Forest County

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is planning to make improvements to a section of Highway 32 in Forest County as soon as next year.

Right now, it’s seeking public input.

In coming years, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation plans to resurface a portion of Highway 32.

It’s the 4-mile stretch between Carter and County C in Wabeno.

Nick Vos is the project manager.

The cabin sits on U.S. Highway 8 between Crandon and Laona.

When Johnnie Aschenbrenner was growing up, it was his home. Despite being on a major highway, there were no power lines until 1962, so the family used generators for electricity.

Nowadays, the cabin has an updated yet rustic feel, and Aschenbrenner rents it out as part of his small resort on Wabikon Lake. It’s literally connected to the tiny bar Aschenbrenner also owns. All told, resort guests can expect a pretty modern experience, DIRECTV included.

Except for one thing.

A simple purple tube may help first responders better care for people with memory issues in emergency situations.

Forest County wants people with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their families to get involved.

Forest County Aging Director Tammy Queen knows emergency situations can be hectic and difficult.  That’s even more true for people diagnosed with a memory-related condition, especially the elderly.

Forest County voters approved a referendum Tuesday to raise their own taxes and hire more staff for the jail and dispatch center.

Nearly 60 percent of voters supported the plan.

“I’m very excited.  I really am.  I think this was a long time coming.  I can’t stress how excited I am right now,” said Jail Administrator Josh Bradley Tuesday night.

Bradley started working at the Forest County Jail 14 years ago.

Forest County’s jail control and dispatch center is a room full of windows.  It views cell blocks with no windows.

Screens flash, sirens buzz, and the intercom beeps.

“It’s professional multitasking, or, as we like to call it, controlled chaos,” said Forest County Jail Administrator Josh Bradley with a chuckle.  “It’s like a small city in here, and we’re responsible for every aspect of it.”

The jail’s capacity is 88 inmates.

It’s below that number now, but it still feels hectic.

Two people, called jailer/dispatchers, staff the pod.

A joint law enforcement effort last Friday in Forest County resulted in several arrests, mainly for drugs and outstanding warrants.

Sheriff John Dennee reports the Drug Task Force organized criminal interdiction was targeting drug trafficking and other violations. They were joined by the Northeast Tri-County Drug Enforcement Group in the effort. Dennee reports the increased law enforcement presence netted 8 drug arrests and five outstanding warrant arrests.

This week on A Northwoods Moment in History, we're talking about National Prohibition in 1920. It was a time that some Forest County residents weren't a huge fan of.

Local historian Gary Entz explains how it all went down.

Last weekend was the Kentuck Day Festival, a festival held in Crandon each year that celebrates Forest County's early settlers from Kentucky. It’s been held every July for the past 48 years.

In the week leading up to the festival, there was something new added this year, though: a Kentuck Heritage Day Camp. Mackenzie Martin has the story.

The focus of the Kentuck Heritage Day Camp is to share the history of Forest County with the younger generation. Nine kids participated in the camp, ages 9-12.