Presque Isle town board works on explaining tax levy debacle to taxpayers
The Presque Isle town board met for a special meeting on June 10 to work on a letter explaining to taxpayers the reason property owners may be receiving a partial refund. In 2024, the town agreed to join a four-town emergency medical services district (EMS) consisting of the other three towns of Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters and Winchester, and formally known as the Northwoods EMS District.
Sugar Camp man arrested for allegedly working with kids at elementary school
Will Nicoletti, 48, Sugar Camp, was arrested on June 5 after it was reported to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office he had been volunteering at an event put on by Sugar Camp Elementary School and was working with children four to 12 years old on June 4.
Manitowish Waters adopts ordinance to ban enhanced wakes on town lakes
Hanson indicates ordinance could be temporary, still wants compromise
Each time the Manitowish Waters town board has had the topic of enhanced wakes on its agenda, the town hall is packed with members of the public and Tuesday night was no different.
LUHS board reviews facilities committee work, asks for list of upgrades considered urgent
District could go to referendum in 2026, but decision is complicated
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education at a committee of the whole meeting Monday reviewed the progress of its facilities task team committee. What initially consisted of roughly 30 people from a variety of stakeholder groups, the committee was created in November of 2024 to review a report from Nexus Solutions — a company the district hired in 2023 to create a wide-ranging report examining the district’s facilities.
Former golf pro busted in human trafficking sting
Dan Buckley, 71, Rhinelander, was arrested on June 5 by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and is being charged with a class A misdemeanor for soliciting prostitution for sexual gratification. Court records show Buckley, a local realtor and former golf professional of Northwood Golf Club, appeared in Oneida County court on Monday for an initial appearance and Judge Michael Schiek ordered a $500 signature bond for him.
Two single-vehicle accidents, one fatal, back-to-back in Lakeland area on June 5
Two single-vehicle accidents occurred in the Lakeland area on June 5, one right before the other. The first accident was in Woodruff on County Highway J near the Carrol Lake Campground at approximately 11 a.m.
Presque Isle town board sheds light on $377K tax refund process
Special meeting tonight at 6 p.m. to continue discussions
The Presque Isle town board on June 5 received an update on the process of refunding taxpayers $377,191, which was the amount electors agreed to exceed the town’s levy limit by, though the board failed to take proper procedure and a subsequent audit by the state required the town to make a decision. That decision was to either refund taxpayers or keep the money, but have state funding withheld from the town for six years equal to the amount it exceeded the levy limit by.
Lac du Flambeau town board requesting speed limit change on Hwy. 47
Board agrees to increase ambulance fees
The Lac du Flambeau town board on June 4 agreed unanimously to request a speed limit change from 55 miles-per-hour (mph) to 35 mph for the stretch of State Highway 47 from Raven Lake Road to the existing school zone near downtown.
LUHS choir student recognized for state solo and ensemble performance
Schneider, a sophomore, also admitted to state honors choir
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) sophomore Miranda Schneider was awarded the Exemplary Performance award for a soprano solo, “Du Bist Di Rue,” which she performed for state solo and ensemble festivals coordinated by the Wisconsin School Music Association on May 3.
LUHS district doubles down on commencement speech in wake of criticism
Kolden: ‘I have no issues with her commencement speech’
The commencement speech given on Sunday by the valedictorian of Lakeland Union High School’s 2025 graduating class caused a stir in the community. At least two videos of the speech were posted to two separate Facebook groups with multiple comments in favor of and against what was said. The video was deleted from those facebook groups, but the commencement ceremony in its entirety remains on the district’s YouTube page.
Minocqua is re-advertising for new police chief
Board agrees to raise advertised salary as well
According to town supervisor Brian Fricke, the Minocqua town board on Tuesday didn’t take any action following an approximately half-hour closed session discussion related to hiring a new police chief.
Minocqua town board amending piers ordinance
With little discussion, the Minocqua town board on Tuesday agreed to waive the first reading of amendments to an ordinance that regulates piers or related structures extending from town right-of-way.
Lakeland Trap Team recaps successful regular season at end-of-the-year family shoot
The Lakeland Trap Team had a very successful season this year, going 9-0 in conference and having one of the best shooters in senior Ethan Schumacher score a conference high overall for a second consecutive year.
Meet Winchester’s new librarian
Huybrecht serving the community she’s from
A new library director began working at the Winchester Public Library this month. Adeline Huybrecht, 21, is a Winchester-native and Mercer High School graduate who recently finished college. She will replace assistant library director Blaze Burton who served as an interim director for the first half of the year after the passing of library director Betty Forster on Dec. 4, 2024.
‘That’s ridiculous’: Fifield assessor apologizes to Birchell amid lawsuit over targeted tax roll
An assessor who’s named in a lawsuit against a Fifield resident apologized to that resident during the town’s annual board of review meeting on May 20.
RHI celebrates inaugural United Express flight from Chicago O’Hare
Sackett: ‘It’s going to provide a ton of opportunities’
The Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (RHI) held a ceremony and ribbon cutting to celebrate the inaugural United Express flight touching down on May 22. The airport is now offering United Express flights to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport on a seasonal basis.
Price County addresses ‘porno’ at committee meeting, implements safeguards
The Price County board addressed during its May 20 meeting a recent incident that took place at one of its committee meetings earlier this month. Prior to the county board meeting, county sheriff Brian Schmidt issued a press release May 13 on the matter.
Musky opener is tomorrow, get your bucktails ready
Oele: Over 750 musky waters offers a little something for everyone
The Wisconsin musky season for the Northern Zone opens tomorrow, which means anglers will have an opportunity to catch one of the most elusive freshwater fish around until the season ends Dec. 31. Daniel Oele, who co-leads the state Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) musky team with Zach Lawson, has been targeting and studying muskies for about 15 years.
Minocqua town board reserves liquor license for West Chicago Avenue property
Town left with one liquor license after Tuesday’s meeting
The Minocqua town board at its Tuesday meeting agreed to reserve a liquor license for what the owner of the property on 201 West Chicago Avenue indicated is a work in progress and a ways away from being opened for business.
Swarmed with ticks
Two personal experiences with the nasty little parasites and my hope that others will take caution
From everything I’ve learned about ticks these past few years, the last thing I’d want is to have a swath of them on me, let alone one. From everything I’ve learned about ticks these past few years, the last thing I’d want is to have a swath of them on me, let alone one.
Presque Isle town board will continue to work with SIFT to satisfy Times’ records request
Information from special investigations company is with regard to Walters and computers issue
The Presque Isle town board on May 15 made multiple decisions with regard to obtaining a report from Madison-based Special Investigations & Forensic Technologies (SIFT) and a records request submitted by The Lakeland Times, which would include the town providing the newspaper with the SIFT report.
Minocqua man charged with wire fraud and money laundering in federal court
A 39-year-old Minocqua man has been charged with eight counts of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.
Enhanced wake debate going on ‘4 years’ now in Manitowish Waters
Board tables draft ordinance, Hanson in favor of 1-year ban, eager to see what state does
The Manitowish Waters town board has been discussing and debating the hot button issue of enhanced wake for roughly four years. On May 13, the board had a quite lengthy discussion among itself during a meeting it had following a half-hour public hearing.
Mental health summit in LdF highlights services in rural Wisconsin
Event sees high turnout, with 150 mental health professionals, health care providers and more attending
The Frank B. Koller Biennial Mental Health Summit was held in Lac du Flambeau on May 15. Roughly 150 mental health professionals, health care providers, educators and members of the community attended, which, according to one of the event’s lead organizers, Jessica Schiek, was a near record number.
Presque Isle struggles to satisfy Times’ records request
Vilas County Sheriff’s Office notifies town of complaint against them, board has trouble getting SIFT report
The Presque Isle town board addressed an open records request submitted by The Lakeland Times which includes a report from Madison-based Special Investigations & Forensic Technologies (SIFT) during a meeting on May 15.
LUHS teacher reprimanded after students clean his pontoon
District staff has ‘oral conference’ with Bachinski, who apologized
A Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) teacher asked his students “to clean and set up his personal watercraft” on May 6. Career and technical education teacher Jeff Bachinski, according to a summary of a subsequent “oral conference” the teacher had with interim district administrator Steve Kolden and assistant principal David Wineburner, said his second hour students “agreed to help.”
Sentencing hearing for Collins scheduled for Sept. 5
A sentencing hearing for Jacob Collins, 22 of Minocqua, was scheduled for Sept. 5 in Oneida County court at 1 p.m.
LUHS board approves summer school program
Thunderbird Fitness only course, trimester schedule helped with credit recovery during school year
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education approved on Monday the district’s summer school program. Interim district administrator Steve Kolden told board members the program would consist of only using the weight room.
Minocqua plan commission approves permits for new home decor business downtown
The Minocqua plan commission on Tuesday approved an administrative review permit (ARP) application and two sign permit applications for a new downtown business, Wild Embers Home Decor. As noted during the plan commission’s meeting, the location of the new business, 507 Oneida Street, was previously home to A Step Up, a different home decor business which moved to a new building.
Food truck debate heats up in Hazelhurst
Listening session draws crowd, board to consider proposal at June 10 meeting
Food trucks were a hot button topic in Hazelhurst last week. About 25 members of the public attended the town board’s May 7 meeting. Roughly half of those people provided the board with input — some were against letting food trucks operate in town, some were for.
Newbold town board declines to change speeds, post signs on Black Lake Road and others
Hess to contact sheriff’s office as first step instead
The Newbold town board had no opposition to town chairman Dan Hess saying he can contact the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office for additional presence on Black Lake Road and surrounding roads, as well as request a radar speed sign on that road.
Plastered with problems: Oneida County facilities committee tours courthouse
Chairman: Overheated judge’s chambers ‘unacceptable’
The Oneida County board’s county facilities committee met on Monday to tour the courthouse. Committee chairman Russ Fisher said the tour spanned nearly 40 minutes.
Vilas forestry committee going to bid spring timber sale
Sale consists of just over 1,000 acres with minimum value of $466,000
The Vilas County forestry, recreation and land committee approved at its May 6 meeting a 2025 spring timber sale prospectus. Forest administrator Chad Keranen said bids for the timber sale will be opened sometime early next month.
New librarian starting in Winchester soon
Celebration of life for Forster at library on June 7
Winchester town chairman Joe Discianno at the town’s annual meeting on Monday announced the town hired a new librarian, Winchester-native Adeline Huybrecht, who will start upon graduating college later this month.
Fifield town board will wait before ordering box bed
Board also shares update on land agreement and approves crack seal bid
The Fifield town board will need to wait for a budget report from its town crew to see if it can purchase a box bed for nearly $30,000 for one of its town trucks.
Winchester town board presents new town logo
The town of Winchester, after roughly two years, has decided on a new town logo. Town chairman Joe Discianno prefaced the situation at the town’s annual meeting on Monday.
Discianno and Logan provide Hwy. W road project update at Winchester annual meeting
Winchester town chairman Joe Discianno said at the town’s annual meeting on May 5 the road project on Highway W may be an “inconvenience” for everyone this summer, but indicated it will be worth it in the end.
Times alleges LUHS board violated state’s open meetings law
Board worked off different agenda than publicly posted one, item moved to closed session without notice
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education agreed after a closed session discussion on April 28 to accept the resignation of district business manager Eddie Then Jr., who was recently hired to be the business manager of the Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk school district next school year.
Presque Isle town board shares tax refund update
Peck, board members concerned over ‘rogue’ EMS expansion effort
The Presque Isle town board provided an update on the tax levy situation and its decision to refund taxpayers the $377,191 it planned to use to pay for the town’s participation in the four-town emergency medical services (EMS) district during a meeting on May 1.
Net Gains: Walleyes for Tomorrow efforts showing promise for natural reproduction on Minocqua chain
Male population appears to be up, however, overall totals seem to be down
Walleyes for Tomorrow, a non-profit organization with different chapters around the state, began its stocking efforts for the fourth straight year on the Minocqua chain.
Minocqua greenlights two tourist rentals, highlighting impotent local control in zoning debate
The Minocqua plan commission on Tuesday approved two administrative review permits (ARPs) for two dwellings to be rented as tourist rooming houses.
LUHS board talks facilities committee and need for better strategic plan
Gabert: It’s important to make a plan sustainable
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education discussed on Monday the facilities task team it created in November of 2024 to consider the district’s facilities and create a plan for the future in order to address any needed upgrades.
Boh pleads not guilty in fatal U.S. Hwy. 51 crash
A 23-year-old Arbor Vitae man charged with two counts of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle in connection with a three-vehicle fatal accident on U.S. Highway 51 last July pleaded not guilty during an April 14 arraignment in Oneida County court.
Johnson pleads not guilty in St. Germain homicide case
Judicial pretrial scheduled for July 15
The 56-year-old man who’s accused of killing his sister at their St. Germain home on March 21 appeared in Vilas County court for an arraignment on Monday and pleaded not guilty. James Johnson was suspected of killing his 61-year-old sister Kelly Johnson after Johnson’s other sister, who lived with them, came home to the victim wrapped in a blanket, legs tied with a yellow extension cord and covered in blood laying near the front porch of the 7100 State Highway 70 residence.
Business ticketed for bolting ads to Newbold stop signs
Board agrees to help spread the word of Wreaths Across America
Newbold town chairman Dan Hess told the rest of the town board during a meeting on April 24 a business has been contacted for affixing advertisements on town signs and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of what was happening.
‘Where’s my newspaper?’
Frustrated subscribers prompted the Times to GPS-track some editions
Some readers of The Lakeland Times have been contacting the newspaper office for more than two years now to explain they sometimes have to wait a month, or more, to get certain editions of their paid print subscription. Sometimes they never receive them at all.
Fifield firefighters face dirty dilemma
Ebert: ‘I’m concerned about the acrimony that’s going on in that department’
The Fifield town board at its April 15 meeting decided to let the Fifield fire department agendize and vote on whether or not it will pay for the fire house to be cleaned or have firefighters clean it.
Thorofare Bridge recast as the Manny Stein Memorial Bridge
Pike Lake Chain Lakes Association suggests change, commits to pay for signage
The Fifield town board at an April 15 meeting agreed to rename the Thorofare Bridge the Manny Stein Memorial Bridge. Pike Lake resident Leonard “Manny” Stein passed away at the age of 89 this year on March 24.
Johnson pleads not guilty in St. Germain homicide case
Judicial pretrial scheduled for July 15
The 56-year-old man who’s accused of killing his sister at their St. Germain home on March 21 appeared in Vilas County court for an arraignment on Monday and pleaded not guilty.
Presque Isle will refund taxpayer dollars planned to pay for EMS district
By doing so, reauthorization to exceed levy will be needed
The Presque Isle town board, with town chairman Al Eschenbauch presiding over his first meeting after the April 1 election, decided to refund taxpayers the $377,191 voters authorized the board to exceed the tax levy by in November of 2024 during a meeting on April 17.