In the quiet forests and calm lakes of Northern Wisconsin, where neighborhood is key and individuals count, there is one paper that continues to shine: the Vilas County News Review. In 2025, this classic paper is not just reporting news—it’s offering a people bridge of stories and places that define the Northwoods lifestyle.
With nearly a century of homegrown journalism under its belt, the Vilas County News Review remains a name that comes to mind with trust after all these years. Whether you are a year-round resident of Eagle River or just a summer tourist up at the lake, the News Review allows you to be current on everything from town board meetings to fishing derbies and Fourth of July parades.
Let’s travel back in time, visit the present, and gaze toward the future of the Vilas County News Review, learn its largest stories of 2025, get to know the people who produce the news, and understand why local news continues to matter in the Northwoods’ heart.
A Legacy of Local Journalism in Vilas County
Where It All Began
The Vilas County News Review has been the newspaper of Northern Wisconsin communities for more than 100 years. Originating in Eagle River, the newspaper started life as a small-town newspaper dedicated to covering logging, fishing, real estate, and news of the community for the growing Northwoods territory.
Over the years, it grew to become the official newspaper of record for many townships and municipalities in Vilas County. Today, in 2025, it still publishes two weekly issues and has an evolving online presence.
Dedicated to the Communities It Serves
Some of Vilas County’s smaller towns include Eagle River, Land O’ Lakes, St. Germain, Boulder Junction, Phelps, and Manitowish Waters. They’re small towns, but the news is large—especially for local residents.
The Vilas County News Review reports it all:
- School board meetings and school district budgets
- Town halls and local elections
- Outdoor recreation and tourism activity
- Seasonal events, festivals, and parades
- Real estate development and zoning disputes
- Public health, safety, and wildlife concerns
It doesn’t sugarcoat local views like chain stores tend to. Each member of the community matters here, and their stories are told with integrity and respect.
Most Popular Vilas County News Review Stories of 2025
ATV Trail Expansion Heats Up with Divided Community Reaction
In the first part of 2025, the county board approved expanded ATV/UTV access across several major trail corridors. Outdoor recreation businesses welcomed the action, but conservationists and certain property owners complained of noise, environmental disruption, and damage to property.
The Vilas County News Review covered the controversy with a multi-part series, reporting both sides of the story. They attended public comment meetings, reviewed statistics about trail use, and interviewed residents in Eagle River to Conover.
New Eagle River Elementary School Gets Green Light
Another major development of the year was the approval of funding for a new $18 million Northland Pines School District elementary school. With aging facilities and growing student populations, the move was seen as a necessity.
News Review reporters wrote:
- The school board vote
- Community forums
- Taxpayer impacts
- Groundbreaking ceremonies
With photo galleries and live coverage, the newspaper became the place to go for families and educators.
3. Summer Tourism Numbers Hit Record High
With an early thaw and aggressive regional marketing push, Vilas County saw record-breaking summer tourism in 2025. Campgrounds and lodging houses were filled to capacity, and local business flourished.
The News Review offered economic data, tourist projections, and statements from resort owners around Lac du Flambeau, Sayner, and Minocqua. Coverage helped place both the advantages and limitations of seasonal growth into the limelight.
Inside the Newsroom: Meet the Staff Behind the Pages
Locals Writing About Locals
The Vilas County News Review is a small but steadfast team of reporters who reside and work within the communities they cover. These writers don’t cover the news—they experience it.
Key staff members are:
- Kent Bush – 30-year veteran editor in rural journalism
- Allison Eck – Features writer and photographer
- Tim Hufnagle – High school sports editor
- Emily Watkins – Education and health reporter
All three have a deep understanding of the area’s history, current affairs, and future.
Columnists and Community Contributors
Opinion pages feature opinion columns, letters to the editor, and guest columns. From local entrepreneurs to summer residents and high school students in the region, the News Review is open to a wide range of voices—grounded in respect and relevance.
Print and Digital: Where the Readers Are
A loyal print audience
While other publications are going all-digital, the Vilas County News Review still provides a twice-weekly printed edition to subscribers countywide. For rural dwellers and those of more advanced years with poor internet connections, the newspaper is a lifeline to the outside world.
Features include:
- Briefs
- Obituaries
- Letters to the editor
- Sports scores
- Event listings
It’s not just a newspaper—it’s woven into the fabric of people’s lives.
More Digital Access and Online Readership
The website, vilascountynewsreview.com, provides:
- Breaking stories
- Real estate sales listings
- Photo albums
- Weather warnings
- Subscriber-only articles
By 2025, the web version attracts over 50,000 monthly views, especially over peak tourist seasons and election years.
Sports Coverage That Inspires Civic Pride
Northwoods Conference Athletics’ Stars in the Spotlight
High school sports are a huge thing in Vilas County. From Eagle River’s football, Three Lakes’ basketball, to Boulder Junction’s cross country, the News Review’s sports section writes about these.
They write:
- Previews and summaries of games
- Profiles of athletes
- Rankings of teams
- Photo spreads and MVP spotlights
The coverage creates school spirit and gives students their due recognition.
Obituaries and Milestones: Honoring Every Life
A Section That Is in the Heart of the Community
There are few things more vital in a small community than honoring lives lived and gone. The Vilas County News Review possesses a full, respectful obituary section that includes:
- Tributes in depth
- Funeral service notices
- Legacy tributes
- In-memoriam advertisements
- Community remembrances
No matter the number of years – 90 years in the Northwoods or a few summers at the cabin – his or her story is told here.
Special Editions and Seasonal Features
Tourism Guides and Summer Spotlights
Each summer, the News Review publishes special sections such as:
- “Northwoods Summer Guide” – with maps, events, and fishing holes
- “Fall Colors Tour” – with scenic routes and peak foliage dates
- “Holiday Happenings” – with Christmas parades, markets, and tree lightings
These publications can be found throughout resorts, tourist information locations, and service stations across the county.
The Role of the Vilas County News Review in Civic Life
Watching the Watchdogs
Because it is the official publication of record for so many governments in the local area, the News Review publishes legal notices, budgets, and public hearings. They also cover:
- Zoning board meetings
- Town elections
- News about emergency services
- DNR announcements
In a day and age when fewer citizens attend public meetings, reporting like this keeps citizens informed and engaged.
Defeating Rumors With Facts
Rumors travel faster on social media in 2025 than they can be disproven. That’s why the News Review fact-checks each claim, runs corrections, and gives context.
They’ve fact-checked:
- Deceptive reports of ATV trail closures
- False claims on school taxes
- Weather and wildlife myths during tourist season
Good journalism is needed now more than ever in small towns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vilas County News Review
How often is the paper published?
Two times a week—typically Tuesdays and Fridays—with daily online edition.
How do I subscribe to the paper?
Visit vilascountynewsreview.com or call their office in Eagle River. Subscriptions can be either print or digital.
Can I submit letters or events for publication?
Yes. Readers can have letters to the editor, obituaries, photos, or notices of community events submitted on the website.
Does it contain outdoor news and fishing reports?
Yes. There are weekly outdoor columns that cover fishing methods, hunting regulations, ice cover, and so forth.
Is the paper politically biased?
No. The News Review prides itself on equitable reporting and an impartial presentation of both sides of an issue.
Final Thoughts: Why Vilas County News Review Still Matters in 2025
The Vilas County News Review is not just a newspaper—it’s a mirror, a megaphone, and a keeper of memories for Northern Wisconsin. It clings to what counts, puts the spotlight on what’s evolving, and reminds us all that small-town tales are worth remembering.
In a world of AI-generated news and disappearing newspapers, the News Review holds firm. It’s authentic. It’s local. It’s trusted.
Whether you’re sipping coffee on the porch in Land O’ Lakes or scrolling headlines at your cabin in Sayner, this publication is there with you—documenting life in the Northwoods one edition at a time.
