Presque Isle town board to ask electors for authorization to exceed levy limit

Last week, on Nov. 9, Presque Isle’s two-person town board agreed to adopt a resolution in order to ask the town’s electors to authorize a tax levy increase for 2023, to be collected in 2024.

Winchester town board will ask electors to exceed tax levy increase

Special town meeting scheduled Nov. 27

The Winchester town board, at its Nov. 6 meeting, adopted a resolution in order to ask electors to authorize a property tax levy increase exceeding limits imposed by state law.

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Carani will serve as Minocqua’s next fire chief

Sworn-in at Nov. 7 town board meeting

Richard Carani was sworn-in as new fire chief for the town of Minocqua at the start of the Nov. 7 town board meeting.

Presque Isle town board authorizes loan, signs MOU and contribution agreement for broadband

The Presque Isle town board, during a Nov. 2 meeting, adopted a resolution in order to borrow $328,000 from the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands to finance the installation of broadband.

Fiber Friends to provide MPL with Giving Tree this winter season

The Giving Tree will offer winter clothing items to help community keep warm

The Fiber Friends is a group which meets in the community room of the Minocqua Public Library every Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. Members of the group describe it as laidback and informal.

Winchester town board to send draft wake boat ordinance to attorney

Will go to DNR next, another public hearing likely

The Winchester town board agreed to send a draft wake boat ordinance to its town attorney for review during a Nov. 6 meeting.

LUHS cancels school Monday after roofing failure

20-plus year roof caused water leak

After needing to cancel school last Thursday, Nov. 2, because of a gun threat posted to social media, Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) had to cancel school again on Monday.

Presque Isle town supervisor to hand over town computers to county, state investigators

Residents voice concerns and suggestions

While the campaigns for incumbent town chairman John MacLean and his challenger former town clerk Lorine Walters heat up for a Nov. 14 special election, a contentious laptop issue playing out among the two-person town board continues.

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Lac du Flambeau school caps off an anti-bullying week with three guest speakers

Packers legend Dorsey Levens gives students advice

October is bully prevention month, and Lac du Flambeau Public School celebrated with a series of activities last week, Oct. 23-27, capped off on Friday with three guest speakers, one of which was Packers hall-of-fame running back and Super Bowl XXXI champion Dorsey Levens.

Gun on social media prompts Nov. 2 shutdown at LUHS

Woodruff Police forward felony charge of ‘terrorist threats’ for review

Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) administrators called off school Nov. 2 due to an image of a gun posted to social media the night before.

Minocqua plan commission approves two certified survey maps near Squirrel Lake

Last week, on Oct. 31, the Minocqua plan commission recommended approval for two certified survey maps for parcel divisions near Squirrel Lake. Both were submitted by Maines & Associates on behalf of the clients.

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Lake Tomahawk Bible Church opens its doors in new home this weekend

For more than three years, the church and community built it debt free

Members of the Lake Tomahawk Bible Church will be able to attend service in their own new building this weekend, 6706 State Highway 47.

Manitowish Waters town board authorizes $300,000 short-term borrowing

A town-owned multi-unit hangar planned for next year

The Manitowish Waters town board, during a special meeting Monday, agreed to borrow $300,000 for the design and engineering of a town-owned multi-unit hangar at its airport.

Parent of LUHS student attacked in May frustrated by continued harassment

District advises parent to forward matter to law enforcement

On May 17, a video of a Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) student being thrown to the ground and repeatedly punched in the head in the entrance of one of the school’s bathrooms was posted publicly on social media.

Newbold: ‘Where nature and tranquility meet’

Town board chooses new slogan, continues work on new logo

With a new community center being nearly finished, the Newbold town board has decided to create a new slogan and logo as well.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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‘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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.