Oneida forestry schedules special meeting to make final say on trail opening
Snowmobile council voted 6-4 to open, but 7-vote threshold not met
The Oneida County board’s forestry land and recreation committee issued an agenda on Jan. 24 to hold a meeting Monday in order to make a decision overriding the county forestry department’s and Oneida County Snowmobile Council’s decision not to open the trail system earlier that same day.
LUHS students shine at all-state choir event
Bridgwater and Pitzer close out the night with state treble choir
Two Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) students traveled to Appleton Jan. 10-11 to perform in one of seven Wisconsin Choral Directors Associations’ all-state choirs. According to LUHS vocal music director Briannah Wanca, seniors Samantha Bridgwater and Sydney Pitzer were among the 637 students who participated in the event at Lawrence University.
Mercer looks to have ambulance service up and running soon
Town chairman says town is close to getting state license, next step is for DOT to inspect vehicles
The town of Mercer is close to having an ambulance service back up and running, according to town chairman Eric Snow. Speaking to The Lakeland Times on Tuesday, Snow said the town is “very close” to obtaining a state license to operate an ambulance service.
LUHS board to consider upgrading videotaping of meetings
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) interim district administrator Steve Kolden, in his report to the board of education during a Monday meeting, indicated he was wondering what the board would want to do with regard to recording board meetings.
LUHS board talks policy change for facility use by organizations
Depending on intentions of use, parties could be charged
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education at its Monday meeting approved a number of policy updates as recommended by its policy committee. One policy it reviewed more in-depth, however, was with regard to setting prices for those wanting to use the district’s facilities.
LUHS board approves gymnastics co-op with Northland Pines
Northland Pines school board to consider agreement Monday
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Monday agreed to approve a co-op agreement for the school’s gymnastics team next year. This year, due to low participation, the school didn’t have a team.
Four-town EMS district comes to life
First call on Jan. 16 went ‘perfectly’
The Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) is officially up and running. On Jan. 16, NEMSD paged out for the first time at 8:46 a.m. for a medical emergency in Winchester. NEMSD first responders were en route at 8:48 a.m.
Manitowish Waters town supervisors split on wake ordinance
Town chairman makes decision to send draft of ‘total ban ... of wake surfing’ to DNR
Manitowish Waters town supervisors Lynn Schroeder and Doug Zeise were on opposite sides of the decision to send a draft ordinance to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) during a town board meeting on Jan. 14.
Manitowish Waters town board gives initial go-ahead to wake ordinance
Proposed ordinance would ban activity on all town lakes
The Manitowish Waters town board on Tuesday took the first step in creating an “ordinance controlling wake surfing.”
Dr. Richards and emergency medicine
Emergencies are unavoidable and happen all too often. So what happens when a person or family does encounter a medical emergency? For starters, it’s critical an emergency room with qualified staff is in a community to be there to help.
Egg prices are high and could continue throughout the year
WGA president optimistic supply will rebound, prices will ease
Eating omelets for breakfast or baking a lot? If so, then you’ve probably noticed the higher prices on all those eggs you buy. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), egg prices increased over the course of 2024 and could continue to increase if an avian flu persists in flocks across the country.
The Little Forest School aims to start serving North Lakeland community by March
Childcare center works to bridge gap left by October closure
A new childcare facility is in the works for residents of Manitowish Waters and the greater North Lakeland area. What’s being called the “Little Forest School” is being created to fill in the gap left by the previous childcare facility housed at Camp Jorn.
Focus groups held at LUHS for district administrator search
Board: Ideal candidate will be collaborative, but decisive
Board: Ideal candidate will be collaborative, but decisive
Presque Isle town board agrees to bring computers investigation to an end
Info on investigation town chairman compiled to be posted to town website
Presque Isle town chairman John MacLean at the town board’s Jan. 7 meeting read a report he prepared with what he said were the findings of the Special Investigations and Forensic Technologies (SIFT) company the town hired in the spring of 2023.
Lake Tomahawk town board adopts resolution opposing mining in county
The Lake Tomahawk town board unanimously agreed at its Jan. 8 meeting to adopt a resolution signifying the town doesn’t support mining in Oneida County. Town chairman George DeMet said he placed the resolution item on the agenda for the board to vote on.
Snowmobiling biggest winter draw, but no snow yet
Business owners cautiously optimistic
The Lakeland area thrives on up-north fun year-round. During the warmer months, the streets are bustling with out-of-towners exploring downtown shops or dining at local restaurants, and the lakes are teeming with activity. But when winter arrives, the local economy depends on winter sport enthusiasts: ice fishermen, fat tire bikers, snowshoers, and, most notably, snowmobilers.
More than 400 attend annual Northwoods Deer Hunt Challenge banquet
Strasburg: This year ‘went really well’ with lots of new faces, new hunters
The Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge has been unique to the area for just over two decades now. Each year, young hunters who are licensed from ages 10 to 18 years old (as long as they’re a senior in high school) can participate by signing up for the fall deer hunting seasons.
Mercer Area Ambulance ceases services to town
Joustra says town ‘made the decision’ and Mercer Area Ambulance and Rescue ‘did not’
Mercer Area Ambulance and Rescue notified the town on New Year’s Eve it would not be servicing the town and surrounding communities effective immediately at the start of 2025, according to a press release issued by town chairman Eric Snow.
Northwoods Wildlife Center urges aluminum donors to follow sorting guidelines amid recycling issues
The Northwoods Wildlife Center, a Minocqua-based non-profit focused “to provide a better future for wildlife through rehabilitation, education and research,” accepts aluminum donations which are taken to a recycling center in order to financially assist the organization.
Cross Country Cruisers celebrate 55 years
Snowmobile club’s biggest fundraiser in Arbor Vitae Jan. 17-18
The Cross Country Cruisers Snowmobile Club (CCC), based out of Arbor Vitae, is turning 55 years old this year. One of the state’s oldest and largest clubs, it’s looking forward to celebrating with its biggest fundraiser of the year, SnoFest, Jan. 17-18.
Minocqua plan commission approves rental for Oakfire Properties
New restaurant proposal possible for space that formerly housed Oakfire Pizza
The Minocqua plan commission on Monday approved an administrative review permit (ARP) application submitted by David Scotney, owner of Oakfire Properties Minocqua LLC, to convert the second floor of the building that formerly housed Oakfire Pizza into a tourist rooming house for rentals of no less than 30 consecutive days.
Local snowmobile clubs remind riders trails are still closed
Riding on closed trails could be detrimental to the trail system
Snowmobile trails in Oneida and Vilas counties aren’t open yet. According to Minocqua Forest Riders Snowmobile Club president Jerry Wakefield, trails, on average, aren’t opened up until after the first of the new year. He said that was shown in a study done “a couple years ago.”
NEMSD agrees to send out 12 full-time job offers
Four town EMS district in Vilas County on track to be operational middle to late January
The Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) is on track to begin its operations as planned by middle to late January of 2025. NEMSD board of directors, following a closed session portion of its Dec. 23 meeting, agreed to have its chief, Jason Joling, send out offers to 12 different applicants for full-time positions “within the pay-plans that we already approved.”
Ducks Unlimited Lakeland area chapter to hold inaugural banquet
Money raised to help with waterfowl conservation
A Ducks Unlimited Lakeland area chapter was created this year in order to fundraise and support the nationally renowned nonprofit whose mission is to support waterfowl hunting by way of conservation, as well as being a voice for duck hunters in Washington D.C.
Fifield residents sound off over increased taxes
Board says 27% increase is paying town’s debt
Two Fifield residents raised concerns at a Dec. 17 town board meeting about tax bills recently received. While the topic of tax bills wasn’t on the board’s meeting agenda, a discussion between town officials and residents Tom Birchell and Robert Lobermeier occurred at the beginning of the meeting in public comment.
Oneida County public works committee considers highway department upgrades
The Oneida County public works and solid waste committee met on Dec. 19 and reviewed next steps for potential renovations for the county’s highway department in Rhinelander.
LUHS improves on district report card from last year
District hard to compare with others in Wisconsin
Lakeland Union High School’s (LUHS) district report card showed improvement this year with an overall score of 53.8. That’s a step up from last year’s score of 48.6, which was deemed at the time by former district administrator Bob Smudde as the lowest score in the state.
Minocqua town board approves concept for turn lane onto Blue Lake Road
Fried: It’s a ‘safety project’
The Minocqua town board during its meeting Tuesday approved the concept of installing a turn lane off of U.S. Highway 51 S. onto Blue Lake Road for an estimated cost of $60,000.
LUHS board gets recap of facilties task team’s first meeting
Kolden: List of priorities should be created first
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education received an update on a facilities task team committee created last month to consider the district’s facilities and create a plan for the future in order to address any needed upgrades.
Manitowish Waters town board sets date for wake boat ordinance hearing
Zeise appointed as interim town supervisor
The Manitowish Waters town board will conduct a public hearing on Jan. 14 to gather community input for crafting a wake boat ordinance.
NEMSD board of directors work on benefits package to start staffing district
NEMSD has yet to hear back from Oneida County on proposed agreement
Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD) board of directors president John Hanson said the most important item the board of directors worked on during its Dec. 10 meeting was a benefit package that will be offered to future employees.
Newbold town board continues work on tourist rooming house ordinance
Taxpayers will have opportunity to offer input
The Newbold town board continued to work on a proposed tourist rooming house ordinance during its Dec. 12 meeting. The process of creating the ordinance, according to town chairman Dan Hess, began around April of this year.
Hazelhurst town board agrees to sell two plows
Cushing: ‘There’s no point of having them if they’re just laying there doing nothing’
The Hazelhurst town board agreed to let the town crew sell two of its plows during a meeting on Dec. 10.
Kolden suggests LUHS offer remote learning option
Online learning said to save district money it would otherwise lose
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) interim district administrator Steven Kolden proposed to the board of education at a committee of the whole meeting Monday to implement a virtual learning option for students. He asked board members if any of them heard of Wisconsin Rural Virtual Academy (RVA).
Minocqua firefighters ‘still make house calls’
A Thanksgiving stove fire extinguished
Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and one Minocqua resident was reminded just how thankful she is of those who came to save the day on Nov. 28. For Connie Campbell, it all started when she was preheating her oven to make garlic sticks. She said she hadn’t even gotten them on the baking sheet yet when a fire in her oven began.
Presque Isle town board authorizes skid-steer and patrol truck purchases
Board formally adopts 2025 budget
The Presque Isle town board authorized the purchases of a skid-steer and patrol truck for its town crew during a special meeting on Dec. 9. Roughly, the cost estimates are $47,000 for the skid-steer and $90,000 for the truck.
Presque Isle town board receives presentation on TeleHealth option
Audit of town finances to be completed, finance committee to meet next month
The Presque Isle town board at its Dec. 5 meeting received a presentation for a TeleHealth opportunity by John McGeshick of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and John Page, founder of GKIM TeleHealth.
Plum Lake town board tables post office plowing request
Board approves steam pressure washer purchase
The Plum Lake town board at its Dec. 4 meeting decided to hold off on making any commitment to plow snow for parking spaces at the Sayner post office.
2024 deer hunting season is a wrap!
A year I’ll never forget
That’s all she wrote for the 2024 deer hunting season for me. It was one hell of a ride and a journey I’ll never forget. This season will undoubtedly be hard to top for a number of reasons.
Fifield electors decline to authorize board to exceed tax levy
The additional $200,000 would’ve been used for ‘future equipment purchases and operation of the town’
Fifield electors, during a special town meeting Nov. 19, declined to give the town board authorization to exceed the town’s tax levy limit in the 2025 budget.
New fire chief appointed in Pike Lake
Metz: Getting volunteers is biggest challenge
Fifield town clerk Angie Richardson on Tuesday swore in Daniel Metz as Pike Lake Fire Department’s new chief. Pike Lake Fire Department is also referred to as the town of Fifield’s station two, though it operates separately from the Fifield Fire Department.
Presque Isle electors authorize levy to exceed allowable increase
Additional money going towards four-town EMS district
Presque Isle electors on Nov. 26 authorized the town board to adopt a tax levy increase exceeding the allowable levy increase capped by the state. The additional tax dollars will be used for the town’s share of the Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District (NEMSD), which is the consolidation of emergency medical services (EMS) between the towns of Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle and Winchester.
Woodruff town board gives fire department go-ahead to pursue truck
The Woodruff Fire Department was given the go-ahead by the town board on Nov. 26 to pursue a used fire truck being sold by the town of Algoma. Town chairman Mike Timmons said the truck is a 2011 model and described it as a “pumper/equipment vehicle.”
Operation Santa completes a successful coat drive
The non-profit provides coats, hats and mittens to area students
Operation Santa, a non-profit working to help members of the community during the holiday season, held a coat drive from the middle of October to the beginning of November. Recently, it provided those coats to area students.
Locals head down south to help those affected by hurricanes
Clothing, food and generators, among other items, get in the hands of those who need it most
Lakeland locals headed down south last month in order to drop off supplies and assist those affected by hurricanes earlier in the fall. On Oct. 20, Sarah Knowles, her father Kelly Knowles, Kennedy Esposito and Kelly Kirst took two vehicles loaded with supplies to Asheville, North Carolina.
Boulder Junction electors authorize levy to exceed limit
Additional tax dollars will help fund consolidated EMS district
The Boulder Junction town board, after a budget hearing and during a special town meeting of electors on Nov. 21, received authorization to adopt the town’s tax levy and budget for 2025.
Manitowish Waters town supervisor to resign at year’s end
Board and clerk will appoint Farrell’s replacement to serve remainder of term
Manitowish Waters town supervisor Joan Farrell announced her intentions of not running for re-election to the board during a Nov. 19 meeting. Farrell was appointed to the board in September of 2023 after former town supervisor Bob Becker resigned following his re-election to the board earlier that spring.
Presque Isle town board talks roofing repairs for town facilities
2025 budget hearing and special meeting of electors tonight at 6 p.m.
The Presque Isle town board at its Nov. 21 meeting discussed replacing roofs for a number of town facilities, including the town hall, fire barn, bathrooms and concession stand at the town ball field.
Manitowish Waters electors authorize levy to exceed limit
Additional tax dollars will help fund consolidated EMS district
The Manitowish Waters town board received authorization by town electors on Nov. 19 to exceed the town’s tax levy limit in order to fund its share of the Northwoods Emergency Management Services District (NEMSD).
LUHS board chooses school board association for administrator search
Facilities committee formally approved
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education on Monday decided to go with the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) to conduct its district administrator search. The decision to go with WASB over CESA 12 and Howard, Young, Attea (HYA) Associates came after a closed session discussion at the end of the board’s regular monthly meeting.