Bangstad sues town of Minocqua

Federal lawsuit claims First, Fourteenth Amendment violations

Kirk Bangstad and the Minocqua Brewing Company have filed a federal civil rights complaint against the town of Minocqua, alleging violation of Bangstad’s free speech, due process, and equal protection rights, and also alleging municipal liability for unconstitutional customs and policies.

Oneida County will hire outside counsel on DNR challenge

On a 16-2 vote at its most recent meeting, the Oneida County Board of Supervisors has approved spending up to $10,000 for the county’s zoning committee to hire outside counsel for advice on the DNR’s challenge to its proposed shoreland ordinance changes.

Bradley blasts Protasiewicz for not recusing in redistricting case

The state’s Supreme Court has ordered the Wisconsin Elections Commission to respond to a petition for the court to take original action on a case challenging the state’s redistricting maps, as conservative justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley denounced liberal justice Janet Protasiewicz for not recusing herself from the case.

Times challenges legality of Bangstad CUP hearings

Walker: Committee actions should be declared null and void

The Lakeland Times has filed a complaint against members of the Oneida County Planning & Development Committee and corporation counsel Mike Fugle, alleging in a letter to the county’s district attorney and sheriff that the officials violated both state statutes and the county’s general code in conducting recent hearings for a conditional use permit for Kirk Bangstad’s Minocqua Brewing Company.

Oneida County Tourism Council seeks budget boost for mapping project

Budget request scissored into two for consistency

The Oneida County administration committee has kicked off its 2024 budget process by entertaining departmental budget proposals, and this past week the county’s tourism council came by with a 2024 request for $135,758.

Zoning committee pulls motion to deny Bangstad CUP permit

ARP revocation appealed to BOA

After seemingly poised a week earlier to deny the conditional use permit application for the Minocqua Brewing Company to have an outdoor beer garden with insufficient parking, the Oneida County zoning committee last week withdrew the motion to deny and granted owner Kirk Bangstad more time.

Oneida zoning suspends TRH permit

Committee gives owners 60 days to right the ship

After numerous complaints and warnings, the Oneida County zoning committee earlier this month suspended the permit for a Minocqua tourist rooming house and set a time frame of 60 days for the owner to work with zoning staff to create a reasonable business plan that resolves the problems neighbors have complained about.

Chief justice Ziegler calls liberal justices ‘rogue’ as new majority takes over high court

So far it’s a bit of verbal back-and-forth and name-calling, with no allegations of one Supreme Court justice trying to choke another, as was the case in 2011, but it’s getting pretty fiery nonetheless around the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

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Oneida County zoning revokes Bangstad permit

Attorney abruptly shuts down vote on separate conditional use application

The Oneida County planning and development committee voted 3-0 to revoke the administrative review permit (ARP) for the Minocqua Brewing Company last Wednesday and appeared poised to deny his bid for a separate conditional use permit when the county’s corporation counsel abruptly advised the committee to adjourn the meeting.

Progressive academics urge Biden to ignore Supreme Court

Two prominent professors have written an open letter to President Joe Biden, urging him and his administration to ignore recent Supreme Court decisions and instead opt to carry out their own constitutional interpretations.

USA heat wave! But is it really hot?

The media is abuzz this summer about the scorching heat, and in most parts of the country all it takes is one step outside to feel what all the fuss is about: It’s really hot out there. But just how hot is it, really?

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Tiffany won’t run for U.S. Senate in 2024

Congressman says he will stand for re-election

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany of Minocqua (R-Wisconsin-7) has announced that he will forego a challenge to incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin next year and run for re-election instead.

Zoning investigation details scores of potential Bangstad violations

Revocation hearing resumes Wednesday; CUP hearing follows

Round 2 of Oneida County’s hearing to yank the zoning permit for Kirk Bangstad’s Minocqua Brewing Company will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, August 2, at the Woodruff town hall, with the county’s zoning committee set to render judgment on a massive investigation that stretched on for a year and logged 80 separate items and scores of potential and alleged permit violations by Bangstad and his company.

Marshfield Clinic, Essentia Health agree to merge

Combination will create a regional health system operating in four states

Marshfield Clinic Health System and Essentia Health of Minnesota are merging. The official announcement came late last week, as the two health care systems announced the signing of an agreement to form a new integrated regional health system serving rural and mid-urban communities across four states.

Groups file lawsuit aimed at legalizing ballot drop boxes

Witness requirements and election-day cure deadlines also targeted

Just as a new state Supreme Court justice is set to ascend to the bench, giving progressives a 4-3 majority, two groups have filed a lawsuit in Dane County challenging absentee ballot restrictions in the state.

As hearing looms, Bangstad mobilizes out-of-town support

After Facebook appeals, emails pour in for Minocqua Brewing Company

As the hearing day approaches for the Oneida County zoning committee to consider suspending, amending, or revoking the administrative review permit for Kirk Bangstad’s Minocqua Brewing Company — revocation would shut his business down — Bangstad has mobilized scores of people to send emails and letters supporting his business.

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