Articles written by Ralph Ansami
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Whitecap main lodge burns Friday
UPSON, Wis. - Employees at the Whitecap Mountain ski resort watched hopelessly late Friday afternoon as the main lodge area burned out of control. Iron County fire departments attempted to save the ch...
Two reported dead from Lake Gogebic snowmobile crash
LAKE GOGEBIC — A Friday Facebook post from the Official Wisconsin Snowmobile Enthusiasts Club indicated two snowmobilers were killed in a head-on crash of two machines around 9 p.m. Both machines burst into flames and efforts were made to revive...
With groomers out on trails, snowmobiling caution advised
HURLEY - The 6 to 8 inches of heavy snow that fell on Friday on the Gogebic Range improved conditions for all outdoor activities. Area motels and gas stations benefitted from the snow that also blanke...
Alcohol ordinance, Xcel Energy easements on Ironwood agenda
IRONWOOD — In a rare Wednesday session, the Ironwood City Commission will consider an alcohol ordinance and selling easements to Xcel Energy. The proposed alcohol ordinance will be introduced and then scheduled for a public hearing on Jan. 21 at...
County board supports land deal to extend Iron Belle Trail
BESSEMER — The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners this week went on record as supporting the purchase of land from Pat Steiger for the next phase of the Iron Belle Trail. The non-motorized trail will extend from Bessemer to Ramsay. The Michigan...
Rainfall sets Sept. 21 record
IRONWOOD - Sometimes weather forecasters hit the nail right on the head. The National Weather Service predicted 1.7 inches of rain for Ironwood for Thursday and Friday morning and 1.73 inches fell...
Midget debate begins in advance of committee
HURLEY - The Hurley School Board's decision Monday to evaluate the school district's Midget mascot has created a social media firestorm. The initial reaction seems to be mostly opposed to changing...
Commission hears of Ironwood tire collection effort set for next week
IRONWOOD - Plans for a special tire collection for city of Ironwood residents were discussed by the city commission on Monday. Code enforcement officer Jason Alonen said the collections will be held...
Whitecap manager outlines renovation progress, plans
UPSON, Wis. — An ongoing renovation project at Whitecap Mountains is preparing the facility for year-’round tourists. David Dziuban is managing the effort that currently includes 30 employees. “These are all local people. We wanted to make an...
$250,000 bond set in fatal Saxon crash
HURLEY — A $250,000 cash bond was set Thursday in Iron County Court for a Superior man who is charged in a fatal March 27 accident on U.S. 2 in Saxon. Jesse Gasper, 34, faces five charges in the early morning logging truck-car accident on U.S. 2...
Arrangements finalized for funeral of Pearl Harbor victim
ONTONAGON — Arrangements have been finalized for the funeral of Navy Fireman Second Class Lowell Earl Valley, from Ontonagon, killed during an attack on the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, July...
Missing Hurley man walks out of woods
HURLEY — Gogebic Range residents had an additional reason to celebrate the Fourth of July when the search for a missing Hurley man ended successfully around 10:12 a.m. Tuesday. Rich Tilton was found alive and relatively well near the Oma Town Hall...
Eyesore on Ironwood City Commission agenda
IRONWOOD — The Ironwood City Commission on Monday will consider advertising for bids for demolition of a house at 150 Southland Ave. There have been many complaints about the structure in recent years. A neighbor, Gene Henning, told commissioners...
Charity motorcycle ride visits Iron Belt Saturday
IRON BELT, Wis. — Bikers besieged Belt City for a good cause Saturday around noon. The normally quiet Iron County town came alive for a few hours when about 130 motorcycles and many cars from the Cable area stopped at Joany’s Sidekicks during a c...
Firefighters, first responders honored with Ironwood ceremony
IRONWOOD - Presentation of a lifesaving award to Ironwood Public Safety Department Fire Marshal Brandon Snyder concluded a Friday ceremony honoring first responders of the Feb. 21 fatal fire at...
Hurley carnival ride breaks down, injuring 4
HURLEY - A carnival being held to raise money for the Hurley Fire Department had to be shut down Friday evening after a ride malfunctioned, injuring four people. Law enforcement officers at the scene...
Commission criticized for goal priorities
IRONWOOD — Goals for 2018 approved by the Ironwood City Commission on Monday drew heat from a city resident. Paul Grbavcich, of Leonard Street, said he couldn’t believe the commission would list a commercial blight fight as No. 1, when tackling...
Fire cause undetermined; director praises cooperation
IRONWOOD — Ironwood Public Safety Department Director Greg Klecker told the city commission Monday last Wednesday’s fatal downtown fire shows the need for mutual aid agreements. Ironwood firefighters were assisted by the Hurley Fire Depar-tment...
Reward offered for Iron murder suspect
EAGLE RIVER, Wis. — A day after news broke that an Iron County murder suspect unsuccessfully tried to turn himself in to the Vilas County Jail a week ago, a reward for his arrest was announced. James B. Lussier, 19, of Arbor Vitae, showed up at the...
Ironwood plan outlines $650,000 facade program
IRONWOOD — The six-year Capital Improvement Plan recently adopted by the Ironwood City Commission includes a $600,000 two-year downtown facade improvement proposal and a separate $50,000 local effort. The plan represents a wish list of projects in...
Snow advisory issued for today
A winter weather advisory was in effect for five northern Wisconsin counties until 9 p.m. today, including Iron County. The National Weather Service said 3 to 6 inches of snow might create slippery...
Nasty weather forecast through New Year's Day
By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] Now comes the real nasty stuff. After a week of sub-zero temperatures across the Gogebic Range, a winter weather advisory was in effect for Iron County, Wis., and the Ironwood area through Sunday. The...
Vintage Snowmobiles
BOB HAWKINSON, of Mellen, Wis., attempts to start his vintage red Rupp snowmobile at the Ironwood Depot Park Friday night. Snowmobilers kicked off today's vintage races at the Gogebic County...
Caution advised for snowmobile trail riding in Iron, Vilas counties
By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] Extra caution is advised for snowmobilers who are taking advantage of trail openings in Iron and Vilas Counties in Wisconsin this weekend. In Iron County, the White Thunder Riders had two groomers out on... Full story
Gas plant 'tolling agreement' to be considered by commission
IRONWOOD — The Ironwood City Commission on Monday may learn how much the city owes for the gasification plant cleanup of four years ago. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and city have been involved in what is called a “tolling...
