Week of July 11, 2024

  • Bessemer City Council approves water rate hikes

    By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] BESSEMER — Members of the Bessemer City Council approved on Monday evening a resolution that allows for the adoption of increased water rates as of Sept. 1, with additional hikes to follow in coming years. The resolution, which facilitates a 40-year bond repayment plan, reads as follows: “Whereas the city of Bessemer, county of Gogebic, state of Michigan, had determined that it is necessary to acquire and construct improvements to the city’s water distribution system, consisting generally of...

  • Stephen 'Steve' P. Karasti

    HURLEY, Wis. - Stephen "Steve" P. Karasti, 72, was born in Menominee, Michigan to Charles and Adeline (Groleau) Karasti. He passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 27, 2024. He attended catholic schools, graduating from Marinette Catholic Central in 1970. He went on to graduate from Marian College and he began his graduate studies at St. John Provincial Seminary when he chose to pursue other career paths. Steve worked at Menominee Paper, St. Peter's Cathedral in Marquette, Michigan, as well...

  • Ironwood hikes wages for public service officers

    By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] IRONWOOD — After a closed session at the end of its Monday evening meeting, the Ironwood City Commission unanimously approved a memo of understanding with the city’s public safety officer union. The MOU acknowledges the following wage increases, per hour, effective Aug. 1, for public service officers: New officers with zero to four years of experience will rise from $24.51 to $27.25, while officers with five to nine years of experience will rise from $25.74 to $27.25. Officers with 10 or more...

  • Marenisco Township features many holiday events

    By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] MARENISCO TOWNSHIP - The Fourth of July began on a proper note in Marenisco Township with a delicious pancake breakfast in the town hall. Courtesy of the Marenisco Volunteer Fire Department, it featured original and chocolate chip pancakes, spicy sausage patties, bacon, orange juice, milk and coffee. Overall, the small community next to the Presque Isle River managed a big roster of activities, starting on June 29 and continuing through July 6. The...

  • Adjusted location now target for Bessemer museum

    By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] BESSEMER — Members of the Bessemer City Council learned Monday evening that the Bessemer Area Historical Society has targeted a different location for a pending new museum. In recent months, the BAHS had considered a site on E. Sellar Street, but complications with real versus perceived plot ownership foiled those plans. Now, Richard Steiger — who is the society’s treasurer — said at Monday’s meeting that BAHS is looking seriously at the corner of Ssophie and Sellar streets as a possible...

  • Ontonagon celebrates Fourth of July

    By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] ONTONAGON COUNTY - Traditionally, Ontonagon County politely waits until the dust has settled from July 4 celebrations in surrounding communities. Hence, the two communities of Bruce Crossing and Greenland did not celebrate Independence Day until two days later on July 6. Bruce Crossing Let's begin with Bruce Crossing, where it was sunny and warm and where friendly folks were happy to share their thoughts. Gus Pietila was sitting in the shade, looking...

  • Fourth of July Fun

  • Ironwood Committee seeks input in survey

    By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] IRONWOOD — The “2024 Comprehensive Plan Community Survey” remains accessible on the opening page of the city of Ironwood’s website. At Monday evening’s meeting of the Ironwood City Commission, City Manager Paul Anderson and Community Development Director Thomas Bergman urged participation. Bergman later told The Globe that survey participants need not be limited to city residents. Persons who work in Ironwood or simply use its amenities also are welcome to participate. The Survey Monkey...

  • Wakefield celebrates being 'Land of the Free'

    By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] WAKEFIELD - Celebrating the Fourth of July was a challenge this year in Wakefield due to construction rendering the main street inaccessible. However, the city worked around the issue by simply rerouting its parade along other city streets, making the experience that much more intimate. The core celebration began with a community picnic on July 3 in Sunday Lake's Eddy Park. It included live music, great food, games and other family fun. The Gogebic Range...

  • 'Fantastic' Fourth of July for Mercer

    By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] MERCER, Wis. — Independence Day is quite the celebration in Mercer, and this year’s nice weather helped it to be even better. Mercer held its annual Fourth of July Parade at 11 a.m., with crowds lining up hours in advance to secure a nice spot along the downtown parade route. Parade highlights included the Mercer Area Sno-Goers groomers; fire trucks and ambulances from area units; and various floats from area organizations, businesses and clubs. At 2 p.m. people gathered at Carow Park for food,...

  • Festival Ironwood begins next week

    By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] IRONWOOD — Festival Ironwood is coming up on July 17, and organizers are preparing for four days of food, music and other festival fun. The festival is held at the Historic Ironwood Depot park in downtown Ironwood, and it is a long-standing tradition for the area. From live bands to kids’ fishing, the festival has a little something for everyone. Below is a schedule of major events broken down by day, so you can plan your trip accordingly. For a full list of events, view pages 10 and 11 inside....

  • Extended Bessemer Blast ends in fireworks

    By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] BESSEMER - As the premier Fourth of July celebration on the Gogebic Range, the Bessemer Blast sets itself up each year for big expectations. And, despite the threat of rain, this year's 9-day bash was no exception in fulfilling them. The revelry came to a grand finale on July 4 with an evening parade, which was also the largest in the region, featuring numerous entries, including floats, classic cars, tractors, kids' sports teams, Cub Scouts, Girl...

  • LLW kicks off centennial celebration

    By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] IRONWOOD — Luther L Wright K-12 School is kicking off its centennial celebration during Festival Ironwood, and organizers have events planned each day to educate the public about their building’s history. On July 19, the celebration will begin with an opening ceremony in the front of the LLW school at 2:30 p.m. It will feature a welcome by Superintendent Dan Martinson and guest speaker Paul Mattson. Music will be provided by the Ironwood school band. A drone photo is expected to be taken at the end...

  • Fireworks

  • Ramsay throws party to celebrate July 4

    By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] RAMSAY — Located next to the Black River, the small community of Ramsay has a strong dose of charm that really came to life on July 2 when it celebrated Independence Day ahead of the actual holiday. Despite being an overcast evening, happy enthusiasm filled the air. As a DJ kept the music rolling, kids were dancing, venders were vending, and people were hanging out on blankets thrown across the grass. “It’s nice to come with family and friends,” said Diana Alexandroni of Ironwood while relaxing...

  • Watersmeet celebrates July 4 with full roster of fun for kids and adults

    By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] WATERSMEET TOWNSHIP — The fireworks began early in Watersmeet, scheduled on June 29, well in advance of the July 4 holiday. And the full-scale celebration did not occur until July 5, but it did not disappoint, starting with a vibrant bike and pet parade along the main street. As a children’s parade, it included kids of all ages, from one through teen-age years. Lucy Sypor, 6, of Watersmeet, was raring to go while she sat in her little, purple car with her mom, Amanda, providing encouragement. Asked...

  • Airport board meets Denver Air station manager

    By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] IRONWOOD — Members of the Gogebic-Iron County Airport Board met the new Denver Air station manager, Logan Olkonen, at their July meeting on Monday. Current station manager Chris Anderson has taken a new position in Phoenix and is currently training Olkonen to fill the role here in Ironwood. Anderson said that he will remain with Denver Air, and in the same capacity, simply at a new location. He added that, if board members have any questions, they are welcome to call him as Olkonen settles in to his...

  • Northstars kick off summer workouts to prepare for 8-player football

    By JASON JUNO [email protected] HURLEY — Old and new mixed together as Hurley kicked off its summer football workouts Monday evening. The Northstars got together for the first of four weekly sessions to get ready for their first season as an 8-player team. With it comes an old Hurley offense, the option that coach Scott Erickson employed in his early years with the program. There’s a lot to learn before the first official practice on Aug. 13 and the first game on Aug. 29, at home against old foe Lake Linden-Hubbell. “We’re...

  • Richard L. Calvetti Sr.

    RHINELANDER, Wis. - Richard L. Calvetti Sr., 96, of Rhinelander, a long-time former resident of Hurley, passed away on June 30, 2024, in Rhinelander, after spending two months in hospice. Richard was the son of George A. Calvetti and Cora A. (Davia) Calvetti. After graduating from Lincoln High School, Richard worked for the National Register Company in Chicago, Illinois, for a short period of time before returning to Hurley and marrying Kathleen June Langsford. They were married for 72 years...

  • Verner Bernard 'Tony' Lahti II

    JACKSON, Tenn. - Verner Bernard "Tony" Lahti II, 86, passed away on July 2, 2024, in Jackson. Born on Feb. 10, 1938, in Iron County, Wisconsin, Tony led a life marked by diverse interests and accomplishments. A man of many talents, Tony was an electrician by trade and an entrepreneur at heart. He owned an Italian deli in California and operated a charter boat on Lake Michigan. His favorite professional role was working as an electrical estimator for an electrical contractor. Tony's life was...

  • John P. Suzik

    IRONWOOD, Mich. - John P. Suzik, 82, of Ironwood, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2024, at home with his family at his side. John was born on July 26, 1941, in Evanston, Illinois, a son of John and Lucille (Stanczak) Suzik. After graduating from Luther L. Wright High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving most of his time overseas in Germany. Following his honorable discharge, John moved to Illinois and began a career as a tool and die maker, and found his love of Chicago hot dogs. In...

  • Carole Newman

    IRONWOOD, Mich. – Carole Newman, 84, of Ironwood, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2024, at Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. Carole was born on Oct. 7, 1939, at Grand View Hospital in Ironwood, the daughter of Charles and Eva (Wood) Cox. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1958. Carole worked in Milwaukee as a typist clerk. On Aug. 6, 1960, she was united in marriage to William "Bill" Newman in Wakefield. They celebrated nearly 63 years of marriage before his...

  • Allen Roy 'Packy' Pakkala

    RAMSAY, Mich. - Allen Roy Pakkala, 82, of Ramsay, passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at the Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, Wisconsin. Allen, affectionately known as "Packy," was born on Oct. 17, 1941, in Houghton, to Clarence "Buck" and Lucille Pakkala. He grew up alongside his two sisters, Irene and Jean, and the family later moved to Ramsay, during his grade school years. Packy had a passion for hockey and was a proud member of both the Wolverine Hockey Team of...

  • Salvatore 'Sam' A. Gianfortune

    IRONWOOD, Mich. — Salvatore “Sam” A. Gianfortune, 70, of Hurley, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital with family by his side. Per Sam’s wishes, no formal funeral services are taking place. A celebration of life will be taking place on Aug. 31, 2024. The family has chosen the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood to honor Sam’s legacy of life. For more information, visit McKevittPat...

Snow Season Report

2023-24 Season Snow: 66.3 in.
2022-23 Season Snow: 253.4
2021-22 Season Snow: 182.3
2020-21 Season Snow:   84.4
2019-20 Season Snow: 169.3
2018-19 Season Snow: 182.8
2017-18 Season Snow: 172.3
2016-17 Season Snow: 121.2
2015-16 Season Snow: 187.5
2014-15 Season Snow: 198.1
2013-14 Season Snow: 192.7
2012-13 Season Snow: 223.7


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