Melissa L. Ebsch News Director Bay Cities Radio

12/29/2025

💙 A new life-saving effort is coming to Marinette’s waterfronts.

The Marinette Fire Department is launching the Life Ring Initiative, placing emergency life rings along local waterways to help bystanders act fast before first responders arrive.

🌊 Following recent water emergencies, these life rings could mean the difference between life and death. Each unit costs about $800 and is fully funded by community donations — not taxpayers.

👏 The support is already flowing, with local groups stepping up to fund the first units. The goal? About a dozen life rings at places like the Government Pier, Menekaunee Harbor, bridges, river areas, and boat launches this spring.

📞 Want to help or learn more? Contact the Marinette Fire Department or Marinette City Hall.

This is about one thing — giving someone a fighting chance. 💪❤️

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The Marinette Fire Department is launching a new life-saving effort aimed at preventing drownings along local ...

12/24/2025

🚨 Crime Stoppers Tip Leads to Arrest in Marinette 🚨

The City of Marinette Police Department says a Crime Stoppers tip led to the arrest of a 38-year-old Marinette man on multiple drug and firearm-related charges.

Police say the investigation centered on suspected drug trafficking and illegal weapons possession within the city. The man was taken into custody and lodged at the Marinette County Jail.

🔹 Alleged offenses include:

• Felon in possession of a firearm

• Possession of co***ne with intent to deliver

• Possession of ketamine with intent to deliver

• Possession of drug paraphernalia

• Probation violation

The man’s name is being withheld pending formal charges through the Marinette County District Attorney’s Office.

Authorities say this case underscores the importance of community tips. Anyone with information about possible criminal activity is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Marinette and Menominee County or submit a tip online.

This investigation remains ongoing.

The Marinette Police Department says a Crime Stoppers tip led to the arrest of a 38-year-old Marinette man on ...

12/24/2025

🚨 Fatal Crash on U.S. 41 🚨

The Oconto County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man killed earlier this month in a crash on U.S. 41 near Moody Road in the Town of Pensaukee.

🔹 Stephen Cummins, 34, of Milwaukee, was driving an SUV at a high rate of speed while passing another vehicle when he lost control around 8:40 p.m.

🔹 The SUV entered the median, overcorrected back onto the roadway, rolled multiple times, and left the highway before coming to rest in a ditch near trees.

🚫 Neither Cummins nor his passenger was wearing a seat belt.

Both were ejected from the vehicle.

• Cummins was pronounced dead at the scene

• Lauren Jiardini, 31, of Milwaukee, was taken to a Green Bay hospital with substantial injuries

Law enforcement says this crash is a tragic reminder that seat belts save lives — and not wearing one can turn a survivable crash into a fatal one.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Oconto County Sheriff's Office has identified the Milwaukee man who died earlier this month in a crash on ...

12/24/2025

🚨 Snowmobilers Take Note 🚨

A six-mile stretch of Snowmobile Trail UP-16 is now CLOSED in Iron and Dickinson counties, breaking a key trail connection between Crystal Falls and Sagola.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the closure is due to a change in private land access. As a result, riders can no longer travel continuously between the two communities.

👉 The closure runs from the Michigamme River along M-69 in Iron County to the Village of Sagola.

👉 The trail remains OPEN west of the Michigamme River, from Michi-Aho Resort to the intersection with Trail UP-111 near Crystal Falls and Iron River.

DNR officials say they are exploring possible reroutes, but right now, no viable alternatives exist.

If you’re planning a ride, check your maps and plan accordingly. ❄️🏍️

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says a section of Snowmobile Trail UP-16 is now closed in Iron an...

12/24/2025

12/23/2025

🚨 Stolen truck investigation leads to arrest in Marinette

A suspected vehicle thief was taken into custody inside the Marinette County Probation Office after investigators say a stolen pickup — and possibly more thefts tied to multiple counties — led officers straight to his scheduled probation meeting. Authorities say the investigation is still unfolding.

🚓🔍

On December 5th, the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Department responded to a report of a stolen vehicle. The compl...

12/23/2025

💙 Quick thinking. Teamwork. A life saved.

The Marinette County Sheriff's Office is honoring three officers for lifesaving actions after they quickly recognized a medical emergency and stepped in without hesitation. Their professionalism and awareness helped prevent a tragic outcome — and that’s the kind of service that truly matters.

👏🚓

The Marinette County Sheriff's Office has presented lifesaving commendation bars to Corrections Officer Chad H...

12/23/2025

⚓ Big-name leadership at Marinette Marine

Former U.S. Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite has been appointed chairman of the board at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, bringing decades of military, diplomatic, and private-sector experience to the shipyard’s top leadership role.

The move comes as the Navy reshapes its frigate program — with Marinette Marine still completing work on the first two Constellation-class ships.

🇺🇸⚓

Shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine has appointed former U.S. Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwait...

12/22/2025

🚔⚖️ Menominee Man Sentenced to Prison in Methamphetamine Case

A Menominee man is headed to prison following a methamphetamine investigation involving multiple controlled drug buys.

Mark Anthony Pelon, 42, was sentenced to 7 to 30 years in prison for delivery of methamphetamine, according to Jeffrey Rogg. The sentence was handed down December 19 by Mary Barglind in 41st Circuit Court.

Court records show investigators with the Northeast Tri-County Drug Enforcement Group used a confidential informant in September 2024 to purchase about one ounce of methamphetamine from Pelon at his Menominee Township residence for $600. Investigators say Pelon was armed with a pistol and had body armor nearby.

A second controlled buy followed in October 2024, involving 10.4 grams of methamphetamine purchased for $225. Authorities say Pelon weighed and packaged the drugs during the transaction.

Pelon was taken into custody following sentencing.

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A Menominee man has been sentenced to prison following a methamphetamine investigation involving multiple cont...

12/22/2025

🚢✨ Steel Still Moving in Marinette: Shipyard Marks Major Milestone

While Washington debates the future, work continues right here at home.

Over the weekend, Fincantieri Marinette Marine, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, successfully launched the first Multi-Mission Surface Combatant at the Marinette shipyard.

The launch brought together FMM employees, Lockheed Martin leaders, and representatives from the U.S. Navy and the Royal Saudi Navy — marking a powerful moment for the local workforce and the global stage.

🔧⚓ FMM is currently building three additional MMSCs, keeping skilled tradespeople on the job and the shipyard humming.

💪 Translation? Marinette is still building. Still launching. Still delivering world-class ships.

🚢🔥⚙️

The U.S. Navy has announced plans to move forward with a new frigate program based on the Coast Guard's Legend...

12/17/2025

⚖️ PUFF CANNABIS FUTURE UNCERTAIN IN MENOMINEE ⚖️

The future of a proposed PUFF Cannabis dispensary in Menominee remains uncertain as company representatives and employees urged city leaders to honor prior approvals and allow the business to open.

During public comment, PUFF employee Bridget Parker told council members that ongoing delays are having real-life consequences for workers and families, emphasizing that cannabis is not just a business, but medicine for people managing PTSD, cancer-related symptoms, anxiety, and sleep disorders.

Company representatives say PUFF relied on written direction from the City of Menominee last December indicating approval to move forward, secured permits, invested millions of dollars, and completed construction — only to be blocked from opening months later.

PUFF has since filed a lawsuit seeking damages tied to lost revenue and delays, though speakers stressed litigation was not their preferred path. City officials have stated the City of Menominee is not at liberty to discuss ongoing litigation at this time.

The next court date in the case between the City of Menominee and PUFF Cannabis is scheduled for January 8. PUFF representatives are urging current and incoming council members to resolve the dispute, limit further legal costs, and restore confidence in the city’s approval process. 🏛️

The future of a proposed PUFF Cannabis dispensary in Menominee remains uncertain, as company representatives a...

12/17/2025

⚠️ ICY ROADS TRIGGER MULTIPLE CRASHES IN OCONTO COUNTY ⚠️

Oconto County Sheriff Todd Skarban reports that beginning around 12:00 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Dispatch Center received multiple calls of vehicles in ditches, crashes, and spin-outs caused by hazardous road conditions.

A fast-moving weather event stretching from the Town of Underhill to the Town of Little River swept through southern Oconto County early in the afternoon, bringing freezing rain and ice that quickly coated roadways.

As of 5:00 p.m., deputies had responded to 24 crash reports involving approximately 40 vehicles. This included a multi-vehicle crash at the Highway 41/141 split in Abrams, which temporarily shut down the highway and caused traffic backups.

Authorities report no serious injuries connected to this weather event. Drivers are urged to use caution as conditions change. ❄️🚔

Oconto County Sheriff Todd Skarban reported at approximately 12 pm, the Oconto County Sheriff's Office Emergen...