Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Sorted by date Results 226 - 250 of 9883
By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] IRONWOOD — After a closed session at the end of its Monday evening meeting, the Ironwood City Commission unanimously approved a memo of understanding with the city’s public safety officer union. The MOU acknowledges the following wage increases, per hour, effective Aug. 1, for public service officers: New officers with zero to four years of experience will rise from $24.51 to $27.25, while officers with five to nine years of experience will rise from $25.74 to $27.25. Officers with 10 or more yea...
By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] IRONWOOD — Luther L Wright K-12 School is kicking off its centennial celebration during Festival Ironwood, and organizers have events planned each day to educate the public about their building’s history. On July 19, the celebration will begin with an opening ceremony in the front of the LLW school at 2:30 p.m. It will feature a welcome by Superintendent Dan Martinson and guest speaker Paul Mattson. Music will be provided by the Ironwood school band. A drone photo is expected to be taken at the end of...
By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] BESSEMER — Members of the Bessemer City Council approved on Monday evening a resolution that allows for the adoption of increased water rates as of Sept. 1, with additional hikes to follow in coming years. The resolution, which facilitates a 40-year bond repayment plan, reads as follows: “Whereas the city of Bessemer, county of Gogebic, state of Michigan, had determined that it is necessary to acquire and construct improvements to the city’s water distribution system, consisting generally of the r...
HURLEY, Wis. - Stephen "Steve" P. Karasti, 72, was born in Menominee, Michigan to Charles and Adeline (Groleau) Karasti. He passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 27, 2024. He attended catholic schools, graduating from Marinette Catholic Central in 1970. He went on to graduate from Marian College and he began his graduate studies at St. John Provincial Seminary when he chose to pursue other career paths. Steve worked at Menominee Paper, St. Peter's Cathedral in Marquette, Michigan, as well...
By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] RAMSAY — Located next to the Black River, the small community of Ramsay has a strong dose of charm that really came to life on July 2 when it celebrated Independence Day ahead of the actual holiday. Despite being an overcast evening, happy enthusiasm filled the air. As a DJ kept the music rolling, kids were dancing, venders were vending, and people were hanging out on blankets thrown across the grass. “It’s nice to come with family and friends,” said Diana Alexandroni of Ironwood while relaxing in one...
By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] ONTONAGON COUNTY - Traditionally, Ontonagon County politely waits until the dust has settled from July 4 celebrations in surrounding communities. Hence, the two communities of Bruce Crossing and Greenland did not celebrate Independence Day until two days later on July 6. Bruce Crossing Let's begin with Bruce Crossing, where it was sunny and warm and where friendly folks were happy to share their thoughts. Gus Pietila was sitting in the shade, looking relax...
By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] BESSEMER - As the premier Fourth of July celebration on the Gogebic Range, the Bessemer Blast sets itself up each year for big expectations. And, despite the threat of rain, this year's 9-day bash was no exception in fulfilling them. The revelry came to a grand finale on July 4 with an evening parade, which was also the largest in the region, featuring numerous entries, including floats, classic cars, tractors, kids' sports teams, Cub Scouts, Girl...
By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] WATERSMEET TOWNSHIP — The fireworks began early in Watersmeet, scheduled on June 29, well in advance of the July 4 holiday. And the full-scale celebration did not occur until July 5, but it did not disappoint, starting with a vibrant bike and pet parade along the main street. As a children’s parade, it included kids of all ages, from one through teen-age years. Lucy Sypor, 6, of Watersmeet, was raring to go while she sat in her little, purple car with her mom, Amanda, providing encouragement. Asked how...
By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] HURLEY - Members of Little Finland have dedicated themselves to preserving local Finnish roots for 60 years. That's the word from Ken Hannula, board president of Little Finland, which is a National Finnish American Festival Cultural Center. To celebrate those 60 years, Little Finland held a gathering on Sunday, complete with live music, good food and tours of the historic structures surrounding the main hall. According to Hannula, Little Finland began at...
By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] BESSEMER — Gogebic County residents with limited income, including veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, are eligible for additional relief in relation to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known by its acronym of SNAP. Paul Putnam, District 1 director of the Michigan State University Extension Office in Bessemer, shared the news with the county Board of Commissioners on June 26. Putnam said that, as of March 1, most food assistance programs no longer use an asset limit as a contingency o...
By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] HURLEY — Members of the Iron County Board of Commissioners tabled action in relation to what Interim County Clerk Christan Brandt said is a new, national opioid settlement relating to the Kroger Company. They agreed at the June 25 meeting that more information is needed before agreeing to a related resolution. Iron County already has accepted past allocations of opioid settlements. Diane Schmidtke, financial manager in the county’s Human Services Department, said those funds are not in a sep...
By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] BESSEMER - The 35th annual Bessemer Hometown Run drew 195 participants on Saturday while managing to avoid rain that had threatened to spoil the day. In the 10K division, Jared Joki, 26, took first among men at 38 minutes, 33 seconds, and Paulette Niemi, 56, took first among women at 50.47. They are both from Ironwood. The 10K route stretched all the way to Harding Road in Bessemer Township. Overall, spirits were high, and family units were in full...
By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] BESSEMER - On a beautiful, sunny evening on June 26, folks began gathering with lawn chairs and sat on the sidewalk in front of Bessemer's main street Pocket Park. Then, more and more people arrived, and soon a crowd of some 150 had filled the street. It was a great show of respect in honor of America's military service members. And it also served as the kick-off for the Bessemer Blast, the city's 9-day celebration of the Fourth of July holiday. "I was...
By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] WAKEFIELD - There's something deeply touching about honoring a veteran of war with a handmade quilt, especially in his hometown, surrounded by family and friends. The particular quilt that was placed Saturday on the shoulders of Sgt. Aaron DeMarte of Wakefield is not just any quilt. It was made by 20 different women from eight different states. Michelle Royal, who organized the related ceremony at VFW Post 9084 in Wakefield, is also a leading member of...
By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] MELLEN, Wis. — Goats, chickens, pigs, cows, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, horses — oh my! People of all ages came to Sunshine’s Agriculture Farm Experience on Sunday for Chequamegon Dairy Day near Mellen, Wisconsin. Under a gorgeous, clear blue, sunny sky, farm owners Kendra and Peter Thewis were pleased to host the event. Sunshine’s Agriculture Farm Experience is an educational agritourism mini-farm, owned and operated by Peter and Kendra Thewis. The event was sponsored by the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin group...
By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] WAKEFIELD - The Wakefield City Council approved on Monday evening a resolution that acknowledged Patricia Sperhake of Wakefield as the city's treasurer. Council members had appointed Sperhake as deputy treasurer on July 10, 2023. As City Manager Robert Brown Jr. said in a related agenda report, "The council intended to promote Mrs. Sperhake as treasurer after several months of in-house training and attending the Michigan Treasurer's Association training se...
By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] IRONWOOD — The Ironwood Area School District is drawing to a close in its search for a new leader, as Superintendent Travis Powell attended his final meeting on Monday. Powell has been with the Ironwood Area Schools for six years and has taken a position as director of instructional services with the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District. After a lengthy search, the school board announced at Monday’s meeting that they approved the hiring committee to enter into final negotiations with sup...
By PAMELA JANSSON [email protected] IRONWOOD - Ironwood city commissioners approved on Monday a bridge maintenance agreement between the cities of Ironwood and Hurley. Paul Anderson, who serves as city manager and engineer, said that the agreement is for the Norrie Street Bridge that the city shares with Hurley. According to him, the contract will require a 50/50% maintenance and utilities cost share between the two cities. At whatever point the bridge requires replacement, the cities...
By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] IRONWOOD - The Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees on Monday approved its administrative restructuring plan for the upcoming year and addressed the potential future of its Building Trades program, which has seen declining numbers in recent years. The interim academic restructuring plan comes at the leaving of David Darrow, Vice President of Academic Services, and involves the reassignment of many duties across the administration. "We have quite a...
By MEGAN HUGHES [email protected] GOGEBIC RANGE — The Fourth of July is quickly approaching, and with all of the fun happening in the area, The Globe has rounded up a list of major celebrations, including parades, fireworks and community gatherings on the horizon. Gogebic County Bessemer On Saturday, Bessemer is starting the day with its annual Hometown Walk/Run at 8:30 a.m. at Bessemer City Hall. At 1 p.m., a mud run will be held at The Pits on North Moore Street in Bessemer. On Sunday, worship in Bluff Valley Park begins at 9 a.m., a...
By DAMIIAN LANG [email protected] BESSEMER — The Bessemer City Council approved on Monday evening an agreement in which it will serve as the parking host of the Duet Bike outreach. In part due to the Iron Belle Trail running through the city, the Duet Bike Partners requested that the city agree to the responsibility during “bikeable” weather. Council members further offered to help in any other way they can. The Duet Bike allows an able-bodied rider to transport on the same bike a person with disabilities, thereby allowing that perso...
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - Patricia Ann Smith, age 63, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at her home in Ormond Beach, Florida, with her family at her side. Pat was born on June 23, 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Donald D. Smith of Eben Junction, Michigan, and Jeanette L Smith (Hatt) of Flint, Michigan. Pat attended Luther L Wright High School in Ironwood, Michigan, from which she graduated. She married Wayne A. Braun, and they had three beautiful children, Angela...
