The Lakeland Times

05/29/2026

UPDATE: LAC DU FLAMBEAU TRIBAL POLICE CHIEF T.J. BILL TOLD THE LAKELAND TIMES THE BODY OF KYLE ASCHEMAN, 45, LAKE GENEVA, WAS RECOVERED FROM WHITEFISH LAKE SATURDAY. MORE ON THE STORY IN THE TUESDAY, JUNE 2 EDITION OF THE LAKELAND TIMES.

SEARCH FOR MISSING BOATER ON WHITEFISH LAKE

In a press release issued just after midnight on May 29, the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department stated a search was on for a missing boater on Whitefish Lake.

“At approximately 8:21 p.m., a concerned citizen called 911 to report that an unoccupied motor boat was traveling in continuous circles on Whitefish Lake on the Lac du Flambeau Reservation,” the press release stated. “The caller stated that he had seen a person operating the boat earlier in the evening. Officers from the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department and the Chief Warden from the Lac du Flambeau Conservation Law Department responded immediately.”

Authorities responded and met with the concerned citizen who had made the 911 call.

“The individual volunteered the use of his boat and transported the officers to the vicinity of the out of control boat, which was still spinning in the water,” according to the press release. “The officers were able to confirm that the boat was empty, and an initial search of the surface water was conducted in an effort to locate anyone who had possibly fallen overboard. No survivors were located, so the officers returned to shore and joined the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Warden who had arrived at the scene and launched his boat. The officers and warden returned to the area of the out of control boat to continue search efforts. Meanwhile, officers on shore spoke with individuals residing near the search area and learned the identity of the owner of the out of control boat. That information, which must be withheld at this time, led officers to the family of the individual believed to have been operating the boat, who confirmed that the boat owner was missing.”

Over the course of the next several hours, personnel, equipment to include airboats with the Woodruff, Newbold and Minocqua fire departments as well as the Newbold fire department’s K-9s were dispatched to the scene.

On Friday morning, nearly 12 hours after the initial call, tribal police chief T.J. Bill called the dispatch center at the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office to report incident command had been established for Whitefish Lake.

“This is a developing situation,” the press stated. - The Lakeland Times

05/22/2026

05/14/2026

DNR ASKS PEOPLE TO AVOID OUTDOOR BURNING

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asks the public to avoid outdoor burning activities, as fire danger has reached Critical levels across Northern and Western Wisconsin Thursday, May 14 through the evening of Saturday, May 16.

In a press release Thursday, DNR officials stated the request has been made In conjunction with the National Weather Service.

“A Red Flag Warning is forecast for Friday, May 15 from noon to 9 p.m. in the following counties: Douglas, Bayfield, Washburn, Burnett, Sawyer, Ashland, Iron, Rusk, Barron, Polk and Vilas,” the press release said. “As of Thursday, May 14, DNR burning permits are suspended in 31 counties. Additional suspensions are possible with worsening conditions forecast heading into the weekend. Fire risk is increased by ongoing dry vegetation, low humidity, warming temperatures and gusty winds forecast heading into the weekend, with very high fire danger anticipated in areas where vegetation has not fully greened up.”

The DNR press release said Wisconsin's fire season “is currently at its annual peak, as pine trees in areas with sandy soils are extremely vulnerable to "crown fires," wherein flames move from the ground to the tree tops and spread with intensity.”

“Recent rains have not minimized wildfire concerns, as grasses, pine needles and leaf litter can dry out in just a few days between precipitation events, creating hazardous conditions,” the press release stated. “As elevated fire risks persist, the DNR will continue to suspend all DNR-issued burn permits for debris piles and broadcast burning until widespread rain occurs.”

DNR officials said agency’s firefighting personnel have responded to nearly 500 wildfires thus far in 2026, with 45 percent of them caused by debris burning. - The Lakeland Times

05/05/2026

UPDATE: STATE HIGHWAY 70 HAS BEEN REOPENED

ONE FATALITY IN HIGHWAY 70 COLLISION TUESDAY

One person died Tuesday as the result of a two vehicle head on collision on State Highway 70 on Minocqua’s west side between Cator Drive and Jeannie Lane.
There are no other details at this time but in a press release, Minocqua police chief Glenn Janzer said “there are injuries including at least one fatality.”
“As of the time of this release, (Hwy.) 70 is currently closed in both directions,” he said. “This is an active crash scene. Motorists are asked to use an alternate route, possibly Blue Lake Road.”
Just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Minocqua fire chief Rich Carani notified Minocqua dispatch Hwy. 70 would be closed for at least as long as the next four hours. - The Lakeland Times

04/29/2026

VILAS COUNTY ATV/UTV TRAILS TO OPEN FOR THE SEASON

All terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility task vehicle (UTV) trails in Vilas County will open for the season at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 1.

“The Lakeland ATV Club, Landover ATV Club, Sayner Barnstormers, and St. Germain ATV Club, sponsors of the Vilas County funded trail and troute system, have spent many hours brushing, signing and performing trail tread maintenance to have the trails properly prepared for the upcoming season,” Vilas County parks and recreation supervisor Todd Bierman said in a press release. “These trails would not be possible without the exceptional volunteer work that these clubs do.”

He said the Vilas County Summer ATV/UTV trail system consists of 42.4 miles of trails, 12.7 miles of troutes “and many more road route miles.”

“All county highways, the lettered highways, are open for ATV/UTV travel except in the town of Lac du Flambeau,” Bierman said in the press release. “Numbered highways are not open for use. We hope that you plan to visit our trail system and that you ‘Ride Right’ - stay to the right, stay on the marked trails, do not drink and drive and respect others on the trail.”

For more information, Bierman may be reached during business hours at (715) 479-5160.
- The Lakeland Times

04/21/2026

SUPER SHOPPERS READY TO BE DELIVERED

A total of 27,000 Super Shoppers were dropped off at Northwoods area post offices this afternoon, each stuffed with a Spring Home Improvement Guide. If you're looking for some help doing projects around your home, this is the go-to section. Watch for a Super Shopper in your mailbox on Wednesday.

04/13/2026

** OUTDATED INFORMATION. PLEASE SEE MORE RECENT POSTS. **

[04.12.26] The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded portions of the area into an Enhanced Risk (3 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms for Monday evening and night. The greatest threat for severe storms will be between 6 PM Monday and 1 AM Tuesday. Large hail of 2 inches or more in size, damaging winds of 60 mph or higher, a few tornadoes, and heavy rainfall/localized flooding is all possible. Be sure to continue monitoring the forecast for updates and have multiple ways to receive warning information!

04/02/2026

03/27/2026

VILAS SNOWMOBILE TRAILS CLOSING MARCH 31

The Vilas County forestry, recreation and land department announced March 27 the rest of the county’s state and club funded snowmobile trails and routes will be closing March 31 at midnight.
"The 11 Vilas County Snowmobile Alliance Clubs, (The Arbor Vitae Cross Country Cruisers, The Boulder Junction Snowmobile Club, The Conover Sno-Buddies, The Eagle River SnoEagles, The Lac du Flambeau Northern Hornshoe, The Land O’ Lakes Frosty Club, The Manitowish Waters Sno-Skeeters, The Phelps Snowmobile Club, The Presque Isle/Winchester Sno-Bunnies, The Sayner Barnstormers, and The St. Germain Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club), along with the sponsors and operators of the existing trails, have done an incredible job of grooming and trail maintenance this past snowmobile season,” the announcement said. “These clubs went above and beyond to make this season a great success. Countless hours and funds, above the allotted funding from the state, were used to give our trail users the best and safest experience possible. Please thank these clubs for the great work they do.”
The county partially closed its trails and routes on March 26, leaving Boulder Junction, Land O’ Lakes, Presque Isle and Sayner trails systems open at the time.
“We hope you had a safe and enjoyable time exploring the 500 plus miles of state funded and club trails in Vilas County and thank you for supporting the economy of Vilas County!” the announcement concluded. “We look forward to welcoming you back next season and always remember to ‘Ride Right.’”