Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Sorted by date Results 301 - 325 of 403
IRONWOOD — All it took was a badge for local resident Bruce Cox to be inspired by something from the past. For more than 30 years, Cox has researched streetcars on the Gogebic Range. It started after Cox received a couple of copper badges once used by streetcar line operators from the Twin City General Electric Company. “I wrote a story for the ‘Junk Box,’ an official publication of the Michigan Token and Medal Society in 1982,” Cox said. “I was also interested in the celluloid tokens used... Full story
IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP — Things are going “slow and steady” with the Copperwood project, the proposed copper mine in Ironwood and Wakefield townships, according to Dave Anderson, of Orvana Resources. Construction hasn’t started on the site, but the company has obtained all six permits required for mining in Michigan. Currently, employees are finishing the final design on the underground portions of the mine site and refining the design on the mill to improve concentrated grade. “We hope to have all of that done by October,” Anderson said. “Then we’l... Full story
HURLEY — The Iron County Finance Committee approved hiring of a third economic support specialist for the Iron County Human Services Department Thursday. At its July meeting, the committee approved hiring of two economic support specialists for the department, as required by the state of Wisconsin. The hiring does not cost the county any money, as the position is funded entirely by the state. According to county clerk Mike Saari, human services director Carolyn Kolson-Janov told him the state m... Full story
MERCER, Wis. — Hundreds of people walked through downtown Mercer on Wednesday for the 33rd annual Loon Day celebration. Vendors lined U.S. 51, as well as numerous side streets, selling a variety of homemade items, including jewelry, lawn decorations, clothes, food and more. For Linda Barber, of Manitowish Waters, Wis., the event is personal. “The loon is my favorite bird, so I always make sure to come here,” Barber said. “My house is completely decorated with loons.” Barber has been attending th... Full story
HURLEY — The Iron County Memorial Building Restoration Committee is continuing to tackle projects over the next couple of months before winter arrives. Tuesday, committee members were updated on the current state of projects during a meeting, including installing new flooring in the main kitchen and outlets in both kitchens and main hall, as well as placing panels in the hall to help with acoustics. According to treasurer Joe Walesewicz, the committee should hold off in installing the kitchen fl... Full story
HURLEY — Students in the Youth Farm to Market program participated in their first farmers market Wednesday in Hurley. According to group leader Joy Schelble, nutrition education program coordinator in the Iron County University of Wisconsin-Extension office, the event was a success. “It went really well,” Schelble said. “The kids did a phenomenal job.” The students sold crops at the Iron County Farmers Market. The market had its first sale of the season on Wednesday and, according to Schelble,... Full story
HURLEY — Local leaders in senior citizen services joined together for the first Iron County Aging Retreat, Wednesday, at the Iron County Memorial Building. The event was hosted by the Iron County University of Wisconsin-Extension office, with the hopes of creating a more "aging-friendly" Iron County. "We're here today to see why it's so important to talk about aging in this day and age," Shruthi Murali, UW-Extension intern, said. At the beginning of the retreat, family living agent Andrea N... Full story
HURLEY — More than 70 people attended Tuesday’s Iron County Board of Supervisors meeting in relation to the county possibly taking criminal or civil action against a camp of protestors near a proposed iron mine site in Upson, Wis. The Harvest Camp is set up through the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe near Hayward, Wis. The tribe sent a letter to board chairman Joe Pinardi asking to go back to the bargaining table to find a way to allow the camp to stay. The camp has been peaceful, with around 2,0... Full story
HURLEY — The Iron County Mining Impact Committee met with employees from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Monday. Jennifer Western, executive assistant for the department, and Dana Erlandsen, chief counsel in the office on general counsel and legal services, described the Department of Revenue’s role in disbursement of funds, and how local and joint committees play a part. According to Western, revenues received by the mining investment and local impact fund include notice of intent fee... Full story
HURLEY — Rainy and below-average temperatures didn’t keep people from attending the annual Iron County Heritage parade in downtown Hurley Saturday. Locals and visitors lined Silver Street and floats, vehicles and animals made their way down the street in honor of Iron County. Rain drizzled throughout the parade, but according to emcee Steve Schurtter, of Montreal, Wis., it wasn’t anything that people couldn’t handle. “These are north country people,” Schurtter said. “They can handle a little rai... Full story
KIMBALL, Wis. — People came from far and wide to Kimball on Saturday to help the town celebrate its 100th birthday. The event took place at the Kimball Community Center, and featured food, games and live music. According to town chairman Ron Ahonen, the centennial committee began planning in May of 2011. “I feel very relieved that this day is finally here,” Ahonen said. “A lot of work went into this and we’re glad that people can come and celebrate.” Attendees dined on roast pig that had been co... Full story
HURLEY — The Iron County Board of Supervisors will address possible criminal or civil actions Tuesday to enforce county ordinances regarding the Harvest Camp near the proposed iron mine in Upson. The board will address the issue with a recommendation from the forestry committee at 6 p.m. in the board room at the courthouse in Hurley. According to forest administrator Joe Vairus, steps have been pursued to help alleviate the situation. The county forest allows camping for up to two weeks without a permit. In county campgrounds, visitors have t... Full story
MONTREAL, Wis. — Trees and power lines were lost to the forces of wind and gravity last night after a thunderstorm rolled through Montreal, Wis., Thursday evening leaving hundreds without power for nearly an hour. According to Xcel Energy, after the storm hit around 7 p.m. Thursday night, 912 customers were without power. By 8 p.m., the majority of those customers had power reinstated. Despite power coming back on for many residents in Montreal, some spent Friday morning cutting up trees and l... Full story
HURLEY — Local health care and community leaders took part in the annual Community Health Improvement Plan review through the Iron County Health Department at the Iron County Courthouse, Thursday. CHIP is required by the state of Wisconsin, and each health department must perform a review of the plan every five years. Representatives from the health department, Iron County Human Services Department, Mercer Health and Wellness Program, Iron County University of Wisconsin-Extension office, H... Full story
MERCER, Wis. — Odonata Art Gallery is hosting guest artist Patrice Pfeiffer, of Riverview, Fla., during the annual Northwoods Art Tour running Friday through Sunday. Pfeiffer has visited Wisconsin often and found Odonata Art Gallery by accident. However, because of this random visit, she and gallery owner Laurie Myers became friends. “I stopped in randomly one day and loved it,” Pfeiffer said. “I have always been inspired by wildlife and art, and the gallery was a perfect place for that. I... Full story
HURLEY — The Hurley Education Foundation is hosting the 12th annual Distinguished Alumni and Friends Award Ceremony on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Hurley K-12 School. This year, the foundation is honoring five individuals, including Robert Peltonen, Donald Baldovin, John Sturgul, Lt. Col. Larry Brunello and Jean Endrizzi. Robert Peltonen Peltonen, formerly of Upson, Wis., graduated from Hurley High School in 1964. He is the CEO, founder and owner of The World Class Manufacturing Group, Inc., out of Weyauwega, Wis. It is one of the largest p... Full story
IRONWOOD — The Ironwood Area School Board of Education approved the hiring of an elementary principal during Monday's meeting at Luther L. Wright School in Ironwood. The board approved the hiring of Nicholas Steinmetz, of St. Clair Shores, pending results from a background check of possible criminal history. "We're looking forward to working with him," superintendent Tim Kolesar said. Safe Routes Ian Shackleford, of the Safe Routes to School committee, presented findings from a student-parent su... Full story
IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP — Ironwood Township will be home to a new farmers, flea and craft market starting Aug. 6 at the Airport Recreation Park. According to township board trustee Kathy Maki, the event was originally set to begin at the end of July, but had to be moved back until August. The event runs from 4-7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of every month. “We’re hoping to go through October,” Maki said. Organizers are seeking vendors from across the area. There is no registration fee. “The best part is that it is free for vendors,... Full story
BESSEMER — A single engine airplane was forced to make an emergency landing on U.S. 2 near Blackjack Road in Bessemer Township at 4:45 a.m., Thursday, according to a Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department release. Aaron Ruotsala, of Ironwood, was alone on an early morning flight to Iron River when the low oil pressure light came on, he said. Soon his engine failed in midair. Ruotsala was online with Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center during the flight, and when it was evident that he wou... Full story
HURLEY — The Iron County Finance Committee heard a presentation from a representative from Stifel, Nicolaus and Company Inc., of Brookfield, Wis., about refinancing courthouse construction bonds during a meeting at the Iron County Courthouse Thursday. Dave DeYoung, senior vice president of the public finance department, spoke to the committee about different options in refinancing, as well as “substantial” savings for the county. The original bond from 2004 was $3.2 million. The eight... Full story
WAKEFIELD — Attendees can find inspiration for their own gardens after touring eight locations in Wakefield during the annual 46th Parallel Planters Garden Club Secret Garden Tour on July 18. The event runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and features “unique” features, according to club member Lynn Adams. “We have three water features, an oriental bridge, a repurposed mine building, many decks, island beds, annual and perennials,” Adams said. “In this garden tour, there is something for everyone.... Full story
UPSON, Wis. — Local Wisconsin politicians sent a letter to Gogebic Taconite president Bill Williams, asking him to immediately remove the “heavily-armed, masked commando security forces” currently hired to protect the company’s property, the site of a proposed iron mine near Upson. Sen. Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) and Rep. Janet Bewley (D-Ashland) sent the joint letter, called the hiring “horrifying” and “appalling.” “These kind of security forces are common in third world countries, but they don’t be... Full story
IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP — The Ironwood Township Board of Trustees heard an update about the airport park project during a meeting Monday. Supervisor Alan Baron told the board about a number of small projects that need to be completed. Starting Wednesday, the park is being rented throughout the remainder of the week for the annual 105th Apostolic Lutheran Church Convention. However, a landscaping issue may dampen some of the festivities. Behind the pavilion, water is not draining properly, causing c... Full story
WAKEFIELD — Hundreds of people lined the shores of Sunday Lake in Wakefield on Wednesday to watch fireworks, listen to music and enjoy the sunshine. Residents turned out for the annual town picnic at Eddy Park, which was followed by a concert by the Gogebic Range Concert Band and the Concert in the Park Choir in the pavilion. The choir sang all the anthems for the five branches of service, and had veterans stand for their anthem. Choir director Judy Levra Ozzello then led a sing-along with t... Full story
HURLEY — “Make it stronger” was the theme of many speeches during a public hearing on a proposed mining ordinance in Iron County Monday in Hurley. More than one hundred people packed into the Iron County Memorial Building to express support or concerns about the draft ordinance to the Iron County Zoning Committee. Each speaker was given a three-minute limit, and zoning administrator Tom Bergman started the hearing by giving background on how the ordinance came to be. According to Bergman, minin... Full story
