Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Articles from the February 1, 2024 edition


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  • County officials reach stalemate on fair proposal

    Feb 1, 2024

    By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] BESSEMER — A written proposal regarding how to manage a streamlined version of the 2024 Gogebic County Fair met with a dead end at last week’s meeting of the county Board of Commissioners. The county board requested the proposal of its Fair Board because of five buildings that were lost at the Ironwood fairgrounds due to a Sept. 26, 2023, fire and prior demolition. Fair Board member Linda Nelson presented the proposal, which included reduced fair times, confined locations of events, a list of repairs to b...

  • Norrie Club bonfire brings Jack Frost Festival to close

    Feb 1, 2024

    By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] IRONWOOD - Hearts, minds and bodies of a steady crowd of people were warmed Saturday night as the Norrie Amateur Sports Club offered its 15th annual "'Light Up the Night"' bonfire in Ironwood. The event, which closed out the 2023-2024 Jack Frost Festival, was made possible by the discarding of Christmas trees by local residents. "'I think there were just under 300,"' said Steve Lehto Jr., club president, who added that stacks of unneeded pallets also helpe...

  • Highland CEO meets with Michigan Strategic Fund officials

    Feb 1, 2024

    WAKEFIELD — Work to develop and launch a new copper mine north of Wakefield drew Highland Copper Interim CEO Barry O’Shea to the Gogebic Range this week. His message regarding the Copperwood Project wasn’t momentous, but it was positive. Highland officials appeared at a meeting of the Michigan Strategic Fund held at Gogebic Community College, advancing their case for state support for the mine. “They’re considering giving us a grant of $50 million,” said O’Shea. The funds would be used to develop infrastructure for the mine. “We are excit...

  • Bessemer's ADJ High School looks to updating sign on U.S. 2

    Feb 1, 2024

    By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] BESSEMER — The Bessemer School Board met for its January meeting on Jan. 22, where the members held their annual reorganization and heard updates regarding the main school sign. During the reorganizational meeting, the board elected officers, including James Partanen as president, Brady Halvorson as vice president, Beth Steiger as secretary, and Tara Graham as treasurer. January is board appreciation month, said superintendent Richard Matrella. The members were presented a certificate thanking them and t...

  • Martin Joseph Lipske

    Feb 1, 2024

    HURLEY, Wis. - Martin Joseph Lipske, 69, of Hurley, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, with his loving family at his side. Marty was born on Oct. 30, 1954, to Joseph and Caroline (Boho) Lipske of Upson, "'The center of the universe,"' as he always said. Marty attended Hurley High School and graduated with the class of 1972. He continued his education and graduated from Gogebic Community College and Marquette University with a major in history and minor in philosophy. He then...

  • Gary W. Ellis

    Feb 1, 2024

    SAXON, Wis. - Gary W. Ellis, 88, of Saxon, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Beaver Dam. Gary was born on Aug. 25, 1935, in Ashland, the son of the late Clarence and Hildur (Peterson) Ellis. He was a graduate of Saxon High School. Gary was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent time as an MP in Frankfurt, Germany. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he returned to Saxon to run the family farm which he ran until 1989. After selling the farm, Gary worked a few different jobs in th...

  • Betty Jane Kahila

    Feb 1, 2024

    WAKEFIELD, Mich. — Betty Jane Kahila, 94, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at the Aspirus Ironwood Hospital in Ironwood. Betty was born on Sept. 8, 1929, in Ramsay, a daughter of William and Loretta Mae (Armstrong) Kloppenburg. She attended Wakefield Schools. On July 14, 1945, Betty was united in marriage to Elmer William Kahila in Ironwood. He preceded her in death on March 19, 2005. She was a very active member of the All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield and a supporting member of the Ladies A...

  • James B. Peterson

    Feb 1, 2024

    BESSEMER, Mich. — James B. Peterson, 80, of Bessemer, passed away from health complications on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. James was born on May 9, 1943, to Evald and Mary Peterson. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in pharmaceutical studies from Ferris State University in 1965. James worked as a pharmacist for 50 years. He retired in 2015. James was an avid runner and competed in multiple 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and marathons. He helped to design and implement the inaugural Bessemer Hometown Run, held yearly during the Bessemer Fourth of...

  • Community Calendar

    Feb 1, 2024

    Email calendar items and community news to [email protected]. For more information, call 906-932-2211. Thursday, Feb. 1 Bessemer St. Vincent de Paul, financial assistance, 9-10 a.m.; food pantry, 10 a.m. to noon. 906-663-4436. Ironwood St. Vincent de Paul, food pantry and financial assistance, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., located behind Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. 906-932-4325. Gogebic County Veterans Service Officer, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Wakefield City Hall; 1-2 p.m., Watersmeet Township; 2:45-3:15 p.m., Marenisco Township. 906-667-1110....