Local snowmobile clubs remind riders trails are still closed
Riding on closed trails could be detrimental to the trail system
Snowmobile trails in Oneida and Vilas counties aren’t open yet. According to Minocqua Forest Riders Snowmobile Club president Jerry Wakefield, trails, on average, aren’t opened up until after the first of the new year. He said that was shown in a study done “a couple years ago.”
NEMSD agrees to send out 12 full-time job offers
Four town EMS district in Vilas County on track to be operational middle to late January
The Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) is on track to begin its operations as planned by middle to late January of 2025. NEMSD board of directors, following a closed session portion of its Dec. 23 meeting, agreed to have its chief, Jason Joling, send out offers to 12 different applicants for full-time positions “within the pay-plans that we already approved.”
Ducks Unlimited Lakeland area chapter to hold inaugural banquet
Money raised to help with waterfowl conservation
A Ducks Unlimited Lakeland area chapter was created this year in order to fundraise and support the nationally renowned nonprofit whose mission is to support waterfowl hunting by way of conservation, as well as being a voice for duck hunters in Washington D.C.
Fifield residents sound off over increased taxes
Board says 27% increase is paying town’s debt
Two Fifield residents raised concerns at a Dec. 17 town board meeting about tax bills recently received. While the topic of tax bills wasn’t on the board’s meeting agenda, a discussion between town officials and residents Tom Birchell and Robert Lobermeier occurred at the beginning of the meeting in public comment.
Oneida County public works committee considers highway department upgrades
The Oneida County public works and solid waste committee met on Dec. 19 and reviewed next steps for potential renovations for the county’s highway department in Rhinelander.
LUHS improves on district report card from last year
District hard to compare with others in Wisconsin
Lakeland Union High School’s (LUHS) district report card showed improvement this year with an overall score of 53.8. That’s a step up from last year’s score of 48.6, which was deemed at the time by former district administrator Bob Smudde as the lowest score in the state.
Minocqua town board approves concept for turn lane onto Blue Lake Road
Fried: It’s a ‘safety project’
The Minocqua town board during its meeting Tuesday approved the concept of installing a turn lane off of U.S. Highway 51 S. onto Blue Lake Road for an estimated cost of $60,000.
LUHS board gets recap of facilties task team’s first meeting
Kolden: List of priorities should be created first
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education received an update on a facilities task team committee created last month to consider the district’s facilities and create a plan for the future in order to address any needed upgrades.
Manitowish Waters town board sets date for wake boat ordinance hearing
Zeise appointed as interim town supervisor
The Manitowish Waters town board will conduct a public hearing on Jan. 14 to gather community input for crafting a wake boat ordinance.
NEMSD board of directors work on benefits package to start staffing district
NEMSD has yet to hear back from Oneida County on proposed agreement
Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) board of directors president John Hanson said the most important item the board of directors worked on during its Dec. 10 meeting was a benefit package that will be offered to future employees.
Newbold town board continues work on tourist rooming house ordinance
Taxpayers will have opportunity to offer input
The Newbold town board continued to work on a proposed tourist rooming house ordinance during its Dec. 12 meeting. The process of creating the ordinance, according to town chairman Dan Hess, began around April of this year.
Hazelhurst town board agrees to sell two plows
Cushing: ‘There’s no point of having them if they’re just laying there doing nothing’
The Hazelhurst town board agreed to let the town crew sell two of its plows during a meeting on Dec. 10.
Kolden suggests LUHS offer remote learning option
Online learning said to save district money it would otherwise lose
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) interim district administrator Steven Kolden proposed to the board of education at a committee of the whole meeting Monday to implement a virtual learning option for students. He asked board members if any of them heard of Wisconsin Rural Virtual Academy (RVA).
Presque Isle town board authorizes skid-steer and patrol truck purchases
Board formally adopts 2025 budget
The Presque Isle town board authorized the purchases of a skid-steer and patrol truck for its town crew during a special meeting on Dec. 9. Roughly, the cost estimates are $47,000 for the skid-steer and $90,000 for the truck.
Minocqua firefighters ‘still make house calls’
A Thanksgiving stove fire extinguished
Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and one Minocqua resident was reminded just how thankful she is of those who came to save the day on Nov. 28. For Connie Campbell, it all started when she was preheating her oven to make garlic sticks. She said she hadn’t even gotten them on the baking sheet yet when a fire in her oven began.
Presque Isle town board receives presentation on TeleHealth option
Audit of town finances to be completed, finance committee to meet next month
The Presque Isle town board at its Dec. 5 meeting received a presentation for a TeleHealth opportunity by John McGeshick of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and John Page, founder of GKIM TeleHealth.
Plum Lake town board tables post office plowing request
Board approves steam pressure washer purchase
The Plum Lake town board at its Dec. 4 meeting decided to hold off on making any commitment to plow snow for parking spaces at the Sayner post office.
2024 deer hunting season is a wrap!
A year I’ll never forget
That’s all she wrote for the 2024 deer hunting season for me. It was one hell of a ride and a journey I’ll never forget. This season will undoubtedly be hard to top for a number of reasons.
New fire chief appointed in Pike Lake
Metz: Getting volunteers is biggest challenge
Fifield town clerk Angie Richardson on Tuesday swore in Daniel Metz as Pike Lake Fire Department’s new chief. Pike Lake Fire Department is also referred to as the town of Fifield’s station two, though it operates separately from the Fifield Fire Department.
Fifield electors decline to authorize board to exceed tax levy
The additional $200,000 would’ve been used for ‘future equipment purchases and operation of the town’
Fifield electors, during a special town meeting Nov. 19, declined to give the town board authorization to exceed the town’s tax levy limit in the 2025 budget.
Presque Isle electors authorize levy to exceed allowable increase
Additional money going towards four-town EMS district
Presque Isle electors on Nov. 26 authorized the town board to adopt a tax levy increase exceeding the allowable levy increase capped by the state. The additional tax dollars will be used for the town’s share of the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD), which is the consolidation of emergency medical services (EMS) between the towns of Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle and Winchester.
Woodruff town board gives fire department go-ahead to pursue truck
The Woodruff Fire Department was given the go-ahead by the town board on Nov. 26 to pursue a used fire truck being sold by the town of Algoma. Town chairman Mike Timmons said the truck is a 2011 model and described it as a “pumper/equipment vehicle.”
Operation Santa completes a successful coat drive
The non-profit provides coats, hats and mittens to area students
Operation Santa, a non-profit working to help members of the community during the holiday season, held a coat drive from the middle of October to the beginning of November. Recently, it provided those coats to area students.
Boulder Junction electors authorize levy to exceed limit
Additional tax dollars will help fund consolidated EMS district
The Boulder Junction town board, after a budget hearing and during a special town meeting of electors on Nov. 21, received authorization to adopt the town’s tax levy and budget for 2025.
Locals head down south to help those affected by hurricanes
Clothing, food and generators, among other items, get in the hands of those who need it most
Lakeland locals headed down south last month in order to drop off supplies and assist those affected by hurricanes earlier in the fall. On Oct. 20, Sarah Knowles, her father Kelly Knowles, Kennedy Esposito and Kelly Kirst took two vehicles loaded with supplies to Asheville, North Carolina.
Manitowish Waters town supervisor to resign at year’s end
Board and clerk will appoint Farrell’s replacement to serve remainder of term
Manitowish Waters town supervisor Joan Farrell announced her intentions of not running for re-election to the board during a Nov. 19 meeting. Farrell was appointed to the board in September of 2023 after former town supervisor Bob Becker resigned following his re-election to the board earlier that spring.
Manitowish Waters electors authorize levy to exceed limit
Additional tax dollars will help fund consolidated EMS district
The Manitowish Waters town board received authorization by town electors on Nov. 19 to exceed the town’s tax levy limit in order to fund its share of the Northwoods Emergency Management Services District (NEMSD).
Presque Isle town board talks roofing repairs for town facilities
2025 budget hearing and special meeting of electors tonight at 6 p.m.
The Presque Isle town board at its Nov. 21 meeting discussed replacing roofs for a number of town facilities, including the town hall, fire barn, bathrooms and concession stand at the town ball field.
LUHS board chooses school board association for administrator search
Facilities committee formally approved
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Monday decided to go with the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) to conduct its district administrator search. The decision to go with WASB over CESA 12 and Howard, Young, Attea (HYA) Associates came after a closed session discussion at the end of the board’s regular monthly meeting.
14-year-old gets his biggest buck yet
The Smuddes reflect on their successful youth hunt this year
Lakeland area youth Drake Smudde, 14, is no stranger to putting bucks on the wall. In fact, this year during the state’s youth hunt, Oct. 5-6, he harvested his biggest buck yet — a nice, healthy 8-pointer.
Kramer has a ‘blast’ while being guided to monster buck
Kramer: Forest of Antlers was ‘totally accommodating to my disability’
Jim Kramer, 48, was given a guided hunt by his uncle Chuck Kramer after Chuck won an auction attending the Minocqua Lions Club Sportsman’s Night on Oct. 10.
Lakeland STAR welcomes special guest speaker
Magro encourages students to specialize in their interests, advocates against bullying
The Lakeland STAR School/Academy welcomed a special guest speaker on Nov. 14. Kerry Magro is an award winning speaker and is on the autism spectrum himself. He’s well-accomplished in his professional life and emphasized to the students he spoke with to find a way to specialize in their interests He also encouraged them to research their disabilities.
Lake Tomahawk board approves boat signs and cleaning equipment
2025 budget and tax levy also adopted
The Lake Tomahawk town board adopted a resolution at its Nov. 13 meeting to enter into a land use agreement with Tomahawk Lake Association so two signs can be erected at the Tomahawk Lake boat landing near downtown along with boat cleaning tools.
Minocqua town clerk accepts statewide award for government transparency
Haggart: ‘It was nice to be appreciated’
The Wisconsin Newspaper Association (WNA) awarded Minocqua town clerk Roben Haggart with its Sunshine in Government Award during a ceremony at the Madison Club in downtown Madison on Thursday, Nov. 7.
Benbenek decides to serve as interim police chief in Minocqua
Town board met Wednesday to start finding Jaeger’s replacement
The plan was to have lieutenant Jason Benbenek succeed Minocqua police chief Dave Jaeger once Jaeger retires at the start of 2025.
Minocqua town board reserves liquor license for proposed wine lounge
The Brills look to bring high-end establishment to old Ann Marie’s building
The Minocqua town board at its Nov. 6 meeting agreed to reserve a $10,000 liquor license for a potential wine lounge; the name of the establishment being planned to be called The Sapphire Lounge.
LUHS board gets three proposals for district administrator search
Kolden updates board on facilities task team, says committee should be diverse
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Monday listened to three different presentations during its committee of the whole meeting from firms or organizations willing to help the district in its search for a new district administrator.
Presque Isle town supervisor takes issue with $5,000 bill
Weber asserts board agreed not to spend ‘another penny more’ on computers investigation
Before the Presque Isle town board’s Nov. 7 meeting adjourned, town supervisor Carl Wolter made a motion to approve 48 voucher payments. Town supervisor Cathy Logan Weber asked about one of the vouchers.
Minocqua town board approves pond hockey request
Rocky Reef to resubmit retail permit for events’ official beer
The Minocqua town board at its Nov. 6 meeting approved a request by Will Jeffery and American Pond Hockey to use town facilities of the Aqua Bowl and parking lot of the Campanile Center for the Arts two weekends, Feb. 7-8 and Feb. 14-15, for a total of $800.
LUHS’ Ernst sings with state honors concert for third straight year
AV-W’s Thielman plays french horn at state honors middle-level band
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) senior Ada Ernst performed at the Overture Center in Madison with the state honors choir on Oct. 24. This was the third time in a row Ernst was recognized statewide for her singing and LUHS music teacher Briannah Wanca indicated that’s a rare feat.
Alleged deer poaching near Sugar Camp results in two arrests
Case still being investigated by Oneida County Sheriff’s Office
Deputies with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an alleged deer poaching near the town of Sugar Camp in the early morning hours of Oct. 19. Deputy Walker Hartman and deputy Ian Conkey were notified by dispatch of the incident just before 4 a.m. after the reporting party indicated he saw someone take a shot with a light out of a black pickup truck.
New rural health care network and non-profit to be introduced in Winchester Nov. 13
Peterson: ‘We want to increase the efficiency of the health care system here’
There’s a meeting scheduled for Nov. 13 to introduce a new health care network referred to as the Gogebic Iron Vilas Network (GIVN). The meeting is planned to take place at the Winchester town hall and some of those expected to speak are Dan Peterson, Richard Logan and Jason Joling, among others.
Two LUHS seniors compete at state cross country meet
Hartzheim: ‘We will miss both of these athletes tremendously’
Lakeland Union High School seniors Ashton Bremer and Stella Meza competed at State Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country Championships at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids on Nov. 2.
MHLT sets tax levy, budget for fiscal year 2025
Ellis hopes district’s enrollment can rebound
The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk School board of education set the district’s tax levy and budget for this fiscal year following a budget hearing and an annual meeting on Oct. 30.
Four-town EMS district finalizes its first budget
Towns to present budget to taxpayers, get authorization for each appropriation
The Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) finalized its 2025 budget during an Oct. 30 meeting, which lasted roughly three hours.
LUHS board appoints Justice to fill Carroll’s seat
Board full again at nine members
Kurt Justice is the newest member of Lakeland Union High School’s (LUHS) board of education. He was sworn in by board member Heidi Fink during an Oct. 28 meeting, following the district’s budget hearing and annual meeting.
LUHS board to consider ‘facilties task team’
District’s 2025 budget approved, includes tax levy of $12,451,366
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Monday was introduced by interim district administrator Steven Kolden to the idea of creating a “facilities task team,” which would include not only board members, but community members and school staff.
Manitowish Waters bike trail extension gets underway
1.5-mile trail set to run from Powell Road to Manitowish and Deer Path roads
Construction has begun for a bike trail extension in Manitowish Waters. The trail, which has been a project for roughly almost two years now, runs along U.S. Highway 51 from Powell Road to Manitowish and Deer Path roads.
Let’s Minocqua awards $43,000 in grants to enhance community tourism draw
A mix of public, non-profit and business entities are 2024 recipients
The Let’s Minocqua Visitors Bureau announced Oct. 22 five entities were awarded grants through its Room Tax Grant allocation program. “Successful awardees demonstrated that they would be utilizing funds for tourism development and promotion in the Minocqua area,” the Let’s Minocqua press release said.
‘The Mikinaak’ sets sail in Lac du Flambeau, wrapping two-year school project
Dugout canoe was first for Valliere; it will be displayed in the school moving forward
Almost all the students at Lac du Flambeau Public School played a role over the last two years in helping Ojibwe language teacher Wayne Valliere build a dugout canoe. The project reached its peak when students gathered at the Thorofare and Fence Lake boat launch area on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to see the boat set sail.
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