WUPM News

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.

LEAD: Four Ironwood Area Schools students win their regional spelling bees.

VERBATIM: District officials say not only did Breanna Freeman, Jaiden Demaray, Madeline Ranta, and Sarah Lauzon win their classroom bee, but also their grade level bee. They competed against five other district schools. Now they are off to the UP Spelling Bee Finals on March 11 in Negaunee/Ishpeming for a chance to qualify for the National Spelling Bee.

LEAD: A conference is being held in Hurley to show beginners how to produce maple syrup.

VERBATIM: The conference is at the Hurley K-12 school on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m and costs $10 per participant with lunch provided. It’s an opportunity for beginners or those with experience to pick up some new tips on producing your own maple syrup. This is a joint program of University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension and Michigan State University Extension.

LEAD: We now know which route Enbridge is choosing for the Line 5 reroute.

VERBATIM: The energy company announced the permitting process is under way to move the line south of the Bad River reservation and north of Mellen in Ashland County. The year-long relocation project covers around 40 miles across Ashland and Iron Counties. It’s the result of a lawsuit filed by the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa tribe to force removal of the line from its reservation.

LEAD: Two County health departments are reporting an increase in norovirus cases.

VERBATIM: Officials in Ashland and Bayfield counties are warning of the increase in the virus which can spread very easily and quickly. Symptoms are nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. To avoid spreading the norovirus wash hands thoroughly and avoid contact with those who are sick. Experts also recommend thoroughly cooking shellfish and be sure to completely wash fruits and vegetables.