IronwoodInfo News Magazine

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Free Business Counseling May 21
Date: May 14, 2009 HANCOCK, MI – The Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) and Finlandia University invite area entrepreneurs to take advantage of free one-on-one business counseling sessions at the university’s Jutila Center on Thursday, May 21, 2009. Business consultant Roger Woods of Homer Productivity, LLC, can advise on all aspects of small business development from the initial idea through growth and expansion strategies. Appointments are recommended and can be made by phone (906-487-7450) or e-mail (cgdb@finlandia.edu). The Finlandia University Jutila Center is at 200 Michigan St., Hancock.

Gogebic-Ontonagon to Receive
New Emergency Alert System

Ironwood - May 14, 2009

Gogebic County Emergency Coordinator Jim Loeper announced today that Gogebic and Ontonagon counties are going to receive new $250,000 emergency alerting system which was acquired through a grant made to the Michigan State Police. The tower and additional equipment will be installed in the Porcupine Mountains and will be used to service both Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties.

The new emergency warning equipment will greatly speed up emergency warnings being sent to radio and cable stations. Currently the emergency coordinator must notify the stations by telephone of any situation. The new equipment will automatically contact communication companies. It will also allow emergency coordinators the ability to text warnings directly to emergency personnel.

It is expected that the project will take approximately two months to complete.

Township Investigates Blight Complaint

Ironwood Township - May 14, 2009

At Monday's Township meeting the trustees received a complaint about construction and demolition debris piled high behind what previously was Ray's Flower Shop. Jim Francois told the board that he had to constantly look at the debris. He was advised that in order for the board to take any action he would have to fill out a blight complaint. After the meeting Mr. Francois formalized the complaint and on Wednesday the property was inspected by township officials.

Cardinals Win at PMC

May 13, 2009 The Wakefield-Marenisco Cadrinals took home the Gold at the Porcupine Mountain Conference track championship. Victories by both the Cardinal Boys and Girls Teams was the first such wins on the school's new track.

Spring Fever!

Hurley - May 12, 2009

The 46th Parallel Planters Garden Club held its fundraiser Saturday. The event was held at the Iron County Farmer's Market in Hurley Wisconsin. The cold and damp weather did little to dampen the success of the plant sale. Approximately 800 perennial plants were sold by the end of the day. The 46ers use the revenue to bring qualified garden experts to the area. The talks are usually free to the public being wholly or partially underwritten by the garden club. Also, in July the group sponsors local garden tours for the public. While most garden clubs charge for similar tours, the 46th club underwrites the whole event.

The plant sale was well organized with few if any hitches. The sale committee has been working on the project since winter. This past week the members traveled to pick up the plants from a local nursery. Only local field grown plants are sold by the group. The trip was followed by two days of work, when the members wrapped and labeled all the plants. They then gathered up plants to fill all the pre-orders.

The orders and remaining plants to be sold were brought to the Farmer's Market bright and early Saturday morning. While the sale ran smoothly and appeared simple it was the culmination of a great deal of work by many local gardeners.

Jacquart Fabrics Begins Layoffs

Ironwood - May 12, 2009

Jacquart Fabrics began laying off employees today. The JFP employees now join the list of other residents who will be filing for unemployment benefits and re-education through the Michigan Works programs.

Employees of Michigan Works were on the scene to describe the benefits available terminated employees .

In recent days JFP employees have had work hours and work days curtailed. The full extent of the layoffs has not yet been disclosed.

Ironwood Plastics has laid off 50 employees and Smurfit-Stone has laid off 150 employees. Just when no one believed that the U.P. employment situation could get any worse. The recent recession, eight years in the making has certainly taken its toll on the western U.P.

4-H Small Animal Swap and Sale

Bruce Crossing - April 25, 2009

The Ontonagon 4-H is once again having an animal Swap and Sale Event. The event will be held in Stannard Township Park, Bruce Crossing, which is located just one block north of US 45 - M28 Junction. The sale will take place between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm on May 16th.

The MSU Extension Press Release states "Anything goes- birds, sheep, goats, small pigs, chickens, ducks, pheasants, and quail"

Garden and house plants, horse tack, clothing and more will be available.

No large livestock but flyers are welcome.

There is a $2.00 vendor fee.

MSUE spokesman also state that vendors must comply with all USDA/MDA health requirements for their animals, including scrapie tags and interstate vet. certification
for out-of-state animals.

All poultry will be tested on site for Pullorum disease.

Pre-registration is not required.

For further information Email msue66@msu.edu

Ironwood Vol. Fire Department to Host Annual Car Wash Fundraiser

"Have a clean car for Memorial Day!"

The Ironwood Volunteer Fire Department will hold it's annual "Pre-Memorial Day Car Wash" fund-raiser from 9 am to 3 pm Saturday, May 16th at the Ironwood Holiday Gas Station. The station is located at the corner of Lake St. and US-2 in Ironwood.

Donations are gratefully accepted.

Funds raised will be used by the fire fighters for equipment and department donations during the course of the year.