News

We’re continuing our series on the historical influence of mining in the Upper Peninsula today, specifically in the Ironwood area, with the story of the Ironwood Carnegie Library. (Listen to Part One about how neighborhoods in the Upper Peninsula got their names here.)

There are Carnegie libraries all over the country, including in Merrill and Rhinelander. While Andrew Carnegie did a lot of good for libraries though, he was a controversial figure.

The Boulder Junction Economic Development/Connect Communities Committee is holding two meetings soon to look at options for high-speed internet.

The committee's volunteer chair Dennis Aukstik says a 2017 survey found a long list of potential challenges. He says the number one challenge reported was broadband internet access...

"...We took those answers to heart and have now begun a process to try to identify what our broadband strengths and weaknesses are. What our challenges are in expanding our broadband. We are seeking public input on those questions..."

A meeting is set for next Monday in Three Lakes inviting the community to plan for a weekend meeting next year to design what the community will look like.

Three Lakes Community Foundation spokesperson John Stauner says the Foundation hosted community conversations beginning in 2015, then held a community forum in 2018 to talk about the future of the community.

He says while those brainstorming sessions were helpful, he says there was a call to put the ideas into solutions...

Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin says the shooting tragedies in Texas and Ohio are horrible, but it might prompt President Trump to talk about taking action.

In the Northwoods this week, Democrat Baldwin was asked about the potential of gun legislation.

She said she first wanted to acknowledge the human tragedy, but said it might prompt some action..

It's fair time in another Northwoods county as the Vilas County Fair in Eagle River is underway.

It's the 103rd year for the event.

County Fair Board President Dale Ayers says old friends and neighbors meet and it's a good chance for visitors to get acquainted...

"...It's a good time to meet people you haven't seen all year. They always come to the fair and you see them at the fair every year. Everybody is welcome to come to our fair...it's going to be a beautiful weekend, not too hot, come to the fair instead of going out to the lake..."

We're spending today and tomorrow looking at some aspects of the historical influence of mining in the Upper Peninsula, specifically in the Ironwood area.

Today we'll be answering a listener question. Tomorrow, we'll be remembering Andrew Carnegie and his influence in Ironwood ahead of the 100th anniversary of his death. (Listen to Part Two about the significance of Andrew Carnegie in the Ironwood area here.)

 The first sense of what the new roundabout on Rhinelander's west side will be about will soon be revealed.

The DOT held an information meeting last night to update the public on the roundabout at U.S. 8 and State Highway 47.

Project manager Dan Erva says the flow of traffic will move away from the current detour arrangement to the roundabout...

The Blackwell Job Corps facility was given a reprieve from closure several weeks ago after the Trump Administration decided not to close the facility. But there's apparently more work to be done to keep it open.

In May, the Trump administration said they would close Blackwell and other facilities under USDA governance and move the program to the Department of Labor. A bipartisan backlash led to a reversal of that decision in June.

Three Lakes residents are inviting pet lovers to a fundraiser to help build a community dog park.

Lionel Kliss is on the Three Lakes Dog Park committee. He says the "Pause For A Cause" event is set for August 17 at the Burnside Park Pavilion.

Kliss says they have the permits in place to open the park next year at the end of Epler Court across from the Three Lakes Fire Department.

He says the funds being raised will help erect a fence...