Shell Lake
Politics
Shell Lake artist wins Congressional Art Competition
WAUSAU - Congressman Tom Tiffany announced on May 2 the winners of Wisconsin’s Seventh District 2024 Congressional Art Competition. Aselin Olson of Shell Lake High School took second place for her work “Success.” Beginning in 1982, the Congressional Art Competition gives young artists from across the Seventh District the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building during the year. The theme chosen for this year’s competition was “A day in the life of Wisconsin.” “Every year, I am amazed by the talented young artists in the Seventh District,” said Tiffany. “Congratulations to those who placed in the top three, the honorable mentions and a huge thank you to all 32 students who submitted pieces this year.” Olson’s artwork will be displayed in Tiffany’s Washington, D.C., office.
Leadership Washburn County class of 2024 graduates
SPOONER — The Leadership Washburn County class of 2024 graduated on Thursday, May 2, with a ceremony at Round Man Brewing Co. in Spooner. The eight-month leadership program has been going on for years, with students sponsored by local organizations receiving opportunities to become better community leaders. The group learns about Washburn County’s facets, including agriculture, government, education, youth and more. At the graduation in May, they receive plaques and give presentations about what they took away from the year. ...
Tree-Killing Pest Spreads Across Wisconsin- Infects Two More Counties, Just One Left
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recently detected the presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) in Washburn and Taylor counties for the first time. This discovery marks a significant expansion of EAB's range within the state, leaving only Burnett County untouched since the insect was first discovered in Wisconsin in 2008.
Tree-Killing Pest Spreads Across Wisconsin- Infects Two More Counties, Just One Left
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recently detected the presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) in Washburn and Taylor counties for the first time. This discovery marks a significant expansion of EAB's range within the state, leaving only Burnett County untouched since the insect was first discovered in Wisconsin in 2008.
Washburn, Sawyer counties hold CDAC meetings
SPOONER — In a move similar to surrounding counties, the Washburn and Sawyer County Deer Advisory Councils (CDAC) recommended a reduction in the number of antlerless deer authorizations for the 2024 hunt. Last year’s Washburn County’s antlerless deer authorizations were 3,100 for public land and 6,000 for hunters on private property. This year, the recommendation is for 1,000 authorizations on public land and 5,000 for private land, which reflects what the CDAC heard from the public. According to the meeting’s notes, a common refrain was...
Finishing work on US 53 project in Washburn County set to start
SARONA — Finishing work on a multi-year, $17.59 million pavement replacement project on Highway 53 from Pine Grove Road in the Town of Sarona to Wildcat Road in the Town of Beaver Brook in Washburn County is set to resume Monday, May 6. Hoffman Construction Co. of Black River Falls is the prime contractor for the project, which began in 2022. Originally placed in the mid-1980s, this 6.5-mile segment of...
CDACs hold annual spring meetings
Three of the DNR’s northernmost counties in the 19-county Northern Forest Zone recently held their annual spring County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) meetings. The CDACs for Douglas, Bayfield and Ashland counties made their recommendations on how many — if any — antlerless permits should be offered for the 2024 deer hunting season before being moved on for final approval. The County Deer Advisory Councils are made up of members of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and up to eight citizen stakeholders representing Tribal, Agriculture, Forestry, Tourism,...
Shell Lake Arts Center welcomes new Executive Director Travis Christopherson
SHELL LAKE — The Shell Lake Arts Center is thrilled to announce Travis Christopherson as their new executive director. Bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep passion for music education, Christopherson is poised to steer the Arts Center into a bright future. For the better part of 25 years, Christopherson was a prominent figure at Schmitt Music, where he engaged closely with school music programs across the Midwest. His role involved not only providing top-notch service but also implementing innovative ideas to...
Staff of local engineering firm recognized for Excellence in Construction
HAYWARD — Northern Wisconsin Based Engineers, Inc. (NWBE) of Hayward would like to recognize and congratulate several of its employees who were award recipients for managing the construction of two area Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) construction projects. Every year, the ACPA (American Concrete Pavers Association) awards a concrete paving project with the “National Award for Excellence in Concrete Pavement.” The Wisconsin Concrete Pavers Association (WCPA) nominated the Highway 63, Greenwood Avenue to Poplar Street project in downtown Spooner, in the category of Municipal Streets...
Inmate classifications, jail concepts presented to County Board
SHELL LAKE — An update on the Washburn County Jail study project, which included a list of new inmate classifications, was given to the County Board at a special meeting Monday, April 29. The county has been looking at the feasibility, design concepts and costs for a new jail in Shell Lake. The current jail is 32 years old and has 30 beds and one holding cell, and inmates often have to be sent out of county for beds. The Department of Corrections (DOC) did...
Healthy WashCo stakeholder meeting May 15
SHELL LAKE — The Washburn County Health and Human Services’ Prevention Programming Unit holds monthly coalition meetings that focus on mental health promotion and substance misuse. The Prevention Team will be hosting public trainings on a quarterly basis this year. The first training will be on Wednesday, May 15, at 3 p.m. in the Washburn County Services building board room. Elise Anderson from Washburn County Public Health will be facilitating a QPR training. QPR, or Question, Persuade, Refer, is a simple three-step process aimed at preventing suicide. The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing...
Events at the library
SHELL LAKE — The Shell Lake Public Library will be hosting two events in the beginning of May. T.A.B. Device Advice will be Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the library. The Teen Advisory Board will help adults age 50 and older with their phones and tablets to receive device advice. This is a drop-in event, and people should bring their devices with. Snapshot Wisconsin will be presented by retired Department of Natural Resources wildlife technician Gary Dunsmoor on Monday, May 6, at 4:30 p.m. at the library. This is a volunteer-based wildlife monitoring project. Utilizing a statewide network of trail cameras, the Snapshot project provides data to support wildlife management. It is also an opportunity for individuals and families to be involved in monitoring valuable resources. Dunsmoor is a Snapshot volunteer through a nonprofit wildlife area partnership. Others can become involved in this citizen science project to become Snapshot partners.
Tree-Killing Pest Spreads Across Wisconsin- Infects Two More Counties, Just One Left
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recently detected the presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) in Washburn and Taylor counties for the first time. This discovery marks a significant expansion of EAB's range within the state, leaving only Burnett County untouched since the insect was first discovered in Wisconsin in 2008.
New staff at Shell Lake Schools
SHELL LAKE — The Shell Lake School Board hired a number of staff members at their meeting Monday, April 15. Morgan Forrestal and Peggy Jones-Matz were hired as part-time food service employees for 2024-25. Julie Westlund, Eric Schenkenberg, Katie Zehm, Stan Lamb and Ashley Krause were hired as summer custodial crew. Steve Byrd was hired as middle school track coach, and Jennifer Boucher was transferred from third grade to sixth grade. ...
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