12/11/2025

VILAS COUNTY - An Eagle River man has been charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child under 16 and made an initial appearance in Vilas County court on Dec. 2.

The criminal complaint alleges Shawn M. Briscoe, 37, sexually assaulted a child on multiple occasions over several years, using threat or force. Investigators were also told Briscoe sought treatment in a Green Bay rehabilitation facility for suicidal thoughts and addiction. Judge Martha Milanowski set a $250,000 cash bond, prohibiting contact with minors and individuals involved in the case. Upon posting bail, Briscoe must provide proof of where he’s living. The class B felonyhe’s been charged with carries a maximum of 60 years in prison.

12/11/2025

VILAS COUNTY - On December 2, Vilas County filed a lawsuit against R&N Real Estate Holdings, owned by Richard and Nick Trapp. The suit concerns unpermitted land clearing and the removal of topsoil near Arbor Vitae, an action that followed complaints from residents. The unauthorized clearing, which included heavy truck traffic associated with High Point Sand & Gravel, which is owned by Trapp, had previously resulted in an early October cease and desist letter. Nick Trapp had also withdrawn a re-zoning application, filed in July, back in September. The county is seeking a court order to immediately stop the unauthorized quarrying, and compel restoration of the land affected, and recover its costs. Vilas County stated the lawsuit became necessary after “numerous attempts to gain compliance” were unsuccessful. R&N Holdings has 20 days to file a response.

12/11/2025

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A former top official in Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ administration is running to succeed the two-term Democrat. Joel Brennan launched his campaign today, joining a crowded primary field for the 2026 election. Brennan says he will be a governor who will fight President Donald Trump’s “chaos and dysfunction” and at the same time will work across the aisle with Republicans in the state. He said he wants to build relationships with both Democrats and Republicans to “roll up our sleeves and work together.” Wisconsin is a politically divided state that went for Trump in 2016 and 2024 and President Joe Biden in 2020.