Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 133
IRONWOOD - Following Ironwood Area School District's transition to a single K-12 building at Luther L. Wright, the district is in the process of moving some playground equipment from the Sleight and Norrie schools to the LLW campus. "We've taken out some of the bigger stuff over there that's not really adequate for the 4-year-olds that are over there," said. Tim Kolesar, Ironwood's superintendent, "We got a bunch of new age-appropriate equipment for our 4-year-olds over there that's just being... Full story
BESSEMER - Bessemer's City Council approved expanding its library services to cover the residents of Ironwood Township Monday. The Ironwood Township Board of Trustees agreed to enter into a contract with Bessemer at its meeting on Sept. 8 after terminating its agreement with the Ironwood Carnegie Library. Township trustees noted disagreements with the Ironwood library regarding contractual services and their recommendation of a township resident to the library's board that was not accepted.... Full story
BESSEMER - The city of Bessemer is moving forward with the process of securing state-provided grants of more than $615,000 to help with repairs to damaged infrastructure from last winter's Deep Freeze. The city will need to contribute a local match of more than $108,000 to receive the Community Development Block Grant funding. City Manager Mike Uskiewicz said the city has already expended more than $73,000 on needed repairs that will count as a portion of the match. The city plans to use the mon... Full story
WAKEFIELD - Gogebic County Community Mental Health Authority is set to receive the rights and clean title to property in Wakefield it has used and occupied since 1995, following its final, Oct. 1 payment of bonds issued for the erection of its buildings and structures. "Community Mental Health will actually take ownership from the county because at the time the building was constructed, CMH couldn't own property," said Julie Hautala, CEO of the authority. "When we became an authority, we had tha... Full story
MERCER, Wis. - Around 200 people in the Mercer community and school district came together to help one of their own, Peyton Towne, a fourth-grade student who has a progressive liver disease called Byler's. A fund-raiser was held Friday afternoon at Carow Park on County J, where people gathered to purchase baked goods and other items to help the Towne family. "We did this very quickly," said Dee Rice, a Mercer school employee who helped organize the fund-raiser. "For the short-term notice, we wil... Full story
HURLEY - Hurley K-12 School now has two fully stocked libraries - even if one of them is only a small wooden box outside the front entrance. The box is known as a "Free Little Library," a movement crossing the globe to increase reading and literacy. "We just filled it (with books) this week," said Shannon Dahlbacka, high school English teacher and services learning coordinator, who helped with the project. Dahlbacka said the project started over the summer, but once school was back in session, i... Full story
WAKEFIELD - Parents of young children had the chance Tuesday to have their children's car seats thoroughly examined by members of local law enforcement and other certified child passenger safety inspectors. With eight technicians and one instructor, the event, which was held from 3-6 p.m. at the Wakefield Fire Department, aimed to safely install car seats for parents, as well as teach them how to do it correctly on their own. "The goal of the project is education," said Judy Pruner, project... Full story
WAKEFIELD - More than 100 people participated in a walking event at Sunday Lake in Wakefield, with proceeds benefitting Rainbow Connection, an organization helping children and their families who face life-threatening diseases. According to organizer Diane Youngberg, Rainbow Connection is similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but is not as well known. About 85 percent of the money Rainbow Connection raises goes directly back to those who need it, she said, which is more than other well-known... Full story
IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP - Clear blue skies and temperatures in the 60s were the setting for the fly-in "Airport Day" held at the Gogebic-Iron County Airport in Ironwood Township on Saturday. Airport manager Mike Harma said the event is held with hopes of attracting more individuals to the world of flying. The airport was a fly-in destination for at least six pilots who volunteered to offer rides for attendees. Pilots came from various places throughout the region, including Manitowish Waters, Wis.,... Full story
GILE, Wis. - At 31 years old, Danny Baross, who was married with three children and an employee at the Ojibway Correctional Facility, committed suicide in 2009. There were 742 suicide deaths in Wisconsin, in 2008, the most recent data available on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services' website. In 2012, Michigan had a total of 1,255 suicide deaths, which was up from 1,095 in 2002, according to the state's Department of Community Health website. Raising awareness is part of the motivation... Full story
BESSEMER - About 20 people attended the annual picnic of the Gogebic Range Woodcarvers club Wednesday afternoon under the pavilion at Bluff Valley Park in Bessemer. Club members Dale and Phyllis Leinenon played music while other members ate pasties and soft drinks. Allen Archie, secretary treasurer of the club, said the members meet twice a month in Bessemer's A.D. Johnston High School to talk shop, discuss carving methods and work on various projects. "We have a good time and get together;... Full story
BESSEMER - Bessemer's City Council approved moving a piece of city-owned property into the Bluff Valley Park system during its meeting Tuesday. The decision was approved by a 4-1 vote, with council member Marlene Zaleski voting against. The property near Steiger Field, north of West Iron Street between Massie Avenue and State Street, was an item of interest for residents who owned property in the area. Two separate proposals were made earlier this year by private citizens to purchase a total... Full story
IRONWOOD - Gogebic Community College is expecting to roll out its new logo in January, which is just one phase of its new marketing plan that officials hope will attract more people to the school of more than 1,100 students. Earlier this year, GCC partnered with Interact Communications, Inc., of Onalaska, Wis., to redevelop marketing strategies. "They have already started their process, as have I," Kim Zeckovich, director of admissions, marketing and community relations, told the board of... Full story
Michigan and Wisconsin have established programs over the years to offer younger individuals the chance to hunt. According to the Michigan's Department of Natural Resources website, the Mentored Youth Hunting program is designed to introduce youth under the age of 10 to hunting and fishing, offering a "package" license for $7.50. After acquiring the package license, youth hunters under the age of 10 are then able to hunt turkey in the spring and fall on private or public land, deer and small... Full story
IRONWOOD - Gogebic Community College's Board of Trustees heard a positive update regarding the school's Academic Quality Improvement Program. Larry Gabka, who acts as AQIP coordinator for GCC, updated the board on a recent check-up visit by AQIP and told trustees the school received a clean report of program accreditations and federal regulation compliances. "In my opinion, this is as good as it gets for a higher educational institution," Gabka said. "Really few schools get a report as positive... Full story
IRONWOOD - A handful of kids took part in the Gogebic County 4-H Youth Shooting program, which has held weekly meetings during the summer to teach local children safe shooting techniques. Students learned how to aim and shoot with a range of weapons during the program that was held at the Superior Range Shooters Club, located on 32 acres of land just south of Copper Peak, on Black River Road in Ironwood Township. "We start off with air rifles, pellet guns, and then we went to .22s," said Gary... Full story
By RYAN JARVI [email protected] BESSEMER — Bessemer school officials held a public meeting Monday night to provide additional information regarding the issue of consolidation which has caused confusion and concerns throughout the community. More than 50 people attended the meeting held in the A.D. Johnston High School gymnasium that followed the school’s Board of Education meeting. “If there is a vote, or when there is a vote, we want people voting with information, voting with their head and not their hearts,” said Dave Radovic... Full story
BESSEMER — Bessemer school officials will host a public informational forum on consolidation in the A.D. Johnston High School gymnasium following the school’s Board of Education meeting Monday night. The consolidation of Bessemer and nearby Wakefield-Marenisco School District has been expressed by some community members as an appropriate path to improving the area’s education. A consolidation proposal was placed on the Aug. 5 primary election ballot this year, but was removed following a court order in June. Bessemer schools sued County Clerk... Full story
PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS - The twangs of banjos and bass drum stomps were sent throughout the Porcupine Mountains this weekend and heard by hundreds of people who sat on blankets, in fold-up camping chairs or beneath tents, under threat of rain from the gray skies above. The 10th annual Porcupine Mountains Music Festival drew one of the largest crowds yet to the three-day event, which features a number of performers from all around the country and world. The semi-circle of fans, which climbed high... Full story
BESSEMER - New waste disposal services begin Sept. 2 in Bessemer and with it will come a change in pick-up days and no more blue trash bags. At its meeting Monday, the city council approved a resolution establishing the trash and recycling collection fee of $17 per month with the city's new provider, Eagle Waste & Recycling, Inc., of Eagle River, Wis. Residents who have received water or sewer services through the city will continue to get a bi-monthly utility bill, with the new trash and recycling services fee included. Residents without... Full story
IRONWOOD - With classes set to begin Monday, Gogebic Community College administrators are gearing up for another busy year. "The whole of our existence is working with students," GCC president Jim Lorenson said. "While there's been a lot going on here during the summer break period, obviously when students and all the staff are back, it's a much more exciting time." Jeanne Graham, dean of students, said the college won't know its official enrollment until after Friday, when students are no longer able to register for classes. Compared to this... Full story
HURLEY - Dozens of people attended a drive-in theater style fundraising event at the Hurley K-12 School Wednesday evening held by the 2015 Last Blast Committee. Hurley students graduating in 2015 and their parents hosted the event to raise money for the class' Last Blast party, which is held annually at the end of each academic year for the seniors and chaperoned by the junior class' parents. Each year, the class holds the Last Blast party at Gogebic Community College to encourage a... Full story
IRONWOOD - A San Francisco-based financial tech startup company is considering opening a branch office in the area, and held a casual job fair Tuesday in Ironwood to scout potential employees. The company, Expensify, currently employs 13 full-time and more than 45 part-time people in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and is looking to expand those numbers. "We're looking for the best and brightest talent, and we think that the U.P. is a great place to find that," said David Barrett, CEO. He said the... Full story
BESSEMER — Bessemer’s City Council denied selling the 7.1 acres of property near Steiger’s Field to private citizens, but did not make it an addition to nearby Bluff Valley Park as recommended by the city’s planning commission. At its meeting Monday, the council voted against selling the property, with Marlene Zaleski casting the only dissenting vote. “The feedback that I got from John Doe public was don’t sell it. Don’t sell any part of it,” Mayor Butch Semmerling said. Ron Zaleski, a member of the planning commission, and his wife, Marlene,... Full story
WAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP - Students in need of school supplies in the Ironwood and Hurley school districts will get a little help from a local business and the Hurley Area Lioness through its Lori Lorendo Backpack Project. Extreme Tool and Manufacturing, of Wakefield Township, has donated more than $500 worth of school supplies, and a matching donation to the project. Beverly Michaels accepted the gifts Thursday afternoon on behalf of the Lioness, and thanked the employees of Extreme Tool and... Full story
