians last week let it be known that until federal litigation against the town of Lac du Flambeau is decided the tribe won’t prevent access to four roads involved in that litigation.
Lac du Flambeau home may be total loss after fire
Firefighters from Lac du Flambeau, Woodruff and Arbor Vitae responded to a house fire on Wazhashk Trail in Lac du Flambeau on Feb. 27. In a press release from T.J. Bill, chief of the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police, the department received a call from someone reporting smoke coming from a residence.
Arbor Vitae pushes for tourism recognition
Vilas County’s largest town forms committee to address exclusion from county promotions
The Arbor Vitae town board has approveed formation of a committee tasked with making Arbor Vitae more visible. The fact that the Vilas County tourism website features 10 Vilas County towns and the city of Eagle River as well as the Minocqua area individually and not the town of Arbor Vitae has some people upset.
On the move: RFP for new Northwoods Transit Connections building goes to the DOT
The slow, steady process toward a new home for Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC) continues. Barb Newman, NTC director, told The Lakeland Times on Feb. 27 she sent architectural and engineering requests for proposals to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) for review there.
Seventh Firehouse Chili Feed Challenge raises over $8,000
Carani: ‘We’re very grateful’
Members from five area volunteer fire departments faced off in the 7th Annual Firehouse Chili Feed Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 21. The chili feed is hosted by a different area fire department each year and this year’s event was held at Minocqua’s main fire station on U.S. Highway 51.
Oneida County seeking a new medical examiner
Chief medical examiner and deputy have resigned; interim plans in place
Over the course of the past several weeks, Oneida County has been without a full-time medical examiner. Crystal Schaub, who started as an limited term employee (LTE) deputy medical examiner in June 2016, was promoted to the position of medical examiner in January, 2019.
Fire and ambulance committee authorized in Lac du Flambeau
The Lac du Flambeau town board voted, after meeting in closed session during its Feb. 19 meeting, to establish a fire and ambulance committee.
BOA upholds CUP revocation
Bangstad escorted from heated meeting
The seven members of the Oneida County Board of Adjustment (BOA) last week voted to uphold the July, 2024, revocation of a conditional use permit (CUP) by the Oneida County board’s planning and development committee.
MHLT school board approves PFAS treatment project
DNR grant funding will pay for most of it
The school board for the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district last week approved a bid for a project intended to treat the district’s Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) issue.
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