4/02/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - An A-A-R-P study shows that roughly one in six adult Michiganders serves as a family caregiver, often at the cost of their own emotional, financial, and physical well-being. Family caregivers in the state contribute about 1-point-3 billion hours of care each year. Paula Cunningham, the Michigan state director of A-A-R-P, says despite the effort, most caregivers say it's worth it.

                    0:15  "We hear from caregivers every single day who tell us the same thing: they are doing this out of love, but they are stretched to the limits. Many are dipping into their savings to pay for care, some are cutting back on work or leaving the workforce entirely. Caregiving is real. It's relentless."

In Michigan, more than 1-point-5 million residents provide care. If those workers were paid a wage of around 20 dollars an hour, their labor would be valued at over 27-billion dollars. Nationally, the amount is more than 1-trillion dollars.

WINTER STORM WATCH

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT... for the entire U.P. including Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties.  Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 3 and 5 inches and ice accumulations around two tenths of an inch possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.  Winter Weather Advisories have been posted for Iron, Ashland and Bayfield Counties. Winter Storm Warnings for Price and Vilas Counties.  Most likely we will see the Advisories and Watches upgraded to Warnings later today. 

4/01/2026

BESSEMER - A Milwaukee man was sentenced to a lengthy prison term on drug charges in Gogebic County.  32-year-old Isaac Wayne Sawyer was sentenced yesterday in Bessemer on 5 felony related drug charges following his convictions in a jury trial conducted on February 19, 2026.  Sawyer was sentenced by the Hon Michael K. Pope to serve a minimum term of 15 years to a maximum of up to life in prison for possession with intent to delivery of methamphetamine, conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession with intent to deliver heroin.  The maximum term was enhanced as Sawyer was additionally charged as being a 4-time habitual offender.  Sawyer also was sentenced to serve 1 year to 15 years for maintaining a drug house. Sawyer must serve the full term of 15 years before he is eligible for parole.  Nicholas Jacobs, Gogebic County Prosecuting Attorney handled the prosecution for the county.