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Two Dead Near Fire in Presque Isle Published on 05/11/2022 under News

Two people were found dead near a house fire in Vilas County, though their deaths appear accidental.

According to the Sheriff's Office, responders were paged to a fire off Baer Road in the Town of Presque Isle at shortly before 1pm Tuesday afternoon. Upon arrival crews were able to knock down the fire at the home.

According to the news release two deceased individuals were located on the scene. Investigators say that power lines were downed near those victims. Their names were not released, no was a cause of death.

The deaths appear to be accidental and are not suspicious in nature. Both the deaths and the fire remain under investigation.

In Other News

Tomahawk Wastewater Department Looks to Curb Sewer Line Back Ups from Improperly Flushed Materials

Published on 10/28/2026 under News The City of Tomahawk Wastewater Department is taking steps to address a persistent and costly problem in the city's sewer system. Residents who repeatedly violate flushing rules could eventually see the costs passed on to their utility bills. At Tuesday night's meeting, the Board of Public Works discussed ongoing lift station backups caused by improperly flushed items, including wipes labeled "flushable," feminine hygiene products, and other non-biodegradable debris. Despite previous outreach efforts, including warnings on utility bills and notices distributed through door hangers, the problem remains widespread. Earlier this year, they shared the "No Wipes Down Pipes" campaign on social media. City staff can isolate problem areas, with Esker Heights identified as one of the neighborhoods experiencing frequent calls. However, pinpointing the individual households responsible remains a challenge. To encourage compliance, board members revisited a proposal to impose a surcharge for repeated service calls to the same locations. While no surcharge was formally approved, the board directed wastewater staff to calculate potential costs ahead of the next meeting. The city also plans to communicate with residents through a mailer serving as a final warning. Additionally, officials will verify that lift station alarm systems are fully operational, with both audible and visual alerts to help identify problems early. Tomahawk isn't the only Northwoods community dealing with the issue. Earlier this month, the City of Rhinelander issued a similar warning about proper waste disposal and what should and shouldn't be flushed.

Published on 10/28/2026 under News A jury returned a split verdict in the trial of a teenager charged in connection with the fatal attack of a Lincoln Hills youth counselor. After approximately two hours of deliberation, 18-year-old Javarius Hurd was found not guilty of the most serious charge, reckless homicide, in the death of Corey Proulx. However, following the six-day trial in Merrill, the jury did find Hurd guilty of one count of battery by a prisoner. The charges stemmed from a June 2024 incident at the Lincoln Hills juvenile facility. Prosecutors alleged that Hurd threw soapy water at a female officer. When Proulx pursued Hurd, an altercation broke out, causing Proulx to fall, strike his head on a hard surface, and suffer fatal injuries. Hurd's legal team maintained that the incident was an escalation rather than intentional reckless homicide. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Friday.

Published on 10/28/2026 under News Bats and Halloween go hand in hand, and throughout this week, wildlife officials are celebrating these flying mammals and the vital role they play in our ecosystem. The week leading up to Halloween is International Bat Week. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the state is home to eight bat species, four of which are currently considered threatened. Bats are best known for their voracious appetites and ability to control insect populations. Experts note that a single adult bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquito-sized insects per hour. Wisconsin's bat populations have declined over the years due to factors including habitat loss and white-nose syndrome, a fatal fungal disease that affects hibernating bats. In a bit of good news, DNR Conservation Biologist Jennifer Redell noted that hibernation surveys over the past few years have shown a slight rebound in population numbers, though she emphasized there is still a long way to go. Property owners can make a few small adjustments around their yards to create a more bat-friendly environment: consider installing a bat house, plant native species, and limit the use of insecticides and pesticides. Residents interested in getting involved can find educational resources and citizen-science monitoring opportunities through the Wisconsin Bat Program.

Published on 10/28/2026 under News A local firefighter has earned statewide recognition for his work keeping the Merrill community safe. Merrill Fire Department's Joe Bozinski was named Fire Inspector of the Year Thursday night at the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association conference in the Wisconsin Dells. Nominated by Chief Josh Klug, the award came as a complete surprise to Bozinski, who was joined at the banquet by his family and fellow department members. Hired in 2021 as Merrill's first dedicated fire inspector in its 138-year history, Bozinski has reduced local fire code violations by 54 percent. With over two decades of fire service experience—primarily with the Village of Maine—along with a private sector background at Crystal Finishing Systems and Greenheck, Bozinski is known for building positive relationships with local business owners. Accepting the award, Bozinski said his goal has always been to inspire safety, not just conduct inspections, adding that he feels fortunate to serve the Merrill community.

Published on 10/28/2026 under News An Arbor Vitae man will spend a decade in federal prison following a child pornography investigation in Vilas County. U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma announced that 40-year-old Jack McBride was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge James Peterson to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release. McBride pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography back in August. The investigation began in March 2025 when the Vilas County Sheriff's Office received two CyberTips regarding McBride's online activity with minors. A search warrant executed at his residence that June led to the seizure of two cell phones, where forensic analysts uncovered numerous illicit videos, images, and explicit search queries. During sentencing, Judge Peterson noted the severe nature of the material and the fact that this was McBride's second offense as key factors behind the 10-year sentence.

Published on 10/28/2026 under News The Lincoln County Humane Society is stepping in once again to help animals rescued from a severe hoarding situation. Earlier this week, staff worked alongside local law enforcement to remove 19 cats and kittens, plus one dog, from a home in Lincoln County, with additional animals still being recovered. Shelter workers say this is the second time in about a year they've had to remove animals from this exact same property. Officials point out that animal hoarding is a complicated, emotional issue. They note most owners genuinely believe they're helping, even as the situation gets out of control. Since the humane society doesn't have an investigator on staff, they rely on law enforcement and alert neighbors to step in. This can include helping get pets spayed or neutered before numbers increase. If you notice warning signs like strong animal odors and property neglect, request a welfare check with the proper law enforcement agency.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News After nearly three decades of guiding youth mentoring in Tomahawk, a familiar face at Kinship is preparing to pass the torch. Patti Hilgendorf joined our Monday Morning Conversation to share her plans to step down as Executive Director of Kinship of Tomahawk in the coming year, capping off nearly three decades of service that began at the organization's founding. Under Hilgendorf's guidance, Kinship grew from a basic mentor-matching service to a comprehensive community program offering after-school care, tutoring, and life skills. The organization experienced a similar transformation in its location, starting in a small, windowless office before moving into the Kinship House, and ultimately its new downtown facility last year. Hilgendorf says the timing is right as she looks forward to traveling and spending more time with her grandchildren. However, she plans to stay closely involved with Kinship and will assist her successor throughout the leadership transition. "I'm still around, but it's time to step back a little bit," Hilgendorf said. "I will always be involved—it is my passion." As the organization prepares for its 30th anniversary in January, Kinship's Board of Directors is actively recruiting for the Executive Director position as well as a part-time Administrative Assistant. You can listen to our full Monday Morning Conversation with Patti Hilgendorf in the WJJQ Audio Center.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News Lincoln County is home to more than 700 lakes and 650 miles of rivers and streams, and local officials are taking steps to ensure ongoing water protection programs continue into next year. At its meeting this past week, the Lincoln County Board unanimously approved three annual resolutions related to state grant applications and local stakeholder matching funds. Conservation Program Manager Tom Boisvert presented an overview of the measures, which include renewed funding requests through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Clean Boats, Clean Waters program and the Lake Monitoring and Protection Network. If awarded, the recurring grant dollars will sustain and expand local educational outreach, aquatic invasive species prevention, and shoreline restoration projects across the county. A third resolution formalized local matching pledges required for the Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant. Under state guidelines, local partners must cover a 25 percent cost share. Stakeholders stepping up to provide those annual matching funds include the Lake Nokomis Lake District, Friends of Lake Mohawksin, and the Spirit Reservoir Association. If both annual grant applications are awarded for the full amount, Lincoln County will secure up to $30,000 in combined state and local funding to maintain its water conservation efforts.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News Volunteers in Minocqua came together over the weekend to cross a major milestone in the fight against food insecurity. More than 500 community members gathered at Lakeland Union High School on Saturday for the 18th annual Food for Kidz meal-packing event, hosted by the Lakeland-Area Lions Club. Working across two high-energy, two-hour assembly shifts, a crew of 506 packagers, alongside table hosts, restockers, and setup crews, packed 690 cases totaling nearly 220,000 meals. Organizers say those results officially pushed the event's lifetime impact past 3.1 million meals packaged over its 18-year history in the Northwoods. The packaged meals will now be distributed to roughly two dozen local food pantries, shelters, and school backpack programs, with additional meals going to broader relief efforts across the country and overseas.

Published on 10/27/2026 under News The homicide trial against an 18-year-old charged in the fatal attack of a Lincoln Hills youth counselor enters its final stretch today in Lincoln County Circuit Court. Javarius Hurd is facing charges of first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of battery by a prisoner in the June 2024 death of 49-year-old Corey Proulx. Prosecutors say Proulx suffered fatal head injuries after pursuing Hurd into an outdoor courtyard following an initial assault on another staff member. The trial began last Tuesday with opening statements. After a week of testimony, both the prosecution and defense rested Monday afternoon. Hurd did not testify in the trial. Closing arguments are set for this morning, after which the case will go to the jury for deliberations. If convicted on all charges, Hurd faces up to 60 years in prison.

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