10/14/2024

ASHLAND - The planned splash pad project spearheaded by the Ashland Rotary Club has hit a snag. The city has raised water rates and now operating the splash park could cost more than originally planned. The Rotary agreed to pay the city $2,000 a year to cover the cost of water and maintenance for the park. Now, members of the city council have expressed hesitation about moving forward, and Mayor Matthew MacKenzie has said the city could void the agreement with the Rotary. The project is expected to cost about $300K, most of which has been donated by the Vivian Family, who owned the Ashland Music Store. Continued fundraising has help cover most of the remaining costs, there’s only 10% left to raise and Rotary President Dale Kelm said despite the current uncertainty, he is adament that the splash pad will be built and it will celebrate all of Ashland.

10/14/2024

MINCOQUA – Kirk Bangstad Agrees to a Partial Settlement Payment on the near $760,000 defamation judgement against him.  After a state court of appeals denied his bid to delay payment of a judgement against him in the defamation suit brought by the Lakeland Times and River News publisher Greg Walker, Kirk Bangstad, owner of the Mincoqua Brewing Company, has agreed to pay Walker $580,000 of the $759, 428 judgements against him. Bangstad will also have to remove several social media posts and agree not to post them again. The monetary judgement against Bangstad is thought to be the largest defamation award in state history. Under the terms of the settlement, Society Insurance Company paid $80,000, West Bend Mutual Insurance Company paid $450,000, and Bangstad himself paid $50,000 of the settlement. The settlement also removes liens on Bangstad property held by Walker. The settlement agreement releases all parties from any further liability to the claims.

10/14/2024

N. WISCONSIN - The 2024 elk hunting season began on Saturday. This is Wisconsin’s 7th elk hunting season since the reintroduction of elk.  The DNR approved an 8-bull harvest quota for the Northern Elk Zone.  Per treaty rights, the Ojibwe tribes have declared four bulls of the 8-bull harvest quota for the Northern Elk Zone.  The eight hunters participating in the hunt were randomly selected from a pool of more than 25 thousand applicants. Hunters were drawn at random.