Tourism entities ask state for help amid mild winter
Swearingen: There really isn’t a fund for lack of snow
Oneida County tourism council executive committee president and Let’s Minocqua Visitors Bureau president and CEO Krystal Westfahl issued a press release Monday stating a coalition of local tourism entities are seeking assistance from state lawmakers on behalf of local businesses.
Pike Lake Fire Department’s response to the Nov. 23 call
Felch says criticism of the department will stop when community has had enough
Pike Lake Fire Department has encountered lots of criticism since last summer. Recently, the department is getting its most scrutiny for its response to a smoldering tree call which happened on Thanksgiving Day at a Byhre Lake residence.
Investigation into armed robbery in Woodruff ongoing
Police feel public isn’t in ‘any sort of danger
An investigation into an armed robbery in Woodruff Jan. 12 is ongoing, according to Woodruff chief of police Corey Backhaus.
Presque Isle reopened town computer investigation closes
Walters says she knew that’s how it would end all along
An ongoing issue involving town computers in Presque Isle has seemingly come to a close, given it hasn’t been a point of contention at the town board’s most recent meetings and the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the computers have been returned and nothing suspicious or illegal was found by the state Department of Justice’s forensic crime lab.
Woodruff town board looks to get new town signage
Woodruff town clerk Julie Huotari presented to the town board different ideas to replace current signage on or around the town hall at the town board’s Jan. 23 meeting.
Lack of snow deters snowmobilers, continues to affect Northwoods economy
Westfahl: ‘It’s looking like this winter’s a bust’
It’s nearly February now and snowmobilers are still unable to ride the numerous trail systems the Northwoods is known for.
LUHS principal gives report on end of semester grades
Peck: ‘We have been concerned about grade inflation for a number of years’
Towards the end of the Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education’s meeting on Monday, principal Levi Massey gave an update on student grades from the end of the semester.
Fifield firefighter says Pike Lake firefighters are redirecting blame for Nov. 23 call
Pike Lake firefighters defend themselves in letters to the board
On Thanksgiving Day, Pike Lake Fire Department was paged to a Byhre Lake residence to attend to a tree fire.
Fifield town supervisor responds to complaint filed against him by other supervisor
Pike Lake Fire Department takes more heat for Thanksgiving Day call
In the public comment portion of a Jan 16 Fifield town board meeting, town supervisor John Smith read his response to a “formal complaint” filed against him with town chairman Bill Felch. The complaint was drafted by town supervisor Ann Sloane following a Dec. 19 board meeting.
Presque Isle town board appoints new town clerk
Prott replaces Thoma, looks to get more involved in community
After interviewing candidates during a Jan. 9 special town board meeting, the Presque Isle town board during a Jan. 12 special meeting agreed to appoint Kim Prott as new town clerk.
Dave Marston Motors becomes Northwoods Ford
New owners excited for new opportunities, getting to know area better
A storied vehicle dealership entered a new chapter on Dec. 14 when Dave Marston Motors officially became Northwoods Ford.
LUHS report shows strong STAR School 2022-23 performance
Smudde: ‘You look at the charts (in the report), they show growth’
Results of Lakeland STAR School/Academy’s (LSA) authorizer report were made public recently. Being a charter school, LSA works as an extension of Lakeland Union High School (LUHS).
Presque Isle town board adopts resolution for four-town EMS district
Board appoints Harris as representative, directs him to take ‘stipulations’ to commission
The Presque Isle town board picked Phil Harris to represent the town on the four-town emergency medical services (EMS) district and adopted a resolution indicating its formal support for the district’s formation during a meeting Jan. 12. The board also approved its 2024 budget, which includes the $113,400 appropriation to participate in the first year of the district.
Newbold town board to forward draft ‘enhanced’ wake ordinance to DNR
The Newbold town board at its Jan. 11 meeting agreed to send the draft of an enhanced, or hazardous, wake ordinance to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for review.
Manitowish Waters town board continues hazardous wakes discussion
Town chairman says there’s a need for local control if legislature crafts bill
The Manitowish Waters town board continued its discussion on hazardous wakes regulation during a Jan. 9 meeting.
Lake Tomahawk town board decides to replace flooring in Sloan Center
Town chairman says anticipated completion is in May
The Lake Tomahawk town board at a Jan. 10 meeting decided to move forward with replacing the gym floor in the Sloan Community Center.
Newbold town board agrees to send proposed wake ordinance to DNR
During a Jan. 11 meeting, the Newbold town board agreed to forward a proposed ordinance regulating “artificially enhanced wakes” to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Ice skate marathon benefits Minocqua Winter Park
75 participants, more than $3,000 raised
For the third time in 22 years, an ice skate marathon was held in the Lakeland area. The event this year, a fundraiser for Minocqua Winter Park, offered 10K, 20K and 40K options for kids, women and men. While top finishers were recognized, the event placed a specific focus on skaters having fun.
Winchester town board selects representative for EMS district
Town supervisor gives broadband update
The Winchester town board at its Jan. 8 meeting agreed to appoint Steve Herzberg as its representative on the commission being formed for the emergency medical services (EMS) consolidation effort among four Vilas County towns, which, besides Winchester, are Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters and Presque Isle.
Manitowish Waters town board talks shared EMS effort
Town supervisor says he’s ‘sick of waiting for Presque Isle’
Manitowish Waters town chairman John Hanson has spearheaded efforts for roughly two years in order to form a four-town emergency medical services (EMS) district, which, besides Manitowish Waters, includes Boulder Junction, Presque Isle and Winchester.
Oneida County chief deputy retires
Hess calls it quits after 33 years; plans to continue serving community
After 33 years of working in emergency services and law enforcement, Oneida County chief deputy Dan Hess retired. His retirement went into effect yesterday.
Presque Isle to hold special meeting on four-town EMS today
Wolter fears town won’t have much say in decision-making, MacLean wants ‘guard-rails’ setup to move forward
During a Jan. 4 meeting, the Presque Isle town board set a special meeting date for today to continue discussing the proposed four-town emergency medical services (EMS) district, which, besides Presque Isle, includes Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters and Winchester.
Fifield town board meets with Pike Lake Fire Department to review Thanksgiving call
The Fifield town board met with the Pike Lake Fire Department on Jan. 3 to review an emergency call the department responded to the night of Thanksgiving.
Vilas forestry gets updates on snowmobile trails, forestry meeting with LdF
The Vilas County board’s forestry, recreation and land committee received an update at its Jan. 3 meeting from parks and recreation supervisor Todd Bierman with regard to county snowmobile trails.
Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge Banquet 2023 a success
175 hunters participated, more than 400 gathered at LUHS
More than 400 people packed the commons of Lakeland Union High School on Monday for the 20th annual Northwoods Youth Deer Hunt Challenge Banquet.
Minnesota chooses new state seal designed by LUHS graduate
The state emblems redesign commission chose new flag and seal design earlier this month
The Minnesota state emblems redesign commission recently picked winning submissions for the state’s new flag and state seal.
Fifield town board agrees to amend water traffic ordinance
The Fifield town board Tuesday voted to amend its ordinance regulating water traffic, boating and water sport.
Poaching incident investigated near Boulder Junction residence
Suspects unidentified, GLIFWC to continue investigation
A Vilas County sheriff’s deputy and other law enforcement officers were called to a Boulder Junction residence near Highland Drive on Dec. 1, about an hour before midnight, after it was reported by multiple people a group of Native Americans allegedly shot and killed deer in close proximity to homes.
Winchester town board discusses purchase of new fire truck
Town will need to borrow, but roughly $270,000 in reserve funds will help
The Winchester town board discussed different options with regard to purchasing a new fire truck at its meeting on Dec. 27.
Local economy affected by lack of snow
Cooksey: ‘There’s no snow for us to even work with right now’
It’s no secret that the “bread and butter” of the Northwoods’ economy in the winter months is snow and especially snowmobilers.
Presque Isle town clerk submits resignation
Thoma says she sees ‘no end’ to ‘turmoil’
Presque Isle town clerk Billie Rae Thoma submitted her letter of resignation Tuesday, Dec. 19.
‘A Farewell to Arms’ is a story of love and war
Could the tragic ending been avoided?
Published in 1929, Ernest Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms” is often considered one of, if not the greatest piece of war literature ever written.
LUHS unhappy with Schneider Electric contract
Board hires law firm to assist during Dec. 18 meeting
Lakeland Union High School’s (LUHS) board of education on Dec. 18 approved for the district to work with Automated Energy Solutions (AES) instead of Schneider Electric to address building controls and fulfilling Act 32 projects. However, that is contingent on if the district is able to find its way out of a 15-year contract it’s currently in with Schneider Electric.
Winchester town board sets public hearing date for wake boat ordinance
After the Winchester town board expressed its need for more clarity during a Dec. 6 regular meeting with moving forward on an ordinance regulating wake boats, town chairman Joe Discianno said he would contact the Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA).
Boulder Junction town board holds public hearing on shared EMS
Board approves resolution supporting consolidation, appoints Galloway to district commission
The Boulder Junction town board unanimously passed a resolution indicating its formal support in forming a four-town emergency medical service (EMS) district during a Dec. 20 meeting. Also part of the motion approving the resolution, the board agreed to appoint town supervisor Jim Galloway as the town’s representative for the district’s commission.
Fifield town supervisor brings up concerns with Pike Lake Fire Department
Ordinance No. 99 to be back on town board’s January agenda
During a Dec. 19 town board meeting, Fifield town supervisor John Smith mentioned concerns he said he’s heard from about 15 residents over a recent emergency call first responders with the Pike Lake Fire Department handled recently.
LdF Tribe purchases old Burger King for $1.4 million
The Lac du Flambeau Business Development Corporation (LDFBDC), an entity of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, recently purchased the property which occupies the building that formerly housed a Burger King in Minocqua on U.S. Highway 51 north.
Two fully engulfed fires happen in Newbold two days apart
Firefighters arrived at a home fully engulfed in flames on South Ranch Road near Tom Doyle Lake on Thursday, Dec. 14, in Newbold.
LUHS board talks fundraising for complex upgrades
Lakeland Union High School (LUHS) board of education member Pamela Carroll suggested creating a fundraising plan in order to ease total costs of what’s been referred to as a community complex project during a meeting Monday.
New fire chief sworn-in for Hazelhurst
Winger confident Meade will do a ‘very good’ job
The town of Hazelhurst got a new fire chief when Nathan Meade was sworn-in during a town board meeting Dec. 12.
Lake Tomahawk town board adopts resolution supporting CAMA purchase
The Lake Tomahawk town board on Dec. 13 adopted a resolution supporting municipalities’ purchase of computer-assisted mass appraisal (CAMA) software.
Manitowish Waters appoints its shared EMS commissioner
Hanson says goal is to begin operating district mid-January
During a Dec. 12 meeting, the Manitowish Waters town board chose town chairman John Hanson as its representative of the town on the four-town emergency medical services (EMS) district.
Vilas law enforcement committee agrees to move forward with WORH assessment
Assessment will help move county forward on county-wide EMS idea
The Vilas County board’s law enforcement and emergency management committee Monday agreed to move forward with an assessment offered by rural emergency medical services (EMS) outreach manager James Small of the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health (WORH).
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ places its main character at the heart of the film’s question
Based on the 2017 non-fiction book by David Grann, “Killers of the Flower Moon” lays out a specific moment in America’s history that is ugly, gritty and tragic.
Winchester town board authorizes chairman to sign contract with Manitowish Waters Chamber
During a meeting Dec. 6, the Winchester town board authorized town chairman Joe Discianno to sign a contract making the town’s tourism entity the Manitowish Waters Chamber of Commerce.
Fundraising for Brandy Park pickleball courts underway
The Brandy Park commission previously granted permission for a group of residents to raise funds for the construction of four pickleball courts at the park and the commission took up that topic again at its Dec. 5 meeting.
Presque Isle town board gives update on financial audit
Bogan says he thinks audit can be done without computers
Presque Isle town chairman John MacLean said during a Dec. 7 meeting the town is continuing to work with accountant and attorney Fritz Schellgell in order to get to a point the town can receive a financial audit.
Presque Isle talks shared EMS
Board agrees to interview commissioner candidates, Logan comments on county’s position
The Presque Isle town board, during a Dec. 8 meeting, discussed for roughly an hour a proposed four-town emergency medical services (EMS) consolidation.
LdF school receives state report card
Superintendent says it shouldn’t be dwelled on or over-celebrated
Lac du Flambeau Public School superintendent Dr. Josh Ernst, during a Dec. 6 meeting, provided the school board a report on the school’s annual report card issued by the state Department of Public Instruction (DPI) in November.
Winchester town board seeks more clarity on process for wake boat ordinance
Board passes room tax ordinance
A public hearing date was postponed by the Winchester town board after town supervisor Nick Newton said he made minor edits to a proposed wake boat ordinance and edits suggested by town attorney Greg Harrold during a Dec. 6 meeting.