Lac du Flambeau school board adopts 2023-24 budget
Taxpayer questions student performance
The Lac du Flambeau school board approved the school’s 2023-24 budget during a special meeting immediately following a public hearing and its annual meeting.
LUHS board accepts bid for new bleachers and press box
Bids for storage building, restrooms, concession stand and tennis courts forthcoming
On a 4-3 vote, Lakeland Union High School’s (LUHS) board of education accepted a bid for new bleachers and press box at a total of $925,000 from Florida-based GT Grandstands during its meeting Monday.
2023-24 budget passed for LUHS
District: ‘We are taking steps to make LUHS better’
Lakeland Union High School’s (LUHS) budget was passed Monday for the 2023-24 fiscal year (FY). It includes a total tax levy of $12,258,490, which includes $11,261,192 to the district’s general fund and $997,298 to debt service.
Wolter opposes shared ambulance resolution in Presque Isle
Town supervisor indicates uneasiness with proposal
Presque Isle town supervisor Carl Wolter said he didn’t want to adopt a resolution indicating the town’s support for the formation of a four-town emergency medical service (EMS) district during a board meeting Oct. 19.
Weber and Peck condemn candidate sign obstructors
Town will use voter machine and hand count for Nov. 14 special election
Presque Isle’s special election for town chairperson is Nov. 14 between incumbent town chairman John MacLean and former long-time town clerk Lorine Walters.
Arbor Vitae town board contemplates roads to improve
State funding would be used for either Snyder Road or Big Arbor Vitae Drive
The Arbor Vitae town board at its Oct. 18 meeting decided to table a decision concerning which road should be selected for state funding distributed by the county for improvements. The two roads being considered are portions of Snyder Road and Big Arbor Vitae Drive.
Vilas County highway committee approves ATV/UTV request by St. Germain
County board to consider amendment to chapter 26 to open up year-round use on Hwy. C
The Vilas County board’s highway committee approved Oct. 17 a request submitted by the town of St. Germain to amend chapter 26 of the county’s ordinances to open County Highway C up to year-round all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility-task vehicle (UTV) use.
Plum Lake town board looks to increase tax levy
Additional revenue would be used for roads, public bathroom and paying employees ‘appropriately’
The Plum Lake town board adopted a resolution at its Oct. 17 meeting to increase the town’s property tax levy for 2023, which would be collected in 2024, by 15 percent or $107,181.
Judge denies Bangstad’s motion to dismiss defamation lawsuit
Court throws out counterclaims
Lakeland Times and River News publisher Gregg Walker’s defamation lawsuit against Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad is headed to trial next week after a judge in September denied Bangstad’s motion for summary judgment dismissal and also rejected Bangstad’s counterclaims that he too had been defamed.
Boulder Junction town board sets shared EMS public hearing date
Reuss: ‘I’m looking forward to it’
The Boulder Junction town board met Monday and set a public hearing date of Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. for the shared ambulance service with three other northwest Vilas County towns — Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle and Winchester.
The Bottled Bean plants its roots in Minocqua
New hybrid cafe opened its doors for business this summer
Minocqua got a new hangout spot when the Bottled Bean opened this last summer on the corner of Chippewa and Menominee streets.
Fifield first responder to serve six-month suspension, six-month probation for June 26 incident
Details were released to The Lakeland Times on Oct. 11 with regard to the agreement reached by the Fifield town board and Pike Lake Fire Department first responder Mike Sloane.
North Lakeland school board approves SRO position, AV-W board tables it
AV-W to possibly approve position in November, would split half the cost with North Lakeland
The North Lakeland school board approved at their Oct. 9 meeting, moving forward with the addition of a school resource officer (SRO) via an agreement with the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office.
3rd Annual Seeing for Lelyn Pie Auction Oct. 24 in Manitowish Waters
On Oct. 24, the Manitowish Waters Lions Club will host the 3rd Annual Seeing for Lelyn Pie Auction Fundraiser.
Manitowish Waters town board adopts shared EMS resolution
Boulder Junction, Presque Isle and Winchester yet to do the same
The Manitowish Waters town board, on Oct. 11, was the first of the four towns to adopt a resolution to create a shared emergency medical service (EMS). Boulder Junction, Presque Isle and Winchester are the other three yet to do so.
Hazelhurst town board agrees to join Let’s Minocqua Visitors Bureau
Town board also amended its room tax ordinance; raising rate and distribution percentage
On Oct. 10, the Hazelhurst town board agreed to join the Let’s Minocqua Visitors Bureau, a recommendation of the town’s tourism committee.
Lake Tomahawk town board supports county board’s revisiting of shipping container ordinance
The Lake Tomahawk town board at its Oct. 11 meeting agreed to formally support a shipping container ordinance being reconsidered by the Oneida County board.
Cassian town board updates residents on planned rehab facility
Town board taps its attorney for possible ‘options’ moving forward
The Cassian town board updated nearly 20 of the town’s residents during its meeting Monday on the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council’s (GLITC) planned rehab facility.
Minocqua plan commission approves land reconfiguration, sign permit
The Minocqua plan commission recommended approval for a parcel reconfiguration during its meeting Tuesday, splitting two lots near Shishebogama Lake off of State Highway 70 into three.
St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church celebrates 50 years this weekend
New preacher excited for church’s future
St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church on East Chicago Avenue will celebrate its 50th anniversary this weekend.
‘Death of a Salesman’ captures a family lost in the American dream
When you open Arthur Miller’s 1949 classic “Death of a Salesman,” what you’ll find is a stunningly accurate example of what it means to compete in America.
Winchester town chairman disappointed with shared ambulance service public hearing turnout
The Winchester town board held an Oct. 3 public hearing to get input from the public on the idea of a shared ambulance service with three neighboring towns — Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters and Presque Isle.
Vilas forestry seeks to hire admin assistant
County’s forestry department ‘super busy right now’
The Vilas County board’s forestry, recreation and land committee was updated during its meeting Oct. 3 of the forestry, recreation and land department’s administrative assistant vacancy.
Another year well done!
Beef-A-Rama 2023 likely breaks records for most sandwiches sold
Beef-A-Rama 2023 shut the Island City down on Saturday, with live music, plenty of activities, drinks and lots of beef.
Three Lakeland schools placed on lockdown Friday
Threats were found to be ‘unsubstantiated’
Three Lakeland area schools — Lakeland Union High School (LUHS), Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) school district and Arbor Vitae-Woodruff (AV-W) school district — were placed on lockdown for a period of time Friday morning after potential threats surfaced from students’ social media accounts the night before.
Boulder Junction town board waits to set shared EMS public hearing date
Board members want more information before answering public’s questions
The Boulder Junction town board decided not to set a public hearing date at its Sept. 26 meeting for a shared ambulance service and the creation of an emergency medical service (EMS) district among four towns — Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle and Winchester.
Minocqua plan commission approves two ARPs
Pertile raises some concern regarding drain in commercial building
The Minocqua plan commission approved two administrative review permits (ARP) during its Sept. 26 meeting.
Lakeland Area Scholarship Fund awards LUHS seniors and graduates
A total of $72,000 will be distributed this year
The Lakeland Area Scholarship Fund (LASF) sent letters in the mail this week to notify Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) seniors and graduates who are now in college that they will receive money to help with their post-secondary education.
Poupart sentenced in child neglect with consequence of death case
George Poupart, 29, of Lac du Flambeau was sentenced to serve 12 years in the Wisconsin prison system on Sept. 25 in Vilas County circuit court for child neglect with the consequence of death. Poupart’s prison term is split between six years of initial confinement and six years extended supervision.
LUHS gets hacked, board directs administration on budget
A deficit budget will be crafted, but over $3 million has been put into fund balance last three years
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) district administrator Bob Smudde informed the district’s board of education during its regular meeting Monday the district’s computer system has been hacked.
Vilas law enforcement committee to hold special meeting on county-wide ambulance service
The Vilas County board’s law enforcement and emergency management committee, during its meeting Monday, scheduled a special meeting for Oct. 16 with regard to a county-wide ambulance service.
Fifield town board and Sloane reach agreement
Town clerk resigns
The Fifield town board convened into closed session near the end of its regular board meeting on Sept. 19. Town chairman Bill Felch announced the town and Pike Lake Fire Department first responder Mike Sloane reached an agreement when it reconvened into open session about 10 minutes later.
Arbor Vitae town board settles on Oneida County ambulance contract
Board indicates hope; Vilas County forms its own ambulance service
The Arbor Vitae town board formally agreed to sign a contract with Oneida County during a meeting on Sept. 20 for a total of $227,303 in order to provide its residents ambulance service in 2024.
Plea deal reached in June, 2022 hit-and-run involving death case
Sentencing hearing for Wildcat scheduled for Nov. 20
A 25-year-old Lac du Flambeau woman who was charged with four felony counts and the state reached a plea deal in Vilas County Court on Monday.
Construction begins to replace Camp Agawak’s new main lodge
The 102-year-old lodge collapsed in April as the result of a rough winter
Camp Agawak owner and director Mary Stichert-Fried welcomed members of the media and community to a groundbreaking event signaling the start of a new chapter for the 102-year-old camp.
Farrell appointed as new supervisor by Manitowish Waters town board
Joan Farrell was appointed by the Manitowish Waters town board recently to replace former town supervisor Bob Becker, who was re-elected in April but stepped down from the board because of an unexpected move to the Milwaukee area with his wife.
Minocqua Country Club gets picked to host 2024 Wisconsin State Open
O’Reilly: ‘It’s an amazing golf course in an amazing part of the state’
Minocqua Country Club (MCC) has been scheduled by the Professional Golfers Association’s (PGA) Wisconsin Section to host the 104th Wisconsin State Open Championship in August of 2024.
Manitowish Waters town board holds public hearing for shared EMS
The Manitowish Waters town board held a public hearing Sept. 12 with regard to forming a four-town emergency medical service (EMS) district. Manitowish Waters, Boulder Junction, Presque Isle and Winchester are the four towns involved.
Newbold town board supports OCBWTC’s effort for Rookery Run national designation
Hess: ‘It’s busy out there all the time’
The Newbold town board on Sept. 14 formally agreed to support the Oneida County Biking and Walking Trail Council (OCBWTC) in pursuing National Recreation Trail (NRT) recognition for the trails at Rookery Run.
LUHS class of 1963 set to hold its 60 year class reunion tomorrow in Minocqua
Pavek: ‘But ... we’re T-Birds ... we know how to fly!’
If you think your high school class is good with keeping in touch, you may want to think again. That’s because it’s evident that Lakeland Union High School’s (LUHS) graduating class of 1963 has mastered the art of high school reunions (that is, if you want to consider class reunions an art).
LUHS board sets its goals for 2023-24 school year
Goals expected to be approved at next regular board meeting
Lakeland Union High School’s (LUHS) board of education informally agreed on its goals for the 2023-24 school year during a committee of the whole meeting on Monday.
Presque Isle town board sets special election date
Wolter: ‘One of my thoughts was that our elections were always honest’
During a Sept. 7 meeting, the two-person Presque Isle town board scheduled the court ordered special election for town chairman on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
Fifield town board meets illegally behind closed doors over disciplined first responder
Board never voted to convene in closed session; faces possible legal challenges
During a Sept. 5 special meeting, the Fifield town board went behind closed doors and convened into “executive session” for about 20 minutes regarding the discipline of Pike Lake Fire Department first responder Mike Sloane.
NUUF presents Amour with second annual award honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On Aug. 27, the Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (NUUF) held a commemoration event at Minocqua’s 70 West Park Complex celebrating the 60th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Vilas forestry, recreation and land forwards resolution to create snowmobile safety sub-committee
First meeting tentatively scheduled for Oct. 11
The Vilas County board’s forestry, recreation and land committee Tuesday agreed to forward a resolution to the full board in order to create a snowmobile trail safety sub-committee.
Vilas County judge rules election re-do for Presque Isle town chair
How the special election will be administered leaves questions yet to be answered
Vilas County circuit court judge Martha Milanowski ordered a special election be held between incumbent town chairman John MacLean and former town clerk Lorine Walters during an oral ruling lasting about an hour on Aug. 31 in Eagle River.
Newbold town chairman shares community center project update
Newbold town chairman Dan Hess gave board members an update Aug. 31 on the town’s new community center and said it should be completed in about two months.
Veteran who lost both legs in Iraq to speak in Minocqua Sept. 19
Kriesel shares his story and how he now helps others overcome adversity
John Kriesel served in the Minnesota Army National Guard, and during his 2006 deployment to Iraq, his unit encountered a roadside bomb that exploded the vehicle he was in. It killed two of his close friends and left him without his legs.
Local medical professionals notice uptick in bee-related injuries
Rohaley and Goff offer advice on treating bee stings
Local medical professionals of Howard Young Medical Center, emergency department supervisor Jodi Rohaley and emergency department nurse Lori Goff, said they’ve definitely noticed an uptick in patients coming in with bee-related injuries this summer.
Vilas County court thanks jurors and highlights their importance
Since 2013, September has officially been deemed Juror Appreciation Month
Usually, it’s not the most exciting occasion when a person is notified they need to serve jury duty, but it is an important role citizens are called on to fill, as Vilas County circuit court’s clerk of courts Beth Soltow pointed out in a recent press release.