URGENT URGENT U.P. Breaking News Editorial and Expose – 3-12-18 – 11:30 a.m. ET – 10:30 a.m. CT
The Big Ironwood Cover-up and Lies
The shame of Ironwood, MI: Three men did not have to die
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-243
Why haven’t Ironwood public safety officials been straight with the public?
Everyone already knows the white elephant in the room.
The deaths of the three men in that horrible fire – could have been prevented – and should have been prevented.
How do we prove that?
First scroll down to end and see why this reporter has the moral authority and experience to make these claims including firefighter academy graduate and been at over 1,000 structure fires
Thick black smoke was reported in the initial fire is identical to thick black smoke in the second fire – yet they blamed the first fire on cooking and left the scene without a thorough investigation.
Ironwood Public Safety Director is trying to blame both fires on victim Levi Dean Watkins – when it was the department’s fault! PERIOD!
In fact, sounds like they are going to try to pin it on one of the dead mean – a man whom they essentially disparaged in the audio tapes.
https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2018/02/21/many-hurt-in-ironwood-mi-apartment-building-fire
Anyone with even small fire training, knows that “thick black smoke” almost has to be petroleum-based – mixed with horrible toxins that spread across the city.
Remember there was an oil company attached in Ironwood – one of the many businesses destroyed. We find that very interesting.
Its just like the January 2018 fatal fire caused by an old oil burner that killed Leo Gruber and injured others in almost identical building in Calumet.
https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2018/01/28/calumetfatalfire/
What was an innocent but tragic error by those at the first fire, has been turned into a cover-up with the chief refusing to talk about the first fire.
A message to Ironwood Public Safety Director Gregory Klecker:
Don’t you dare try to blame this on the victims when it was your department’s fault.
It’s convenient to blame it on these low-income residents who are dead because the department did not properly investigate the first fire – PERIOD
Honest officers need to come forward for their own moral sanity because of these three dead men.
In fact, the Ironwood cops did not even spell one of the victims name’s correctly in a release. Verrette was misspelled Verrete, they left out one of the letters. What disrespect. Again, the shame.
June 2018 memorial service planned for three victims – and Director Klecker better not have the audacity to show his face:
57-year-old Mark Arnold Verrette
51-year-old Patrick James Somerville
27-year-old Levi Dean Watkins
Yes it was fine for Ironwood Public Safety Director Gregory Klecker to praise the mutual aid – very slick, clever cover-up talk and a way to avoid what really happened. The shame.
Even heard the chief (they call him Director) actually misled the city council by not mentioning the first fire during his briefings on the blaze.
For that alone and for misleading the people – he should resign or be fired. This is not acceptable in the modern era.
I have always had a good relationship with police – but in past 20 years in U.P. police officials actually think they are above everyone else, use information as power and blatantly lie to the public – outright lies and by omission.
But it must be in your western U .P. water because the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department is also losing credibility:
Because even the Gogebic County Sheriff and Tribal Police did not tell the public about what really happened at Thousand Island Lake – did not mention barge or crane or that victim was snowing for the barge.
Sheriff did not say if they told regulatory officials or even what the barge/crane was doing in the lake.
Now we hear the sheriff has hired a former disgraced Wisconsin cop who was arrested after an inmate death – these are the types of hires that old-fashioned crooked law enforcement bosses like because they can control the person.
We also heard that some of the public safety director’s minions are trying to say our audio tape (from broadcastify) of the fires is not real. One of many blatant lie folks.
I predict the final report on the triple fatal fire – if it is even made public – will say the cause is not known due to heavy damage. That’s why the audio tapes of police/fire communications of the first and second fires (an hour apart) actually speak for the victims.
Watch – Ironwood officials will make it difficult for the victim’s families to sue because they will pretend they know nothing – or they will blame it on a tenant – one of the dead men.
Ironwood please bring professionalism back to your questionable police/fire force.
There has to be at least one good-willed and truly professional officer/firefighter. It is your duty to stand up and tell the truth. If it were me, I would make secret recordings to gather evidence before coming out publicly.
Personally, we can not figure out why the chief still has his job – because all you have to do is listen to the tapes and it is 1,000 percent obvious that the first fire is connected to the second fire. Period.
I mean he either the chief (director) thinks he is a God – or doesn’t believe in America’s right to know.
We have had a lot of experience with good honest police and corrupt cops and sheriffs.
Crooked cops use that hidden info as leverage over people. In fact, the press releases are very vague with little substance. Crooked cops do not tell the public about much of what happens.
Wake up Mr. Director – you are not as privileged as you think you are.
Those who know what happened – like those who were quickly on the scene that morning – have a moral responsibility to three dead men to force the truth to be told.
I believe in a higher power, and I would not want to have that terrible lie and burden on my jacket on my final day – when I meet my Creator.
Put you cards on the table – be honest – the public should demand a hearing.
The lies, omissions and false info is not the making of a professional department. And I am sure there are some professionals on the Ironwood force who know this – but are scared to talk.
Ironwood Public Safety Director Gregory Klecker – it is time to go sir. You and your department are suffering a severe public lack of credibility – and talking behind your back fearing retaliation.
——-
U.P. Breaking News is looking for photos of the other two fire victims, please send them to us:
——-
Patrick James Somerville
July 21, 1966 – February 21, 2018Patrick James Somerville, 51, of Ironwood, died Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in Ironwood.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation from 9-11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood,
A full obituary will be published at a later date.
McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Ironwood, is assisting the family.
http://www.mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com/obituary/patrick-somerville
March 8, 2018
IRONWOOD, Mich. – My sweet Levi Watkins, born Feb. 3, 1991, passed away in the recent fire on Feb. 21, 2018.
Levi was employed at several local places, including Burger King, Iron Nugget and, most recently, at Brewster’s Bar and Grill.
Levi loved food and people, family and friends, which included so many. He touched so many lives with his crazy self, always laughing and goofing around, always singing as he went. My heart will never recover.
To all of you, for your love and sympathy, I thank you.
Levi is survived by the loves of his life, Lexee Hembree, Evelyn Hembree and his brother, Daniel Watkins; his daughter, Ahlia Whitburn (Watkins), whom he loved with every breath he took; his grandmother, Shirley S. Holmes, and grandfather, C. Raymond Holmes, whom he adored and respected; his friend and surrogate father, David S. Elsner, and mother, Rhoda Holmes, whose life will never have the same meaning.
We loved and adored you Levi Dean, you lived your life just like the saying on your wall: “Follow your heart, it is the only compass you need. Choose happiness. This life is your message to the world. Let it be extraordinary!”
There will be a small memorial for the close childhood friends and family, and church family on Sunday, April 8, at 3 p.m. at Christ Community Church – Seventh Day Adventist in Bessemer.
We will be having a celebration of his life and benefit for fire victims in June. Details will be posted at a later date.
I love you Levi. Soar with the eagles.
Why I have the moral authority to call out the chief:
Before anyone starts – I graduated from the S.C. Fire Academy – and have been to the scene over well over 1,000 structure fires and spent nearly ten years eating almost daily with the Augusta Fire Department (best food in town).
I don’t claim to be extremely knowledgeable about many things – but I know fire. Period. The fast talkers who roll over the lapdogs in the U.P. press -know they better not try that crap on me. I will call you out on it!
Have taken gruesome fire photos for many departments around Augusta, GA back when digital cameras hadn’t been invented used the old 35 MM camera. I am saying all this background only to stop people from claiming I do not know fire – a usual misdirection used by fake people with motives.
Ask anyone from Augusta, GA on my personal Facebook page as I was WBBQ Car Three and worked as East Georgia guy for the Atlanta Journal Constitution and at several Augusta TV stations.
——-
Ironwood Public Safety Department
http://cityofironwood.org/public-safety/
https://www.facebook.com/IronwoodPSD/
http://cityofironwood.org/team-member-department/public-safety/
Ironwood Public Safety Director Gregory Klecker
Mike Rimkus, Lieutenant
Adam Clemens, Sergeant
Andrew Leiphart, PSO
Jamie Chiapuzio, PSO
Brandon Snyder, Fire Marshal
Sheryl Norman, PSO
URGENT URGENT U.P. Breaking News Editorial and Expose – 3-12-18 – 11:30 a.m. ET – 10:30 a.m. CT
The Big Ironwood Cover-up and Lies
The shame of Ironwood, MI: Three men did not have to die
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-243
Why haven’t Ironwood public safety officials been straight with the public?
Everyone already knows the white elephant in the room.
The deaths of the three men in that horrible fire – could have been prevented – and should have been prevented.
How do we prove that?
First scroll down to end and see why this reporter has the moral authority and experience to make these claims including firefighter academy graduate and been at over 1,000 structure fires
Thick black smoke was reported in the initial fire is identical to thick black smoke in the second fire – yet they blamed the first fire on cooking and left the scene without a thorough investigation.
Ironwood Public Safety Director is trying to blame both fires on victim Levi Dean Watkins – when it was the department’s fault! PERIOD!
In fact, sounds like they are going to try to pin it on one of the dead mean – a man whom they essentially disparaged in the audio tapes.
https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2018/02/21/many-hurt-in-ironwood-mi-apartment-building-fire
Anyone with even small fire training, knows that “thick black smoke” almost has to be petroleum-based – mixed with horrible toxins that spread across the city.
Remember there was an oil company attached in Ironwood – one of the many businesses destroyed. We find that very interesting.
Its just like the January 2018 fatal fire caused by an old oil burner that killed Leo Gruber and injured others in almost identical building in Calumet.
https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/2018/01/28/calumetfatalfire/
What was an innocent but tragic error by those at the first fire, has been turned into a cover-up with the chief refusing to talk about the first fire.
A message to Ironwood Public Safety Director Gregory Klecker:
Don’t you dare try to blame this on the victims when it was your department’s fault.
It’s convenient to blame it on these low-income residents who are dead because the department did not properly investigate the first fire – PERIOD
Honest officers need to come forward for their own moral sanity because of these three dead men.
In fact, the Ironwood cops did not even spell one of the victims name’s correctly in a release. Verrette was misspelled Verrete, they left out one of the letters. What disrespect. Again, the shame.
June 2018 memorial service planned for three victims – and Director Klecker better not have the audacity to show his face:
57-year-old Mark Arnold Verrette
51-year-old Patrick James Somerville
27-year-old Levi Dean Watkins
Yes it was fine for Ironwood Public Safety Director Gregory Klecker to praise the mutual aid – very slick, clever cover-up talk and a way to avoid what really happened. The shame.
Even heard the chief (they call him Director) actually misled the city council by not mentioning the first fire during his briefings on the blaze.
For that alone and for misleading the people – he should resign or be fired. This is not acceptable in the modern era.
I have always had a good relationship with police – but in past 20 years in U.P. police officials actually think they are above everyone else, use information as power and blatantly lie to the public – outright lies and by omission.
But it must be in your western U .P. water because the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department is also losing credibility:
Because even the Gogebic County Sheriff and Tribal Police did not tell the public about what really happened at Thousand Island Lake – did not mention barge or crane or that victim was snowing for the barge.
Sheriff did not say if they told regulatory officials or even what the barge/crane was doing in the lake.
Now we hear the sheriff has hired a former disgraced Wisconsin cop who was arrested after an inmate death – these are the types of hires that old-fashioned crooked law enforcement bosses like because they can control the person.
We also heard that some of the public safety director’s minions are trying to say our audio tape (from broadcastify) of the fires is not real. One of many blatant lie folks.
I predict the final report on the triple fatal fire – if it is even made public – will say the cause is not known due to heavy damage. That’s why the audio tapes of police/fire communications of the first and second fires (an hour apart) actually speak for the victims.
Watch – Ironwood officials will make it difficult for the victim’s families to sue because they will pretend they know nothing – or they will blame it on a tenant – one of the dead men.
Ironwood please bring professionalism back to your questionable police/fire force.
There has to be at least one good-willed and truly professional officer/firefighter. It is your duty to stand up and tell the truth. If it were me, I would make secret recordings to gather evidence before coming out publicly.
Personally, we can not figure out why the chief still has his job – because all you have to do is listen to the tapes and it is 1,000 percent obvious that the first fire is connected to the second fire. Period.
I mean he either the chief (director) thinks he is a God – or doesn’t believe in America’s right to know.
We have had a lot of experience with good honest police and corrupt cops and sheriffs.
Crooked cops use that hidden info as leverage over people. In fact, the press releases are very vague with little substance. Crooked cops do not tell the public about much of what happens.
Wake up Mr. Director – you are not as privileged as you think you are.
Those who know what happened – like those who were quickly on the scene that morning – have a moral responsibility to three dead men to force the truth to be told.
I believe in a higher power, and I would not want to have that terrible lie and burden on my jacket on my final day – when I meet my Creator.
Put you cards on the table – be honest – the public should demand a hearing.
The lies, omissions and false info is not the making of a professional department. And I am sure there are some professionals on the Ironwood force who know this – but are scared to talk.
Ironwood Public Safety Director Gregory Klecker – it is time to go sir. You and your department are suffering a severe public lack of credibility – and talking behind your back fearing retaliation.
——-
U.P. Breaking News is looking for photos of the other two fire victims, please send them to us:
——-
Patrick James Somerville
July 21, 1966 – February 21, 2018Patrick James Somerville, 51, of Ironwood, died Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in Ironwood.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation from 9-11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood,
A full obituary will be published at a later date.
McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Ironwood, is assisting the family.
http://www.mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com/obituary/patrick-somerville
March 8, 2018
IRONWOOD, Mich. – My sweet Levi Watkins, born Feb. 3, 1991, passed away in the recent fire on Feb. 21, 2018.
Levi was employed at several local places, including Burger King, Iron Nugget and, most recently, at Brewster’s Bar and Grill.
Levi loved food and people, family and friends, which included so many. He touched so many lives with his crazy self, always laughing and goofing around, always singing as he went. My heart will never recover.
To all of you, for your love and sympathy, I thank you.
Levi is survived by the loves of his life, Lexee Hembree, Evelyn Hembree and his brother, Daniel Watkins; his daughter, Ahlia Whitburn (Watkins), whom he loved with every breath he took; his grandmother, Shirley S. Holmes, and grandfather, C. Raymond Holmes, whom he adored and respected; his friend and surrogate father, David S. Elsner, and mother, Rhoda Holmes, whose life will never have the same meaning.
We loved and adored you Levi Dean, you lived your life just like the saying on your wall: “Follow your heart, it is the only compass you need. Choose happiness. This life is your message to the world. Let it be extraordinary!”
There will be a small memorial for the close childhood friends and family, and church family on Sunday, April 8, at 3 p.m. at Christ Community Church – Seventh Day Adventist in Bessemer.
We will be having a celebration of his life and benefit for fire victims in June. Details will be posted at a later date.
I love you Levi. Soar with the eagles.
Why I have the moral authority to call out the chief:
Before anyone starts – I graduated from the S.C. Fire Academy – and have been to the scene over well over 1,000 structure fires and spent nearly ten years eating almost daily with the Augusta Fire Department (best food in town).
I don’t claim to be extremely knowledgeable about many things – but I know fire. Period. The fast talkers who roll over the lapdogs in the U.P. press -know they better not try that crap on me. I will call you out on it!
Have taken gruesome fire photos for many departments around Augusta, GA back when digital cameras hadn’t been invented used the old 35 MM camera. I am saying all this background only to stop people from claiming I do not know fire – a usual misdirection used by fake people with motives.
Ask anyone from Augusta, GA on my personal Facebook page as I was WBBQ Car Three and worked as East Georgia guy for the Atlanta Journal Constitution and at several Augusta TV stations.
——-
Ironwood Public Safety Department
http://cityofironwood.org/public-safety/
https://www.facebook.com/IronwoodPSD/
http://cityofironwood.org/team-member-department/public-safety/
Ironwood Public Safety Director Gregory Klecker
Mike Rimkus, Lieutenant
Adam Clemens, Sergeant
Andrew Leiphart, PSO
Jamie Chiapuzio, PSO
Brandon Snyder, Fire Marshal
Sheryl Norman, PSO
Matthew Sterbenz, Sergeant
Colassaco, John, PSO
Adam Graser, PSO
“>Matthew Sterbenz, Sergeant
Colassaco, John, PSO
Adam Graser, PSO
Upper Peninsula Breaking News by Greg Peterson 