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.
LUHS assistant principal leaves for Northland Pines
The Northland Pines School District announced July 2 its hiring of Josh Tilley, a Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) graduate, as assistant principal of its middle and high school. Tilley was one of two assistant principals at LUHS this past school year alongside David Wineburner.
Lakeland 14U girls softball finishes 2nd in Northwoods League
Team beats Northland Pines, but falls short to Rhinelander in championship
The Lakeland girls’ 14U softball team had a winning regular season, going 5-1, and then winning a playoff game against Northland Pines on July 1 to advance to the championship game against Rhinelander July 2, though coming up short to finish second in the Northwoods League.
Minocqua says no to shorter stays in county rental debate
The Minocqua town board at its July 1 meeting agreed to not support an Oneida County board member’s proposal to amend the county’s tourist rooming house ordinance to allow short-term rentals for less than seven days where it is currently prohibited. The board member represents Three Lakes.
Minocqua town board clarifies plan for East Milwaukee Street property
The Minocqua town board voted July 1 to move forward with plans to demolish a building on East Milwaukee Street after town electors authorized the purchase of the property last year. Town chairman Mark Hartzheim said he wanted the board to discuss the property because it hasn’t been brought up in “quite some time.”
Lakeland-2 falls to Rhinelander in Babe Ruth league play
Lakeland-2 fell to Rhinelander Monday night at home in Babe Ruth league play 19-6. However, due to a power outage towards the end of the game at the Minocqua Park Complex off of Highway 70 West, coach Josh Smith said it was hard to keep score.
Rhinelander man charged with lewd behavior, 4th-degree sexual assault
A Rhinelander man was arrested on June 24 for allegedly approaching a woman in the public with his genitals exposed and touching her inappropriately.
Schroeder reappointed to Manitowish Waters town board
Town supervisor reconsidered his decision to resign after outpouring of support
Last Friday, June 27, the Manitowish Waters town board met in special session to review applicants for a vacant town supervisor seat and make an appointment. Manitowish Waters town supervisor Lynn Schroeder resigned from the board following a June 10 meeting where the board, on a 2-1 vote, adopted an ordinance to ban boating equipment that produces artificially enhanced wakes on lakes within the town. He told The Lakeland Times he resigned because he was receiving “disparaging remarks” from people due to his support for the ordinance. Schroeder said that he “couldn’t even go out to dinner anymore.”
LUHS students write letters to the editor for advocacy project
One project that engages and excites students
Some Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) students in civics class this last school year wrote letters to the editor. It was one option of an advocacy project that teachers assigned to students in order for them to engage in some sort of issue by writing letters stating their position.
Newbold town board tables utility ordinance
Hess wasn’t sure why town didn’t have one on the books, said most towns have one already
The Newbold town board at its June 26 meeting decided to table any action with regard to a proposed town ordinance establishing a utility permit policy. Director of public works Mark Fetzer said the proposed ordinance he drafted was done by comparing ordinances from other nearby municipalities.
Feathers, fumbles and firsts; I now realize turkeys are smarter than they look
This year was a first for me in the turkey woods. My family never hunted turkeys before, though we’d see them stroll through the deer woods every now and then. Looking back, I wish I was into hunting these elusive birds that, at first, appear to be dumber than a box of rocks, but after pursuing them, you learn why they’re able to survive so well.
Minocqua plan commission approves ARP for Lions Club storage and meeting building
The Minocqua plan commission on Tuesday approved an administrative review permit (ARP) application submitted by James Rein and CODOJP LLC, owner, to construct a storage building and meeting space for the Minocqua Lions Club off of Jahnke Road south of downtown.
Harshaw Sports Club looks to continuing building facilities, membership and volunteers
Club hosts Northwoods’ biggest scholastic shoot, draws students from around the state
The Harshaw Sports Club has gained quite the reputation around the Northwoods, and with events like the Scholastic Clay Target Program it hosted in May, it’s gaining respect around the state too.
Kolden bids farewell to LUHS at his last board meeting
A board facilties committee is created
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) interim district administrator Steve Kolden bid farewell during the school board’s monthly meeting Monday. The board recognized Kolden with a gift and a round of applause in appreciation of his work over the past year.
Bridge closure limits ATV traffic to Pike Lake business
Witte: U.S. Forest Service says DOGE is to blame for not having funding
A bridge over Riley Creek on ATV/UTV Trail 101 in Pike Lake was closed at the start of the season when the U.S. Forest Service said it needed repairs. Though the trail was closed, the repairs are yet to be made, and at least one business on the east side of the bridge is being negatively affected by the indefinite closure.
LUHS board hires new district business manager
Board discusses Schley’s hire in closed session before making it official
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education during its meeting Monday agreed to hire a new district business manager. Former Flambeau school district superintendent Erica Schley will replace Eddie Then Jr., who resigned and has since been hired as the district business manager of Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk school district, a K-8 LUHS feeder district.
Wake turbulence rocks Manitowish Waters as supervisor reconsiders resignation
The Manitowish Waters town board on June 20 met in special session to formally go forward and solicit applicants to fill town supervisor Lynn Schroeder’s seat, which is now vacant after Schroeder resigned following a June 10 meeting where the board, on a 2-1 vote, adopted an ordinance to ban boating equipment that produces artificially enhanced wakes on lakes within the town.
Presque Isle town board reaffirms its relationship with town lakes committee
Weber wants PITLC to prioritize prevention
The Presque Isle town board at its June 19 meeting discussed a resolution recognizing the Presque Isle town lakes committee (PITLC). Last summer, former town chairman John MacLean attempted to reconfigure PITLC — as part of a larger effort to overhaul committees — which he said at the time consisted of too many members and members who assumed what he described as life-time appointments. PITLC consists of roughly 30 members, as there are representatives from each of the town’s lakes associations.
Manitowish Waters town supervisor resigns after wake ordinance is adopted
Schroeder says ‘disparaging remarks’ targeted at him were from ‘six or eight wake boaters’
Manitowish Waters town supervisor Lynn Schroeder resigned effective immediately from the town board last week, June 13, after a meeting on June 10 where he supported the adoption of an ordinance regulating enhanced wakes on all lakes within the town.
Northwoods housing gap strains job market
Oneida County study projects 1,358 new housing units by 2030 amid builder delays and zoning hurdles
It’s no secret the Northwoods is grappling with housing and workforce challenges, and on June 9, the Oneida County Economic and Development Corporation (OCEDC) released the results of its housing study. OCEDC partnered with the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission for the study in order to identify types of housing needed and how to meet those demands.
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