2/26/2026

WAKEFIELD - The Wakefield Chamber of Commerce board voted to temporarily suspend operations (“hibernate”) instead of permanently closing due to low participation and the inability to replace its retiring president, secretary, and treasurer since October 2025. The Chamber, a financially stable 501(c)(6) nonprofit, will cease all functions and fundraising after a final meeting on May 21st, legally distributing remaining assets, including $10,000 recently earmarked for local causes. The Western U.P. Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is negotiating to lease the Chamber’s Visitor’s Center from the city. All memberships expire March 1st, as no 2026 drive occurred. The Chamber will not organize the 2026 Community Garage Sale and seeks a replacement organizer.

2/26/2026

IRONWOOD - The Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees selected Michael McPherson, Susan Beals, and Bill Malloy to serve on an interim president search committee during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday. The Board previously approved hiring The Registry, a nationally recognized interim executive placement firm based in Peabody, MA to assist in recruiting an external interim president with a tentative start date of July 1, 2026, before a comprehensive presidential search takes place this fall.  Upcoming campus events include Campus and Career Exploration Day on March 4 from 8:45 to 11:00 a.m. in the Lindquist Student and Conference Center gymnasium, held in partnership with the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District, the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce and Michigan Works. High school students from across the region will attend to learn about educational pathways and local career opportunities. The second annual Cosmetology Hair and Fashion Show, “Screen to Scene,” will be held March 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Lindquist Student and Conference Center gymnasium and will feature student work inspired by iconic film characters, along with raffles and a 50/50 drawing. Spring Break is scheduled for March 9–13, during which time the campus along with the Lindquist Student and Conference Center gym and walking track will be closed.

2/26/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has set varying deadlines for ice shanty removal across the state. Downstate Michigan the deadline is this weekend.  Middle to the end of March for areas of the U.P.  Shanty owners must remove their structures by the deadline, after which they can only be used and removed daily. A group of 33 northern counties and Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters have a March 15 deadline. Upper Peninsula lakes allow shanties until March 31. The DNR warns that owners who miss the deadlines will be charged for abandoned shanty removal.