Seniors to see 3.6% increase to Social Security payments in 2027

Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 76 million Americans will increase 3.6% in 2027. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by …

After spending some time away, Chef Dave Black is back in the Northwoods and has brought his Italian cuisine background to the role of head chef at Aiello's on Wall Street, located in downtown Eagle River.

Aiello’s on Wall St. welcomes Dave Black as new head chef

Aiello’s on Wall Street has welcomed back a familiar face in the Northwoods as its new kitchen manager and head chef. Bringing a history of Italian chefing in downtown Chicago and an understanding …

Frontier landline customers in Vilas, Oneida counties face service changes

Frontier landline customers across Vilas and Oneida counties have been notified that their traditional copper phone service is ending, though Verizon, which now owns Frontier, says no one will lose …

Three Lakes sets Nov. 17 hearing on 2027 budget; levy up 12%

Three Lakes residents will review and vote on a proposed $6.37 million municipal budget this week that includes a 12.18% increase in the local property tax levy. The Three Lakes …

Two of three constitutional amendments pass in state

Voters in the state approved two of the three constitutional amendments that were on the Nov. 3 ballot, while those in Vilas and Oneida came out in support of all three. The measures were passed …

News

State funding could bring new life to landfill

Last year officials at the Highway G Landfill were forced to look for a solution to a problem they did not cause. The landfill had been operating for more than 35 years, regularly serving …

Republicans retain seats in 7th District, 34th Assembly

Republicans retained control of seats in northern Wisconsin through the Nov. 3 midterm elections. In …
Eagle River voters approve consecutive term limits for city council, mayor

Eagle River voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot referendum during the Nov. 3 election to establish …
Voters elect David Crowley as state’s first Black governor

After months of attack campaign ads, the airwaves are quieting down, the race is over, and state history …
Drivers cautioned to watch for deer on roadways

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) Division of State Patrol is reminding drivers to stay …

Seasons of Life hospice moving to home, community settings

WOODRUFF — After careful thought and consideration, based on the changing needs of the Northwoods …
Polcaster appointed to Three Lakes Board of Education

THREE LAKES — The Three Lakes Board of Education has appointed George Polcaster to fill a …
Students learn snowmobile safety during Sno-Eagles training course

The Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club recently conducted a Wisconsin DNR Snowmobile Safety Education …

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Belinda “Belle” Morey, founder of Progress Is Progress LLC, is organizing the inaugural Real Talk Recovery event Nov. 21 in Lac du Flambeau to raise awareness about addiction and recovery. —Contributed Photos

More than sobriety: Northwoods event aims to break stigma surrounding addiction

Katie Swendson was crowned Miss Sno-Eagle 2026–2027 at the Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club’s October membership meeting. —Photo By Dan Dumas of Northwoods Mediaworks

Katie Swendson crowned Miss Sno-Eagle 2026–2027

Gary Meister dons a big smile after reaching the Eastern Terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail near Sturgeon Bay. —Contributed Photos

Meister completes 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail across Wisconsin

Events Calendar

Northland Pines to host Great Northern All-Conference Music Festival

More Lifestyle

Handful of Bluejay players get all-conference nod after 12-0 season

Five Three Lakes varsity volleyball players were selected to the Northern Lakes all-conference team last week, the conference announced earlier this month. Head Coach Betsy Gruszynski was also …

Jackson Olejniczak was one of four Northland Pines athletes who made the all-conference first team for the Great Northern Conference boys' soccer season.

Pines places nine on Great Northern All-Conference team

The Northland Pines varsity boys’ soccer team had a memorable 2026 season, capped off with the Eagles placing nine players on the Great Northern all-conference team and Head Coach Jamie Remme named …

Tucker Brock was a second-team all-conference selection as a running back and linebacker in the Northwoods Football Conference this season.

Eagles land 11 on NFC all-conference teams

The Northland Pines varsity football team finished another season a few weeks ago, in which they finished tied for fourth in the Northwoods Football Conference and landed 11 players on the …

Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight

The Three Lakes varsity girls’ volleyball team competed in the sectional round of the WIAA playoffs last week. Avery Gutbrod is one of four seniors on the Bluejays squad this season. Outside of …

Senior Sam Shrock scored the eventual game-winning goal within the first five minutes of the sectional semifinal contest against Amery last Thursday. The Eagles tacked on two other goals to cushion the lead.

Eagles soar to state tournament behind second-half rally

After advancing through the regional playoff round of the D4 WIAA soccer playoffs a few weeks ago, the Northland Pines varsity soccer team earned a state tournament berth with two sectional wins last …

This was Three Lakes sophomore Bekah Koch close to the finish line as she closed out her run in D3 state competition last weekend in Wisconsin Rapids.

Waltz ends career as state champion;

Three Lakes senior Nolan Waltz has worked for a state cross country title for his whole career, and he finally got it in his fourth trip to the state championships at Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin …

Thompson runs her way to Wisconsin Rapids

Northland Pines freshman Ryleigh Thompson continued her strong freshman cross-country season by qualifying for the 2026 WIAA State Cross Country Meet after placing in the D2 sectional race at …

Lucas Riker, playing in his final game as a member of the Bluejays, battles for a loose ball and completes a pass before being knocked down by a Warrior defender in the regional playoff game last week at Amery High School.

Bluejays exit soccer playoffs with heads high

The Three Lakes-Phelps boys varsity soccer team was eliminated from the WIAA D4 regional playoffs last week following a 6-0 loss to the Warriors of Amery High School. Hopes were high coming into the …

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Packerland

Fritsch: The second act

The Green Bay Press-Gazette headline read “Ted Fritsch 3-Sport Coach at Central Catholic,” announcing his selection among 26 applicants for a role at the Norbertine school. Fritsch would …

Fritsch: Finding his calling

“I tend to tell people when they ask, ‘Hey, did your dad ever hold any records?’ Well, yeah, he kicked the 52-yard field goal in New York… and it was just like a snap, a hold, and he was a …

Fritsch: Tuffy arrives, Fritsch departs

“They called him ‘Tuffy’ in his playing days — this Mr. Gene Ronzani, who today became the second head coach in the 31-year history of the Green Bay Packers,” Green Bay Sportswriter Art …

Fritsch: The end of the Lambeau era

Throughout the 1948 and 1949 seasons, Fritsch continued to steadily perform for the Packers under head coach, Curly Lambeau, as the team first slipped to fourth in the Western Division and then …

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Sideline Scoop

Twelve former Packers nominated for 2026 Pro Football HOF

The 128 nominations for the 2026 Pro Hall of Fame were announced last week, which included 12 former Green Bay Packer players. Nominees include receivers Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson, …

Staying in touch with the Windigo

It’s that time of the year again when hockey teams in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) hit the ice for a regular season that will run into April. Normally, I’d be all set with …

Packers completely dismantle the Lions

The Green Bay Packers opened the new NFL season with a dominant 27-13 win over the visiting Detroit Lions last Sunday. It really wasn’t a question of whether Green Bay was going to win, as they …

More Sideline Scoop

Bill Jacobs of the Headwater Chapter of Muskies Inc. displays the Great Lakes spotted muskie fingerlings that were stocked last month in several lakes in partnership between Sokaogon Chippewa Community and area muskie clubs.

Mole Lake hatchery, clubs band together to bridge DNR muskie-stocking gap

A first of its kind partnership spearheaded by Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and area muskie clubs has led to the stocking of thousands of healthy, 11.5-inch muskie fingerlings into lakes …

Vilas ATV/UTV trail systems close

The Vilas County summer ATV/UTV trail system and off-highway motorcycle (OHM) trail system have officially closed for the season as of Oct. 31. The Vilas County Forestry, Recreation and Land …

Eibner and Busha pose partway through the hunt with Labrador retrievers Ellie and Daisy. .—Photo By the Retired Scribbler

A fine day to hunt pheasants at Laona’s Heritage Hunt Club

A fine day to hunt pheasants at Laona’s Heritage Hunt Club It turns out that getting friends together who share a passion for shotguns, dogs and birds takes nothing more than a phone call, and …

Tournament winner Bill White of Ringle hoists his 48.75-inch muskie caught on Lac Vieux Desert. —Contributed Photos

Phelps muskie tourney draws record number of anglers

Phelps muskie tourney draws record number of anglers Four biggest fish pulled from Lac Vieux Desert The Phelps Chamber of Commerce has announced that Bill White of Ringle is the …

Harmon Marien, a graduate of Northland Pines High School, has secured the title of Angler of the Year in the Northern Division. Here, Marien is shown celebrating his first-ever top-three finish on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland.

Marien earns Angler of the Year title in Northern Division series

Eagle River’s Harmon Marien has won Angler of the Year in the Northern Division of the Major League Fishing Toyota Series. This award is based on regular-season points standings across the …