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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Manitowish Waters town board gets report on eurasian watermilfoil in town lakes
Special meeting to be held in order to secure funding to limit the aquatic invasive species
The Manitowish Waters town board on Wednesday received a report by Greg Holt, president of the Manitowish Waters Lakes Association, with regard to aquatic invasive species and, more specifically, efforts to curb the spread of eurasian watermilfoil in Manitowish Lake and Trout River.
Dr. Zevitz and cardiology
Part 3 of a series with HYMC
Heart-related deaths are all too common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person dies every 33 seconds because of it.
MHLT school board formally accepts principal’s resignation
Gruszynski: ‘A principal does not create a toxic culture’
The Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) School board of education held a meeting again Monday, making it three weeks in a row now it’s met to discuss staffing for the upcoming school year.
WEC issues decision on Sloane’s complaint against Cowling
Recall election tentatively scheduled for Aug. 27
The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) on Monday issued a decision with regard to a complaint filed by a Fifield town supervisor which asserted the decision to certify the petition to recall her by the town clerk was wrong.
Minocqua plan commission tables decision on proposed Mercer Lake Road land division
The Minocqua plan commission on Tuesday decided to table a one-lot certified survey map land division of land owned by Andrew Alesauskas near Mercer Lake Road and bisected by what plan commission chairman Mark Hartzheim said is a major artery of the area’s snowmobile trail system.
DOC addresses concerns of registered sex offenders working in the community
The Lakeland Times was contacted by a person recently who expressed strong concerns with regard to individuals on the state’s registered sex offenders list serving time at the McNaughton Correctional Center in Lake Tomahawk, yet are working in the community through a work-release program.
Newbold town board holds off on decisions related to employee evaluations and town right of ways
The Newbold town board didn’t make any formal decision with regard to doing employee evaluations during an Aug. 8 meeting, but town chairman Dan Hess indicated to The Lakeland Times after the meeting the board will likely begin doing evaluations again.
First responders called to Min-Aqua Bats ski show after skier hits boat
A Min-Aqua Bat was taken to Howard Young Medical Center Friday, Aug. 2, after losing balance and hitting a boat while being pulled into shore during the 7 p.m. ski show.
Four-town EMS district now licensed paramedic service with state
NEMSD board of directors talk meeting times and concern of public’s interest level
Dana Sechler, who is working in an interim capacity assisting the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD), said during a meeting on Tuesday the four-town emergency medical services (EMS) district in northwest Vilas County “is now officially licensed in the state of Wisconsin as a paramedic level ambulance service.”
MHLT principal announces to staff she will not return for upcoming school year
Board of education continues staffing discussion
The Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) School district board of education met in closed session on Monday to continue its discussion with regard to staffing for the 2024-25 school year.
Cowling files response to complaint filed against her with WEC by Fifield town supervisor
Sloane gets clarification to questions on recall, Kleinschmidt provides update
Fifield town clerk Crystal Cowling filed her response to Fifield town supervisor Ann Sloane’s July 25 complaint against her with the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC).
Fifield clerks resign, board approves interim clerk
The Field town board agreed to appoint Judy Reas as the interim clerk and treasurer during a meeting on Tuesday.
Permitting trend differs in Oneida County from Wisconsin metro, yet housing issues still prevail
Policy forum study offers little relief for future home availability
Simply put: housing availability is an issue. According to a recent report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, permits issued for multi-family units increased while permits for single-family units have been limited in the state’s largest cities — Madison and Milwaukee. The report prompted The Lakeland Times to contact the Oneida County planning and zoning department and the town of Minocqua. And the Times was told the trend in metro Wisconsin isn’t the case up north.
Sloane files complaint against Fifield town clerk with WEC
Fifield town supervisor seeks invalidation of certification and suspension of recall election
Fifield town supervisor, Ann Sloane, lodged a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) on July 25. She contested town clerk Crystal Cowling’s decision to deem the recall petition against her as sufficient, arguing that it’s not about persuasion but adherence to state law.
Man killed in single-vehicle accident in St. Germain
A single-vehicle accident occurred in the early morning hours in the town of St. Germain last Thursday, Aug. 1. The lone occupant, Travis Maki, 40 of Lac du Flambeau, died as a result.
Newly formed four-town Vilas County EMS district hires director and assistant director
The Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) board of directors recently agreed to hire two applicants to fill the newly formed director and assistant director positions.
Movie Review: Deadpool & Wolverine
Redemption for Marvel’s misfits
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is more of a Deadpool movie than a Wolverine movie. It’s also a movie about redemption. Most of all, though, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is a movie about Marvel misfits.
MHLT district grapples with staff retention amidst resignations and new hires
Ellis addresses parents’ allegations against principal, expresses optimism for future
The Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk School (MHLT) district board of education met in closed session on Tuesday and discussed its staffing situation for the upcoming school year.
Skubal wins NWYDHC bear tag drawing
Strasburg: ‘The youth hunt challenge doesn’t just stop at deer hunting’
Hazelhurst resident Tyson Skubal, 17, was the winner of this year’s Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge (NWYDHC) bear tag and guided hunt drawing.
Oneida County board of adjustment reverses April 3 denial of proposed controversial wellness center in Cassian
GLITC and town encouraged to work together
The Oneida County board of adjustment (BOA) on July 25 agreed to approve a conditional use permit (CUP) application submitted by the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) to build a 36-bed adolescent wellness center in the town of Cassian. The approval is a reversal of a decision made prior by the county’s planning and development committee.
LUHS German students embark on cultural odyssey: Journeying through Europe’s heart
From cafés to castles, concentration camps to culture: students gain new perspectives through authentic European experiences
German students at Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) last month went wheels up and took a trip overseas to visit Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein last month.
Fifield town board announces recall election
Sloane: ‘Do you believe that this was the right thing to do?’
Fifield town supervisor John Smith made a motion during a special meeting on Monday to “proceed with (a) recall election” with regard to town supervisor Ann Sloane’s seat, which was seconded by town chairman Bill Felch, though a call for the vote never occurred.
Carroll resigns from LUHS board of education
Board continues discussion of downsizing from nine members
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education member Pamela Carroll resigned from her Woodruff J1 area seat on the board. Her resignation went into effect July 1 and the board, “with regret,” acknowledged her resignation at its meeting on Monday.
Election date set for recall of Fifield town supervisor
Town clerk certified 187 of 196 signatures, only 139 were needed
A recall election date of Aug. 27 has been set to determine if Fifield town supervisor Ann Sloane will be voted off of the town board.
Fifield town board forwards situation involving Sloane’s husband to attorney
Fifield town supervisor John Smith confirmed with The Lakeland Times July 18, the town board, at its July 16 meeting, discussed in closed session another situation involving Mike Sloane, Pike Lake first responder and husband of town supervisor Ann Sloane.
MacLean’s PITLC overhaul attempt hits pause
Board tables discussion, advances draft committee ordinance to ordinance committee
The Presque Isle town board again postponed any decision with regard to the Presque Isle town lakes committee (PITLC), otherwise known as the aquatic invasive species and lake studies committee.
Northwoods lawmakers, sheriffs react to Trump assassination attempt
Former President Donald Trump was nearly shot dead on July 13 in the midst of a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Thatcher and tick-borne illness
Part 2 of a series with HYMC
Ticks are everywhere in the Northwoods. While lyme disease is the most popular tick-borne illness people hear about, there are a number of others a person can contract from tick bites — from anaplasmosis, the second most common tick-spread illness in Wisconsin, to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a less common illness for people in Wisconsin yet one of the most serious.
MHLT superintendent comments on retention
Parent claims there’s a ‘toxic environment’
Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk (MHLT) School superintendent Dr. Jim Ellis, in his report to the board of education during a meeting on Monday, commented on an evolving issue regarding retention of the district’s employees.
Wake ordinance committee created by Manitowish Waters town board
Six-member committee tasked with developing recommendation
The Manitowish Waters town board on July 9 agreed to create a six-member committee in order to develop an enhanced wake ordinance. Members of the committee, according to members of the board, are split evenly with regard to their feelings on the matter — meaning three of the members are wake boat advocates and the other three members oppose what’s been referred to as hazardous wakes those types of boats produce.
Pickleballers serve up trouble in Hazelhurst
Court crackdown costs town
Hazelhurst town chairman Ted Cushing said there’s an issue between pickleball and tennis players in town currently.
Minocqua plan commission approves permit for Ripco Credit Union
3 lot land division sparks forestry 1A zoning discussion
The Minocqua plan commission on Tuesday approved a sign permit application submitted by Don Kuechler and Real Estate Ent., LLC in order to display the logo of Ripco Credit Union, which will be housed in the strip mall building at 8744 U.S. Highway 51 and adjacent to Domino’s Pizza.
LUHS asking for community input to help paint a ‘Portrait of a Graduate’
Administration looks to develop vision statement to guide decision-making and help students succeed
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) administrators, until July 19, are seeking input from the community in order to develop an idea of characteristics and skill sets students should have upon their completion at LUHS.
Snowhawks provide the fireworks in walk-off win over Chicago All-Stars
Morien’s two-out, ninth-inning hit propels Lake Tomahawk to dramatic, come-from-behind victory
The Lake Tomahawk Snowhawks beat the Chicago All-Stars for the second straight year, which is a matchup traditionally played on the Fourth of July.
Presque Isle town board continues debate over town lakes committee
PITLC stays with two-members for now
The Presque Isle town board at its July 2 meeting continued to debate what to do, if anything, with the Presque Isle town lakes committee (PITLC).
Kleinschmidt provides update on Fifield town supervisor recall effort
Board continues facing questions regarding June 26, 2023 incident
Fifield deputy town clerk Kelly Kleinschmidt at the town board’s July 2 meeting briefly spoke to the recall effort of town supervisor Ann Sloane.
Dr. Jast and family medicine
It’s no secret that health care is struggling, especially in rural Wisconsin. In rural communities, health care facilities play extremely important roles.
Fifield town supervisor will challenge recall petition
Sloane’s attorney: Ebert checked wrong box, reasons given for recall are ‘vague’
Fifield town supervisor Ann Sloane has filed a challenge to the petition to recall her which was submitted to town clerk Cystal Cowling and deputy town clerk Kelly Kleinschmidt at the beginning of a June 18 town board meeting.