3/30/2026

GOGEBIC COUNTY – Following a multi-year investigation GIANT Investigators arrested three Gogebic County residents they say were involved in the trafficking and use of controlled substances.  GIANT says the investigation was focused on an Ironwood home owned by one of the suspects, 61-year-old Mary Conley. GIANT says the sales of methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescriptions took place out of that home. GIANT conducted controlled buys of methamphetamine and cocaine from that home.  As a result of the investigation Conley was arrested along with, 48-year-old Jeffrey Emery of Ironwood Michigan, and 43-year-old Chad Bergquist of Ramsay.  The three have been arraigned in the 98th District Court at the Gogebic County Courthouse. Conley has been charged with 4 counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Drug House, Delivery of Cocaine, Delivery of Cocaine in a Park, and Delivery of Methamphetamine in a Park.  Conley’s bond is $50,000 @ 10%.  Emery has been charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine his bond was set $20,000 @ 10% and Berquist was charged with Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine.  His bond is $30,000 @ 10%.  GIANT says Additional arrests are expected.

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.