Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
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By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] In what has been called a no-snow or low-snow winter, area ski hills are ending a short season early. In Wisconsin, Whitecap Mountains Resort in Upson closed on March 1. In Gogebic County, Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort and Mt. Zion Ski Hill closed on Sunday. The latter is on the campus of Gogebic Community College. In Ontonagon County, the Porcupine Mountains Ski Area and Adventure Mountain - due to their reliance only on natural snow - have each been ope...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] UPSON, Wis. - The snow season started stirring nearly three months ago at Whitecap Mountains Resort, but skiing did not open at the Upson ski hill until Jan. 13, the day that a winter storm hit this region. "We started making snow on Oct. 30," said resort owner David Dziuban of the staff's efforts toward the end of 2023. The early snowmaking, of course, was foiled by a prolonged warm spell - including rain - that ruined any prospects of opening hills for t...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] Typically, at this time of year, local ski hills are basking in the aftermath of bustling holiday seasons that draw thousands of tourists from near and far. Not so this year, with some resorts still closed and others open only with limited hills available. "We are not officially open yet," said David Dziuban, owner and manager of Whitecap Mountains Resort in Upson, Wisconsin, on New Year's Day. "We started making snow on Oct 30 and utilized every opportuni...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] Winter has not yet fully kicked in, but that did not stop local ski hills from celebrating New Year's Eve in style. Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort and Black River Basin - both in Bessemer Township - featured live music and fireworks that drew large, family-friendly crowds that warmed themselves next to bonfires. Excited kids, some decorated in beads and LED lights, ran, twirled and cartwheeled on the grounds. The annual torchlight parade at Black River Basin had the crowd howling from the moment that...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] The season's first snowstorm at the start of this week did not bring as many inches as anticipated, but it definitely made winter official. As many as 15 inches were predicted for the western U.P., but the official total for the two-day event measured for National Weather Service at the Gogebic-Iron Wastewater Treatment Facility in Ironwood was 4 inches, as of 7 a.m. Tuesday. That brought the season total to 6.9 inches, compared to 48 inches on the same...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] UPSON, Wis. - Late in March, directly next to Wisconsin's Uller Trails, all the makings of a winter paradise were set up to honor one of the people who has made the paths possible for decades. Charles Zinsmaster of Pence - known commonly as "Charlie" - was surrounded by family, friends, neighbors, former workmates, fellow volunteers, and romping dogs in various colors and sizes. A bonfire burned while meat sizzled on grills, and lunch was spread out on a...
Spring skiers should note that their days are numbered with more and more snow melting as temperatures continue to rise. The last day for skiing at Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort will be Saturday in Ironwood Township, and Sunday is the final day at Jackson Creek Summit in Wakefield Township. Sugar Cup races will occur on that day. In Ontonagon County, the final day for Greenland Ski Hill will be on either Saturday or Sunday, and Monday will be the last day at the Porcupine Mountains Ski Area....
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] UPSON, Wis. - Winter fans relished a new blanket of snow last Saturday at Whitecap Mountains Resort in Upson, Wisconsin. Not only did the hills feature an ongoing descent of skiers and snowboarders, but neighboring Weber Lake also was a favorite passing point for snowmobilers from Trail 6. Additional folks were inside of Whitecap Hotel, basking in the warmth of the newly enlarged bar and restaurant area. Resort manager David Dziuban was nearby, talking to...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] It's a challenging time of year for ski hills, with one of them opening after another during the Christmas and New Year's Day season. So it wasn't as though there wasn't enough to do without Mother Nature throwing a curve ball in relation to last weekend's blizzard. Then again, maybe it's just a matter of perspective, according to Tuesday interviews with area ski hill managers. "It's all good," said a cheery David Dziuban, owner of Whitecap Mountains...
MONTREAL, Wis. - Gene Anthony Sbraggia, 88, of Montreal, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. Geno was born July 2, 1934, in Montreal, to Constantine and Victoria Sbraggia. He graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley in 1952. Gene married his high school sweetheart, Anna Mae Miller, on June 26, 1954. Together they welcomed two children, Carol and Mark. Geno worked various jobs throughout his life, including the Iron County garage, city of Montreal, Montreal... Full story
By ZACHARY MARANO [email protected] HURLEY — At their monthly meeting on Tuesday, the Iron County Board of Supervisors agreed to request additional information before acting on the finance committee’s recommendation to increase the employee wages at a starting point of 4.5%. Board chair Joseph Pinardi said that he discussed the matter with Iron County Clerk Michael Saari prior to the meeting. They concluded that a 4.5% wage increase for all county employees would widen the gap between the highest- and lowest-paid employees. Ins...
HURLEY — Hurley Chamber of Commerce officials are preparing for this summer’s running of the Paavo Nurmi Marathon on Saturday, Aug. 13, which will include a new course and several new events centered around Wisconsin’s oldest marathon aimed at getting the community involved. “We are excited about the many new activities that are being added to the Paavo Nurmi Marathon,” said Rita Franzoi, the chamber’s marketing director and events coordinator, in a press release. “The marathon, half marathon and relays are back with a strong committee of...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] UPSON, Wis. - Whitecap Mountains Resort boasted a totally different vibe Saturday, starting with a friendly village of trailers, snowmobiles and their riders sprawled throughout the first parking lot. Camaraderie was everywhere as the adjacent base of the ski hill provided space for spectators, who sipped hot beverages in a zero-ish wind chill while chatting with companions and studying - not the normal skiers and snowboarders - but multiple rounds of...
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By CHARITY SMITH [email protected] All area ski resorts are officially up and running. Blackjack Mountain Resort was the first to open for the season on Dec. 3, Indianhead opened the following weekend on Dec. 10, Whitecap opened on Dec. 22 and Big Powderhorn Mountain opened on Dec. 23. All resorts are reporting that they are seeing a number of skiers, despite a lack of natural snow. As of Thursday, the region had received 59.6 inches of snow for the season, but a warm, windy Dec. 15-16...
HURLEY, Wis. - Lillian Ruth Lundberg, 88, of Hurley, passed away on Dec. 14, 2021, with her loving family surrounding her. Born on July 8, 1933, in Mosinee, she was the first-born daughter of the late Wallace Sutton and Ilo Sutton. She lived for most of her childhood on the "Punkin Hollow" family farm in the Arpin, Wisconsin, area with her eight siblings. She walked daily to a one-room schoolhouse for grades 1 – 8 and then attended the Marshfield school where she graduated from high school in 1... Full story
WAKEFIELD - After a school shutdown in March of 2020, followed by fluctuating restrictions ever since, students at Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School have just begun enjoying their regular activities in recent months. As the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be winding down, one of those activities is the freedom to play disc golf, which enthusiasts describe as a cross between regular golf and tossing a Frisbee back and forth. Persons driving past the school might notice the bright yellow disc...
HURLEY — Local and visiting all-terrain and utility vehicle riders will converge on Iron County this weekend for the Memorial Day ATV/ UTV Rally from today through Sunday as the kick-off event of the summer trail riding season. The annual rally parade route will change from downtown Hurley to Saxon this year, according to the Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce. The parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday. The parade is possible with the support of the Iron County Fair Board, the town of Saxon, the Iron County Sheriff’s Department and the Wis...
HURLEY, Wis. — Linda Lou Barto, of Hurley, passed away Mother’s Day, May 9, 2021, with her most precious belongings at her side — her daughter and grandchildren. Linda was born on March 12, 1949, the daughter of Albert and Anna Barto. She grew up in Pence. At the age of 4 her mother passed away, so she was raised by her father. Helping them were her Uncle Duke and Aunt Vera Chiapuzio. Linda was the only child. Duke and Vera had three boys — Romon, Rodney and Douglass — and they were the brothers she never had. Linda attended Pence grade sch... Full story
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] Another year of skiing has largely come to an end as some of the local ski hills that were still open wrapped up operations this past weekend. Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort’s website showed the ski hill as closed for the season Monday after having 32 trails and six lifts open Saturday, according to Powderhorn’s ski condition report. “Overall, (the season) went well; despite the lack of natural snow and the pandemic,” said Bruce Noren, of Powderhorn. “I have to say we’re pleased with the season as...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] Given scarce snow all season and a current warming trend, the skiing season is now closed for Whitecap Mountains Resort in Upson, Wis. "This is the last day," said Tom Backerud from the front desk on Sunday. "We've gotten about half the snow we usually get, so it's been a little off," added Backerud, who handles reservations. The total regional snow count as of the end of last week was under 80 inches. Even so, Backerud said that business throughout the...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] UPSON, Wis. - Whitecap Mountains Ski Resort has stepped up its game in offering free stylers some challenges this season with its first terrain park. "Flightcap 1," a new slope-style freestyle terrain park toward the end of the bottom of St. Moritz hill near the ski rental shack and lift, was built during the recent extreme cold snap and has been open to riders for about a week. It was designed and continues to be improved by assistant manager Ben...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] IRONWOOD - Area ski hills are calling the recent extreme cold snap both a blessing and the third leg of a perfect storm of a crazy season. The business adjustments for COVID-19, the low amount of snow, and around 10 days of below zero temperatures are a challenge for any resort, said Bruce Noren, co-owner and general manager of Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort in Ironwood Township. Yet, the season is going better than expected, he said. The skiers...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] HURLEY — The Iron County Board of Supervisors approved the 2021 work plan for the county forestry department, as well as a resolution allowing the county to seek grants to administer the county forest, at the board’s monthly meeting Tuesday. The work plan covers everything from upgrades to the various county parks and trail systems to timber sales and wildlife habitat management. Forest administrator Eric Peterson told the forestry committee earlier this month he wasn’t planning to start many... Full story
