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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hazelhurst man dies in Cassian ATV crash
A Hazelhurst man died Sunday of injuries he sustained in the crash of the all terrain vehicle (ATV) he was operating in the town of Cassian.
County G Landfill sale confusion
Comments made at an LVG executive committee meeting have caused a stir in certain circles
Comments made at an Aug. 23 meeting of the executive committee of the Landfill Venture Group (LVG) by Vilas County supervisor Holly Tomlanovich apparently left some people in disbelief and somewhat confused.
Lac du Flambeau meeting on controversial road issue draws large crowd to Woodruff
Hanson: ‘We are in the position of fighting against ourselves’
The Lac du Flambeau town board took another shot on Aug. 23 at asking elected officials at the state and federal levels for their help in the ongoing expired road easement dispute the town has with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
Lac du Flambeau fire chief selected
Appointment of Mike Zimmerman goes through on a 2-1 vote
The town of Lac du Flambeau has a new fire chief. Mike Zimmerman, who said he’s been with the Lac du Flambeau fire department for 25 years, most recently as director of emergency medical services, was named as the successor for Chris Mayer at the town board’s Aug. 21 meeting.
Vilas County highway committee tables Presque Isle ATV/UTV request
Town is seeking county road access in Winchester
A request from the town of Presque Isle to open sections of Vilas County highway in the town of Winchester for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use was tabled during an Aug. 20 meeting of the Vilas County board’s highway committee.
MHLT school board meets with consulting firm
The process to find a successor for long-time district superintendent Dr. Jim Ellis has begun
The school board for the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district met in special session on Aug. 22 with representatives of the consulting firm that will aid in finding a successor for district superintendent Dr. Jim Ellis.
Winchester town board takes ATV/UTV referendum off the table
Grimmer: ‘We’ve definitely got feedback’
The Winchester town board, meeting in special session Monday morning, officially took action to not have a referendum question added to the Nov. 5 ballot.
2024 Minocqua Dragon Boat Festival a Success
Biertzer: ‘It only happens with everybody pulling together’
Twenty-three dragon boat teams descended on the Minocqua area Saturday for the 2024 edition of the Minocqua Dragon Boat Festival.
Oneida County ambulance calls will be $1,800 each in 2025
The charge will be for calls outside of Oneida County
Starting on Jan. 1, 2025, Oneida County will be charging towns outside the county not on contract for ambulance service $1,800 for each run.
One person dead in fatal U.S. Highway 51 crash on Minocqua’s south side
An Oconomowoc woman died early Tuesday afternoon in an accident involving her bicycle and a motor vehicle. According to a press release from Minocqua police chief Dave Jaeger, officers responded to a vehicle versus bicycle crash just south of the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 and Timber Ridge Road.
MHLT school board OKs Head Start lease
The board of education for the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district Monday approved a contract with Head Start to utilize vacant classrooms.
MHLT school board hires new principal
Bob Smudde leaves LUHS to succeed Betsy Gruszynski
Three days after accepting the resignation of Betsy Gruszynski as principal at the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district, the district’s board of education found her successor.
Minocqua students receive Civil Air Patrol awards
Two Minocqua teenagers who are members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) recently received major awards from the organization.
Lake Tomahawk town board looks to regulate mosquito spraying
DeMet: ‘I don’t necessarily like what they’re doing’
The town of Lake Tomahawk is considering enacting an ordinance regulating chemicals used in mosquito control. “I don’t know how you all feel about it but it’s pretty much an unregulated industry and I don’t necessarily like what they’re doing with some of the chemicals that they’re using,” town chairman George DeMet said at the start of a discussion regarding the issue during the town board’s Aug. 14 meeting.
Lac du Flambeau town board faces financial crisis amid road dispute
Town seeks state and federal help after missing payment to LdF tribal council; special meeting on Aug. 23
The town of Lac du Flambeau, at a financial breaking point as the result of an ongoing road easement dispute with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, didn’t make its monthly payment to the tribe for the Aug. 12 to Sept. 12 time frame.
Minocqua referendum passes by nearly 50 votes
Hartzheim: ‘We waited as long as we could to put off a referendum’
On the third try in less than two years, a referendum question the town of Minocqua had on the Aug. 13 primary ballot was approved by voters, 804 yes votes to 758 no.