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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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