4/16/2025

ASHLAND - A former resident who’d only lived in Ashland for a few years has made an extraordinary gift to the Ashland area. John Rhodes had only lived in Ashland for a couple of years before moving away. He died in 2023 at the age of 76. Rhodes worked hard and kept to himself mostly, so much so that finding someone who knew him when he lived in Ashland proved difficult. Oredocker Foundation President Tyler Wickman said the community must have made an impression on him while he lived above the Taqueria La Monarca in Ashland. Rhodes left all of his $270,000 estate to the Oredocker Foundation. The school district and the foundation have decided to keep his love of knowledge alive through a scholarship funded by his donation. The plan is to have students participating in an annual science and technology competition will be eligible to win the scholarship. It is hoped that the inaugural event for the scholarship will be held in the Spring.

4/15/2025

GOGEBIC COUNTY - The DNR has not yet made a final determination on the next steps for Black River Lake Dam in Gogebic County. In March, the history and possible next steps for the failed dam were discussed at a public meeting. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy — the state agency that regulates dams — conducted an assessment after the failure and issued a violation to the DNR. Removal is being considered, since the current state of the area poses no environmental risk, and the DNR is unable to maintain the dam. For more information go to michigan.gov/dnrdams.

4/15/2025

IRONWOOD - Gas prices in Michigan are down 15 cents from last week. Michigan drivers are now paying an average of $3.08 per gallon for regular unleaded. This price is 8 cents more than this time last month but still 62 cents less than this time last year.  The average price is Michigan is $3.05 the national average is $3.17. In the U.P. the lowest prices are in Houghton County at $2.96, the highest is in Schoolcraft County at $3.34.  Ironwood prices at $3.19 per gallon.