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.
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.
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.
Lake Tomahawk board approves Two Lakes Road upgrades
DeMet: ‘So, we’ve got a clear winner’
The Lake Tomahawk town board agreed at its Aug. 12 regular board meeting to approve a bid from Musson Brothers Inc. of Rhinelander to renovate 3,895 feet of Two Lakes Road for $164,054.30.
MHLT board moves forward with $3.5 million recurring referendum to fund up to $5.5 million in projects
The Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school board, during a special meeting Tuesday night, unanimously passed a motion to approve specific language that will be used to draft a referendum question.
LUHS teachers voice opinions on compensation, benefits packages
Staff at Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) were split on their opinions of the district’s compensation plan at the committee of the whole board meeting Monday afternoon. District administrator Jamie Koepp said the meeting was called by a few board members that wanted to listen to staff and hear what they had to say about their compensation and benefits.
North Lakeland prepares to open its doors Sept. 1
The North Lakeland School District updated the community on its ongoing projects and what parents need to know before school starts on Sept. 1 at its board meeting Monday night. District administrator Brent Jelinski said the biggest adjustment for parents going into the new school year will be the state’s policy banning phone usage in schools, which was signed into law last October.
OCEDC looks for answers after Frontier Communications announces it’s cutting landlines
The Oneida County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC) has become involved with Frontier Communications’ decision to end landline phone service in Hazelhurst on County Highway Y. Tony Pharo, the executive director of the OCEDC, said he had received messages from Hazelhurst residents about the issue.
Hazelhurst still searching for community garden site
The town of Hazelhurst has not come any closer to establishing a community garden, but residents are still hopeful that it can become a reality in the next few months. At Monday night’s town board meeting, Hazelhurst resident Mick Toben said that the steering committee for the garden has increased to five members, but the group still has not found a viable location.
Boulder Junction resident receives Wisconsin Governor’s Outdoor Industry Rising Star Award
Dennis Duke recognized for shaping outdoor recreation in the area
For his efforts in shaping future outdoor recreation in Boulder Junction, Dennis Duke received the 2026 Wisconsin Governor’s Outdoor Industry Rising Star Award July 30 at the Tall Pines Disc Golf Course, a complex which he helped create.
Frontier Communications said to be ending landline service down Hwy. Y in Hazelhurst
Residents in Hazelhurst on County Highway Y are reporting that they will be losing their landline phone service through Frontier Communications in the coming months. Town of Hazelhurst chairman Ted Cushing said he received two phone calls from residents about the issue.
Lac du Flambeau town board approves repairs to West Lane
Town gets $390 bill for fire truck, though fire department said to be ‘thousands of dollars’ over budget
The Lac du Flambeau town board approved a motion to repair 600 feet of roadway on West Lane near Fence Lake at its Aug. 5 meeting. The board received bids from Pitlik and Wick Inc. on five total projects, choosing to move forward with the one on West Lane that will cost $40,112.
Presque Isle town board pauses Maple Road abandonment
The Presque Isle town board announced at its Aug. 6 meeting that it is pausing its abandonment procedure for Maple Road after it received a written objection from residents that live in the area.
Howard Young Medical Center nurse celebrates 50 years
Grambow: ‘I feel like it’s home’
Since she was a little girl, Sandy Grambow’s dream job has always been to be a nurse. A half-century later, and thousands of patients served as a registered nurse at Howard Young Medical Center, she shows no signs of stopping.
Lake Tomahawk officer-involved shooting determined by District attorney to be justified
Oneida County district attorney Jillian Pfeifer determined that a sheriff’s deputy was justified to use lethal force in a June 17 officer-involved shooting in the town of Lake Tomahawk. Pfeifer said in a press release on Saturday that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) should be commended for its work investigating the shooting.
Lakeland area tourism holds strong
Hotels, resorts say they’re just as busy as ever
The tourism industry has remained strong this summer throughout the Lakeland area, with multiple hotels and resorts reporting an increase in visitors compared to last year. Jen Stough, the general manager of The Pointe Hotel and Suites, said she thinks business has been up.
Lakeland Airport Commission prepares to acquire North Farming Road property
The Lakeland Airport Commission conducted a walkthrough of its future property on North Farming Road in Arbor Vitae during a special meeting Tuesday night, days before the group officially acquires the land from Donna Klenk on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
Community Church of Boulder Junction unveils Gathering Place Pavilion
New space for people in town to create relationships outside of Sunday service
After standing for almost 80 years, the parsonage next to the Community Church of Boulder Junction has become a space for all. The church officially unveiled its new Gathering Place Pavilion, an outdoor covered shelter, during an outdoor worship at the church on July 26.
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis gives mid-year update
Northwoods included in District 9
Federal Reserve District nine, which covers northern Wisconsin and five other states, is seeing a generally resilient economy, according to a mid-year update by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis on July 17.
New documentary follows Plum Ski-ters on their quest to defend state title
A new documentary on the Plum Ski-ters water ski team from Sayner is hoping to bring attention to the program’s ongoing fight over land owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Dahlbacka, Randall face off in Iron County sheriff race
The race for Iron County sheriff will feature two Republicans vying for their party’s nomination, and essentially clinch the position, when voters hit the poles for the primary election on Aug. 11. Current Iron County sheriff Paul Samardich’s decision to retire, announced in April, leaves Republican candidates Logan Dahlbacka and Mike Randall as the only two campaigning for sheriff, meaning whoever wins the primary will win the job.
MHLT board reviews referendum survey data
Board also approves 5-year strategic plan
Initial polling from the Morris Leatherman Company shows that residents in the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) School District are split on support of an operational referendum in November.
Sunshine Bear Boutique takes family-friendly approach to children’s clothing
Down a row of lamp posts inside Gaslight Square Mall in downtown Minocqua sits Sunshine Bear Boutique, a recently established business that specializes in children’s clothing and accessories.
Presque Isle to borrow $378,693 for road repairs
Eschenbauch reports on fire department’s roof, says it could cost $100,000
The Presque Isle town board voted unanimously to borrow $378,693 from Headwaters State Bank to cover road work costs at Thursday night’s meeting. “Now, in talking to a couple of people on the finance committee tonight ... they recommended the 10-year (loan) as the best option for us to consider,” town supervisor Cathy Logan Weber said.
Wildfire smoke fills the air of the Northwoods
Czarnecki: ‘Best way to avoid wildfire smoke (is to) stay indoors’
Wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota and southern Canada forced the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue a smoke advisory Tuesday afternoon and could affect air quality this weekend. DNR public information specialist Craig Czarnecki said there are a little more than a dozen fires burning several thousand acres in southern Ontario which led to smoke reaching northern Wisconsin Tuesday night.
Extreme heat hits Northwoods
Meteorologist says mid-July is peak for hot weather in northern Wisconsin
Northern Wisconsin dealt with heat advisories early this week which saw temperatures rise to at least 90 degrees or above, with the highest temperature at the Lakeland Airport reaching 92.7 degrees on Monday.
Jelinski updates North Lakeland board of education on summer projects
School lunch prices to increase by 10 cents
The North Lakeland School District is continuing its summer renovations as the school prepares to welcome students back to class Sept. 1. District administrator Brent Jelinski said he was able to announce at the school board meeting July 13 that the projects are on track to be finished by fall.
Hazelhurst still debating space for community garden
Cushing indicates decision on location could come next month
Hazelhurst is still debating where to put a community garden, two months after it was initially proposed. Town chairman Ted Cushing said that the community garden is still in the discussion stage at the July 14 Hazelhurst town board meeting.
Lac du Flambeau to add four teachers and swap tractors
Ernst provides summer school update
The Lac du Flambeau Public School will welcome four new teachers, and a new tractor, when the school year gets underway Sept. 1. The school board announced the hiring of early childhood teacher Malia Gauthier, special education kindergarten teacher Barb Raupp, 4K teacher Nicole Hissa and cross-categorical special education teacher Emily Lenton at the July 8 board meeting.