Registering to vote
Preregistration for voting is not required in Washburn County. Voters must be 18 years or older and
provide proof of residency at the polling booth.
Information on polling locations is available from the local city hall, village office, or Wash-burn
County clerk, 468-4600.
Marriage license
Marriage licenses are issued at the county clerk's office in the courthouse in Shell Lake, 468-4600. A
five-day waiting period is required, and the license must be used within 30 days of receipt.
At least one of the applicants must be a resident of the Wisconsin county where the license is
obtained, though the marriage need not be performed in that county.
If neither applicant lives in Wisconsin, the license must be applied for in the county where the
marriage will be performed.
Both applicants must show proof of residency, such as a driver's license; those under age 31 must also
show a birth certificate.
Copies of divorce decree papers or death certificate of former spouse are necessary for previously
married applicants. Signatures of parents are required for applicants under age 18. Cost of license is
$60.
Property taxes
Taxes are payable in two installments.
The first is due by Jan. 31 and is paid to one's town, village, or city treasurer.
The second is due by July 31 and is paid to the Washburn County treasurer, P.O. Box 340, Shell Lake, WI
54871.
Work permits
Minors can obtain work permits through the superintendents' offices at area schools (even during the
summers).
Applicants will need their birth certificate or driver's license, Social Security card, note from their
parents permitting employment, letter of intent to hire from the employer, and the $5 permit fee.
Passports
Application forms are available at the county clerk of courts office at the courthouse in Shell Lake.
The forms must be signed at the office in the presence of the clerk.
Applicants must have a certified copy of a birth certificate, two identical passport photos, and proof
of identification.
Process time is 5 1/2 weeks. Birth certificate will be returned with passport.
Cost is $60 for those 16 and older, and passport is valid for 10 years. Passports for minors cost $40
and are valid for five years.
Plat books
Plat books showing land ownership within Washburn County are available from the Washburn County clerk's
office at the courthouse in Shell Lake, 10 Fourth Ave., or from the University of Wisconsin-Extension
office, 850 W. Beaverbrook, Spooner.
Cost is $25, including tax, or $28 if they are mailed. Prices are subject to change.
Boat, ATV, and snowmobile registration
For information about boat, all-terrain-vehicle, and snowmobile registration, call the Department of
Natural Resources, 635-2101.
Hunting and fishing licenses
Licenses are available at several locations throughout the county and from the Department of Natural
Resources. For more information call the DNR, 635-2101. Proof of completion of a hunter safety course
is mandatory for applicants born after Jan. 1, 1973.
Driver's licenses
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), intersection of Hwys. 48 and 53, Rice Lake. 234-6871. Open Mon.,Tues., Wed., and Fri., 8:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
and Thur., 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m.
Other area DMV centers include:
Spooner, Thur., 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m., second and fourth Thurs., lower level of American Legion Hall, Hwy. 70 east.
Cumberland, fourth Tues., 9:30 to 11:45 a.m., First State Bank;
Siren, 9:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m., first and third Tuesdays, village hall.
To schedule a driving test call toll-free, 1/888/368-9556.
Renewal of a Wisconsin license can be done at a DMV center. An eye exam is required.
When obtaining a Wisconsin driver's license after moving into the state from another locale, the
applicant must surrender the out-of-state license and show another form of identification with a
signature.
Building permits
Birchwood: Permits are available at the village hallk, 101 N. Main St. Permits are issued upon
the approval of building inspector Jim Helstab, 234-3023.
Minong: Permits are available at the village hall, 123 Fifth Ave.
Shell Lake: Permits are issued at city hall, 501 First St. Call zoning administrator Ron
Masterjohn,
468-2326, for an appointment.
Spooner: Permits are available from city hall, 515 Summit St. Permits are issued upon the approval
of the building inspector.
Townships: Bashaw Township does not require a building permit unless the property is within 1,000
feet of a lake or pond or within 300 feet of a stream.
Other townships: Contact the Washburn County Zoning Depart-ment, lower level of the courthouse in
Shell Lake, 468-2666.
Reporting an accident
Traffic accidents with any of the following conditions must be reported to a police department or the
sheriff's department (468-4700): injuries; more than $1,000 worth of damage; $200 worth of damage to
government property other than the vehicles.
It is advisable to report accidents before leaving the scene to avoid the possibility of a hit and
run violation.
Documentation by police for insurance purposes needs to be done at the scene.
Vehicle/animal collisions
Must report to sheriff's department, 468-4700, if more than $1,000 worth of damage is done.
Motorists can also report lesser damage to sheriff's department so occurence of an accident is logged
for insurance purposes.
Deer: Anyone who hits and kills a deer and wishes to keep the remains must contact the Department
of Natural Re-sources, or, alternately, Holiday Express in Spooner or Sports-man's Headquarters in
Minong to register the animal.The sheriff's department, 468-4700, can be contacted when they are closed.
Authorization will not be given for albino deer or spotted fawns.
Other animals: Contact the DNR, 635-2101, to determine whether the animal can legally be kept and
to obtain a tag authorizing ownership. Do not remove the animal from where it was found without
authorization. If the DNR office is closed, contact the sheriff's department, 468-2721.
Registering a motor vehicle
Mandatory as of October 1999, to legally operate a car or small truck, drivers must display license
plates within two business days of purchase. Those who do not have plates to transfer may obtain
temporary plates from the county clerk in Shell Lake or an agent authorized by the Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV).
There is a $3 temporary plate fee valid for 90 days and also a $5 service fee.
The DMV customer service center in Rice Lake can issue a plate with the completed application during
business hours.
Jury duty
Citizens are first selcted for jury duty through their driver's license numbers. The county clerk then
mails a questionaire to each person on a list of potential jurors named by the state Department of
Transportation.
After the questionnaires are returned to the clerk, possible jurors are chosen at random by computer
for one-month terms of jury duty.
Road conditions
For local and statewide snow, ice, or road construction conditions call 1/800/ROADWIS (762-3947).
Taxis and other transportation
NWT Express of Hayward offers shuttle service between the Washburn County area and the Twin Cities
eight times per week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Shuttle arrives in the Twin
Cities between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
For exact time and locations call 1/800/262-8974 or 634-5307. Chartered group trips also available
to other destinations.
Schmitz's Economart in conjunction with Badger Buses, both of Spooner, operate a shuttle van
service every Tuesday morning to take shoppers to Economart. 635-2836.
Veterans: Transportation for veterans is available every morning to the Veterans Administration
medical clinic in Minneapolis. Contact the county veterans service office to make an appointment for a
ride, 635-4470.
For people 60 or older or disabled individuals of any age, transportation to regional medical
facilities is available through the Washburn County Unit on Aging. No fee is charged, though donations
are accepted. 468-4640.
Airport
Shell Lake Municipal Airport, adjacent to the industrial park in Shell Lake, has a 3,700-foot paved
runway, tie-down area, rotational beacon, and the following navigational aids: GPS, VOR-DME, and NDB
instrument approaches. No fueling facilities. Land available for hangars. More information is at
www.shell-lake.com, or call Shell Lake City Hall, 468-7679.
Phone service
Two companies provide phone service in Washburn County.
oCentral eastern portion and lower southeast corner: GTE, 1/800/483-4600.
oRemainder of county: CenturyTel, 1/800/872-4016.
Internet access
Local phone companies have information on Internet provid-ers within the telephone ex-change.
Spacestar Communications, 1/800/772-0896, and CTC Net, 1/800/924-3405, also provide Internet access.
Power service
Spooner Municipal Utilities serves city of Spooner residents. A request in writing is needed for
service and should be made in person at the city hall, 515 N. Summit St.
For more information or to report an outage call 635-8769, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mon.- Fri.; to report
an outage after hours, call 635-8615, 635-7558 or 635-7987.
NSP serves residents in the city of Shell Lake, village of Birchwood, and part of the towns of
Trego, Springbrook, Sarona, Stone Lake, and Birchwood.
For information or emergency service call 1/800/895-4999.
Dahlberg Light and Power serves the village of Minong, township of Frog Creek, and portions of
Chicog, Brooklyn, and Minong townships.
For information or emergency service call 1/800/736-5167.
Barron Electric Cooperative serves rural portions of Wash-burn County, including townships south of
Cty. Hwy. F.
For information or emergency service call 1/800/322-1008 or 635-3635.
Natural gas
Portions of Washburn County have access to natural gas service.
WE Energies, 1/800/242-9137, EMERGENCIES 1-800-261-5325; provides natural gas to residents of the Spooner, Shell Lake, Trego,
Springbrook, and Earl areas.
Cable service
Some areas of the county, mainly those that are more populated, have access to cable service. The
following provide the service:
Charter Communications, 1/800/924-3503: for residents of Spooner, Shell Lake, and portions of
Long Lake, Sarona, and Stone Lake.
S & K TV, 1/800/924-7880: for residents of Minong.
Garbage removal
Waste removal within the cities of Shell Lake and Spooner and the villages of Minong and Birchwood
is contracted out to BFI Waste Systems. For questions about pick-up routes call BFI, 1/800/542-2124,
or the local city or village clerk.
Township residents have their choice of garbage haulers.
BFI serves the entire county.
Waste Management, 1/800/225-8134, serves a portion of the county.
Recycling
Washburn County operates a joint recycling program with Burnett County. Recycling service is available
at no extra cost to anyone receiving curbside garbage pick-up in both counties.
Collected at the following sites (without charge) are newspapers, glass bottles, aluminum cans, tin
cans, phone books, glossy magazines, #1 and #2 plastic containers with necks (except automotive product
bottles), cell phones, and mixed paper (not tissue paper, paper towels, or food-contaminated paper):
Spooner, 1400 S. River St.: Tues., Thurs., 4-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Shell Lake, New Knapp Road, north of city:Wed., summer 4-7 p.m.; Wed., winter 1:30-4:30 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Minong, transfer station, one mile south of village on Hwy. 53: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; winter
hours (Oct. 1-April 30): Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Long Lake, summer: half mile east of Long Lake dam on Cty. Hwy. D;
summer: Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.;and Wed., 4 p.m.-7p.m.; winter Long Lake Town Hall on Co. Rd. M Sat., 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Stone Lake, former town dump site, half mile south of Cty. Hwy. A on Town Hall Road: Wed. (summer
only), 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Springbrook, waste station(Turn East on Larson Rd., Turn East again on Town Hall Rd., waste station on South side of road): Wed. and Sat., 1-5 p.m.
Trego, Closed until further notice.
In addition, all of the drop-off sites except Stone Lake also take cardboard.
The Spooner and Minong sites also collect white office paper,
auto batteries, and -- for a fee -- appliances, fluorescent bulbs, and tires.
Used oil can be taken to the Minong Transfer Station, Minong; and Spooner Auto and Truck at 322 N. River St.,Spooner.
Used oil filters are collected for a fee at the recycling site in Spooner, and Minong Transfer Station.
Yard waste and large items
Leaves, grass, and brush 6 inches in diameter or less can be taken to the Minong Transfer Station
and Long Lake Recycling sites (see above).
The city of Spooner has for its residents a drop-off site for large items in the spring and fall. The
city picks up brush -- for a charge -- the last Friday of every month during the summer months.
Contact Spooner city hall, 635-8769, for more information.
Before digging ...
Digger's Hotline must be consulted before digging to locate phone, electrical, and other utility lines.
Call 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 1/800/242-8511.
Armed services
Wisconsin Army Recruiting, 635-8630.
Wisconsin National Guard, 635-3592.
Newspapers
Three newspapers and one shopper are published in Washburn County.
Birchwood News
354-3471
300 S. Wilson, Birchwood
Services: Bi-monthly newspaper published by the students of Birchwood High School.
Spooner Advocate
Evergreen Shopping Guide
635-2181
509 Front Street,
P.O. Box 338, Spooner
e-mail: advocate@spacestar.net
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Services: Weekly newspaper, free-distribution shopper, publisher of several magazines; maintains a
community web site/on-line newspaper at www.spooneronline.com.
Washburn County Register
468-2314
21 W. Fifth Avenue, Shell Lake
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Services: Weekly newspaper.
Churches
Birchwood
St. John's Catholic Church, 408 S. Main St., 354-3704.
Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 E. Chetac Ave., 354-3790.
United Methodist Church of Birchwood, 103 E. Balsam Ave., 354-3147.
Earl
Namekagon Congregational United Church of Christ, W4446 Friday St., 635-2903.
Edgewater
Wayside Chapel, Cty. Hwy. F (between Stone Lake and Birchwood), 354-7314.
Gull Lake
Gull Lake Wesleyan Church, W4540 Cty. Hwy. F., 466-2547.
Lampson
Christ Lutheran Church,
Missouri synod, W5523 Cty. Hwy. F., 466-4516.
Minong
Calvary Lutheran Church, 675 Shell Creek Rd., 466-2366.
Church of the Nazarene, 306 Main St., 466-2135.
St. Mary's Catholic Church, E. Hwy. 77, 466-2358; office,
378-4431.
Sarona
Long Lake Baptist Church, Cty. Hwy. B (one mile east of Cty. Hwy. M), 635-6699.
Long Lake Lutheran Church, W3114 Church Rd, 354-3804.
St. catherine's catholic church,
Cty. Hwy. D off Hwy. 53,
635-3105.
Shell Lake
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 821 Hwy. 63, 468-2697.
Lake Park Alliance Church, 53 S. Third St., 468-2734.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 100 N. Second St., 468-7200; church office, 635-3105.
Salem Lutheran Church, 803 Second St., 468-7718.
Shell Lake Full Gospel Church, 293 Hwy. 63 S., 468-2895.
Timberland Church, 20805 Cty. Hwy. H, 468-4403.
United Methodist Church, 100 Reinhart Dr., 468-2405.
Spooner
Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, N5015 Beaver Brook, 635-7672.
Christian Life Assembly of God, 202 E. Maple, 635-3546.
Church of the Nazarene, N4584 Hwy. 253, 635-3496.
Cornerstone Christian Church, 106 Balsam, 635-9222.
Faith Lutheran Church, W7148 Luther Rd., 635-8167.
First Grace Baptist Church, 626 W. Maple St., 635-8784.
First United Pentecostal Church, 337 Greenwood Ave., 635-8386.
Sacred Hearts Church, Cty. Hwys. A and H, Crescent Lake, 866-7321.
St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 220 Elm, 635-8475.
St. Francis de Sales, 409 N. Summit, 635-3105.
Spooner Baptist Church, W7135 Green Valley Rd., 635-2277.
Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA), 1790 Scribner, 635-3603.
United Methodist Church, 312 Elm, 635-3227.
Wesleyan Church, 1100 W. Maple, 635-2768.
Springbrook
Living Word Family Worship Center, N7343 Cty. Hwy. M, 766-3521.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church, N8571 Cty. Hwy. M (one block south of Hwy. 63), 634-3283.
Stone Lake
First Lutheran Church, Stubbins and Main streets (on top of the hill), 865-2500.
St. Philip's Catholic Church, Frost Street, 865-2951.
Stone Lake Wesleyan Church, Frost and First streets, 865-2881.
Trego
Northwoods Christian Church, Trego Park Road, 635-7769.
Trego Community Church, W5635 Park St., 635-8402.
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122 North River Street · Spooner, WI 54801 · Phone: 715-635-2168
Email: chamber@spooneronline.com
