1/09/2026

ASHLAND - An Ashland man was charged in Barron County Circuit Court on Jan. 6 with three felonies—possession of methamphetamine, and two counts of possession of narcotic drugs—along with misdemeanor counts of possessing cocaine and drug paraphernalia. The charges stem from a Dec. 31 routine patrol at the Turtle Lake casino parking lot. An officer, checking a license plate due to the vehicle’s past drug involvement, had a K9 alert to narcotics. A search uncovered drug paraphernalia, including a baggie in 51-year-old Jason L. Saari’s jacket with 14.6 grams of a substance positive for heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine, plus another with meth. Saari faces up to 3 ½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine for any felony conviction. His initial appearance is Jan. 21.

1/09/2026

HURLEY - Wisconsin’s governor is calling for and is accepting applications for the Iron County Register of Deeds, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Brancy Rowe, effective on the 23rd. The appointee will serve the remainder of the term, which ends on January 2029. To apply, use the specific “Register of Deeds, Coroner, and Sheriff” application found on the “Apply to Serve” page at evers.wi.gov. All materials are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, January 26th. Questions should be directed to the Gubernatorial Appointments Office at govappointments@wisconsin.gov.

1/09/2026

IRONWOOD - Gogebic Community College (GCC) and Northern Michigan University (NMU) have finalized new articulation agreements in Environmental Science/Natural Resources and Criminal Justice expanding affordable and accessible bachelor’s degree pathways for students in the western Upper Peninsula.  The Environmental Science/Natural Resources agreement follows recent updates to GCC’s Natural Resources curriculum and allows students to complete their associate degree at GCC before transferring seamlessly into NMU’s Environmental Science program. The partnership is designed to maximize the strengths of both institutions while providing students with a clear academic roadmap according to GCC.  A second articulation agreement in Criminal Justice provides GCC students with another pathway to earn a bachelor’s degree while addressing critical workforce needs in law enforcement and related fields. NMU’s Criminal Justice program is also offered through its Global Campus, giving working and non-traditional students additional flexibility to complete their degree.  For more information we have a link on our website and Facebook page.   https://www.gogebic.edu/academics/transfer_out.html