1/19/2026

IRON COUNTY - A 52-year-old snowmobiler is dead another 20-year-old snowmobiler was arrested for drinking and riding, and he faces homicide charges following a fatal snowmobile accident just south of Hurley Friday night.  At approximately 8:15 p.m. Friday night, Iron County dispatch received a report of the crash on Trail 17, about one mile north of County Highway G in the Town of Oma.  Upon arrival, deputies found an unresponsive male and immediately began lifesaving measures. Unfortunately, the measures failed and the 52-year-old male was pronounced dead on-scene by the Iron County Coroner.  According to police the two parties were traveling together, when the 52-year-old male had apparently stopped along the trail and was struck from behind by the 20-year-old rider. Police say the 20-year-old rider was intoxicated. He was arrested and is charged with Operating a Snowmobile While Under the Influence of an Intoxicant and Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Motor Vehicle. He was booked into the Iron County Jail. The incident remains under investigation.  No names have yet been released.

1/19/2026

IRONWOOD - The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) is dedicating $9 million in grants to 19 municipal airports including the Gogebic Iron County airport in Ironwood to address PFAS contamination from firefighting foam. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to serious health problems, including cancer and reproductive issues. The funds, which stem from a 2017 response team, will support testing, monitoring, cleanup of groundwater and stormwater, and equipment replacement. EGLE received $14.8 million in requests. The Gogebic-Iron County Airport is slated to receive just over $361,000.

1/19/2026

IRONWOOD - Gogebic Community College received a donation from Lawrence Kutz, of Hurley, WI to help ensure that students in the Nursing and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs are fully prepared to enter the workforce, as access to obstetrical care declines in the region. The contribution will be used to purchase critical birthing simulation equipment and expand hands-on training opportunities for GCC students.