11/06/2026

GOGEBIC COUNTY – Back on September 30^th the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners voted to discontinue funding for the Gogebic County MSU Extension and the Gogebic County 4-H programs.  The move went relatively unnoticed with very little to no information being released to the public that the programs were even on the chopping block.  WUPM and WHRY radio reached out to the MSU Extension office after a listener informed us of a recent visit to the MSU Extension office in Bessemer only to find an eviction notice on a locked door.  The MSU Extension office responded to our request for comment by saying “MSU Extension is working through the impact of this decision and remains committed to supporting 4-H youth, families and volunteers in Gogebic County.”  They continued by saying “We remain hopeful that continued conversations and opportunities to demonstrate the value and impact of MSU Extension and 4-H in Gogebic County will lead to renewed county support in the future.” WUPM and WHRY Radio reached out to James Lorenson, a member of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners, and we asked what led to the decision to cut the funding.  He evaded answering the question.    “PLAY LORENSON”  (((outcue “Jesse Baroka is an absolute”)))

We cut the very end of Lorenson’s comment about me to keep this report family friendly.   Meanwhile, the Gogebic County 4-H Facebook page remains active and the group appears to continue to try and raise money to keep the program alive and have been holding activities for Gogebic County kids.  4-H recently held a Chicken Diner and continues to run as normal at least for now.  For more information on how to support the MSU Extension and Gogebic County 4-H you can Search Gogebic County 4-H on Facebook.