WUPM News

The Wakefield City Council unanimously passed a short-term rental ordinance in late December following Planning Commission approval. The Daily Globe reports the ordinance mandates residential-zone rentals, limits parking/occupancy, requires tiered licensing fees (owner-occupied vs. not), initial/periodic safety inspections, and a 24/7 maintenance contact available within 60 minutes. There was criticism of the ordinance by members … Read more

A disappointing development despite having good snow and cold weather in the region, the annual Eagle River Ice Castle has been canceled due to unfavorable ice conditions on Silver Lake. Rain and warm weather before the recent major snowfall caused a layer of slush. Although it is now frozen, the Eagle River Fire Department determined … Read more

Mercer and surrounding area residents interested in learning how to cross country ski are invited to register for lessons courtesy of the FE University course taught by Chad McGrath on Mondays and Wednesdays in January, starting today. MECCA Trails will be the site of the class, rental skis are available. MECCA Trails Owl Prowl Snowshoe … Read more

The Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue Department celebrated a successful “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety initiative, reporting on Facebook Saturday that the holiday wreath hung with colored bulbs remained completely green, meaning the department responded to no structure fires between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. The campaign replaces a green bulb with a red … Read more

Michigan lawmakers are debating the cancellation of over $600 million in approved work projects, including a $1.2 million grant for Labor and Delivery Services at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital. Republican Senator Ed McBroom noted that most canceled funding was already spent. He added that Aspirus Ironwood declined their grant after a nearby facility closed, but didn’t … Read more

The seventh annual North End Snowshoe Classic, hosted by the North End Ski Club, is tomorrow, starting at 9:45 a.m. for the 10 km or 10 a.m. for the 5 km at the North End Trailhead near Cable. The Ashland Daily Press reports the looped course utilizes both ski and bike trails. Awards are given … Read more

Minocqua Winter Park’s new tubing hill, “The Flying Squirrel,” opened Monday, delighting all ages. The 630-foot run boasts a 70-foot vertical drop. Winter Park Board Secretary Joe Handrick noted that after receiving a foot of new snow, the park was having a “great day.” The hill was moved to improve safety and ease of operation. … Read more

Wisconsin’s 2025 elk hunt wrapped up mid month, and saw 13 successful harvests from over 26,000 applicants, which the DNR calls a success. State hunters filled all nine Black River zone tags (five antlerless, four bull) and harvested four bulls in the Clam Lake zone against an eight-bull quota, totaling seven bulls and five antlerless … Read more

Vilas County has boosted snowmobile safety with the installation of highly visible, flashing red, white, and green beacons at lake crossings, visible for two nautical miles. Announced by the Vilas County Forestry, Recreation, and Land Department on Tuesday, the beacons will be placed on both shorelines of the lake crossings to clearly mark safe routes … Read more

The Western Upper Peninsula will be represented at a premier semiquincentennial event next year: The Marty’s Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corp from Bessemer has accepted an invitation to march in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. The group, a familiar performer in the U.P. and northern Wisconsin, was founded in 1950 by local … Read more