4/15/2026

MINOCQUA - Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad pleading guilty to a minor disorderly conduct charge in Oneida County, stemming from an incident last June, in which he yelled profanities and displayed a lewd depiction of Lakeland Times owner Gregg Walker outside his business. The original charges—harassment, bail jumping, and disorderly conduct—were dropped to a disorderly conduct conviction. Bangstad accepted the plea deal, telling Judge Martha Milanowski he pleaded guilty despite viewing his actions as "political speech". The court ordered Bangstad to pay a $1,083 fine. Bangstad is also currently suing the Oneida County Planning and Development Committee over a denied permit.

4/15/2026

FLOOD WARNINGS expected to expire today for the Montreal River, and the Flood Watch for the U.P. is set to expire today.  A break in the rain today but more rain is in the forecast Friday into Saturday where we could see another inch of rainfall on the Gogebic Range.  However, with most of the snow now gone and a chance for water levels to recede over the next few days the flooding impact should be less extreme heading into the weekend. 

4/14/2026

GOGEBIC COUNTY - FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT is in effect for the Montreal River.  The City of Ironwood and Iron County (WI) Highway Department have closed the DuPont Bridge and Norrie Park Road (from Lime St to Norrie Park) due to high water levels.  The city expects the road to open in a few days once water levels drop back down.  Stagecoach Road (Marenisco Twp) between East Shore Road and US-2 is closed due to a washed-out culvert and Pump Station Road (Ironwood Twp) between Airport Road and Piilola Road is closed due to a washed-out culvert.  A Flood Advisory is in effect for the Black River near Bessemer.  River levels are currently at 10 feet which is near flood stage for the river.