The Lakeland Times

Trial for MHLT teacher allegedly possessing child pornography rescheduled for 2025

A former fourth-grade math teacher with the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk school district was first set to stand trial next month in Vilas County court, but what’s expected to be a three-day jury trial has since been rescheduled for Feb. 18-20, 2025.

Vilas supervisor asks Presque Isle board to rescind Winchester ATV/UTV request

In June, the Presque Isle town board, on a 2-1 vote, agreed to send a request to Vilas County for the opening of county highways W and J in Winchester for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use.

NEMSD continues to sort out facility situations as district is in beginning stages

The Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) board of directors met Monday to discuss temporary housing for staff and potential construction sites and plans of a permanent facility.

LUHS district administrator search to begin

Finding a permanent district administrator will cost money and take time

Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education members, during a meeting Monday, requested interim district administrator Dr. Steven Kolden bring three search firm options to its next meeting in order to make a decision and get the process of hiring a new district administrator underway.

Massey reviews active shooter false alarm at board meeting

Principal also recaps Sept. 11 community meeting with parents

Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) principal Levi Massey shared with the board of education at its Monday meeting a review of an active shooter false alarm, which abruptly caused panic among the community and drew over 40 law enforcement officers to the campus on Sept. 6.

Presque Isle town board establishes financial committee amid budget concerns

Resolution passed to appoint committee members; Weber disagrees, wants to confirm appointees’ interest

Members of a financial committee have been appointed by the Presque Isle town board. But before committee members were appointed at the board’s Sept. 19 meeting, a resolution outlining committee guidelines was approved to actually create the committee first.

$100,000 awarded for medical clinic in Presque Isle

Federal planning grant will kick start long-awaited project

A federal grant for $100,000 was awarded to the town of Presque Isle for the purposes of constructing a medical clinic. The good news was announced at the town board’s Sept. 19 meeting.

Presque Isle town supervisor wants more information on boat wash option

Proposed CD3 cleaning system carries $46,000 cost, plus annual maintenance fees

The Presque Isle town board at its Sept. 19 meeting received an update, or proposal to move forward, with having a public “boat wash” in town from Otto Novak, member of the Presque Isle town lakes committee (PITLC).

Manitowish Waters town board appoints alternate wake committee member

The Manitowish Waters town board agreed to appoint an alternate member to the town’s excessive wake committee during its Sept. 10 meeting. Town chairman John Hanson said the committee is set to meet on Oct. 3, and one of the appointed members will be absent so the alternate will fill-in.

Local law enforcement visit with STAR governance board

Discussion centers on protocols to ensuring smooth traffic stops with autistic drivers and educating students about online dangers

Oneida County sheriff Grady Hartman, Vilas County sheriff Joe Fath and Minocqua Police chief Dave Jaeger attended the Lakeland STAR governance board meeting on Sept. 11, at the Rising STAR Transition Center in Minocqua.

Dr. Wennlund and women’s health

Women encounter different situations unique to their health every day. Whether it’s pregnancy, fertility issues or certain types of cancers, it’s paramount that women have the right doctors to assist them with whatever their needs may be.

Northwoods Foods celebrates 75 years of family tradition and quality meats

From humble beginnings, Krolczyk and Stenz reflect on becoming a ‘fixture’ of the Northwoods

Many people may have made it a point to stop at TJ’s Butcher Block over the years en route to their summertime cabins to get their hands on some high quality meats for a grill out or locals may have created a tradition of their own by buying big juicy steaks for birthdays or anniversaries. Either way, the store’s parent company, Northwoods Foods in Minocqua, has been around for a long time helping to make all that happen.

Hazelhurst town board hears road construction issues

The Hazelhurst town board on Tuesday heard an update about road construction being done with Lower Kaubashine Road. According to Matt Strasburg of the town crew, there are bumps in the road indicating the work being done wasn’t what the town expected.

Presque Isle town board agrees to form finance committee

Weber: ‘I think we need help’

The Presque Isle town board on Sept. 4 agreed to move forward in forming a finance committee to help with a number of aspects, like policies, related to the town’s money, but the committee will primarily sort out budget issues first.

Arbor Vitae town board agrees to sell plow truck to Newbold

Work on Brandy Park courts completed

The Arbor Vitae town board at its Sept. 4 meeting after a closed session discussion agreed to sell its 2010 Kenworth T-470 plow truck to the town of Newbold.

‘Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1’ is a delight for western lovers, but leaves room for improvement

If you’re like me, you were excited for Kevin Costner’s new western “Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1.” The last few years, I’ve come to really appreciate the western. I’ve done my best to watch the classics, such as “Once Upon a Time in the West,” “Rio Bravo” and “High Noon.”

LUHS District Foundation clarifies request to school board

Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) District Foundation executive director Pamela Carroll sent a statement to The Lakeland Times in response to the LUHS board of education’s decision to accept a roughly $116,000 donation by the Foundation without any “strings” attached.

Fifield town board looks for fresh start with recall election in rearview

New town supervisor introduced

The Fifield town board looked a little bit different when it met Tuesday. That’s because it was the first time the board met since the Aug. 27 recall election, which resulted in now former town supervisor Ann Sloane losing her seat to John Schroeder, 189-81.

LUHS makes offer to interim district administrator to replace Smudde

The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Aug. 26 picked a candidate to fill former district administrator Bob Smudde’s role on an interim basis for this school year.

Minocqua plan commission OKs Mercer Lake Road CSM

Owners not willing to offer permanent easement

The Minocqua plan commission recommended approval during its Aug. 27 meeting of a one-lot certified survey map land division of land owned by Andrew Alesauskas at 8436 Mercer Lake Road and bisected by what plan commission chairman Mark Hartzheim had said is a major artery of the area’s snowmobile trail system.

Boulder Junction town board agrees to sign basketball court contract

Board also authorizes fire department to purchase four-wheeler

The Boulder Junction town board at its Aug. 27 meeting agreed to proceed with a basketball court project at the town park off of County Highway K.

Historical marker revealed in Manitowish Waters

Aug. 24 unveiling held to commemorate those impacted by April, 1934 events involving Dillinger Gang

Members of the Manitowish Waters Historical Society, the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, town officials and state lawmakers met on Aug. 24 for an unveiling of a new historical marker near the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 and Airport Road to remember those impacted by a shooting involving the Dillinger Gang in April of 1934.

Fifield recall election results

Sloane loses seat by 2-1 margin

Fifield town supervisor Ann Sloane accumulated 81 votes from a recall election held Tuesday and will now be replaced by John Schroeder, who garnered 189 votes, on the town board.

LUHS board accepts Foundation donation with no strings

Board agrees on plaque for ticket booth highlighting foundation, but not listing board members and no lifetime sporting tickets

The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Monday agreed to accept a donation from the LUHS District Foundation for nearly $117,000, which would be used to pay for the ticket booth, walkway and fencing that’s part of a nearly complete campus upgrade. The board, though, didn’t agree to certain requests from the Foundation in exchange for the donation and it’s now up to the Foundation if it still wants to donate the funding.

LUHS board appoints Peterson to serve-out Hunt’s term

One vacancy remains on the nine-member board

The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Monday agreed to appoint Ross Peterson to fulfill former board member Ann Hunt’s term.

June 26, 2023 incident, transfer site complaints involving Mike Sloane settled in Fifield

Felch: ‘Upon advice from the attorney, the town ... will not be pursuing any further action’

The Fifield town board seemingly agreed to disagree during an Aug. 20 meeting while deciding what to do with regard to a June 26, 2023 incident involving town supervisor Ann Sloane’s husband Mike Sloane. Ann Sloane recused herself from the discussion and subsequent vote.

Sloane, critics comment one last time ahead of recall election today in Fifield

Fifield town supervisor Ann Sloane continued to deny allegations made against her over the last two years during a town board meeting on Aug. 20. At the same time, two residents, Barb Bliefernich and David Ebert (the petitioner who led the recall effort) offered comments in support of Sloane’s recall.

LUHS completes $3.5M campus upgrades just in time to kick off the school year

Biggest accomplishment 'money-wise’ over last 3 years

Upgrades to Lakeland Union High School’s (LUHS) campus are nearly complete as the 2024-25 school year approaches. The roughly $3.5 million project included new bleachers, press box, storage building, bathrooms, concession stand and practice football field. Plus the tennis courts were re-done, which were bid out separately and amounted to $500,000.

Fifield voters will have final say on Sloane recall Aug. 27

Petitioner wants Sloane off board for ‘unethical actions and abuse of power’

A recall election for Fifield town supervisor Ann Sloane is set to take place Tuesday, Aug. 27. Voters will have a chance to go back on their decision to elect Sloane to the board in April of last year, after she served on the board since June of 2022 when she replaced another supervisor who stepped down.

Presque Isle town board’s debate on lakes committee put on pause

Discussion to continue after four months in order to secure grant funding

The Presque Isle town board at its Aug. 15 meeting decided to temporarily reappoint members of the Presque Isle town lakes committee (PITLC) through the fall in order to apply for and hopefully obtain state funding to conduct lake studies.

Presque Isle town board debates reasonable access to meetings

Board directs ordinance committee to investigate prohibition of firearms on town property

The Presque Isle town board took up a discussion with regard to “reasonable access” of town meetings at its Aug. 15 meeting. Town chairman John MacLean has previously expressed his desire to make sure all meetings related to town business have in-person options in addition to virtual options via Zoom.

LUHS board accepts Smudde’s resignation

District will now look for new district administrator

Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education, after meeting in closed session on Monday, agreed to accept the resignation of district administrator Bob Smudde.

Presque Isle town board comes to a compromise on committee

Decision is only temporary

The Presque Isle town board temporarily agreed on appointing town lakes committee members during an Aug. 15 meeting.

Manitowish Waters town board gets report on eurasian watermilfoil in town lakes

Special meeting to be held in order to secure funding to limit the aquatic invasive species

The Manitowish Waters town board on Wednesday received a report by Greg Holt, president of the Manitowish Waters Lakes Association, with regard to aquatic invasive species and, more specifically, efforts to curb the spread of eurasian watermilfoil in Manitowish Lake and Trout River.

Dr. Zevitz and cardiology

Part 3 of a series with HYMC

Heart-related deaths are all too common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person dies every 33 seconds because of it.

MHLT school board formally accepts principal’s resignation

Gruszynski: ‘A principal does not create a toxic culture’

The Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) School board of education held a meeting again Monday, making it three weeks in a row now it’s met to discuss staffing for the upcoming school year.

WEC issues decision on Sloane’s complaint against Cowling

Recall election tentatively scheduled for Aug. 27

The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) on Monday issued a decision with regard to a complaint filed by a Fifield town supervisor which asserted the decision to certify the petition to recall her by the town clerk was wrong.

Minocqua plan commission tables decision on proposed Mercer Lake Road land division

The Minocqua plan commission on Tuesday decided to table a one-lot certified survey map land division of land owned by Andrew Alesauskas near Mercer Lake Road and bisected by what plan commission chairman Mark Hartzheim said is a major artery of the area’s snowmobile trail system.

DOC addresses concerns of registered sex offenders working in the community

The Lakeland Times was contacted by a person recently who expressed strong concerns with regard to individuals on the state’s registered sex offenders list serving time at the McNaughton Correctional Center in Lake Tomahawk, yet are working in the community through a work-release program.

Newbold town board holds off on decisions related to employee evaluations and town right of ways

The Newbold town board didn’t make any formal decision with regard to doing employee evaluations during an Aug. 8 meeting, but town chairman Dan Hess indicated to The Lakeland Times after the meeting the board will likely begin doing evaluations again.

First responders called to Min-Aqua Bats ski show after skier hits boat

A Min-Aqua Bat was taken to Howard Young Medical Center Friday, Aug. 2, after losing balance and hitting a boat while being pulled into shore during the 7 p.m. ski show.

Four-town EMS district now licensed paramedic service with state

NEMSD board of directors talk meeting times and concern of public’s interest level

Dana Sechler, who is working in an interim capacity assisting the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD), said during a meeting on Tuesday the four-town emergency medical services (EMS) district in northwest Vilas County “is now officially licensed in the state of Wisconsin as a paramedic level ambulance service.”

MHLT principal announces to staff she will not return for upcoming school year

Board of education continues staffing discussion

The Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) School district board of education met in closed session on Monday to continue its discussion with regard to staffing for the 2024-25 school year.

Cowling files response to complaint filed against her with WEC by Fifield town supervisor

Sloane gets clarification to questions on recall, Kleinschmidt provides update

Fifield town clerk Crystal Cowling filed her response to Fifield town supervisor Ann Sloane’s July 25 complaint against her with the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC).

Fifield clerks resign, board approves interim clerk

The Field town board agreed to appoint Judy Reas as the interim clerk and treasurer during a meeting on Tuesday.

Permitting trend differs in Oneida County from Wisconsin metro, yet housing issues still prevail

Policy forum study offers little relief for future home availability

Simply put: housing availability is an issue. According to a recent report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, permits issued for multi-family units increased while permits for single-family units have been limited in the state’s largest cities — Madison and Milwaukee. The report prompted The Lakeland Times to contact the Oneida County planning and zoning department and the town of Minocqua. And the Times was told the trend in metro Wisconsin isn’t the case up north.

Sloane files complaint against Fifield town clerk with WEC

Fifield town supervisor seeks invalidation of certification and suspension of recall election

Fifield town supervisor, Ann Sloane, lodged a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) on July 25. She contested town clerk Crystal Cowling’s decision to deem the recall petition against her as sufficient, arguing that it’s not about persuasion but adherence to state law.

Redemption for Marvel’s misfits

“Deadpool & Wolverine” is more of a Deadpool movie than a Wolverine movie. It’s also a movie about redemption. Most of all, though, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a movie about Marvel misfits.