Local Antigo Headlines

Adeline Hess, a longtime Langlade County 4-H leader, has been inducted as part of the inaugural class in the new Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame.

The University of Wisconsin-Extension 4-H Youth Development Program held the program in mid-November as the culminating event to celebrate 100 years of 4-H in Wisconsin.

“Adeline exemplifies volunteer leadership,” Krista Otto, the county’s 4-H youth development agent, said. “She has given 39 years of service, working in varied roles like 4-H board treasurer, Deerbrook Eagle Beavers 4-H Club co-leader, Langlade County 4-H Youth Fair Advisory Board chair, and more.”

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Housing needs in Langlade County are getting a long look from a variety of local organizations, with an eye on meeting the needs of lower-income members of the community.

Representatives from the Antigo Housing Authority, city of Antigo, USDA Rural Development, Habitat for Humanity and other groups gathered in the lower level of CoVantage Credit Union and for a morning focused on connecting with one another and addressing housing issues in Langlade County.

Paul Grinde, Habitat for Humanity of Langlade County president, and Nick Salm, a member of Langlade Hospital’s Mission Committee, organized the meeting and led the group in identifying what sorts of housing concerns presently exist in Langlade County.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Highway 45 south of Antigo was spotted with glare ice today, including in the vicinity of Huggins Road where this vehicle overturned and landed on its roof. The driver, who resides in Greendale, was not injured.

Read more: Antigo Daily Journal

White Lake kicked off its holiday season with a community sing-along and tree-lighting ceremony Sunday.

Bob and Shelley Strong, in their fifth year of volunteering, sang a number of Christmas and Christian songs to the delight of all the people attending. Emily Popelka joined them for a song and then did a beautiful rendition of “Silent Night.”

Read more: Antigo Daily Journal

The board of directors of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association has named Tamas Houlihan executive director. He has been serving as interim executive director since August of 2014.

Association President Larry Alsum of Alsum Farms & Produce, Friesland, said he is pleased to have Houlihan assume the association’s leadership role.

“I’m very excited about the future of the WPVGA under the leadership of Tamas Houlihan,” Alsum said. “His knowledge of the industry and communication skills make him an excellent choice to give the association leadership and direction in the years to come.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Nothing says Christmas greetings like a holiday card.

The city of Antigo, together with local businesses, groups and organizations, is encouraging continued outdoor recreational activity and spreading holiday cheer through life-size Christmas Cards along the Spring Brook Trail.

“We invite everyone to enjoy the creative and festive displays that include glow in the dark paint and lights for evening viewing,” Sarah Repp, parks and recreation director, said.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Santa Claus was welcomed to Antigo in fine style Wednesday evening, capping a full day of holiday activities that started early and ended well after evening’s chill had settled on the community.

The annual community Christmas parade is a tradition dating back decades, and this year’s rendition did not disappoint as 35 entries—a mix of commercial, civic and community—traveled the parade route along Fifth Avenue in a half-hour extravaganza of lights.

The parade opened with the Marine Corps Timberwolves Detachment carrying the colors followed by the Antigo High School Marching Red Robins, who decorated their instruments with colored lights.

Read more: Antigo Daily Journal

Wisconsin hunters killed nearly 25 percent fewer deer in the nine-day gun season compared to a year ago, with poor weather, a drop in hunters and tighter restrictions in the north playing a part, the state Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday.

Preliminary figures show 191,500 deer were taken, compared to 255,003 over the same period last year. The buck harvest was a little over 90,000, down about 8 percent.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Following a year’s absence due to medical-based issues which resulted in an extended stay at a Michigan hospital, an Antigo man was returned by law officers to Langlade County Circuit Court Tuesday where he is awaiting prosecution for child sexual assault.

At 60-years-old, Edward “Freddy” Fleming is at risk of spending the remainder of his life in prison on allegations he molested a young girl during the summer of 2012. The details of the case were obtained through statements provided by the girl, first to a family member and then to a social worker at a child advocacy center in Wausau.

The crime, first degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13, carries a maximum 60-year term of imprisonment upon conviction.

Read more: Antigo Daily Journal

An Antigo man indicted on federal drug charges was sentenced Monday to time in prison for his role in the widespread distribution of cocaine and marijuana.

John M. Hunter, 36, will serve 30 months in prison for a single count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. He pleaded guilty to the charge earlier this year.

The ruling by Chief United States District Court Judge William C. Griesbach additionally included a 48 month term of supervised release following Hunter’s release from prison.

Read more: Antigo Daily Journal

Santa and the chili may be the stars, but there will be much more along Fifth Avenue as well Wednesday.

As part of the annual chili cook-off and Christmas parade, Antigo Bakery and Salvation Army will offer fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate Wednesday afternoon and evening at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Clermont Street.

Mike and Sheila Pavek, Antigo Bakery owners, are donating the cookie dough for cookies, that will be baked in large ovens right on the sidewalk, adding a delicious aroma to the spicy mix that will be filling the street. Volunteers will be baking and offering cookies to downtown visitors all afternoon and evening as long as they last.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Christmas officially arrives this week.

Antigo will welcome the Jolly old Elf on Wednesday evening at its gala holiday parade, with Santa arriving just after the roasters are cleared from the chili cook-off, with takes place throughout the day.

The 17th annual chili cook-off gets underway at 8 a.m. along Fifth Avenue, with about 40 participants registered for the annual Antigo/Langlade County Chamber of Commerce event.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Kettlebowl Volunteers at Kettlebowl ski hill are ramping up for the 2014-15 season, and they’re looking for a few fresh faces to help.

The Langlade County Ski Club, which operates the popular family fun spot northeast of Antigo, will hold a volunteer recruitment meeting on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Antigo Public Library. The purpose will be to add to the list of Kettlebowl faithful interested in spending a few hours on one or two weekends during the winter season helping out at the facility.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Local unemployment rates remained steady across the northwoods, down from a year ago but continuing to lag the state and nation.

According to preliminary, seasonally unadjusted data released Wednesday by the state Department of Workforce Development, Langlade County’s unemployment rate remained 6.4 percent in October, unchanged from a month earlier but 1.1 percent lower than one year ago.

But the rate is still highest in the region, with neighboring Oneida County posting a jobless tally of 5.7 percent, up from 5.5 percent a month earlier; and Lincoln County, 5.3 percent, down from 5.6 percent in September.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal