Zoning committee approves one rezone, three conditional-use permits and a preliminary plat; rejects lone bid for ordinance rewrite The Sawyer County Zoning Committee approved Rezone 26‑006 and three conditional‑use permits (CUPs 26‑007, 26‑008, 26‑009), conditionally approved the Fishtrap Lake preliminary plat and voted to reject a single bid for a comprehensive zoning rewrite and reissue the RFP.

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee has taken significant steps by approving a rezone and three conditional-use permits while also rejecting a lone bid for a comprehensive zoning rewrite.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #LandUseRegulation #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment

Sawyer County zoning committee sends revised solar ordinance to towns after legal review and edits County legal counsel presented a revised solar-energy ordinance with new battery storage (BESS) provisions; the committee agreed on edits for noise standards, emergency signage and decommissioning language and voted 3–2 to send the draft to town boards for review before a county hearing in April.

Sawyer County is one step closer to a groundbreaking solar energy ordinance that addresses battery storage, noise standards, and more—could this change the landscape of renewable energy in Wisconsin?

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#SawyerCounty #WI #EnergyRegulation #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth

Trail closures and winter events wrap up with strong visitor activity, EDC told An alliance representative said snowmobile and ATV/UTV trails closed March 6 for spring to protect trail conditions; the commission heard that winter visitation boosted local businesses and that organizers will share counters data at the April meeting.

Sawyer County's winter season wrapped up with booming business and thrilling events, but trail closures are now in effect to protect conditions for an early spring reopening.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #SawyerCountyTrails #EconomicDevelopment #CommunitySafety

Regional planning commission outlines water-resource plan, SBA microloan opportunity and recycling staff changes A planning commission representative told the EDC a five-county water resource plan including Sawyer County is underway with DNR and IIJA funding; the office expects a new SBA microloan application round and reported staffing and loan-fund activity.

Exciting changes are on the horizon for Sawyer County as a new five-county water resource plan kicks off alongside fresh SBA microloan opportunities and vital staffing updates!

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#SawyerCounty #WI #ResourceManagement #EnvironmentalSustainability #CitizenPortal

Hayward Lakes reports strong winter YouTube engagement, readies spring campaign tied to governor's opener Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau reported high winter ad engagement and tens of thousands of website clicks; the bureau plans spring advertising and will highlight spring fishing during events connected to the governor's opener in May.

Hayward Lakes is riding the wave of winter success with explosive YouTube engagement and is gearing up for a spring campaign that promises to spotlight fishing and the governor’s opener!

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #SeasonalActivities

Sawyer County sheriff says homicide suspect is in custody; jail population steady near 60 Sheriff’s office told the Sawyer County Public Safety Committee deputies intercepted a vehicle linked to a Russ County missing-person/homicide investigation; the driver is held locally pending transfer. The sheriff also reported the county jail’s daily population at 59 and described staffing and enforcement activity.

A homicide suspect linked to a missing-person case has been taken into custody in Sawyer County, revealing shocking developments in the investigation.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CriminalInvestigation #CommunityCrime

Zoning committee advances solar ordinance drafting; votes fence setback and asks for tiered financial assurance Sawyer County staff and legal counsel continued work on a draft county solar ordinance, the committee agreed to a 20‑foot property‑line setback for required perimeter fencing and directed counsel to craft a tiered financial assurance schedule for decommissioning costs; battery storage, groundwater protection and utility aid payment language remain under discussion.

Sawyer County is one step closer to a comprehensive Solar Energy System Ordinance, with new fencing setbacks and tiered financial assurances in the works!

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalProtection #RenewableEnergy #CommunityPlanning #SawyerCountySolar

County board adopts Sawyer County Land and Water Resource Management Plan after public comments about outreach The Sawyer County Board voted to adopt the county's Land and Water Resource Management Plan, which county staff said was developed with an advisory committee, presented to the Wisconsin Land and Water Board and includes measurable goals; a public commenter urged more local input and requested $100,000 from the capital improvement plan be used to address backlog projects.

The Sawyer County Board has officially adopted a crucial 10-year Land and Water Resource Management Plan, but not without public concerns about transparency and funding for conservation projects.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #ResourceManagement #SawyerCountyConservation #CitizenPortal

Northwood Technical College presents enrollment gains and housing-linked training project in Hayward Northwood Technical College President John Will told the Sawyer County Board the college serves about 14,000 people annually, that 93% of recent graduates find work within six months, and described a housing-linked workforce project in Hayward funded by a regional grant and partner organizations.

With 93% of graduates landing jobs within six months and a groundbreaking housing-linked training project underway, Northwood Technical College is transforming workforce development in Sawyer County!

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #HigherEducation

Mobile crisis team reports 209 assessments in 2025; transport, older adults and facility access flagged as challenges Northern Counseling presented a combined 2025 review showing 209 mobile-crisis mental-health assessments (county referrals plus voluntary hospital assessments). Presenters said ER referrals were the largest source; outcomes were split between safety plans and voluntary admissions and scarce local inpatient capacity and transport distance complicate care for older adults and youth.

Northern Counseling reveals startling data showing 209 mental health assessments in Sawyer County, highlighting alarming trends in suicidal behavior and the challenges faced by older adults in accessing care.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #SawyerCountyMentalHealth

Sawyer County youth-justice data: high referral rate but diversion program shows strong early results A Youth Justice supervisor said Sawyer County’s delinquency-referral rate ranks among the highest small counties in Wisconsin (about 35 referrals per 1,000 in 2022-23, falling to 29 in 2024). The county’s diversion/truancy program reported 37 referrals in 2025 with a 91.89% success or improvement rate.

Sawyer County's youth-justice system is facing a high delinquency referral rate, but a newly launched diversion program is showing impressive early success with a 91.89% improvement rate!

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#SawyerCounty #WI #YouthDelinquency #CitizenPortal #CommunityCollaboration

Committee hears warnings about snowmobile‑trail funding shortfalls and considers coordinated emergency‑sign systems Committee members and trail representatives discussed high winter recreation use, a funding shortfall that hampers bridge repairs and maintenance, and proposals to coordinate emergency‑location systems (including use of the what3words app); staff agreed to coordinate with dispatch and regional partners to avoid duplication.

Sawyer County's snowmobile trails are thriving this winter, but looming funding shortfalls could jeopardize vital maintenance and safety measures.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #TrailMaintenance #CitizenPortal #SawyerCountyTrails #EmergencySignage #RecreationFunding

Hayward Lakes bureau credits marketing for improved search visibility; snowmobile clubs report strong season but fundraising shortfall Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau reported an SEO-driven improvement in Google rank and strong winter recreation, while snowmobile clubs said volunteer grooming has supported demand but clubs remain roughly $8,000 short after raising nearly $7,000.

Hayward Lakes is making waves with a boost in Google search visibility and a thriving winter recreation scene, but local snowmobile clubs are facing a significant fundraising gap.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #SEOStrategies #CommunityFundraising #SawyerCountyTourism

Sawyer County reports fewer delinquency referrals and high early success for diversion program Sawyer County’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council heard a youth justice update Feb. 11 showing a decline in delinquency referrals and that the county’s new diversion program recorded 37 referrals in 2025 with about a 92% rate judged improved or successful.

Sawyer County is celebrating a significant drop in youth delinquency referrals, thanks to a groundbreaking diversion program that boasts a remarkable 92% success rate!

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #SawyerCountyYouthJustice #CommunitySupport #CulturalPrograms

Public health: respiratory activity easing; state measles surge noted and environmental-health inspections improving Sawyer County public health reported regional respiratory activity is decreasing but still high, noted 733 national measles cases in early 2026, and said the county inspected 629 of 921 licensed facilities (68.3%) with 27 overdue inspections (2.93%, below the state 5% threshold).

Public health officials report a decline in regional respiratory illnesses and a concerning rise in measles cases, while inspections of licensed facilities in Sawyer County are ahead of schedule.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #SawyerCountyPublicHealth #EnvironmentalHealth

Join JusticePoint's team as a Director (learn more or apply ➡️ tinyurl.com/4srd96e2) in #HaywardWI. $70K salary + benefits package—apply now for this important #job opening!

#NonprofitJobs #HaywardWI #SawyerCounty #SawyerCountyWI #NonprofitWork #NonprofitCareers #Wisconsin #WI #WIjobs #WisconsinJobs

Sawyer County zoning committee approves several rezonings and CUPs, denies contested Bass Lake rezone The Sawyer County Zoning Committee approved multiple rezonings and conditional use permits on motions that made effectiveness contingent on town approval in some cases, and unanimously denied a disputed Bass Lake rezoning after public opposition and adoption of town findings.

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee approved several rezonings for hobby farms but faced backlash as a controversial industrial proposal in Bass Lake was denied after strong public opposition.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CommunityPlanning #SawyerCountyZoning #LocalGovernance

Hayward Lakes reports big digital growth; officials discuss room‑tax enforcement and short‑term rental practices Hayward Lakes reported double‑digit growth in website users and engagement, launched YouTube advertising and described outreach after a nearby lodging closure; county staff discussed options for municipalities to address serial room‑tax non‑payers including licensing withholding.

Hayward Lakes is witnessing a remarkable surge in online tourism engagement, with page views nearly doubling thanks to innovative marketing strategies!

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#SawyerCounty #WI #SawyerCountyTourism #DigitalGrowth #RoomTaxEnforcement #CommunityMarketing #CitizenPortal

Dispatch reports call volume increase and 9-1-1 agreements sent to municipalities for 2026 Communications staff told the committee the dispatch center logged 17,276 calls in 2025 and 2,814 calls in December; staff described recent critical-incident tabletop exercises and said 9-1-1 joint-power agreements are being distributed for 2026 while the director manages two grant projects.

Sawyer County's dispatch center reported a staggering 17,276 calls in 2025, with critical-incident exercises underway to enhance emergency response strategies.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #EmergencyResponse #CrisisManagement #SawyerCountyPublicSafety #CommunitySafety #CitizenPortal

Emergency services report: new reporting system near completion; medical examiner flags pending possible overdoses Emergency services said a new reporting system is being finalized and minor bugs remain; the medical examiner noted year-end investigations, including one homicide and several pending deaths that could be overdoses pending toxicology results.

Emergency services are on the brink of unveiling a new reporting system that could reveal shocking details about unexpected deaths, including possible overdose cases still awaiting confirmation.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #EmergencyServices #SawyerCountyPublicSafety #PublicHealth

EDC highlights grant options including a Talent Recruitment state grant; county staff to follow up Adam Memore of the LCO economic development group described downtown activity, a submitted $25,000 Thrive Grama application and a Talent Recruitment state grant (up to $500,000) that requires a 20% municipal match; he offered to work with county staff on applications.

Sawyer County's downtown businesses are thriving, and with a potential $500,000 Talent Recruitment grant on the table, the opportunity for growth is massive!

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #GrantFunding #BusinessIncubation #TalentRecruitment #SawyerCountyEconomicDevelopment

Sawyer County sheriff announces leadership change and describes rapid arrest in Radisson stabbing At the Public Safety Committee meeting, the sheriff reported that Brian Dale will succeed Chief Sedaris upon retirement and described a multi-unit response to an apparent stabbing in Radisson that produced a suspect arrest within hours; the office also reported a rise in December crashes and three fatalities for the year.

A leadership change is underway in Sawyer County as Chief Sedaris retires, while the sheriff reveals a swift arrest in a shocking Radisson stabbing case.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #TrafficSafety #SawyerCountyPublicSafety #CommunitySafety #CitizenPortal #LawEnforcement

Public health official reports rise in respiratory hospitalizations; vaccine coverage questions remain Sawyer County public health reported increased respiratory hospitalizations locally and statewide and said it has not yet received guidance from Wisconsin DHS about new CDC childhood vaccine recommendations; officials said vaccine coverage under the Vaccines for Children program or insurers remains unclear.

Respiratory hospitalizations are on the rise in Sawyer County, raising urgent questions about vaccine coverage as new CDC guidelines emerge.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #SawyerCountyPublicHealth #RespiratoryCare #VaccineAccess #HealthSurveillance #CitizenPortal

Board approves ad hoc LCO committee and withdraws 2 acres of county forest for public‑safety communications site The board authorized an ad hoc committee to work with the Lac Courte Oreilles tribe on roads and trails and approved withdrawing 2 acres of county forest near Draper to host a public-safety communications/simulcast radio site—both steps tied to an ongoing radio‑tower project.

Sawyer County is taking major strides for public safety by forming an ad hoc committee with the Lac Courte Oreilles tribe and approving crucial land for a new communications tower!

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CommunicationsInfrastructure #SawyerCountyPublicSafety #ATVTrails

Zoning committee approves transfer and updated conditions for event barn now branded Stone Hearth Acres The committee approved a change-of-conditions CUP (25-055) allowing ownership/operation transfer of the White Stag event barn to Stone Hearth Acres, with amended conditions limiting guest access to Twin Lakes Road, prohibiting overnight camping, requiring parking on-site, and leaving liquor licensing to town/state authorities.

Big changes are coming to the former White Stag event barn, now rebranded as Stone Hearth Acres, with new ownership and updated conditions set to transform the venue!

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CommunityAccess #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #SawyerCountyEventBarn #CivicAccountability

Zoning staff previews draft solar ordinance and zoning amendments; committee sends apartment and bakery changes to towns Sawyer County zoning staff presented a draft solar ordinance (including a 50 kW accessory solar cap and conditional-use treatment for mid/large-scale and battery-energy storage systems) and discussed proposed apartment and home-bakery amendments; the committee voted to send the apartment and bakery drafts to town boards for review and asked legal counsel to vet the solar draft.

Sawyer County is taking a bold step toward renewable energy with a new solar ordinance, but what does it mean for larger installations and your community?

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#SawyerCounty #WI #RenewableEnergy #UrbanPlanning #SawyerCountyZoning #HousingRegulations #CitizenPortal

Sawyer County zoning committee denies hot-mix asphalt plant at Skilly Pit, approves early renewal for the pit After extended public comment and legal guidance on evidentiary standards, the Sawyer County Zoning Committee approved an early renewal for the Skilly pit’s nonmetallic mining and rock-crushing permit but voted 3–2 to deny the addition of a temporary hot-mix asphalt plant.

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee has approved a five-year renewal for the Skilly pit but denied the controversial addition of a temporary hot-mix asphalt plant amid concerns over noise and air quality.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #EnvironmentalImpact

Rulo Strategies praises Sawyer County coordination, urges evaluations and mental-health investments National Reaching Rural consultants told Sawyer County CJCC the county’s coordination and data use stand out, and recommended evaluating drivers of a sustained jail population drop, using opioid-settlement grants for studies, expanding mental-health clinician hours, and exploring crisis-intervention training and transport alternatives.

Sawyer County's impressive drop in jail population has caught the attention of experts, who are urging investment in evaluations and mental health resources to sustain these gains.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #CriminalJustice #MentalHealth #CrisisIntervention

Sawyer County jail population falls; JusticePoint details caseloads and holiday aid plans At an informational Sawyer County CJCC meeting held without a quorum, jail staff reported an October average daily population of 59 and JusticePoint described pretrial, diversion and treatment-court caseloads and community holiday assistance that will serve about 240 families.

Sawyer County's jail population remains steady with 59 inmates, while JusticePoint unveils a heartwarming initiative to support 240 families this holiday season.

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#SawyerCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #JusticeReform #CommunitySupport #SawyerCountyCriminalJustice

Sawyer County adopts 2026 budget after amendment to add funds for Senior Resource Center and Weiss Library The Sawyer County Board approved the 2026 budget and property tax levy after adopting an amendment to include the Senior Resource Center’s requested amount and additional funding for the Weiss Library; the final levy was recorded at $15,955,777 and the vote carried 12–3.

Sawyer County's Board just approved a 2026 budget that boosts funding for the Senior Resource Center and Weiss Library, sparking lively discussions on community priorities!

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#SawyerCounty #WI #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #SawyerCountyLibrary #SeniorSupport