As 2025 comes to a close, News-Review staff have taken a look back at some of the biggest stories that impacted the North Woods over the last year.
Several communities took some huge steps forward this year, launching community-oriented building projects.
Utilizing grant money from the state, Phelps and Plum Lake were both able to begin construction on new community centers over the summer. In July, Phelps began construction on its 14,000-square-foot, $5.6 million center, and Plum Lake broke ground on its 10,700-square-foot, $4.25 million center. Phelps has another project underway in the form of its 16,000-square-foot public works building that began in August.
Both communities were recipients of $4.25 million grants released by Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Administration to improve rural communities’ libraries and community centers.
In Oneida County, Three Lakes has made big strides toward rebuilding downtown vitality over the past year, with plans in place for a permanent Forward Bank branch as well as a new hotel lodging facility.
Renovations were announced at the building at Superior and School Street which will serve as Forward Bank’s permanent branch in town. Construction is expected to wrap up next summer.
Additionally, a longtime goal of bringing a quality hotel with a swimming pool to Three Lakes is getting closer thanks to the work of the Three Lakes Visitors Bureau.
Armed with a new feasibility study that showed a $13 million economic impact to the community in the first five years — a study the bureau funded — officials partnered with Wisconsin-based Cobblestone to design a 54-unit hotel with a pool, small conference space and a breakfast room that transitions into a beer and wine garden for guests, complete with patio.
In a 10-9 vote, the Vilas County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance amendment that allowed ATVs/UTVs year-round access on all county roads, except those in Lac du Flambeau early this year. The meeting room was packed with people both in favor and against the ordinance, and both sides had the chance to speak to the board.
Those in favor cited the economic benefits, having standardized rules, and increased growth in the sport, while those against the ordinance brought up a perceived loss of control from town boards, especially in towns whose constituents were repeatedly opposed to ATV/UTV traffic on their roads.
The roads officially opened for use in April.
As in recent years, northern Wisconsin’s volatile weather patterns have continued to be big talking points. A lack of snowfall in the early winter months of 2024-25 again affected the local economy, making for a short snowmobiling season that only ran from about mid-January to mid-March.
Then, a big ice storm in April led to Gov. Tony Evers’ declaration of a state of emergency for northern Wisconsin to address the thousands of power outages across the area.
After a mild summer, things started with a bang just ahead of Thanksgiving with rounds of snow storms hitting the state, again knocking out power and bringing down multitudes of trees in the northern part of the state.
The damage effectively undid much of the brushing work completed by area snowmobile clubs earlier in the fall in preparation for the upcoming season, but club members and volunteers have rallied together to put forth countless hours to clean up and pack down the trail systems for use.
A number of long-time public servants completed their service in 2025, starting with Eagle River Mayor Jeff Hyslop.
After serving as mayor for nearly a quarter of a century, Hyslop was ousted from the position by Debra Brown in the spring election by a vote of 323 to 257.
Karen Margelofsky submitted her resignation in September as executive director of the ERRP, in order to take a new position in Stevens Point.
Although she was only in the position for four years, under her guidance Eagle River’s downtown prospered and grew, even taking honors as the state’s Main Street of the Year in 2024. Jo Ann Simons was hired this fall as the new ERRP executive director.
The latter portion of the year saw a number of big retirements as well, with Vilas County Sheriff Joe Fath, Eagle River Police Chief Christine Dobbs, and Human Services’ Helga Low all announcing their departures.
With rising costs of EMS services and a lack of available volunteers making life-saving services spotty in some areas, a new EMS district brought big improvements to emergency health care for people in four North Woods towns.
Two area school districts received the okay from voters to increase spending.
Voters in Vilas County approved the Northland Pines District operational referendum with a 1,294 to 633 vote during the Spring Primary election. The operational referendum allowed the district to exceed the revenue limit for operational purposes with $5.6 million per year for three years starting with the 2025-26 school year. This referendum replaced a referendum passed in 2022 for $4.6 million per year.
A two-question capital referendum also passed in Three Lakes that allowed the Three Lakes School District the use of over $20 million in general obligation bonds for needed facility improvements and repairs.
Talks continued throughout 2025 between municipalities, Great Headwaters Trail Foundation (GHTF) and the River Trail Commission on how to forge a connection with the Heart of Vilas Bike Trail.
The River Trail has been in the works for several years to build a 10.2-mile paved bike trail that would connect the Heart of Vilas Bike and Pedestrian Trail, that currently ends in St. Germain, with the Three Eagle Trail that starts in Eagle River and travels to Three Lakes.
After pulling its support in July 2023 under different leadership, the Town of Cloverland repledged its commitment to the project last August, and requested the City of Eagle River to do the same in September. After a lengthy discussion at the city council’s meeting, aldermen and -women decided they would set up a meeting with Town of Lincoln officials to try to bring them on-board with the project. Discussions on how to proceed are still ongoing.
The ERRP with the help of a $50,000 Vibrant Spaces Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation planned to create a crossing at Highway 45 to provide safe access and connectivity while also adding public art, pedestrian and bicycle amenities, wayfinding signage, and an information board to enhance the experience for trail users, farmers market shoppers, and residents who are exploring the downtown.
GHTF assisted ERRP in earning the grant funds by providing $25,000 in the spring to support the initial planning and design efforts of the project. Final plans for the project are still in the development and approval process.
After a nearly three-year process of compiling research and filing paperwork, Eagle River’s historical district cleared its final hurdle when it was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in February.
The Eagle River Downtown Historic District includes buildings at 100-114 East Division St., 105-128 South Railroad St., 100-218 and 221-223 East Wall St., 118-123 South Main St., and 6 West Wall St. in Eagle River.
These designations have impacts for the business owners in the form of tax breaks regarding renovations, boosting tourism, and also can protect the downtown stretch from such things as state road building that might impinge on the streets.
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) unanimously voted to change the white-tail deer management units in the northern and central portions of the state in February. This affected the Northern Forest Zone deer management units which went back to being habitat-based rather than county-based.
Although DNR staff had concerns the change may negatively affect hunting seasons, the transition actually went quite smoothly this fall.
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI), along with Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), led 30 GOP lawmakers in re-introducing a bill last January that would delist the gray wolf as an endangered species, and restore population management authority to state lawmakers and state wildlife officials.
That bill is currently moving through the legislature, with Tiffany expecting it to pass the House of Representatives before Christmas.
The animals are currently federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, but in November, the Natural Resources Board (NRB) approved new, permanent rules for a wolf harvest season in the case they would be removed from protection.
In Wisconsin, there is a state law that was enacted in 2012 requiring a hunt on gray wolves when they are not protected as endangered. Currently, as they are federally protected since a California federal judge’s ruling in 2022 placed them back on the endangered species list, there is no wolf harvest season.
In October, more than 100 Northland Pines High School hockey supporters gathered on the grounds of the Eagle River Sports Arena to attend the ribbon-cutting for the recently completed girl’s hockey locker room.
The project broke ground in the spring and wrapped up with a price tag of about $400,000, paid for with fundraising efforts and in-kind donations from the community.
Next, the ERRA and the leaders that brought the locker room project to completion are now turning their attention to revitalizing the ice plant, responsible for creating ice in both the Dome and Cube facilities.
Residents tuned in to see Luke Olejniczak, one of Eagle River’s own, compete on the national “Deal or No Deal Island” reality show for a chance to win millions of dollars — an experience he called an “absolute adventure” … Construction on the Eagle Ice Castle began after a weekend of chilly temperatures that helped thicken ice on Silver Lake where blocks are harvested from … Sabrina Blanchet, of Drummondville, Quebec, Canada, won her second Vintage World Championship after she dominated the field … The Town of Washington, along with local residents, asked the public for help to reach out to the state so that state funding could be secured for a dredging project on Deerskin River … The dream of purchasing a home remained out of reach for many working families who hoped to make Vilas County their permanent residence due to high property sale costs … The No. 57 of Zach DeWald set the pace from the get-go and survived three late restarts, which included a final lap dash, to put his name into the history books as champion of the World Championship Snowmobile Derby … After nearly a year of development, Vilas County Land and Water Conservation Department finalized its 10-year plan for resource management in the county, using community and specialist input to keep conservation goals in line with changes expected to be seen in the area in the coming years … The Three Lakes School District Board of Education unanimously voted to place a two-question capital referendum on the April 1 ballot to address significant facility improvement needs in the Three Lakes School District … A new, in-depth study was released by the Wisconsin DNR that looked at a large sample size of more than 1,000 captured adult deer and fawns as part of its Southwest Wisconsin Chronic Wasting Disease Deer and Predator study … Northwoods Share, a nonprofit service organization based in Eagle River, celebrated 20 years of free dinners to the local community … GHFT named Laura VanValkenberg as board president, along with four new board members.
In a 10-9 vote, the Vilas County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance amendment that allowed ATVs/UTVs year-round access on all county roads, except Lac du Flambeau … The Phelps-Land O’ Lakes Lions Club partnered with Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK) in an effort to combat food insecurity in the North Woods as a part of their “Stick It to Hunger” campaign … Four cadets from the Wisconsin Wing of the Civil Air Patrol traveled to Washington D.C. and met government officials and elected representatives, which included one cadet from Eagle River, Lt. Colonel Kaeden Saunders … A new emergency medical services (EMS) district brought big improvements to emergency health care for people in four North Woods towns … The North Woods skating community mourned the loss of skating coach, peer and friend Alexandr Kirsanov, known better as “Sasha,” one of the 67 victims killed after a plane collided with a Blackhawk helicopter over the Potomac River … All trails in Oneida County Funded Snowmobile Trail System officially opened for the winter season … Eagle River’s Historic District, located in the city’s downtown, was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places … The Eagle River City Council unanimously denied a request to open up the Highway 70 River Trail in Eagle River to ATV/UTV traffic … Representative Tom Tiffany (R-WI), along with Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) led 30 GOP lawmakers to reintroduce a bill that would delist the gray wolf as an endangered species, and restore population management authority to state lawmakers and state wildlife officials … Voters in Vilas County approved the Northland Pines District operational referendum with a 1,294 to 633 vote during the spring primary election … The Laona State Bank board of directors announced it would close its branch in Three Lakes, just three years after the bank answered pleas from town officials to become the town’s only bank … Nicolet College partnered with FORK to take part in their Stick It to Hunger program, displaying food helpline stickers in bathrooms across the college’s campus.
Lake groups, non-profit organizations, and other municipal and county governments in Vilas and Oneida counties were awarded nearly $1 million in funding from the Wisconsin DNR surface water grants … Trygve “Trig” and Tula Solberg of T.A. Solberg Company, Inc., owners of Trig’s, were honored with the Peter J. Larkin Award for Community Service from the NGA in Las Vegas, Nevada, for his significant, positive, and measurable impact on the local community … Sophomore wrestler Reegan Roy of the Wabeno-Laona-Three Lakes varsity wrestling team took home the top prize in his 106-pound weight bracket by defeating three highly ranked competitors during the 2025 WIAA D3 Individual State Wrestling Tournament … The Vilas County News-Review was recognized with nine awards in the state’s Better Newspaper Contest, including first-place recognition for investigative reporting, rookie reporting, and sports action photos … The Vilas County Economic Development Corporation continued to lead a broadband expansion initiative that aimed to bring high-speed internet to over 90% of the population in Vilas County by the end of 2026 … The Northland Pines Community Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) charity, continued to support and uplift the community that surrounds the Northland Pines School District … The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation named Eagle River as the recipient of its 2024 Main Street of the Year award … The World Championship Derby Complex was the place to be, as fans watched Adam Peterson and Kody Kamm, two Wisconsin natives, sweep the AMSOIL Snocross pro division’s overall triple crown points races … Several local businesses teamed up for a fundraising effort to support the Hernandez family of Eagle River, as husband and father, Keith Hernandez, battled an aggressive form of blood cancer … 56-year-old James Johnson of St. Germain was arrested by Vilas County Sheriff’s Office officials after allegedly stabbing his sister to death, 61-year-old Kelly Johnson … The Veterans Resource Center in Eagle River was awarded a $6,000 grant by the American Land Title Association Good Deeds Foundation.
The DNR proposed to change the trout season opener to the first Saturday in April, a full month earlier than it has traditionally started, during the spring hearings … The Great Headwaters Trails Foundation recognized the Volunteer of the Year and several other individuals for outstanding service to the organization during a board dinner at Trees For Tomorrow in Eagle River … A two-question capital referendum that allowed the Three Lakes School District the use of over $20 million in general obligation bonds for needed facility improvements and repairs was approved by voters … Following severe winter weather blowing through the area, Gov. Tony Evers declared that Wisconsin was in a state of emergency as accumulations of ice and snow left thousands in the North Woods without power … In a 323 to 257 vote, Debra Brown ousted long-term incumbent Jeff Hyslop in the race for City of Eagle River Mayor … The Eagle River Recreation Association hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new girls hockey locker room at the historic Dome in Eagle River … All county highways in Vilas County, except for Lac du Flambeau, were opened for year-round use by ATVs and UTVs … The Eagle River Revitalization Program was the recipient of a $250,000 Small Business Development Grant, which made it one of several communities in the state to receive funding to support the growth of small businesses … Leaders of GHTF presented a $25,000 check to ERRP to fund conceptual design work and traffic studies for a proposed Highway 45 multi-use crossing just south of the Eagle River bridge — an investment that could potentially benefit a wide range of trail users … The St. Germain man accused of stabbing and killing his sister in late March at their residence pleaded not guilty to his first-degree intentional homicide felony charge … A welfare check turned into a high-speed incident that took both Vilas and Oneida County law enforcement on a 20-mile chase through both counties.
Four new cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the wild deer herd were detected the previous fall from hunter-provided samples in Vilas and Oneida counties, offering further evidence that the prion disease was slowly spreading statewide … Northland Pines School District Administrator Scott Foster submitted his retirement resignation, effective June 30, 2026 … Wake boats were a prominent — and at times passionate — topic of discussion during a listening session hosted by Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Rob Swearingen at Eagle River City Hall … Demolition of the former Lillian Kerr Health Care Center on Highway 17 in Phelps continued, and plans for site development began to take shape … The Vilas County Economic Development Corporation and the Northland Pines School District created an Entrepreneurship Education Program to equip students with a foundation in business planning and formation and to help foster future economic growth … Northland Pines High School hosted its Senior Scholarship and Awards program for the Class of 2025, where students received a total of $321,380.96 in scholarships … Wisconsin hunters, anglers, and other participants in the spring fish and game hearings gave overwhelming support to a wide range of proposed rule changes, favoring all 46 proposals from the DNR … The Lac du Flambeau Tribe and the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the return of 37-year-old Melissa Beson and/or the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in her disappearance … The Save the Chief Committee celebrated the return of the Chief St. Germain statue to its home at the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce after removing it from its pedestal the previous May for fiberglass repairs and other restorations … After three seasons in Eagle River, the Wisconsin Windigo announced it would relocate to the Milwaukee area following its acquisition by District 5 Sports Group Hockey Club, LLC. … The Town of Conover Park Committee dedicated The Fireside Memorial in honor of Lanny Studdard, the late owner of Lanny’s Fireside restaurant in Conover.
The Eagle River Revitalization Program, supported by a $50,000 Vibrant Spaces Grant, planned a Highway 45 crossing to improve safety and connectivity, along with public art, pedestrian and bicycle amenities, wayfinding signage, and an information board to enhance the downtown experience … A garage fire in St. Germain sparked by an e-bike spread to the home, resulting in a total loss … Northland Pines senior Eli Kerner was the Eagles’ lone qualifier for the WIAA State Track and Field Championships, marking the third state appearance of his high school career … Trees For Tomorrow in Eagle River announced plans to build a new outdoor classroom and community gathering space … The Land O’ Lakes Community Playground celebrated its official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony … A rescission package passed by the Trump administration aimed to cut more than $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a move that threatened to force rural radio stations — such as WXPR in Rhinelander — off the air … The spiny waterflea, an aquatic invasive species known to harm walleye and perch, was discovered in Sandy Beach Lake about 9 miles southwest of Manitowish Waters … Wisconsin Windigo Head Coach John Mitchell was named the North American Hockey League’s Coach of the Year after leading his team to the NAHL’s Midwest Division regular-season title and the Robertson Cup semifinals … The tourism industry continued to boom in Oneida and Vilas counties in 2024, with Oneida bringing in $394 million in state revenue and Vilas close behind at $383 million, state officials said … Josh Schoemann, the first candidate to announce a bid against Gov. Tony Evers ahead of next year’s elections, made campaign stops in both Eagle River and Rhinelander … Andy’s Pontoon Saloon was named Wisconsin Main Street’s Best New Business of 2024 by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation … Harmon Marien, an Eagle River native and McKendree University angler, made history as the first recipient of the ACA Collegiate Academic All-American Award, presented by Yamaha … The Chain Skimmers celebrated 55 years of water skiing in the North Woods … The Tuesday Night Eagle River Ladies Golf League was recognized as the largest ladies golf league in Wisconsin by the Wisconsin State Golf Association.
Through its Save the Church campaign, Sayner Community Church called for donations to fund the refurbishment and preservation of one of the town’s last historic buildings … The Vilas County Economic Development Corporation launched its Broadband Destination Campaign, an initiative promoting Vilas County as an “ideal location” for remote workers, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses … The Vilas County Board of Supervisors voted 14-4 to transfer $90,500 from the Unassigned General Fund for phase one of a development project at Riverside Park in Eagle River which included developing and selling the 5.2-acre parcel north of Division Street, with the total cost estimated at $725,239 … The Town of Plum Lake held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 10,700-square-foot community center … The Town of Washington called for financial support for the Eagle River Chain buoy program, which maintains 102 buoys from Cranberry Lake to the Highway 70 bridge on Watersmeet Lake … The Northwoods Children’s Museum held its first in-person fundraiser in five years at Riverstone Brewing Company in Eagle River, bringing in just over $18,000 toward the museum’s $600,000 goal … The Northland Pines Board of Education voted to seek assistance from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards in finding a replacement for the district administrator position … Due to blue-green algae blooms, the Vilas County Health Department issued an immediate health advisory for Big Arbor Vitae Lake Beach, located on the lake’s northeast shoreline off Buckhorn Road … Students from Phelps High School earned gold in the Chapter Display contest at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, held June 23-27 in Atlanta, Ga. … The Eagle River Recreation Association netted $77,300 at its Cheers for a Cause: Bourbon and Beer event at Eagle Waters Resort, nearly doubling last year’s total … Winners were crowned in 14 divisions over two days of play at the 11th annual Three Lakes Pickleball Tournament at Don Burnside Park … The Town of Phelps officially broke ground on a new $5.5 million community center, a long-anticipated project that would provide a wide range of services and resources for residents and visitors … Approximately 152 people gathered along Highway 45 in Eagle River to protest the Big Beautiful Bill passed by the Trump administration … A ruling in favor of the Three Lakes School District regarding its proposed Camp 3 outdoor classroom project was considered “a very big win,” by District Administrator Teri Maney … Gov. Tony Evers vetoed funding for the Deerskin River dredging project from the state’s biennial budget, forcing project leaders to find a solution … Members of the Three Lakes Veterans Memorial Committee celebrated the start of construction on the Veterans Memorial in the town square … A record 501 riders took to the Vilas County trails alongside Dick and Jean Leinenkugel during the 14th annual Ride with Leinie event in Conover.
Air quality across the North Woods was reported as “very unhealthy” as drifting wildfire smoke from Canada brought a reddish haze and a faint chemical-burning odor to the region, with particulates affecting Vilas County, surrounding areas, and much of the Midwest … Tony Duffek, principal of St. Germain Elementary School, accepted the position of district administrator for the Northland Pines School District for the 2026–27 school year following Foster’s retirement … The Rotary Club of Eagle River and its nonprofit foundation decided to take over the management and operation of the award-winning Warm The Children program … The River Trail project moved a step closer to becoming a reality when the Cloverland Town Board voted unanimously to renew its support … A federal judge delivered a major win for the Town of Lac du Flambeau and dozens of homeowners in a long-running dispute over road access, ordering that four roads crossing tribal land must remain permanently open … New Northland Pines head football coach Justin Nimsgern was set to take the field with his team for his first season leading the Eagles’ program … Following a planning process that began in 2024, the major project to repair and repaint the Eagle River water tower was completed … The Town of Manitowish Waters defeated a motion by property owners and wake surfing enthusiasts to temporarily block an ordinance restricting the use of artificial wake enhancement on lakes within the town … The Town of Phelps held a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 15 for its new 16,000-square-foot, ground-up Department of Public Works facility … After four years of dedicated service to the Eagle River community, Karen Margelofsky, executive director of the Eagle River Revitalization Program, submitted her resignation … The third annual Recycling Extravaganza drew 538 vehicles and collected more than 36 tons of recyclable items …The Town of Boulder Junction Parks and Recreation Department received the 2025 Wisconsin Governor’s Outdoor Industry First Ascent Award for Innovation for creating the Glide Skating Ribbon at Boulder Junction Winter Park.
After more than 44 years at the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, Joe Fath announced his intention to retire on Dec. 1… Wisconsin Senate Bill 203, often referred to as Cole’s Act, was presented by Sen. Mary Felzkowski and state Rep. Todd Novak in efforts to help small-town pharmacies … Vilas, Oneida and Forest counties once again saw a double-digit increase in equalized property values, according to the Department of Revenue Equalized Values Report … Wisconsin tribes harvested 34,211 walleyes from the ceded territory across the 2025 spring spearing season, primarily between the end of March through the middle of May … A run club that met Saturday mornings at Andy’s Pontoon Saloon throughout the summer managed to recruit hundreds of people to embark on a 2-mile run through the streets of downtown Eagle River each week … A conflict was brewing between progress and history in the town of Sayner, as disagreements arose about what should be done with the existing town hall once the new $4.25 million community center build was completed … New fish and deer consumption advisories for the Town of Stella and surrounding waterbodies were issued due to PFAS contamination … A ribbon cutting ceremony to launch its new JobPod was held at the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library … Progress was made at the new apartment development located at the northeast corner of Highway 45/East Pine Street, Wall Street, and Highway 70 East … National Suicide Prevention Month brought awareness to the fact that Vilas County has the second-highest suicide rate in the state.
Eagle River Union Airport began offering flight training for those interested in becoming a pilot … Discover Wisconsin highlighted Land O’ Lakes, billed as Wisconsin’s official “Halloween Town,” in an episode dedicated to haunted landscapes, ghostly landmarks, and fright-filled events … The Vilas County Board of Supervisors had a full complement of 21 members for the first time in almost a year after appointing Aron Houdini to the District 18 seat … Fred Suchy of Woodruff was inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame as Groomer of the Year … Sen. Mary Felzkowski and Rep. Chanz Green, along with industry leaders, local officials, and investors, introduced legislation to support the broader North Woods economy by investing in a new facility located in Hayward to turn woody biomass into sustainable aviation fuel … Forward Bank announced it would make a landmark building at Superior and School Street its permanent branch in Three Lakes … A 50-year-old mystery was revisited regarding the case of Charles Theis who went missing in the Nicolet National Forest in 1975 and was never seen again, despite sparking the area’s biggest manhunt … Eagle River Police Chief Christine Dobbs announced she would retire Dec. 31 after 33 years in law enforcement … Eagle River City Council voted to impose a usage fee for its traffic control items to help offset the cost of repair and replacement … The DNR okayed a unique project that aimed to bring back declining walleye populations in Forest County’s Franklin Lake, located just east of Eagle River, and fundraising efforts began … Eagle River Golf Course reported it reached its goal of bringing in $1 million in revenue for the 2025 season … Vilas County Sheriff Joe Fath was presented with the 2025 “First Responder of the Year” award for the 34th Assembly District during a ceremony at the Wisconsin State Capitol … The Eagle River Historical Society highlighted the CLIO tour app that allows people to tour historical places with information on their phone … Highway G Landfill officials said they expected costs to rise in the new year due to increased hauling costs because of PFAS contamination found in leachates … FORK provided an additional $45,000 in funding to help local families affected by the government shutdown that delayed SNAP/Foodshare benefits … Jo Ann Simons was named as the new ERRP executive director … The Three Lakes-Phelps girls cross country team qualified for state.
The Three Lakes Visitors Bureau moved one step closer in bringing a hotel with a swimming pool to town … More than 100 Northland Pines High School hockey supporters gathered on the grounds of the Eagle River Sports Arena to attend the ribbon-cutting for the recently completed girl’s hockey locker room … The defense team of 56-year-old James Johnson, accused of killing his sister at their residence in March, made a motion to change the defendant’s plea to not guilty by mental disease or defect … Land O’ Lakes correspondent Bob Hughes celebrated his 80th birthday … Bear hunters harvested 3,724 bears during the 35-day 2025 season, placing it on par with the five-year average of about 3,800 bears annually … The Northland Pines Board of Education voted unanimously to end the three-year process of recording committee meetings due to low viewership … A half-dozen Northland Pines varsity soccer players made the end-of-season all-conference teams for the Great Northern Conference, including junior Tyler Vojta, who won defensive player of the year … The Eagle River Cemetery Association earned nonprofit designation, meaning that all donations made by the public are tax-deductible … Vilas County unanimously passed its 2026 budget which included a decrease for taxpayers … New, permanent rules went into effect regarding gray wolf hunts in order to prevent future legal challenges if they are removed from the endangered species list, which would trigger a statewide hunt … Vilas County’s snowmobile trails were highlighted on Discover Wisconsin … Two long-term employees for Vilas County were recognized by the Vilas County Board of Supervisors — Sheriff Joseph Fath and Human Services’ Helga Low — both who spent decades serving their communities … Electors in the Town of Phelps voted 40-6 to approve the town’s tax levy increase of 17.41% … Fundraising efforts in Conover closed in on the $50,000 goal to purchase a new town ambulance as the department clocked $46,705 raised … The Vilas County Sheriff’s Office aimed to expand its footprint of four sophisticated artificial intelligence surveillance cameras in 2026, which can be useful in missing person cases and other applications … The Christmas Belles celebrated 25 years of purchasing gifts for needy families in the North Woods … Electors in the Town of Three Lakes voted against a proposed $500,000 increase in the town’s tax levy for the 2026 budget … Thousands of people were without power over the Thanksgiving holiday after a winter storm dumped up to 3 feet of snow and brought down numerous trees and brush in some areas of western Vilas County.
While levels of Eurasian water milfoil continue to rise in the Eagle River Chain of Lakes, lake association members and experts from Onterra LLC will avoid the use of pesticides for another year to combat the invasive species … Gerard Ritter was appointed as the Vilas County sheriff by Gov. Tony Evers after the retirement of Joe Fath … Northland Pines and Three Lakes school districts “exceeded expectations” by earning a four-star state rating on its Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction report card… A year-long discussion between the Eagle River Pickleball Association and Northland Pines School District came to an amiable end regarding the possibility of bringing a 10-court pickleball court to school grounds … Northland Pines senior Brianna Sullivan was crowned Miss Sno-Eagle for the 2025-25 season … The DNR reported that deer harvest totals were slightly down compared to the 2024 season, but the rollout of the newly implemented deer management units went surprisingly smoothly … The Northwoods Children’s Museum was awarded FORK’s Crimson Award for 2025 … Members of the St. Germain Fire Department rescued a deer that had fallen through the ice on Lost Lake … The announcement that conditions looked promising for an ice castle build in Eagle River was met with great community enthusiasm … Praise in the Pines announced its two-year plan and matching funds initiative for the 2026 and 2027 revivals … The ERRA launched its next big fundraiser to replace its failing ice plant with a $100,000 matching fundraiser from the Eckes Family Foundation.
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