DNR fisheries biologist shares info on lake sturgeon
Hook-and-line season is Sept. 6-30
Lake sturgeon are one of the most historical fish species Wisconsin lakes have to offer — notably, a rich tradition of sturgeon spearing occurs every winter on the Lake Winnebago system in the Fox Valley area that captivates outdoorsmen across the state and beyond.
Manitowish Waters town supervisor’s vote benefits son’s business
Schroeder might not violate any law, but violates ‘spirit’ of the law
The Lakeland Times was contacted with concerns regarding Manitowish Waters town officials. One of those concerns was with town supervisor Lynn Schroeder, who, at one point recently, resigned from the board after enhanced wake ordinances he was in favor of were adopted by the three-person board on a 2-1 vote. However, Schroeder reconsidered his decision and was reappointed by the other two board members and town clerk on a 2-1 vote.
Grading policies heading back to LUHS committee
District administration recommend excluding weighted grading system entirely
The Lakeland Union High School board of education at its Monday meeting decided to send policies regarding the school’s grading system back to committee. A discussion at the board’s Aug. 11 committee of the whole meeting about the policy changes sparked a debate, notably among board member Lisa Nomm and principal Levi Massey about the school’s grading system.
Survey says? Boulder Junction to revisit ATVs on town roads
Debate reignited 3 months ago after club proposed a new ordinance
Four people spoke at the start of the Boulder Junction town board’s Tuesday meeting about the upcoming town survey on whether all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) should be allowed on town roads.
Presque Isle’s dam restoration wades through delays
Work likely to begin in 2026 as town finalizes plans with DNR
For over roughly four years, the Presque Isle has been dealing with issues regarding the ponds in Pipke Park. The town board received an update on the latest news of the Pipke Park ponds at its Aug. 21 meeting from ponds committee member Al Drum. In addition to the update, Drum provided background on the restoration project.
Boulder Junction town board holds room tax increase public hearing
Reuss said those who attended were split 50-50 on raising it
The Boulder Junction town board on Aug. 21 held a public hearing on increasing its room tax, which was requested by the town’s chamber of commerce, from 5.5 to 8 percent for next year.
Storm fails to sink Dragon Boat Festival, event rows in $130K
Funds raised to support those fighting tick-borne illnesses
For the ninth time, people flooded Torpy Park on Aug. 16 and attended the Minocqua Dragon Boat Festival. The festival offers many different things for people’s enjoyment, but its primary attraction is, of course, the dragon boat races.
Hardcore Until the End
Fishing hall-of-famer in a ‘class by himself’ will live on as a legend
The Northwoods lost another legendary guide in Van “Vanny” Jolin recently, when he died on July 30. Jolin was considered one of the area’s top guides for many, many years. His friends and clients knew him to be quick witted, always having stories to tell.
Manitowish Waters town board wipes out wake surfers’ bid for compromise
2-1 vote ends push to revisit ban on artificial wakes across town lakes
The Manitowish Waters town board on Tuesday, with a vote of 2-1, agreed to deny a request by “wake surfers” to have a meeting with them on amending the town’s enhanced wake ordinances adopted in June.
Fuel for thought: Fifield board agrees to reimburse gas mileage for Pike Lake firefighter from two years ago
The Fifield town board at its meeting on Tuesday agreed to reimburse money spent on gas by a Pike Lake firefighter who accumulated the mileage two years ago. At an Aug. 5 meeting, the board had an initial discussion about the request which involved comments made by multiple members of the Pike Lake fire department as to why the board should honor the request for reimbursement.
Vilas sheriff’s deputy back on patrol after working his way through the ranks again
Schmidt indicates news report was misleading, fully supports Wilmot
A Vilas County sheriff’s deputy is back on patrol duty after taking some time off to work in the private sector and working his way back up from a lesser-paid position within the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office. He was accused of being involved in what one news report labeled as a “drunken bar fight” in May of 2021.
Exposed: Four arrested after Crescent swinger party goes public
Law enforcement say a total of 25 were in attendance
Deputies arrested four on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior Saturday after an anonymous tip about nude partygoers and the smell of marijuana drew them to a Woodcrest Circle home.
Manitowish Waters town board adopts public records fee schedule
A recent request by the Times prompts board’s action
The Manitowish Waters town board adopted a fee schedule for public records requests on Tuesday. On July 24, The Lakeland Times submitted a public records request and it was indicated during the meeting that request was what prompted the board to adopt a fee schedule.
Proposed policy change sparks LUHS grading system debate
District went to laude system 3 years ago, but Nomm contends it doesn’t produce legitimate valedictorians
A debate with regard to the grading system at Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) occurred at the board of education’s committee of the whole meeting on Monday. The discussion started after a policy change was proposed to better reflect the current grading system.
Back to School! Lakeland school leaders share updates ahead of 2025-26 school year
Changes in some districts, others not so much
Summer is going fast and the fall season is already almost upon us. With the changing of the seasons, the leaves will be changing colors, temperatures will begin to cool down and students will be heading back to school.
Presque Isle town board to return computer to Jim Walters
Weber said computer was purchased for town, but Walters was never reimbursed
The Presque Isle town board agreed at its Aug. 7 meeting to return a computer to Jim Walters, the son of former long-time town clerk Lorine Walters.
Vilas judge’s decision keeps wake boat ordinances afloat
Hanson satisfied with result, but doesn’t expect the issue to stop there
Vilas County judge Daniel Overbey denied an injunction on Aug. 7 that, for the time being, upholds ordinances the Manitowish Waters town board enacted earlier this summer to ban the use of equipment on boats that produce artificially enhanced wakes.
Single-vehicle crash in Phelps results in Rhinelander man’s death
A 32-year-old Rhinelander man died as the result of a single-vehicle accident in the town of Phelps on July 29.
Hazelhurst town board presented with fire truck options
Fire department recommends Pierce Manufacturing truck for $560,433
After being asked to get prices and explore multiple options, Hazelhurst fire chief Nate Meade presented the town board with three different fire trucks and offered a recommendation on behalf of the fire department during a meeting on Aug. 7.
Woods and Timmons win 2025 NWYDHC bear tag drawing
First year two tags were donated for youth hunters
Two youth hunters won bear tags this year through the Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge (NWYDHC) bear tag and guided hunt drawing. Names were drawn on Aug. 1 at The Lakeland Times. The winners include 13-year-old Kaden Timmons and 15-year-old Kamryn Woods.
Remembering a Musky Fishing Legend
Tom Swanson was inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 2011
Tom Swanson of Boulder Junction was no doubt a legend of musky fishing. Some may even call him a guide’s guide. He died last month at the age of 78. In 1952, at age 6, Swanson moved with his parents to Boulder Junction to operate Milo Lodge on White Sand Lake.
Bangor woman found guilty for reckless homicide in Oneida County
Walker was accused of being ‘middleman’ in drug deal resulting in death of Rhinelander man
A Bangor woman was found guilty at the conclusion of a five-day jury trial in Oneida County court on Aug. 1. Andrea Walker, 44, was convicted of first degree reckless homicide as a party to a crime, a class C felony that carries a maximum of 40 years in prison.
Pike Lake fire department talk dominates Fifield town board meeting
Brakes put on two-year-old mileage reimbursement request; legal and policy reviews pending
Even though a motion was made by a Fifield town supervisor to deny a request for mileage reimbursement submitted by a Pike Lake firefighter for over $550 and from 2023, no decision by the town board was made at its Tuesday meeting and town chairman Bill Felch indicated the town’s attorney will be contacted.
Woodruff man arrested in Rhinelander for 5th OWI
Burt M. Kazlausky, 51 of Woodruff, was arrested in Rhinelander on July 28 and is being charged in Oneida County court with his fifth operating while intoxicated (OWI) offense, a class G felony.
LUHS board, district administrator talk goals for upcoming year
Koepp’s goals: Communication, strategic plan and build relationships
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education at its meeting on July 28 heard new district administrator Jamie Koepp talk about his goals for this upcoming school year. Koepp, formerly of the Watertown school district, began his tenure with LUHS early last month.
Decaying dams surface in Newbold’s River Road culvert project
A culvert project on River Road prompted the Newbold town board to ask the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about multiple dams town supervisor Dan Hess said are roughly 100 years old. The topic was discussed by the board at its July 31 meeting.
New information shared on missing Lac du Flambeau woman
Beson last seen walking south on Hwy. D, witness said she was picked up on Indian Village Road
Last week, the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department and the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office said there had been no updates on Melissa Beson, the 37-year-old Lac du Flambeau woman who was last seen on March 17.
Minocqua town board expecting bids for $1.7 million LED streetlight upgrade
New tax by the town said to be a ‘win-win’
The Minocqua town board at its July 24 meeting agreed to have director of public works Mark Pertile get construction bids for a downtown street lights project, which is estimated to cost $1.7 million, though a significant amount would be paid with federal grant funding.
LUHS doubles down on assistant principals
Board airs budgetary pressures before approving hire
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education, after reconvening into open session following a closed session discussion at a Monday meeting, agreed to hire Jacob Bertagnoli as an assistant principal.
Minocqua plan commission approves permit for new dog grooming business
The Minocqua plan commission on Tuesday approved an administrative review permit (ARP) application submitted by Dennis Kartes to operate a dog grooming business within an existing building at 10310 State Highway 70.
37-year-old Lac du Flambeau woman still missing
Beson last seen March 17, $25,000 still being offered
Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians tribal member Melissa Beson, 37, has been missing since March. According to tribal police and the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, the search for Beson is still ongoing.
Minocqua town board looks to resolve geese issue at Torpy Park
Board authorizes director of public works to work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Department of Natural Resources
The Minocqua town board met in special session on July 24 and during the meeting, the board agreed to allow director of public works Mark Pertile coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to address a geese issue at Torpy Park.
11-year-old catches two muskies on back-to-back days, one a fish of a lifetime
48-incher was so big it broke the net
The Keelers have been coming to the Northwoods for generations — the family having a shack in the Manitowish Waters area. When they were up recently, 11-year-old Otto Keeler landed a pair of muskies, a fish species many consider to be the ultimate catch in freshwater fishing and what’s often referred to as the fish of 10,000 casts.
Five arrested for drug-related incidents in Oneida County over the weekend
Hebein speaks to drugs affecting community
Five people were arrested in Oneida County this past weekend for a variety of drug-related incidents. Travis Jeffery Brooks, 40, of Rhinelander, was arrested by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office on July 18 for charges including: possession of THC, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.
Fifield town board considers safety signage added to Shady Knoll Road
Pike Lake Fire Department volunteers question board’s authority over new chief decision
The Fifield town board at its Tuesday meeting agreed to research the cost of electronic speed limit signs which would be placed on both sides of Shady Knoll Road near the Big Dipper in Pike Lake.
Vilas emergency management stressing federal funding
Sheriff’s office looking to fix St. Germain communications issue
Vilas County emergency management director Sherri Congleton provided a report to the county board’s law enforcement and emergency management committee meeting on Monday. One part of Congleton’s report focused on federal funding the county’s emergency management department has been receiving for the past 25 years.
Boulder Junction town board authorizes committee to use up to $50,000 in room tax revenue
‘The Station’ in ‘very early planning stages’
The Boulder Junction town board at its Tuesday meeting agreed to authorize its economic and development corporation (EDC) committee to spend up to $50,000 for planning and marketing purposes of what’s, at this point, being referred to as “The Station.”
Zooming in on transparency in Presque Isle
Weber drafting formal policy to better accommodate popular meeting option
To Presque Isle town supervisor Cathy Logan Weber, Zoom is an important feature of the board’s monthly meetings. Although technical issues disrupted Zoom access during the board’s July 17 meeting, Weber said she would explore a formal Zoom policy to reinforce transparency with the community.
Hazelhurst town board opens bids for project on Wildwood Drive
Cushing: ‘The whole road is kind of a mess’
The Hazelhurst town board opened two bids for a road project it’s looking to have done this year on Wildwood Drive during a special meeting on July 17.
North Lakeland building project expected to be done prior to 2025-26 school year
Cost savings from project results in new gym bleachers
North Lake School administrator and principal Brent Jelinski told The Lakeland Times on July 16 the building project, which includes a full replacement of the school’s HVAC system, electrical system and upgrades to the school’s parking lot, is on track to be done in time for the upcoming school year.
Fishing fun for the family
Bass and bluegills are the hot bite right now
In the midst of fishing season, fishing guide Kurt Justice said the hottest biting fish right now are largemouth bass and bluegill. Justice, who’s out on the water nearly every day, said Northwoods lakes don’t lack either species.
Two arrested in Minocqua meth bust, one for fentanyl too
Two were arrested in Minocqua on July 11, both for being in possession of and an intent to deliver more than 10 grams of methamphetamine, and one being in possession of fentanyl. Chelsey Radtke Day, 41, of Arbor Vitae, and Russell R Wyland, 58, of Appleton, were arrested during a traffic stop after leaving the residence of 8776 East Minch Road.
Winchester town board to request speed limit reduction on Hwy. W
Discianno proposes potential weight limits to protect town roads; provides Hwy. W project update
The Winchester town board on Monday agreed to take the proper steps in order for the speed limit on County Highway W from County Highway O to the Manitowish Waters border be reduced. Town chairman Joe Discianno said the town board received data that showed the average daily traffic count in 2019 was 1,300 vehicles per day on Hwy. W.
Oneida highway commissioner explains improvements for Sugar Camp boat landing
Work on boat landing coincides with Hwy. D bridge replacement
The Oneida County board’s public works committee discussed improving the Sand Lake and Dam Lake boat landing property in Sugar Camp at its July 10 meeting. Highway commissioner Alex Hegeman told The Lakeland Times the county had received federal grant funding to replace the bridge between Dam Lake and Sand Lake on County Highway D.
O’Connell bids farewell, Raddatz tabbed as new Minocqua library director
The Minocqua Public Library had a change in leadership recently after library director Peggy O’Connell retired on June 30 and assistant library director Kelly Raddatz was promoted on July 1. O’Connell started part-time at the library roughly 15 years ago. From there, she transitioned to a full-time outreach coordinator before becoming director the last six years.
Newbold town board not in favor of proposed tourist rooming house amendment
Oneida County supervisor seeks to allow rentals for less than 7 days in single-family zoning, among other districts
The Newbold town board agreed at its July 10 meeting not to support a proposed amendment to change language in Oneida County’s tourist rooming house ordinance allowing short-term rentals in certain zoning districts for less than seven consecutive days, most notably, single-family zoning.
Presque Isle fixes fiscal fumble, checks almost in the mail
Computers recovered from SIFT
Eligible Presque Isle taxpayers will be getting a refund soon, per an update at the town board’s July 3 meeting. Town chairman Al Eschenbauch told The Lakeland Times on July 8 the town is working to “move forward” as quickly as it can to get the refund checks completed and mailed.
‘Wake boat’ ordinances make their way to Hazelhurst
Town board gets public input on ordinances essentially banning wake surfing on most lakes
The Hazelhurst town board on Tuesday received public input on two potential “wake boat” ordinances. Between 30 to 40 people attended the meeting and approximately 16 different people commented on the proposed ordinances, some people commented more than once. Only two of those who spoke weren’t in favor of the regulations town supervisor Jeff Verdoorn described at the start of the discussion.
Manitowish Waters approves two contracts for grant funded studies
One study to establish procedures for letting other towns join EMS district, the other explores towns creating and combining more services
The Manitowish Waters town board on Tuesday approved two contracts for two different studies. Both contracts are funded through grant dollars applied for by the town with the state Department of Revenue. Town chairman John Hanson said the first grant of $52,500 is for a study for the four-town emergency medical services (EMS) district it’s part of with Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters and Winchester.
Minocqua town board OKs partial winter park upgrades
Tubing gets traction, roadwork left adrift
The Minocqua town board partially approved upgrades to Minocqua Winter Park, which were proposed by the park’s board of directors Joe Handrick and Greg Popovich at a July 1 meeting. The proposed upgrades include extending the snow tubing runway for safety, grading a portion of the hill to accommodate a new downslope and widening the entrance.
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