Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
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Ontonagon and Baraga counties were the only two western Upper Peninsula counties to see unemployment rates improve in July, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. In Ontonagon County, the jobless rate fell from 13.1 percent in June to 12.6 percent in July. A year agoit was 14 percent. The labor force took a jump of 125 to 2,550 in July and 100 more people were employed in Ontonagon County. Total unemployment stayed the same at 325. Despite that good news, Ontonagon County recorded the highest jobless rate in... Full story
ONTONAGON - The cause of an early Monday morning fire and explosion in Ontonagon remains under investigation, according to the Ontonagon County Sheriff's Department and Michigan State Police. A fire marshal was on the scene of the fire, reported at 1:23 a.m. Monday. It demolished a two-story building at 426 Minnesota Ave. According to neighbors, two young men saw flames in the house as they drove by and broke in the door and yelled to see if anyone was inside. Shortly after that, neighbors said... Full story
To write or not to write; to print or not to print, that is a very big question recently. Many schools no longer teach children to write in cursive, but are teaching instead to print. That program has been ongoing for several years and each year more schools are choosing printing over cursive. The subject became a hot one on my radio show and even in an informal discussion I had after a recent school board meeting. When I registered my dismay that cursive is no longer taught, one man added, “We no longer teach Latin because it is a dead l... Full story
GREENLAND — Valerie Talsma was named Homemaker of the Year at the Ontonagon County Fair last weekend. Talsma entered the most quality items in the fair to receive the honor. Jenna Jolliff was named Junior Homemaker. Best of Show winners in various catagories included: —Adult: Nancy Michna, soft sculpture; Jim Michie, sweet bread; Paul Smith, wine; and Valerie Talsma, batik and tall cut floral arrangement. —Youth: Margaret Mary Howard, beadwork; Mary Therese Howard, cherries, pencil drawings and color pencil drawings; Jenna Jolliff, sewin... Full story
WHITE PINE - Ninety-six people registered for the Chris' Warrior Walk during Warrior Weekend in White Pine Saturday. The walk honors the late Warrior graduate and athlete Chris Marshand who died in January 2013 of ALS, known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Marshand was a sports reporter with the Midland News at the time of his death. Warrior weekend is celebrated the last weekend in July each year bringing hundreds of graduates and former White Pine residents to the tiny community. This year the... Full story
WHITE PINE - The red and white sweaters, cheerleading outfits and basketball uniforms will come out of mothballs this weekend for the annual White Pine Warrior Weekend. Warrior Weekend is always the last full weekend in July and although it started small, it has snowballed since the last all-school reunion. It is a time that classes have their reunions and special dedications to former classmates. The White Pine School closed at the end of the school year in 2002, but the Warrior spirit which... Full story
All the activities this week were done on “Tucker Time.” Tucker Time means don’t look at your watch, if we say dinner at 6, it means anywhere from 6 to 8! It has been a wonderful week at our house. All the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were here. It was our annual reunion, a little earlier than usual. Normally everyone comes home in July, but this year granddaughter Megan was married to Matt Hagen and we pushed up the reunion date. Our prayers for good weather were at least one-half answered. On the first day the large tent... Full story
ONTONAGON - The eighth annual Barbecue Cook-off for Life added more than $6,000 to the Ontonagon County Cancer Association. On Wednesday, members of the cook-off staff presented a check for $6,390 to OCCA President Bev Meagher. Cook-off co-chairman Tom Domitrovich noted that the event was a "big success" and brings the total amount raised by the cook-offs to $46,400. He added that it would not be possible without the many generous people and businesses that "dig deep each year and donate to the... Full story
ONTONAGON - The weather was cool and sometimes rain fell but the Ontonagon Marina Saturday was full of children and parents for the Kids Fishing Derby, hosted by the Ottawa National Forest. The day included casting contests, minnow races, prizes in many divisions and other activities. Dad Joey Voldarski said it was "exciting " to see the kids smiling and excited about catching fish. The Kids Fishing Derbies were held at several areas during the Michigan Free Fishing Weekend. The local event was... Full story
I had a birthday this week. When you are a twin, birthdays are a little different, even from the start. It is never just your birthday. It is our birthday. The cakes have both the names, the parties are shared and the songs sung to both of you at the same time. Often the gifts are double of the same item, two sets of roller skates, two bikes, two radios, games addressed to both of you. When it’s time to go to school, you walk together, are generally in the same room and often sit alphabetically (at least it was that way in the old days). S... Full story
ONTONAGON - Six teams competed for Barbecue honors at the eighth annual Barbecue for Life Saturday in Ontonagon. The proceeds of the dinner are donated to the Ontonagon County Cancer Association. Tom Domitrovich, co-chairman, along with Griff Roehm, said he was pleased with the number of teams entered this year. He noted, however, that one of the original teams Fuzzy-P, was absent since their leader Tom Burgess ruptured his achilles tendon before the event. Teams participating included:... Full story
ONTONAGON - Fifth grade students from the Ontonagon and Ewen Trout Creek Schools Thursday learned about the many safety and protective programs available to them in the county. It was the ninth annual 911 program coordinated by Sheriff Dale Rantala with the help of more than eight law enforcement and safety groups. Fire departments, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Conservation, search and rescue, ambulance, Upper Peninsula Power Company, and police officials guided the children through... Full story
ONTONAGON - A teacher who students said has affected not only their minds, but their hearts, as well, delivered the commencement address at the Ontonagon Area High School graduation Friday. Jon Uotila was the unanimous choice of the seniors to deliver the address and he received a standing ovation from students at the conclusion of his speech. Uotila is a 1994 graduate of Ontonagon and a 2000 graduate of Northern Michigan University in Marquette. He has taught biology, English, American... Full story
ONTONAGON - Students at the Holy Family Church in Ontonagon perform the shadow stations of the cross each Lenten season. Behind a scrim with illuminated light, the students enact the 14 stations of Christ's death on the cross. It begins with his condemnation to death and concludes with his placement in the tomb. The presentation is traditionally performed the Friday before Holy Week. Each station is accompanied with a dialogue read by two of the students which connects the station and suffering... Full story
ONTONAGON - Nearly 500 pounds was lost in the annual Aspirus Ontonagon Fitness Center Meltdown which concluded with an award ceremony Wednesday. Top awards were based on percentage of loss. Team Flabbergasted with a 24.1 percent weight loss and 46.5 pounds brought John and Diane Dupie the top spot. The placque bearing their name was presented by Kelly Roehm, Fitness Center Manager. Diane Dupie also won the most percentage of weight loss by a female in the contest at 11.7 percent. Second place... Full story
ONTONAGON - Six years ago Ontonagon Township assistant librarian Laura Lahaie, read a book called "Fancy Nancy", and it gave Lahaie the idea to have a tea party for the kids. Each year, the number of boys, girls and parents grow at the event. Lahaie buys fancy tea cups from the St Vincent DePaul store, parents bring a few snacks and everyone wears fancy hats to the party. Lahaie said this year's party was the largest yet, with more boys added to the mix. A reading skit was presented by... Full story
ROCKLAND - There were five snowmobile accidents in the Rockland, Mass-Greenland vicinity this winter and the Rockland Fire Department decided they needed to have the ability to help in the rescue efforts. The department had been considering a purchase of a 8 wheel Argo- Ambius ATV with a large track, but it was a rescue of snowmobilers in the Porkies that made the final decision. While efforts were being made to rescue lost snowmobilers a few months ago, a sheriff department rescue pod became... Full story
ONTONAGON — Ice is still forming on the Ontonagon River, but the Ontonagon Rotary Club is looking forward to spring. The Ontonagon Rotary Wednesday unveiled plans for Ice-Out 2014 and 50-50 tickets are available for those who wish to guess what day and time the ice will leave the river. The exodus of the ice from the river has been celebrated in Ontonagon since 1960, when the river overflowed because the ice was unable to exit to Lake Superior. One-half of the proceeds of the project goes to the winner with the right date and time, while R... Full story
ONTONAGON - Ontonagon County Probate Judge Janis Burgess was re-elected president of the Ontonagon-White Pine Rotary Club. Burgess begins her second term on July 1. Serving with her and also re-elected were Marilyn Anderson, treasurer, and Jan Tucker, secretary. The group has agreed to seek a matching grant from the Rotary district for the Theater of the Performing Arts. The theater's cyclorama screen has holes in it and theater officials want to purchase a 28-foot wide movie screen, which can s... Full story
ONTONAGON - The Ontonagon County Board Tuesday settled a long standing lawsuit aimed at a Revolving Loan recipient who was in default. Spencer Ward had obtained a $117,000 loan from the Revolving Loan Fund to build and operate Woulo Creek Kennels. Only a small part of the debt was repaid. Following a closed session the board agreed to settle the suit for $4,000 a month for 11 months. The county also agreed to accept some of the financial obligations of the Economic Development Corporation. The... Full story
ONTONAGON - The Ontonagon Township Library is looking for a new librarian. After more than seven years Eric Smith informed the Library Bard that he has accepted a position with the Mason County District Library at its main branch in Ludington. There have been many changes to the library in those seven years, and Smith said he is proud of the advances that he and library assistant Laura Lahaie have accomplished. He noted that groundwork for those advances were already laid by his predecessors.... Full story
ONTONAGON - The Ontonagon County EconomicDevelopment Corporation with just $30 in the bank is looking to the Ontonagon County Board to assist in keeping the unit in operation. Wednesday, the EDC held its annual reorganization meeting, acknowledging that it does not know what the future of the organization will be with the state actions which removed more than $600,000 in Revolving Loan Funds to a central organizational board, but left the EDC with some of the duties in qualifying requests for... Full story
MASS CITY — Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment is garnering support for an equestrian campground at the Simar Landing Strip in Mass City. In a letter requesting support from local groups and state officials, Cathy Wainio, of MI-TRALE, noted the organization is in the business of helping build and improve trail recreation across the five western Upper Peninsula counties. The group presently maintains and improves off-road vehicle and equestrian trails under MI-TRALE support and maintenance agreements with the O... Full story
ONTONAGON - About 25 people sang carols and particpated in a program on a cold and snowy afternoon Sunday to dedicate a nativity scene at the four corners in Ontonagon. Roland Meyer, of the community's Nativity Committee, asked the people who gathered to find peace in their homes, their lives and their country. Meyer said just as the wise men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child, we should be aware of the gifts we've been given. "May the gold of charity, the myrrh of... Full story
ONTONAGON - It was standing room only at the annual Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital Foundation Christmas Show Friday. The show opened with a new set with sliding doors opening to a Christmas set and Jim Jessup and Mike Urbis in white and black tuxedos singing the show's theme "Winter Wonderland." The usual comedic banter and songs between Jessup and Urbis alternated with the beautiful voices and Christmas music from Jennifer Weaver and daughters Veronica and Genevieve, Jim Brogan, Dave Kalivoda and Y... Full story
