Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 287
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Katherine Karjala-Johnson, 97, of Ironwood passed away on Oct. 19, 2021, at Westgate Nursing Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Community in Ironwood. She was born on Dec. 10, 1923, in Ironwood, the daughter of Antonio and Antonia (Dal Degan) Benetti. She attended school at St. Ambrose High School graduation June 2, 1940. She then attended Gogebic Community College graduating June 4, 1942, and afterward attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, graduating on May 31,...
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Raymond Joseph Baker, 71 of Wakefield passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, at Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield. Raymond was born June 23, 1950, to Ina and Delore Baker and was the youngest of 11 siblings. Raymond was proud to be a reliable American dairy farmer. He was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association and the National Farmers Organization. He loved to share his knowledge of agriculture and helped many 4-H youth with their gardening...
WAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP — Members of the Wakefield Township Board of Trustees voted on Tuesday evening to refuse an offer to take over the Indianhead Mountain water system. “My thoughts are that we don’t have a water operator,” said Supervisor Mandy Lake. Moreover, she added, “Billing — we’re not set up for that.” In short, she stated, “We are not in a position to take it over right now.” Treasurer Denise Laessig and Trustee Michael Heikkila voiced support for Lake’s views before the unanimous vote was taken. While summarizing an Aug. 12 meeting of...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] WAKEFIELD — As part of a continuing discussion of how to extend the Iron Belle Trail from Ramsay to Wakefield, the Wakefield City Council heard public input this week from a local landowner who concedes that his property is “the cheapest route” now under consideration. Harry Butler, who said he owns one-half mile of shoreline on Plymouth Lake, has met with city officials in prior, private sessions, but addressed the council as a whole during its regular bi-monthly meeting. Butler told the council that he...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] WAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP — At their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, members of the Wakefield Township Board of Trustees learned from Supervisor Mandy Lake that shooting noise originating in Wakefield Township has resulted in a complaint from a Wakefield city resident on neighboring property. The problem already had been discussed at a June 28 meeting of the Wakefield City Council, wherein City Manager Robert Brown, Jr. had explained that the matter is out of the city’s jurisdiction. Lake is als...
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Dennis E. Novascone, 80, of Ironwood passed away on June 17, 2021, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital. Dennis was born March 31, 1941, in Ironwood, the son of Emil and Kathryn (Jurakovich) Novascone. He graduated from A. D. Johnson High School in Bessemer, Michigan in 1959. He served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 1963 until Aug. 1965. He married Carol McRae on Sept. 29, 1979. He worked at Indianhead Ski Hill for 49 years as the food and beverage manager. Dennis was a good family man...
IRONWOOD, Mich. - Marlita Joy Everson passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021, at the age of 85. She was born on Feb. 26, 1936, to Steve and Marceil Filut in Milwaukee. She graduated from Washington High School and went on to college. She worked at the YMCA where she met Neil Everson. On June 11, 1955, they eloped to Iowa City. In 1970, they moved to the Upper Peninsula and started Everson Tool and Machine. She worked with her husband for 27 years. Marlita enjoyed golfing and was a member of...
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Jeanne E. Giackino, 82, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, March 24, 2021, at her home. Jeanne was born on Jan. 18, 1939, in Wakefield, the daughter of Waino A. "Wayne" and Lillian M. (Hongisto) Jarvela. She attended Wakefield High School and graduated in 1956. On her 19th birthday, Jan. 18, 1958, Jeanne was united in marriage to the love of her life, Richard L. "Rich" Giackino, in Ramsay. Jeanne was an active member of All Saints Lutheran Church in...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] Another year of skiing has largely come to an end as some of the local ski hills that were still open wrapped up operations this past weekend. Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort’s website showed the ski hill as closed for the season Monday after having 32 trails and six lifts open Saturday, according to Powderhorn’s ski condition report. “Overall, (the season) went well; despite the lack of natural snow and the pandemic,” said Bruce Noren, of Powderhorn. “I have to say we’re pleased with the season as...
RAMSAY — As the city of Wakefield prepares for a decision on assuming control of the Indianhead Water system, the board of the current operator, Gogebic Range Water Authority, sought to learn more about the option at its virtual meeting on March 11. G Jean Verbos, water authority administrator, presented details of the Indianhead Water system to the board. This included a description of the customer base by meter size, commodity rate, readiness to serve rate, debt retirement and a profit and loss statement. There will be a more in depth d...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] Given scarce snow all season and a current warming trend, the skiing season is now closed for Whitecap Mountains Resort in Upson, Wis. "This is the last day," said Tom Backerud from the front desk on Sunday. "We've gotten about half the snow we usually get, so it's been a little off," added Backerud, who handles reservations. The total regional snow count as of the end of last week was under 80 inches. Even so, Backerud said that business throughout the...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] BESSEMER TOWNSHIP - The first "Muk Up" ski race event had good weather and plenty of participants and fans on Saturday at Blackjack Mountain. "I hope they do it again next year," said Pat Orr, of Ironwood, who came to watch her adult son race. "The fresh air, the kids and the adults having a good time." The event was named to honor the late Tony Mukavitz, who passed away in May 2020. But the ski race itself was in the planning stages for several...
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Theodore "Teddy" A. Finco Sr., 81, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin, with his family by his side. Ted was born on Nov. 5, 1939, a son of John and Domicella (Zielinski) Finco. He graduated from Wakefield High School with the class of 1957. After high school, he attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette. On Aug. 2, 1969, Ted married the former Roseann Chernak (his bride) at...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] WAKEFIELD Township — A six-year-old dream of establishing a hotel and casino complex at the top of Indianhead Mountain in Wakefield Township is inching closer to reality as plans are now in the works to construct a viable road to the proposed site. Barry Bolich, manager of the Gogebic County Road Commission in Bessemer, said by phone Thursday that the GCRC will apply for a state grant in hopes of “totally” rebuilding Indianhead Road, which connects U.S. 2 to Big Snow Resort’s Indianhead location. The gran...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] WAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP — The annual New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks display on Thursday at Blackjack Mountain ski resort attracted hundreds of vacationing skiers and area residents to welcome 2021 or perhaps just to put 2020 behind them. Pete and Jackie Cannon, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, said they are annual visitors to the area resorts and come to Indianhead often. “It’s the snow and this is a good time of year to come between Christmas and New Year’s,” Jackie Cannon said. The couple...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] WAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP- A light agenda at a Wednesday evening meeting of the Wakefield Township Board of Trustees allowed newly-elected members to show appreciation to two members who are retiring and a third member who is changing posts. It was the last meeting that retiring Supervisor John Cox will chair. "It's been a real joy to work with all of you on the board," said incoming Supervisor Mandy Lake, who is leaving her role of clerk to take over Cox's job....
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] IRONWOOD — Area ski resort managers are optimistic that more regional skiers will stay closer to home this season and help boost the struggling pandemic economy in the new year. All the local ski hills and trails plan to be open with adjustments to operations that discourage crowds and lines. Area cross country ski events have gone virtual, were canceled or are still being considered. Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort in Ironwood Township is p...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] HURLEY — A survey in which 90% of teachers say there are insurmountable challenges with combining in-school and at-home learning prompted the Hurley K-12 School Board to unanimously approve ending the virtual option at the end of the semester. In about six weeks, all Hurley K-12 students will start the second quarter attending in-person. The only exception are the students who signed up for the third-party Odyssey online curriculum program that does not require a live video feed with classes. S...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] WAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP - An area ski resort looking to grow by adding off-season opportunities held its Lake Superior North Country Adventure Fest this past weekend, drawing dozens of motorized vehicle riders from around the Midwest. "It's mainly a social ride for the most part. There are no races," said Matthew Vaughan, CEO of Big Snow Ski Resort, which includes the hills and trails of Indianhead and Blackjack ski resorts in the Wakefield area. "It's...
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Jack William Netzel Sr., 71, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. He was born on Aug. 9, 1949, in Park Falls, Wisconsin, a son of Eugene and Ruth Marie (Lemke) Netzel. Jack was raised in Butternut, Wisconsin, and graduated from Butternut High School. He continued his education and earned an accounting degree from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, an associate degree from Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, and a...
MERCER, Wis. — Staff and faculty of the Mercer School District are working through in-service days to prepare for the start of fall semester on Tuesday, according to District Administrator Sheri Kopka in her report to the Board of Education on Monday. The school’s reopening plan was reviewed by the Iron County Department of Health and the day-to-day school operation details will be provided to families so they know what to expect, she said. Supply donations included a $469 cash donation to help kids with school supplies, along with a sep...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] RAMSAY — The Gogebic Range Water Authority board received some good news Thursday regarding highway construction that will require moving of water mains. The water authority engineer, Darren Pionk of C2AE, updated the board on the U.S. 2 reconstruction through Bessemer that will require the water authority to adjust the depth and placement of some water mains in the Marshalek Road area. A virtual meeting with Michigan Department of Transportation engineers addressed major concerns over the l...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] HURLEY — The Hurley school board will decide the start of the school year and the fate of the fall sports season at its regular meeting in August. The unanimous decision on Monday came after school administrator Kevin Genisot recommended the regular meeting date of Aug. 17, as opposed to an Aug. 5 special meeting that was proposed in June. This would give the 12-member special committee that includes the Iron County health officer opportunity to assess all available information to determine if a...
