‘Where’s my newspaper?’
Frustrated subscribers prompted the Times to GPS-track some editions
Some readers of The Lakeland Times have been contacting the newspaper office for more than two years now to explain they sometimes have to wait a month, or more, to get certain editions of their paid print subscription. Sometimes they never receive them at all.
Thorofare Bridge recast as the Manny Stein Memorial Bridge
Pike Lake Chain Lakes Association suggests change, commits to pay for signage
The Fifield town board at an April 15 meeting agreed to rename the Thorofare Bridge the Manny Stein Memorial Bridge. Pike Lake resident Leonard “Manny” Stein passed away at the age of 89 this year on March 24.
Johnson pleads not guilty in St. Germain homicide case
Judicial pretrial scheduled for July 15
The 56-year-old man who’s accused of killing his sister at their St. Germain home on March 21 appeared in Vilas County court for an arraignment on Monday and pleaded not guilty.
Fifield firefighters face dirty dilemma
Ebert: ‘I’m concerned about the acrimony that’s going on in that department’
The Fifield town board at its April 15 meeting decided to let the Fifield fire department agendize and vote on whether or not it will pay for the fire house to be cleaned or have firefighters clean it.
Presque Isle will refund taxpayer dollars planned to pay for EMS district
By doing so, reauthorization to exceed levy will be needed
The Presque Isle town board, with town chairman Al Eschenbauch presiding over his first meeting after the April 1 election, decided to refund taxpayers the $377,191 voters authorized the board to exceed the tax levy by in November of 2024 during a meeting on April 17.
Manitowish Waters town board accepts bid for airport hangar project
Construction to start this summer
The Manitowish Waters town board on April 15, during a regular meeting immediately following the town’s annual meeting, agreed to move forward with the town’s airport hangar project.
Fifield town board addresses 27% tax increase at annual meeting
Increase in taxes due to borrowed money
Some Fifield residents were looking for an explanation as to why their tax bill increased during the town’s annual meeting on April 15. Discussion ranged widely, but ultimately, the board said the reason why was because of borrowed money.
Lake Tomahawk electors give OK to sell American Legion building
DeMet says sale will take a ‘few months’ to complete
Lake Tomahawk electors, during the town’s annual meeting on April 15, gave the town board authorization to negotiate and sell the building that’s home to the Colin F. Schultz American Legion Post 318, 7986 Choate Boulevard.
Evidence re-submitted cause for optimism
Susan Poupart went missing in 1990, remains found months after in national forest
The Vilas County Sheriff’s Office has continued to work on a homicide investigation that’s been cold now for 35 years. Most recently, evidence has been resubmitted for DNA testing with a private firm with the hope that a different way of it being tested could finally bring justice for Susan “Suzy” Poupart, the Lac du Flambeau woman whose remains were found in the woods all those years ago, and her family.
North Lakeland School building project on track for June start
Manners Cafe will be moved to Manitowish Waters Fire Company in summer
North Lakeland School district administrator Brent Jelinski provided an update on the district’s building project at a board of education meeting on Monday. The project, which includes a full replacement of the school's HVAC system, electrical system and fixing issues with the school’s parking lot, is slated to start in June.
Henry firearms expanding 100 percent of its operations to Wisconsin
Company will expand Rice Lake headquarters, build two new facilities in Ladysmith and acquire a third
A certain amount of nostalgia comes with a Henry firearm, most notably their tried and true lever-action .22. But it’s not just nostalgia, because if you’re from Wisconsin, a certain amount of pride comes with a Henry too.
St. Germain murder suspect waives preliminary hearing
Arraignment scheduled for Johnson April 21 in Vilas County
James Johnson, a 56-year-old St. Germain man being accused of 1st degree murder, decided to waive his preliminary hearing when he appeared in custody in Vilas County court on April 9, according to court records.
Lakeland area school districts awarded grant to continue student mental health services
$55,000 from WEA Member Benefits Foundation is unrestricted funding that can be used as districts see fit
Representatives of the Lakeland area consortium attended an April 10 meeting at Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) where a $55,000 check was presented to Adam Nowak, Project AWARE mental health coordinator for the consortium, to assist student mental health services within the five Lakeland area school districts.
LUHS board approves 5-year bus contract with LABS
Kolden: Soliciting bids this year is ‘good practice’ and ‘keeps Lakeland Bus on their toes a little bit’
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education approved a five-year bus contract with Lakeland Area Bus Service (LABS) during a meeting on April 7. The contract’s term is for July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030.
LUHS accepts HYF donation for four speech therapists
Additional therapists to work at grade schools; LUHS ‘fiscal agent,’ board agrees with ‘no loss’ to district
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education agreed to accept a donation of nearly $350,000 on Monday from the Howard Young Foundation (HYF) in order to hire four speech and language pathologists at the four feeder districts, which include Lac du Flambeau Public School, Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk School (MHLT), Arbor Vitae-Woodruff Elementary and North Lakeland School.
Reeling in an ice-fishing season like no other
The year of the ‘Golden Horseshoe’
My dad would take me ice fishing as a kid every so often growing up. One of my first memories was accidently dropping the scoop down the hole on a very cold, windy day when it was just the two of us on the ice.
Peck recognized by LUHS board for her many years of service
LUHS board has one vacant seat following April 1 election
At the outset of the Lakeland Union High School board of education meeting on Monday, board president Shawn Umland said the board wanted to recognize board vice-president Barb Peck, who didn’t seek re-election on April 1.
Minocqua plan commission approves permits for new downtown retail shop
The Minocqua plan commission agreed on Tuesday to approve an administrative review permit (ARP) and sign permit for a new downtown retail shop in Minocqua, next to and just south of the Clock Tower Centre.
Hazelhurst town hall paid off
Town chairman cautions everyone not to get too excited
Hazelhurst town chairman Ted Cushing announced at a Tuesday town board meeting the town hall property is officially paid off. Town clerk Christy Myshchyshyn said she didn’t have much to say, but added “it’s nice … to have one thing less to pay.”
LUHS hires new district administrator
Koepp comes from Watertown ‘With over 20 years of educational experience’
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) announced the hiring of its new district administrator on April 3. Between Northland Pines principal Dan Marien and Watertown assistant principal, athletic director and summer school coordinator James “Jamie” Koepp, the LUHS board of education decided on Koepp.
Presque Isle town board tasks finance committee with levy limit issue
The Presque Isle town board on April 3 agreed to direct its finance committee to look into two options the Department of Revenue (DOR) has presented to it after an audit by the state showed the town didn’t take proper procedure in exceeding its tax levy limit during a town meeting in November of last year.
Timeline to be determined for Hodag Dome repairs
Absence of community gathering space already felt
The Hodag Dome in Rhinelander sustained damage and was manually deflated Sunday, March 30, as the result of a power outage caused by a winter storm the area encountered.
Vilas forestry agrees on increasing land account cap by $200,000
County board will consider resolution next; account funds used to buy land and recreation opportunities
The Vilas County board’s forestry, recreation and land committee on April 1 adopted a resolution to increase a cap on the county’s segregated land account from $300,000 to $500,000. Forest administrator Chad Keranen said the account’s funds can only be used for land acquisitions and development of recreational facilities in the county forest.
LUHS expels 28 students in four years: Drugs and weapons most common reasons
Principal calls for more community collaboration, making sure kids are educated
A total of 28 students have been expelled from Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) in the last four school years. Only a total of two students were expelled during the 2021-22 school year, the highest total of students, 11, were expelled during the 2022-23 school year, six students were expelled during the 2023-24 school year and nine students have been expelled so far during the current school year, 2024-25.
Preliminary hearing scheduled for Johnson
Bond continues after adjourned initial appearance
An adjourned initial appearance was held Monday for 56-year-old James Johnson in Vilas County court. Johnson is being accused of first-degree murder and use of a dangerous weapon after he was suspected of killing his sister, Kelly Johnson, at their St. Germain residence on March 21.
Newbold adopts tourist rooming house ordinance
Ordinance similar to what county, other towns already have adopted
The Newbold town board adopted a tourist rooming house ordinance following a public hearing it held during a meeting on March 27. Roughly 12 people attended the hearing and meeting and a few asked town board members questions about the ordinance, which aims to regulate properties used for short-term rentals and are most commonly advertised on websites such as VRBO or AirBnb.
Woodruff Ace Hardware owner Lowell Bostrom passes away at 71
Christenson: ‘He treated us like family’
Lowell R. Bostrom of Minocqua passed away on March 26 at his residence in Minocqua. He was the owner and operator of two Ace Hardware stores, one in Woodruff and another in Weston.
Boulder Junction wake ordinance for border lakes going to attorney next
First reading likely to be first meeting in April
The Boulder Junction town board provided an update of a draft ordinance regarding the regulation of enhanced wakes on lakes the town shares boundaries with during a March 25 meeting.
Wild cougar cubs spotted in the UP
Natural reproduction could mean rebound for species, human interference not ruled out
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced on March 13 that for the first time in 100 years, cougar cubs were spotted living in the wild. State biologists, the Michigan DNR said, confirmed the felines caught on camera were indeed cougar cubs. The infant animals were seen on private land in Ontonagon County, which is on the Upper Peninsula’s northwest side.
Johnson charged with 1st degree murder
Bond set at $1 million
A St. Germain man accused of first-degree intentional homicide made his initial court appearance Monday.
Movie Review: Western Month
‘Maverick’ brings comedy to a classic western tale
Western month is in full swing and readers have seen reviews so far including movies with western greats like John Wayne and Lee Van Cleef. The western I watched recently is a stark contrast from movies like “The Shootist” or “Death Rides a Horse.” Instead, it’s the most contemporary film reviewed so far and it provides plenty of laughs. It also stars an unlikely western actor in Mel Gibson.
Evers holds roundtable at Nicolet College highlighting budget proposals for child care
Flanigan: ‘It’s a need, a huge need’
Just a week after visiting Lake Tomahawk and making a stop at the Camp American Legion to highlight proposed budget investments he’s made in his 2025-27 executive budget, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers attended a roundtable discussion at Nicolet College in Rhinelander on Tuesday to highlight proposed budget investments in his executive budget for child care.
LUHS leadership in limbo
District administrator contract remains unsigned
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education met in special session on March 19, however, nothing came out of the closed session meeting which was with regard to a contract for a new district administrator. On March 14, the board agreed to offer Watertown assistant principal, athletic director and summer school director James Koepp the open district administrator position.
Vilas County user permits go into effect May 1, can be purchased April 1
Second full year of new permit program; revenues to be invested back into public facilities
The Vilas County forestry, recreation and land department’s park user permits go on sale April 1 and there’s an updated fee schedule. According to an announcement the county released on March 18, the user access fees, which were implemented in 2023, will go into effect for the season on May 1 and expire Oct. 31.
Fifield town supervisor pushing for agreement between fire department and snowmobile club
Fish Trap Road speed limit reduced
The Fifield town board at its March 18 meeting decided to table a discussion involving the Fifield Sno Drovers Snowmobile Club and the Pike Lake Fire Department. Town chairman Bill Felch said the situation stems from “years ago” when the Pike Lake Fire Department’s station, on Shady Knoll Road, was built.
Lake Tomahawk to seek authorization to negotiate sale of legion building
Board supports Knowles Nelson Stewardship, will solicit bids for 2025 road projects
The Lake Tomahawk town board will seek authorization from electors to sell the property currently home to Colin F. Schultz American Legion Post 318 at the town’s annual meeting next month.
Communication fix hits turbulence
Project entails over $400,000 move of equipment for Eagle River water tower repainting
Vilas County sheriff Joe Fath said not much happened at the county board’s law enforcement and emergency management committee meeting on Monday, but did note a resolution will be sent by the committee to the county board for consideration at its next meeting with regard to a communications project.
Boulder Junction town board to solicit 2025 road project bids
Road work near High Lake and Fish Trap Lake roads
The Boulder Junction town board at a special meeting on Monday agreed with the recommendation of the board’s road committee to solicit bids for 2025 town road projects. Town chairman Dennis Reuss said work for this year will be done near High Lake and Fish Trap Lake roads. He referred to an advertisement for bids with regard to details.
LUHS board makes offer to district administrator candidate
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education following a closed session meeting on Monday agreed to offer one of two candidates the district administrator position. And ultimately, Watertown school district assistant principal, athletic director and summer school director James Koepp was the candidate an offer was made to.
Presque Isle town board DOR tax levy ‘debacle’ update
Deadline for board to make decision is early May
The Presque Isle town board on March 6 discussed the situation involving the town not taking proper procedure in exceeding its levy limit in November of 2024 by a total of $377,191 to pay for the town’s share of the four-town emergency medical services (EMS) district, which resulted in the town being fined by the state.
‘Death Rides a Horse’ is a film about revenge and mercy
The 1967 spaghetti western is a deep cut satisfactory for western lovers
It’s been a little while since I watched a spaghetti western movie. That changed, though, when over the weekend I saw “Death Rides a Horse,” directed by Giulio Petroni and featured actors Lee Van Cleef and John Phillip Law.
Hazelhurst town website to be updated
The two-person Hazelhurst town board agreed on Tuesday to update its town website at the suggestion of town clerk Christy Myshchyshyn. Myshchyshyn said she contacted the company that hosts the town’s website about wanting to change the organization of the website. However, she said, a representative with the company — By Request Digital Media — suggested the town upgrade it.
Manitowish Waters town board sends draft wake ordinance for border lakes to DNR
The Manitowish Waters town board on March 4 agreed to send a draft copy of an ordinance regulating enhanced wakes on lakes it shares boundaries with the town of Boulder Junction to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for review.
Fifield town board to explore short-term rental ordinance
The Fifield town board on March 4 came to the consensus that it will look into creating an ordinance to keep tabs on short-term tourist rooming house rentals in town, according to town supervisor John Schroeder.
3rd annual Up North Community Expo has biggest turnout yet
Hodag Dome allows event to continue to grow
The Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce hosted the third annual Up North Community Expo on March 6. Lauren Sackett, CEO of the chamber, said this year’s turnout was the biggest yet.
LUHS board narrows district administrator search to 2
Will bring in candidates for second interviews Monday
The Lakeland Union High School board of education, after a marathon meeting Tuesday, narrowed its search for a new district administrator down to two candidates. Lisa Kennedy, secretary to the board and district administrator, told The Lakeland Times the meeting, which started at 4 p.m., went until about 9:15 p.m.
New-Tom Sno Fleas have ‘best year ever’ for vintage show
Club’s next fundraiser March 29
The New-Tom Sno Fleas Snowmobile Club held its biggest fundraiser of the year on Saturday, Feb. 22, in downtown Lake Tomahawk. Club president Kevin Krueger said the turnout for the vintage snowmobile show was better than expected and the club already can’t wait for next year.
Woman accused of stealing more than $100,000 from Manitowish Waters employer in court again March 31
A 33-year-old Hurley woman has an adjourned initial appearance scheduled in Vilas County circuit court on March 31. Alesha Swanson is being charged with two felonies related to her being accused of forgery and theft in a business setting over $100,000 while working for a Manitowish Waters-based business.
Minocqua plan commission recommends rezone approval near Sutton Road
The Minocqua plan commission on Feb. 25 recommended approval of a rezone petition submitted by Gerald Kozey in order to rezone land east of Sutton Road rural residential from forestry 1-A.
Sign of relief: Newbold town shop to get identifiable sign
Newbold town chairman Dan Hess said during a town board meeting on Feb. 27 people have been requesting the town shop have some sort of signage added to help identify the building off of Bridge Road.
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