2/04/2026

N. WISCONSIN / UP – With tax refund season underway will the partial government shutdown affect your refund?  The answer is no at least for now.  The Internal Revenue Service is operating normally during the partial government shutdown.  The IRS said its nearly 75,000 employees will continue working through Saturday.  The agency said staff members are being paid under the Inflation Reduction Act.  However, during last fall’s record-long shutdown, the IRS initially kept all employees working; however, the agency furloughed more than 34,000 employees a week into the impasse.  It is unclear what will happen after Saturday if the partial government shutdown continues.

2/04/2026

ASHLAND - Preparations are underway for the 29th annual Book Across the Bay on February 14th. On the 29th, Marengo Valley Elementary students who have helped with the event for 11 years and the Ashland Fire Department, helping for the first time, have created about 1,200 ice luminaries for the 10K course from Washburn to Ashland. The luminaries will guide thousands of participants in the 10K walk, run, snowshoe, or cross-country ski challenge. This year, the route reverses, starting in Washburn and ending in Ashland. Festivities begin at the Ashland Marina at 10 a.m. Shuttle buses will take registrants to Washburn’s West End Park for the 6 p.m. start back to Ashland. For more information, go to www.batb.org

2/04/2026

ASHLAND - Ashland’s Bretting Community Center’s drop-in program has announced an updated winter schedule, running Sunday through Thursday. Drop-in sessions offer a wide range of activities suitable for all ages, including open gym access, an open game room, climbing, and pickleball. Most activities are available for a $1 fee, with times varying daily. For the complete, detailed schedule, guests can refer to the Ashland Parks and Rec post on Facebook or at coawi.org and search Bretting Community Center. Additionally, visitors are advised to check the whiteboard at the community center for any last-minute changes to the schedule.