| Hartman: County open records provision not legal
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Based on open records complaints received from The Lakeland Times, Oneida County sheriff Grady Hartman said this week he agrees with the newspaper that a provision of the county code requiring records custodians to seek corporation counsel review of records requests is illegal.
Friday, January 15, 2021
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January 13, 2021 18:21
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| OC corrections officer resigns in wake of arrest |
According to a press release issued by sheriff's captain Terri Hook Thursday evening, Jacob Petitt has resigned his position as a corrections officer with the Oneida County sheriff's office.
Friday, January 15, 2021
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January 13, 2021 18:18
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| Aspirus, Ascension health systems ink deal
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Aspirus Health and the Ascension Medical Group announced in a press release Tuesday an agreement has been signed to transfer from Ascension to Aspirus ownership of seven hospitals, 21 physician clinics and air and ground medical transport services in north and central Wisconsin.
Friday, January 15, 2021
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January 13, 2021 18:20
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| Brookings: U.S. population growth in the doldrums |
U.S. population growth was almost nonexistent over the past decade, new Census Bureau statistics show. (subscriber access)
Friday, January 15, 2021
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January 14, 2021 11:12
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| In first year, Hagedorn voted with liberals more than with Rebecca Bradley |
Conservatives seem astonished state Supreme Court justice Brian Hagedorn has bailed on them in a string of high-profile high court decisions, the latest being his dismissal of President Donald Trump's challenge to Wisconsin's election results without even hearing the case, but what is most surprising is his votes shouldn't be all that surprising. (subscriber access)
Friday, January 15, 2021
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January 14, 2021 11:13
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| Lake Tomahawk has a new fire chief |
The town of Lake Tomahawk has a new fire chief.
Mike Carlin, a 7-year veteran of the department, took over as chief on Jan. 1.
He succeeds Doug Rehm, the town's fire chief for the past 17 years, who will continue with the department in a different capacity. (subscriber access)
Friday, January 15, 2021
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January 14, 2021 11:10
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| Oneida County to boost nurses' pay by about $6,000 |
Facing a competitive disadvantage and with positions going unfilled, the Oneida County Labor Relations Committee last week approved a pay raise of about $6,000 a year for its existing nurses in the public health department, effective with the next payroll. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
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January 10, 2021 12:40
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| Oneida County snowmobile trails stay closed |
The Oneida County snowmobile trail system, which was to open for the 2021 season on Saturday, Jan. 9, will remain closed. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
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January 10, 2021 12:44
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| Wolf delisting to create larger 'toolbox' for state, landowners |
In November, the United States Fish and Wildlife Services announced the delisting of the gray wolf, a species that has yo-yo'd on and off the list in the past few years. The move came as no surprise to most, and was expected in March of this year. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
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January 10, 2021 12:45
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| Democrats take Georgia, secure effective majority |
Democrats secured an effective majority in the U.S. Senate Jan. 5, giving the party complete control of Congress and the White House for the first time since Barack Obama's first two years in office.
Democrat Raphael Warnock defeated incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler while challenger Jon Ossof defeated Republican David Perdue.
Monday, January 11, 2021
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January 10, 2021 14:08
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| 'CPR saved my life': Local RASTA
members shed light on CPR awareness |
"The first thing I heard waking up in the ICU was the nurse telling me 'you had a heart attack riding your mountain bike. Your friend gave you CPR and saved your life. You are very lucky,'" recalled Scott Watson, local mountain biker and member of the Rhinelander Area Silent Trails Association (RASTA), following his recent heart attack at the Washburn Silent Sports Trail complex. (subscriber access)
Friday, January 8, 2021
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January 7, 2021 09:22
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| Conservatives divide over efforts to deny electors certification |
Republicans were mounting a stronger-then-expected challenge to the certification of electoral vote slates this week, with about a dozen senators and 140 Republican representatives expected to join the protest quest. (subscriber access)
Friday, January 8, 2021
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January 7, 2021 09:25
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| Highway committee sends road funding resolutions to county board |
The Oneida County Highway Committee on Wednesday, Dec. 30 approved a recommendation to the full county board to rescind a resolution passed at the Nov. 10, 2020 county board meeting regarding funding for county road projects. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
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January 3, 2021 12:25
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| Trump asks U.S. Supreme Court to take up Wisconsin election challenge |
The campaign of President Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up its challenges to Wisconsin's presidential election results, charging the state Supreme Court's dismissal of those challenges allowed more than 50,000 illegal absentee ballots to be counted in violation of both Wisconsin state law and the Wisconsin constitution. (subscriber access)
(1 comments)
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
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January 3, 2021 12:27
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| Trump rally planned for Minocqua January 6 |
President Donald Trump is planning a big and wild rally in Washington, D.C., for January 6, when Congress will be voting whether to certify the electoral college vote, but, for those who can't make it, Trump supporters are planning a local rally in Minocqua. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
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January 3, 2021 12:31
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| Yes, Hagedorn is (was) a conservative, after all, maybe |
In the latest brouhaha involving state Supreme Court justice Brian Hagedorn, the one-time former legal counsel for former Gov. Scott Walker has received increased police protection after siding with liberals to dismiss four challenges by the Trump campaign to Wisconsin's presidential election. (subscriber access)
Thursday, December 31, 2020
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December 29, 2020 15:56
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| Times files open records complaint against county public health director |
The Lakeland Times filed an open records complaint last week against Oneida County public health director Linda Conlon for failing to fulfill a request for records for more than seven months, and the newspaper has further requested a law enforcement investigation into whether certain county officials are deliberately violating state law and the county code to conceal those and other records from the public. (subscriber access)
(1 comments)
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
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December 27, 2020 14:10
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| Oneida County highway brine storage project expected to continue after Jan. 1 |
Demolition work to clear debris left after high winds caused the collapse of initial trusswork for the new brine building on the grounds of the Oneida County Highway department complex in Rhinelander will start after Jan. 1. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
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December 27, 2020 14:14
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| Transit panel approves equipment and vehicle policies |
The Oneida Vilas Transit Commission (OVTC) approved two policies regarding use of company vehicles and equipment at its Dec. 21 meeting.
The first policy discussed was concerning the use of company equipment and was meant to resolve the question of whether Northwoods Transit Connections (NTC) employees should be allowed to use NTC equipment for personal use. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
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December 27, 2020 14:12
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| New air medical base coming to
Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport |
Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport officials learned Monday that Life Link III is planning to open a new air medical base that will be home to a medically-configured helicopter the company calls "flying intensive care units (ICUs)." According to a Life Link III press release, the Rhinelander base will be the 10th the company operates in Minnesota and Wisconsin. (subscriber access)
Thursday, December 24, 2020
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December 22, 2020 14:34
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| Ascension Wisconsin launches
COVID-19 vaccination of frontline caregivers |
Ascension Wisconsin completed the first COVID-19 vaccinations of frontline caregivers on Wednesday, Dec. 16.
Thursday, December 24, 2020
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December 22, 2020 14:40
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| In Trump challenge, justices condemn
majority's lack of ruling on merit |
The state Supreme Court may have tossed President Donald Trump's challenge to Wisconsin's election results, but beyond the ballyhoo of the headline was the news of just how narrow the court's decision was, and buried deeper in the stories were three compelling dissents that took the narrowly prevailing argument to task. (subscriber access)
Thursday, December 24, 2020
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December 22, 2020 14:39
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| OC highway committee tweaks referendum plan |
On Nov. 10 the Oneida County Board of Supervisors agreed to include a referendum question on the April 2021 ballot regarding funding for road maintenance and construction. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
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December 20, 2020 15:32
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| Report: 'Indefinitely confined' lawmakers were out and about campaigning
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The Wisconsin Supreme Court has declared that pretty much anybody who wants to can declare themselves indefinitely confined for voting purposes - or at least can get away with it, and are thus exempt from the state's voter ID law - and two Democratic state lawmakers apparently took advantage, going to Madison as Biden electors and campaigning around their districts, among other things. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
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December 20, 2020 15:42
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| Delta signs new 3-year contract for flights to Twin Cities |
The Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport received some good news last week from the United States Department of Transportation involving Delta Airlines in the form of a new three-year contract for the carrier to continue to provide at least twice-daily, round-trip service between Rhinelander and Minneapolis-St. Paul. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
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December 20, 2020 15:33
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| State audit: Foxconn could still get
tax credits for work done out of state |
A new state legislative audit says that, under procedures set by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), Foxconn could still receive state tax credits for work performed out of state, despite an earlier audit recommendation that the WEDC change the procedure. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
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December 20, 2020 15:40
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| U.S. Supreme Court rejects Texas challenge to four states' presidential electors
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Some historians are arguing that the United States is more divided politically that at any time since the Civil War, and two straight razor-close presidential elections have seemed to lend credence to the view, but even that evidence pales in comparison to the state-versus-state legal standoff this past week over the November 3 election results.
Friday, December 18, 2020
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December 16, 2020 18:30
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| Oneida personnel committee votes
not to open up facilities job to public |
Under a proposed reorganization of Oneida County's building and grounds department following the retirement of facilities director Lu Ann Brunette, the Oneida County facilities committee is planning to promote the agency's assistant director to director, but the plan has opened up long-standing debates about the county's hiring process and its "good-old-boy" patronage practices. (subscriber access)
Friday, December 18, 2020
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December 16, 2020 14:59
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| OC forestry panel addresses concerns regarding trail work |
The Oneida County Forestry, Land and Recreation Committee took action Dec. 4 to keep Minocqua businessman Bob Rynders from doing any work on county land.
A letter outlining the forestry committee's reasoning was to be drafted and sent to Rynders following the group's Dec. 4 meeting. (subscriber access)
Friday, December 18, 2020
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December 16, 2020 15:05
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| Small businesses across American are struggling but optimism remains |
Many small businesses across the nation and in Wisconsin are teetering on the edge of survival because of pandemic lockdowns and slower retail traffic overall, but many who do have good business also find themselves in a squeeze, namely, it has become much harder to find and retain qualified employees. (subscriber access)
Friday, December 18, 2020
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December 16, 2020 15:04
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| Bilogan lawsuit set for trial in 2022 |
A federal judge has denied former Oneida County forester John Bilogan's request to pause his civil lawsuit against Oneida County for a period of approximately three months to allow for a related investigation to conclude. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
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December 13, 2020 14:46
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| Lake Tomahawk board approves resolution opposing sulfide mining |
As part of a light agenda, which resulted in a meeting lasting about 15 minutes, the Lake Tomahawk Town Board last week approved a resolution opposing sulfide mining. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
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December 13, 2020 14:51
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| County highway committee approves fuel system bid |
Less than two months after the Oneida County board voted down a resolution authorizing a fiscal impact study of the county highway shop complex on Kemp Street in Rhinelander, the county's highway committee last week approved a bid of nearly $278,000 from Wausau-based Northwest Petroleum for installation of a new fuel system. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
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December 13, 2020 14:59
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| Oneida County Tourism Council sets 2021 budget |
The Oneida County Tourism Council (OCTC) met Dec. 7 to set its 2021 budget and discuss the Tourism Relief to Accelerate Vitality and Economic Lift (TRAVEL) stimulus grant it recently received from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
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December 13, 2020 15:06
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| Transparency group sues State Department over virus origin documents |
U.S. Right to Know, a nonprofit investigative public health group, has sued the U.S. Department of State for allegedly violating provisions of the Freedom of Information Act after the agency failed to produce documents related to the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
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December 13, 2020 15:01
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| OC panel discusses plan to move fair headquarters to Curran Building |
The Oneida County fair is set to make a move from the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport to a much better location near the courthouse, after the county's administration committee approved this week a line-item transfer for a new lease. (subscriber access)
Friday, December 11, 2020
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December 9, 2020 14:17
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| Small business COVID-19 loans could lead to big tax bills |
Small businesses that took loans under the coronavirus Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) earlier this year could be facing some serious sticker shock when they get their tax bills, due to a recent ruling by the IRS on the tax treatment of loan forgiveness under the program. (subscriber access)
Friday, December 11, 2020
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December 9, 2020 14:18
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| Evers administration expects modest increase in revenues in next 3 years |
The Wisconsin Department of Administration expects state revenues to modestly increase over the next three fiscal years, the agency reported this past week, while an all-time high in the state's budget stabilization, or rainy day, fund is also anticipated at the end of the current fiscal year. (subscriber access)
Friday, December 11, 2020
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December 9, 2020 14:23
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| U.S. Supreme Court knocks down New York's religious restrictions |
In a late November decision that served up a warning to governors across the nation, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's limitations on attendance at church services in communities where coronavirus infections are high.
The vote was a narrow 5-4 margin, with chief justice John Roberts joining the court's three liberals in the minority and newly empaneled justice Amy Coney Barrett, in her first major decision, joining the court's conservatives as a decisive vote for the majority.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
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December 7, 2020 16:18
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| COVID vaccine reality check: Don't pack away those masks just yet |
It seems like every few days lately a new COVID-19 vaccine is unveiled with success rates of 90% or higher, and even Dr. Anthony Fauci is excited, calling the results "extraordinary."
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
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December 7, 2020 16:15
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| Guild defense continues to allege 'appearance of impropriety' in quest to disqualify DA |
Attorneys for former Rhinelander city administrator Daniel Guild are continuing to press their argument that Oneida County district attorney Mike Schiek should be disqualified from prosecuting the misconduct in public office case filed against Guild last March. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
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December 6, 2020 14:01
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| Oneida labor relations committee looking at health insurance incentive for older employees |
Oneida County human resources director Lisa Charbarneau should continue to research whether the county can offer older employees a cash payment to opt out of the county's health insurance program and enroll in Medicare. (subscriber access)
(1 comments)
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
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December 6, 2020 14:02
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| OC highway commissioner to retire in 2021 |
Oneida County is searching for a new highway commissioner following Bruce Stefonek's announcement that he intends to retire from the position effective April 23, 2021. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
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December 6, 2020 14:04
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| On 4-3 vote, state Supreme Court
declines to hear Trump election challenge |
On a narrow 4-3 vote, the Wisconsin Supreme Court denied a petition by the campaign of President Donald Trump to hear the president's challenge to the state's certified election results. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
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December 6, 2020 14:06
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| Three charged in connection with alleged armed robbery in Phelps |
Three people have been charged in connection with an alleged armed robbery of an elderly man in the town of Phelps. (subscriber access)
Friday, December 4, 2020
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December 3, 2020 10:03
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| Passenger traffic through airport remains high |
As the COVID-19 pandemic reaches its ninth month, the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport continues to see steady passenger traffic, enough to prompt Delta Airlines to reward the airport with additional flights to and from Minnesota's Twin Cities. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
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November 29, 2020 11:39
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| Transit panel discusses ADRC repayment, paratransit service |
The Oneida Vilas Transit Commission (OVTC) discussed its repayment to the respective Oneida and Vilas County Aging and Disability Resource Centers and the 2021 proposed paratransit service at its meeting Nov. 20. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
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November 29, 2020 11:36
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| Committee hears of need for treatment facility |
The need for a larger, broader drug treatment facility to serve Vilas and Oneida counties area is nothing new, especially for law enforcement officers who deal with the issue on a daily basis. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
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November 29, 2020 11:41
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| Evers loses email open records battle with Milwaukee TV station |
A Dane County circuit judge ordered Gov. Tony Evers to turn over emails to a Milwaukee TV station last week, saying the governor's previous denial of requests for those emails was based on a misreading of the state's open records law.
The governor can appeal the decision but, as of this writing, the governor's office has not indicated whether it will do so. (subscriber access)
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
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November 29, 2020 11:43
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| Nicolet to continue mostly virtual learning for spring term
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With eight months of experience on how to deliver a quality college education safely during a pandemic, Nicolet College will continue to provide most of its instruction in the flexible virtual world for the upcoming spring term.
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
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November 29, 2020 11:44
