Upper Peninsula sledders defy death – will their luck last? Three hurt Wednesday in high speed U.P. snowmobile crashes

URGENT U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 2-22-18 – 6:10 a.m. ET

Three dramatic high speed snowmobile crashes seriously injures sledders on Wednesday in three U.P. Counties

Sleds crash traveling too fast – two U.P. snowmobilers hit trees and another is launched 60 feet into the air

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

(Upper Peninsula of Michigan) – At least three U.P. snowmobilers are lucky to be alive this morning after crashing their sleds at a high rate of speed on Wednesday – and two had to be airlifted from the scene to the trauma center in Marquette.

A 26-year-old man was airlifted to Marquette late Wednesday night, Feb. 21, 2018 by Valley Med Flight
The victim crashed his snowmobile in the Hiawatha National Forest in a remote area of Alger County.
The victim hit a tree so hard – it left a big dent in his helmet.
“There was significant damage to his helmet,” one rescuer radioed.

It was estimated he was traveling about 60 miles per hour when he lost control and slammed his snowmobile into a tree.
The crash was reportedly near or on snowmobile Trail Number 8 – in Au Train Township, MI.
The crash was reported just after 10 p.m. ET, Wednesday night.
The Valley Med flight chopper landed on M-94 to load the victim.
The Au Train Township Volunteer Fire Department set up a landing zone on M-94 at Wyman Road.
The man had just been on 15-minute ride on a rescue sled aka “The Blue Bubble.”
Alger Rescue 21 helped treat the victim and get him ready for medivac.
The 26-year-old male snowmobiler was seriously hurt. He was flown to U.P. Health System – Marquette.
The victim had an open femur fracture to his upper left leg – and apparently broke his hip.
The man also injured his left elbow and a small gash to his face – and possible head injuries . Despite his injuries, the man had strong vital signs.
Assisting with snowmobiles and manpower were U.S. Forest Service, Alger County Sheriff’s Department, and Michigan State Police.

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Meanwhile, about 5:40 p.m. ET Wednesday night -a snowmobiler was seriously hurt when he crashed his sled in a remote area near the Delta County – Schoolcraft County line.
The 37-year-old victim reportedly suffered a broken pelvic and other injuries.
Firefighters set up landing zone on USFS Highway 13 near the Midway Store – north of Cooks, MI in a remote area that is close to the Delta County and Schoolcraft County line.

The victim was about 12 miles NW of E. County Line Road. The crash was near “the trail head” on Forest Highway 440.
The victim is a 37-year-old male who was airlifted to the Marquette trauma center.
The man reportedly lost control of his sled and hit trees going about 60 mph.

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And in Marquette County during the Wednesday noon hour, a snowmobiler traveling too fast found his sled shooting 60-feet into the air and slamming back to the ground.
The crash happened at 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 in Sands Township.
47-year-old Jeremy Carl Beerman of Marquette, MI was eastbound along power lines just west of Snowmobile Trail Number 8 – and about a mile and a half south of Station Road.
Suddenly, his sled hit a ravine near the railroad track overpass. Beerman and his sled were launched some 60 feet.
The victim was suffering from compression and back injuries. He was taken by ambulance to the Marquette hospital.
Those assisting the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department were the Sands Township Volunteer Fire Department, Sands Township EMS, and U.P. Health System-Marquette paramedics.

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Bark is the Key: U.S. Forest Service U.P. effort seeking resistant Beech trees – Great story about USFS Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin research and in the field – hands on – work to save the Beech Tree in the U.P.

 U.S. Forest Service Seeks Resistant Beech in Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin

***U.P. Breaking News is not one of your press release news services – however we will always make exceptions when it involves the environment – and our precious natural resources in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We honor the U.S. Forest Service employees and helpers in all the U.P. national forests – and their efforts around the Midwest.

U.P. Breaking News strongly believes that some of the natural resources in the the U.P. has been destroyed or is now threatened. The U.P. has very little hardwood trees – and mostly fast growing soft wood trees – compared to three decades ago. Our lakes and streams are threatened – and now those who protect us suffer budget cuts.

U.P. Breaking News has worked closely with the forest service in projects by the wonderful nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette – and the Rev. Jon Magnuson.

Please read this story and see the great photos

Release Date: Nov 21, 2017  

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Once a common and majestic presence in our upland hardwood ecosystems, mature American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) are rapidly disappearing from our Upper Peninsula forests. Beginning in year 2000, Beech Bark Disease (BBD) entered the Upper Peninsula and quickly ravaged stands of beech trees. In the wake of this devastation, the US Forest Service conducted salvage operations to utilize Beech prior to its decay.

Then, Hiawatha National Forest (HNF) employees shifted attention to the survey and identification of beech trees resistant to the BBD vector. After a several years of effort with partners, today, we are preparing for the reintroduction of American Beech!

The journey toward this hopeful approach began in 2011, with the initial wave of BBD in full swing in the Upper Peninsula. Genetic studies by Jennifer Koch with the Forest Service’s Northern Research Station (NRS) have shown that when two resistant parents are bred, at least half of the resulting seedlings will be fully resistant, a substantial increase over the 1- 5 % of beech trees with resistance that are typically found in natural forests.

Hiawatha National Forest silviculture staff were invited to participate in a project with USFS’s NRS and Region 9 to survey, identify and propagate BBD-resistant beech trees. The journey toward this hopeful approach began in 2011, when the initial wave of BBD was in full swing in the Upper Peninsula and will culminate with the development of a seed orchard containing the BBD-resistant beech trees identified in the HNF. The seedlings produced by this seed orchard, enriched for resistance to BBD, will be used to restore healthy American beech trees to the HNF.

(Caption: Scale-infested American Beech tree on Hiawatha National Forest.)

“During the survey phase, we conducted 5,600 acres of stand examinations in prime American Beech habitat on the Forest’s east zone, where the disease first hit the National Forest. We located 52 healthy-looking, potentially-resistant trees – trees that lacked signs of infection such as cankers,” said Sam Barnes, a silviculturist on Hiawatha National Forest. 

During the 2012 field season, Hiawatha staff field tested these healthy looking trees to see if they were actually resistant to the BBD complex. Beech bark disease involves both beech scale insect (Cryptococcus fagisuga) and a fungal component.

The testing protocol involves an artificial infestation technique in which Beech scale eggs are introduced to apparently healthy trees. A year later, in summer of 2013, Hiawatha silviculturists checked the artificially infested trees.

(Caption: Here Hiawatha forester Chelsea Murawski gathers scale from an infested tree in preparation for the field testing of potentially resistant trees.)

“Nineteen of the 52 trees resisted the infection during that 2012-2013 field test,” said Barnes. 

In order to grow new resistant trees that would thrive in our local climate, it was necessary to clone these resistant trees rather than gathering seed, which might be a mix of different non-resistant genotypes. During the winter of 2013/2014, Hiawatha foresters worked with went to great lengths – or rather, heights – to gather numerous small branches from each of the resistant trees.

 

 

(Caption: Josh LeDuc, a Hiawatha NF forester, gathers scion by climbing potentially resistant trees. Foresters also utilized marksmanship as a method of obtaining scion by carefully selecting branches and shooting them off.)

Foresters delivered these branches, called “scion,” to the Forest Service’s Oconto River Seed Orchard (ORSO) in Wisconsin. Specialists at ORSO grafted the scions to healthy rootstock and began tending the little trees. A second round of scion-gathering and grafting was done during winter 2014/2015.

The BBD-resistant grafts will be planted in an orchard where they can pollinate eachother. Years later, the seeds these trees produce can be harvested with assurance that both parents were resistant. The seeds will then be grown into seedlings for planting in forests such as Hiawatha National Forest. 

“We have begun the hard work of establishing the orchards, but it will be some years before they yield operationally significant amounts of seeds to be grown into seedlings and planted on the landscape,” explained Scott Rogers, Forest Service Orchard Manager at ORSO.

(Caption: USFS Eastern Region Silviculturist, Carrie Sweeney, assisted with gathering the scions for delivery to the agency’s Oconto nursery.)

“We look forward to someday planting and monitoring resistant beech seedlings on the Hiawatha National Forest,” said Sam Barnes, a Forest Service silviculturist, who added that if the trees prove to be resistant, this artificial regeneration could one day bring high quality beech timber products back to the region.  

(Caption: Orchard Manager Scott Rogers at the Oconto River Seed Orchard examines completed grafts in the hot-callus grafting system developed by Delaware Ohio NRS.)

The Forest also continues to record potentially resistant trees encountered while performing other work. 

“In 2016, we identified and set up field tests on twelve additional trees, with ten of those proving to be resistant. And this year, we set up challenges on thirty additional trees,” said Barnes.

If all goes well, ORSO will supply both state and federal forest managers with genetically diverse, regionally-adapted, BBD-resistant planting stock to carry out management plans for dealing with BBD.

Why is American Beech important? From a wildlife management perspective, the mast and buds of beech trees provide an important food source for many species of birds and mammals. In some Northern hardwood forests, beech is the only mast-producing species and has been linked with the success of black bear reproduction. On the Hiawatha National Forest, beech is by far the major producer of mast. The Hiawatha has only one commercial species of oak and one non-commercial species, but both are minor components compared to beech.

The decline of such a predominant mast-producing species will undoubtedly have a major impact on many different wildlife species. Beech is also valued as a timber product. Its attractive pinkish brown close-grained wood is hard and strong, so beech has been used to make furniture, toys, tool handles, baseball bats and more. In addition to economic and wildlife uses, a mature beech forest provides a beautiful setting for recreation activities.

BBD was first documented in Europe in 1849, and was noticed in eastern North America in the late 1890s. It is not feasible to control the natural spread of BBD because animals and the wind move both the scale and fungus. However, the public can help slow the spread of the disease. Don’t move beech firewood or logs from infested areas to uninfected areas. Once scale infests trees in your area, report new finds and watch for resistant trees. 

For more information about Beech Bark Disease, contact a Forester or visit online sources such as 

• The USFS “Treesearch” WebPage https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/43636
• The recent literature review in Forest Ecology and Management at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112717301470

About the U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service is an agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and as such is part of the federal government’s executive branch. The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of land and is the largest forestry research organization in the world. National Forest System lands provide 20 percent of America’s drinking water. The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (toll-free customer service), (800) 877-8339 (TDD), or (800) 845-6136 (TDD in Spanish).

 

 

Legend Steps Down Today: Larger than life, tough, and feared by the state’s most vicious drug dealers and pornographers – and yes – even controversial – We honor U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell – We Bring You His Honor’s Final Sentencings

As unusual and independent as the Upper Peninsula where he ruled with an iron fist for 3 decades – Today and Tomorrow are Officially The Final Days for His Honor – The Honorable U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell

Plus we hope to hear today about the future of Eastern District of Michigan Federal Prosecutor Barbara McQuade

A new top federal prosecutor took the helm last week in the U.P. area and western half of the Lower Peninsula – The new top cop for the U.P. is Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge, who took over last week after the resignation/step-down of  U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr.  (all just an expected big federal shakeup with a new president from different party)

“The diversion of firearms for unlawful purposes or to those who cannot legally possess them endangers each and every member of our society,” said Federal Judge Robert Holmes Bell at his final sentencing on Thursday

The honorable 72-year-old U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell held his final sentencings last week.

This Judge’s judge naturally Command’s Respect (Reminds This Reporter of the Non-Nonsense, Order-In-The-Court, Hang ‘Em High, The Triple A Himself – The Late Great Federal – U.S. District Court Judge Anthony A. Alaimo in Georgia).

Like all federal judges in Michigan, Judge Bell’s impact was profound on every northern Michigan Indian Nation – whether it was tribal domestic violence, or the Founder of American Tribal Gambling Fred Dakota, or the many civil cases.

For Whom the Bell Tolls – To Prison

Dealing With An Armed Crack Dealer:

Dealt 12 years in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell in one of his final sentencings last week

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

Federal Judge Robert Holmes Bell sent many heavily armed and murderous drug dealers, gangs, gun-runners and just plain bad people to prison  – from the Upper Peninsula and down to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Benton Harbor.

In the federal system there is no parole, so when he sentences someone 20 or 30 years – that is what they serve.

Hey – Judge Bell even has a judge-looking appearance and official kind of name – just saying.

He was named (middle) after one of America’s most famous jurists.

There was even a brief filed last week with re-assignment of Judge Bell’s many criminal and civiol cases due to “Inactive senior status effective (tomorrow, Tuesday) January 31, 2017“– in legal jargon – but it means retirement:

“Judge Bell is scheduled to take inactive senior status effective January 31, 2017, and will be unavailable to conclude proceedings in these matter”

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Judge Bell’s Second to Last Sentencing, followed by his final (scroll down to sees lots you do not expect):

Dealing With An Armed Crack Dealer:

Dealt 12 years in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell in one of his final sentencings last week

By Greg Peterson

(Grand Rapids, MI) – Armed crack kingpin Calvin Veernell Dennis was sentenced to nearly 12 years (140 months) in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell on Tues., Jan. 24, 2016 – the latest in numerous Michigan drug traffickers getting stiff prison terms

The decade plus in prison will be followed by three years supervised release

Calvin Veernell Dennis admitted being a highly armed cocaine trafficker and convicted felon in Kent County, MI.

Dennis pleaded guilty to felon in possession of firearms and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Colt Agent .38 revolver (Serial No. M53914) and 21 rounds of Winchester .38 spl. caliber ammunition

M-11, 9mm Cobroyo semiautomatic pistol and 60 rounds of 9mm ammunition

Smith and Wesson, model SW40VE, .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol (Serial No. RAY4273) and 20 rounds of Winchester .40 caliber ammunition

Tanfoglio, model TZ75, 9mm semiautomatic pistol (Serial No. H00704) and 16 rounds of Winchester Luger and Hornady 9mm ammunition

Rock River Arms, LAR 15, 5.56 caliber rifle (Serial No. CM179750) and 50 rounds of Remington .223 caliber ammunition

660 rounds of 7.62 caliber ammunition.

Case Summary

1:16-cr-00098-RHB All Defendants USA v. Dennis

Date filed: 05/25/2016

Date terminated: 01/24/2017

Calvin Veernell Dennis

Filed: 05/25/2016

Kent County, MI

Count: 1 citation: 18:922g.f offense level: 4 18:922(g)(1), 18:921(a), 18:924(a)(2)

Unlawful transport of firearms, etc.; felon in possession of firearms

Count: 2 citation: 18:922g.f offense level: 4 18:922(g)(1), 18:921(a), 18:924(a)(2)

Unlawful transport of firearms, etc.; felon in possession of ammunition

Count: 3 citation: 21:841a=nd.f offense level: 4 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(c)

Narcotics – sell, distribute, or dispense; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base

Count: 4 citation: 18:924c.f offense level: 4 18:924(c)(1)(a)(i), 21:841(a)(1)

Violent crime/drugs/machine gun; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Defendant in Custody

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally J. Berens

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: sally.berens@usdoj.gov

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel S. Fauson

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: joel.fauson@usdoj.gov

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Murnahan

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: jennifer.murnahan@usdoj.gov

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis M. Sanford

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: alexis.sanford@usdoj.gov

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Judge Bell’s Final Sentencing:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, January 26, 2017

Grand Rapids Man To Spend Five Years In Prison For Trafficking Firearms

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Donte Timothy Bacon, 31, of Grand Rapids, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment, Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today.

In August, Bacon pled guilty to selling a firearm to a prohibited person and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Charles Lee Samuels, 28, earlier was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his lesser role in the crimes.

On five different occasions in August and September 2014, Bacon sold a firearm to a person who was not permitted to possess it under federal law. One of the firearms was sold with a high-capacity magazine. Two of those firearms had been purchased by Bacon and Samuels and were sold after Bacon removed the serial numbers. During the final transaction, Bacon and Samuels used a hand-grinder to remove the serial number at the time of sale.

In his final sentencing before retiring from the bench, U.S. District Judge Robert Holmes Bell observed the seriousness of trafficking firearms. Judge Bell ordered Bacon to serve three years of supervised release following his term of custody and expressed his hope that Bacon will return as a productive member to his community.

“The diversion of firearms for unlawful purposes or to those who cannot legally possess them endangers each and every member of our society,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Birge. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute those who willfully circumvent federal firearms laws designed to protect the public.”

“Selling firearms to prohibited individuals contributes to the cycle of gun violence plaguing our neighborhoods,” said Special Agent in Charge Robin Shoemaker of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. “ATF will continue to use all available resources to put a stop to illegal gun sales. Let this conviction stand as a warning to others willing to put profit before public safety.”

The ATF conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Grand Rapids Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin M. Presant and Alexis M. Sanford prosecuted the case.

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Other federal court cases this past week you did not hear about:

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Five years in prison for coke/heroin dealer

Drug dealer Jamian Charles Pearce sentenced on Jan. 23, 2017 to five years (60 months) in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney for distributing heroin and cocaine in Kent County, MI in Feb. 2016.

After five years in prison, he will be on three years of supervised release.

On March 16, 2015, Muskegon County Law Enforcement arrested 32-year-old Jamian Charles Pearce for obstructing justice/probation violation in Muskegon, MI

Case Summary:

1:16-cr-00036-PLM-4 USA v. Hairston et al

Date filed: 02/25/2016

Date of last filing: 01/24/2017

Jamian Charles Pearce

Filed: 02/25/2016

Kent County, MI

Count: 1

Citation: 21:846=NP.F Offense Level: 4 21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(a)(i) and (ii), 21:841(b)(1)(c)

Conspiracy to possess narcotics; conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and heroin

Count: 3

citation: 21:846=np.f offense level: 4 21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(c), 18:2

Conspiracy to possess narcotics; attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine

Count: 1s

citation: 21:846=nd.f offense level: 4 21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(a)(i) and (ii), 21:841(b)(1)(c)

Conspiracy to distribute narcotics; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin

Count: 3s

citation: 21:846=nd.f offense level: 4 21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(c), 18:2

Conspiracy to distribute narcotics; attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine

Count: 1ss

citation: 21:846=nd.f offense level: 4 21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(b)(ii)

Conspiracy to distribute narcotics; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine

Defendant in custody

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark V. Courtade

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: mark.courtade@usdoj.gov

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Three years in prison for identity theft

By Greg Peterson

(Grand Rapids, MI) – Pedro Enrique Sanchez Pupo was sentenced to 37 months in prison on Jan.25, 2017 by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Jonker for aggravated identity theft crimes committed in 2015 in Kent County, MI:
In plea agreement, Pupo pleaded guilty to count one of the indictment conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Her will serve his time – three years and a month- in a federal prison in Florida near his family.

Date of last filing: 01/28/2017

Pedro Enrique Sanchez Pupo

Filed: 12/01/2015

Kent County

Count: 1 Citation: 18:1349.F Offense Level: 4

18:1349, 18:1343

Attempt and conspiracy to commit fraud; conspiracy

Count: 2 citation: 18:1029a.f offense level: 4

18:1029(a)(3), 18:1029(c)(1)(a)(i), 18:2

Produces/traffics in counterfeit device; access device fraud

Count: 3 citation: 18:1028a.f offense level: 4

18:1028a(a)(1), 18:1028a(c)(4), (5), 18:1028a(b), 18:2

Fraud with identification documents; aggravated identity theft

Defendant in Custody

Federal Prosecutor:

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagen W. Frank

Phone: (616) 456-2404

Email: hagen.frank@usdoj.gov

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Ten years – 121 months in prison for distributing coke and heroin

By Greg Peterson

(Grand Rapids, MI) – One of the defendants in major heroin ring was sentenced to just over ten years in federal prison on Jan. 24, 2017 by U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney for distributing heroin and cocaine during Jan. 2016 in Kent County, MI.

Mario Cruz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess narcotics; conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and heroin.

No parole in federal prison, and will be under three years supervised release when let out in a decade.

Case Summary

1:16-cr-00036-PLM-3 USA v. Hairston et al

Date filed: 02/25/2016

Date of last filing: 01/24/2017

Mario Cruz

Filed: 02/25/2016

Kent County

Other Court Case: 1:16-cr-169 Related Case

Count: 1 citation: 21:846=np.f offense level: 4

21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(a)(i) and (ii), 21:841(b)(1)(c)

Conspiracy to possess narcotics; conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and heroin

Count: 2 citation: 21:846=nd.f offense level: 4

21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(a)(i) and (ii), 21:841(b)(1)(c)

Conspiracy to distribute narcotics; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin

Defendant in custody

Federal prosecutor:

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark V. Courtade

Email: mark.courtade at usdoj.gov

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Read about the fancinating reign of a tough federal judge – who was feared by all the big time evil doers in the Upper Peninsula:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2017_0126_Bacon

https://www.apnews.com/cb2f330cae944accaeac06e0be6b56c2

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/10/federal_judge_robert_holmes_be.html

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/11/towering_figure_robert_holmes.html

http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/02/profile_us_district_court_judg.html

http://www.miwd.uscourts.gov/judges-info/judge-robert-h-bell

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Holmes_Bell

Editorial: U.P. Breaking News slapped but feeling fine: Marquette County Circuit Court Judge signs questionable, one-sided, and misleading temporary restraining order against U.P. Breaking News – Coincidence we showed our hand a few days earlier about a exposing the photos/names of different trashy case in Marquette circuit court in which “Angel” is true victim of cops/courts/media sensationalism? – U.P. Breaking News will not be stopped by frivolous stuff

U.P. Breaking News Editorial: From a Pile of burning deer carcasses and accusations of building permanent structures and snowplowing on federal land – to trying to burn the media

Can’t help some folks: We tried to help this guy even tho he never called us (we always put our phone number on our stories)

Man who feels persecuted by government – uses government to persecute U.P. Breaking News – and we are famous for not being afraid to be U.P. government critics

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

The U.P. media is not likely to help U.P. Breaking News with offers of attorney support  (Most are U.P. media is not happy with what  UI.P. Breaking news is doing because we are the only media that doesn’t rely solely on government press releases, actually covers federal court, and understands the definition of investigative reporting.

So someone please tell the Detroit News and Free Press. Scroll down to see the tickets and read entire restraining order. At issue are thumbnail images on Facebook from a story about USFS charges filed against Roy. P. Hinkson of Schoolcraft County.

A few days before the restraining order, U.P. Breaking News showed our hand in a different dog-of-a-case that Marquette County officials will find extremely embarrassing because of details hidden from public

**In case they do it, fyi – U.P. Breaking News has heard officials were going to try to trump up additional arrests in case because their case is circling the drain.

So did Marquette County used their hand to TRY to slap us? You be the judge over the next few weeks. btw – because it doesn’t make a difference ref. helping the man – U.P. Breaking News not abiding by this order and a hearing will be held apparently in December.

The feds did not want this dog-and-pony show loser. They’d have gotten a federal judge to do it if they could. The Marquette County judge wants U.P. Breaking News to take down a story on Facebook story (shared by many readers) over an unreadable thumbnail image of a USFS ticket – that is falsely (on purpose?) portrayed in the restraining order as readable.

They filed the case Wednesday.  Last weekend the thing he complains about was taken down and redacted voluntarily by U.P. Breaking News after being viciously attacked online – rather than called. But U.P. Breaking News takes news coverage with a grain of salt in the U.P. – we do not get upset.over criticism or ugly comments directed at us.

Over past week, U.P. Breaking News has repeatedly offered this guy a chance to write an editorial (after all he’s a Vietnam Vet now fighting his own country – and apparently us now) – but so far we have heard nothing.

When we were informed by rude commenters that the handwritten federal ticket had the man’s Social Security number on it. His social security number can not be read on the thumbnails. Even if we took ours down the post has been shared many times – so will a judge chase a tiny buzzing gnat into the internet – and file restraining orders against everyone? It’s like one of those “No-See-Ums”

Below is this unheard of 24-page restraining order sign by Marquette County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer A. Mazzuchi. Is is a coincidence that a couple days earlier – I mean what judge files a restraining order over Facebook thumbnail images?

U.P.Breaking News announced we were going to be exposing a case that the public has been mislead about – and Trust me, you ain’t seen nothing yet. We will be publishing everything – and show photos/background of the victim “Angel” – has been used by the court system..

Now back to this case – here are the redacted tickets and the restraining order – just remember it leaves out a lot of critical info:

Temporary Restraining Order Over U.P. Breaking News Facebook Post:

More Sunday U.P. wildfires including Chippewa County: Saturday’s Mission Hills Wildfire 100 percent contained by 8:30 p.m.: Federal, State and Local Firefighters Battled Stubborn Bay Mills/Mission Hills Wildfire Tonight – One of several Upper Peninsula wildfires this weekend in dry brush and trees

URGENT: Numerous U.P. Wildfires Reported Sunday Across Upper Peninsula – be careful everywhere!!!

11-13-16 3:30 p.m. ET

By Greg Peterson

Mop up reported now at this hardwoods fire (5:11 p.m. Sunday 11-13-16):

The latest eastern U.P. wildfire is reported near the Stalwart Fairgrounds.

Many wildfires across Upper Peninsula – including one reported in the hardwoods in the eastern U.P.

Manpower and water packs requested – trucks can not get there.

Raburn Fire Department has called for mutual aid from the Raburn Township Fire Department

The fire is located east of the fairgrounds.

Fire is reported about a mile and a half east of the Stalwart Fairgrounds

 M-129/Turn East onto M-48/Eight Miles to Stalwart Fairgrounds

Fire is half a mile north of McCoy Road off Sand Ridge Road. Raburn fire has set up a incident command.

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11-13-16 11:15 a.m. Sunday morning Update:
A GPS calculation puts the approximate size of the Bay Mills/Mission Hills wildfire at about 14 acres – and in very rugged terrain. Fire officials walked the entire edge of the fire today – and it did not spread overnight – but there are smoldering hot spots creating some smoke.
Many have it dubbed the “Mission Hills Fire” because it was on USFS lands on edge of tribal lands/reservation.

The cause remains under investigation and we have heard conflicting info.

However, with lightening – it almost has to have some human factor involved. Have not heard any reports of lightening.

If you have photos please share on our facebook page or email them

U.P. Breaking News – and I think we speak on behalf of the community – say “Thank you” again to all the fire departments and firefighters who jumped on this blaze quickly – and risked their lives – in terrible weather and terrain – and prevented it from spreading and – stopped the wildfire from destroying homes and lives. Often we say firefighters risk their lives – and it is true every fire can quickly turn deadly – but this was an especially dangerous fire that was attacked and put out with professionalism and a deep desire to protect the community.

btw – to firefighters it did not matter your political affiliation or anything else – just that people needed help – we should remember that.

USFS Handles Final Mop-Up of Blustery Bay Mills/Mission Hills Wildfire

Wildfire mop up amidst biting, blustery and bone-chilling winds found only in the U.P. along Lake Superior: The Gales of November struck not far away on Lake Superior some four decades ago on a night just like tonight

9:50 P.M. 11-12-16 Saturday Night Fire Update

Putting out the Bay Mills/Mission Hills wildfire completely is trickier than the normal mop up. Hard-working firefighters have been putting out hot-spots and flair-ups as freezing winds whip up embers and tree fires.

The final parts of the mop up was turned over to the U.S. Forest Service at 10:05 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Apparently, the wildfire included USFS land and/or blaze crept onto forest service lands.

“We’re turning it over to the U.S. Forest Service,” stated the Bay Mills fire chief at incident command.

And its that work on their normal night off – that brings these firefighters close together.

In fact – after about an hour and a half of the challenging – and seemingly never-ending – mop up – the camaraderie between the township fire departments in the U.P. was again proven.
Proven and understated in a radio conversation between the Bay Mills Township Fire Chief and the Superior Township Fire Chief – just as more and more firefighters have been cleared to leave the scene:

“I want to thank you guys,” the Bay Mills Chief said.

“Anytime,” the Superior Township chief responded.

They mean it.

Editor’s note from Greg Peterson/Owner, U.P. Breaking News: Thank you!

Tonight’s wildfire slam-down in the terrible terrain and only a stone’s throw from Lake Superior by an army of local, state and federal firefighters – demonstrated how we can count on firefighters, law enforcement, first responders, paramedics/EMTs (plus wreckers, road commissions, DPWs) and all the others. It is the kind of area that can easily injure firefighters.

We sincerely thank all the firefighters for their bravery, determination, skill, community-bigheartedness and even their daring nerve moving forward into those blazing windswept hills with embers rocketing into their faces. Folks, these fire fighters showed gusto and blustery courage equal to the super blustery winds they endured.

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URGENT 8:27 P.M. 11-12-16 Saturday Night

Fire Update: Bay Mills/Mission Hills Wildfire is 100 percent contained

The Bay Mills/Mission Hills blaze is reported to be 100 percent contained by wildfire incident command. Officials say the the fire was basically located at the old U.S. Forest Service Lookout Tower. Mop up will take hours and may even been needed on Sunday if flare-ups are reported due to the blustery and bitter winds that have created big waves on nearby Lake Superior.

The blaze was estimated at roughly 10 acres – with embers and winds still a concern. Wildfire took over two and a half hours to bring under control due to its remote location, the rough hilly/brushy terrain and the cold, whipping winds – plus at one point was a threat to homes if it proceeded.

The fire is no longer believed be a threat to public.

—

8:10 p.m. 11-12-16 Saturday Night Fire update:
The Dafter Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Bruce Township Volunteer Fire Department have been paged to join the fight – bringing to 5 the number of local fire departments battling the wildfire.

Beechnut and oak tree ridges are among the places affected – and the fire is near the old ski lodge.

“It’s at the old fire tower, if you know where that is,” said a fire official at 8:13 p.m.

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8:03 p.m. 11-12-16 Firefighters are gaining a hand on the blaze.

U.S. Forest Service and Michigan DNR firefighters have arrived and joined the firefight.
Note: News media was just ordered out of the fire scene and must stage in an open area on Tower Road at Lakeshore Drive. The U.P. may be the only place in the country where the media is not allowed to cover wildfires – and are not allowed to go where they can actually see flames – even if the media is wearing the required state fire clothes – not allow. Period.

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7:47 p.m. 11-12-16 Saturday Night Update:

The Mission Hill Wildfire Incident Command Post has been set up “at the base of Mission Hill” near Bay Mills, MI.

Plus bottled water and pizza is being brought in for thirsty and weary firefighters. The DNR arrived about 5 minutes ago with bulldozer and DNR firefighters

Upper Peninsula firefighters battling wildfires all day and tonight- worst in eastern U.P.

Wildfire being battled tonight on edge of Bay Mills Indian reservation and U.S. Forest Service Lands

By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433

Numerous wildfires have been reported across the Upper Peninsula for reasons that include down power lines, high winds and illegal burning – and now a remote wildfire in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

At 7:27 p.m., the Bay Mills/Mission Hills wildfire was reported 50 percent out and contained.

About 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 – numerous fire departments were dispatched to a remote wildfire located on an edge of Bay Mills Indian Community Reservation tribal land and U.S. Forest Service Land.

At 7:11 p.m., the Bay Mills/Mission Hills wildfire was reported moving north – northeast toward the “old ski lodge.” The wildfire was reported west of Monocle Lake and near a lodge.

“If we see flames over that hill that’s when we have to worry about the homes down there,” said one fire official who was near the fire line. “If it goes anywhere its going to head towards the old ski lodge.”

A Michigan Department of Natural Resources bulldozer and firefighters were being brought in from the Soo area.

U.P. Breaking News has heard officials discussing possible evacuations if the fire cannot be knocked down soon or moves toward homes. But no decisions have been made. No evacuations have been ordered.

The fire is being battled by the Bay Mills Township Volunteer Fire Department, the Superior Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Whitefish Township Volunteer Fire Department.

The tower is said to be off the end of West Tower Road near the Mission Hills area and located in rolling hills of brush – and the fire was said to be leading toward USFS lands with hardwoods. The Michigan DNR is also offering its firefighters and vehicles.

Among the reservation and neighboring streets blocked to normal traffic are W. Lakeshore Drive, Tower Road, Ranger Road.

Michigan State Police and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s department with traffic and all non-firefighting vehicles are being rerouted around the area and spectators are being turned back.

Meanwhile about 6:40 tonight Powell Township Fire Department firefighters were sent to a remote brush fire off County Road 550.

Firefighters were sent down a very long driveway off Brown Deer Road off CR-550. Firefighters battled the wildfire off County Road 550 for over an hour.

Powell Township firefighters cleared the scene at 7:56 p.m. Saturday.

This afternoon Sands Township firefighters battled a brush fire – and had to call for mutual aid from Chocolay Township after one of the Sands Fire trucks apparently broke down.

Plus about the same time – high winds blew power line down onto a tree along U.S.-41 near the Houghton/Baraga County line and triggered a brush fire.

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U.P. Breaking News Exclusive: USFS employees across Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin were victims of a rogue employee charged with six felonies including aggravated identity theft; Michael Hanan released but suspected of tampering with ankle monitor

Dozens of current and retired USFS employees in the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin have been ripped off in an identity theft scam that federal prosecutors was committed by a rogue longtime labor relations employee at Forest Service Milwaukee regional office

By Greg Peterson

News Director, Owner

Upper Peninsula Breaking News

(Marquette, MI) – U.S. Forest Service personnel across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Wisconsin are being warned by federal officials this morning to keep their eyes on credit statements because a rogue company labor relations official who loves to gamble has the personal information of co-workers and was on the run committing bank fraud and identity theft of current, former and retired USFS employees.

A May 24 six-count grand jury indictment charged Michael Kevin Hanan, 34, of W236n6257 Hickory Dr Sussex, WI with one felony count of access device fraud and four felony counts of aggravated identity theft.

A federal complaint accuses Hanan of bank fraud, identity theft and unauthorized computer access to obtain information from a department or agency of the U.S. Government.

A bond hearing was held on May 27. Federal prosecutors wanted Hanan continued held without bond because of alleged tampering with a bracelet that notifies authorities if the defendant leaves home.

Pretrial Services (PTS) “filed a violation petition” on May 27 because “PTS believes there was some tampering with the EM (ankle) bracelet,” according to federal court records. Hanan’s casino “Players Card was used” on May 15 and 19.

“PTS believes the defendant has not been untruthful as to his whereabouts, that he doctored medical records and has been gambling,” the federal court detention records state. Hanan faces over 20 years in prison if convicted on all six felony charges. PTS reported there are audio recordings of Hanan allegedly involved in the credit card thefts.

Hanan claimed he did not falsify medical records involving an emergency room visit for a panic attack claiming he went but did not see a doctor. He also denied messing with his pretrial ankle monitor.

“As to the matter of the possible tampering of his ankle bracelet, the government notes that there were scratches on the bracelet as well as a stretching out of the holes of the fastener indicating that the unit was tampered with,” federal officials said at a May 27 detention hearing. Prosecutors “do not believe changing the defendant to a GPS monitoring may be enough.”

However, A judge ruled Hanan could be freed wearing an ankle bracelet but if any other concerns arise he will be held without bond. Trial is set for August 2.

Hanan is a GS-12 who made nearly $80,000 base salary in 2014, and started as a student trainee in 2004 then making about $27,000 annually, according to federalpay.org that tracks salaries of civil service employees.

USFS victims come the U.P. cities of Ironwood and Iron River, and several cities across eastern Wisconsin. New victims are being identified daily.

A federal probe has “potentially identified numerous other identify theft victims who are current or former” USFS employees. At least 21 victims have been identified including from the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin.

Hanan is a human resources labor relations specialist in the at the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Regional 9 office in Milwaukee – that falls under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, Hanan is officially listed as absent without leave (AWOL) since Feb. 29, 2016, according to a May 4, 2016 criminal complaint filed by USDA Office of Inspector General Special Agent Margaret Massa and signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph.

Hanan allegedly used his position and work computer to steal the identity of numerous people including numerous current and retired USFS employees across the country.

On May 5, federal agents raided Hanan’s home and pickup truck confiscating a large number of computer and identify related items including thumb-drives, computers, cell phones, gift cards, and other forms of electronic equipment.

• A federal probe has uncovered 21 additional credit card accounts associated with Hanan’s phone number. date, 16 have been identified as current USFS employees- and five of the accounts were opened after April 1.
• One co-worker, identified only as “W.G.C.” of Hayward, WI, discovered that Hanan has allegedly taken out a Meijer store credit card in his name to make a nearly $1,000 purchase at the Meijer’s Oak Creek store.
• Retired USFS employee “C.T.H.” and his wife “D.L.H.” were notified by Comenity Bank that Hanan allegedly tried to take out Meijer store credit card accounts in their names. The bank issued credit cards for Meijer Corporation.
• USFS retiree “C.T.H.” was notified about a April 2 suspicious $2,200 transaction at the West Allis Kmart Store and was purchased using a “Sears/K-Mart credit card issued by Citibank that was opened in the victim’s name without his consent,” the complaints states. However, Hanan’s car license plate was allegedly caught on parking lot surveillance photos in the parking lot of the same K-Mart.
• On March 21, USFS employee “J.M.” of Park Falls, WI “received an email from his credit monitoring service” about a nearly $2,000 purchase on a Comenity Bank Meijer credit card that the victim “did not purchase”. The card was taken out with Hanan’s home address in Sussex and the victim tried “unsuccessfully to cancel the request for the card.”
• On April 6, Hanan was “captured on surveillance footage” at a Meijer store in McHenry, IL using a credit card in the name of USFS employee “J.L.M.” of Ironwood, MI, who did not apply for the card. The footage shows Hanan allegedly getting into his 2013 blue Ford 150 bearing Wisconsin tags.
• The same day (April 6), Hanan “was captured on surveillance footage” making a purchase at a Meijer store in Algonquin, IL using a Meijer credit card in the name of” USFS employee “R.C.L.” of Iron River, MI.

Investigators believe Hanan “had access to approximately 150 different standard reports within the National Finance Center database” that includes personal information like USFS employee rosters, employee personnel reports, date on USFS retirees, payroll data and employee time/’attendance reports. Investigators and USFS supervisors are concerned that Hanan still has access to lots of information saved on his employee computer hard-drive and/or printed copies.

“One of the suspect credit card applications was made after Hanan’s Forest Service access was deactivated,” the complaint states. “There is reason to believe he will continue to use this information to open additional unauthorized credit cards in the name of unsuspecting Forest Service employees.”

“There is no guarantee that deactivating Hanan’s network will serve to prevent him from future misappropriation of Forest Service personal information,” Special Agent Massa warned in the complaint. “As long as Hanan “has not allowed his username or password combination to expire by resetting the password when prompted”that it is “still possible he could use it to log into his Forest Service laptop computer” but not the USFS network.

Official are worried that Hanan has used and continues to use information on people he gathered through his access to certain USFS sites for employees only.

“Hanan is still in possession of his government issued property” like “his laptop computer, cell phone, building access badge” and his LincPass Personal Identity Verification Card. The access badge, LincPass and USFS network access were deactivated on April 1.

“There is probable cause that Hanan has been involved in multiple additional acts of identity theft during his unauthorized absence,” the complaint states.

Hanan can no longer access employee records however a government laptop is still in Hanan’s possession.

Hanan remains on the run but investigators believe he stays in eastern Wisconsin and “continues to live” at his Sussex home but he loves to go to the casino.

“He spends a considerable amount of time at the Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee, where a number of gift cards that he purchased with unauthorized credit cards have been converted into cash.”

Hanan “continues to have the ability to access employee records” because he possesses “a government issued laptop computer” that has some USFS employee records on the hard-drive.

Those records contain information on current and former USFS employees including “names addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, social security numbers” and more, the criminal complaint states.

Hanan “failed to return to work at the Forest Service without explanation when his scheduled leave, effective Dec. 18, 2015 expired as of Jan. 4., 2016.”

Hanan’s “global access to the (USFS) Electronic Official Personnel Folder and eTracker was removed March 31” and on April his “access to the National Finance center was removed” and records show he last accessed that mainframe on March 28, according to the eight-page felony criminal complaint.

Between Jan. 19 and April 20, Hanan “sent and exchanged emails from Colleen Barribeau, his Forest Service Supervisor,” claiming he had been in a bad car accident and needed to recover from a knee injury.

After failing to “submit adequate documentation to support his request,” Hanan has been advised he may be terminated and there USFS has had not contact with Hanan since April 20.

Some of the fraud was discovered because of “CSID, a government provided credit monitoring program offered as a result of the 2015 Office of Personnel Management data breach.

Michael Kevin Hanan, 34,

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hanan-a073b965

https://www.federalpay.org/employees/forest-service/hanan-michael-k

http://www.dm.usda.gov/employ/labor/lro.htm

U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph

USDA Office of Inspector General Special Agent Margaret Massa

Asst. U.S. Attorney Gregory Haanstad