Howard Young Foundation supports new position to reach children with autism earlier
Birth-to-7 program will be based out of Lakeland STAR and assisted by Minocqua J1 School
The Howard Young Foundation has agreed to support a new position at Lakeland STAR School/Academy that will serve children and their families by bridging the gap between home and school for those with autism.
Clark, a Democrat wanting to represent the 7th Congressional District, stops by the Times
Bayfield resident says he’s ‘practical’ and wants to do his ‘best to work with everybody’
Fred Clark, a Democrat from the Bayfield area, visited with The Lakeland Times recently to introduce himself, share some of his political positions and say why he feels he’s the right person to take over Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany’s seat in Congress representing the 7th District.
Learn to Hunt program aims to get more hunters in the woods
Classes combine traditional learning with hands-on, in the field opportunity
The Learn to Hunt program by the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) aims to get more hunters in the woods of Wisconsin. Learn to Hunt offerings vary in species, amount of involvement and times of year.
LUHS board reflects on strategic plan task force work
Koepp says draft of strategic plan should be ready for board review by April ‘in a perfect world’
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) hasn’t had a new strategic plan since before 1995, therefore a strategic planning task force has been formed between community members, students and school and district staff.
Boulder Junction town board recognizes library director ahead of her retirement
Board also approves resolution urging state for more road funding
The Boulder Junction town board approved two resolutions during its Feb. 24 meeting. The first was to recognize the retirement of long-time library director Cherie Sanderson and the second one was to urge the state to supply towns with more road funding.
Minocqua Forest Riders hold Vintage Snowmobile Day
1,000 people attend annual event mixing high-speed runs and family fun as club raises money for costly trail equipment
The Minocqua Forest Riders Snowmobile Club held its second annual Vintage Snowmobile Day at Area 31 in Minocqua on Saturday, Feb. 21. Being the club’s biggest fundraiser, it's crucial for the club’s livelihood that as many people as possible attend.
Manitowish Waters town board reviews proposed NEMSD agreement change
The Manitowish Waters town board discussed changes to a proposed intergovernmental cooperation agreement for the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District during a Feb. 17 special meeting.
Presque Isle approves preliminary work for audit with KerberRose
New audit is an operational, procedural; board shifts from Baker Tilly financial audit
The Presque Isle town board agreed to begin an operational audit with the firm KerberRose during a special town board meeting on Feb. 18. Town chairman Al Eschenbauch told The Lakeland Times on Feb. 19 it was determined town clerk Lori Thomas and town treasurer Becky Jirikowic will compile a list of all their “procedures.”
Vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer of Aspirus North Division retires
Knitt says she found out the Northwoods has ‘good quality health care’
Lori Knitt, vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer of Aspirus North Division, decided to retire last month. Her career in health care spanned more than 38 years and her work at Aspirus Health the last four years may have been the most rewarding for her.
Harshaw Sports Club Banquet coming up in March
Tickets on sale now; funds will support the non-profit in operating, supporting youth shooting and hunter safety programs
The Harshaw Sports Club is known for its distinct sporting clays course. It also has a Wednesday trap league, runs hunter safety education and heavily supports youth shooting sports.
LUHS community breakfast serves up new career connections
Goals: Expand partnerships with local employers and keep graduates in the Northwoods
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) held a community breakfast on Monday, Feb. 16. Over 150 community partners attended the event to chat with school staff and learn more about what can be done for students’ lives after high school. LUHS career and technical education coordinator Stephanie Hartzheim spearheaded the event.
Ice fishing south
I grew up in southeastern Wisconsin in the suburbs of Milwaukee and an area referred to as Lake Country. We ice fished a little bit on a few lakes nearby while growing up and there are great memories from that time. One thing, however, is I never got to experience catching a giant fish on one of those lakes.
MHLT board grants administrators ability to make cuts, consolidations and more
Budget is due in October, but administrators want to be strategic; school at an all-time low for enrollment
The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) School board of education agreed during its Feb. 17 meeting to give district administrators the ability to add one full-time special education teacher, cut up to five full-time teachers, consolidate two to three bus routes and move athletics funding to the district’s community service fund.
Presque Isle town supervisor proposes town Youtube channel
NEMSD proposed bylaw changes tabled; board approves walleye resolution
Presque Isle town supervisor Cathy Logan Weber proposed the town board create a Youtube channel during its Feb. 13 meeting. Town clerk Lori Thomas asked before the discussion among board members began if the Youtube channel, which recorded town board meetings would be posted to, would take the place of Zoom.
NEMSD 2025 year-end report shows new district responded to 418 calls
All calls were responded with ‘paramedic level ambulance’
The first year of operation for the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) was an active one. Jason Joling, chief of the NEMSD, recently submitted a year-end report to the district’s board of directors, diving into the details of how the district operates and highlighting all it’s been able to accomplish in its first year.
Firebird Splash contest open now; fundraiser supports sensory garden at MHLT
Win some cash by guessing when the Firebird falls through Mill Pond
The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk School’s (MHLT) Firebird Foundation has begun its second annual Firebird Splash Contest in a new location on Mill Pond. Participants guess when the ice melts and the sign with the Firebird on it between Kurt’s Islands Sports Shop and SaveMore falls in. A cash prize will be awarded.
Minocqua man sentenced to serve 80 months in federal prison and pay more than $800,000 in restitution
Kromray pled guilty to wire fraud and money laundering last year
Cory Kromray, a 39-year-old Minocqua man who was indicted in federal court, was sentenced last week on Feb. 5 to serve 80 months behind bars, three years probation and pay more than $800,000 in restitution.
Winchester board wrestles with rift over EMS bylaws
Supervisor cites ‘two camps’ as Hanson’s bylaw push widens split on NEMSD board
The Winchester town board discussed a situation with regard to the Northwoods Medical Services District (NEMSD) board of directors during its meeting on Monday, Jan. 9. It was a wide-ranging discussion revolving around proposed changes to district bylaws by Manitowish Waters town chairman John Hanson, who’s also that town’s representative on the NEMSD board.
Manitowish Waters approves wage increase, urn plot capacity and beaver removal program
The Manitowish Waters town board approved a 3 percent pay increase for planning commission secretary Vince Hoehn during a meeting on Feb. 10. Town chairman John Hanson said the proposed pay increase came from the town’s planning commission, putting the hourly rate at roughly $27 an hour.
Sassy Girl Quilt Shop in Woodruff aims to be premiere Northwoods destination
Shop offers all things fabric and quilting
You may or may not have heard about a new business in Woodruff that aims to be a premiere destination for all things fabric and quilt making. It’s called Sassy Girl Quilt Shop, 715 1st Avenue Suite 1, and it all began on Nov. 19, 2025.
Woman sentenced in Vilas County fraud and theft case
Restitution Swanson will need to be pay is yet to be determined
Alesha Swanson, 33, was sentenced in Vilas County court on Wednesday, Feb. 4, after pleading guilty to two felony counts of theft in a business setting greater than $100,000 and fraudulent writings/by forgery. Swanson was charged Jan. 24, 2025, after an investigation alleged that she embezzled over $100,000 from Jim Meier Builders LLC in Manitowish Waters, her place of employment for almost a decade.
Verdoorn updates Hazelhurst board on veterans memorial
Proposed enhanced wake ordinance public hearing March 10 for Lake Katherine
Hazelhurst town supervisor Jeff Verdoorn updated the town board during its meeting Feb. 5 on progress he’s made looking into a veterans memorial being constructed in town. Town chairman Ted Cushing said at the board’s Jan. 6 meeting a resident had repeatedly asked him over the years about the town having a visible veterans memorial site.
Trump issues executive order to limit big investors from buying single-family homes to rent
Wall Street investors in the Northwoods?
President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Tuesday, Jan. 20, for the purposes of “Stopping Wall Street From Competing With Main Street Homebuyers.”
Collins’s conviction expunged, but will still have to comply with sex offender registry
A Minocqua man convicted in Oneida County Court of child-related crimes and avoided jail time will also have his conviction expunged as long as he successfully completes his sentence, but he will still have to comply with the state’s Sex Offender Registry Program.
Community response flows fast after burst pipe floods Montessori
Pre-school shifts to Woodruff’s Timmons Community Center during repairs
Much like the rest of area schools, North Country Montessori pre-school canceled instruction on Friday, Jan. 23, and Monday, Jan. 26, due to extreme cold weather. Some time during that four day stretch, a little sliver of an opening formed in one of the water pipes at Montessori resulted in the floor of the entire building being flooded with 2 inches of water by the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 27, and discovered when staff arrived and students were on their way.
NEMSD board members elect each other for board positions
The Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) is in its second year of operation and the NEMSD board of directors’ positions have been chosen now that the all four representatives have been reappointed. The NEMSD is a four-town emergency medical services district formed between the towns of Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle and Winchester.
Boulder Junction town board takes no action on notice of claim
Town could be sued for border lakes enhanced wake ordinance
The Boulder Junction town board at its Feb. 3 meeting agreed not to take any action on a notice of claim. Town clerk Dan Driscoll said the town was served with the notice of claim around Thanksgiving. It’s regarding an enhanced wake ordinance the board adopted last year for lakes it shares with surrounding towns.
Lakeland area schools shut down for 2nd day this school year
School closures haven’t affected school calendar yet
Lakeland area schools canceled instruction for the second time on Jan. 26, but the closure hasn’t caused any difference in the schools’ calendars. Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) district administrator Jamie Koepp said the decision to close school for a day because of weather-related events, such as the subzero and frigid temperatures seen on Jan. 26, isn’t made lightly and “guided entirely by the safety of students and staff.”
Candidate for the 7th district visits with the Times
Ashland-born Paul Wassgren lays out his priorities, believes he’s right man for the job
Paul Wassgren, a Republican candidate for Tom Tiffany’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, stopped by The Lakeland Times recently to introduce himself and elaborate on his political positions more. Wassgren, 49, was born in Ashland and spent his summers there while growing up. He went to high school near Portland, Oregon.
Making memories: A friends ice fishing adventure to remember
Three close friends of mine stayed with me this past weekend for an ice fishing trip. Among the four of us, two have ice fished a good amount, one had ice fished before but not much, and one had never ice fished. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure this weekend was going to happen after I sent out an invitation Dec. 11.
Sex offender charged for not notifying AV-W School of his presence
Clause lists he works for LDF BDC on state registry, but doesn’t specify what business
An Arbor Vitae man is being charged in Vilas County Court for being on school grounds without notifying Arbor-Vitae Woodruff Elementary School (AV-W) of his sex offender status. Robert “Bucky” Clause, 47, 397 U.S. Highway 51 Apartment 5 in Arbor Vitae, was formally charged on Jan. 23. The incident where he showed up to AV-W without providing notice occurred on Nov. 10, 2025.
Minocqua plan commission approves ARPs for two new businesses
The Minocqua plan commission at its Jan. 27 meeting approved two administrative review permit (ARP) applications for new businesses. First, the plan commission agreed to approve an ARP application submitted by Margaret Rautio of Rautio Properties LLC to operate a personal training and fitness studio at 203 West Front Street, the space formerly known as The Vine.
Walker rejects Melms’s $50,000 demand as extortion attempt
Publisher stands by professional misconduct allegations against Frederick Melms
Lakeland Times publisher Gregg Walker this week rejected a demand for a $50,000 payment to attorney Frederick Melms (no association with Melms, Hogan & Francois law firm) and said he will not withdraw a professional misconduct complaint against the attorney or retract the newspaper’s reporting after Frederick Melms threatened a defamation lawsuit.
Oneida County dispatcher arrested for alleged intoxication at work
An Oneida County dispatcher was arrested by the Rhinelander Police Department on Jan. 8 after driving to work under the influence. Nicole Lea, 53, of Eagle River, is also the wife of Three Lakes police chief Scott Lea. According to a written statement by Oneida County Sheriff’s Office chief deputy Terri Hook, captain Jake Simkins contacted her that day with the concern of Lea being intoxicated at work.
Sugar Camp man alleged to possess child pornography
A Sugar Camp man was arrested on Jan. 21 for allegedly possessing child pornography. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Christian Bishop, 27, after receiving a tipline report by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on May 22, 2025.
Inflation rates are trending downward
Fed economist breaks down affordability over 7-year period
Inflation is trending down, almost reaching levels seen prior to 2021 and the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a chart produced by J.P.Morgan, inflation for things such as energy, food at home, shelter, core goods, dining recreation and other services, as well as auto insurance started to increase dramatically in early 2021.
Minocqua Gun Club’s annual banquet set for Feb. 28 in St. Germain
Funds raised at event help club pay for operating costs and support youth shooting
The Minocqua Gun Club’s annual fundraising banquet is set for Saturday, Feb. 28. This year marks 29 years of the annual event. Because the Minocqua Gun Club is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the club’s annual banquet plays a significant role in its livelihood.
LUHS board steps back from curriculum review, cedes authority to administration
Board also approves boiler repairs and school calendar
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education approved word changes in district policy during a meeting on Jan. 19. Board member Heidi Fink, during her report of the board’s policy committee, said the most notable changes for policies 2240, 2510 and 2522, were with replacing the word board with district administrator or administrator.
Carlton begins new chapter at the River News and Times
New reporter will be based out of Rhinelander
If you see a new byline in today’s paper, that’s because a new reporter has joined the team of The Northwoods River News and The Lakeland Times. Ardith Carlton will be based out of the River News office, 236 South Courtney Street, but her writing will appear in the Times as well.
Cross Country Cruisers SnoFest sees success
Wesner: One of the best turnouts in years
The Cross Country Cruisers Snowmobile Club of Arbor Vitae, Woodruff and parts of Minocqua wrapped up its third annual Cruisers SnoFest over the weekend. The event consisted of a lasagna and fish fry dinner on Jan. 16 and a day full of vintage snowmobiles, rides, raffles and more on Jan. 17.
Presque Isle hires ‘records responder,’ will go back to DA if Times doesn’t agree to pay up to $1,000
It’s been almost a year since records request was made with the town
The Presque Isle town board, during a special meeting on Jan. 15, agreed to hire resident Dave Bogen to gather any and all records between the town and a third party forensic investigations firm it hired in 2023 to review town computers that were a matter of contention during an election for town chairman in April 2023 in order to satisfy an open records request by The Lakeland Times.
MHLT board agrees to expand 3K program
Board feels its an innovative investment to boost enrollment for the future
The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) School board agreed to expand the district’s new 3K program for next year at its Jan. 16 meeting. District administrator and principal Bob Smudde said the 3K program “is a nice program” and those who participated in it liked it. He added it’s a cost-saving option for families.
Cross Country Cruisers SnoFest starts today
Fundraising events ‘critical’ for snowmobile clubs
The Cross Country Cruisers, a snowmobile club with trails in Arbor Vitae, Woodruff and parts of Minocqua, is holding its annual SnoFest event this evening and all day tomorrow. A fish fry or lasagna dinner is tonight at the club’s groomer barn, 1503 Helminski Road in Arbor Vitae. Serving starts at 4 p.m. and goes until 7 p.m. Carry-outs are available.
DNR’s Free Fishing Weekend an option to spend some time outside
There are two times a year where people in Wisconsin can get out and fish without having to buy fishing licenses. One of those opportunities is this weekend. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Free Fishing Weekend is also a time different fishing organizations host clinics around the state.
Johnson awaits next court hearing in St. Germain homicide case
Defense requests plea changed to not guilty by mental disease or defect
A 56-year-old man accused of killing his sister at their St. Germain home on March 21, 2025 is awaiting his next court appearance in the case, which is scheduled for April 7 at the Vilas County Courthouse in Eagle River.
Presque Isle chair sheds light on NEMSD budget rift
Presque Isle town chairman Al Eschenbauch provided the town board with a report of his thoughts on what he called a “conflict” among the Northwoods Emergency Management Services District (NEMSD) board of directors during a meeting on Jan. 8.
Manitowish Waters town board closes brush site for winter, raises cemetery plot fees
The Manitowish Waters town board agreed at its Jan. 14 meeting to close its brush site for the rest of the winter due to snow. Town chairman John Hanson said the brush site remained open the last two winters because there wasn’t much snow.
Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge has 22nd annual banquet
181 youth hunters with over 425 in attendance
The Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge (NYDHC) logged another year in its books, capping off its 22nd year of existence at the annual banquet on Jan. 1 at Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) in Minocqua.
You got the ice fishing bug, now what?
You ice fished once or twice growing up or you were dragged out onto the ice with a buddy recently and you got the bug … the ice fishing bug. You want to get into it, but you have no idea where to start. While it can be a very expensive endeavor, there are still ways to catch fish while not spending a bunch of cash.
Eagle River Ice Castle canceled this year
Enough ice, but in poor condition
After an optimistic start to the ice making season, the construction of the Eagle River Ice Castle was ultimately canceled. There were special plans for the Ice Castle this year too. Eagle River fire chief Michael Anderson told the city council at a Dec. 10 meeting the plans to build the Ice Castle would include a representation of the Twin Towers because 2026 is the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
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