11/20/2025

HOUGHTON - A hearing was held yesterday involving one of two suspects in a Houghton County murder two years ago.  Houghton County Circuit Court Judge Brittany Bulleit ruled on two defendant motions raised in Margaret Kempainen’s pre-trial hearing in September. The first motion was for the discovery of privileged information and the other, a motion to suppress statements. Both were denied by Judge Bulleit. Kempainen is charged with two counts of murder for the shooting death of her 87-year-old father-in-law Alvin Kempainen on Dec. 18, 2023. She was identified as a suspect for Alvin’s death alongside two others, her adult son Jacob Kempainen and a then-16-year-old whose name was withheld.  Kempainen’s defense attorney will most likely appeal the judge’s rulings. Margaret’s jury trial is scheduled for Jan. 26.

11/20/2025

ASHLAND - Family-owned TopSide Marinas has acquired Pikes Bay Marina on Lake Superior in Bayfield, expanding its presence into the upper Midwest’s sought-after boating region. The Daily Press reports Pikes Bay Marina accommodates over 200 boats and features heated indoor and outdoor storage, a service center, ship store, fuel dock, clubhouse, and floating docks. TopSide Marinas plans to invest by increasing capacity, adding technicians, acquiring better equipment, and offering winter service for snowmobiles and tractors. Former owner Kevin DeCook said the new owners understand the marina is a “community on the water” and praised their focus on service and stewardship.

11/20/2025

ASHLAND - The Wisconsin DNR will host a public meeting on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Northwood Technical College, Room 306, in Ashland. The meeting will review midpoint progress – from 2020 to 2025 of the 10-year 2020 to 2029 Lake Superior Fisheries Management Plan, which guides sport and commercial fisheries management. The plan presents an ambitious agenda of work for the Lake Superior Fisheries Team to fulfill the plan’s vision: a diverse fishery and ecosystem that balances the ecological, cultural, social and economic needs of Wisconsin’s Lake Superior basin region. The event will include a summary of accomplishments followed by a Q&A to gather input on priorities for the remaining period of the plan 2026 through 2029. More information is at dnr.wisconsin.gov