MHLT students learn about the Northwoods living experience
Seventh graders participated in a catch and cook with fish, learn how to clean a deer and make meals with venison
Seventh grade students of Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk School (MHLT) have had the opportunity the last two years to take a class about the outdoors and the traditions that come with living in the Northwoods.
Minocqua Winter Farmers Market to debut Nov. 9
Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau
While swimming, boating and walking outside in a T-shirt has gone away with the summer weather, there’s one thing that will be here to stay this winter — that’s Minocqua’s farmers market. The Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau has decided to continue the usual summer months only farmers market into the winter this year, dubbing it as the Minocqua Winter Farmers Market.
LUHS reassigns over $3 million in general fund, budget gets approved
Budget is balanced and mill rate decreases 7.4% from last year, but that doesn’t mean taxpayers will see it on their total bill
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education agreed at its Oct. 27 meeting to move $3,473,500 from an assigned account to an unassigned account. At the school board’s Oct. 13 special meeting, district business manager Eric Schley explained that she couldn’t understand when and why that money was designated as “assigned” funding.
Groundbreaking held for 112-unit apartment complex being built in Minocqua
A groundbreaking was held on Oct. 24 for a new apartment complex coming to Minocqua’s west side, just east of Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo and Safari. Aspen Grove Apartments will consist of 112 units over seven two-story buildings with 16 apartments in each and ranging from one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom options.
Where do you find a Wisconsin ring-neck?
State game bird ecologist shares a little history on pheasants, where to find them and more
The pheasant hunting season in Wisconsin opened on Oct. 18 and, according to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), approximately 75,000 birds from the state’s game farm will be stocked on over 80 properties statewide. Daily bag limits were one rooster per day the first two days of the season, but now that daily bag limit has increased to two.
Boulder Junction town board raises room tax rate by 1.25%
Bertch: ‘It’s reasonable’
The Boulder Junction town board agreed to raise the town’s room tax by 1.25 percent during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Currently, the room tax rate in the town is 5.5 percent and it will be 6.75 percent starting in 2026. The max allowable room tax rate by the state a town can have is 8 percent.
Presque Isle town board will seek legal advice on who should prepare Times’ record request
Board denies requested $1K fee waiver associated with records
The Presque Isle town board held a special meeting on Oct. 23 to primarily discuss preparing a resolution in order to ask electors to exceed its levy limit by over $1 million dollars. However, board members indicated there will need to be another special meeting to handle that and discussed a few other items instead — such as an open records request made by The Lakeland Times in February that hasn’t been satisfied by the town.
It's BIG: Van Remortel reflects on state record musky caught earlier this year
Van Remortel, from Hazelhurst, caught the 56-inch giant on Green Bay
While the end to musky season is getting closer each day, one memory that won’t soon be forgotten from this season is Jeff Van Remortel’s 56-inch monster caught on Green Bay June 4.
Three injured in two-vehicle collision on Hwy. 51 in Minocqua last week
Three people were injured in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 51 near the intersection with Leary Road on Oct. 17.
Towering tab: Vilas County Sheriff’s office seeks $34K to cover late fees on nearly $480K water tower project
Project includes upgrades to communications equipment
A communications project, which Vilas County sheriff Joe Fath has said consisted of removal and replacement of equipment on the Eagle River water tower for painting purposes, that began in April is now complete.
Presque Isle town board is seeking a $1 million plus tax levy increase
Additional funding would pay for town’s share of EMS district, road infrastructure and more
The Presque Isle town board, at its meeting on Oct. 16, decided to hold off on adopting three resolutions — all of which were in order to start the process of asking electors for authorization to exceed the town’s allowable property tax levy increase set by the state.
Hammer time: Suspected repeat burglar strikes again in Arbor Vitae
Business offers $500 reward after second break-in
Just about a month after Heart II Bar-N-Grill in Arbor Vitae was broken into and the Wild Turkey was broken into a day after that, Heart II Bar-N-Grill was broken into again last week on Oct. 14. According to a Facebook post by the business, it is believed it’s the same individual who broke into the business the first time.
Hazelhurst board enacts wake restrictions, approves tax levy in swift session
Hazelhurst town chairman Ted Cushing said the town board meeting on Oct. 14 was short, lasting only about 20 minutes. Though short, the board was productive, as it agreed to adopt an ordinance restricting boat equipment used to produce artificial wakes on lakes the town shares boundaries with, a 2025 tax levy payable in 2026 that voters two weeks ago agreed to exceed the state’s allowable increase, and modified the town’s official meeting notice posting sites.
Trash talk and tight spaces: Minocqua plan commission clears short-term rentals
The Minocqua plan commission approved three administrative review permits (ARPs) for short-term rentals at its meeting Tuesday — one within single family zoning and two others within business zoning on the island.
Plum Lake town board adopts 5-year road plan and prioritizes road projects for state funding
The Plum Lake town board agreed to adopt a comprehensive five-year town road plan and approved the public works committee’s recommendations for the state’s Local Road Improvement Program’s (LRIP) discretionary project plan at its meeting on Tuesday.
Public comments made on ATV/UTV situation in Manitowish Waters
Zeise says he hopes other board members received the message
About five to eight people made public comments at the Manitowish Waters town board meeting on Tuesday mostly in support of having all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) allowed to operate on roads within the town, according to town supervisor Doug Zeise.
Is deer hunting with scents and calls your only option?
The state’s lead deer specialist offers tips on when and what to use
Hunting in the Northwoods is a whole different ball game compared to hunting different parts of the state. It forces hunters to go the extra mile and do things others might not have to deal with, such as scouting in the “big woods” year round to keep tabs on deer habits and movement.
Approved: Hazelhurst electors authorize 112 percent tax levy increase
Cushing: ‘It’s getting more difficult to balance our budget’
Thirty-five Hazelhurst electors authorized the town board on Tuesday to exceed the town’s property tax levy by 112 percent. The reason the board asked electors to exceed the town’s allowable tax levy increase is so it can keep up with road infrastructure and for the fire department to purchase a new engine.
Pike Lake fire puts out Fifield board’s burning questions
Ebert: Turned out to be a ‘non-issue’
The Fifield town board was provided all the information it requested from the Pike Lake fire department at a town board meeting on Tuesday. Town supervisor Dave Ebert explained there was information the board had requested from the fire department, also known as station 2, that hadn’t been given to the board for some time, such as an updated roster, who the second-in-command is and more.
Prott resigns from Presque Isle town clerk position
Board talks options moving forward, shows interest in hiring deputy town clerk too
The Presque Isle town board acknowledged town clerk Kim Prott’s resignation at its Oct. 2 meeting. It also discussed the future of that position and the possibility of having a deputy clerk as well. Prott was appointed by the board in January of 2024. She was serving the remainder of former town clerk Billie Rae Thoma’s term. Thoma served the board for a period of time after former long-time town clerk Lorine Walters decided to run for town chairman in spring of 2023.
Lac du Flambeau tribal police sergeant placed on paid leave
No other info is being shared at this time
Lac du Flambeau tribal police sergeant Jacob Bryner has been placed on paid administrative leave. According to tribal police chief TJ Bill and tribal attorney Jodie Bednar, Bryner was not placed on administrative leave for disciplinary reasons.
Two arrested after Beef-A-Rama brouhaha
Two men were arrested during Beef-A-Rama in Minocqua on Sept. 27 and are being charged in Oneida County court with two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and resisting an officer. Scott Cline, 41 of Lake Tomahawk, and Douglas Fawley, 42 of Arpin, were allegedly involved in verbal altercations, one of which became physical at one point, near a beer garden and live music stage at Torpy Park.
Next court date set for St. Germain man charged in fatal 2024 motorcycle crash
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled in Vilas County court for Chandler Savel, 20, the St. Germain man charged in August with homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle in connection with a head-on motorcycle crash on County Highway H near Sundance Trail in Lac du Flambeau the night of Oct. 18, 2024.
Minocqua plan commission approves CSM on Richardson Plat Road for future single family development
The Minocqua plan commission on Tuesday recommended approval of a preliminary one lot certified survey map (CSM) of lands owned N&J Investments near Richardson Plat Road. Before the plan commission took any action, a nearly 50-minute discussion took place among plan commission members and those involved with the CSM. That discussion centered around a stretch of road on the parcel and whether or not the town should abandon it.
Bridging Brighter Smiles coming to LUHS on Oct. 9
Students will have opportunity for free dental work
Bridging Brighter Smiles, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, will come to Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) on Oct. 9. The organization, which was founded in 2012 in Dodge County, will be offering free dental services to students throughout the school day.
Ballots, budgets, and a burning need—Hazelhurst electors’ meeting is Oct. 7
Cushing: It’s ‘a big thing’
Hazelhurst town clerk Christy Myshchyshyn, during a Sept. 25 special meeting, went over procedures with the town board for the upcoming electors’ meeting on Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. Electors at the meeting will be asked to authorize the town to exceed its allowable property tax levy increase, which, at a meeting earlier this month, was noted to not be very much money and would pose difficulties in purchasing a new fire truck and keeping up with road work.
Bear down: 13-year-old girl with cerebral palsy has hunt of a lifetime
A young girl has already killed a bear in the Northwoods this year. Sophia Klauck, 13 years old and has cerebral palsy, is from a family that embraces the outdoors. Because of that, when an opportunity for her to be guided to a bear was presented, she took it without hesitation.
Grant-fueled ride rolls in for LUHS WINGS program
Umland steps down from policy committee, looks forward to building committee work
The Lakeland Union High School board of education approved at its Monday meeting the district’s purchasing of a new van. District administrator Jamie Koepp said special education teacher Jeannine Pfeifer applied for a grant in order to pay for the vehicle, which will be used for students involved in the WINGS program.
Boulder Junction at a ‘crossroads’ again with ATVs/UTVs on town roads
Debate’s been going on for 7 years, both sides want it to end, but with different endings
Even though nothing regarding all terrain vehicles (ATVs) or utility task vehicles (UTVs) was listed on the Boulder Junction town board’s Sept. 23 meeting agenda, roughly 50 people showed up to presumably talk about it.
It’s a PRAT: Who in Minocqua will be affected?
‘Tourist’ tax won’t be enacted until July 1, 2026 at the earliest
In July, the state legislature approved the state’s 2025-26 biennial budget, included in it was the authorization for the town of Minocqua to declare itself a premiere resort area and implement a half-percent premiere area resort tax (PRAT).
Hazelhurst town board seeking authorization to exceed tax levy limit
Electors’ meeting scheduled for Oct. 7
The Hazelhurst town board agreed at a special meeting on Sept. 18 to ask electors for authorization to exceed the town’s tax levy limit. The board did so by way of approving a resolution.
Presque Isle town board approves new play structure at Pipke Park
Zoom policy tabled for further review
The Presque Isle town board at its Sept. 18 meeting agreed to allow the addition of a new “play structure” at Pipke Park.
Pro fishermen stop at MHLT to entertain the kids
Major League Fishing holds team event in Minocqua, tournament winds down today
Major League Fishing (MLF), which includes the Bass Pro Tour circuit, held a tournament in Minocqua this week, the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup presented by Bass Boat Technologies. It’s the second of four events in the second year of the Fishing Clash Team Series.
Wild Turkey hit in overnight break-in
Second bar and restaurant broken into in two days in Vilas County
The Wild Turkey restaurant and bar in Conover was broken into on Sept. 12, according to a Facebook post by the business on Sept. 13. It was the second known break-in of a restaurant and bar in Vilas County, as Heart II Bar-N-Grill in Arbor Vitae was broken into on the night of Sept. 11.
Hazelhurst adopts enhanced wake ordinance
Sheriff’s office won’t enforce any local ordinances that aren’t also state law
The Hazelhurst town board adopted an enhanced wake ordinance at its meeting Tuesday and conducted a first reading for a similar ordinance that applies to lakes the town shares with the towns of Cassian and Lake Tomahawk.
Know the law before heading out to hunt, be safe too
DNR warden shares knowledge for fall hunting season
Hunting season is underway in Wisconsin. Whether that means bowhunting for whitetails, baiting for bears or chasing birds through timber, those who pursue wild game should know the rules and be safe while doing it. Lead Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warden for Oneida and Vilas counties Chris Bartelt spoke with The Lakeland Times recently to answer a few questions about some of the most important things hunters should keep in mind in order to follow the law and be safe.
MHLT school board approves two MOUs to continue mental health services
Board recognizes two donors for tech ed program
The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk School (MHLT) board of education approved two memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreements at its meeting Monday to continue offering students “school-based mental health services” through George Deering and his therapy dog and Elmergreen Associates LLC.
Minocqua man avoids jail time, but must register as sex offender
A Minocqua man found in possession of child pornography in 2024 was sentenced on Sept. 5 and will avoid jail time. Marathon County judge Gregory Strasser handed down the sentence to Jacob Riley Collins, 23, for four misdemeanor class A charges of possessing harmful material exposing a child and one felony class I charge of exposing a child to harmful material.
Break-in at bar and restaurant in Arbor Vitae
Business warns community in aftermath
An Arbor Vitae bar and restaurant was broken into the night of Sept. 11 and the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office has been notified, according to a Facebook post by the business.
Newbold town board tweaks short-term rental ordinance
The Newbold town board at its Sept. 11 meeting agreed to amend its short-term rental ordinance in order to make what town chairman Dan Hess indicated were minor changes. The board, in March, adopted an ordinance regulating tourist rooming houses, or short-term rentals, which are properties most commonly advertised on websites such as VRBO and AirBnb.
Deer and birds and bears, oh my!
DNR forecasts promising hunting opportunities this year
Hunting season is just getting started in the Northwoods. Tomorrow is opening day for bow hunting and upland bird hunting and bear hunting is in full swing. Migratory bird hunting, in some capacity, has already begun, but, for the Northern Zone, the regular season will kick off on Sept. 27.
Minocqua plan commission approves permit for new pier business
Pertile cautions owner to stay out of right-of-way
The Minocqua plan commission on Tuesday recommended approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) application to the town board for a new business to operate a retail space selling waterfront equipment with outdoor display areas.
Manitowish Waters town board puts brakes on ATV access to town roads
Schroeder aims to extend restrictions to county routes
The Manitowish Waters town board at its meeting Tuesday declined to move forward with opening up Circle Lily Road and Tower Road for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use. Town supervisor Lynn Schroeder said a person in town came to him and requested the board consider having that stretch of road opened up.
Minocqua fire looking to replace two trucks with one at Bo-Di-Lac station
Carani says truck prices have nearly doubled since 2020 and will only go up in the future
The Minocqua town board at its Sept. 2 meeting agreed to have fire chief Rich Carani seek bids from three different manufacturers in order to potentially replace two fire trucks, a 1995 Pierce engine and a 1998 Freightliner tender, at the fire department’s station 2, also known as Bo-Di-Lac station.
Weber recaps Presque Isle Zoom survey
The town supervisor offered suggestions, will draft formal policy
Presque Isle town supervisor Cathy Logan Weber introduced a draft Zoom policy at the town board’s Sept. 4 meeting. Zoom is an online platform where people can attend meetings in the comfort of their homes as long as they have internet access.
2025 summer fishing season now in rearview
The times I went fishing this year were quality over quantity
This year’s open water fishing season isn’t over, and many anglers look at it as if it’s just getting started. Fall is just about upon us and diehards are chomping at the bit to get into a monster musky. For me though, it’s time to put the fishing rods away and prepare for hunting season.
Minocqua town board updated on implementing new tax
Hartzheim says July 1, 2026 is earliest town can start PRAT
Minocqua town chairman Mark Hartzheim, at a meeting on Tuesday, shared with the town board additional information he received from the state Department of Revenue (DOR) about a premiere resort area tax (PRAT) the state approved for the town earlier this year in the biennial budget.
Short-term rentals are a double edged sword
Westfahl: ‘Because you can see the pros and cons of it all’
Short-term rentals continue to be more relevant than ever here in the Northwoods. Owners rent out dwellings and the tourists come all year long, but the more homes purchased and advertised on the rental market, the less opportunity there is for people in the area to find housing for themselves and their families — often times making it difficult for, say, new health care professionals or educators to make the move to the area.
DOT continues to plan for Hwys. 51, Hwy. K, Swamp Lake Road intersection improvements
Another public involvement meeting scheduled for October
The state Department of Transportation (DOT) is still in the process of receiving public input on planned improvements for the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 with County Highway K and Swamp Lake Road in the towns of Nokomis and Cassian.
Disc golf on course in Boulder Junction
Open house to celebrate new park feature could come this fall or wait for spring
Boulder Junction town supervisor Laura Bertch provided an update on a new disc golf course coming to town during her parks board report at the Aug. 26 town board meeting.
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