Local Antigo Headlines

Christmas officially comes to an end with tree burn Wednesday

The Antigo Optimist Club put the official cap on the Christmas season here Wednesday evening. It was the night for the annual tree burn, when hundreds and hundreds of evergreens roar into flames just south of the Antigo High School complex. The pyro expert, Shane Krueger, had the base of the stack of trees pretty well soaked with fuel and when he made ignition, the flames roared into the air with a whoosh. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Jail for man who possessed marijuana

A Madison man arrested here last March and known, at least temporarily, as “John Doe” after he failed to provide his real identity was sentenced in Langlade County Circuit Court Monday to serve six months in jail.

Joshua Kann, 27, received the term after pleading no contest to two counts possession of marijuana and obstructing an officer. A third count involving the misappropriation of an ID card was dismissed.

Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

John Lund plea deal OKed

Former Antigo school district principal and coach John Lund reached a plea agreement with Langlade County court officials today, another step in a far-reaching marijuana investigation that has roiled the community for over a year.

Appearing before Judge Fred Kawalski, Lund pleaded guilty to one count of manufacturing and distributing marijuana, a felony charge.

Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal



Related Blog: Behind the Scenes of Lund's Plea Deal

Elton family loses everything in fire Monday evening, hunting for a cause

A fast-moving Monday night fire destroyed the home of the Ray Lewis family at Elton. The call that the structure, located on the west end of Elton’s “main street,” was made at 8:29 p.m. The Wolf River Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene, located at W4934 Highway 64... Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Forestry chief hiring will be from within

The Langlade County Board voted today to hire internally to replace the administrator of the Forestry and Recreation Department. Filling the vacancy created by the death of Steve Jackson, who held the position until his death in November, was the only major piece of business at the January session that lasted for just over one hour. The resolution that came to the floor suggested that the position be filled after an “external” search for a candidate. But an amendment by Supervisor Ron Nye, who chairs the Forestry and Recreation Committee, to make the replacement selection internally was approved on a 17-2 vote. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Federal Embezzlement Case Close to Resolution

A plea deal appears to be close for a woman accused of stealing more than half a million dollars from an Antigo business.

Susan Tatro was the Human Resources Director at the Waukesha Bearings plant in Antigo from 2006 to early 2011.

She's accused of stealing more than 5-hundred 76-thousand dollars from the company.

Full Story: WJFW



Related Blog: Former Homecoming Queen Charged With Embezzling Over Half Million

Child removed, drug residue found at home

Antigo police are continuing to investigate the circumstances around the activity occuring in a local home after an infant was removed from the residence on suspicions the nine-month old child may have been exposed to “bath salts”. Authorities said drug residue was found in the kitchen, on a chair and on the floor of the home. The youngster was evaluated by medical staff and placed in the care of a different family member. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Drug collections work here

Antigo and Langlade County are among the statewide leaders in the safe disposal of prescription drugs, despite a new report says only about 2 percent of waste medication is safely discarded in Wisconsin. The Police Department maintains a prescription drug drop-off box in the Safety Building lobby, open around-the-clock, to safely and securely discard unneeded and expired medications. “It’s amazing,” Police Chief Eric Roller said this morning. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Organ is a working masterpiece

Most historic items—especially those with deep community or intrinsic value—are locked up tight in display cases or closely guarded by curators. But one Antigo artifact is used, often and publicly, and will be the focus of a community concert on Friday. Faith United Church of Christ’s venerable pipe organ, an instrument that dates almost to the formation of the community... Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Board to eye forest administrator post

The Langlade County Board of Supervisors will hold its January meeting Tuesday with filling the position of forest and recreation administrator leading the agenda. The session begins on the lower level of the Safety Building at 9 a.m., and the public is invited to attend. The prime piece of business is filling the vacant administrator position in the forestry and recreation department created by the untimely death of Steven Jackson. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Wisconsin hit hard by influenza, numbers up

The flu has hit Wisconsin hard, already sickening hundreds more people than during all of last season, state health officials said Friday, and Antigo isn’t being spared. As of the end of the day, Wisconsin had seen 4,249 confirmed influenza cases, state Department of Health Services spokeswoman Claire Smith said. That’s more than twice the 2,034 cases the state saw during the entire 2011-12 flu season. The agency reported flu activity has been most intense in the state’s northern, northeastern and southeastern regions. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Trial canceled, Lund is expected to enter plea

John Lund, a former Antigo educator and coach, is expected to enter into a plea agreement early next week, triggering the cancellation of a planned jury trial on charges linked to the sale and use of marijuana.

District Attorney Ralph Uttke said today that a plea hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m. inside the Langlade County courtroom.

Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal



Related Post: Behind the Scene's of Lund's Plea Deal

New task force to study school issue

The Antigo school district is looking for a few people who want to be part of the solution instead of the problem. District Administrator Dr. Steven Smolek is soliciting candidates for the new task force that will be known as FORWARD, a acronym for Focusing Our Resources—Working (to) Advance Responsive Direction. “I’m looking for a broad cross-section of opinions and a very diverse group,” he said. “I really want people to volunteer and have an opportunity to show their interest.” It won’t be a cakewalk, he warned. He expects the committee to meet every Wednesday for two hours, 4 to 6 p.m., between February and June in order to prepare a recommendation for board of education review by July 1. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Robins with plenty of food, water are wintering here

Spring has not arrived in the northwoods, despite the weather and more and more sightings of robins at locations other than Antigo High School’s Sheldon Fieldhouse. Kim Smith of Antigo saw seven or eight of the birds—the feathered type, not the mascot—along the boardwalk trail this week and after snapping some pictures, did some research. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Two developers looking to build apartments in Antigo

Two developers vying for federal tax credits brought their proposals for substantial apartment complexes to the Antigo Common Council Wednesday. During public hearings on rezoning two northside parcels—a necessary component of any apartment plan—the council heard from Mike Dektas, representing the Miller Valentine Group based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kyle Peterson of the Indianapolis-based Herman-Kittle Properties. Both companies are seeking to dip into a pool of tax credits available through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, which has apparently decided Antigo is in need of more subsidized housing. “Only one will win out,” Mayor Bill Brandt said. “These guys are actually competitors.” Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Council backs new downtown banners, Christmas decorations

Antigo’s downtown will be getting a colorful boost. At Wednesday’s meeting of the Common Council, aldermen approved a resolution from the Public Works Committee that earmarks $15,000 from the economic development portion of the hotel/motel room tax funds initially and $4,000 annual beginning next year for the purchase of banners and holiday decorations. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

UPDATE: Antigo woman dies from injuries in Waupaca Co. crash

WAUPACA COUNTY (WAOW) - An Antigo woman has died from injuries sustained Tuesday in a crash in Waupaca County. According to Wisconsin State Patrol, the victim is 45-year-old Carrie Oreskovic. On Tuesday afternoon her jeep collided with a semi truck on State Highway 45 in Waupaca County. She was taken to the hospital and later died from her injuries. Full Story: WAOW

Pickup truck drivers raise havoc with trails

Langlade County snowmobile trails, already in tough shape due to a lack of snow and warm temperatures, are being battered by vandalism. Tammy Kubiaczyk, recreation coordinator for the Langlade County Forestry Department, said that trail bosses for the various snowmobile clubs are reporting increased incidences of people taking four-wheel drive trucks onto groomed trails, in direct violation of county ordinance. “We’ve had many problems with trucks on the trails,” Kubiaczyk said, adding that the big tires quickly destroy what little base the trails contain, making a bad situation even worse. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Wagner retiring from credit union

Keith Wagner, known to thousands of CoVantage Credit union customers over the decades for his friendly demeanor and astute judgment, is retiring from his post as vice president of consumer lending, has announced his plans to retire effective Friday. A retirement open house will take place on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Antigo office for members to bid him farewell. Cookies and coffee will be served. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Apartment projects will head city council meeting

Potential construction of two new apartment complexes on Antigo’s north side, along with a revitalization of the lagging downtown banner program leads the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting of the Antigo Common Council. The governing body will meet for its first session of the new year at 6 p.m. in the chambers at City Hall. The agenda hints at a possible building spurt in the community this summer. It will open with two public hearings seeking to reclassify property along Charlotte Street east of Neva Road from general commercial to general residential to allow for construction of apartment complexes. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Czaja sworn in as new lawmaker for the North

State Representative Mary Czaja, a Republican from Irma, was sworn in to represent Wisconsin's 35th Assembly District during the inaugural ceremonies held Monday at the State Capitol in Madison. The district includes Antigo and much of Langlade County. It was previously represented by Republican Tom Tiffany, newly-elected to the 12th Senate seat. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

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