Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
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Iron County lagged behind other northern Wisconsin counties in 2014 in attracting tourism, according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. State officials said tourism spending of $18.9 million in Iron County in 2013 increased to $19 million in 2014, or .65 percent. That lagged far behind the increases in neighboring counties, however. Oneida County showed the greatest area increase in tourism spending, from $196.9 million in 2013 to $207.5 million, or 5.4 percent. Vilas County went from $202.8 million to $207.5 million, a 2.3 percent... Full story
UPSON, Wis. - Everett Lotzer, 2, of Iron Belt, prepared for Saturday morning's fishing season opener with plenty of practice. His mother, Denise Lotzer, watched as her son and his brother, Marshall, patiently waited for a bite at Weber Lake, during the annual kids' fishing opener. "He's been practicing since he got his fishing pole," Denise Lotzer said. Unfortunately, the fish weren't biting on a warm, sunny morning. No one seemed to mind as adults and kids alike enjoyed the weather. The... Full story
Editor’s note: This is the first part of a series on Proposal 1, which will appear on Michigan’s spring ballot Tuesday. ——— Voters across Michigan will decide Tuesday whether to approve a ballot proposal that could pump an additional $1.2 billion into local budgets for roads and bridges. Proposal 1 is a complicated ballot issue, but the bottom line is it would result in a great deal of extra money for road and bridge work. Darren Pionk, Gogebic County Road Commission Director-Engineer, said Wednesday if the proposal is approved, it will mean an... Full story
IRONWOOD — City Manager Scott Erickson on Monday updated the city commission on numerous upcoming projects and clean-up days. Erickson said bids for the Art Park on Aurora Street came in high and options are under review by city staff. The Art Park will be on Aurora Street, in the space between Mattson’s TV and Appliance and Book World. It will provide a public location to display art, hold performances and art classes, and promote culture within the city. Around $13,000 was raised locally in a drive for the Art Park, meaning the Michigan Eco... Full story
Spring thunderstorms have already arrived on the Gogebic Range and Xcel Energy officials said it’s time to prepare for possible severe weather. “We’ve already experienced some strong winds and the first heavy thunderstorms of the year are likely not too far away. With that in mind, it is always a good reminder that we all need to be prepared,” said Liz Wolf Green, of Eau Claire, Wis., Xcel Energy’s spokesperson. In the event of power outages, a hotline is available to the public at 1-800-895-1999. Xcel offers the following tips in the event... Full story
IRONWOOD — A policy in which a city of Ironwood employee can donate sick leave time to a fellow worker was approved by the city commission on Monday. City treasurer Paul Linn said the city had nothing in writing on sharing sick leave and he researched about a dozen other communities before coming up with a suggested policy. Mayor Kim Corcoran said it would be good to allow employees to help out each other. Linn said he didn’t expect many employee requests under the new policy and added that city manager Scott Erickson would need to approve any... Full story
IRONWOOD — City officials are preparing for the annual spring clean-up days. On Saturday, May 2, it will be “Make a Difference Day” in Ironwood, with volunteers and city employees gathering at 8 a.m. at the Depot to fan out across the city to pick up garbage and then enjoy a cook-out at 11 a.m. “It’s an opportunity to spruce up our community,” city manager Scott Erickson said. The following weekend, on Saturday, May 9, city residents will again have the opportunity to get rid of the winter’s accumulation of trash and unwanted items during... Full story
Officials warn that until spring green-up occurs, fire danger will remain high across northern Wisconsin and the western Upper Peninsula. On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources listed "red flag," or extremely high, fire danger warnings for 39 counties across the state. Meanwhile, the city of Ironwood initiated a ban on all burning in the city until some rain arrives. Strong south winds quickly increased the danger. "These winds are killing us," Ironwood Public Safety...
HURLEY — The rush to get an infrastructure grant application in by May ended when the city of Hurley learned the U.S. 51 resurfacing project has been moved back to 2021. The Second Avenue project had been originally been planned by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for 2017. The city had until May to submit a Community Development Block Grant application for $500,000 for infrastructure work that would have been done in 2016 in preparation for the project. The city would have been responsible for paying about $100,000 of the $1 m...
IRONWOOD - Four people who helped rescue an elderly Ironwood man from a burning vehicle last month were honored by the Ironwood City Commission on Monday. Leonard Korpi, 84, of 420 Douglas Boulevard, had experienced a medical issue while driving on March 28. The vehicle, in the parking lot at Wells Fargo Bank on Cloverland Drive, was becoming filled with smoke from a fire in the engine compartment. Korpi was unconscious and had his foot on the gas pedal, A passerby, Julie Erickson, helped first... Full story
IRONWOOD — The Michigan Department of Transportation said Friday one lane of U.S. 2 will remain open during the summer’s reconstruction project from Curry Street to Roosevelt Street. That’s the same arrangement as was used for the first half of the project last year, from the city’s recreational vehicle tourist park to Curry Street. Westbound traffic will be detoured on Jackson Road to Greenbush Street. Eastbound traffic will be maintained on U.S. 2. MDOT and the city of Ironwood invite the public to a meeting to discuss the U.S. 2 (Clover... Full story
IRONWOOD - It appears that the city of Ironwood's strategy of seeking new bids for the demolition of the former Kenny's Studio building next to the Carnegie Library has paid off. Last year, the city commission sought bids for demolition and removal of the building at 227 E. Aurora St. and the only bid that was received came from Jake's Excavating, of Ironwood, for $75,000. City manager Scott Erickson said he was confident lower bids would come in this spring and he was correct, as the apparent l... Full story
BESSEMER — A bid for a new roof on the annex to the courthouse was approved by the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday. An $88,682 bid from Quality Roofing, of Marshfield, Wis., was approved, as recommended by the county board’s economic development and capital improvements committee. Tom Laabs, of Ironwood, chair of the committee, said there will be a 20-year warranty on the rubber roof. He said the old roofing material will be removed. The Gogebic County Road Commission will pay one-third of the roof replacement costs. Fun... Full story
IRONWOOD — The Ironwood City Commission went on record this week supporting the May 5 Michigan ballot proposal that would increase the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent to fund transportation improvements. Mayor Kim Corcoran said Proposal 1 would provide safer roadways for Michigan, which ranks among the bottom states in the condition of its roads. In addition, the mayor said there are 19 “structurally deficient” bridges in Gogebic County alone that need repairs. The resolution in support of Proposal A says Michigan has relied on “Band... Full story
IRONWOOD — The city of Ironwood’s fight against blight has been expanded to include businesses. In reviewing the city’s code of ordinances pertaining to blight, it was discovered nothing was included regarding commercial operations. The city commission meeting on Monday began with a public hearing to receive comments on changing the blight code to reflect commercial operations. No comments were received from the public after Jason Alonen, the city’s blight enforcement officer, spoke. Alonen, responding to questions from the city commiss... Full story
The return of warm weather to the Gogebic Range on Wednesday was accompanied by lightning, rain and wind damage. Trees were knocked down across Range roadways and the 300-foot transmitter tower that WUPM-106.9 FM radio uses on Anvil Hill in the Bessemer area was toppled by wind, according to the Gogebic County Sheriff's Department. Gusts were recorded as high as 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service offices in Negaunee and Duluth. WUPM's Chuck Gervasio said Thursday afternoon that... Full story
HURLEY — Will Andresen had some good news for the Ironwood City Commission on Monday evening. The Community Resource Development Educator with the Iron County University of Wisconsin-Extension office said $50,000 has been raised for the Western Gateway non-motorized trail project in the Ironwood area. The local fund-raising effort, called a “Bridge the Gap” campaign, matches a $295,000 first phase trail grant received for the project. Andresen, who lives in Ironwood, said 54 people or businesses pledged money to the drive. “This is great to hea... Full story
IRONWOOD — The city commission on Monday proclaimed April 24-May 3 National Dance Week in the city of Ironwood. The proclamation suggested by Mayor Kim Corcoran was approved after Joan Movrich addressed the commission about the Ironwood Dance Company’s contributions to the community and its current anti-bullying campaign. Margaret Grachek, president, director and teacher for the Ironwood Dance Company, expressed her gratitude for the support the city commission has given to the IDC in the past. In a letter to the commission, she said the ant... Full story
WAKEFIELD - They plunged for the health of it into Sunday Lake on Saturday afternoon and to remember loved ones through Regional Hospice. The ninth annual Polar Plunge went off under sunshine and air temperatures around 35. With about 18 inches of snow and ice still covering the lake, a square was again cut out for the jumping competition. Dozens of divers tested the frigid waters. The event was scheduled for 2 p.m., but with a cold wind, it kicked off early. Master of ceremonies John Oberto,... Full story
BESSEMER — Tom Novascone’s job as equalization director for Gogebic County was extended by four years Wednesday. The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners approved a new four-year contract for Novascone. Novascone will be paid $42,000 annually for the period from April 1 through March 31, 2019. The salary is the same as for the past year. He will work three days a week in Gogebic County. Novascone met with the county personnel and negotiations committee on March 11 and said he’d like the four-year contract, which was approved on a 7-0 vote... Full story
Snowflakes fell Thursday across the Gogebic Range, the day before the official arrival of spring. Better days lie ahead, however. The national Climate Prediction Center forecasts a greater than climatological chance of above average temperatures for the next three months, but about average precipitation. For the short term, unseasonably cold temperatures are forecast, with highs of only 28 on Saturday and 32 on Sunday. Ironwood's record high for March 20 is 78 degrees in 2012. That year,... Full story
IRONWOOD - Ironwood City Manager Scott Erickson said the city has developed a checklist to be used in the event of flooding. With temperatures in the 50s forecast for the next week, city commissioners had questions Monday about the potential for flooding. They're hoping for a gradual snowmelt to avoid the flooding damage that has occurred in some recent years. Erickson said the city has enough sandbags to be used in the event of high water along the Montreal River and more are available from... Full story
IRONWOOD — A three year-contract for mowing and trimming at the Riverside Cemetery and city parks was awarded Monday by the city commission to Harma’s Lawn and Property Service, of Hurley. The commission agreed to pay Paul Harma $65,520 for the cemetery work and $14,250 for the city parks mowing. City manager Scott Erickson noted Saari Lawn Service, of Montreal, Wis., the only other bidder, was just a few hundred dollars off. Mayor Kim Corcoran said the service bids have alternated between the two companies for the past several years. Com... Full story
BAYFIELD, Wis. - Ice has formed with enough thickness along the Apostle Islands Ice Caves to allow viewing along the mainland unit of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. If conditions remain the same or improve, the Ice Caves will open on Saturday. The Ice Caves feature some of the most spectacular cliffs and sea caves found in the Great Lakes. Features differ every year, as does the route to view them. "This year there is very little snow and a lot of glare ice, making the route exceptionally... Full story
By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] BESSEMER — The Michigan Department of Community Health won't proceed with Upper Peninsula regionalization health depa... Full story
