MHLT school board agrees to register 30 acres with Wisconsin School Forest Program
Last time the district registered property with the program was 1996
The Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district agreed to register its 30-acre school forest on Titus Drive in the Wisconsin School Forest Program at its Oct. 19 school board meeting.
Woodruff town board selects its new airport commissioner
Nelson takes over duties, leads discussion over 2027 airport budget
The Woodruff town board approved the 2027 Lakeland Airport budget, the resignation of Woodruff airport commissioner Steve Monk and selected town chair Judi Nelson as his replacement during a special meeting on Oct. 20.
Lakeland Sanitary District approves changes to facility upgrade project
The Lakeland Sanitary District’s board of directors, during an Oct. 20 meeting, approved a work-change directive for $63,109.59 to raise the walls of a wet well, so it doesn’t have the possibility of overflowing.
Van Buren runs for Assembly for the first time in 12 years
Democratic nominee says school funding is ‘still a mess’
After a 12-year hiatus in seeking election to represent Wisconsin State Assembly District 34, Democratic nominee Merlin Van Buren is focusing his campaign on school funding in an attempt to overtake Republican incumbent Rob Swearingen on Election Day on Nov. 3.
Lake Tomahawk residents push back against proposed subdivision
Tempers flare from both sides during Oct. 14 town board meeting
Tempers flared between residents and a representative from Secluded Land Company at a Lake Tomahawk town board meeting on Oct. 14 over discussion about a proposed subdivision on West Rapids Road.
LUHS responds to Presque Isle’s busing concerns
Koepp says the district understands the challenges the new routes present to families
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) district administrator Jamie Koepp responded to the Presque Isle town board’s concerns surrounding current bus routes with a letter on Oct. 11.
Presque Isle will not raise its room tax
Town board agrees to table the discussion for now
The Presque Isle town board, at its Oct. 15 meeting, announced it had decided not to raise the room tax, which will remain at 4.5 percent. The decision comes after a special town board meeting was held on Oct. 13 with the accommodation committee and the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce to discuss the possibility of raising the room tax.
Housing crisis takes center stage at OCEDC summit
Business leaders call for relaxed regulations to help developers
Business leaders from across the Northwoods discussed the future of northern Wisconsin’s economy at the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation’s (OCEDC) Annual Fall Summit on Oct. 14 at The Pines Event Center in Rhinelander.
LUHS school board approves 2026-27 preliminary budget
Budget hearing is scheduled for Oct. 26
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) school board approved its preliminary budget for the 2026-27 school year during a special meeting on Oct. 12.
Presque Isle town board discusses raising room tax to 6 percent
Current rate of tax is 4.5%, move would bring in additional $4,500 for town and chamber
The Presque Isle town board discussed raising the municipality’s room tax from 4.5 percent to 6 percent with the accommodation committee and the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce board during a special meeting on Oct. 13.
Minocqua plan commission approves condo addendum, 4 sign permits
The Minocqua plan commission approved a condo addendum and four sign permits at its Oct. 13 meeting. The commission forwarded the condo addendum for Rorabeck Condominiums at 9157 Rorabeck Lane to the town board to also approve. The addendum was to revise the unit boundary and parking stalls of Unit No. 4, which is owned by Landon Reich.
Hazelhurst board may ask electors for same tax levy increase from last year
The Hazelhurst town board, at its Oct. 13 meeting, discussed the possibility of asking residents to continue its property tax increase from 2025, when electors authorized the town to exceed the property tax levy by 95 cents per $1,000 of equalized value.
Nicolet College unveils broadband service technician apprenticeship program
Nicollet College announced the creation of a broadband service technician apprenticeship program on Oct. 1, in partnership with the Sokaogon Chippewa Community (SCC) and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards.
Presque Isle town board sends letter to LUHS about bus routes
Letter expresses concern and dissatisfaction with current routes
The Presque Isle town board sent a letter to Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) district administrator Jamie Koepp expressing their concern and satisfaction with current bus routes.
Hazelhurst man arrested for allegedly burglarizing 4 residences
Lawnicki faces 2 counts of burglary, 2 counts of attempted burglary and 4 counts of criminal damage to property
Hazelhurst-resident Anthony Lawnicki was arrested by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 17 on eight separate charges after an investigation determined he allegedly burglarized four residences.
Lakeland Sanitary District still on track for facility upgrade
Board also approves removal of annexation for two properties owned by Rynders
The Lakeland Sanitary District’s board of directors, during an Oct. 6 meeting, heard an update on the facility upgrade project at its complex on Minocqua’s west side. Pat Morrow, a wastewater team leader with the Rhinelander office of MSA Professional Services, said substantial completion is still set for Dec. 15, with final completion sometime in the summer of 2027.
Minocqua board sends CSM to county with no recommendation
Board discusses CSM on Richardson Plat Road that’s less than 0.2 inches smaller than county’s width minimum
The Minocqua town board, at its Oct. 6 meeting, continued the plan commission’s debate over a certified survey map (CSM) for property the Rynders Revocable Trust owns on Richardson Plat Road, eventually deciding to send it to the county level with no recommendation but with a concern over the attempt to create non-conforming parcels.
Manitowish Waters selects new town supervisor
Wynn will complete Schroeder’s term, which ends April of 2027
The Manitowish Waters town board, at a special meeting on Oct. 6, voted unanimously to appoint Ed Wynn as a new town supervisor to complete Lynn Schroeder’s term which ends in April of 2027.
Fraudsters find new ways to develop scams
Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Minocqua Police Department, IncredibleBank all see a rise in AI fraud
With the rise of AI, fraudsters continue to find new ways to generate scams to access personal information like bank accounts and social security numbers. Defectives from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, officers with the Minocqua Police Department and staff from IncredibleBank all said that AI has taken scams to a whole new level.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prev Next