Local Antigo Headlines

CoVantage Credit Union is growing—rapidly—in assets, loans and physical space. That was the message brought to the financial organization’s annual meeting held at the Volm Theater Wednesday evening, with officers reflecting on the successes of the past year and the challenges ahead. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Home sales across the northwoods are recovering at a double-digit rate, led by surprisingly strong numbers across the northwoods. The Wisconsin Realtors Association reported this week that existing homes sales in January grew 18.3 percent compared to January, 2012. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Northwoods school district voters were in a giving mood on Tuesday. Preliminary results from Tuesday’s election show that school spending referendums were successful in Rhinelander, Eagle River and Three Lakes, assuring the future of teaching staff and programs for at least the next several years. The vote was being watched closely by other districts contemplating referendums, including Elcho, which has scheduled an April 2 vote on a $400,000, four-year plan. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Antigo Public Library has installed new and updated microfilm equipment that was partially funded through donations. The new reader allows the user to access the printed materials on the film, including the archives of the Antigo Daily Journal, and either make a print of it or transfer it by e-mail through the use of a computer. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Blustery winter weather plus only one local race are keeping most voters at home for today’s primary election. Residents of the Antigo school district are trimming two candidates for the field for three available seats on the board of education while across the state voters are trimming one person from the filed for Wisconsin Supreme Court justice. Turnout for the election was predicted to be less than 10 percent. A wintry blast of weather across the state, with cold temperatures and snow in the forecast, could also keep voter numbers down. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Following a disastrous year in 2012, apple production in Wisconsin has dropped to its lowest level since 1945. The National Agricultural Statistics Service says apple production in 2012 was down 54 percent across the state, due largely to a mix of bizarre spring weather and a terrible growing season. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

A couple from Manitowoc was “extremely lucky” Sunday afternoon in northern Langlade County. The bad luck came first when they experienced engine problems in the smaller Cessna aircraft above Elcho. The good luck followed when they were able to put the single-engine plane down in a rough field southeast of the community with no injuries to the pilot, and non-life threatening problems for his wife. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Voters in the Antigo Unified School District will go to the polls on Tuesday to narrow the field of candidates for three seats on the board of education. The primary promises to be a spirited one, with incumbents Roseann Hoffman, the board president, and Andy Merry joined on the ballot by Arthur Bostwick, James Schulz, Jessica Meade, Nick Novy, Tara Fermanich Guelzow, and Tim Fuller. Incumbent Sally Cahak is not seeking a new term. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

ANTIGO (WAOW) - Hundreds of sled dogs raced for the finish line in Antigo. It was a welcome sight for the teams. For the past two years, the Langlade County Trailblazer Challenge was canceled because of the weather. "It has been kind of a let down each year cause we do put a lot of work into the race each year, hoping that we'll get snow the week or two before but unfortunately we haven't had that," said Antigo and Langlade Co. Chamber Executive Director, Deena Grabowsky. Full Story: WAOW

Right Reverend Gary J. Neville, O. Praem., Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, has announced the appointment of the Very Reverend James T. Baraniak, O. Praem., as Prior of the Canonry of St. Norbert Abbey, effective March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

This is a true horse tail, er, tale. It all started early Wednesday morning, when Debra Tetting looked out the bay window at her Highway AA home and spotted an intruder in her horse pasture. She ran outside, suspecting that the small brown figure visible from the house might be a coyote or dog come to wreak havoc on her herd. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

With most of its resolutions approved under a single motion, the Antigo Common Council may have set a new record for quick meetings Wednesday. In under 10 minutes, aldermen worked through a February agenda that included tweaking the rules for the facade grant program and levying special assessments for sidewalks. All approvals came on unanimous votes. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

Langlade County is going to the dogs, and folks couldn’t be happier. After dry runs—literally in 2011 and 2012—conditions are ideal for the Langlade County Culver’s Trailblazer Challenge Sled Dog Races Saturday and Sunday. Races start Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Culver’s of Antigo parking lot. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal

The Antigo Common Council is expected to make a few tweaks to the popular facade grant program, ensuring the availability of cash for business fix-up projects, when it convenes Wednesday. Aldermen will meet for the regular February session at 6 p.m. in the chambers at City Hall. Most of the action will take place in the consent agenda, where all resolutions are approved under one vote. Eight separate items are up for action. Full Story: Antigo Daily Journal