7/10/2026

WAKEFIELD - The Wakefield Fireworks Committee says that more than 8,000 Wakefield 50/50 tickets were inadvertently not included in last weekend’s 50/50 drawing.  The committee says following the drawing last Saturday, the winning ticket was selected and announced publicly, then the next day the Committee discovered that, due to an oversight during the ticket loading process, one box containing approximately 8,220 raffle tickets was inadvertently not emptied into the ticket shuffler prior to the drawing.  Upon discovering the oversight, the Committee says they immediately secured the omitted tickets, self-reported the matter to the Charitable Gaming Division of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, and requested guidance on the appropriate course of action.  The decision is the winning ticket will stand, the holders of the approximately 8,220 tickets that were not included in the drawing are entitled to a refund equal to the purchase price paid for those affected tickets.  The Committee will publish the list of the affected ticket numbers in the coming days. Beginning Friday, July 17, 2026, a committee member will be available at the Wakefield Municipal Building each Friday to process refunds. To receive a refund, individuals must present the original raffle ticket. The refund period will remain open through Tuesday, September 15, 2026, after which no further refund requests will be honored.  The Committee says they are implementing additional safeguards and verification procedures to ensure this type of error cannot occur again.

7/10/2026

GOGEBIC COUNTY – The Gogebic Range Trail Authority says starting Monday, Wickwire Engineering out of Iron River, MI will be out on SL Trail 2 doing bore samples on the 4 bridges starting in Marenisco and heading west.  The trail will have a detour with appropriate signage in place to help guide you.  The trail authority says this project will take up to 2 days to complete. 

7/10/2026

N. WISCONSIN - Childcare costs are rising across Wisconsin, and the end of state Child Care Bridge Payments is expected to put added financial pressure on families and providers in Ashland and Bayfield counties. The Ashland Daily Press reports the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association says higher operating costs are forcing providers to raise tuition, while many families are already struggling to afford care. Local providers could lose thousands of dollars a month in funding, with surveys showing about 41% plan to increase tuition and roughly one in four may consider closing.