News Staff Nathan Monkelien, 37, is appealing his life sentence for the October 2023, murders of Manuel and Luis Garcia Salas. Monkelien, former co-owner of the Stagecoach Bar & Grille where the shootings occurred, was sentenced in May to life in prison with parole eligibility after 30 years. His attorneys claim self-defense, asserting Monkelien feared for his … Read more
The Michigan State Police (MSP) is warning residents about a phone scam. Impersonators claim individuals missed court dates or committed violations to pressure them into revealing personal information. The callers use this tactic to create a sense of urgency and panic. The MSP clarifies these calls are fraudulent; they will never request sensitive data or … Read more
A recent survey by the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP) revealed that less than one-third of veterans in the U.P. are receiving adequate dental care from the VA. To address this critical issue, UPCAP is urging veterans to share their experiences and will be hosting two Oral Health Care forums next week. The … Read more
A large storage unit facility on State Highway 47 in Woodruff was destroyed by a massive fire on Saturday. More than 30 agencies from five counties responded to the blaze, which was reported at 1:41 p.m. Minocqua and Woodruff firefighters arrived to find a 60-by-200-foot storage building engulfed in flames. A Mutual Aid Box Alarm … Read more
A Vilas County man was found dead inside his home early Friday following a house fire in the Town of Washington, according to the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies reported the fire just after 5 a.m. at the intersection of Wild Eagle Lane and Chain O Lakes Road. Firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed … Read more
The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department offers free, mandatory hearing and vision screenings in August for Gogebic and Ontonagon county kindergarteners. These screenings, required by Michigan law, help identify issues affecting learning, allowing for early intervention. Technician Joan Becia will conduct screenings at both county offices. In Gogebic County, screenings are scheduled for August 18, … Read more
A woman is dead after a single vehicle crash in Ontonagon County. The Ontonagon Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Porcupine Mountains Lake of the Clouds around 8:15 am, to find a completely burned out vehicle off the road and a woman who had been thrown from the vehicle. Excessive speed is thought to be … Read more
A new business owner has let the Wakefield City Council know that they will fund a public road, an extension of Lakeshore Drive south of U.S. 2, to their nano-brewery, Legendary Tales Barrel and Brewhouse. City manager Robert Brown Jr. noted a 60-foot right-of-way issue, but adjacent property owner Jason Belter will grant an easement … Read more
A northern Wisconsin judge has denied Lakeland Times publisher Gregg Walker’s harassment restraining order request against Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad. The judge deemed Bangstad’s conduct “outrageous” and “bullying” but an isolated incident not meeting injunction criteria. Vilas County Judge Martha Milanowski, after Oneida County Judge Michael Schiek recused himself, had previously issued a … Read more
Wisconsin health officials have confirmed recent cases of Powassan virus in the state, a rare but potentially deadly tick-borne illness transmitted by blacklegged ticks. These ticks, also carriers of Lyme disease, can rapidly spread the virus to the brain, causing viral encephalitis. However, unlike Lyme disease, Powassan virus has no cure and can lead to … Read more