3/16/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - Governor Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Sunday in response to the severe winter storm.  Additionally, the governor closed all nonessential state office buildings across all 15 Upper Peninsula counties and 13 Northern Michigan counties until 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.  Gov. Tony Evers has declared a state of emergency on Saturday for Central and Northern Wisconsin.  Evers saying, “the state stands ready to assist and support folks and local partners across our state.”

3/16/2026

N. WISCONSIN — The heavy snow good news for area snowmobile trails.  Vilas County Snowmobile Alliance Clubs have certified that the snowmobile trails in Vilas County are safe and reopened on Saturday.  Mercer trails were groomed Thursday and reopened on Friday. 

3/16/2026

BESSEMER - Work on Bessemer’s new water tower on Tilden Road is close to completion. The existing tower had been deemed unmaintainable and uncleanable by inspection by a city worker. The new tower was funded by a 50% grant of just over $1.9 million from Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, as part of the MI Clean Water Plan in the fall of 2024. The new tower is expected to be put in service adjustments are made after the spring thaw.