Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
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While Mercer voters approved a school bond proposal, several incumbents in various local races across Iron County lost in Tuesday's election. The Mercer School District asked voters to approve a bond proposal to raise $800,000 a year beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, through the 2028-2029 school year for maintaining operations, programs and facilities. The measure passed 455 to 286, or 61% to 39%. A similar proposal failed last year 393-365 (52%-48%). Also in Mercer, Tanner Hiller...
IRONWOOD — With the site of this year’s Gogebic County Fair confirmed at the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center in Ironwood, members of the county fair board discussed admission and scheduling at their Monday evening meeting. “It’s all tentative,” said Fair Board member Linda Nelson. Although Fair Board members agreed that this year’s location makes an admission fee impractical, Nelson said, “I’d like to make sure that we have donation cans.” She also said that a bundle ticket for carnival rides could be sold as $15 in advance or $20 upon arrival. N...
BESSEMER — A question of whether or not to allot funds to the Gogebic County Council of Veterans Affairs has created a difference of opinions among governmental entities in Gogebic County. The issue was discussed at the March 27 meeting of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners and has been scheduled for the next meeting’s agenda, as well. The commissioners’ discussion arose after learning that the city of Ironwood had informed the CVA that it will not pay its current requested allotment of $8,517. The 2024 budget for the CVA is $67,7...
HURLEY - The 2023 annual report of the Iron County Forestry and Parks Department includes both good and bad news. On one hand, the report summarized, "2023 proved to be a challenging financial year for the ICFD. Declining stumpage prices, lack of consistent pulpwood markets, and continued high inflation caused lower revenues and a higher cost of doing business." On the other hand, the report added, "The department still had another busy year with many recreational users visiting our county parks...
MARENISCO TOWNSHIP - Members of the Marenisco Township Board of Trustees voted to approve their new fiscal year budget on March 29. Estimated revenues for the new budget, which started Monday, are $1,275,400, and estimated expenses are $1,109,950, for a difference of $165,450. The largest expense noted is $460,000 for the Marenisco Township Hall. According to Township Supervisor Bruce Mahler, the "town hall" category includes expenses for the hall and grounds, the library and historical museum,...
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Robert D. "Bob" Bruno, 71, of Wakefield, died after a long battle with cancer on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at his home. Bob "Mooda" was born Nov. 18, 1952, in Wakefield, to the late Peter Bruno and Julia (Decur) Bruno. Bob graduated from Wakefield High School in 1971 and went on to graduate with a bachelor's degree in education from Northern Michigan University. He taught at Ojibwa Correctional Facility until his retirement in 2003. Bob was an avid trout fisherman who loved the... Full story
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Harold M. Pospeck, 77, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2024, at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. Harold was the son of Bernard and Catherine and the brother of wonderful siblings and their spouses: Donald (Marvella), Betty Rigoni (Omar), Connie Figuli (Robert), Gerald (Marlene), Henry (Mary), Laura Modjewski (John), Charlotte Wells (Al), James (Patricia) and Darlene Green (Bob). Henry, Laura, Charlotte and Darlene, and their spouses, along with... Full story
EAGAN, Minn. - Glenda Hansen Gilman, of Eagan, Minnesota, a 65-year-old former resident of Bruce Crossing, Ewen and Ironwood, Michigan, passed away March 1, 2024, at United Hospital at St. Paul, Minnesota. She played basketball on the varsity team at Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood and graduated in 1977. She also played at Gogebic Community College. She was a beloved mother and grandmother. She is survived by her children, Joshua, Tegan and Dane Gilman; mother, Anita Hansen; brothers, C... Full story
EWEN, Mich. — Robert “Bob” “Ogie” Ogren, 79, of Ewen, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Bayside Village in L’Anse. Bob was born on Feb. 11, 1945, in Torrance, California, the son of Hjalmer and Lempi (Niemi) Ogren. He attended Ewen High School and graduated in 1963. On Aug. 30, 1963, Bob was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Shirley A. Hautamaki, at the Ewen United Methodist Church. They celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage and were blessed with four children. He was a faithful member of the Ewen United Methodist C... Full story
MANITOWOC, Wis. — Jackson Henry Brownell, 13 months old, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life unexpectedly and peacefully while asleep on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Jackson was born on Feb. 13, 2023, in Two Rivers, to Chris and Becky (Knoblauch) Brownell. Jackson was a consistently happy person and was always smiling — even on his bad days. He was a kind and outgoing person that would wave and give attention to everyone. Jackson brought many smiles and laughs to those around him, just through his personality, and sometime by the gru... Full story
HURLEY, Wis. - Jerome "Jerry" George Bolich, age 86, of Hurley, went to his Heavenly home on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the Villa Maria Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Jerry was born the son of John and Wanda (Kasper) Bolich on Aug. 25, 1937, at the Newport Hospital in Ironwood. He attended Newport Elementary School and was a 1955 graduate of Luther L. Wright High School. Jerry went on to Michigan Technological University in Houghton majoring in civil engineering. Jerry was drafted... Full story
HURLEY, Wis. - Robert Michael Helinski, 74, of Hurley, passed away on March 5, 2024, from natural causes. Robert was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Margaret; and his sister, Sue. He is survived by his two children, Margaret and Michael; and two grandchildren, Wes and Zack. Robert always found solace in places that were close to nature and farther from the world of man. Robert requested a cremation and that his ashes be scattered amongst a place that embraces the world's natural beauty.... Full story
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Mary Ann Smith, 82, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 30, 2024. Mary was born the daughter of Earl and Mary (Ferrari) Proctor Sr. on June 20, 1941, in Detroit. Mary was united in marriage with Gerald Smith Sr. on Jan. 21, 1963. In her younger years, Mary owned and operated My Place Café in Ewen. She also worked as a CNA at Gogebic Medical Facility in Wakefield and at Josephson's Nursing Home in Ironwood. She spent many years as a hostess at... Full story
BERGLAND, Mich. — Alfred Walter “Fritz” Applekamp of Bergland, passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the age of 72. Fritz was born in Ontonagon, on April 22, 1951, to William and Anita Applekamp. Fritz is survived by his son, Bryan Applekamp; grandson, Bryce Applekamp; brother, David (Luanne) Applekamp; and sister, Karla (Tim) Linna. Fritz attended Bergland High School and graduated in 1969, before beginning his career at White Pine Copper Mine. During Fritz’s time at the mine, he worked as a general laborer, then moved undergr... Full story
BESSEMER - Last week's Gogebic County Board of Commissioners began on a high note with a donation of $10,000 to the county's Search and Rescue Team from the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Commissioner George Peterson III presented the check on behalf of the tribe. "They are wonderful people," said Peterson of the tribe, led by James Williams Jr. Peterson praised the tribe's ongoing generosity to a number of local causes. The commissioner's sweatshirt also included a...
BESSEMER — In an attempt to streamline the organization and documentation of seasonal storage at the Gogebic County Fairgrounds, one of the committees of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners is requesting clarification of how the system has been managed to date. Members of the Personnel and Negotiations Committee voted last week to send to Thomas Hampston, a member of the county Fair Board, a letter with a list of questions regarding the storage process. The letter signed by Committee Chairman Daniel Siirila began as follows: “A rec...
Email calendar items and community news to [email protected]. For more information, call 906-932-2211. Thursday, April 4 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.... Full story
IRONWOOD - Gerard Lauzon drives a school bus for the Ironwood Area Schools, and he used to run a photography business. As of last fall, he also participated in a Rite of Candidacy Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Marquette. That event celebrated his commitment in studying to become a deacon. "I'm actually now finishing up my second year of the education and formation process," said Lauzon. "I still have three more years. It's a 5-year process." Along with his mentors, he...
IRONWOOD — The 46th Parallel Planters are preparing for the spring planting, according to Marlene Zaleski, president of the club. Zaleski said the club recently held a presentation on how to get an early start to the growing season with starting seedlings indoors, and maintaining gardening equipment. The 46th Parallel Planters has around 25 regular members, said Zaleski, and people are encouraged to come “join the fun.” The club oversees the care of the Norrie Park garden in Ironwood, which Zaleski said will be putting out signups for garde...
MARQUETTE --- Ewen-Trout Creek’s super scorer, the leader of Wakefield-Marenisco’s district championship team and Ironwood’s floor leader were named to the All-U.P. Division 4 Second Team at Monday’s meeting of the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. Ewen-Trout Creek’s Austin Gordon, Ironwood’s Axton Ruotsala and Wakefield-Marenisco’s Carter Cole joined nine other top players on the Second Team. Gordon, a 5-11 junior, made the list for the second straight year. His 24.1 point per game scoring average ranked second in th...
