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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.