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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jake Van Hefty gone too soon, but won’t be forgotten
‘He was a King’
On Feb. 20, the Lakeland community lost Jake Van Hefty too soon. The 22-year-old passed away with his family by his side after sustaining injuries from a snowmobile accident in Hazelhurst the evening of Feb. 10.
Presque Isle fined by state for procedural error while exceeding levy
Four-town EMS district could be at risk
Because proper procedure wasn’t followed by the Presque Isle town board after electors overwhelmingly agreed to allow the town to exceed its levy limit in November of 2024, a fine being imposed by the state is putting a four-town emergency medical services district the town is a part of at risk.
District donation drama
LUHS board revisits donor recognition decision
In August of last year, the Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education agreed to accept a donation of nearly $117,000 from the LUHS District Foundation to complete campus upgrade work including the additions of a new ticket booth, fencing and walkway near the football field.
Oneida County snowmobile trails close
Vilas, Iron trails close too
Less than a month after the Oneida County snowmobile trail system opened, warm weather has led to its closure. On Monday, the Oneida County forestry, land and recreation department issued a press release saying all trails, state and club funded, were to close Wednesday at 8 a.m.
Minocqua town board amends watercraft launching fees ordinance
Pertile suggests way to save money at Minocqua Park Complex
The Minocqua town board on Feb. 19 adopted an amended ordinance dealing with watercraft launching fees. It was the board’s second reading of the amendment at the Feb. 19 meeting, the first occurring at the board’s previous regular meeting on Jan. 21.
Baldwin holds Northern Wisconsin virtual town hall
U.S. Senator critical of Trump administration, addresses worries of federal funding freezes and more
Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin held a Northern Wisconsin virtual town hall meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13. Baldwin, during the first half of the nearly 45 minute meeting, gave an update on her work in Washington D.C.
Aspirus MedEvac holds emergency patient transporting training at Howard Young
Aspirus MedEvac workers participated in a training at Howard Young Medical Center’s aircraft hangar on Feb. 18.
LUHS drama presents Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
First musical for director Duda
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) Theatre Arts will present the musical “Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” from Feb. 27 to March 1. The production, directed by Claire Kafka Duda, features a script by Joe Tracz and music by Rob Rokicki, adapted from Rick Riordan's book “The Lightning Thief.”
The Howard Young Foundation donates $1 million to improve speech therapy for students
Funding will support 4 more therapists at consortium schools
The Howard Young Foundation (HYF) recently made a $1 million donation to Lakeland STAR School/Academy and the Lakeland consortium schools in order to hire four more speech therapists. Gregg Walker, Lakeland STAR School/Academy president and Lakeland Times publisher, highlighted the need for additional speech therapists in the area and the importance of the $1 million donation.
Let’s Minocqua now Greater Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau
A press conference was held on Monday to announce the rebrand of what was formerly referred to as the Let’s Minocqua Visitors Bureau to now the Greater Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau. Krystal Westfahl, president and CEO of the Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, told The Lakeland Times the rebrand was triggered by the inclusion of Hazelhurst to the towns the chamber entity represents.
Baldwin holds Northern Wisconsin virtual town hall
U.S. Senator critical of Trump administration, addresses worries of federal funding freezes and more
Wisconsin U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin held a Northern Wisconsin virtual town hall meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13. Baldwin, during the first half of the nearly 45 minute meeting, gave an update on her work in Washington D.C.
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