LUHS students engage in advocacy project
Teachers: Students wrote about issues that genuinely interest them
Some Lakeland Union High School students who took civics this year with teachers Jeremy Seehafer and Matt Roeder wrote letters to the editor.
Jopek Stetson awarded to newly enlisted cavalry soldiers in honor of Ryan Jopek
Specialist Marlee Strysiek gets the Jopek Stetson for ‘selfless dedication’ and ‘willingness to go above and beyond’
The Jopek Stetson is an award given annually to a newly enlisted member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 105th Cavalry Regiment.
Presque Isle approves controversial hazardous wake ordinance amid heated debate
Tensions flare over committee appointments in the aftermath of the ordinance’s passage
The Presque Isle town board on May 16 agreed to adopt ordinance 2024-1, subchapter 507 as submitted by the ordinance committee. The ordinance is with regard to regulating hazardous or enhanced wakes on town lakes and it’s been a contentious issue the town has been dealing with for the last few years.
Boulder Junction Shooting Range has plenty to offer
Club gets donation in memory of long-time member Mike Manske
The Boulder Junction Shooting Range is a non-profit organization working in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources and is open to everyone. It’s occupied the land it sits on, 10449 Nebish Road, since 1975.
Minocqua plan commission recommends approval for rezone petition, certified survey map
The Minocqua plan commission recommended approval for a rezone petition submitted by applicant Jacob Anderson to convert a split-zoned parcel of land near the Minocqua Park Complex on Highway 70 west from residential and retail zoning to business B-2 zoning during a meeting on May 14.
North Lakeland School Board gets project update
North Lakeland School superintendent Brent Jelinski provided the school board with an update on the district’s building projects during its meeting on May 13.
Manitowish Waters town board may have breached open meetings law
Lengthy ATV/UTV discussion started by town chairman occurs, though it wasn’t on agenda
The Manitowish Waters town board had a wide-ranging discussion lasting nearly 40 minutes with regard to if all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) should be allowed on town roads during its meeting on Monday.
Manitowish Waters town board will side with majority on ATV/UTV issue
Referendum or survey paid for by club suggested
The Manitowish Waters town board, under agenda item “subjects from the floor,” didn’t make a formal decision on anything, but it did discuss its stance on allowing all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and utility task vehicles (UTV) on public roads.
LUHS board gives nod to fundraising committee for campus upgrades
Smudde expected to lead committee of community members
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education informally agreed at a May 13 committee of the whole meeting to form a committee.
Timber! Facebook rumors fall flat as trees, come down
No development planned, just lumberjacks for land south of Paul Bunyan
A recent Facebook rumor has people assuming some sort of development, like lakeside condos, will be constructed at the property just south of the Paul Bunyan Cook Shanty. That’s not true, however.
Newbold town board unanimously adopts enhanced wake ordinance amendment
Effective date of May 18, with signage to be posted at all boat landings
The Newbold town board, with a unanimous vote of 5-0, adopted a resolution to amend its town ordinance chapter 11.09 to include regulations regarding artificially enhanced wakes.
Fifield town board authorizes new truck purchase for Pike Lake Fire Department
Smith dissents, Felch and Sloane give go-ahead
The Fifield town board at its May 7 meeting authorized the Pike Lake Fire Department to purchase a new mini pumper fire truck.
Arbor Vitae, Woodruff town boards agree to Brandy Park upgrades
The Arbor Vitae and Woodruff town boards held a joint meeting with the Brandy Park Commission on May 7.
The WOF releases 100 tickets for Dr. Temple Grandin
The presentation is May 24 at the Campanile Center for the Arts
The Walter Olson Fund has decided to release 100 tickets to the general public at a price of $20 each for a presentation by Dr. Temple Grandin at the Campanile Center for the Arts on Friday, May 24, in Minocqua. It will begin at 6 p.m.
Presque Isle town board talks Zoom again
$150,000 allocated for search and rescue vehicle
The Presque Isle town board remains split on the idea of how to use Zoom for town meetings.
Fifield resident resubmits forms to circulate recall petition for Sloane
Town attorney said first submission was ‘deficient,’ signatures will need to be collected again
Fifield resident Dave Ebert had to resubmit a statement of intent to circulate a recall petition in order to collect signatures with hopes of the town holding a recall election for town supervisor Ann Sloane.
2010 biopic of Temple Grandin offers better understanding of autism, shares inspiring story
The movie “Temple Grandin” starring Claire Danes showcases just how special the autistic mind can be. It’s a biopic written by Temple Grandin herself, Margaret Scariano and Christopher Monger.
Wake ordinance trudges on in Presque Isle
Board will take it up yet again at its next meeting this month; committee appointments process an issue
The Presque Isle town board decided at a May 2 meeting to bring back a draft ordinance with regard to hazardous or enhanced wakes at its May 16 meeting.
Trailblazing Lakeland educator inducted into hall of honor
Dana reflects on her impactful journey in Outcome Based Education
Former long-time Lakeland educator Hannah (Bonnie) Dana was recently informed she had been named to the International Network for Outcome Based Education’s (IN40BE) Hall of Honor.
Scrobell presents story of ‘Sister’ Margaret Walsh and the St. Augustine Hospital
Library and museum kick-off local history series
In partnership with the Minocqua Museum, the Minocqua Public Library is hosting discussions focusing on local history.
Chicago natives unwind in Minocqua with tick-tock business
Family wants to keep all clocks going
The concept of time can be complicated when a person really thinks about it. So too can be the instruments that keep track of it.
Oneida County Deer Advisory Council annual meeting in Woodruff Thursday
Members of the public who care about the county’s deer herd are encouraged to attend
The Oneida County Deer Advisory Council will meet at the Woodruff town hall Thursday for its annual meeting at 6 p.m.
Report shows ATV/UTV industry booming in Wisconsin
WATVA: The economic future for ATVs and UTVs in the state is bright
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use is, for obvious reasons, popular in the Northwoods. Many communities in the Lakeland area dedicate time and resources to accommodate riders and it may be paying dividends.
LUHS board gets update on complex upgrades
Board agrees to pay $35,000 for fieldhouse storage upgrades
Lakeland Union High School’s (LUHS) board of education received an update at its April 22 meeting on the district’s complex upgrades occurring now on the west-side of campus and includes new bleachers, press box, practice football field and parking lot, among other things.
‘Civil War’ is a cohesive story through war-ridden America
“Civil War” is a dystopian thriller that follows a group of reporters and photojournalists looking to get an exclusive scoop by driving through a war zone from New York City to Washington D.C.
LUHS board approves compensation plan with 4.12 percent increase
Board reorganizes, Smudde proposes more productive, less stressful way
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education approved an employee compensation plan for 2024-25 during its meeting Monday at a difference of about $346,000, which is a 4.12 percent increase to the district’s salaries from last year. New board president Shawn Umland was the dissenting vote and new board members Lisa Schuman and Ed Schaub Jr. abstained.
Presque Isle town chairman suggests preventive measures for squatters
Vilas County supervisor Richard Logan to ‘ask around’
Presque Isle town chairman John MacLean shared an anecdote about squatters in a North Lakeland community and brought the issue of squatting to the town board’s attention at an April 18 meeting.
Manitowish Waters town board looks to upgrade ball field
Spring refill of Rest Lake dam begins
The Manitowish Waters town board will look to upgrade the town’s baseball field.
Fifield town board cautioned for ‘use of position in communications’
Notice of injury and claim filed against town tabled until May
The Fifield town board was cautioned with regard to elected officials’ or town employees’ use of position in communications during its meeting April 16.
Signatures being collected to recall Fifield town supervisor
Fifield resident David Ebert filed a statement of intent to circulate a recall petition in hopes of holding a recall election for town supervisor Ann Sloane.
Presque Isle town board contemplates in-person and Zoom meeting options for committees
Board takes no action, could devise process and approve it at future meeting
A wide-ranging discussion with regard to committee meeting access, treating people attending meetings via Zoom differently than those who attend in-person and if having meetings solely on Zoom and not in-person is OK took place among the Presque Isle town board and members of the audience during an April 18 board meeting.
Lakeland Sanitary District approves sewer rate increase
The Lakeland Sanitary District approved a sewer rate increase during its meeting on April 15.
Walleyes for Tomorrow walleye wagon kicks off for third year on Minocqua Chain
Volunteers seek a better natural reproduction cycle
For the third consecutive year, the Walleyes for Tomorrow Headwaters Basin chapter has undertaken efforts to rebuild a natural reproduction cycle of walleyes in the Minocqua Chain of Lakes.
Minocqua named snowmobile friendly community by AWSC
Minocqua is birthplace of AWSC
On Tuesday, the town of Minocqua was presented with signs declaring it a “Snowmobile Friendly Town” by the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC).
Trig’s bagger named Wisconsin’s best, competed at nationals in March
Powers: ‘I’m gonna try again’
Trig’s is seemingly a Northwoods staple, as it’s maintained a presence since the 1970s and currently operates four grocery stores in Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua and Tomahawk.
Winchester town board seeks clarification on hazardous wake amendments
Board authorizes Phillips to speak with attorney and DNR warden
The Winchester town board met Tuesday for a regular meeting and decided to seek clarification on procedures with regard to making amendments to a hazardous wake ordinance passed last month.
Godlewski settles into first year as Wisconsin’s secretary of state
Importance of office, challenges highlighted
Wisconsin secretary of state Sarah Godlewski will admit she wasn’t expecting the appointment from Gov. Tony Evers after longtime secretary of state Doug La Follette resigned around this time last year.
Hazelhurst town board looking into illegal disposal at town landfill
DOT grants town land by Bearskin Trail
The Hazelhurst town board discussed an ongoing “investigation” into people illegally dumping leaf and brush at the town landfill during its April 9 meeting.
Newbold town chairman prefaces tourist rooming house ordinance
Newbold town chairman Dan Hess gave his plan commission report after the town board approved an administrative review permit at its April 11 meeting.
Construction begins on Minocqua bridge to Manitou Park Drive
A set completion date of July 18
Road construction started last Friday on U.S. Highway 51 from the Minocqua bridge to Manitou Park Drive.
Minocqua housing and labor committee answers questions ahead of annual meeting
Electors will be asked to authorize town to purchase property for seasonal workforce housing
The Minocqua town board’s committee on housing and labor held a meeting on Tuesday, where committee members provided an update related to pursuing seasonal worker housing and fielded questions from members of the public. The committee also took action; recommending the board look into creating tax incremental districts to incentivize developers.
Vilas forestry gets update on finalization of land purchase in Plum Lake and Conover
County snowmobile alliance not in favor of shared use terms being changed
The Vilas County board’s forestry, recreation and land committee received an update on the closing of a purchase of land in Plum Lake and Conover during its April 2 meeting.
Minocqua plan commission OKs BP signage for County Line Station
The Minocqua plan commission on Tuesday approved three sign permits submitted by applicant Virginia McFarland and for the County Line Station off of Highway 70 west.
Newbold town board holds public hearing on enhanced wake ordinance
Board expected to consider adopting draft in May
The Newbold town board held a public hearing on April 6 with regard to enacting a draft enhanced wake ordinance for all town lakes under 1,500 acres and lakes “spanning town boundaries but with over 60 (percent) of their shoreline in Newbold.”
Minocqua town board discusses new zoning districts possibility
Board to review draft shipping container ordinance and Fried to get update from county on camping issues
The Minocqua town board at its April 3 meeting discussed the possibility of the county forming additional zoning districts to address certain things like shipping containers and camping.
Temple Grandin to visit Minocqua in May
Dr. Temple Grandin, a prominent figure with regard to autism and animal behavior, will give a presentation to the medical and educational community and the general public on Friday, May 24, at the Campanile Center for the Arts in Minocqua at 6 p.m. Admission for the general public will be $20 per ticket.
Birchell files lawsuit against town alleging Fifield town supervisor directed targeted assessment
$50,000 in damages sought
Fifield resident Tom Birchell is suing the town of Fifield, alleging town supervisor Ann Sloane “acted arbitrarily, dishonestly and with bias by directing the assessor for the Town of Fifield, Walt Hughes, to target (him) in regard to his property tax roll and assessment” and pursuant to Wis. Stat. §893.80.
Presque Isle town board sends wake ordinance to committee again
Town chairman says he hopes his concerns will be considered
The Presque Isle town board directed its ordinance committee to review a draft ordinance regarding hazardous wakes again during a meeting Monday. The agenda referred to ordinance 507 as the “Wake Boat Ordinance.”
A Rising STAR student forms friendship with local business owner
Kopp: ‘He’s become very special to me’
An unexpected friendship formed between a member of the Rising STAR Transition Center and the owner of a local business in Minocqua.
LUHS, AV town board member on track for full recovery
Pamela Carroll, member of the Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education and Arbor Vitae town board, encountered a cardiac event the night of March 26.