This week I had the opportunity to present the findings of the Legislative Council Study Committee on Alcohol Beverages Enforcement, which I chaired, to the full Joint Legislative Council. Our bi-partisan study committee spent this summer and fall studying the issue of alcohol enforcement in Wisconsin. The committee’s work culminated in the drafting of two bills that will address the issue of alcohol being illegally shipped into the state of Wisconsin. The Joint Legislative Council voted in favor to adopt the two bills which will now be introduced to the greater legislature. I would like to thank everyone who served on the committee or provided public input. I look forward to seeing the two bills move forward in the legislative process.
Headwaters Builders Association Advocacy Day
I had a chance to meet with the Headwaters Builders Association during their annual Advocacy Day in the Capitol this week. Great to meet with Vice President and Rhinelander native Ashly Hartmann to discuss the Association’s legislative priorities this session. Thanks again for stopping by!
Rep. Swearingen with Vice President Ashly Hartmann
Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association Legislative Day
The Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association held their annual legislative day in the capitol this week. I was happy to meet with Oneida County Register of Deeds Kyle Franson. We had a good discussion on how the Register of Deeds serves the public and the Association’s objectives this legislative session.
Rep. Swearingen and Oneida County Register of Deeds Kyle Franson
Honoring Glenn Johnson
It was with a heavy heart that I learned of Glenn Johnson’s passing. A highly decorated World War II veteran, Glenn was truly an American hero. I had the opportunity to get to know Glenn at community events where he spoke. His kindness and great sense of humor will be dearly missed. I would like to share the thoughts from one of Glenn’s close friends, Oneida County Veterans Service Officer Tammy Javenkoski:
"As the Oneida County Veterans Service Officer for the past 13 years, I’ve had the honor and privilege of meeting so many heroes but none quite as special as Glenn Johnson, WWII veteran and ex-POW. Sadly, my Glenn passed away from a stroke on February 27 at Marshfield Medical Center with his brother, Dale, and sister-in-law, Sue by his side. My husband, Jim, and I visited him the night before, and I will forever be grateful I got to hold his hand and tell him I love him one last time.
I met Glenn very soon after I started this job, which was shortly after he lost his wife, Annie. He was the kindest, most grateful man I had ever met. He appreciated everything in life. I’m sure being a Prisoner of War for 340 days in Germany made him appreciate everything he had since there was almost a year of his life he wasn’t sure he’d ever have anything again. He loved his family and friends, he loved the Rhinelander community, he loved his country… frankly, he loved everyone and everything. Glenn used to tell me all the time how lucky he was to be 95 years old and have so many people who cared about him, and I would tell him it’s because he’s such a wonderful person that so many people are willing to do anything for him. I will never understand how such a big heart fit into such a small body.
The selfish side of me is sad. I’ll miss my friend so much. I already do. We lived on the same street so I could drop in and see him anytime, and it will probably be a long time before I can drive by his house without looking at it to see if he’s home. The unselfish side of me is glad he’s reunited with Annie and their only child, Kenny, who passed away almost four years ago. I know he’s in a much better place, and I know he’s happy and healthy now.
Another reason his passing is profoundly sad is because when any hero like Glenn dies, a walking, breathing part of American history dies. It is impossible to read history books and learn what you can learn from talking to a veteran who was actually there. I encourage everyone to take the time to talk to a veteran when you have the chance because once they’re gone, a piece of history is gone.
Glenn always told me he’s still on this earth because God still must have something for him to do. I would laugh and ask him what more could he possibly accomplish. I guess whatever that was, he accomplished it. His passing makes me very sad, but I’m also so thankful I was one of the lucky ones who could call him my friend. I am forever grateful I had the honor and privilege of knowing him and I will never forget him until the day I die. Rest easy, Sir. We have the watch."
Glenn and Tammy. Glenn will be missed.
Oneida Village Inn Fire
The Three Lakes area suffered a great loss in the hospitality industry earlier this week when the Oneida Village Inn tragically burned down. The owner of the Inn, Jackie Walker, has been a close friend of mine for years, and I know that Jackie and her staff are a close-knit family. I wish her and everyone affected the best moving forward.
This fire unfortunately comes on the heels of the Three Lakes Diner burning down a few weeks ago as well. Everyone knows that Three Lakes is the best little town in America. I am confident that the community will rally around each other and come back stronger than ever. A special thanks to our great firefighters and first responders for all that they do.
Chicago Public Television
Some of you may be aware that Chicago Public Television recently produced an extensive documentary on vacationing in Wisconsin, including a segment on the Northwoods. The producers did a great job showing the highlights of the area and all the fun things we have to offer, including one familiar supper club. You can watch the specific segment on the Northwoods and the full episode by clicking the links below:
For current statewide information on statewide snow conditions, log onto the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report.
Wisconsin received another snowstorm last Saturday but has been relatively flurry free since. Snow depths range from just a couple of inches in the far southeast to more than 36 inches in areas of the north.
Snowmobile conditions continue to be good to excellent across the northern two-thirds of the state on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Cross-country ski conditions remain good to excellent across the north and are still good in many areas of the south. The ski trails at Zillmer and Greenbush in the northern Kettles are reported to perhaps be the best in years. The forest's mountain bike trails have seen dozens of fat bikers out in recent weeks.
But the forecast is calling for a significant warm up with a possible mix of rain and snow. Looking at the weekend forecast skiers, bikers and snowmobilers are urged to check to make sure the trails are open by calling properties or local snowmobile clubs or county snowmobile coordinators before heading out.
Snow and drifting is making for difficult to impossible travel on the ice. Low fishing pressure was observed in many places. The game fish season is now closed on most inland lakes but game fishing does remain open year-round on some waters. Many anglers are reporting over 2 feet of ice. There has been a decent panfish bite on several central Wisconsin lakes. The due date for shanty removal south of Highway 64 has past, yet there are still shanties on the ice. People who are having difficulty getting shanties off should contact the DNR Hotline to give them your information and they will get it to the local warden. The deadline for north of 64 is March 17.
Anglers fishing the west shore of Green Bay continue to report catching a few whitefish and some good catches of keeper perch if they can find the schools. Fishing pressure remained high at Voyageur Park on the Fox River with many anglers reporting catching several walleyes. The thickness of ice was reported to be anywhere from 11-18 inches. On the east shore, anglers fishing Little Sturgeon Bay reported catching some whitefish in the 17-20 inch range and there were some reports of northern pike fishing picking up, with a number of fish observed on the ice. Northern pike are one of the first game fish to begin spawning, starting in late March and early April with ice break-up. Anglers should note that ice breaking activity has recently occurred in waters of Sturgeon Bay, with a track being cut from the city of Sturgeon Bay south to Lake Michigan.
Deer have been congregating in cedar swamps and active timber sales. Turkeys are grouped up near food sources as well. For several years now, the Racine and Kenosha County area has had three active bald eagle nests. With these active nests there has been a steady increase in eagle sightings in the area. Red-winged blackbirds made an initial push into far southeastern counties, while sightings of American robins are difficult to decipher as new arrivals or overwintering birds.
There have been rumblings of people preparing for a maple sap run but no signs of life regarding any sap flowing or trees and shrubs budding.
Northern Highland American Legion State Forest - Trails are groomed for classic cross-country skiing and were tracked on Monday, March 4. All Escanaba loops groomed and tracked except the Mystery Lake by pass section. This section is too deep and drifted yet. Tracks on rest of trail are in good to very good condition. Would be excellent rating but pole plant a bit soft due to record large amounts of snowfall in February. All Madeline loops were leveled and tracked March 7. Except for the Red segment that has the first steep hill to the shelter- this was only leveled. Good conditions, a few leaves scattered on the trail. Equipment issues will delay grooming operations for Madeline Trail after a fresh snow. McNaughtonwere groomed early morning March 4 with the fresh couple inches of snow. Deck and tracks on classic loops are just a little on the soft side but these cold temps will firm them up in no time. The skaters sloop is only groomed out to the warming shelter. As it stands, the loop around the lake will remain closed unless conditions improve where the drifts settle down. Very little debris. Overall the trails are in great condition. Raven trails were groomed for classic skiing on Wednesday, March 6 and were in good condition.
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
