The property of 235 North Lake Avenue has been some type of gas/service station for many years. Many locals remember it being owned by Steve Augustine and known as Augie's Shell. In July of 1988, George and Steven Thaler purchased the property, and the younger generations came to know it as Express Mart. It remained in the Thaler family until a few years ago when it closed. Plans to upgrade the gas station were discussed by the business owner and city at meetings in 2021, but those plans were abandoned. In August 2024, Next Stage Designs 2 LLC, (Lynda Ludwig), purchased the property for $220,000.
According to the "Friends of Price County United Limited," the property is expected to be leveled. The tentative schedule is that the canopy that was over the gas pumps will come down on Friday, December 26, 2025. The building will be demolished on Monday, December 29, 2025.
Some residents are wondering about the gas tanks and if there is contamination, which My Price County will be asking Lynda Ludwig, along with other questions posed by the community. As a partial answer, this gas station was mentioned in the "Phillips Lionite Property, Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment" that was completed on November 9, 2023 before Price County United Limited (PCUL) purchased the "Lionite" property on April 1, 2024 for two million dollars. In the report, "Lionite" is referred to as the "subject property."
The document states, "Finding 7: An environmental records search was performed identifying sites within their respective ASTM E 1527-13 search radii of the Property that may represent RECs, HRECs, or de minimis conditions. Three historical/current gasoline stations were located adjacent to and west of the Subject Property. The first gasoline station formerly operated at 235 N. Lake Avenue and BRRTS Case No. 03-51-097044 was opened in 1996 when petroleum contamination was discovered onsite, including free product. Remedial activities occurred starting in 2000, and the case was closed in 2012 with residual soil and groundwater contamination onsite, offsite and in the rights of way. Detections in monitoring wells installed near the Subject Property boundary were below health-based standards as of 2011."
In reference to this gas station, the document continues, "Opinion 7: The former gasoline stations at 235 N. Lake Avenue and 125 S. Lake Avenue have been investigated and/or remediated and contamination appeared limited to the sites and adjoining rights-of-way. Therefore, historical releases of petroleum products at these two gasoline stations are not a REC, CREC, or HREC for the Subject Property."
Updated 12-27-25: The canopy and building got demolished on Friday, December 26, 2025. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, five gasoline tanks are considered "closed/removed," including two unleaded, two diesel, and one leaded. This was done by the previous owners, the Thalers.
Three Price County supervisors have filed for non-candidacy as of December 23, 2025.
Incumbents from Districts 4 (Towns of Hill and Ogema), 8 (Towns of Harmony and Elk - Ward 1), and 13 (City of Phillips - Ward 1, Town of Worcester - Ward 2, and Town of Elk - Ward 2) will not be seeking re-election on the board of supervisors. Those individuals include Jeffrey Hallstrand, Alan Barkstrom, and Brian Ernst.
We reached out to all three men to find out their reasons. Thus far, Brian Ernst replied as follows, "I’m in the process of moving to a different district, from #13 to #8. As Mr. Barkstrom is not running, I have submitted paperwork to be on the ballot for his district #8."
Anyone interested in seeking any county supervisor position (or other positions being elected in the spring) must file nomination papers by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
If a primary is necessary, it will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
The election will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
View the video of PACC's 2025 Christmas Parade in Phillips by clicking this link. View photos of decorated homes below. Merry Christmas!
(The article continues after the ad.) Davette Lynne Hrabak, CPA, located at 164 South Lake Avenue in Phillips, specializes in tax return preparation, business start-up services, consulting, bookkeeping, payroll, and all your accounting needs. Call 715-339-6638 or visit Davette's website. Follow her Facebook page.
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.
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has created a lawsuit against United Pride Dairy LLC, a dairy farm in Phillips.
The EEOC asserts that United Pride Dairy "violated federal law when it subjected three employees of Mexican origin to disparate treatment in the terms and conditions of employment and also subjected a female employee to sexual harassment."
According to EEOC, United Pride allegedly "promised three Mexican nationals professional and/or management positions when they were hired and submitted the same information to the U.S. Embassy for their TN Visa applications, but when the three Mexican nationals arrived on the farm, the dairy denied the promised positions and instead gave them laborer positions and assigned more arduous tasks and shifts to Mexican workers. When a Mexican worker complained, a manager at United Pride Dairy justified the disparate work assignment based on a negative stereotype of American workers, saying 'Americans are lazy.'"
The complaint also alleges that a "female Mexican employee’s direct supervisor subjected her to sexual harassment when he frequently shared demeaning pornographic images with her and repeatedly made sexually offensive comments to her."
EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas said, “Workplace actions based on unlawful stereotypes about any group of workers — including assumptions that foreign workers are somehow ‘better’ than Americans — are a serious violation of federal law. The law is clear: employers cannot abuse the visa process to import foreign labor under false pretenses. The EEOC is committed to vigorous enforcement of our laws so all workers in this country are treated fairly and lawfully.”
The EEOC's Chicago District Office is responsible for processing these charges.
Nicole Marklein is the attorney representing United Pride Dairy LLC. She asserts that the farm was working in full cooperation with the investigation and feels no evidence was revealed to support these claims. She told My Price County, "We are disappointed and concerned to learn that the EEOC has filed this lawsuit despite my client’s full cooperation with an investigation that has revealed no evidence of unlawful discrimination or harassment. To preserve the integrity of the judicial system and prevent inappropriate communications to potential jurors, applicable rules of professional conduct prohibit attorneys from making certain public statements regarding pending litigation. Therefore, I am even more alarmed by the press release issued by the EEOC regarding this pending lawsuit, particularly because the release makes allegations against my client that are simply false. Due to my professional obligations and respect for the integrity of the civil justice system, I am unable to provide details regarding this lawsuit. However, my client denies that it discriminated against or otherwise mistreated any of its employees—regardless of their race, gender, nationality, or any other protected basis. While my client and I wish the EEOC would use its resources to investigate and remediate true instances of employment discrimination, we have no choice but to vigorously defend this baseless lawsuit."
A 911 call was received by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office on Friday, December 5, 2025, at approximately 4:17 p.m. The caller reported a missing person near the 7600 block of Perkinstown Avenue in the Township of Hammel. She said that her husband had been ice fishing earlier in the afternoon on Washington Flowage, which is located near their property. When he did not return, she was concerned he may have fallen through the ice.
Taylor County deputies, along with Medford fire personnel, Taylor County Emergency Management, and Taylor County EMS personnel, arrived at Washington Flowage where they saw a single sled trail leading out to an open area on the ice. The sled was seen in the open area of water.
Given they have specialized equipment and expertise in open water searches, Marathon County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, Wings of Hope and Bruce’s Legacy were contacted to aid in the search effort.
The man was found in the water, deceased, and was recovered. He was identified as Randall K. Runge of Medford. He was 69 years old. There is no indication of foul play.
The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office extended their condolences to the family of Randall. "We would also like to extend our gratitude towards the non-profit organizations, Wings of Hope and Bruce’s Legacy, along with the other emergency personnel that assisted," the sheriff's office added.
WI DNR ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY 2025 DEER HARVEST TOTALS
The regular gun deer season was held from November 22 through November 30, 2025.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, "Preliminary figures indicate the number of deer hunters in Wisconsin slightly decreased compared to 2024. As of 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 30, sales for deer hunting privileges (which include gun, archery, crossbow, conservation patron, and sports licenses) reached 790,044, down 0.12% from the same time last year. Of those, 550,611 were for gun privileges only (which include gun, conservation patron, and sports licenses).
"Preliminary figures show hunters registered 182,084 deer during the 2025-gun deer season, including 86,068 antlered and 96,016 antlerless deer. Compared to 2024, the gun season harvest total is down 0.8% statewide, with the antlered harvest down 2.6% and the antlerless harvest up 0.9%.
"Since the opening of the bow and crossbow seasons, Wisconsin hunters have registered 294,757 deer. This harvest is 1.1% ahead of the same time last year."
Price County is part of the Northern Forest Zone. However, rather than the deer harvest totals being reported by county as was done in previous years, some counties, including Price, are now part of DMUs, which are Deer Management Units. Portions of Price County are in six units, including DMU-112, DMU-113, DMU-115, DMU-116, DMU-117, and DMU-119. Portions of other counties are included in those DMUs and they are as follows:
DMU-112: Portions of Price, Rusk, and Sawyer Counties
DMU-113: Portions of Ashland, Bayfield, Price, and Sawyer Counties
DMU-115: Portions of Price, Rusk, Sawyer, and Taylor Counties
DMU-116: Portions of Lincoln, Oneida, Price, and Vilas Counties
DMU-117: Portions of Ashland, Iron, Oneida, Price, and Vilas Counties
DMU-119: Portions of Langlade, Lincoln, Price, Oneida, and Taylor Counties
Marquette County led the Central Farmland Zone and the entire state, registering 7.9 deer per square mile. Vernon County led the Southern Farmland Zone with 6.5 deer registered per square mile. DMU 201 (primarily in Eau Claire County) led the Central Forest Zone with 3.8 deer per square mile. DMU 108 (portions of Burnett, Polk, and Washburn Counties) led the Northern Forest Zone with 2.7 deer registered per square mile.
The DNR reported two hunting incidents. On the first day of hunting, a 57-year-old man was walking to a field to go hunting. He received a gunshot wound in his buttock. His injury was treated at a hospital. The investigation is pending. Also on the first day, in the evening hours, a 24-year-old man in Fond du Lac County was found as a victim of a self-inflicted, but unintentional, gunshot to his chest. He was found hours later by family members on private property. According to the WI DNR, "Preliminary investigation reflects the victim was in a tree, gun deer hunting from a saddle stand, when the unintentional discharge of their firearm occurred. Investigation pending." Comparatively, during the 2024-gun deer season, one firearm-involved hunting incident occurred resulting in an injury. (Keep reading; the article continues after the ad.)
Find your perfect hunting land at Birchland Realty. Visit Birchland Realty's website to find your new property.
The DNR added, "For the past 10 nine-day gun deer seasons (2016-2025), the incident trend reflects an average of five hunting incidents per year. In addition, Wisconsin has had six fatality-free seasons, and all 10 years reflect single digit incidents."
The DNR stressed that hunters should follow the four rules of firearm safety, known as TAB-K:
T - Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
A - Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
B - Be certain of your target, what’s before it and what’s beyond it.
K - Keep your finger outside your trigger guard until you are safe to shoot.
Learn more about safe hunting in Wisconsin and register to take a hunter education course on the DNR’s Hunting Safety webpage.
DNR VIOLATION HOTLINE: Anyone with information regarding natural resource violations may confidentially report by calling or texting 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trained staff relay the information to conservation wardens. You can also file a report online.
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Mechanical Engineering Co-OP. This opportunity provides hands-on experience in mechanical design, analysis, and optimization of machinery, working closely with our experienced engineering team.
Term:
June - Dec 2026
Key Responsibilities:
Assist in the design, analysis, and testing of mechanical components and systems for automated machinery and production lines.
Collaborate with mechanical engineers to develop 3D models, detailed drawings, and specifications using CAD software.
Participate in prototype development, testing, and validation of mechanical designs to ensure performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
Contribute to troubleshooting and problem-solving efforts for mechanical issues, proposing solutions to improve machine efficiency and performance.
Support continuous improvement initiatives by offering ideas to enhance mechanical design, reduce waste, and optimize system performance
Qualifications:
2+ years of college coursework completed in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
Basic knowledge of CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) is preferred.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and design skills.
Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment and communicate effectively.
This co-op offers an excellent opportunity to develop your skills in mechanical engineering while contributing to meaningful projects in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
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.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):
Filling and distributing basic materials and repair orders and working with.
Maintain records of all items received and those being shipped out.
External/Internal Warehouse Transfers.
Work Indoors as well as Outdoors for different projects as needed.
Support other areas of business as needed.
Unload incoming trucks as directed; inspect for damages; compare items and quantities received against freight bills.
Operate materials handling equipment such as forklift, pallet jacks, hand trucks or dollies to move stock or organize storage.
Actively participate in team meetings to communicate and help resolve any cost, quality, or production issues.
Regularly and effectively communicate and interact with other team members.
Maintain equipment and work area in a clean and orderly fashion.
Work in accordance with established safety procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience:
High school Diploma or GED Equivalent.
Able to lift 50 pounds, and have the ability to kneel, bend, stoop, and stand for at least 8 hours.
Able to operate Microsoft Programs and can utilize a 10 key number pad.
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.
Click this link to learn more about and apply for this job.
Job Description:
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Mechanical Engineering Intern for Summer 2026. This internship provides hands-on experience in mechanical design, analysis, and optimization of machinery, working closely with our experienced engineering team.
Term: Summer 2026 (May-August)
Key Responsibilities:
Process QSM tasks by researching intent and requirements related to documentation changes and implementing them in SolidWorks models and drawings as approved by the Change Team.
Update CAD models and drawings for new machine construction based on feedback from Assembly, as approved by Product Development Engineering.
Assist machine designers by conducting purchased-part research, performing light design tasks, and organizing documentation.
Create detailed and assembly drawings of new SolidWorks models.
Participate in design reviews and project meetings to contribute ideas and feedback.
Assist in setting up product configurators for standardized designs.
Review and organize product documentation, ensuring that any residual changes are processed effectively.
Gather legacy drawings, convert them to PDF, and upload them to a shared web platform.
Prepare and present to management a summary of the experience gained during the internship.
Apply scientific methods and Lean principles to proactively identify and suggest improvements to manufacturing systems.
Identify equipment needs and process specifications; lead the implementation of these requirements into the production environment.
Act as a technical liaison between operations and design engineering to facilitate smooth communication.
Support the culture of continuous improvement through the Lean journey, assisting in the development and coaching of associates on Lean philosophies.
Qualifications:
2+ years of college coursework completed in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
Experience with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) is preferred.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and design skills.
Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment and communicate effectively.
This internship offers an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience in mechanical engineering while contributing to meaningful projects that drive innovation in manufacturing.
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.
Grade 11: Cooper Fifield, Conner Fox, Deverick Hartmann, Madison Holm, Chase Mabie, Emily Mason, Mason Podeweltz, Gavin Polansky, Korbin Thums
Grade 12: Michael Bant, Ashlyn Englund, Jaxson Franz, Kayla Gillett, Clint Hale, Rhys Harris, Justin Hoffman, Evan Lord, Grady May, Nicholas Nikkila, Taylor Slattery, Zach Starkey (Keep reading; this article continues after the ad.)
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.
Perfect Attendance
4K: Arya Enders, Coleson Gedde
Kindergarten: Phoenix Farr, Oliver Nelson, Nicole Weiler
1st Grade: Case Gedde, Forrest Walcisak
2nd Grade: None
3rd Grade: Scarlet Conner, Asher Gruber, Zoe Johnson
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