Local Antigo Headlines

Flag-raising was 70 years ago today

Editor’s note: The following article appeared in the Antigo Daily Journal on Feb. 23, 1961 marking the 50th anniversary of the famous flag-raising on the island of Iwo Jima.

At the time, the late John Bradley was an active Antigo businessman who would rather not discuss the events on the tragic island, the flag raising and events surrounding it. He continued that posture until his death Jan. 11, 1994.

It is very likely that Gene Legro, a master of the written word, was the author. He spent decades in the Antigo Daily Journal’s editorial department.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Dogs, mushers delight the crowds

The back lot at Culver’s Restaurant on the north side of Antigo was a very busy and interesting place to be Saturday and Sunday.

The Antigo/Langlade County Chamber of Commerce, Culver’s and the Wisconsin Trailblazers Sled Dog Club got together to stage the races that drew at least 75 teams of mushers and members of their support crews and, of course, dozens and dozens of finely-tuned and anxious sled dogs.

The Antigo race was be the last 2015 sprint race in a series of Wisconsin events that are sanctioned by the International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA). Mushers from all over the Midwest were racing to defend or move up in the points standing for end of the year ISDRA medals. Each of the medals which included 10-dog, 6-dog, 4-dog and even skijoring classes could have been decided at Antigo.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

A bit of a nip in the air? Warm up with a brisk round of disc golf, on snowshoes

Winter in Wisconsin, when thoughts turn to snowmobiling, skiing, skating, snowshoeing and golf.

Golf?

Yup, specifically of the flying disc variety.

With the help of local businesses, the city of Antigo has set up a great little disc golf course in the Northern Natural Area of the Spring Brook Trail. With the addition of a set of snowshoes, playing a few holes may be the perfect way to combine the best of winter and summertime—minus the mosquitoes but with the addition of frostbite fears.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

At a cordial forum, candidates for judge share views about election

Attorneys Ralph Uttke and John Rhode, opponents in the running for Langlade County circuit court judge, met with constituents at the Antigo Public Library this week.

The non-partisan seat was left open with the retirement of Judge Fred Kawalski in November. Both men will be on the ballot during the April 7 election with the winner officially beginning his six-year term in August.

Sponsored by the Langlade County Democratic Party, the “meet and greet” forum attracted a fair number of voters as the challengers provided a brief synopsis of their background and qualifications as well as answering questions from the public.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Drug Bust In Ice Fishing Shanty Off Lake Alexander In Merrill

It's not often that you hear about a drug bust at an ice-fishing shanty -- but it happened over the weekend in north central Wisconsin. A Lincoln County sheriff's officer was checking the shacks on Lake Alexander near Merrill when he noticed a strong odor from one of the shanties late Saturday night. Just before the deputy could go inside, a vehicle arrived -- but officials said the driver tried to high-tail it away when spotting the officer. The deputy stopped the vehicle, and found two offenders -- an 18-year-old who was violating a probation by drinking, and a 17-year-old wanted on a warrant in neighboring Marathon County.

Read more: WACD

Wisconsin Total Home Sales Decline In January, But Langlade County Bucks Trend

Wisconsin Realtors sold three-point-seven percent fewer homes in January, compared to the same month a year ago. The state Realtors Association said today that its members sold 32-hundred-50 existing houses last month, down from 33-hundred-75 in January of last year. The median re-sale price kept going up by six-and-a-half percent on a year-to-year basis, to 135-thousand dollars. Realtors Association chairman Dan Kruse said only about five-percent of all homes during a typical year are sold in January, so it's harder to draw conclusions.

Read more: WACD

Community Forum To Take Place At Antigo High School

Parents and guardians have a chance to give feedback to the Antigo School Board and other administrators tonight at the first ever "World Cafe" event held at the Antigo High School in the commons area. The event is a forum which allows different topics to be discussed at tables dedicated to the respective topics.

Participants rotate to each table to share thoughts with others on the respective topic. Each table will be facilitated by a board member with an administrator present to record participants' thoughts and ideas on paper and to provide information when/as needed.

Read more: WACD

Several Charged With OWI In Langlade County; Two After Crashes

Five people were charged with operating while intoxicated this weekend in Langlade County, including two following crashes.

On Friday morning, shortly after midnight, a woman called police saying that she had just been involved in a crash. The call dropped, but authorities were able to determine the vehicle was near the fish hatchery on Highway 64 in Langlade County. According to deputies, the car was eastbound when it left the roadway, entered the north ditch, rolled once, and came to rest on its tires.

Two male passengers who were trapped in the car were assisted by law enforcement and Wolf River Fire. The driver was charged with OWI.

Read more: WACD

Several fined here for drunken driving

Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated proved costly for a number of motorists who made appearances this week in Langlade County Circuit Court.

A first offense carries a fine of $887.50 along with a revocation of an individual’s driver’s license for at least six months. For those with a blood alcohol level of at least .15 percent, an added penalty involves equiping a vehicle with an ignition interlock device.

Cited for the violation were Donna Siegman, 63, 421 Hogan St.; Daniel J. Boyd, 27, W9542 E. 10th Ave. Road; Megan S. Novak, 22, Deerbrook; Quintin Tevis, 27, 1601 Beattie Ave.; and Jerome Winkel, 29, of Elton.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Birkie skiers, some from here, face hurdle over Hayward bridge

Cross-country skiers at Saturday’s 42nd American Birkebeiner—including a traditionally sizable contingent from the Antigo area—will have one last hurdle to cross before the finish line in Hayward.

The Birkie Bridge.

The bridge, built by Trussworks, spans Highway 63 and will bring skiers down onto Hayward’s Main Street. Unlike the original International Bridge of early events, which was at the finish line at Telemark in Cable, this span will be at the end of the race downtown and eliminate the need to detour traffic on Highway 63.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

April referendum sparks information push

The White Lake board of education, through a citizen committee and beef-up web presence is addressing community questions on its April 7 spending referendum.

At this week’s meeting of the board of education, Administrator Bill Fisher updated the seven-member panel on the informational push now underway in advance of the vote.

“We have a community committee to educate people on the financial challenges the district is facing,” Fisher said. “We also have a site on the district website where people can ask questions anonymously about the referendum and we will post answers.”

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Postal Services seeks new vans

The post office’s iconic—but notoriously cranky—delivery vans may be getting a makeover.

Faced with rising maintenance costs for its aging fleet and needing extra cargo space to satisfy the desires of online shoppers, the U.S. Postal Service is asking automakers to bid on a commercial van that would replace the boxy Long Life Vehicle and become the backbone of the service’s delivery fleet starting in 2018.

According to Automotive News, the agency has scheduled a meeting with potential bidders next week in Washington. It says it will pick vendors this summer to build prototypes, which will undergo tests in 2016 before a contract is awarded in early 2017.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Mattmiller, Orgeman bowl top men's scores

Brian Mattmiller returned to the front of the pack Thursday, beating out Chris Orgeman in the evening’s series race at North Star Lanes.

The two Dirty Dozen league bowlers are among this season’s frontrunners and a big 287 in Mattmiller’s opening round suggested that it would be another banner night. Following it up with games of 259 and 228, he finished his campaign with a 774 series.

Orgeman finished at 718. His top single was a 248.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

CoVantage sets annual meeting

Members of CoVantage Credit Union are invited to attend the organization’s 62nd annual membership meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Volm Theater at Antigo High School. Member registration begins at 6 p.m.

All credit union members are encouraged to attend the meeting which will include an introduction of the CoVantage board of directors, financial reports and highlights from 2014, and a preview of what is being planned for 2015.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Culver's sled dog races this weekend

The weather is expected to moderate in time for this weekend’s Langlade County Culver’s Trailblazer Challenge Sled Dog Races, good news for the canines, drivers and spectators.

Racing starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday, starting and finishing from a staging area behind Culver’s on Antigo’s north side.

Hosted by the Antigo/Langlade County Chamber of Commerce, there will be competition in four, six and 10-dog classes along with junior and skijoring classes. Spectator admission is free and there will be plenty of opportunities to view the racers along the route. A map is printed on page eight, section one of today’s newspaper and may also be downloaded from the chamber website at antigochamber.com.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Official low here early today was 22 below zero

Antigo and Langlade County joined a broad area of the state and U.S. in suffering through bitterly low temperatures.

While the official low reading here was 22 below this morning in Antigo, residents reported thermometers reporting less and there was an online report that some living in the Gleason area had registered minus 31.

At noon in Antigo the reading was minus four with a wind chill of 20 below. Warnings continued to be raised over the dangers of the severe cold and wind.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Antigo Woman Reports Theft Of Medication From Home

Early Thursday morning, an Antigo woman called authorities to report a theft of medication that had taken place on Wednesday. An aunt of the woman had suggested a man who would fix her furnace for her. While she was in the basement, the man pried open her lock box and stole the pills. The woman had pain pills as well as Xanax. She said she called the man, asking him to return the medication and he refused.

Read more: WACD

Smoke Detectors Not Working In Mosinee Fire That Killed Two

Authorities said smoke detectors did not appear to be working when a duplex fire killed an elderly brother and sister in Mosinee a week ago. Mosinee Fire District Chief Josh Klug said 75-year-old Hershel "Fred" Bauman had physical limits which could have made it hard for him to escape the flames. He and 68-year-old Neatha Carwile died in the blaze, which occurred last Thursday. The chief said Carwile was caring for Bauman at the time the fire began in the upper part of a duplex.

Read more: WACD

Two Large Antigo Projects Continue To Progress

Two projects that could mean great things for the City of Antigo are starting to take shape.

Sartori Cheese Company continues to work on expansion of their facility. The 14 million dollar project of the plants in both Plymouth and Antigo is expected to create 53 new jobs.
Construction efforts are on schedule with the building shell anticipated to be substantially completed for late winter/early spring. Walls and ceilings are to be in place, in late winter/early spring milestone. The installation of the equipment and tanks are anticipated to be completed late spring/early summer followed by quality testing and production.

Read more: WACD

City Applies For Grant Allows Free Firefighter For Two Years

The City of Antigo will be applying for the Safer Hiring Grant program, a state program, which allows a city to hire an individual for two years completely free, and then can eliminate the position at that time.

The person would be used as a firefighter and paramedic. The Antigo Fire Department has been short one person for three years. Safety Director Eric Roller said that although the city would have to pay unemployment for at least a half year if the person could not find another job, the savings in overtime would cancel that cost out. If someone retires, Roller said you would only be replacing one person if the safer grant employee was qualified for the job.

Read more: WACD

Antigo woman claims rape, police say allegation was false

Criminal charges have been filed against an Antigo woman who police allege admitted to concocting a false tale of rape.

Donna Raunio, 35, of 814 First Ave. was released from custody on a $5,000 signature bond after making an appearance in Langlade County Circuit Court this week before Reserve Judge Glenn Hartley.

Her charges include a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer and a felony count of child neglect resulting in bodily harm. Authorities indicate she also received a citation for misuse of the emergency 911 system.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

'Camelot' to open March 13

The Antigo High School Drama Club will present “Camelot,” a classic story of love and chivalry, beginning Friday, March 13.

The musical will be staged March 13, 14 , 19, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 15 at 2 p.m. in the Volm Theater at Antigo High School. Tickets, priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 10 and under, will go on sale starting Tuesday, March 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the commons. They will also be available one hour before curtain depending on availability.

“Camelot” tells the story of a King Arthur, his teacher, the wizard Merlyn, and his bride, Guenevere.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Man Who Forced Medford School Lockdown Pleads Not Guilty

A 20-year-old man identified by police as the shooter in an Aug. 30 incident that prompted a lockdown at the Medford High School and stalled a high school football game has pleaded not guilty.

Harrison Davis is in custody in the Taylor County jail on $50,000 cash bond.

An investigation began around 3 p.m. Aug. 30 after a man called 911 to report shots had been fired through his front door. According to court documents, the man's front glass door was shattered and his main door had a bullet hole through it. The bullet reportedly traveled through the living room and into the kitchen. The occupant was shaken up, but not injured.

Read more: WACD

Speed Limit Raise On 4 Lane Highways Gaining Traction

A bill to raise Wisconsin's top speed limit to 70-miles-an-hour appears to be off to a smooth start in the Legislature. The proposal received little opposition yesterday at a public hearing by the Assembly's Transportation Committee. D-O-T officials said they would most likely increase the speed limit on rural four-lanes -- and they would test individual highways to see which ones could best accommodate the higher speeds. Wisconsin now has a top speed limit of 65 on rural freeways and expressways, while neighboring states are all at 70. Assembly Republican John Spiros of Marshfield proposed an amendment to keep commercial vehicles at 65, as a matter of safety.

Read more: WACD

City Reminds Antigo Residents To Keep Running Water If Told To

Area residents are reminded that if you have been called to run your water to do so until you're told to stop. The city of Antigo dealt with several problems last winter due to the cold temperatures with water pipes freezing. Well over 100 repairs had to be completed, and the order of many street projects had to be changed to fix the problems.

Read more: WACD

Lakers have a big year with the Packers

The Green Bay Packers weren’t the only successful team at Lambeau Field this past season. White Lake fielded one too.

Last week, volunteers from the White Lake school district received an honorable mention award at the annual non-profit organization appreciation dinner hosted by Delaware North Company, which operates the concessions stands at the games. The citation accompanied by a $250 bonus, was in recognition of district’s “consistent and dedicated service” providing concession crews for home Packer games this past season.

“We have a core group that is dedicated to almost every game,” Cathy Lundgren said. When someone works a game, they find out it’s hard work but it’s fun. They want to come back.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Snow Ball was an elegant event

The L.A. Arts Snow Ball on Saturday, Valentine’s night, was a true hit.

The Edison Club was dressed elegantly for the event, the music was excellent, so were the desserts, dancing and listening to the band, “Hip Pocket.” The band was certainly one of the evening’s highlights.

It was the fourth Snow Ball for L.A. Arts, an acronym for Langlade Area Arts, and had been billed as an “An Evening of Romance and Glamour,” and it delivered.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

City trails perfect for a brisk bike ride

It’s an unforgettable scene from a classic movie: Butch Cassidy hot-dogging on his bicycle, much to the delight of Etta Place, to the strains of “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.”

Shoulda been snow.

The crew’s choice this week for keeping the winter blues away in Antigo is to go snow biking, whether on one of the newfangled fat tire models gaining wild popularity among adventure seekers, on a plastic-tired Big Wheel on a jaunt down the driveway, or maybe something in between.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

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