The Lakeland Times

07/26/2025

SATURDAY STORAGE UNIT FIRE IN WOODRUFF

The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated Saturday to dispatch firefighters and equipment to a structure fire at a storage unit facility on State Highway 47 in Woodruff. Firefighters with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources were also called in as the fire spread to a nearby grassy area. As of 2:20 p.m. Saturday Minocqua fire chief Rich Carani, the incident commander, notified dispatch one 60 x 200 square foot storage unit was destroyed and “we’re still fighting the fire.” For more on this story, see the Aug. 1 edition of The Lakeland Times. - Brian Jopek/Lakeland Times

07/25/2025

Check out today's Lakeland Times for a special section celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Min-Aqua Bats. The section features coverage of the Aqua Bowl’s newly designated state historic landmark status, details about Saturday’s alumni reunion show, a retrospective on the club’s legacy, and dozens of memories shared by past members.

Correction: The unveiling of the Aqua Bowl’s landmark designation will take place at 6 p.m. today, prior to the 75th anniversary show at 7 p.m. Saturday’s alumni reunion show, incorrectly listed as starting at 7 p.m. in the special section, will begin at noon tomorrow, July 26.

07/15/2025

ONE DEAD IN ST. GERMAIN CRASH

One person died in a one-vehicle crash Monday night in St. Germain.
According to a press release from the Vilas County Sheriff's Office, the dispatch center received a 911 call at around 9:30 p.m. Monday reporting a single vehicle crash on State Highway 155 near the intersection with Sixteen Road.
The caller reported hearing a large crash and walked out of his residence and observed a pickup truck in the ditch that had struck a tree.
The first Vilas County deputy on the scene observed the driver of the 2019 Ford F-150, John Schaeffel, 88, St. Germain, was breathing but not alert.
An ambulance crew with St. Germain Fire/Rescue transported the man to Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff where Schaeffel was pronounced dead. - The Lakeland Times

06/05/2025

TWO SINGLE-VEHICLE ACCIDENTS IN LAKELAND AREA

Two single-vehicle accidents occurred in the Lakeland area between 11:15 a.m. and noon on Thursday.

The first accident occurred on County Highway J in Woodruff near the Carrol Lake Campground, where a van went off the roadway and made impact with a tree.

The second accident was fatal and occurred on U.S. Highway 51 in Minocqua near Timber Ridge Road. The vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee, was traveling northbound and went into a ditch east of the roadway, striking a culvert and flipping over. According to a press release from the Minocqua Police Department, the driver, whose name is being withheld until his next of kin are notified, was the only person in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

See Tuesday’s edition of The Lakeland Times for further updates.

Trevor Greene/Lakeland Times

04/29/2025

A Tornado Watch has been issued for parts of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin until 2 AM CDT.

04/28/2025

[4/28/25] 5:45 AM. Many of the details for the severe weather today remain unchanged from previous forecast cycles. Some initial storms are possible through the morning and early afternoon, mainly towards central and east-central Wisconsin. These will have a relatively low chance to become severe, but if they do hail will be the main concern. Then, although a break is possible, watch for more discrete and isolated storms in the afternoon. IF any of these storms do develop, they will quickly become severe and all severe hazards will be possible. Finally, attention turns to the potential for an organized line in the evening which could bring additional damaging winds and some possible tornadoes.

04/27/2025

04/18/2025

FIRE IN ARBOR VITAE

A two story home on Grouse Covey Lane in Arbor Vitae sustained heavy damage as the result of a fire Friday afternoon. The Wisconsin Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was activated by Arbor Vitae fire chief Mike Van Meter and firefighters and equipment from nine area volunteer fire departments responded to the blaze. There were no injuries. Photos and story by Brian Jopek/The Lakeland Times.

04/02/2025

4:35AM [4/2/2025]
Wintry precipitation will continue to spread northward across the region this morning. As of 3AM most locations had seen about 1-2". An additional 1/2-4" of snow is possible through the morning, with the highest amounts forecast for northeast WI. A glaze up to a tenth of ice is also possible for parts of central and northeast WI as snow transitions to freezing rain/sleet throughout the morning.

03/28/2025

WOODRUFF WRITE-INS FOR TOWN CHAIR

In the days after the sudden death of Woodruff town chairman Mike Timmons on March 22, two people stepped forward as write-in candidates for town chair. According to town clerk Julie Huotari, Judi Nelson and Pat Bickner have each filed as registered write-in candidates. March 28 at noon was the deadline to file as a registered write-in.
Bickner is a former town supervisor who was first elected to the town board in April, 2013 and re-elected in 2015. She submitted her resignation from the position in July of 2016 to take effect in August of 2017, citing scheduling issues at that time. Nelson, who had a career in management at Howard Young Medical Center, is currently Woodruff’s deputy town clerk and is also president of the Arbor Vitae-Woodruff school board. The town chair’s seat is up for election in 2025 and Timmons is on the ballot as unopposed. - The Lakeland Times

03/24/2025

ATTENTION!!!

MISSING PERSON: Melissa June Beson

Melissa was last seen in Lac du Flambeau wearing red sweatpants and a gray sweatshirt!

If you know of her whereabouts, please contact LDF Tribal police at 715-588-7717 or the Vilas County Sheriff's Office at 715-479-4441