Sarah Giddings The School District of Florence county stands to save approximately $230,000 due to an interest-free loan recently received through the federal Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) program. The district will be able to borrow $720,000 in QZAB funds to use toward the $14.5 million referendum-approved building renovation project. Superintendent Ben Niehaus credits the…

Just the plane’s pontoons were visible. The whole plane was submerged into Otter Lake in Elcho Monday evening. 65 year old Roger Hillberg of Crandon was not injured.   Jill Zagar      Roger J. Hillberg, 65, of Crandon, flipped his float plane while attempting a landing on Otter Lake in Elcho on Monday, August 7, at…

CLIFF FLANNERY President, Crandon International Off-Road Raceway   The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) has announced the Class of 2017. For the first time in ORMHOF’s 40-year history, two new inductees will join family members who have already been inducted. The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2017 is Cliff Flannery, Dave Ekins,…

Richard D Ackley, Jr Free rental life jackets are now available at three local lakes in Forest County as a measure to improve water safety. These “Life Jacket Loaner Stations” allow people to borrow life jackets free of charge to use while boating or swimming and return when finished. Life jackets are available in all…

The Forest County Health Department has reported that a dead crow found in Forest County on July 18 has tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the first bird that tested positive for West Nile virus in Forest County since surveillance for the mosquito-transmitted virus began May 1. “The positive bird means that residents…

The Aurora Mudd Runs are back for another year and according to organizers this raucous celebration of muck and machines is good fun for the whole family. This annual event is a competition to find out whose specially modified vehicle is able to barrel through 200 feet of wet red clay mud. The Mudd Run…

Peterson and Short take a little revenge on Teresa Chrisman, the organizer of the fundraiser who had not expected to be “pied”. Sarah Giddings After taking five cherry and whipped cream pies to the face on Saturday during the U.P. Firefighter’s Tournament, Deputy T.J. Peterson decided to share the fun with fellow deputies Teresa Chrisman…

Bobbie Samme’ A weekend filled with fun, family and activities galore. That would best describe the 123rd Annual UP Firefighters Tournament, celebrated in conjunction with the Florence Fire Department Centennial. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were filled with something for everyone, including parades, dancing, live bands, games, prizes, firefighting competitions, food and drink. According to Joe…

Toni Toney shares some of her crochet and other handmade crafts. Bobbie Samme’ Senior citizens in the town of Florence are abundant. Many walk on their own or with their walkers, some live in senior facilities, and some are cared for in nursing homes. But there is one senior citizen who is virtually unstoppable. Meet…

Sarah Giddings Volunteers in Florence County have been providing fire protection for 100 years and will be celebrating that centennial in conjunction with the 123rd annual U.P. Firefighter’s Tournament, which returns to Florence, this weekend, July 28-30. Fire service was provided in some capacity for the town since its founding in 1882, but the group…