3/16/2026

N. WISCONSIN — The heavy snow good news for area snowmobile trails.  Vilas County Snowmobile Alliance Clubs have certified that the snowmobile trails in Vilas County are safe and reopened on Saturday.  Mercer trails were groomed Thursday and reopened on Friday. 

3/16/2026

BESSEMER - Work on Bessemer’s new water tower on Tilden Road is close to completion. The existing tower had been deemed unmaintainable and uncleanable by inspection by a city worker. The new tower was funded by a 50% grant of just over $1.9 million from Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, as part of the MI Clean Water Plan in the fall of 2024. The new tower is expected to be put in service adjustments are made after the spring thaw.

3/16/2026

VILAS COUNTY - The 160-acre Nagel Sawmill site in Land O’Lakes will be redeveloped following a $50,000 Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Thrive Rural Grant, secured with the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation (VCEDC)’s help. Land O’Lakes was one of ten communities awarded. The grant funds technical assistance and a market analysis, allowing for expansion of local business. Owner Dave Mattson emphasized the grant’s importance in understanding the site’s potential, honoring its history, and ensuring informed decisions for a community’s economic growth. The VCEDC and the project team will collaborate for two years.