Presque Isle town board to send letter of dissatisfaction to LUHS school board over bus routes
The Presque Isle town board, at its Oct. 1 meeting, decided to send a letter to the Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) school board expressing the board’s dissatisfaction with current bus routes.
Lakeland Rotary Club presents $12,500 grant to Lakeland Consortium Mental Health Program
Money will be used to help Lakeland area students access mental health resources
The Lakeland Rotary Club presented a $12,500 grant on Oct. 1 to the Lakeland Consortium Mental Health Program at Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) to support youth wellness in local communities.
Beef-A-Rama herds generate near max-capacity crowd
Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau reports festivalgoers traveled as far as Washington
The 61st annual Beef-A-Rama brought herds of visitors to downtown Minocqua on Sept. 26, resulting in another max-capacity year, according to the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau. Krystal Westfahl, president and CEO of the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, said the beautiful weather facilitated a wonderful event.
Some parents say LUHS bus routes are unsafe
Residents from Presque Isle, Hazelhurst, voice opposition to new routes during Sept. 28 school board meeting
While not on the agenda for the Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) school board, conversations on busing dominated the public comment portion of the Sept. 28 meeting.
Boulder Junction continues debate over ATV/UTV traffic
Musky Riders present request to open certain town property to ATV/UTV traffic
The Musky Riders Boulder Junction ATV/UTV Club presented its request to open certain town property to ATV traffic during a public hearing on Sept. 29 and town supervisors listened to public comments from both sides of the issue in order to obtain information for a future meeting.
Minocqua man arrested on domestic abuse charges
Minocqua resident Isaiah Phillips was arrested by the Minocqua Police Department on Sept. 21 after allegedly strangling his father and faces four separate charges, all relating to domestic abuse.
Presque Isle discusses LUHS busing at special meeting
Town chairman says next step is to contact district administrator
The Presque Isle town board continued its discussion on bus routing for Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) students during a special meeting on Sept. 25.
LUHS placed on hold for student situation Sept. 30
Massey: ‘There was never a threat to safety’
Lakeland Union High School was placed on hold for approximately 20 minutes on Sept. 30 because of a student situation, according to principal Levi Massey.
AV-W, North Lakeland report no issues with busing
Both districts utilize Lakeland Area Bus Services for transportation
While the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk School District (MHLT) has had issues with bus routes, Arbor Vitae-Woodruff School District (AV-W) and North Lakeland School District administrators said they have not experienced any problems to begin the school year.
Illinois man arrested in town of Washington for allegedly beating his mother
William Hazel, 37, faces charges of battery to an elder person, a Class H felony
Hoffman Estates, Ill., resident William Hazel is facing charges of battery to an elder person after the Vilas County Sheriff”s Office arrested him in the town of Washington on Sept. 18 for allegedly beating his 66-year-old mother.
Newbold town board questions increase in library budget
Town chairman says Rhinelander District Library’s budget is ‘out of control’
The Newbold town board, at its Sept. 24 meeting, questioned the Rhinelander District Library’s proposed budget for next year that would see the town contribute more money than in previous years.
61st annual Beef-A-Rama - A well-rounded event for all
Family fun, cow costumes and more will flood the streets of Minocqua tomorrow ... and lots and lots of beef!
Swing by downtown Minocqua on Sept. 26 to tach a whiff of the 61st annual Beef-A-Rama, an iconic Northwoods festival centered around slow-roasted beef. Krystal Westfahl, the president and chief executive officer of the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, said Beef-A-Rama has the feeling of a small hometown event, yet it’s a big festival.
Music in his blood
Minocqua resident Don Penfield has played piano for nearly his entire life. For the last few years, Penfield, 86, could still be seen behind the piano at The Boathouse, where he would tickle the ivories at least once a week.
Detailed busing policies coming for MHLT
School board also reinstates eighth bus route during Sept. 21 meeting
The Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk school district (MHLT) decided to work on creating a more detailed busing policy and reinstated an eighth bus route during its Sept. 21 school board meeting.
Boulder Junction provides update on wake boat lawsuit
Town chairman Dennis Reuss says towns are forced to create ordinances even though the state owns the lakes
The Boulder Junction town board continued its discussion over its wake boat ordinance at its Sept. 22 meeting. Town clerk Dan Driscoll provided an update he received via email from the town’s lawyer Remzy Bitar on the $4.8 million wake boat ordinance lawsuit that Boulder Junction and Manitowish Waters are facing. He said the court has not decided yet whether it will dismiss the case or proceed.
Preparations underway for Beef-A-Rama
Visitors can expect a full itinerary for the 61st annual festival
Downtown Minocqua will be shut down by thousands of visitors eager to enjoy the 61st annual Beef-A-Rama, the iconic festival centered around slow-roasted beef, on Sept. 26. Diana Langg, who is in charge of the Beef-A-Rama judges, said people attending the festival should expect to arrive hungry.
Presque Isle approves High Lake wake ordinance
Town board will take up LUHS busing concerns at future meeting
The Presque Isle town board, at its Sept. 17 meeting, approved an ordinance restricting artificial wake enhancement on High Lake, which also borders Land O’ Lakes and Boulder Junction. Town chairman Al Eschenbauch said Land O’ Lakes brought forward the proposed ordinance for the other two municipalities to review.
Beef-A-Rama takes the stage Sept. 26
61st annual slow-roasted beef festival has something for everybody
Swing by downtown Minocqua on Sept. 26 to catch a whiff of the 61st annual Beef-A-Rama, an iconic Northwoods festival centered around slow-roasted beef.
Community members voice concerns over MHLT busing
School board, district administrators say there’s been communication issues with bus company
Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district parents and community members voiced their concerns to the school board over the changes in bus routes during a special public input meeting on Sept. 15.
Tomahawk Lake Association aims to start lake district petition process in spring of 2027
Lake association, Friends of Tomahawk Lake debate inclusion of boat launch on proposed boundary maps
Tomahawk Lake Association (TLA) president Noah Lottig announced that the petition process for a proposed lake district is expected to start in the spring of 2027 during a Conservation and UW-Extension Education (CUW) committee meeting on Sept. 14.
New background check system to be implemented at AVW
School board also voices support for bike and pedestrian trail at Sept. 14 meeting
The Arbor Vitae-Woodruff school district (AVW) approved the implementation of a new background check system for screening staff, volunteers and visitors in the building during its Sept. 14 meeting. AVW principal Sid Hunter said Bchex, which boasts on its website that it can conduct 92 percent of background checks within 24 hours, is more thorough and faster than what the district currently uses.
Lakeland Area Bus Service responds to concerns over new bus routes
MHLT school board hosting special meeting tonight for community input
Lakeland Area Bus Service responded to concerns from parents and school administrators about new bus routes established this school year for Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) and the Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district.
Boulder Junction voters decide fate of additional $719,688 in broadband funds
During special meeting of electors, town decides to retain, reinvest extra cash
At a special town meeting of the electors on Sept. 10, the town of Boulder Junction decided to retain and reinvest surplus funds of over $700,000 left over from the town’s broadband project. Boulder Junction resident Scott Weber was the first person to put forward a motion on what to do with the leftover money.
Lake Tomahawk town board asked to take stance on proposed lake district
The Friends of Tomahawk Lake asked the Lake Tomahawk town board to take a stance on the Tomahawk Lake Association’s (TLA) proposed lake district at its Sept. 9 meeting.
Minocqua plan commission advances conditional use permit
Business at 8694 State Highway 47 wants to add display area for golf cars
The Minocqua plan commission advanced a conditional use permit (CUP) for 8694 Wisconsin State Highway 47 to the town board level at its Sept. 8 meeting. Rick Umhoefer applied for the CUP for the property, which is owned by Gregory Meyer, to add outdoor display areas to an existing golf car business.
Lac du Flambeau man held on $15,000 cash bond
Curtis Hagen facing charges of felony bail jumping, possession of THC, delivery of fentanyl
A Lac du Flambeau man is being held on a $15,000 cash bond at the Vilas County Jail after he was arrested on Aug. 28 on four separate charges of felony bail jumping, possession of THC and delivery of fentanyl.
Hazelhurst residents, town board left in the dark
Board listens to issues arising after Frontier Communication’s decision to end copper-based services
Residents of Hazelhurst discussed their concerns with Frontier Communications ending copper-based phone and internet services in the area with members of the town board on Sept. 8.
Parents, MHLT staff looking towards bus company for answers
Smudde says Lakeland Area Bus Services has not provided readable maps, parents say students have to walk miles for bus pick-up
Parents and Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk school district (MHLT) administrators are still confused about new routes put together by Lakeland Area Bus Services. MHLT district administrator Robert Smudde said part of the problem is that the district doesn’t have readable bus route maps, something which parents don’t even have access to.
Presque Isle residents unhappy with new LUHS bus routes
Kids either have to travel to North Lakeland or Winchester library to be picked up
Despite not being an agenda item, bus route changes for Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) students became a topic of discussion at Presque Isle’s Sept. 3 town board meeting. During the public comment section of the board meeting, Presque Isle resident Doug Wolter said when LUHS renegotiated its contract with Lakeland Area Bus Services, they eliminated a route to pick up kids in Presque Isle.
Minocqua looks to replace Squirrel River culvert
Public works department to receive $652,500 grant from state to help pay for project
The Minocqua public works department will be receiving a grant of $652,500 from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) to replace the Squirrel River culvert on Scotchman Lake Road. Minocqua director of public works Mark Pertile said the grant provides a substantial amount of money for the replacement project.
Minocqua town board debates cell tower fall zone
Proposed certified survey map on Timber Ridge Road sent to county after no decision
The Minocqua town board, during its Sept. 1 meeting, approved one certified survey map, took no action on another, and agreed to allow both camping and liquor sales at the Minocqua Winter Park for the Dirty Squirrel Gravel Grind.
Lac du Flambeau man makes initial appearance in 2025 sexual assault
Over a year after 66-year-old Duane Poupart was arrested for fourth degree sexual assault and disorderly conduct, he finally made an initial appearance in Oneida County court on Aug. 26. Poupart, a resident of Lac du Flambeau, was arrested on Aug. 18, 2025, at the Marshfield Medical Center in Minocqua after he allegedly grabbed a nurse’s breast.
50-year grocery career ends on a high note
Robert Jaskolski, CEO of Trig’s, to retire Sept. 14
Robert Jaskolski has worked for over 50 years in the grocery industry across the Midwest, but his time working in the Northwoods as CEO of T.A. Solberg Co., Inc. holds a special place in his heart.
MHLT alters bus routes to save money
District eliminates shared routes with high school
Bus route changes for the Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk school district (MHLT) have generated dozens of phone calls from parents to school administrators. MHLT district administrator Robert Smudde said the biggest change is that the district is no longer sharing bus routes with Lakeland Union High School.
Manitowish Waters, Boulder Junction facing $4.8 million lawsuit for wake boat ordinances
Towns asking judge to dismiss case
A decision in the $4.8 million lawsuit against the towns of Manitowish Waters and Boulder Junction for wake boat ordinances may be coming within the next two months. At the Aug. 25 meeting of the Boulder Junction town board, town clerk Dan Driscoll said an answer from the court was probably 60 days out.
Owners of Reuland’s Catering to retire after 30 years in the Northwoods
Dan Reuland bids farwell to his lifelong catering career
For almost his entire life, Dan Reuland has worked in the restaurant and catering industry. From growing up working at his family’s delicatessen in Aurora, Illinois, to running his own catering business for the past 30 years in the Northwoods, Reuland has decided that it’s time to step away and retire.
Minocqua welcomes state’s first electronic Smokey Bear sign
Fire and rescue department becomes the first in Wisconsin to unveil web-based fire danger sign
The Minocqua fire and rescue department unveiled its new digital Smokey Bear fire danger sign outside of the fire station on Aug. 27, becoming the first department in Wisconsin to transition to a web-based fire danger video board.
LUHS sees slight improvement in attendance rate
Board also hears update on voyager program
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) staff reported at a school board meeting Aug. 25 that they saw an increase in the attendance rate during the 2025-26 school year.
Boulder Junction to host public hearing on ATV traffic
Reuss updates board on his meeting with DNR
The Boulder Junction town board, at its Aug. 25 meeting, agreed to schedule a public hearing on Sept. 29 to discuss the possibility of opening up certain roads to all-terrain vehicle (ATV) traffic. Even before town chairman Dennis Reuss provided an update on a meeting he had with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on the issue, residents asked the board for the opportunity to have their voices heard.
Minocqua plan commission approves two survey maps, ARP and sign permit
The Minocqua plan commission approved two sets of certified survey maps, an administrative review permit (ARP) and a sign permit at its Aug. 25 meeting. The commission granted the ARP to Zachary Troyer to operate a therapy clinic at 8566 U.S. Highway 51 in the town of Minocqua.
Campanile Center for the Arts celebrates 20 years
Group maintains long history of art organizations in the Lakeland area
The Campanile Center for the Arts in Minocqua celebrated its 20th anniversary on Aug. 19 with a legacy and donor appreciation dinner. While the Campanile first opened its doors in 2006, it draws inspiration from art programs in Minocqua dating back to 1982, with the creation of the Lakeland Children’s Art Program (LCAP).
No phone, no internet, plenty of problems
Oneida County residents searching for options after being told they’ll lose copper based services
Residents across Oneida County are still searching for answers after receiving letters from Frontier Communications that the company will be cutting copper-based phone and internet services.
Presque Isle approves second half payment for Northwoods EMS District
The Presque Isle town board approved the town’s second half payment for $276,691 to the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) at its Aug. 20 board meeting. Town chair Al Eschenbauch said residents overwhelmingly supported raising the tax levy last fall in order to fund NEMSD, which consists of Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle and Winchester.
Randall looks to hit the ground running
Iron County sheriff nominee leans on advice from current sheriff Samardich
After winning the Republican primary in the Iron County sheriff’s race, essentially earning the position with no Democrats on the ballot, Mike Randall is trying to learn all he can before he takes office.
MHLT referendum funding said to be used for facilities, health insurance, staffing and more
Administration waits for board direction before budget can be developed
The Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school board is still working with administrators to create a detailed budget for how it would use funds from a $3.5 million referendum, which was officially placed on the Nov. 3 general election ballot after an Aug. 17 board meeting.
Bone dry: Parts of Oneida and Vilas experiencing severe drought conditions
Meteorologist says there could be cause for concern if drought continues
Drought conditions across the Northwoods have intensified over the course of August, forcing the National Weather Service to classify drought conditions as severe in northern Oneida County and southern Vilas County.
Airport commission still discussing next steps for filling airport administrator vacancy
The Lakeland Airport Commission is still figuring out its next steps in filling its airport administrator vacancy. At an Aug. 18 meeting, the commission decided to review the previous job description used to hire former airport administrator Jesse Birginal. Birginal resigned from the position on May 14, citing internal turbulence within the commission.
Lac du Flambeau woman facing count of possession of meth, felony bail jumping
Lac du Flambeau police arrested 32-year-old Shawnee Chapman Aug. 13 on five different charges, including possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, trespassing and bail jumping.
State ban on phone usage in schools takes effect
Districts say their phone policies remain mostly unchanged for new school year
For most schools in the Northwoods, the new state law that took effect July 1 banning cell phones during instructional time is nothing new. Principals and administrators at Lakeland Union High School (LUHS), Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk school district (MHLT) and the school district of Rhinelander have already had “no phone” policies in place over the past few years.
Church raises $200,000 in under a month for grotto
Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodruff looks to add a place of solitude
Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodruff is fundraising for a grotto, and members of the church have already raised about $200,000 in less than a month. The Rev. Gerald Hagen said the community has been enthusiastic about the campaign for a grotto.
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