Local Players Going to All Star Game

Northwoods Candlelight Scene of Saturday's Fundraiser

The fundraising effort was for the benefit of Mass City's Hailee Kin born with a rare bone disease seven months ago.

The fundraiser a day long event included a talent contest, an auction and a spaghetti dinner provided by the Candlelight Restaurant.
 

Pictured above is  Robbie Burrows (Bass Guitar) and Daniel Shoberline (Lead Guitar) along with Kaissa Blake (piano) and Ryan on the drums make up the Gospel singing Group" Face It Youth Band"  one of two youth bands to perform at the Candlelight Saturday. A second band Single File Chaos also performed for the benefit.

School of Choice: Bessemer

Health Services "Cuts to Be Minimal"

At last week's Ontonagon County Board meeting, Commissioner John Pelkola advised the commission that cuts equal to four employees would be made at the Western Upper Peninsula Health Services. The cuts are being made due to state revenue shortages. Commissioners John Pelkola and Dale Parent attended a video conference at the WUPDHD in Bessemer. The information was obtained from Deputy Director of Health Services, Jean Shabut who joined the conference from Lansing.
According to Pelkola a total of 3.5 to 4 jobs would be effected here in the western U.P.

In an interview with Guy St.Germain, MPA Health Officer and Administrator in Hancock, the effects of the staff reductions will be minimal. The district will cut one environmental position. The other reductions will be made by reducing employee hours across the entire district.

Western Upper Peninsula District Health Department (WUPDHD), the northernmost and westernmost public health department in Michigan, serves the 71,000 residents of Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties. The district is headquartered in Hancock, with branch offices in L’Anse, Ontonagon and Bessemer. The agency employs more than 120 people and has an annual budget of over $6.5 million. Approximately 65 percent of its revenue comes from fees for service. Superior Home Health & Hospice is the agency’s largest direct service program. About 25 percent of agency revenues come through direct state funding for mandated and allowable health programs. Four percent (4%)of revenue comes from federal, state and private grants that fund innovative or non-traditional public health functions. The final 6% of funding comes from county governments, in proportion to their populations and state-equalized taxable property valuations.

The agency operates under the direction of a Board of Health, composed of 11 members drawn from the boards of commissioners of the five constituent counties. Ontonagon Commissioners Pelkola and Parent are members of that board.

The Snowflake Aquatics
3rd Annual Yooperman Triathlon

IVFD Ringing Bells

Ironwood Volunteer Fire Department members, family and friends will be ringing the bell for the Salvation Army tomorrow, 12-20-08 from 8 am to 8 pm at K Mart. 
 
This is done in annual tribute to the late Marge Clemens who coordinated the Salvation Army effort here for many years.

She was always there when the fire department needed her usually without asking, with drinks and food at long fires, summer or winter.  She asked us if we'd ring the bell a year or so before she passed away and we decided that was the least we could do in return for what she'd done for us.  We've done it every year since in memory of Marge.

Story and photo by Chief Ken Jacobson

Troop 337 Holds Court of Honor
for Ryan Gustafson

Monday evening Bessemer Boy Scout Troup 337 held a Court of Honor for Eagle Scout Ryan Gustafson, pictured above with his Dad Jerry and his Mom Terri. The Master of Ceremonies for the induction was Scout Master Bruce Jendrosina. Guest speaker for the evening was The guest speaker for the evenings festivities was Judge Patrick Madden, Circuit Court Judge, Iron County Wisconsin

Judge Madden also told us that in 1969 Neil Armstrong went to moon with a Boy Scout  badge which was left behind on the moon. Of the twelve men that have walked on the moon, eleven of them were Eagle Scouts.

A 47 yr old Wisconsin man is in the Iron County, WI jail after an incident in Ironwood last night.

At approx. 5:04 p.m. last night, Negaunee Regional Dispatch received a 911 call of an attempted kidnapping in the downtown area of Ironwood. A 27 yr old Ironwood woman stated she was walking home from work when a man in a pickup truck approached her and forced her into his vehicle. A short time later she was able to escape from the vehicle and ran to a nearby business for assistance.

The woman gave a description of the suspect and his vehicle. Negaunee Regional Dispatch then broadcasted a BOL (be on the lookout) to local and regional law enforcement agencies.

Approx. 40 minutes later, the Hurley Police Department observed a vehicle matching the description in the parking lot of a Hurley hotel. The man was taken into custody without incident.
He is charged with one count of felony kidnapping in Michigan. Charges of a felon in possession of a firearm are also possible. He also faces charges in Wisconsin.

The man remains in the Iron County jail waiting a court appearance.

The incident remains under investigation by the Ironwood Public Safety with assistance from the Hurley Police Department and the Iron County, WI Sheriff’s Department.

Smurfit-Stone  Lay Off To Continue
140 Employees Affected

The shutdown at the Smurfit-Stone paper mill in Ontonagon will continue for another 30 days. That means the earliest the mill would reopen is the end of January.

Company spokesman Mike Mullen says demand for their products has deteriorated rapidly over the past several weeks causing the extended shutdown.

The mill was temporarily idled November 24, putting 140 hourly employees out of work. Mullen said some salaried workers remain on the job.

The mill was supposed to reopen January 2.

Smurfit-Stone  Lay Off To Continue
140 Employees Affected

The shutdown at the Smurfit-Stone paper mill in Ontonagon will continue for another 30 days. That means the earliest the mill would reopen is the end of January.

Company spokesman Mike Mullen says demand for their products has deteriorated rapidly over the past several weeks causing the extended shutdown.

The mill was temporarily idled November 24, putting 140 hourly employees out of work. Mullen said some salaried workers remain on the job.

The mill was supposed to reopen January 2.

"The Roar" Acquires Printing Press

NMU’S KINNEAR RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD

KEITH WHITE NAMED SCHOLAR ATHLETE
BY NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION

Photo credit MTU

Finlandia's McIntosh MCHA
Defensive Player of the Week

County Commissioners Wrap Up 2008

The current Ontonagon County Board of Commissioners held its final meeting for 2008. The meeting opened with Jan Tucker speaking under public comments, said " that since this was Skip's last meeting, she wanted to thank Skip Schultz  for putting himself out there for public service"

The Commission agreed to a letter of support for a new multi-use trail planned by the Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce. The proposed trail will be a connector route that would would connect to the State Line Trail in the south at Marenisco, which would continue north and east to Bergland, then connect to the Pioneer and Bergland Sidnaw Trails.

The Commission approved an $813 travel expense for Jeff Rule to travel to Traverse City for a FOCA Winter Conference in February 2009.

The Commission approved a request from the Sheriff  for a new phone system. The old system is out of date and a new one is needed to work with  911. Another request by the Sheriff for $474. to purchase  3 batteries for Life Pak AEDs.  in the Serriff's  vehicles  was also approved by the commission.

The total cost to the 911 committee will be $3,710. The 911 committee requested that the county participate in the cost of the acquisition. The commission approved a payment of  $500.  Ontonagon is now the backup for Negaunee dispatch.

The Commission approved a motion to proceed with a civil action to recoup $6,120 expended for the medical expenses of two prisoners in the county jail.

The Commission approved a request to modify the RLF loan to the Northwoods Candlelight Inn. The terms would allow for the debtor to repay $300. per month for the next 12 months. Principal payments would be suspended for the 12 months along with some interest payment. The RLF committee will meet with debtor on a quarterly basis for review of the loan. The request for the modification in the payment terms was made due to "current economic conditions" The EDC recommended that the changes be approved.

The Commission approved an agreement for updating the Uni-Face Software used on the Networks main frame. The software allows interfacing  with various other computer  programs used by the county... The up date is needed to interface with the new GL module and will cost $950.

The Commission discussed Johnson Controls' proposal for upgrading the #1 boiler. The company wants $4874 for a control module, however, the company has not sent anyone  out to look at  the boiler and gave the diagnosis over the phone. The company was suppose to send someone here in November and now say they won't be here until late January.

The Commission made many appointments to the various boards and commissions

The Commission also appointed Rose Lee Slocum as Equalization Director. As a result of her appointment the Commission approved the creation of a temporary part time clerical position subject to union approval.

The Commission approved Christmas a bonus of $25. for each permanent courthouse employee.

The Commission set January 20th 2009 as the first meeting of 2009

Under audit bills and approve payment, there was a discussion regarding the repair of Sheriff's vehicles.  The Commission would like to know the current procedures for assigning the  repairs to different vendors

After the meeting was adjourned the new Commissioners were sworn in by Ontonagon County Clerk Judith Roehm

Wakefield - Marenisco
School Board Meets

The Wakefield Marenisco School Board met Monday Evening in  a regularly scheduled meeting.

The Wakefield-Marenisco School Board met in reular session Monday evening. The agenda included consideration of the Power Book Software program, hiring a coach, 2009 Summer Tax Resolution and the 403(b) Model Resolution.

The Superintendent, Larry Kapugia passed along some bad news early in the meeting when he advised the board that the early cold weather had adversely effected the heating budget. The December Xcel heating bill was $12,548 this year as compared to $8,964 in 2008. The Xcel rate increase accounted for a little more than half of the increase with the early cold weather accounting for the remainder.

The district also paid out $57,000 for settlement in the Enbridge case. The district expects to get all but $4,500 back in the form of State Aid.

Mr. Kapugia advised the board that this year the district was 100% in compliance in immunizations, 100% compliance for Bus Inspections, 100% in compliance for food service and 100% incompliance for the building inspection.

The board also learned that a bill has been passed in the State House that will allow anything previously bondable is now eligible to be treated as a sinking fund. Buying buses would be an example of this change. The benefit would be in savings of interest payments.

The board discussed the possible purchase of the Power Book Computer Program now in use in both Bessemer and Ironwood. The system could cost as much as $18,000 and buying computers that could run the program would add to the cost. It was pointed out that a software component added to the current SES software package might accomplish the same objectives as Power Book. The board suggested that the parents first be surveyed to see if enough of them would use the program to warrant the purchase. The matter would then be forwarded on to the technology and curriculum committees for review.

The board approved the hiring of Angela Londo as Elementary Girls Basketball Coach.

The board approved payment vouchers for elementary school basketball tournaments subject to a $60. per tourney limit.

The board also approved a $250 donation for Dallas Saubert to play at the all star football game.

In other sports discussions it was mentioned that the Wakefield-Marenisco District is discussing the possibility of co-op football with Bessemer. A meeting with Jim France be arranged to discuss the matter further.

The evening concluded when the board retired to closed session for the purpose of negotiations.

Listen To Meeting Audio
 

G.E.D.C. Moves Forward on
Wetlands Mitigation

The Next Generation's
Next Step

James Lorenson, President of G.C.C. welcomes the large group of people who came to take the Next Step for the Next Generation. Jim quoted Margaret Mead, once called "Mother of the World", by Time Magazine in 1969

Mead is famous for her quote "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

The purpose of the meeting held at G.C.C. was to follow up on the October presentation by Rebecca Ryan titled "The Next Generation", how to attract young people to our community and how to keep the community's young people from leaving the area.

After addressing the group Mr. Lorenson introduced Will Andresen to the audience who then went on and presented the audience with the "Brutal Facts" pertaining to the sixty plus years of population decline.

After an interesting Power Point Presentation, Will asked the audience to divide themselves into into four breakout groups depending on their interests Each Group had one or more team leaders who would guide them through goal setting and informational gathering.

Click to read more

Ewen-Trout Creek Choir
Performs National Anthem
at Timberwolves game

The trip was funded by a raffle held before the trip. Choir/Band Director Brad Besonen would like to thank all sponsors who donated prizes toward the raffle to make the trip possible.