WUPM News

LEAD: A snowmobile crash near Namakagon Lake results in serious injuries.

VERBATIM: Police say it happened early Saturday morning when 23-year-old Ryan Schelle was coming off a trail and collided with two parked snowmobiles. Shelle was airlifted to a Duluth hospital but there’s been no word on his condition. The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are conducting the collision investigation.

LEAD: Voters in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District are among those heading to the polls today.

VERBATIM: They will be casting ballots in a special primary election to decide who will be running to succeed former Congressman Sean Duffy who stepped down last fall to deal with family matters. There are two Democrat and two Republican candidates with Duffy supporting Tom Tiffany. There is also a contest for state supreme court justice with three candidates on the ballot.

LEAD: Bayfield County is appealing a lawsuit brought by the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.

VERBATIM: The tribe sued over whether the county should be allowed to enforce its zoning laws on more than 500 acres of “fee simple” land owned by tribal members within the reservation. In January a federal court ruled there is no express authorization by Congress for the County to apply its zoning ordinance on fee simple land. The county is appealing to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.

LEAD: The City of Wakefield is looking for election inspectors.

VERBATIM: Those interested will need to submit their name, address and date of birth along with political party preference and qualifications to fill the position such as education or experience. Training will be provided to qualified persons. For more information about becoming an election inspector please contact the City of Wakefield’s Clerk’s Office by calling 906-229-5131 Ext. 1002 or e-mail clerk@cityofwakefield.org

LEAD: Bayfield and Ashland Counties are receiving state grants for housing studies.

VERBATIM: Each county is awarded $50,000 Community Development Block Grants from the Wisconsin Department of Administration which will go toward creating surveys to gather data about area housing needs. The results will then be used by officials to create plans for developers to use going forward. The survey is expected to be posted in April and will conclude at the end of the year.

LEAD: A Gogebic Community College student is heading to Japan for a snowshoeing competition.

VERBATIM: Signe Buerger of Ironwood is a GCC freshman who is studying full-time for a Physical Therapy degree. She is also a National Champion Snowshoer and her championship win resulted in being named to compete in the World Championship Snowshoe race in Myoko, Japan that starts on Sunday. Signe will be keeping all of her friends and family abreast of her journey by posting blogs and updates online.

LEAD: An Ironwood company is featured in a trade magazine for its innovative employee training.

VERBATIM: Burton Industries CEO Gary Burnett tells Circuits Assembly they rethought the roles of various positions within the company so every employee recognizes the very important role they play in helping Burton’s customers succeed. They’ve implemented a plan called Learn 2 Earn where workers obtain and possess skill level and training equal to process engineers. The magazine says Burton’s approach is paying dividends in a number of ways.

LEAD: This year’s President’s Day Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan comes with a bonus.

VERBATIM: In the past there were only two days of fishing without the need to buy a license but this year it’s been extended by a day running from Saturday through Monday. Officials say the extra day will allow the transition to a new system for selling hunting and fishing licenses and other permits. All rules and regulations still apply during the free fishing weekend.

LEAD: Hurley School officials provide an update on a lockdown alarm that went off Tuesday.

VERBATIM: A technician was working on wiring at the school when they inadvertendly tripped the so-called panic button which notifies the Iron County Sheriff’s Office and other area law enforcement agencies that a lockdown was ordered. Officers from multiple jurisdictions were there within minutes and students remained in class while the alarm’s source was investigated. An actual lockdown never took place.

LEAD: The Gogebic Range Trail Authority is holding its February Club Business meeting this Saturday.

VERBATIM: It takes Place at the Pit Stop Bar and Grill in Bessemer starting at 10:00 a.m. Organizers say once the official business is completed they will be taking a club ride using Trail 160 to Hurley for the White Thunder Riders Auction event at the Iron County Memorial Building. The ride will be guided by Hamilton’s North Coast Adventures.