Government

A state economist says Vilas county reflects changing demographics in the north. Those demographic changes could reflect a big change in the workforce.

Scott Hodek says if you look at Vilas county's demographics, in 2010, about 25 percent of the workforce was over 65 years old and likely retired....

Democrat Mary Burke says waiting more than a year to make a decision on a proposed casino in Kenosha isn't necessary, and says if a study shows signs, it should be given the go-ahead.

A city of Rhinelander  alderperson has filed an open meetings complaint against the Rhinelander Tourism Marketing committee, otherwise known as the Room Tax committee.

Alex Young filed the complaint with the Oneida County District Attorney's office. In the complaint, Young says the committee is created by the council, and as such, falls under the Open Meetings law.

Young alleges the committee met April 2 without posting a timely notice it was going to meet. Unless an emergency, public meetings need to be posted at least 24 hours prior to meeting time.

A member of the Harvest Camp near the proposed Gogebic Taconite mine in Iron county says he went through the proper process to vote as a homeless person.

Thursday, State Senator Tom Tiffany filed a complaint with the Government Accountability Board and Attorney General, saying Nick Vander Puy allegedly improperly voted in the town of Anderson on April 1.

Vander Puy says the complaint is without merit....

There was an uptick in jobless claims in February for both Wisconsin and the Northwoods, but a state economist says changes in the workforce plays a part.

Scott Hodek from the Department of Workforce Development says the labor force is in a state of flux...

State Senator Tom Tiffany of Hazelhurst has filed a complaint with the Government Accountability Board concerning a person who voted April 1, in the town of Anderson, Iron County. Tiffany authored the mining bill enabling a company to begin exploring for iron ore in the Penokee Hills of Iron and Ashland counties.

Challengers won three seats in this week’s Iron County board elections.  The wins come despite campaign advertising by a billionaire-backed political advocacy group.

Americans for Prosperity labeled Victor Ouimette, Brad Matson, and Karl Krall as anti-mine activists on a recent mailing.   All three won seats on the county board in this week’s election, beating out incumbents. 

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Northwoods for Thursday and Friday until 7 p.m. The National Weather Service says there could be a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet and later inches of heavy wet snow, especially in the Lake Superior snowbelt and portions of Vilas, Iron and Price counties.

Dawn Robinson from Oneida County Emergency Management says this storm should put you back into a "winter" mindset...

"....it is winter so lets be a little prepared so we reduce the amount of damage or effects it may have on us...."

The city of Rhinelander's Planning  Commission has rejected a request to place an 8-bed Community Based Residential Facility at 835 West Phillip St, across from West Park. But the rejection is only advisory, and the final decision will go to the full city council.

60 people attended the meeting, with only one person speaking in favor of the facility.

The state Department of Corrections recommended another alcohol and drug abuse treatment facility in Rhinelander. The state contracted with Attic Correctional Services to provide the program.

Two write-ins were elected to the Oneida county board Tuesday after no one filed during the standard time for the spots that were vacated by retiring supervisors.

Greg Berard in District 2, city of Rhinelander and Jack Martinson from the town of Lynne and Minocqua did not run again. In District 2, Rhinelander alderman Tom Kelly declared as an official write in and won the county supervisory seat with 17 votes. Lisa Zunker from the town of Lynne won the seat with 40 write-in votes, defeating another write-in candidate Jay Christgau from Minocqua.