Boulder Junction at a ‘crossroads’ again with ATVs/UTVs on town roads
Debate’s been going on for 7 years, both sides want it to end, but with different endings
Even though nothing regarding all terrain vehicles (ATVs) or utility task vehicles (UTVs) was listed on the Boulder Junction town board’s Sept. 23 meeting agenda, roughly 50 people showed up to presumably talk about it.
It’s a PRAT: Who in Minocqua will be affected?
‘Tourist’ tax won’t be enacted until July 1, 2026 at the earliest
In July, the state legislature approved the state’s 2025-26 biennial budget, included in it was the authorization for the town of Minocqua to declare itself a premiere resort area and implement a half-percent premiere area resort tax (PRAT).
Hazelhurst town board seeking authorization to exceed tax levy limit
Electors’ meeting scheduled for Oct. 7
The Hazelhurst town board agreed at a special meeting on Sept. 18 to ask electors for authorization to exceed the town’s tax levy limit. The board did so by way of approving a resolution.
Presque Isle town board approves new play structure at Pipke Park
Zoom policy tabled for further review
The Presque Isle town board at its Sept. 18 meeting agreed to allow the addition of a new “play structure” at Pipke Park.
Pro fishermen stop at MHLT to entertain the kids
Major League Fishing holds team event in Minocqua, tournament winds down today
Major League Fishing (MLF), which includes the Bass Pro Tour circuit, held a tournament in Minocqua this week, the Knighten Industries Heritage Cup presented by Bass Boat Technologies. It’s the second of four events in the second year of the Fishing Clash Team Series.
Wild Turkey hit in overnight break-in
Second bar and restaurant broken into in two days in Vilas County
The Wild Turkey restaurant and bar in Conover was broken into on Sept. 12, according to a Facebook post by the business on Sept. 13. It was the second known break-in of a restaurant and bar in Vilas County, as Heart II Bar-N-Grill in Arbor Vitae was broken into on the night of Sept. 11.
Hazelhurst adopts enhanced wake ordinance
Sheriff’s office won’t enforce any local ordinances that aren’t also state law
The Hazelhurst town board adopted an enhanced wake ordinance at its meeting Tuesday and conducted a first reading for a similar ordinance that applies to lakes the town shares with the towns of Cassian and Lake Tomahawk.
Know the law before heading out to hunt, be safe too
DNR warden shares knowledge for fall hunting season
Hunting season is underway in Wisconsin. Whether that means bowhunting for whitetails, baiting for bears or chasing birds through timber, those who pursue wild game should know the rules and be safe while doing it. Lead Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warden for Oneida and Vilas counties Chris Bartelt spoke with The Lakeland Times recently to answer a few questions about some of the most important things hunters should keep in mind in order to follow the law and be safe.
MHLT school board approves two MOUs to continue mental health services
Board recognizes two donors for tech ed program
The Minocqua Hazelhurst Lake Tomahawk School (MHLT) board of education approved two memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreements at its meeting Monday to continue offering students “school-based mental health services” through George Deering and his therapy dog and Elmergreen Associates LLC.
Minocqua man avoids jail time, but must register as sex offender
A Minocqua man found in possession of child pornography in 2024 was sentenced on Sept. 5 and will avoid jail time. Marathon County judge Gregory Strasser handed down the sentence to Jacob Riley Collins, 23, for four misdemeanor class A charges of possessing harmful material exposing a child and one felony class I charge of exposing a child to harmful material.
Break-in at bar and restaurant in Arbor Vitae
Business warns community in aftermath
An Arbor Vitae bar and restaurant was broken into the night of Sept. 11 and the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office has been notified, according to a Facebook post by the business.
Newbold town board tweaks short-term rental ordinance
The Newbold town board at its Sept. 11 meeting agreed to amend its short-term rental ordinance in order to make what town chairman Dan Hess indicated were minor changes. The board, in March, adopted an ordinance regulating tourist rooming houses, or short-term rentals, which are properties most commonly advertised on websites such as VRBO and AirBnb.
Minocqua plan commission approves permit for new pier business
Pertile cautions owner to stay out of right-of-way
The Minocqua plan commission on Tuesday recommended approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) application to the town board for a new business to operate a retail space selling waterfront equipment with outdoor display areas.
Deer and birds and bears, oh my!
DNR forecasts promising hunting opportunities this year
Hunting season is just getting started in the Northwoods. Tomorrow is opening day for bow hunting and upland bird hunting and bear hunting is in full swing. Migratory bird hunting, in some capacity, has already begun, but, for the Northern Zone, the regular season will kick off on Sept. 27.
Manitowish Waters town board puts brakes on ATV access to town roads
Schroeder aims to extend restrictions to county routes
The Manitowish Waters town board at its meeting Tuesday declined to move forward with opening up Circle Lily Road and Tower Road for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) use. Town supervisor Lynn Schroeder said a person in town came to him and requested the board consider having that stretch of road opened up.
Minocqua fire looking to replace two trucks with one at Bo-Di-Lac station
Carani says truck prices have nearly doubled since 2020 and will only go up in the future
The Minocqua town board at its Sept. 2 meeting agreed to have fire chief Rich Carani seek bids from three different manufacturers in order to potentially replace two fire trucks, a 1995 Pierce engine and a 1998 Freightliner tender, at the fire department’s station 2, also known as Bo-Di-Lac station.
Weber recaps Presque Isle Zoom survey
The town supervisor offered suggestions, will draft formal policy
Presque Isle town supervisor Cathy Logan Weber introduced a draft Zoom policy at the town board’s Sept. 4 meeting. Zoom is an online platform where people can attend meetings in the comfort of their homes as long as they have internet access.
2025 summer fishing season now in rearview
The times I went fishing this year were quality over quantity
This year’s open water fishing season isn’t over, and many anglers look at it as if it’s just getting started. Fall is just about upon us and diehards are chomping at the bit to get into a monster musky. For me though, it’s time to put the fishing rods away and prepare for hunting season.
Minocqua town board updated on implementing new tax
Hartzheim says July 1, 2026 is earliest town can start PRAT
Minocqua town chairman Mark Hartzheim, at a meeting on Tuesday, shared with the town board additional information he received from the state Department of Revenue (DOR) about a premiere resort area tax (PRAT) the state approved for the town earlier this year in the biennial budget.
Short-term rentals are a double edged sword
Westfahl: ‘Because you can see the pros and cons of it all’
Short-term rentals continue to be more relevant than ever here in the Northwoods. Owners rent out dwellings and the tourists come all year long, but the more homes purchased and advertised on the rental market, the less opportunity there is for people in the area to find housing for themselves and their families — often times making it difficult for, say, new health care professionals or educators to make the move to the area.
DOT continues to plan for Hwys. 51, Hwy. K, Swamp Lake Road intersection improvements
Another public involvement meeting scheduled for October
The state Department of Transportation (DOT) is still in the process of receiving public input on planned improvements for the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 with County Highway K and Swamp Lake Road in the towns of Nokomis and Cassian.
Disc golf on course in Boulder Junction
Open house to celebrate new park feature could come this fall or wait for spring
Boulder Junction town supervisor Laura Bertch provided an update on a new disc golf course coming to town during her parks board report at the Aug. 26 town board meeting.
Manitowish Waters town supervisor’s vote benefits son’s business
Schroeder might not violate any law, but violates ‘spirit’ of the law
The Lakeland Times was contacted with concerns regarding Manitowish Waters town officials. One of those concerns was with town supervisor Lynn Schroeder, who, at one point recently, resigned from the board after enhanced wake ordinances he was in favor of were adopted by the three-person board on a 2-1 vote. However, Schroeder reconsidered his decision and was reappointed by the other two board members and town clerk on a 2-1 vote.
DNR fisheries biologist shares info on lake sturgeon
Hook-and-line season is Sept. 6-30
Lake sturgeon are one of the most historical fish species Wisconsin lakes have to offer — notably, a rich tradition of sturgeon spearing occurs every winter on the Lake Winnebago system in the Fox Valley area that captivates outdoorsmen across the state and beyond.
Survey says? Boulder Junction to revisit ATVs on town roads
Debate reignited 3 months ago after club proposed a new ordinance
Four people spoke at the start of the Boulder Junction town board’s Tuesday meeting about the upcoming town survey on whether all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) should be allowed on town roads.
Grading policies heading back to LUHS committee
District administration recommend excluding weighted grading system entirely
The Lakeland Union High School board of education at its Monday meeting decided to send policies regarding the school’s grading system back to committee. A discussion at the board’s Aug. 11 committee of the whole meeting about the policy changes sparked a debate, notably among board member Lisa Nomm and principal Levi Massey about the school’s grading system.
Presque Isle’s dam restoration wades through delays
Work likely to begin in 2026 as town finalizes plans with DNR
For over roughly four years, the Presque Isle has been dealing with issues regarding the ponds in Pipke Park. The town board received an update on the latest news of the Pipke Park ponds at its Aug. 21 meeting from ponds committee member Al Drum. In addition to the update, Drum provided background on the restoration project.
Boulder Junction town board holds room tax increase public hearing
Reuss said those who attended were split 50-50 on raising it
The Boulder Junction town board on Aug. 21 held a public hearing on increasing its room tax, which was requested by the town’s chamber of commerce, from 5.5 to 8 percent for next year.
Hardcore Until the End
Fishing hall-of-famer in a ‘class by himself’ will live on as a legend
The Northwoods lost another legendary guide in Van “Vanny” Jolin recently, when he died on July 30. Jolin was considered one of the area’s top guides for many, many years. His friends and clients knew him to be quick witted, always having stories to tell.
Storm fails to sink Dragon Boat Festival, event rows in $130K
Funds raised to support those fighting tick-borne illnesses
For the ninth time, people flooded Torpy Park on Aug. 16 and attended the Minocqua Dragon Boat Festival. The festival offers many different things for people’s enjoyment, but its primary attraction is, of course, the dragon boat races.
Manitowish Waters town board wipes out wake surfers’ bid for compromise
2-1 vote ends push to revisit ban on artificial wakes across town lakes
The Manitowish Waters town board on Tuesday, with a vote of 2-1, agreed to deny a request by “wake surfers” to have a meeting with them on amending the town’s enhanced wake ordinances adopted in June.
Fuel for thought: Fifield board agrees to reimburse gas mileage for Pike Lake firefighter from two years ago
The Fifield town board at its meeting on Tuesday agreed to reimburse money spent on gas by a Pike Lake firefighter who accumulated the mileage two years ago. At an Aug. 5 meeting, the board had an initial discussion about the request which involved comments made by multiple members of the Pike Lake fire department as to why the board should honor the request for reimbursement.
Vilas sheriff’s deputy back on patrol after working his way through the ranks again
Schmidt indicates news report was misleading, fully supports Wilmot
A Vilas County sheriff’s deputy is back on patrol duty after taking some time off to work in the private sector and working his way back up from a lesser-paid position within the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office. He was accused of being involved in what one news report labeled as a “drunken bar fight” in May of 2021.
Exposed: Four arrested after Crescent swinger party goes public
Law enforcement say a total of 25 were in attendance
Deputies arrested four on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior Saturday after an anonymous tip about nude partygoers and the smell of marijuana drew them to a Woodcrest Circle home.
Manitowish Waters town board adopts public records fee schedule
A recent request by the Times prompts board’s action
The Manitowish Waters town board adopted a fee schedule for public records requests on Tuesday. On July 24, The Lakeland Times submitted a public records request and it was indicated during the meeting that request was what prompted the board to adopt a fee schedule.
Proposed policy change sparks LUHS grading system debate
District went to laude system 3 years ago, but Nomm contends it doesn’t produce legitimate valedictorians
A debate with regard to the grading system at Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) occurred at the board of education’s committee of the whole meeting on Monday. The discussion started after a policy change was proposed to better reflect the current grading system.
Back to School! Lakeland school leaders share updates ahead of 2025-26 school year
Changes in some districts, others not so much
Summer is going fast and the fall season is already almost upon us. With the changing of the seasons, the leaves will be changing colors, temperatures will begin to cool down and students will be heading back to school.
Presque Isle town board to return computer to Jim Walters
Weber said computer was purchased for town, but Walters was never reimbursed
The Presque Isle town board agreed at its Aug. 7 meeting to return a computer to Jim Walters, the son of former long-time town clerk Lorine Walters.
Vilas judge’s decision keeps wake boat ordinances afloat
Hanson satisfied with result, but doesn’t expect the issue to stop there
Vilas County judge Daniel Overbey denied an injunction on Aug. 7 that, for the time being, upholds ordinances the Manitowish Waters town board enacted earlier this summer to ban the use of equipment on boats that produce artificially enhanced wakes.
Single-vehicle crash in Phelps results in Rhinelander man’s death
A 32-year-old Rhinelander man died as the result of a single-vehicle accident in the town of Phelps on July 29.
Hazelhurst town board presented with fire truck options
Fire department recommends Pierce Manufacturing truck for $560,433
After being asked to get prices and explore multiple options, Hazelhurst fire chief Nate Meade presented the town board with three different fire trucks and offered a recommendation on behalf of the fire department during a meeting on Aug. 7.
Woods and Timmons win 2025 NWYDHC bear tag drawing
First year two tags were donated for youth hunters
Two youth hunters won bear tags this year through the Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge (NWYDHC) bear tag and guided hunt drawing. Names were drawn on Aug. 1 at The Lakeland Times. The winners include 13-year-old Kaden Timmons and 15-year-old Kamryn Woods.
Remembering a Musky Fishing Legend
Tom Swanson was inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 2011
Tom Swanson of Boulder Junction was no doubt a legend of musky fishing. Some may even call him a guide’s guide. He died last month at the age of 78. In 1952, at age 6, Swanson moved with his parents to Boulder Junction to operate Milo Lodge on White Sand Lake.
Bangor woman found guilty for reckless homicide in Oneida County
Walker was accused of being ‘middleman’ in drug deal resulting in death of Rhinelander man
A Bangor woman was found guilty at the conclusion of a five-day jury trial in Oneida County court on Aug. 1. Andrea Walker, 44, was convicted of first degree reckless homicide as a party to a crime, a class C felony that carries a maximum of 40 years in prison.
Pike Lake fire department talk dominates Fifield town board meeting
Brakes put on two-year-old mileage reimbursement request; legal and policy reviews pending
Even though a motion was made by a Fifield town supervisor to deny a request for mileage reimbursement submitted by a Pike Lake firefighter for over $550 and from 2023, no decision by the town board was made at its Tuesday meeting and town chairman Bill Felch indicated the town’s attorney will be contacted.
Woodruff man arrested in Rhinelander for 5th OWI
Burt M. Kazlausky, 51 of Woodruff, was arrested in Rhinelander on July 28 and is being charged in Oneida County court with his fifth operating while intoxicated (OWI) offense, a class G felony.
LUHS board, district administrator talk goals for upcoming year
Koepp’s goals: Communication, strategic plan and build relationships
The Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education at its meeting on July 28 heard new district administrator Jamie Koepp talk about his goals for this upcoming school year. Koepp, formerly of the Watertown school district, began his tenure with LUHS early last month.
Decaying dams surface in Newbold’s River Road culvert project
A culvert project on River Road prompted the Newbold town board to ask the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about multiple dams town supervisor Dan Hess said are roughly 100 years old. The topic was discussed by the board at its July 31 meeting.
New information shared on missing Lac du Flambeau woman
Beson last seen walking south on Hwy. D, witness said she was picked up on Indian Village Road
Last week, the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department and the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office said there had been no updates on Melissa Beson, the 37-year-old Lac du Flambeau woman who was last seen on March 17.
Minocqua town board expecting bids for $1.7 million LED streetlight upgrade
New tax by the town said to be a ‘win-win’
The Minocqua town board at its July 24 meeting agreed to have director of public works Mark Pertile get construction bids for a downtown street lights project, which is estimated to cost $1.7 million, though a significant amount would be paid with federal grant funding.