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.
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.
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.
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.
Lac du Flambeau town board decides against monthly payment to LdF tribe
Special meeting on road issue scheduled for Aug. 23
At a financial breaking point as a result of an ongoing road easement dispute with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, the town of Lac du Flambeau has not made its monthly payment to the tribe for the Aug. 12 to Sept. 12 time frame.
Thielman back on AV-W school board
Hinterleitner resigns to pursue student teaching at AV-W
After losing his bid for re-election to the Arbor Vitae-Woodruff (AV-W) board of education in the April 2 election, Chris Thielman is back on the board.
Lac du Flambeau town board fields road questions and input
Gaulke: ‘We have other services we need to provide’
The ongoing expired easement dispute between the town of Lac du Flambeau and the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians involving four roads was once again a primary source of discussion during the town board’s Aug. 7 meeting.
Plum Lake town board membership from three to five could go to electors
Postuchow: ‘A five-member board would be more effective’
Whether the Plum Lake town board expands from three members to five may be something town electors will be given the opportunity to determine.
Minocqua town board holds final informational meeting on referendum
Fried: ‘There would have to be some major changes’
With a referendum coming up on Aug. 13, the Minocqua town board Tuesday — a week before that referendum — held one more informational meeting.
MHLT to consider leasing space to Head Start
Ellis: ‘A great partnership’
The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district’s board of education is expected to consider at its next regular meeting later this month providing space for the Head Start pre-school program.
Winchester town board OKs temporary quarters for NEMSD personnel
Smoke detectors for the Winchester community center, which also has town offices on one end of the structure and the town fire department on the other, became a topic of discussion during Monday’s meeting of the town board.
LVG committee seeks new staff, takes steps to adopt new disciplinary measures at County G Landfill
The executive committee of the Landfill Venture Group (LVG), the consortium of Vilas County towns and the city of Eagle River that owns the County G Landfill in the town of Cloverland, met in special session Tuesday.
OVTC approves needs assesment contract
Explores broad options for new facility location
On July 25, the Oneida Vilas Transit Commission (OVTC) formally approved a contract for a space needs assessment with Angus Young Architects/Engineers. The OVTC is responsible for the operations of the Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC), which is currently based in Rhinelander.
Vilas County advances transition to human services model
Smith: ‘There’s a lot to be done before Dec. 31’
In March, the Vilas County board approved a resolution that brought on reorganization of the county’s social services department into a human services department, a change that takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
Boulder Junction town board sends enhanced wake ordinance draft to the DNR
Reuss: ‘I’m sure we’re going to have continued discussions’
The Boulder Junction town board Tuesday voted to send a draft ordinance “restricting certain artificial wake enhancement” to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for review.
Boulder Junction town board holds off on enhanced wake ordinance committee
The Boulder Junction town board at its July 23 meeting indicated support for an enhanced wake ordinance.
New Vilas County garage gets county board approval during special meeting
The Vilas County board, meeting in special session for less than 20 minutes on July 23, unanimously approved two resolutions that will make a new county garage facility a reality.
LdF tribal council rejects town’s latest offer to resolve road issue
The tribal council of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians last week rejected an offer of nearly $1.9 million from the Lac du Flambeau town board to resolve an ongoing expired easement dispute between the two governing bodies.
Minocqua town board formally ends possible land purchase
Town electors had authorized Plaza Drive property purchase at April annual meeting
The Minocqua town board, meeting in special session jointly with members of the ad hoc and housing committee Monday, voted to formally cease participation in a land purchase approved by town electors in April.
Large garage destroyed by fire in Arbor Vitae
Fire chief: ‘Any kind of bad stuff you don’t want to have in a fire was in that fire’
A fire that destroyed a large, four-bay garage on Kern Lane in Arbor Vitae Sunday caused an estimated $400,000 in damage.
Minocqua town board ready to move with Aug. 13 referendum
Hartzheim: ‘I feel like the people out there who understand why we need the referendum support it’
The Minocqua town board Monday briefly discussed the town’s upcoming referendum on Aug. 13. That referendum will, essentially, ask Minocqua voters if the town will be allowed to exceed its annual mill levy by $750,000.
‘Friends who served together are friends forever’
A pontoon boat for Camp American Legion
On Tuesday, July 16, Camp American Legion took delivery of a 1980s vintage, 20-foot pontoon boat that was donated to the camp by U.S. Marine veteran Kirk Schlenz and a friend of his, Bob Larrabee.
Lac du Flambeau fire chief dies suddenly
Chris Mayer, a long-time business owner and resident of Lac du Flambeau, died Thursday. He was 57.
Arbor Vitae town board takes no action on chicken manure pile
Bauers: ‘We found there is no smell that would offend anyone’
The Arbor Vitae town board won’t be taking action against a woman who lives on Carol Drive and has chickens.
Minocqua holds first of two public information meetings ahead of Aug. 13 mill levy referendum amid budget crunch
The Minocqua town board, without town chairman Mark Hartzheim and town supervisor Erika Petersen, Tuesday held the first of two public information meetings intended to share information and receive public input before an Aug. 13 referendum.
No change in status for open Arbor Vitae seat on the Vilas County board
Olkowski: ‘We need someone’
The deadline a qualified person in the town of Arbor Vitae who would be appointed to the one remaining open seat on the Vilas County board may apply has been extended to the close of business on Friday, Aug. 2.
Lakeland ATV Club’s Wheelin For A Cause in its third year
Fink: ‘It’s our chance to give back to the community’
July 26 and 27 will be a busy time for members of the Lakeland ATV Club and the hope is it will be a beneficial time for non-profit local groups such as “Operation Santa.”