11/12/2025

GOGEBIC COUNTY - The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners approved a mutual aid agreement with the City of Wakefield for specialized, high-voltage electrical services at the Gogebic County Fairgrounds. The county requires Wakefield’s licensed line worker expertise and equipment for the internal grid, as Xcel Energy only services the property line. Wakefield City Manager Robert A. Brown Jr. highlighted that their certified staff offers cost-effective, timely emergency response for the high-voltage systems. The county will still manage interior electrical work with a licensed electrician, and both entities will list each other as “additionally insured.”

11/12/2025

IRON COUNTY - Iron County Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts or ICORE is extending Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail from Ironwood, Bessemer, and Ramsey into Wisconsin, linking them to Montreal via the old Soo Line. A 10-mile paved section is finished, with plans to pave three more miles into Hurley and across the Montreal River. ICORE is negotiating the $200,000 purchase of the grade from Canadian National, needing $55,000 more with grants secured and an $82,000 application pending. The trail uses the existing railroad grade, includes shared motorized sections, and will eventually be owned by Hurley and Montreal. It’s estimated that another $2 million is required for paving and restoring two historic railroad bridges. For more information go to ironcountyoutdoors.org

11/12/2025

N. WISCONSIN - The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has released the 2024-25 school and district accountability report cards.  The annual evaluations cover Achievement, Growth, Target Group Outcomes, and On-Track to Graduation.  In Northern Wisconsin public schools with the top scores include the Chequamegon School District which includes the towns of Park Falls and Glidden with an overall score of 75.8, followed by Hurley with 65.5.  Mellen Schools received a score of 64.3, Mercer 62.7, Ashland with a 60, Lakeland 59.9, followed by Bayfield with an overall score of 58.1.  Statewide, 94 percent of public-school districts and 85 percent of public schools met or exceeded expectations.