10/16/2025

HURLEY – Last night the Hurley Fire Department hosted an extrication training given by instructors from Jefferson Fire and Safety from Middleton, Wi. The training included modern tactics to keep pace with the always evolving automotive industry and included training to safely perform extrication of car accident victims when the need arises.  Also participating in the event were members of Kimball and Ironwood Township volunteer fire departments.  Ramme’s Auto Salvage provided junk cars for the training.  The Hurley fire department also thanking everyone that continually supports their fund-raising events which helps provide the funding for these training events.

10/16/2025

WESTERN U.P. - The region will see a change in leadership at the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) this fall with the retirement of Cathryn Beer on October 24, 2025.  Peter D. Baril, REHS, MPA, WUPHD’s current Deputy Health Officer and Director of Environmental Health, has been named the Health Officer, effective October 25, 2025.  Baril has spent the last 23 years working in the field of public health and safety, gaining experience at four different health departments across the state as well as at Michigan Tech.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental health from Lake Superior State University, a master’s in public administration from Northern Michigan University, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health from the University of Iowa.  Baril was Born and raised in the Copper Country and resides in northern Houghton County with his wife and three children. 

10/16/2025

FOREST COUNTY— A Deerbrook man led police in a chase with speeds over 110 miles per hour in Forest County Tuesday.  At about 6:35 a.m. Tuesday, a Forest County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch was contacted by an off-duty Forest County Sheriff’s Office Deputy regarding a blue Audi that was traveling north on Highway 55 at a high rate of speed. A second Deputy involved in the pursuit struck a deer disabling his patrol vehicle. The blue Audi was able to elude law enforcement by travelling at speeds exceeding 110 mph, passing multiple vehicles with his lights off.   The pursuit ended in a parking lot in Crandon.  The driver was removed from the vehicle and identified as Mason Daniel Spray of Deerbrook.  Spray was arrested and is being held at the Forest County Jail