Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Sorted by date Results 4901 - 4925 of 9848
By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] BESSEMER — Insuring adequate funding for court systems is one of the “wins” the Michigan Association of Counties has supported recently, its executive director told the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday. Stephan Currie outlined issues MAC has been tackling and is prepared to tackle. He said a task force on how state court systems are funded has been assigned, but has not yet met. Currie said huge cuts to revenue sharing payments to counties have caused MAC to ponder if that’s the pro...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] HURLEY — Fans of Saxon Harbor had a chance to hear the latest plans for the harbor’s reconstruction Tuesday at the Hurley K-12 school as engineers from the various parts of the project presented the designs and sought public feedback. The multi-hour meeting started with a presentation from Christopher McMahon, of Ayres Associates engineering firm, on the reconstruction of the County A bridge over Oronto Creek that was partially destroyed during the July 11, 2016 storm that flooded and des...
By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] IRONWOOD - The Ironwood City Commission officially closed out a project on Monday that recommends $19 million in sewer-water improvements over the next 20 years. Ironwood received $970,912 in funding through the Michigan SAW grant program in October of 2014 to develop an asset management plan for the wastewater and stormwater sewer systems. The project will benefit the city for many years to come. In approving a certificate of completion for the...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] WAKEFIELD - Wakefield City Council members, as well as a group of Wakefield citizens, viewed a virtual computer rendering of a proposed City Hall renovation that includes an optional expansion to house a new city library, Monday evening. Architect John Larson, who operates in Gwinn and Negaunee, and his colleague Mike Lempinen, an architectural designer, offered the slide show, which they emphasized was "schematic," rather than any attempt to "dictate"...
By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] WAKEFIELD - At Monday evening's Wakefield City Council meeting, members voted to raise all but seasonal rates at the Eddy Park Campground, as recommended by the planning commission. For premium sites - which include water and electricity - daily rates will rise $5, from $30 to $35, and monthly rates will rise $25, from $325 to $350. For tent sites, daily rates will rise $2, from $10 to $12, and monthly rates will rise $15, from $145 to $160. All sites will...
By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] IRONWOOD — Mayor Annette Burchell praised the Ironwood Public Safety Department and other responding agencies Monday for their quick response to the Golden Dragon restaurant fire last Wednesday. The downtown Chinese restaurant may not be reopening for another month because of the fire, according to city commissioner Jim Mildren, who talked with restaurant owner Anny Lin on Monday. Mildren noted the Kiwanis Club holds its noon lunches at the Golden Dragon and he pointed out what an asset the business is...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP — As the end of the fiscal year approaches, the Ironwood Township Board of Trustees passed three budget amendment resolutions Monday night. The first resolution dealt with the township’s general fund, with the board approving $700 in revenue and $67,950 in expense amendments. “The reason (the expense amendment) is so high is because we have the road work coming up,” Clerk Mary Segalin said. “I wanted to place $70,000 from last year’s budget into Roads and Bridges to bring it up...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] MERCER, Wis. - While the organizers of most events would be disappointed if there was rain during their events, Mercer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chelcie Pinsonneault wasn't too worried about the rain during this weekend's 15th annual Pumpkin Run. "That doesn't bother them, at all," Pinsonneault said, regarding all-terrain vehicle side-by-side riders enjoying rain since it creates mud on the trails. The multi-day event wrapped up Saturda...
By STEVE NEWMAN [email protected] IRONWOOD - In spite of a rainy day on Saturday, city staff worked with Ironwood's JROTC and other volunteers to offer their twice-yearly citywide cleanup day. Cars were parked well down Ayer Street in advance of the event, but due to the rain, turnout was down somewhat and the residents did not have to wait long to unload. According to city manager Scott Erickson, the day is one of the most popular events the city offers for its residents. "Usually...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] HURLEY — The Iron County Board of Supervisor’s Finance Committee approved the purchase of a new software system for the sheriff’s department and dispatcher center Thursday. Darrell Petrusha, who handles many of the county’s technology needs, described the system as a “complete operating system” for the county’s dispatch center — handling everything from keeping records of reports and processing booking information to a mapping software when dispatching calls. “This is all-inclusive in...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] IRONWOOD - People squared off against a semi truck - as well as each other - at Gogebic Community College Friday, as the college held the 18 Legs vs. 18 Wheels truck pull fundraiser. Teams of nine used a rope to tow the college's semi truck 20 feet, with the team with the fastest time winning a trophy and bragging rights. "It's fantastic, we couldn't have a more beautiful fall day to do this - spectacular," organizer Janie Williams said. "I think...
By JAN TUCKER [email protected] ROCKLAND - Neither cancer, nor loss of a functioning hand can stop Caryl Miilu from living life to the fullest. Miilu was 44 with a husband and five daughters when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is now 82 and one of the longest survivors of cancer in the area. It was after the Ontonagon Labor Fest parade in 1979 while she was reading in bed that she discovered a lump in her breast. She had just started a new job in the office of Dr. Robert Johnson...
BESSEMER — Lisa Hewitt, of Wakefield, has been selected to fill the vacancy in the Gogebic County Treasurer’s office. Gogebic County Prosecutor Nick Jacobs, who was on the three-person committee to appoint a treasurer, announced the selection on Friday. Hewitt replaces Sue Pertile, who retired effective Oct. 31. Jacobs noted the committee formed under state statuteS completed the process of reviewing applications and conducting interviews to appoint the treasurer for the term of office which expires on Dec. 31, 2020. Hewitt has served as the...
By IAN MINIELLY [email protected] IRONWOOD - Gogebic Community College faculty hosted Brian Dawson, a retired Air Force pilot and drone program instructor at Alpena Community College, Thursday. Dawson and Ryon List, dean of instruction, spent the morning in meetings with school officials to discuss the feasibility of starting a drone licensing program at GCC. List said the drone program at Alpena is part of a Workforce Development program and if instituted at GCC, would be designed...
By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] BESSEMER - Julie DeRosie and her yellow Labrador, Remington, have been preparing to become a therapy team for nearly two years. The former Bessemer Area School District teacher and coach purchased the dog when it was just 7 weeks old and they are now providing therapy to elderly and the disabled in the area, dealing with nursing homes and Aspirus Ironwood Hospital. They are registered through Pet Partners of Bellevue, Washington. DeRosie took a...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP — It may take awhile, but the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has begun the process of implementing a possible long-term solution to the repeated sediment buildup that closes off the mouth of Oman’s Creek from Lake Superior at Little Girl’s Point. In August, the DNR reviewed proposals for the design of a groin — or low wall designed to prevent the movement of sediment — to be built into the lake near the creek’s mouth. “The main difference between (a groin) and say, a br...
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] IRONWOOD - The dark smoke billowing out above downtown Ironwood Wednesday afternoon quickly drew a crowd to the area around the Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant as firefighters worked to put out the flames of what is believed to be an out-of-control grease fire. The fire damage was largely contained to the building's kitchen area and a connecting roof vent, according to Ironwood Fire Marshal Brandon Snyder, with some other parts of the building...
LONGUEUIL, Quebec - Highland Copper Company Inc. said Tuesday a feasibility study expected to be released in the second quarter of 2018 will consider a mining and processing capacity of 6,000 metric tons per day at the Copperwood site in Wakefield Township. The management team estimates Copperwood's operation near Lake Superior to last 12 to 15 years. In a report this week, the company said its primary objective is to complete the necessary permitting and financing for development of the...
By IAN MINIELLY [email protected] BESSEMER — During Monday’s Bessemer City Council meeting, Linda Nelson brought up the requirement in the city’s charter that prospective candidates for city office must be a resident within the city for at least two years to run for office. Under the two-year requirement, at least three of the currently registered write-in candidates would be disqualified, potentially throwing the election into turmoil. The council voted 3-2 on Monday to seek a legal opinion from city attorney Mike Korpela, if they...
LANSING - Copper Peak officials testified on behalf of getting ski flying to return to Copper Peak in a recent trip to Lansing. On Sept. 20, Copper Peak's fundraising co-chairs Billy Demong and Bob Jacquart, along with Copper Peak Executive Director John Heilig, testified in support of the future of Copper Peak. The Senate Commerce Committee was briefed about the man-made ski flying launch that was built in 1970, closed in 1994 and is being revived through a locally-led initiative. Jacquart...
By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] IRONWOOD - An extended thunderstorm that slowly moved through the Gogebic Range Monday night and early Tuesday seemed to speed up arrival of fall colors, but they were still a long way from their peak. Rumbling thunder was accompanied by 1.06 inches of rain at the Gogebic-Iron Wastewater Treatment Plant off Cloverland Drive, Ironwood's official weather station. Other areas of the Range received heavier rainfall, with Saxon getting more than 2 inches....
By RICHARD JENKINS [email protected] HURLEY — The Iron County Outdoor Recreational Enthusiasts group has joined the effort to develop a non-motorized trail in northern Iron County, as ICORE met with the loosely organized Regional Trail Committee Tuesday to merge the two groups. “When we started ICORE … we had a number of Hurley and Ironwood people there, and the whole mission statement — which is in our bylaws — is to promote silent sports in Iron County. So it was a county-wide endeavor,” ICORE president Martha Pierpont said. The e...
By IAN MINIELLY [email protected] BESSEMER - During the New Business segment of Monday's city council meeting in Bessemer, Linda Nelson produced a copy of Chapter Three of the city's charter regarding eligibility for office. The charter states, "No person shall be eligible to any elective office of the city unless he shall be an elector in the city and shall have been a resident of the city for at least two years immediately prior to the date of the election at which he is a...
By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] HURLEY — A former Hurley School District teacher who has been charged with sending nude photos of herself to a student is being evaluated by a psychologist, her attorney said Monday. Nikki Pieczynski, 48, of Oshkosh, was scheduled for an initial appearance in Iron County Court, but instead her attorney, Steven Lucareli, appeared by speaker phone. Lucareli said Pieczynski is being evaluated by a professional who has 15 years of experience and he expects the case will be “resolved in short order.” Lucar...
