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. 

2/19/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - A new report shows Michigan’s population is aging and bringing younger people into the U.P. and the state continues to be a problem.  From 2010 to 2024, Michigan saw a 2.2% decrease in population of people aged 18 to 64 according to the Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency.  The U.S. average was a 5.4% increase in the same time frame.  When it comes to the number of workers in the state who have a bachelor’s degree, Michigan is 34th in the country.  Marquette and Houghton are the only two counties in the U.P. able to attracting 25 to 34-year-olds.  Both counties also have universities.