LUHS board to consider three firms in district administrator search
Kolden: District going to referendum in 2025 seems unlikely based on board’s discussion
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Monday discussed its next steps in the process of finding a new district administrator, a position currently occupied by former Colby school district administrator Steven Kolden.
Chimney fire in Winchester Tuesday
A structure fire in Winchester on Tuesday made its way from the chimney of a building to its attic. A structure fire in Winchester on Tuesday made its way from the chimney of a building to its attic.
North Lakeland school board hears transportation update
Consortium’s bus contract in its final year
The North Lakeland school board Monday received an update by superintendent Brent Jelinski with regard to the district’s transportation situation. Jelinski told The Lakeland Times Tuesday the update noted the “continued lack of drivers” which results in the district having to continue to limit extracurricular routes it may have been able to offer in the past.
Manitowish Waters referendum will decide if board can appoint clerk/treasurer
Hilbert to retire in December; election would require her replacement to be resident
There were only two people from the public who attended the Oct. 10 Manitowish Waters town board meeting, where the board explained the reason for the referendum question that will be on the town’s Nov. 5 ballot. The resolution to place the question on the ballot was passed by the board earlier this summer.
Crescent town board to form enhanced wake committee
Appointments to come at November meeting, Jensen says hope is to have recommendation by ice-out
The Crescent town board has decided this summer to take up the issue of enhanced wakes and possibly create an ordinance to regulate them. No action was taken at the board’s Oct. 9 meeting, but the item of forming an enhanced wake ad hoc committee was on the agenda.
Movie Review: ‘Gladiator’: A tale of power, vengeance and family
‘Gladiator II’ coming to theaters next month
It’s been 24 years since Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” was released to the masses and enjoyed by so many. Friends of mine have told me “Gladiator,” which stars Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix, is their favorite movie. You see references to certain scenes in pop culture often (“Are you not entertained?”).
Presque Isle town board inches closer to making financial audit a reality
Town boat wash expected to be on upcoming agenda again
The Presque Isle town board decided the town’s finances need an audit, which, according to what town officials have indicated in the past, is typical after elections. Though having an audit done has been talked about for awhile, one still hasn’t happened.
Minocqua plan commission talks parking for tattoo studio relocation
The Minocqua plan commission, at its Oct. 8 meeting, approved an administrative review permit (ARP) application submitted by Megan Hunt and business owner Bella Trova LLC in order for a downtown tattoo studio to move north to the Boardwalk Shoppes off of U.S. Highway 51 near Rodgers Drive.
Hazelhurst town board considers beach repairs, hot mix trailer
Cushing comments on town’s budget, hints at asking electors for tax levy increase in future
The Hazelhurst town board reviewed a request by a resident at its meeting on Tuesday with regard to making repairs at the Lake Katherine beach. The board discussion was roughly five minutes and no decisions were made.
Oneida BOA postpones Yacht Club appeal
Business being asked by planning and zoning to remove bar from its boathouse
The Oneida County board of adjustment (BOA) decided to postpone a public hearing and vote on an appeal filed by Minocqua Hospitality Holdings LLC, which includes the Yacht Club, during an Oct. 3 meeting as it relates to the business’s zoning permits and its boathouse.
Presque Isle town board approves NEMSD funding
The Presque Isle town board on Oct. 3 agreed to accept the Northwoods Emergency Medical Service District’s (NEMSD) budget as proposed. The cost to the town will be $469,000 for 2025. NEMSD is a consolidated four-town emergency medical services district between the towns’ volunteer services of Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle and Winchester. As it has begun to get up and running, its board of directors are entering one of the district’s first actual budget years and have requested funding from each of the towns involved.
Beef-A-Rama steaks its claim as Minocqua’s hottest event
Wrap-up meeting at month’s end will consider Beef-A-Rama’s 60-year milestone and beyond
Beef-A-Rama was yet another success for the Island City. The 59th edition of the event wrapped up after event-goers spent a warm fall day in the sun, listening to music, enjoying drinks and, of course, eating plenty of beef.
Gunpower and Lead
Mother-daughter bear hunt ends on high note
You hear a lot of times about father-son hunts, but not too often do you hear stories of mother-daughter hunts. Recently, on Sept. 22 in Minocqua, Balie Strasburg and her 12-year-old daughter Tess undertook an 11-day bear hunt and endured many ups and downs.
Back-to-back Bucks
An early bow-season whitetail comes right after a dandy mule deer
Trig Solberg doesn’t miss a shot often, and he proved that much recently when he nailed two nice bucks within a week last month. His first buck came in South Dakota on a Monday when he was hunting mule deer. Later in the week on Saturday, once he returned home to the Northwoods, he put down a 7-year-old whitetail he’s seen on his trail cam from when it was just a young buck.
Minocqua plan commission forwards two land divisions to town board
The Minocqua plan commission recommended to the town board approvals of two certified survey maps (CSM) during a Sept. 24 meeting. The first CSM was for lands owned by Jansen Real Estate Investment Limited Partnership and the application was submitted by Maines and Associates. The land division is at 7905 South Jansen Road and near Squirrel Lake.
Boulder Junction town board gives 100 year anniversary committee go-ahead
The Boulder Junction town board at its Sept. 24 meeting agreed to form a planning committee to help orchestrate the town’s 100-year celebration in 2027.
High food prices are here to stay, although USDA expects price increases to be less drastic
Independent grocers struggle with rising costs and razor-thin margins
Food prices have been rising rather quickly in the last five years since 2019. In fact, in 2022, and according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), food prices grew at the fastest rate since 1979, which was an overall increase of 9.9 percent.
Trial for MHLT teacher allegedly possessing child pornography rescheduled for 2025
A former fourth-grade math teacher with the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk school district was first set to stand trial next month in Vilas County court, but what’s expected to be a three-day jury trial has since been rescheduled for Feb. 18-20, 2025.
Vilas supervisor asks Presque Isle board to rescind Winchester ATV/UTV request
In June, the Presque Isle town board, on a 2-1 vote, agreed to send a request to Vilas County for the opening of county highways W and J in Winchester for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use.
NEMSD continues to sort out facility situations as district is in beginning stages
The Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) board of directors met Monday to discuss temporary housing for staff and potential construction sites and plans of a permanent facility.
LUHS district administrator search to begin
Finding a permanent district administrator will cost money and take time
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education members, during a meeting Monday, requested interim district administrator Dr. Steven Kolden bring three search firm options to its next meeting in order to make a decision and get the process of hiring a new district administrator underway.
Massey reviews active shooter false alarm at board meeting
Principal also recaps Sept. 11 community meeting with parents
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) principal Levi Massey shared with the board of education at its Monday meeting a review of an active shooter false alarm, which abruptly caused panic among the community and drew over 40 law enforcement officers to the campus on Sept. 6.
Presque Isle town board establishes financial committee amid budget concerns
Resolution passed to appoint committee members; Weber disagrees, wants to confirm appointees’ interest
Members of a financial committee have been appointed by the Presque Isle town board. But before committee members were appointed at the board’s Sept. 19 meeting, a resolution outlining committee guidelines was approved to actually create the committee first.
$100,000 awarded for medical clinic in Presque Isle
Federal planning grant will kick start long-awaited project
A federal grant for $100,000 was awarded to the town of Presque Isle for the purposes of constructing a medical clinic. The good news was announced at the town board’s Sept. 19 meeting.
Presque Isle town supervisor wants more information on boat wash option
Proposed CD3 cleaning system carries $46,000 cost, plus annual maintenance fees
The Presque Isle town board at its Sept. 19 meeting received an update, or proposal to move forward, with having a public “boat wash” in town from Otto Novak, member of the Presque Isle town lakes committee (PITLC).
Manitowish Waters town board appoints alternate wake committee member
The Manitowish Waters town board agreed to appoint an alternate member to the town’s excessive wake committee during its Sept. 10 meeting. Town chairman John Hanson said the committee is set to meet on Oct. 3, and one of the appointed members will be absent so the alternate will fill-in.
Local law enforcement visit with STAR governance board
Discussion centers on protocols to ensuring smooth traffic stops with autistic drivers and educating students about online dangers
Oneida County sheriff Grady Hartman, Vilas County sheriff Joe Fath and Minocqua Police chief Dave Jaeger attended the Lakeland STAR governance board meeting on Sept. 11, at the Rising STAR Transition Center in Minocqua.
Dr. Wennlund and women’s health
Women encounter different situations unique to their health every day. Whether it’s pregnancy, fertility issues or certain types of cancers, it’s paramount that women have the right doctors to assist them with whatever their needs may be.
Northwoods Foods celebrates 75 years of family tradition and quality meats
From humble beginnings, Krolczyk and Stenz reflect on becoming a ‘fixture’ of the Northwoods
Many people may have made it a point to stop at TJ’s Butcher Block over the years en route to their summertime cabins to get their hands on some high quality meats for a grill out or locals may have created a tradition of their own by buying big juicy steaks for birthdays or anniversaries. Either way, the store’s parent company, Northwoods Foods in Minocqua, has been around for a long time helping to make all that happen.
Hazelhurst town board hears road construction issues
The Hazelhurst town board on Tuesday heard an update about road construction being done with Lower Kaubashine Road. According to Matt Strasburg of the town crew, there are bumps in the road indicating the work being done wasn’t what the town expected.
Presque Isle town board agrees to form finance committee
Weber: ‘I think we need help’
The Presque Isle town board on Sept. 4 agreed to move forward in forming a finance committee to help with a number of aspects, like policies, related to the town’s money, but the committee will primarily sort out budget issues first.
Arbor Vitae town board agrees to sell plow truck to Newbold
Work on Brandy Park courts completed
The Arbor Vitae town board at its Sept. 4 meeting after a closed session discussion agreed to sell its 2010 Kenworth T-470 plow truck to the town of Newbold.
‘Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1’ is a delight for western lovers, but leaves room for improvement
If you’re like me, you were excited for Kevin Costner’s new western “Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1.” The last few years, I’ve come to really appreciate the western. I’ve done my best to watch the classics, such as “Once Upon a Time in the West,” “Rio Bravo” and “High Noon.”
LUHS District Foundation clarifies request to school board
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) District Foundation executive director Pamela Carroll sent a statement to The Lakeland Times in response to the LUHS board of education’s decision to accept a roughly $116,000 donation by the Foundation without any “strings” attached.
Fifield town board looks for fresh start with recall election in rearview
New town supervisor introduced
The Fifield town board looked a little bit different when it met Tuesday. That’s because it was the first time the board met since the Aug. 27 recall election, which resulted in now former town supervisor Ann Sloane losing her seat to John Schroeder, 189-81.
LUHS makes offer to interim district administrator to replace Smudde
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Aug. 26 picked a candidate to fill former district administrator Bob Smudde’s role on an interim basis for this school year.
Minocqua plan commission OKs Mercer Lake Road CSM
Owners not willing to offer permanent easement
The Minocqua plan commission recommended approval during its Aug. 27 meeting of a one-lot certified survey map land division of land owned by Andrew Alesauskas at 8436 Mercer Lake Road and bisected by what plan commission chairman Mark Hartzheim had said is a major artery of the area’s snowmobile trail system.
Boulder Junction town board agrees to sign basketball court contract
Board also authorizes fire department to purchase four-wheeler
The Boulder Junction town board at its Aug. 27 meeting agreed to proceed with a basketball court project at the town park off of County Highway K.
Historical marker revealed in Manitowish Waters
Aug. 24 unveiling held to commemorate those impacted by April, 1934 events involving Dillinger Gang
Members of the Manitowish Waters Historical Society, the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, town officials and state lawmakers met on Aug. 24 for an unveiling of a new historical marker near the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 and Airport Road to remember those impacted by a shooting involving the Dillinger Gang in April of 1934.
Fifield recall election results
Sloane loses seat by 2-1 margin
Fifield town supervisor Ann Sloane accumulated 81 votes from a recall election held Tuesday and will now be replaced by John Schroeder, who garnered 189 votes, on the town board.
LUHS board accepts Foundation donation with no strings
Board agrees on plaque for ticket booth highlighting foundation, but not listing board members and no lifetime sporting tickets
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Monday agreed to accept a donation from the LUHS District Foundation for nearly $117,000, which would be used to pay for the ticket booth, walkway and fencing that’s part of a nearly complete campus upgrade. The board, though, didn’t agree to certain requests from the Foundation in exchange for the donation and it’s now up to the Foundation if it still wants to donate the funding.
LUHS board appoints Peterson to serve-out Hunt’s term
One vacancy remains on the nine-member board
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Monday agreed to appoint Ross Peterson to fulfill former board member Ann Hunt’s term.
June 26, 2023 incident, transfer site complaints involving Mike Sloane settled in Fifield
Felch: ‘Upon advice from the attorney, the town ... will not be pursuing any further action’
The Fifield town board seemingly agreed to disagree during an Aug. 20 meeting while deciding what to do with regard to a June 26, 2023 incident involving town supervisor Ann Sloane’s husband Mike Sloane. Ann Sloane recused herself from the discussion and subsequent vote.
Sloane, critics comment one last time ahead of recall election today in Fifield
Fifield town supervisor Ann Sloane continued to deny allegations made against her over the last two years during a town board meeting on Aug. 20. At the same time, two residents, Barb Bliefernich and David Ebert (the petitioner who led the recall effort) offered comments in support of Sloane’s recall.
LUHS completes $3.5M campus upgrades just in time to kick off the school year
Biggest accomplishment 'money-wise’ over last 3 years
Upgrades to Lakeland Union High School’s (LUHS) campus are nearly complete as the 2024-25 school year approaches. The roughly $3.5 million project included new bleachers, press box, storage building, bathrooms, concession stand and practice football field. Plus the tennis courts were re-done, which were bid out separately and amounted to $500,000.
Fifield voters will have final say on Sloane recall Aug. 27
Petitioner wants Sloane off board for ‘unethical actions and abuse of power’
A recall election for Fifield town supervisor Ann Sloane is set to take place Tuesday, Aug. 27. Voters will have a chance to go back on their decision to elect Sloane to the board in April of last year, after she served on the board since June of 2022 when she replaced another supervisor who stepped down.
Presque Isle town board’s debate on lakes committee put on pause
Discussion to continue after four months in order to secure grant funding
The Presque Isle town board at its Aug. 15 meeting decided to temporarily reappoint members of the Presque Isle town lakes committee (PITLC) through the fall in order to apply for and hopefully obtain state funding to conduct lake studies.
Presque Isle town board debates reasonable access to meetings
Board directs ordinance committee to investigate prohibition of firearms on town property
The Presque Isle town board took up a discussion with regard to “reasonable access” of town meetings at its Aug. 15 meeting. Town chairman John MacLean has previously expressed his desire to make sure all meetings related to town business have in-person options in addition to virtual options via Zoom.
LUHS board accepts Smudde’s resignation
District will now look for new district administrator
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education, after meeting in closed session on Monday, agreed to accept the resignation of district administrator Bob Smudde.
Presque Isle town board comes to a compromise on committee
Decision is only temporary
The Presque Isle town board temporarily agreed on appointing town lakes committee members during an Aug. 15 meeting.
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