2/18/2026

MARENISCO - The Marenisco Township board confirming that an ICE detention facility would not be constructed on state property nearby in Gogebic County at their meeting Monday night.  This after word circulated that the Marenisco township board would be discussing House Resolution 151. Introduced last August by Rep. Greg Markkanen (R-110th State House District) before ICE’s increased presence in Minneapolis.  The proposed resolution would transform the former Ojibway Correctional Facility into an ICE facility. At the time of its submission, the resolution said more space was needed for increasing ICE arrests. It said a new federal detention and deportation facility would further the Trump Administration’s policy goals. 

2/18/2026

VILAS COUNTY - The Eagle River Area Fire Department responded to a severe snowmobile crash on Trail 7 near Muskellunge Creek in the town of Cloverland on Tuesday night. Crews used a UTV to reach and treat the lone operator. Due to serious injuries, a medevac helicopter was requested, requiring a temporary 15-minute closure of Highway 70 at Wilderness Trail for a landing zone. The patient was transported to Wausau. The Vilas County Sheriff’s Office and Aspirus agencies assisted. The department urged responsible snowmobiling on marked trails and adjusting speed to conditions.

2/18/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - Upper Peninsula representatives for the Michigan House and Senate rescinded their support for Rep. Jack Bergman’s (R-1st Congressional District) reelection campaign.  This comes after Bergman endorsed 38th Senate Candidate Beau LaFave. He is running against current 108th State House Representative Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River). Sen. Ed McBroom, who currently holds the seat, is term-limited.  McBroom said in a statement, alongside U.P. Michigan House representatives Karl Bohnak (R-109th) and Greg Markkanen (R-110th), that Bergman’s endorsement comes after promising not to be involved in the race.  James Hogge with Bergman for Congress say, in part, that the U.P. delegation should be coming together to support LaFave And that It’s sad that this group will come together for a meaningless press release but not to support one of their own they used to employ and champion — simply because they cannot control him.  The Primary Election for each party is set for Aug. 4. Currently, Beau LaFave and Dave Prestin are running for the Republican nomination in the 38th Senate District race.  On the Democratic side, Chris Mapps and Kelli van Ginhoven are also running for the seat.