2/19/2026

IRONWOOD - Following President Chris Patritto’s January 27 resignation, the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees voted in a special meeting to use the Registry for College and University Presidents (RCUP) to select an interim president. The board will also hire a separate firm to find a permanent president by the fall. The Massachusetts-based registry acts as a “temp agency,” placing vetted interim leaders, typically within a month. While the service is free, GCC must pay the interim’s housing and salary. These candidates are not seeking permanent roles. During the discussion, instructor Serena Mershon-Lohkamp advised the board to use this transition to restructure the administration.

2/19/2026

ST. GERMAIN - St. Germain Town Clerk Jenn Vojta, who was elected in April 2025 via a write-in campaign, and reluctantly accepted her position, will resign effective Feb. 28, citing “personal commitments.” The Lakeland Times reports the town board accepted her resignation and appointed non-resident Deputy Clerk Felicia Szott as her replacement, effective March 1 until April 2027. This move was possible after town electors voted 29-12 on Jan. 7 to change the clerk and treasurer roles from elected to appointed, a change Chairman John Vojta advocated for, warning of his wife’s likely resignation due to a lack of candidates under the previous residency rule.

2/19/2026

ASHLAND / BAYFIELD COUNTIES – This latest winter storm has destroyed access to the Apostle Islands ice caves.  The Ice caves opened Monday before the storm hit the Bayfield Peninsula.  The powerful winds blew all the ice out of the area overnight, ending access probably the rest of the season.  Thousands traveled to the Bayfield Peninsula to see the ice caves on the one day they were opened on Monday.  Monday was the first time in 11 years the ice caves have been accessible to the public.