2/09/2026

MINOCQUA - The annual American Pond Hockey Invitational in Minocqua was this past weekend. The championship featured over 50 teams, including a premier division for former college players, from several states and the UK and a kid’s division. Pond hockey uses smaller rinks with four players per team. Games were all scheduled to end by 7 p.m. on Saturdays to encourage players and spectators to visit local restaurants and businesses. The championship game was played Sunday afternoon. Find more information including standings on the American Pond Hockey Facebook page.

2/06/2026

BAYFIELD - A Bayfield woman faces multiple felony charges, including fleeing, threatening a legal official, and spitting at an officer following a Jan. 7 traffic stop. Deputy Ryan Miller attempted a traffic stop of Kasie Gokee, 33, for expired registration, but Gokee fled at 65 mph on snowy roads until her truck entered a ditch. After ignoring commands, she advanced on the deputy and was tased. While being detained, she resisted, cursed, threatened, and repeatedly spit on Miller, necessitating a spit hood. Officers noted the odor of marijuana and intoxicants, finding two open Fireball bottles. Gokee, facing over 15 years if convicted, is seeking an attorney and has prior 2025 felony convictions for child abandonment and bail jumping.

2/06/2026

VILAS COUNTY - A 33-year-old woman was sentenced Wednesday after stealing more than $300,000 from a Vilas County business.  Alesha Swanson, pleaded guilty to both charges - theft of more than $100,000 in a business setting and fraud.  Swanson was sentenced to two years of initial confinement with four years extended supervision for theft of a business setting and two years confinement with three years’ probation for fraud.  The sentence was imposed and stayed, which allows Swanson to serve probation instead of actively being in jail.  If successfully completed, the rest of the sentence isn't served in jail. Court records show she must maintain legitimate employment and other conditions deemed appropriate by agent.  A restitution hearing is slated for April 6. Swanson had been employed as the secretary at Jim Meier Builders, LLC, a Manitowish Waters based business, for more than eight years.