Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
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By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] As students across the state of Michigan continue to stay home in compliance with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s order closing schools in response to the coronavirus pandemic, districts await word on whether classes will resume this year and if they’ll be forced to make up any lost days. “We’re pushing for some direction on that, because that will inform decisions we make regarding virtual learning, or offline learning for families that don’t have reliable internet access,” Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediat...
IRONWOOD — The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department has identified sites that were visited by an individual who recently tested positive for the COVID-19 disease from the coronavirus pandemic. Local residents visiting these sites may be at higher risk for exposure as the virus can remain airborne for at least three hours and can remain on surfaces for at least three days. The times listed for when the individual was at these four sites are all Central Daylight Time. The person tested positive for COVID-19 was reportedly at: —Our Lady of...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] MERCER, Wis. - For students of the Mercer School District, homeroom is now literally homeroom. Since the school shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, teachers have kept the students engaged in learning through emails, online platforms and have now added video conferencing. This past Monday the school started a daily school-wide morning homeroom session using the remote online conferencing platform from Zoom Video Communications. The effort is...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP — The Lake Superior shoreline attracted several area residents during the warm sunshine on Friday. Lori Danella, of Hurley, said the chance to do some walking and agate hunting was a cure for coronavirus-shutdown related cabin fever. She and her two sons, Virgil, 14 and Landon, 16 Hariu, made the trek to Little Girl’s Point County Park where they found several other beach combers and park dwellers. “It’s getting pretty tough o...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] IRONWOOD - As a non-essential business during the coronavirus pandemic, Stormy Kromer found its niche making medical masks and gowns at a wartime production pace to help protect health workers from the COVID-19 virus. "The only way we will get through this crisis is together," said Gina Jacquart Thorsen, president of Stormy Kromer, a division of Jacquart Fabric Products. Area hospitals are contacting Stormy Kromer to see if the company can produce...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] The presence of the coronavirus on the Gogebic Range was confirmed Thursday, not just with the announcement of the first positive cases but with the deaths of two people -- one each in Iron and Gogebic counties. The Gogebic County case involved an elderly man with underlying health issues, according to the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, which said it was notified of the COVID-19-related death Thursday. "Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers go out to the family who lost their loved one,"...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Election Commission is urging the state’s voters to consider casting their votes in next month’s election via absentee ballot as a means of preventing the spread of the coronavirus. “If you are worried about getting to the polls on Election Day, make sure you are registered to vote at your current address and with your current name and request an absentee ballot as soon as possible,” said Meagan Wolfe, the state’s chief elections official. The April 7 election fe...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] IRONWOOD - Local grocers are saying product shortages are temporary, and usually refilled in a day or two, while also emphasizing social distancing and reducing store visits to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. Overall the staff and community have been great in adjusting to prevention strategies for the coronavirus that is causing COVID-19, said Lawrence Glatczak, manager of Super One Foods in Ironwood. The store is doing what it can to limit...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] BESSEMER - A public hearing on a county resolution to seek grant funding to purchase forestland was delayed due to lack of mobility from the coronavirus, according to the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday. The commission 6-0 approved the delay of a public hearing for the purpose commentary on the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fun grant application proposal for land acquisition of parcels totaling approximately 4,000 acres...
IRONWOOD — Domestic Violence Escape, or DOVE, Inc., in Ironwood, recently announced it was limiting some of its services in the wake of the COVID-19, or coronavirus, pandemic while still continuing its primary mission of empowering those experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse. “Because we wish to respond proactively to the coronavirus outbreak, and to do our part in controlling the virus’ spread, we are going to remote services effective immediately,” Executive Director Pamela Niemi said in a letter on the organiz...
By RICHARD JENKINS and CHARITY SMITH [email protected] MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Tony Evers directed the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to issue a Safer at Home order prohibiting all nonessential travel Tuesday as the state works to combat the spread of the COVID-19, or coronavirus, pandemic. The order takes effect at 8 a.m. today, and runs through the morning of April 24, unless an order suspending it is issued prior to that date. “I know the COVID-19 outbreak has been difficult and has disrupted the lives of people across our sta...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] IRONWOOD - Anny Lin said she understands the urgency to stop the spread of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 after experiencing quarantines and restrictions on movement on a recent visit to China. Lin, the owner of Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant in Ironwood, traveled to China with her 9-month-old daughter, Amber Chen, for a Lunar New Year visit with family from Jan. 21 to Feb. 28. They arrived just before the start of the coronavirus pandem...
by JAN TUCKER [email protected] MARQUETTE - On Feb. 11 Sheriff Dale Rantala with approval of the Ontonagon County Commission sent two corrections officers from the Ontonagon County Sheriff's Department to Marquette for a six-week corrections training academy. Ryan Tucker and Ken Waldrop completed the academy held at the Ramada in Marquette. The academy instructor was led by Captain Brian Steed of the Marquette County Sheriff's Department with the help of numerous sergeants from Steed's...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] BESSEMER - At a Monday meeting of the Bessemer Area School Board, members voted to appoint a new trustee and to limit access to the schools, while also allowing planned maintenance to continue. "I guess this is an historic event - the first meeting using electronic technology," said Board President Jim Partanen. Board members met via ZOOM software, which allows people to gather virtually with the aid of either phones or computers. The action was taken in...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] HURLEY — As county facilities restrict access to the public and county officials seek to limit in-person interactions in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Iron County Sheriff Paul Samardich is reassuring the public that essential services will continue to be provided and deputies will continue to patrol the community. “Crimes will continue to be investigated, as they always have. I want people to be assured, we will always be available,” Samardich said, adding that the department is adapt...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] IRONWOOD — Local officials are adjusting to a statewide stay at home order and are asking for compliance from area residents. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order 2020-21, is effective Tuesday and for at least the next three weeks. The order temporarily suspends in-person operations and business that are not necessary to sustain or protect life. “This is an unprecedented crisis that requires all of us working together to protect our families and our communities,...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] Fears of COVID-19, a strain of coronavirus that has resulted in new national and state precautions, have changed the nature of American society, resulting in a largely virtual world where human interaction occurs most safely online. That includes churches, despite their longstanding role as places known to encourage community gathering for worship, religious learning and social support. Although, for decades, larger small-town churches of various...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] The skiing season ended this past weekend on a busy note, despite recent warnings of coronavirus and various health mandates from state and national officials. Big Snow Resort featured a final day of skiing on Sunday at Indianhead Mountain in Wakefield. The same resort's Blackjack location in Wakefield Township closed on Friday. Whitecap Mountains Resort in Upson, Wis., also had its final day of skiing on Sunday. Big Powderhorn Mountain in Bessemer...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] IRONWOOD — The Ironwood Area Schools has received a grant that will allow it to offer additional mental health services to the students in the district. The grant allows the district to place “a fully-funded mental health professional on our campus to provide evidence-based behavioral and social-emotional support for our most at-risk students,” Ironwood K-12 Principal Melissa Nigh said. She said the person will have the title of “transitional coach,” and will be similar to a social worker or...
MERCER, Wis. - The town of Mercer Board of Supervisors on Friday approved its COVID-19 emergency plan during a special meeting on Friday, to include additional support for first responders. The board held its first electronic meeting after determining on Thursday that an electronic meeting that provides public notification and access via phone or computer is compliant with open meeting laws during for the duration of the COVID-19 state and national emergency. The board 4-0 approved the Mercer CO...
IRONWOOD — The city of Ironwood is providing support and resources for businesses that are struggling through the coronavirus pandemic. There are grants, zero-interest loans and other support out there and it’s changing all the time, said Tom Bergman, director of community development for the city of Ironwood. The city is sending out email updates a few times a week to business owners to help them with their own search for resources, he said. “This is just to let them know what opportunities are there in terms of disaster relief and other...
By TOM LAVENTURE [email protected] MERCER, Wis. - The town of Mercer Board of Supervisors on Thursday unanimously approved a recommendation to conduct meetings by phone or video conference call. The regular meeting was held in the Community Center to be able to have chairs six-feet apart to avoid the potential spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Rather than continue with meetings that require a labor intensive disinfecting process the board decided on the electronic...
