Local school officials are favorable to a proposed state budget that would allow spending in public schools to increase by $150 per student in each of the next two years under a package approved by the Joint Finance Committee last week.

The package also would increase transportation aid to sprawling North Woods school districts and bring federal funding to school districts in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

According to the pact, per-pupil spending would be allowed to go up $150 in each of the next two years, according to Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst), who called the measure a significant win for school districts in the 12th Senate District.

The funding is a major departure from Gov.

While an advisory referendum was discussed, a proposed ordinance to allow snowmobile operation on Eagle River streets to travel from a residence, lodging facility or other business  by the shortest route to an established trail was postponed last week by the City Council.

The ordinance was in response to city residents and visitors having to trailer snowmobiles to an established trail, whereas many nearby municipalities have adopted rules allowing access on public streets and roads. State law allows municipalities to enact local snowmobile access ordinances.

The city snowmobile access ordinance, requested by the Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club, would be in effect from Dec. 1 to March 31 to coincide with land use agreements snowmobile clubs have with landowners.

Councilwoman Carol Hendricks was hesitant

After three years of planning, the Edward U. Demmer Memorial Library board of trustees in Three Lakes has announced it is ready to kick off its building and renovation campaign.

The estimated $2.6 million building and renovation project includes a split-level addition to the west corner of the current building.

The campaign is getting a strong start with a recent gift from Lawrence Demmer, the son of Edward U. Demmer.

Demmer passed away in 2011, leaving a gift through

Two days of action-packed race boat, snowmobile and airplane events will be on tap for the whole family at the sixth annual Three Lakes Shootout/

Radar Run and Fly-in this Friday and Saturday, June 21-22, on Big Stone Lake in Three Lakes.

Now that the original goal of shootout organizers to build a second fire station on the east side of Three Lakes has been realized, they continue to improve and expand the event to provide financial support for the volunteer Three Lakes Fire Department.

This year, visitors will have the opportunity

The Oneida County Public Works Committee postponed making a decision on whether or not to allow all-terrain vehicle (ATV) traffic on Highway A at its meeting last week.

The reason for the deferral, paccording to Highway Commissioner Freeman Bennett, was to give the county an opportunity to address concerns about speed and the legal age of ATV operators.

With 1,600 vehicles per day traveling on the road, safety remains a major concern for committee members, said Bennett.

“There are a few things we don’t have ironed out that need to get ironed out,” he said. “According to the Department of Natural Resources, they’re allowed to run ATVs at the age of 12 as long as they have their certificate of training. The county would actually like to have that age at least 16.

“I, myself, would also

The Vilas County Economic Development Corporation (VCEDC) is continuing to build the business startup capacity for Vilas County by announcing its second business incubator to be located in Manitowish Waters.

The building, which formerly was occupied by a retail business at 399 Highway 51 in Manitowish Waters, was purchased by  a VCEDC board member and will be leased back to  VCEDC to manage as a business incubator.

“This is an important step in reaching out to the western part of Vilas County to promote entrepreneurship and business development,” said G. Steven Burrill,  VCEDC chairman. “With the success we’re experiencing with the business incubator in Eagle River, we are delighted to be able to extend our reach to help people with low-cost

The grand opening of the new Eagle River section of the Three Eagle Trail will take place Saturday, June 29, at 10 a.m. at the new trailhead near Dairy Queen in Eagle River.

Following a brief ceremony at the trailhead, guests may bike or walk approximately two miles to the new 650-foot boardwalk spanning a stream and floodplain.

At about 11 a.m., there will be a boardwalk dedication ceremony. Afterward, guests