Local Antigo Headlines

The popular ice caves on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands are now closed, concluding an unprecedented wave of tourism and exploration. The National Park Service says the caves along Lake Superior were closed just after midnight Monday. The park service says the ice was getting too weak to support foot traffic to the caves, which are accessible by kayak in the summer. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

The crowd overflowed onto Highway 55 in Pickerel Saturday, enjoying sunny but brisk conditions for the community’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The event, a tradition in a community with very few Irish names but plenty of Celtic souls, drew hundreds of spectators and over two dozen entries to the route, which followed Highway DD and Highway 55 through the community. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Our plans continue to be refined for the online Antigo Daily Journal launch during the past week. We are working on setting the prices and making decisions on just how the system will work. It is moving ahead, and the papers are put in a folder daily, building a searchable archive once we get rolling. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

ANTIGO - 4-H programs help kids gain leadership skills. Langlade County welcomed a new 4-H leader in February. Krista Otto is the new 4-H youth development educator. Full story: WJFW

This winter could go down as one of the harshest on record for northwoods wildlife. With weeks to go until spring green-up, Department of Natural Resources Northern Region Area Supervisor Chuck McCullough said the combination of subzero days and deep snows may be historic. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

An Antigo man arrested for a burglary at a Bryant area tavern last fall has been sentenced to serve 60 days in jail after entering pleas of no contest to reduced counts in Langlade County Circuit Court. Dylan Mikelson, 20, was one of three people charged in connection with the September break-in to Buckshot’s Bar located along Highway 52. According to court documents, video surveillance captured the image of an individual, later identified as Mikelson, and others entering the bar. Alcohol was among the items stolen from the business. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Northern Wisconsin, and certainly Antigo and Langlade County, got a startling reminder Monday how nice some winter days can be. For the first time in months temperature readings went above 50, snow that had been packed on walkways, driveways and roads started melting, and in some cases, roofs began leaking. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

A Kaukauna motorist who stopped to check the status of another driver parked alongside Highway 64 early Saturday may be rethinking his actions today. The nice deed ultimately resulted in his arrest. The stopped driver was a Langlade County sheriff’s deputy and it evidently only took a whiff of his “rescuer’s” breath through an open window to suspect alcohol may have been at play. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, joined by Revenue Secretary Richard Chandler, brought their message of tax reform to Antigo Friday, part of a series of listening sessions scheduled around the state. Kleefisch and Chandler stopped by the Antigo Daily Journal to discuss, as she said “a whole bunch off good things,” led by the passage of Gov. Scott Walker’s “Blueprint for Prosperity” by the Assembly and Senate. The two versions must now be reconciled before going to the governor for his signature. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

The radio weatherman said bright and early Thursday that the Wausau area had set a record for cold temperatures. When the readings skidded below zero Wednesday night and early Thursday, it was the 56th time during the winter of 2013-2014 it had happened, at least in Wausau. The previous record was 55 days, and it seems to me we’ve had 56 of those chillers and perhaps more here in Antigo. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

A former Elcho town official has provided partial restitution on charges linked to the alleged embezzlement of an estimated $100,000. Langlade County District Attorney Ralph Uttke said this week that 43-year-old Melissa Bloechl has paid $5,000 toward the total sum she is accused of stealing while serving as the community’s clerk-treasurer. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

ANTIGO - Employers in wood technology fields in the Northwoods want to hire people. But for many, there just aren't enough qualified workers for the jobs. Northcentral Technical College in Antigo and local wood products manufacturers are teaming up to help solve that problem. Full story: WJFW

An Oshkosh man involved in a two-vehicle accident in the town of Neva last month made a court appearance here Monday on pending drug counts. Cody J. Umentum, 19, entered pleas of not guilty in Langlade County Circuit Court to counts of possessing both marijuana and drug paraphernalia. According to a criminal complaint, sheriff’s deputies seized an estimated 13.5 grams of marijuana, $1,000 in cash, a glass pipe and a grinder used to cut marijuana from Umentum’s vehicle. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

The weather was chilly but skiing conditions were excellent for Kettlebowl’s annual Fun Day Sunday. The event drew dozens of newcomers, who came to enjoy Nick Salm’s Belgium waffles, sausages donated by Lakeside Market, maple syrup and fruit toppings donated by many individuals. “These visitors saw what a wonderful facility Kettlebowl Ski Hill is,” volunteer Judy Peterson said. Full story: Antigo Daily Journal