WINTER STORM WATCH

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT... for the entire U.P. including Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties.  Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 3 and 5 inches and ice accumulations around two tenths of an inch possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.  Winter Weather Advisories have been posted for Iron, Ashland and Bayfield Counties. Winter Storm Warnings for Price and Vilas Counties.  Most likely we will see the Advisories and Watches upgraded to Warnings later today. 

4/01/2026

BESSEMER - A Milwaukee man was sentenced to a lengthy prison term on drug charges in Gogebic County.  32-year-old Isaac Wayne Sawyer was sentenced yesterday in Bessemer on 5 felony related drug charges following his convictions in a jury trial conducted on February 19, 2026.  Sawyer was sentenced by the Hon Michael K. Pope to serve a minimum term of 15 years to a maximum of up to life in prison for possession with intent to delivery of methamphetamine, conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession with intent to deliver heroin.  The maximum term was enhanced as Sawyer was additionally charged as being a 4-time habitual offender.  Sawyer also was sentenced to serve 1 year to 15 years for maintaining a drug house. Sawyer must serve the full term of 15 years before he is eligible for parole.  Nicholas Jacobs, Gogebic County Prosecuting Attorney handled the prosecution for the county.

4/01/2026

ASHLAND - In October 2025, Wisconsin fined Michigan's HydroCorp $10,000 for using unlicensed workers to replace water meters in Ashland and 16 other cities in 2023, ruling the work required plumbing licenses. The Ashland Daily Press reports Mayor Matt MacKenzie said Ashland stopped using HydroCorp and finished installations with city staff after learning of the violation, which officials attributed to a mistaken belief about a utility employee licensing exemption. Ashland is now seeking state guidance and consulting attorneys. HydroCorp declined to comment.