3/30/2026

N. ASHLAND COUNTY - Three Ashland County residents pleading NOT Guilty to drug charges in Barron County. Sophie M. Lemieux, 39, Robert S. Powless, 40, both of Ashland, and Jordan A. Jensen, 34, of Odanah- face felony and misdemeanor drug charges in Barron County following a Feb. 3 traffic stop on Highway 63 near Cumberland. Powless pleaded not guilty to narcotic and cocaine possession and is set for trial on April 22. Lemieux faces charges including narcotic, methamphetamine, cocaine, and THC possession; her arraignment is May 8. Jensen, charged with narcotic possession, cocaine possession, and obstructing an officer, has an initial appearance on April 1. The drug charges carry a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine and 3½ years in prison. All three are held in Barron County Jail on $1,500 cash bonds.

3/30/2026

IRONWOOD - A balloon release was held in Ironwood Township yesterday in remembrance of a toddler who was found dead near the intersection of Sunset and Lake Roads Ironwood Township just over a week ago.  Dozens of community members gathered near the site of where the young boy was found.  Local law enforcement has been rather tight lipped regarding the circumstances regarding the young boy’s death.  The boy was identified as two-year-old Darwin Olson.  His mother Jessica, telling Duluth TV station KBJR that Darwin was struck and killed by a passing car, saying she does not know who the driver of the vehicle is and says to the best of her knowledge neither the vehicle nor its driver has been found.  The Gogebic County Sheriff’s office says an investigation is underway and has not released any additional information regarding the incident.  No arrests have been made in the case.  Darwin would’ve turned three years old last Saturday.

3/30/2026

IRONWOOD - Gas prices in Michigan are up 4 cents per gallon in the AAA's week-to-week tracker, currently hovering at just under $4 a gallon.  Michigan drivers are now paying an average of $3.96 per gallon for regular unleaded. That price is 97 cents more than this time last month and 82 cents more than this time last year.  The most expensive gas price in the U.P. is in Ontonagon County at $4.11, the lowest is in Menominee County at $3.74.  Ironwood prices at $3.85 this morning, Hurley prices were slightly higher at $3.87.  Ashland prices lower at $3.44, Minocqua prices at $3.83 a gallon.