URGENT URGENT U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 4-21-18 – 7:30 a.m. ET –
The next step in the grief is a painful one for all involved – criminal charges – God bless the parents and students of Dickinson County
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
May our Creator hold, protect and love all these children, their families and everyone they loved as a strong U.P. community tries to regain its bearings
Taylor Nicole Bosley, 18, of Kingsford, MI, died on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 (wreck)
http://www.ernashfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Taylor-Bosley/#!/ObituaryJolene Kim Treml, 17, of Kingsford, MI, died on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 (wreck)
http://www.ernashfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Jolene-Treml/#!/ObituaryKrista Marie Urbanc, 22, Norway, MI native, died on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 (fire)
http://www.ortmanfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Krista-Urbanc/#!/ObituaryJacob Allen Weslin, 21, Iron Mountain native, died on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 (wreck)
http://www.ernashfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Jacob-Weslin/#!/ObituaryBenjamin James Johnson, 18, of Norway, MI, died on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018 (wreck)
https://obittree.com/obituary/us/michigan/iron-mountain/jacobs-funeral-homes–cremation-services-inc/benjamin-johnson/3432369/
http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Benjamin-Johnson-105856733
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
(Iron Mountain, MI) – Dickinson County has had its heart torn out several times this winter during a period of just under seven weeks by three fatal traffic crashes and a deadly fire that have taken many young lives, destroyed countless others, and left wounds that will take generations to heal.
Built on the lumber, paper and mining industries – Dickinson County is as tough as they come – even globally famous Kingsford Charcoal was first made in Kingsford, MI.
Then there’s the indisputably the toughest of U.P. underground miners Big John in Iron Mountain. My Grandparents called him Big Bad John (like the dramatic Jimmy Dean song in Sept. 1961) and it was a must-see every time we visited the U.P.
Carried on the backs of iron ore miners and lumberjacks, this rugged county is trying to recover its footing after four winter tragedies during a terrible just under seven-week period that killed five young people between the ages of 17 and 22. Now word about the possible imprisonment of another Iron Mountain resident for causing his friend’s death.
One crash in late December 2017 took the lives of two Norway, MI girls – and then last month there were two fatal wrecks in Marquette County that claimed the lives of three other Dickinson County youths. Plus a fire in Marquette, MI killed an Iron Mountain youth, her boyfriend and unborn child.
One tragedy was an alleged drunken driving wreck that now has a young Iron Mountain man charged with killing his friend. 21-year-old Austin Keith Mitchell of Iron Mountain was arrested this week
Its one of those tragedies that is too often played out in America – two old friends from high school are out having fun – and yes drinking – before the night is over one is killed, the other jailed for his friend’s death.
While portrayed in the media and by police as just a Marquette County incident, the accident on County Road 550 has hit Dickinson County the hardest.
Friends from sports and high school in general.
Sat. Dec. 30, 2017: Two Kingsford, MI teens died in a head-on crash in Sagola Township that injures five members of a Marquette County family
Two Kingsford teens were killed instantly and three other people were seriously injured in a tragic year-end head-on collision on M-95 in Sagola Township near the Dickinson County/Marquette County.
18-year-old Taylor Nicole Bosley and 17-year-old Jolene Kim Treml, both of Kingsford, MI, died on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017.
The teens were traveling to watch a Flivvers hockey game.
The wreck also seriously injured a family of five from Marquette County. All of whom survived.
17-year-old Jolene Kim Treml of Kingsford, MI
Trembl was adopted from Seoul, South Korea – and was loved dearly her extended family and friends in Kingsford.Jolene Kim Treml, 17, of Breitung Township, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2017.
She was born January 5, 2000, in Seoul, South Korea and was adopted by her parents, Jeffrey and Mary (McNamara) Treml. Jolene was a senior at Kingsford High School with her studies focused on nursing.She was involved in HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and had been accepted to NWTC to pursue her nursing degree next year. In addition to her studies, Jolene worked as a Dietary Aide at Freeman Nursing & Rehabilitation Community in Kingsford.
She was a member of St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church where she was an altar server and participated in the youth group. Jolene had the best sense of humor, always having a smile on her face and putting one on everyone else’s. She had a passion for shopping and clothing, especially her “ripped jeans.”
Jolene had a closet full of clothes but always managed to “steal” something out of her friends’ or sister’s closets. Some days she had three outfit changes before she was out the door! She had a real eye for fashion. Jolene was that person who was there in the middle of the night to listen to friends or family and was always there to help if needed.
Some of her most joyous moments were spent with her nephews, Nolan and Beau. She soaked up every minute loving her boys, and they adored their Auntie JoJo. She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her.
According to Bosley’s obituary – she was your typical U.P. teenage girl:
Bosley received a scholarship to St. Norbert College. Bosley was a member of American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford. She really enjoyed listening to music, playing the piano, swimming and was a talented artist – and enjoyed watching stock car races and following KHS sports, especially hockey.
Favorite pastimes included hanging out with family and friends plus using social media.
“Most of all, Taylor loved time spent with family and her cousins held a special place in her heart. “
Jan 8, 2018 – fatal fire kills young lovers including Norway Cheerleader:
Tributes of love and remembrance were posted for the two young people who died in a Marquette, MI house fire on January 8, 2018.
Killed were Norway, MI native 22-year-old Krista Marie Urbanc and her boyfriend, 23-year-old Zachary Johnson, both currently of Marquette, MI.
Krista and Zachary were dating and shared the residence that burned. It apparently belonged to his parents.
A Norway, MI native, Urbanc studies at Bay College in Escanaba, went to Norway High School. She was a Norway Knights cheerleader.
According to her obituary, Krista Urbanc just enjoyed life:
Krista Urbanc first day at the Ashland Area Vet Clinic June 16, 2017
“Krista was a talented artist; she had an artistic eye that transcended into her artwork.
She was involved in Cheerleading and Volleyball. Krista had a beautiful smile and was a lovely person inside and out. She made friends easily and was loved by everyone.
After graduating she went on to Bay College where she received her CNA certificate and continued her education at Northern Michigan University. She was currently pursuing her passion; Veterinary Science.
Krista was an animal lover and was in a habit of bringing animals home, most recently rescued a diabetic cat. She enjoyed the great outdoors from snowboarding to sunbathing. She was drawn to Marquette for its hiking, camping and winter sports.
Krista practiced yoga especially enjoying the times when she was able to do it with her sister, Melissa.”
Feb. 21, 2018 – one of two back-to-back fatal crashes in Marquette County involving Dickinson County youth:
21-year-old Austin Keith Mitchell of Iron Mountain was driving a 2010 Mercury Milan on County Road 550 early on Sunday, March, 21, 2018 when he lost control, clipped a power pole and rolled.
His buddy and passenger, 21-year-old Jacob Weslin of Iron Mountain, was killed instantly.
Mitchell and Weslin had not lived in Marquette County for very long.
Mitchell was arraigned Thursday, April 19, 2018 and released on $50,000 bond after being charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death.
Preliminary court dates have been set for Mitchell, including a preliminary hearing in Marquette County District Court on May 8, 2018.
Weslin’s death was another example of parents should never have to bury their children. His obit states:
21-year-old Jacob Allen Weslin of Iron Mountain
21-year-old Jacob Allen Weslin was born on Dec. 14, 1996 in Iron Mountain, son of Michael Weslin and Kim (Bracket) Mitchell.
He graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 2015, and from Northern Michigan University with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
He was waiting to leave on May 1 to fulfill his dream of serving his country with the Special Ops of the U.S. Air Force Combat Control, a great accomplishment he had worked very hard to achieve. He enjoyed working out.
He also enjoyed being outdoors hiking, hunting, and fishing. Jacob also always loved a good plate of food.
Feb. 20, 2018: – First of two crashes that claim lives of Dickinson County youth
A Norway, MI teen was killed on February 20, 2018 in a two-vehicle crash in Marquette County
18-year-old Benjamin James Johnson of Norway, MI
18-year-old Benjamin James Johnson of Norway, MI was killed instantly.
It was 7 a.m. Central Time on a state highway in Sands Township, MI.
Johnson was a passenger riding beside his buddy who was driving a 2005 Mercury Montego.
18-year-old Marcus Trujillo of Fennville, MI lost control while southbound on M-553 near Olsen Road- crossed the center-line colliding head-on with an oncoming 2007 Chrysler Town and County car.
41-year-old Peter Anderson of Gwinn , MI was driving north when Truljuillo’s car crossed into his path.
18-year-old Benjamin James Johnson of Norway, MI
Ben Johnson loved sports and especially had a passion for hockey including playing for the Kingsford High School hockey team, the Marquette Electricians, and fell in love with the sport at age 5 thanks to the Dickinson Area Hockey Association.
After attending school in Pembine, WI all his life, he transferred to Norway High School for his senior year graduating in the Class of 2017.
Like the other young people, Johnson was your typical Yooper kid who loved hockey, ice fishing, family and his dogs.
“Ben enjoyed fishing, especially ice fishing, and his dogs, Rowdy, Pal and Phoenix. He had a special love for his family. Ben was known as Big Ben, a gentle giant, who was kind-hearted.”
Ben was born July 22, 1999, in Racine, Wis., son of Angela Polston and James Johnson. He attended Pembine school up until the 11th grade when he transferred to Norway High School, graduating with the Class of 2017. Ben fell in love with the sport of hockey at age 5, where he was a member of DAHA, The Dickinson Area Hockey Association. In 2006 he became a member of the Green Bay Jr. Gamblers travel hockey team and participated with them until 2015 when he joined the Marquette Electricians travel hockey team. In 2016-2017 he played for the Kingsford High School hockey team. Ben also excelled in football, playing for the Predators. He played baseball for the Pembine Patriots and was an active soccer player for SAY for over 10 years.
Ben enjoyed fishing, especially ice fishing, and his dogs, Rowdy, Pal and Phoenix. He had a special love for his family. Ben was known as Big Ben, a gentle giant, who was kind-hearted.
Upper Peninsula Breaking News by Greg Peterson 