Kirk Bangstad, who runs Minocqua Brewing Company, is facing harassment charges after what he called a political demonstration at a local newspaper publisher’s office in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. The brewery owner was arrested Friday and charged with several offenses, including disorderly conduct and harassment. This is just the latest twist in Bangstad’s long-running battles with local officials in Minocqua and Oneida County. His business leans hard into progressive politics and Democratic messaging. After losing its conditional use authorization earlier this year, the brewery’s been operating without the right permits. That’s led to a stack of municipal violations since May. Stay Connected

9 People Arrested in Price County Drug Distribution Investigation Yields Major Seizure of Narcotics and Cash. The Price County law enforcement operation was a months-long investigation into drug distribution networks in and around Phillips, Wisconsin. Nine people were arrested in Price County after sheriff’s deputies and local police coordinated their efforts. This investigation kicked off in March 2025. It involved plenty of surveillance and intelligence work before officers finally executed several search warrants in the area. Primary Substances Involved The focus? Two controlled substances that have been causing headaches for communities everywhere: Law enforcement is still battling the spread of

Three students from Phelps High School snagged national recognition at the SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, held June 23-27. Alivia Jones, Raelee Steeno, and Jodie Grasse took first place in the Chapter Display category, putting their small Wisconsin community on the map. Their project? An interactive display built entirely from scratch, all based on the theme “Ignite Your Potential.” They spent months after school planning, building, and tweaking every detail. A lot of late nights and, honestly, probably some frustration went into getting that display just right. You can’t really fake that kind of dedication. Community support made a difference,

Overview The Town of Minocqua found itself dealing with some unusually tense security concerns during its annual Independence Day celebration this year. Brewery owner Kirk Bangstad had posted online threats hinting at plans to disrupt the festivities, which definitely got the attention of local authorities. Bangstad’s threats followed his arrest on charges like disorderly conduct and harassment. The Minocqua Brewing Company owner aimed to halt the Fourth of July parade after being detained over the weekend, which, as you can imagine, made local officials a bit uneasy. The 4th of July parade still happened without any real incident, but it

Sex offender registries are public safety tools. They give communities details about convicted individuals living nearby. These databases list offenders who’ve been required by law to register their personal info and home addresses with local authorities. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office maintains a Sex Offender Registry as a public service. Residents can search for registered offenders by entering local addresses. Similar systems exist in many jurisdictions across the U.S. The National Sex Offender Public Website lets you search across all 50 states, territories, and tribal lands. Hidden in Plain Sight: Almost 200 sex offenders reside in Oneida, Vilas counties Wisconsin

The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has stepped back from its earlier position in an ongoing land dispute. The tribe recently announced it will not block four contested roads or issue trespassing citations to non-tribal residents using these roads during pending litigation. This marks a shift from January, when tribal officials had warned they would ticket and potentially prosecute homeowners for unauthorized use of Annie Sunn Lane, Center Sugarbush Lane, East Ross Allen Lake Lane, and Elsie Lake Lane. This dispute has a complicated history. In early 2023, the tribe placed barricades on these roads following failed

On a bright Saturday morning, the Lakeland Airport in Arbor Vitae buzzed with excitement as it hosted the much-anticipated Young Eagles Day on September 14. Local pilot Bill Stengl took center stage, preparing to guide a group of enthusiastic kids on their first flights, a thrilling experience that promises to ignite a lifelong passion for aviation. Standing proudly next to his Beechcraft Debonair, Stengl shared his extensive knowledge of flight dynamics with the eager young aviators. His enthusiasm was infectious, sparking curiosity and wonder among the participants, many of whom were about to embark on a journey that would leave

MINOCQUA, Wis. — A judge has declined a request for an arrest warrant against Kirk Bangstad, owner of Minocqua Brewing Company, related to a 2021 defamation lawsuit. According to WSAU Radio, Bangstad was held in contempt after missing a scheduled court appearance in Rhinelander on Wednesday. The hearing was tied to a defamation case in which Bangstad was found liable for making false statements about the family of Lakeland Times Publisher Gregg Walker. As part of the ruling, Bangstad was ordered to pay nearly $760,000 in damages to Walker, with Minocqua Brewing Company also facing a $329,000 penalty. Court records

MINOCQUA, Wis. — Lakeland Union High School was placed under lockdown Friday morning due to a procedural flaw in their security system. The lockdown was initiated after a door malfunctioned, falsely signaling a security breach, according to school officials. The incident occurred at approximately 9 a.m., sending the school into immediate lockdown procedures, although there was no actual threat. School authorities responded promptly, and the issue was quickly resolved, allowing classes to resume shortly afterward. This lockdown highlighted the need for regular assessments of school security systems to prevent false alarms from disrupting daily operations. Officials reassured parents and students

The Marshfield Clinic Health System, facing significant financial challenges, recently announced a series of service reductions across its northern region. This decision comes in the wake of a failed merger with Essentia Health of Minnesota, a deteriorating financial situation, and a recent credit rating downgrade. Closure of Mercer Center and Other Key Changes Impact Northern Region Key Points: Deep Dive into the Changes Mercer Center Shutdown The closure of the Mercer Center, a key healthcare facility, marks a significant shift in the availability of healthcare services in the region. Patients will be redirected to primary care in Minocqua and other

On December 14th, a notable transformation took place in the world of automobile dealerships in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Dave Marston Motors, a long-standing name in the industry, transitioned to a new era, rebranding as Northwoods Ford. This change marks a significant shift in the local automotive landscape. The owner, Scott Marston, who has been at the helm of the dealership for over a decade, made the decision to sell the business following a celebration of 40 years in the industry. He expressed that after four rewarding decades, the time had come for him to step into retirement. Marston, reflecting on his

Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the passing of Jessica Barry, a 46-year-old woman from Ashland, who tragically lost her life on New Year’s Day while detained at the Vilas County Jail. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office is leading this inquiry. The situation unfolded on the evening of January 1, as detailed in a statement by Vilas County Chief Deputy Patrick Schmidt. It was reported to the jail’s control center that Barry was experiencing a severe medical crisis. Another inmate alerted a correctional officer to the emergency shortly after 6 p.m. Responding officers found Barry in her cell in