GUILTY! Warren Nelson gets jail time

The founder of the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua will spend nine months in jail to do what a judge Wednesday called “soul searching” after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 56-year-old woman in her home.

Warren P. Nelson, 62, was artistic director of and a regular performer at the Big Top, the annual spring-through-fall music venue he founded under a tent at Mount Ashwabay between Washburn and Bayfield. Since 1986, stars such as Garrison Keillor, Willie Nelson and Joan Baez have performed there, drawing tens of thousands of fans annually and making Nelson a Midwest music celebrity.

Nelson reached a deal with a special prosecutor in which he entered a no-contest plea to charges of misdemeanor fourth-degree sexual assault and two counts of misdemeanor battery. A more serious charge of felony second-degree assault was dismissed as part of the deal.

Judge Robert Eaton ordered Nelson to report to the Bayfield County Jail to begin serving his sentence by Sept. 11. While in jail, he will have work-release privileges. One count of misdemeanor battery also will be dismissed if Nelson follows all conditions of his probation.

Ashland Council drops cop consolidation proposal

The Ashland City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted against further consideration of consolidating the city’s police department with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Department.

“You police officers can go back to work,” said councilor Rollie Peterson, who originally proposed the idea.

Full Story: Daily Press

Red Cliff P.D. joins ICAC Task Force

The Red Cliff Police Department has joined the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Full Story: Daily Press

Lake Superior Day events start tomorrow

Not every lake has a day set aside in its honor. But not every lake is Superior.

The third Sunday in July each year is set aside to celebrate and honor the world’s largest body of fresh water. Communities across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario are hosting events starting Thursday through Sunday.

Full Story: Duluth News Tribune

Split Rock Charters offers fantastic views of the Lake Superior shoreline

It’s a view of Lake Superior’s North Shore from the other side.  We hopped aboard a charter boat at Silver Bay Marina Wednesday for a sight seeing tour of the shoreline with Split Rock Charters. “Silver Bay Marina, Silver Bay Marina, this is the Knife Island,” said Captain Bob Shutes of Woodbury, Minnesota.  Departing from the Silver Bay Marina 3 days a week, the Knife Island, a 31 foot Chris Craft Commander cruises the legendary North Shore.

Bike crosses into vehicle’s path, Jarred Stone of Washburn injured in U.P. accident

The condition of a Wisconsin man injured in a bicycle accident in Alger County is not being released at this time.  It happened around 8:00 p.m. Monday on H-58 in Grand Marais.

Twenty-five-year-old Jarred Stone of Washburn, Wisconsin was riding his bike on the highway when he crossed into the path of a pickup.

Stone was taken to Helen Newberry Joy Hospital for treatment and later transferred to Marquette General.

The truck driver, Charles Bugg of Grand Marais, was not hurt.

The incident remains under investigation.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/l63fo4