Katie Thoresen

This weekend’s snow was enough to open snowmobile trails in Oneida County.

The Oneida County Snowmobile Council voted to open the trails earlier this month before rescinding that decision after more consideration of trail conditions.

The trails will now officially open at noon on Tuesday, January 26.

The Oneida County Forestry, Land, and Recreation Department says trails are still in rough, early season condition.

Snowmobilers should not onto lakes until the trail is clearly marked by barrels.

There will not be a wolf hunt in Wisconsin this winter.

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board heard nearly four hours of testimony on the subject Friday. 

The NRB held an emergency meeting Friday after some state legislators sent a letter saying state law required the DNR to hold a hunt this winter and wanted one before lawsuits potentially put the species back on the Endandgered Species List. 

There was no shortage of people who spoke for and against an immediate wolf hunt. Public testimony lasted more than four hours.

The second snowmobiler in less than a week has died in Iron County.

The Iron County Sheriff’s Office said it responded to a crash at 11:00 Thursday night.

It happened in the Town of Pence.

The Sheriff’s Office said two snowmobiles were driving down the trail. The lead one looked back and saw the second one was no longer behind him.

He turned around and found the other driver crashed and unresponsive.

A 38-year-old Minnesota man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wisconsinites will still be required to wear masks in most public settings.

On Tuesday, Gov. Tony Evers issued a new Public Health Emergency as the old one was set to expired. The order extends the mask wearing requirement in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19.

It comes on the same day Wisconsin DHS announced COVID-19 vaccine eligibility will open to those 65 and older starting January 25.

Wisconsinites age 65 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning January 25. Wisconsin Department of Health Services made the announced Tuesday. 

Currently, frontline health care workers, residents in long-term care facilities (nursing homes and assisted living facilities), and police and fire personnel are eligible.

There are approximately 700,000 Wisconsinites who are 65 and older and Wisconsin currently receives around 70,000 first-dose vaccines per week from the federal government. It will take time to vaccinate this population in Wisconsin.

The Eagle River Fire Department won’t be able to create its well-known Ice Castle this year.

The department usually pulls ice from Silver Lake. The ice needs to be at least 12 inches thick for the volunteers to create block big enough for the castle and for it to be safe enough for them to cut and pull the blocks out the ice.

In a Facebook post, the Eagle River Fire Department said the ice is 11 inches thick and the forecast doesn't show cold enough days ahead to gain that extra inch.

Monday, Wisconsin opened vaccine enrollment to police and fire first responders. They’re the first part of Phase 1B.

Aspirus is working to help vaccinate this group.

First responders can get vaccinated at Aspirus Wausau Family Medicine or Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic.

Vaccinations are by appointment only. Fire and police first responders can call 715-847-2812 to schedule an appointment.

Aspirus said its working to expand vaccine access in additional communities for those who qualify within Phase 1B.

Wisconsin is launching a mobile vaccination teams to help vaccinated more people, more efficiently.

The teams are a collaboration between the Department of Health Service, Wisconsin National Guard, and local health departments.