
‘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.”

Tragedy leaves Lakeland area heartbroken
Community grieves the loss of Audrey and Greg Bohn
Two Hazelhurst residents died Friday afternoon and one other person was seriously injured in a three-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 51 near the intersection of South Blue Lake Road in Hazelhurst.
Unanimous approval of hazardous wake ordinance at Lake Tomahawk town board meeting
It took less than one minute of a 19-minute-long Lake Tomahawk town board meeting on July 10 for the town board to formally approve a hazardous wake ordinance.

Arbor Vitae plan commission OKs Arrowhead Lake condominium plans
The Arbor Vitae plan commission on July 11 unanimously approved plans for a condominium development on a 4.5 acre tract of land between U.S. Highway 51 and Arrowhead Lake across from the Brandy BP convenience store.
Lac du Flambeau town board sends proposal to resolve road issue
$1.9 million offer moves forward on 2-1 vote
On July 3 the Lac du Flambeau town board voted 2-1 to send a proposal to the tribal council of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Chippewa Indians in an effort to resolve the ongoing dispute between the town and the tribe regarding easement expirations on tribal land on four roads.
Woodruff town board eyes overhaul of short-term rental ordinance; fee hike looms
The Woodruff town board is preparing to revise sections of the town’s ordinance related to the structure of its short-term rental permitting. This includes fees and revenue reporting by owners of operations such as Airbnb and Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO).
No charges for Lac du Flambeau supervisor in open meeting probe
Possible walking quorum via email and alleged document leak investigated by the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office
The Vilas County district attorney will not pursue charges related to an investigation conducted by the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office into an alleged open meetings violation on the part of Lac du Flambeau town supervisor Bob Hanson.
Oneida County highway department awaits delivery for 8 new plow trucks amid rising costs and delays
Hegeman: ‘It’s one thing after another’
The Oneida County highway department has eight plow trucks, or patrol trucks, on order, the oldest truck one of two ordered during 2022.
Lac du Flambeau town board sends proposal to resolve road issue
On a 2-1 vote, a nearly $1.9 million offer moves forward
The Lac du Flambeau town board has, on a 2-1 vote, sent a proposal to the tribal council of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Chippewa Indians in an effort to resolve the ongoing dispute between the town and the tribe regarding easement expirations on tribal land on four roads going back 10 or more years.
Future of a portion of Vilas County’s fairground area in the air
Burkett: ‘They don’t need all that land’
During the May 28 meeting of the Vilas County board, county board chairman Jerry Burkett spoked about an item that was on the meeting agenda regarding a discussion about the county owned fairgrounds in Eagle River.

Arbor Vitae resident injured in one vehicle crash on Lemma Creek Road
An Arbor Vitae resident was injured in a one vehicle crash on Lemma Creek Road in Arbor Vitae on June 28.
Vilas County board remote meeting attendance amendment fails
Issue could go back to committee for reconsideration
An attempt to amend the Vilas County board’s standing rules and committee duties pertaining to remote attendance failed at the county board’s June 25 meeting.
No serious injuries in Land O’ Lakes plane crash
There were no serious injuries in the crash of a small airplane in Land O’ Lakes late Sunday morning.
Winchester town board mulls better communication possibilities
Discianno: ‘How do we communicate with our residents?’
The Winchester town board is looking at, or will be looking at, the possibilities of an email communications system for the town.

Lac du Flambeau town board seeks legal advice on ‘conflict of interest’ amid heated dispute
The Lac du Flambeau town board decided at a June 26 special meeting to consult with the attorneys at the Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA) regarding a clarification of the term “conflict of interest” on the part of an elected official as it relates to town business.
Oneida County Board of Adjustment to reconvene on controversial GLITC wellness center proposal
The Oneida County Board of Adjustment (BOA) will meet on July 25 to consider further all the conditional use permit (CUP) application material that has been submitted by the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) to build a 36-bed adolescent wellness center (AWC) in town of Cassian.
Vilas County board forwards enhanced wake regulation support to state legislature
Ritter: ‘This is not about any one particular boat’
Vilas County will be sending a letter of support to the Wisconsin legislature to get legislation enacted that would, as the title of the resolution passed said, provide for “effective regulations of surface water.”

Vilas County board fails to pass recall effort for clerk of courts
Tables Judge’s recall
The Vilas County board Tuesday voted 18-2 not to approve a resolution calling for support of a recall election of Beth Soltow, the county’s circuit court clerk.
Oshkosh developer plans to build 50 units of housing in Woodruff
Dumke: ‘We’re going fullsteam ahead’
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Housing Authority (WHEDA) has awarded a federal housing tax credit (HTC) of nearly $1.4 million to an Oshkosh-based development firm with plans to build housing in Woodruff on eight acres of land just north of the town garage and fire station.

Light fixture catches fire at the Minocqua Public Library
No one hurt, no extensive damage
Minocqua firefighters responded Tuesday morning to the report of a “possible fire” at the Minocqua Public Library.
Runway rehab at Lakeland Airport recessed a year
Messina: ‘A little environmental hangup’
A multi-million dollar rehabilitation project for the two runways at Lakeland Airport in Arbor Vitae has been pushed back at least one year.
Lightning strike leads to fire damage in Arbor Vitae home
The storm system that went through the Arbor Vitae area overnight Monday and into the early hours of Tuesday morning resulted in a call for firefighters with the Arbor Vitae fire and rescue department.
LdF town board approves payment, latest proposal to tribe in road dispute
The Lac du Flambeau town board last week approved another monthly payment to the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
Arbor Vitae town board asked about enhanced wake ordinance possibilities
Bauers: ‘We know that’s a problem’
The Arbor Vitae town board last week heard, as so many town boards in The Lakeland Times coverage area have over the course of the past several months, about wake boats and the impact of their operation on area lakes, users of those lakes and property owners along the lakes.
Wake boat ban in effect on Lac du Flambeau reservation
As is the case with other wakeboat/enhanced wake ordinances, enforcement is a question
As municipalities and in some cases, counties in Wisconsin, have enacted ordinances to address enhanced wakes or are in the process of doing so, the tribal council of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians has approved a resolution of its own regarding the issue.
Plum Lake community center cost estimate close to $4 million
Town attempting federal funding for the project
The town of Plum Lake, following a special meeting on Monday, has basic information regarding the size of a new community center as well as a cost estimate.

Phelps man arrested for possession of child pornography
A 65-year-old Phelps man is in custody at the Vilas County Jail in Eagle River after he was arrested last week for possession of child pornography.
Plum Lake town board sends draft of ATV/UTV ordinance to legal counsel
Postuchow: ‘We need to come together as a community’
The Plum Lake town board last week sent a draft town ordinance for all terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use on town roads and stretches of county roads and State Highway 155 in Sayner to its legal counsel for review.
Lac du Flambeau town board passes ethics measure
Role of town supervisor’s wife in town business questioned
The Lac du Flambeau town board, during one of the most contentious meetings in some time there on June 12, took action related to questions that have arisen regarding town supervisor Bob Hanson and the town board’s closed session procedures.
Vilas County garage project delayed
Olkowski: ‘It’s setback after setback’
The effort by the Vilas County board’s public property committee to have what is referred to as a “joint response” garage for the sheriff’s office and health department has hit a snag.
LVG buys backup compactor
The executive committee for the Landfill Venture Group (LVG), the consortium of Vilas County towns and the city of Eagle River that own the County G Landfill in the town of Cloverland, last week approved the purchase of a trash compactor.
AV-W school board approves computer purchase
The Arbor Vitae-Woodruff school district’s board of education Monday approved the purchase of nearly $75,000 worth of computer equipment.
Space needs analysis for Northwoods Transit Connections gets the green light
The Oneida Vilas Transit Commission’s (OVTC) long-awaited space needs study, a key step in the process of determining the best location for the new home of Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC), is expected to begin soon.
Plum Lake town board applies for federal funding for a new community center
The Plum Lake town board has once again begun to seriously look at replacing the town’s current community/recreation center with a new structure.
Plum Lake town clerk to resign
Kim Lechner, elected in April, 2023, is leaving the area
A little more than a year after her election as Plum Lake town clerk, Kim Lechner has informed the town board she’s leaving the area.

Local police officers recognized for saving a life
Carroll: ‘You’re part of my family now’
At the start of the June 4 meeting of the Minocqua town board, town chairman Mark Hartzheim gave the floor to Minocqua police chief Dave Jaeger.
Vilas County public property committee sends joint response building recommendation to finance committee
The Vilas County board’s public property committee at its June 4 meeting approved a recommendation for an expenditure of up to $220,000 for construction of a “joint response” garage.
Vilas County board vacancy is an Arbor Vitae seat
For the second time in a year, the Vilas County board heads into the summer months with at least one vacant seat.
Mellen man dies in FDXCR race on Minocqua’s west side
A 28-year-old man participating in a dirt bike race on Minocqua’s west side was killed Sunday.
OVTC space needs grant application progresses despite delays
It’s taking a little longer than Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC) director Barb Newman would like, but the organization’s grant application to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) is moving forward.
Minocqua reaches agreement with Bangstad
Hartzheim: ‘It kind of cleans things up for both parties’
The Minocqua town board, following a closed session Tuesday afternoon, voted to accept a revocable license agreement with Kirk Bangstad, owner of the Minocqua Brewery Company.
Questions arise in Lac du Flambeau town board’s closed meeting process
Possin: ‘I think it’s important to know who supports this or not’
The Lac du Flambeau town board, during a nearly hour-long special meeting on May 31, voted 2-1 to make one more payment under the current arrangement to the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
Minocqua town board adopts food truck policy
Hartzheim: ‘We’ll see how successful this is’
The Minocqua town board Tuesday adopted a food truck policy that was the result of nearly three hours of discussion during the board’s previous two regular meetings.
Plum Lake town board forms ATV/UTV ad hoc committee
Hanien: ‘It’s hard to see the town hurting over this issue’
The Plum Lake town board, following a May 16 polling of town electors that indicated people would like to have more all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) access in the town, will move forward to establish an ordinance that town chair Jackey Postuchow said will be limited in nature.

Vilas County board hears about possible land sale ideas
No action taken but plenty of discussion
The possibility of Vilas County selling some of its property came up twice during the May 28 meeting of the Vilas County board.