Jesse Lane, the VP of strategic development for Bug Tussel, spoke at the April 28, 2026, county board meeting. According to Jesse, there are six tower sites they are considering for "if and when we do proceed with the builds." He stated those builds would provide a great solution for 911 services.
Larry Palecek said, "When we signed on with Bug Tussel, first of all, we're in dire straits with our emergency radio system, and we were led to believe that within a year there would be some action on it, and that's been two years ago, and now we're really in a bad spot, because we don't know if we should continue with Bug Tussel or if we should go into long-term borrowing and update our system for ourselves. I just want to impress on you the urgency of getting something going."
Jesse replied, "That urgency is not lost upon us." He said they are working toward it as quickly as they can, and he apologized for how long it is taking, a miscommunication on their parts on the timeline, and not getting it together sooner. He did not have a good faith time estimate for when the project may happen, though. He was able to provide some insight on funding. "If negotiations go the way that we anticipate and, yes, hope that they do, we would not need additional funding. There would be actually plenty of funding left on the side that we hope to continue to try to find ways to build out and benefit in Price County including support of other carriers in their efforts."
Nick Trimner said he and about 16 or 17 other counties were going to meet with Bug Tussel and right now Bug Tussel has been responsive. He explained, "We have 15 million dollars that is sitting in a bank." He explained that neither Bug Tussel nor the county has access to those funds unless there is a draw request. He gave the example of metal being purchased for a tower and then the draw request would be made to release the funding. There have been three total draws to date. $7,000 for engineering costs is the most recent draw request.
When asked about fiber placement and if the scope of the project has changed over the years, Jesse said, "The project scope has changed some. The original project scope did have fiber running east to west across the southern part of the county. We are reevaluating all of those. I will say as these six tower sites go up, we always put our fixed wireless equipment on the towers so that would bring fixed services to certain members of the community through cellular Internet services." He said fiber is being reevaluated to see what the best financial is for the current situation.
Nick said, "When we first got into the project, Mitch Olson, a representative from Bug Tussel, was there, and it was projected at about 18 months' time to complete the project." Nick said he did not feel like Price County was a priority in the line of projects, and Price County was somewhat ignored by Bug Tussel for a while. Nick said that it needs to be "now or never" with this project. He shared the "end of life" is coming to the system, but "end of life" does not mean "end of service." Nick explained it just means it is a more difficult product to maintain long-term, and the radio system needs to be upgraded by 2028.
Paula Houdek said it has become a contentious issue in the county. She admitted that Jesse has come into the project at a tense time, but said to him, "If you cannot promise us, if you cannot be honest and transparent with everyone, us and the county, then I would say why don't you just get the heck out and move on and let us do what we need to do? So, that's kind of my thought, is, if you don't have these answers, then, then quit dragging us along. That's what I'm saying."
Jesse explained there has been a lot of reorganization with a different team of representatives at Bug Tussel, which he hopes will be positive. He said that Steve Schneider is a former CEO who is now acting CEO and Mitch Olson is no longer with the company.
Jason Hastings, who was on the Price County Board of Supervisors representing District 5, which includes the Town of Fifield and the Town of Eisenstein (Ward 2), resigned on April 22, 2026.
The resignation letter he shared with his constituents is as follows:
"Dear Constituents,
In the oath we took last week, we swore to defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. In America, we are all governed by the consent of we the people, who are the rulers.
I am resigning from my position as County Supervisor, a decision not made lightly. I thought it was important that you know the dangerous and corrupt environment Price County’s local governance has become.
It is my duty to inform you, we the people, that your government has wandered from its constitutional obligations. The promises we make to uphold the rights and liberties, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, are being blatantly undermined, and my efforts to oppose these indiscretions have been repeatedly blocked.
Since assuming office, I have been subjected to intimidation and threats, not only to censor my voice, but to endanger my family and personal undertakings. My attempts to eliminate corruption, promote transparency, and protect our community’s interests have been met with relentless resistance and absolute inaction, all of which are verifiable on the Price County YouTube channel.
The jacked up bureaucracy in which we find ourselves is no accident — it is a calculated attempt to stifle anyone who has a dissenting opinion and maintain a "good old boys club" that privileges a select few at the expense of our community and constitutional rights. Roadblocks are intentionally set to silence any attempt at change, as seen through blocked incoming emails from my constituents, threatening lawsuits, and censorship during meetings, failing to respond to emails that posed questions.
Our community’s resources are being mismanaged through schemes like the Solberg Lake project, that had no board approval in different ways, misusing the ARPA funds and Price County's deal with the carbon credits. These were both unjustified financial maneuvers that relocate your hard-earned tax dollars to projects with no accountability or benefit to you. Those who you are supposed to trust with governance have consistently chosen self-interest over public service, all while silencing those who dare to hold them accountable.
I have attempted to serve you by standing against malicious initiatives, such as unauthorized land transactions, fantasy world carbon credit financial entanglements, Bug Tussel tower projects that don’t come to fruition, and the covert expansion of bureaucratic projects — all of which are detrimental to our county's welfare.
Stand firm and demand the accountability that is your constitutional right. Call your supervisors, because your emails are now being censored. Engage in local governance — attend council meetings, question these crazy policies, and do not be silenced by fear.
Thank you to those who were there for my support.
Jason Hastings"
Deer Creek Angus, LLC has a large selection of Black Angus burgers, steaks, roasts, and other beef products sold by individual packages and in quarters, halves, and whole. Contact Deer Creek Angus, LLC at 715-550-6156, find products & pricing on their website, and follow their Facebook page.
"From a pool of more than 724 nominated seniors across 379 Wisconsin high schools, just 32 have earned the distinction of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (WIAA) Scholar Athlete Finalist for 2026," according to the WIAA.
Sixteen senior boys and sixteen senior girls compose the 32 athletes selected for 2026, and three of those athletes are from Price County. To have one student from any town is a great feat, but two have two students from Phillips, and three total from Price County, is remarkable.
The WIAA determines the top 32 finalists based on athletic and academic achievement from each of four WIAA divisions.
“On behalf of the WIAA and our membership, it’s an honor to recognize these scholar athletes for the discipline, integrity, and commitment they’ve shown in both the classroom and competition,” said Jake Beschta, Assistant Director of the WIAA. "Their achievements reflect not only personal excellence, but also the support of their families, coaches, and schools. We are proud to celebrate students who truly embody the balance of academics and athletics, and we look forward to the positive impact they will continue to make in their communities and beyond.”
Representing Phillips in Division 3 are Leah Harper and Gavin Esterholm from Phillips High School.
Leah Harper holds a 3.9 GPA and is a 10-time letterwinner. According to the WIAA, "She received Marawood Conference first team all-conference honors three times in cross country and is a three-time team sectional cross country champion. She has lettered three times in track & field and earned all-league honors twice and MVP accolades her junior year. Harper earned a state track & field championship in the 1,600-meter relay her freshman year. In addition, she lettered three years in basketball and was a member of two conference championship squads." Leah shared, “I have learned that the key to success is balance. If I don’t find the perfect balance I either get burnt out or I fall behind. Learning to balance academics, sports, extracurricular activities and more has allowed me to become a better athlete, student, teammate, and leader. I will be able to apply each of these roles later in life and will become a better person because of them.” Leah will continue her education at UW-Stevens Point while participating in cross country and track & field.
Gavin Esterholm holds a 4.0 GPA. He is the student liaison at the school and contributes to My Price County. According to the WIAA, "he has lettered four times in cross country and three times in track. He is a four-time All-Marawood Conference first team performer in cross country and a three-time conference runner of the year. The Logger is a two-time cross country sectional champion and a four-time State cross country participant. As a senior, he placed third at the State cross country championships. He also earned all-conference honors in track & field his sophomore and junior seasons." Gavin shared, "One lesson that will stay with me is the importance of building meaningful relationships with those around you. Whether teammates or competitors, I have been able to connect with amazing people who continue to contribute significantly to my life and motivate me to keep pushing beyond my limits.” Gavin will continue his education by studying psychology at UW-Stevens Point. (The article continues after the ad; keep reading.)
Pine Village in Prentice offers affordable, active living in a wooded setting for those 50+ and disabled persons. Rent is based on 30% Adjusted Gross Income. Small pets under 30 pounds are welcome. Contact Pine Village at 715-428-2300.
Representing Prentice in Division 4 is Heston Hueckman from Prentice High School.
According to the WIAA, "Heston ranked first in his class academically with a 4.0 GPA, and he is a nine-time letter winner. Hueckman is a three-time baseball team MVP and two-time first team all-conference selection in the sport. He helped the Buccaneers' cross country team earn back-to-back trips to State as a junior and senior and a basketball conference and sectional championship his senior season." Heston shared, “To be able to stick to something and to work hard at it until it is achieved is something that I think is sort of rare in this world. I believe that it is an extremely important skill to have, and, while I am far from perfect, I think that learning how to do this will be very helpful in the future.” Heston will study mechanical engineering at a yet to be determined educational facility.
The finalists will be recognized at an awards ceremony on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Stevens Point. A live stream of the awards program will be available on the websites of the State Television Network stations, including WXOW-TV, WQOW-TV, WAOW-TV, WKOW-TV, WVTV and WCWF at 1:00 p.m. on May 3. A delayed telecast of the ceremony will be aired on a future date.
Just before 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a traffic stop incident on U.S. Highway 51 north of County Road A near Tomahawk. The traffic stop was initiated by the Wisconsin State Patrol on Wade Johnson, 36, of Minocqua.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, "A Trooper from the Wisconsin State Patrol conducted a traffic stop on Mr. Johnson’s vehicle for an equipment violation. After briefly stopping for the trooper, Mr. Johnson fled from that traffic stop and traveled approximately .25 miles before his vehicle entered the ditch and came to a final rest.
"During that short period of time, Mr. Johnson sustained an apparent self-inflected injury that he succumbed to. Given the extent of the injury that Mr. Johnson sustained, life saving measures were not attempted, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured or fired their weapons during this incident."
Deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded, along with members of the Tomahawk Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
At approximately 8:49 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting an adult male subject had been accidentally shot. The incident happened at a home on County Road E in the Town of Little Black. Taylor County deputies, along with Taylor County EMS, were dispatched to the scene.
According to the sheriff's office, "Upon arrival, deputies located an unresponsive male subject lying in the yard and immediately began life saving measures. The male was later pronounced deceased at the scene.
"Upon follow-up investigation, an adult male was arrested and subsequently booked into the Taylor County Jail."
Authorities state there is no threat to the public.
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by The Wisconsin Department of Justice (WI DOJ), Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Taylor County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Taylor County District Attorney’s Office.
UPDATE: 5-1-2026
The male victim, from Medford, Wisconsin, has been identified as 21-year-old Austin Olson.
The adult male who was taken into custody on April 29, 2026 is 19-year-old Brent Porter of Marshfield, Wisconsin.
According to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, "Brent was brought before the Taylor County Circuit Court for a bond hearing on the charge of Endangering Safety by Use of a Dangerous Weapon - Armed While Intoxicated and was placed on a $5,000 cash bond, which was later posted.
"As a result of further investigative efforts, including but not limited to additional interviews of witnesses and analyzing evidence (both digital and physical), Brent Porter was taken into custody on the felony charge of 1st Degree Reckless Homicide and subsequently transported to the Taylor County Jail.
"Due to the complex nature of these types of investigations and the necessity to maintain the integrity of a criminal investigation, certain details cannot be released during this process. We understand that although this may be frustrating for some members of the public, please trust this process and know that justice for the victim’s family is our main priority, along with the overall safety and security of our community.
"Additionally, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased."
The White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C. has been canceled for the evening of Saturday, April 25, 2026, due to gunshots.
The dinner was underway when shots rang out, reportedly in the lobby. The president, first lady, vice president, and cabinet members were removed from the ballroom.
On Truth Social, President Trump shared, "Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and law enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we “LET THE SHOW GO ON,” but will entirely be guided by law enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again."
The president followed up stating, "Law enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room. The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days."
National news sources are reporting that the shooter is in custody; however, those reports have not been confirmed.
At BW Papersystems, the People Team (HR) is focused on what people need and how to provide it. We’re searching for a qualified and resourceful Human Resources Administrative Assistant to support our department in ensuring smooth and efficient business operations. In this role, you will have both administrative and strategic responsibilities, and will help with important functions such as staffing, training and development, and benefits.
Job Functions:
Be the point of contact to answer employee questions about human resources programs, policies, procedures, and any other HR-related function.
Process and maintain confidential employment documents.
Provide support to the recruitment function with activities such as posting job requisitions, sourcing resumes, scheduling interviews, coordinating drug screens, and career fair support.
Support HR Generalists in conducting exit interviews.
Assemble new hire and benefit materials.
Prepare and generate reports.
Coordination of meetings/events, including setup/cleanup, ordering refreshments, securing location, etc.
Implement human resources programs by providing human resources services, which may include recruiting and staffing, administration of training and development.
Complete team member transactions and maintain associated records.
Collect and analyze internal and external information in order to compare the organization’s HR practices to those prevailing in the market.
Ensures compliance with applicable labor laws or regulations.
Communicates effectively both verbally and in the written word and works towards an all-hands on-deck approach.
Oversee specific processes in a “process owner” capacity.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications and Requirements:
High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
2+ years of experience working in a manufacturing, production, industrial, or related environment
4+ years of experience working in an administrative assistant role
#LI-KV8
At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.
Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.
Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.
The Electrical Designer performs a variety of electrical design, application, and checking duties related to modifying schematics or adapting existing designs to meet specific customer requirements or to modernize current designs. This role works closely with engineering, manufacturing, and cross-functional teams to support the design and execution of custom machinery and systems.
Key Responsibilities
Under the direction of engineering personnel and in collaboration with NC Programmers, develop electrical designs for new machines, machine sections, systems, and units based on schematics, sketches, specifications, and engineering data.
Modify or adapt existing electrical designs to meet customer-specific requirements or support product modernization efforts.
Prepare electrical layouts and drawings using CAD tools; evaluate designs to ensure proper fit, function, manufacturability, cost effectiveness, and operational performance.
Perform basic electrical calculations for components such as fuses, starters, overload relays, and conductors.
Redesign control systems or electrical units to accommodate changes in operating conditions or design requirements.
Prepare design sketches, specifications, preliminary layouts, bills of material (BOMs), instructions, and related documentation; maintain accurate product and project files.
Analyze and review engineering change requests using established checklists and design documents; direct and implement related drawing updates while meeting project milestones.
Consult with engineering specialists, vendors, and supplier catalogs to select and specify appropriate electrical components.
Create and maintain electrical drawings, schematics, and wiring diagrams in accordance with company and industry standards.
Collaborate with manufacturing, procurement, and other departments to resolve design, sourcing, or build issues.
Provide technical support during manufacturing, assembly, and trial runs; assist the shop floor with interpretation of schematics, wiring diagrams, and related documentation.
Interface with suppliers as needed to support component selection, clarification, or issue resolution.
Participate in field service trips to customer locations to provide technical support during installation, commissioning, or operation, and to identify opportunities for product or process improvement.
May lead, coach, or mentor less experienced designers or team members.
Required Competencies & Qualifications
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and mechanical assembly layouts.
Working knowledge of fundamental electrical design principles and applicable electrical codes and standards (e.g., NEC,UL).
Working knowledge of machine shop practices and electrical assembly methods.
Working knowledge of drafting standards, practices, and techniques.
Strong analytical, logical, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with computer-aided design tools, including:
2D CAD systems (Required)
Automated schematic tools
SolidWorks (preferred)
Ability to work effectively within customer facilities and manage professional customer relationships.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and procurement teams.
Ability to work independently while supporting team-based workflows and daily operational processes.
Proven ability to multitask, prioritize work, and adapt to changing requirements.
Positive attitude with flexibility and versatility in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
Required Education and Experience:
High school diploma or GED; associate or technical degree in electrical design or drafting preferred.
2+ years’ electrical design experience.
#LI-SG1
At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.
Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.
Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.
On Friday, April 10, 2026, Governor Tony Evers announced the appointment of Amy Casey to serve as Price County coroner. This appointment was needed due to the passing of James Dalbesio III, who was Price County's long-time coroner. Amy will serve the remainder of the expired term, which ends on January 4, 2027. About a month ago, Amy began serving as the deputy coroner.
Governor Evers stated, “With her experience as deputy coroner, I look forward to seeing Amy Casey continue to serve the community of Price County well in this new role. And on behalf of our state, I also want to share my deepest condolences with the family, friends, and entire Price County community on the passing of James Dalbesio. He will not be forgotten.”
Amy shared, “I am humbled and incredibly honored to accept the position of Price County Coroner. I would like to thank Governor Evers and his staff for this wonderful opportunity to be selected to step into this role. I will be forever grateful for the guidance and mentoring I have received from James D. Dalbesio III, while we collaborated in my position as funeral director, and welcome this title with respect and acknowledgment that I have big shoes to fill. I am so appreciative for the support from our interim coroner, my family, and community. I am eager to hit the ground running and thankful to be able to serve Price County and the state of Wisconsin.”
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