RIPLEY — Two people were taken to the hospital after authorities discovered a one-pot meth lab inside a Ripley residence Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., deputies with the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a medical call at a residence on Royce Road. Officers discovered a meth lab and meth lab components inside the residence.

Members of the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team were called in to remove the hazardous materials. Two unresponsive people located in the residence were transported by ambulance to UP Health System – Portage.

The medical conditions of the two people as well as their identities are unknown at this time. Troopers from the Michigan State Police Calumet Post assisted at the scene.

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MARQUETTE — A traffic stop resulted in the arrest of two subjects in Marquette County.

Officers from the Marquette Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Presque Isle Ave. and West College Ave. around 12:45 A.M. on Wednesday. During the stop and search of the vehicle, a stolen pistol and taser device was found. The driver who is a juvenile, was taken into custody for possession of a stolen firearm and for carrying a concealed weapon.

A passenger in the vehicle, Collin Kelly Havican, 18, of Marquette was arrested for possession of a taser device. Havican was lodged at the Marquette County Jail on the charge. The juvenile was placed at a detention site pending charges.

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TUCSON, AZ. — A Marquette County man is in trouble with the law in Arizona after police discovered over 600 lbs. of marijuana in his vehicle last Thursday.

According to ABC affiliate KGUN, David Vanelsacker, 43, of Northland, was arrested by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and transportation of marijuana. The marijuana bundles were wrapped with layers of plastic dryer sheets and tar paper.

The drugs were discovered during a traffic stop.

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MARQUETTE — The suspect involved in an attempted stabbing last August has been charged.

Cory Michael Carter, 26, of Marquette was arrested on Thursday after an investigation by the Marquette Police Department identified him as the suspect involved in a home invasion incident from last year. On August 21st of 2016 on the 100 Block of Morgan St. in Marquette, police were dispatched to a report of a suspect entering an individual’s home and attempting to stab the resident with a knife. The victim was able to repel that attack and the suspect fled the scene. Minor injuries were reported.

The Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office authorized home invasion first degree and felonious assault charges on Carter. Carter is being lodged at the Marquette County Jail. No arraignment date has been set.

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MARQUETTE — A Marquette woman involved with a meth lab in a pop-up camper last August entered a plea agreement in circuit court Friday morning.

Holly Bates, 31, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of possession of meth. She was originally charged with operating a meth lab.

Bates was arrested by the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team at the Perkins Park Campground in Big Bay. UPSET Detectives found one a one-pot meth lab and meth components in the camper.

Bates will be sentenced April 21st, 2017.

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MARQUETTE — The re-trial of an Ishpeming man accused to kidnapping and torturing two women four years ago begins Monday in Marquette County Circuit Court.

Back in 2014, Jason Sadowski, 45, was sentenced to 40-80 years in prison one on count of solicitation of murder and two counts of torture. He was convicted of holding two women against their will inside his karate dojo in Ishpeming.

Almost two years after Sadowski was convicted, the Michigan Court of Appeals granted him a new trial. The court determined that his confrontation rights were violated and that a handgun used as evidence in the case should have inadmissible.

The trial begins with jury selection Monday morning.

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ISHPEMING — The Jewish Community has dealt with a recent string of hate crimes nationwide. Last week, 16 gravestones were destroyed in Western New York. And according to the FBI, over 130 Jewish Community Centers received some sort of threat.

Here in the Upper Peninsula, Janet Wagner, board president of the Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming, says they have not received any kind of direct threat. Wagner’s children and grandchildren attend a Jewish Community Center in New Orleans that dealt with a bomb threat.

No bomb was found by authorities. Wagner said that specific community center is used by people of several different faiths.

“That community center serves the whole area; its Jews, Christians and Muslims. Everyone uses it,” said Wagner. “I think most of us feel there’s been an increase in antisemitism in the last several years but it’s ticked up of course within the last several months.”

The temple is in the process of transitioning to a new location in Marquette this fall. Wagner says board members have discussed the possibility of adding security measures when they do make the move.

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ESCANABA — A plea agreement has been reached in the case of a downstate man involved in a Social Security fraud ring.

Michael Rhines, 36, of Williamston, pleaded guilty Monday morning to attempted welfare fraud over $500. Rhines was one of five people arrested last October by Escanaba Public Safety as part of a Social Security Fraud investigation.

He will be sentenced in Delta County Circuit Court on April 24th, 2017.

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MARQUETTE — The re-trial of a man convicted of multiple felony counts, including torture and solicitation of murder, started today in Marquette County Circuit Court.

Jason Sadowski, 45, is getting another trial for allegedly holding two women hostage inside an Ishpeming Karate Dojo back in 2013.

Sadowski, and his co-defendant, Charles Cope, both received lengthy prison sentences and both appealed. Copes was denied, but Sadowski was granted a new trial.

Jury selection began Monday afternoon and will run through Tuesday morning. The trial is set to start after jury selection is complete Tuesday.

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HOUGHTON — The case against an Atlantic Mine man who caused a lock-down at an elementary school last November may be headed to trial.

Niles Nathan Rothenberger, 30, appeared in Houghton County Circuit Court Monday for a pretrial. He has pled not guilty to the high court misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana on school grounds.

That charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine if convicted. He was arrested after school officials told police he was acting suspicious and sent Houghton Elementary School into a “shelter in place” situation.

Rothenberger’s attorney said they have been unable to come to a resolution with the prosecution and requested a final pretrial before the case heads to trial.

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HOUGHTON — A motion to toss out a search warrant in a heroin case has been denied.

Fountaine Gordon, 38, of Chicago, appeared in Houghton County Circuit Court Monday asking the court to dismiss the case. His attorney argued that there had been no basis for law enforcement to seek a search warrant of a room at the Super 8 Hotel in Houghton last November; therefore the evidence recovered from the search should not be allowed.

Detectives from UPSET seized heroin, prescription pills and cash from the room. Gordon was seen in the hotel despite being banned from the premise and a suspected drug user was seen leaving his room.

An undercover UPSET Detective also testified he smelled marijuana and that they received information about the possible sale of heroin from a confidential informant. The judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for officers to execute a search warrant.

Gordon is facing three felony drug charges.

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CHIPPEWA COUNTY — A Drummond Island man originally charged with twenty–one felonies, including ten counts of possession of child pornography was sentenced Tuesday in Chippewa County Circuit Court.

Robert Henning, 67, was sentenced to five and a half to seven years in prison for ten counts related to possession of child pornography and ten counts of using a computer to commit a crime. On September 17th of 2015, Drummond was arrested after a lengthy investigation by the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office.

Forensic examination of hard drives and computers seized by deputies allegedly uncovered thousands of images and videos of child pornography.

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MARQUETTE– The victim of an alleged Ishpeming kidnapper and torturer testified today after opening statements were made.

At the first day of Jason Sadowski’s trial, one of the alleged victims took the stand. The victim said they and another victim had gone to Sadowski’s Mixed Martial Arts studio to check it out and smoke marijuana.

While there, the victim said they took around four dollars from Sadowski’s wallet, which they later admitted to.

The victim said that Sadowski hit both of them, knocking objects off the wall, which caused the victim to have a seizure. The victim went on to testify they were forced into the basement, bound to support pillars, beaten, and burned.

During opening statements earlier in the day prosecution had made the same allegations.

Marquette County Prosecutor Matt Wiese talked about the injuries the victims suffered, and how one victim was told they had to kill the other if they wanted to live.

Wiese said “The night goes on, they’re taped to the two posts in the basement, they’re smacked, they’re hit, they’re kicked, they’re burned.”

During the defense’s opening statement, Sadowski’s attorney, Tony Ruiz, said that story was a lie to cover for the victim, who had been drinking when they shouldn’t have been and stole around one–hundred and fifty dollars from the defendant.

He alleged that the injuries on the victims were from a “catfight” they had over the money.

“There were no signs of any of that,” said Ruiz. “Wait a minute… if those are the allegations, if those were the things that were said to happen, how come there are no medical evidence of them; and the reason why is because it didn’t happen.”

Sadowski’s trial will continue Wednesday in Marquette County Circuit Court

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MARQUETTE — The re–trial of an Ishpeming man charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and torture continued today.

During his cross examination of one of the alleged victims of Jason Sadowski, defense attorney Tony Ruiz challenged the victim’s testimony as well as their memory. The victim repeated the story that they went to Sadowski’s house for marijuana and ended up bound and tortured in his basement after confessing to stealing four dollars.

Ruiz asked the victim about details on the story she could not remember, such as exactly how much money they stolen, how many times they were hit and if they said they were handed a knife by Sadowski. Ruiz additionally brought up past convictions the victim had, including lying to an officer.

The victim said that she could not remember much of the night because it had been four years and they had been in counseling to forget the incident.

Also testifying was Officer Ben Takala, who was called to assist the Ishpeming City Police Department during the incident.

He testified about the condition of one victim, whom he said was hysterical, complained of an headache from being punched multiple times, had ripped clothing, red marks on their face and duck tape on their wrist.

The officer was shown pictures of the victim and confirmed various parts of his story; however he also confirmed that the pictures were not taken out front of Sadowski’s property.

Ruiz said that things could have changed.

“So you don’t know whether or not that rip ripped any further between when you saw her and when that photograph was taken,” Ruiz said. “You don’t know if anything else about her appearance has changed between when that photograph was taken and when you observed her outside Marital Way.”

Sadowski’s trial continues Thursday in Marquette County Circuit Court.

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MARQUETTE — An officer who originally responded to the 911 call that brought police to Jason Sadowski’s Mixed Marital Arts Studio and house testified today at his re–trial.

Jason Hart testified he was an officer with the Ishpeming City Police the night Sadowski was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and torturing two woman. He responded to the Martial Way after hearing about a kidnapping in a mixed martial arts studio and found two women in the basement, one duct taped to a support pillar, both hysterical.

One victim ran towards them screaming, “You found us, you found us.”

The other repeatedly thanked him.

“She was still hysterical, she appeared frantic and very excited,” Hart said. “In fact as I was escorting her through the main floor of the residence she stated several times, ‘Thank you for saving my life, thank you for saving my life.'”

Defense attorney Tony Ruiz pointed out that Hart did not remember parts or details of the story and the officer admitted that marks on one victim hands could be from her striking something.

Also testifying was former Detective and Chief of Ishpeming City Police, Dan Willey. Willey testified about photographs he took of the victims injuries. He also talked about duct tape residue found on the arms and wrists of one victim and the wrists of the other.

However before the photographs were taken, one victim was left alone and had a chance to rub her neck, which could have created red marks; according to a video shown by Ruiz. Both Hart and Willey now work for the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department.

Sadowski’s re-trial continues Friday in Marquette County Circuit Court.

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IRON RIVER — An Iron River resident has been arrested in connection to an assault that happened Thursday afternoon outside the Ace Hardware Store.

Officers from the Iron River Police Department say they responded to a report of an incident in which one person assaulted another person with a knife just after 2 p.m. Officers arrived on scene to find the suspect attempting to leave the scene.

The suspect threw the knife from the vehicle when officers conducted a traffic stop. Several guns and approximately 4,000 rounds of ammunition were confiscated from the vehicle.

The 45-year-old Iron River resident was charged with felonious assault, carrying a concealed weapon and domestic violence. The suspect is currently lodged at the Iron County Jail awaiting arraignment.

The Caspian Police Department assisted officers at the scene.

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ESCANABA — An Escanaba man arrested as part of a Social Security fraud investigation received his sentence Friday morning in Delta County Circuit Court.

Douglas Buskirk, 38, received nine months in jail plus restitution payments on one count of False Pretenses, more than $1,000 but less than $20,000.

Buskirk was arrested last October after an investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General revealed five people, including the Buskirk, were misusing funds from the SSA Disability Insurance Program.

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MARQUETTE- The prosecution rested their case and the defense began to called witnesses to testify in Jason Sadowski’s re–trial Friday.

Defense attorney Tony Ruiz called a number of different witnesses in defense of alleged kidnapper and torturer Jason Sadowski. One of the victims was called to the stand again.

Ruiz asked the victim about the details or her injuries, including where she was allegedly kicked by the defendant and if she lost a tooth.

He also played audio, in which the victim claimed falsely to the police that Sadowski had called every contact in her phone. She did not have her phone on her during the incident.

Also testifying was Stephanie Bryan, a friend of the victim who talked about their interaction soon after the incident. “I don’t know about hysterical I can’t remember that much detail, whether she was hysterical,” Bryan said. “But she certainly was distressed.”

Ruiz asked Bryan if the victim had told her it was her idea to offer to kill the other victim to free herself.

Bryan said “I don’t know whose idea it was initially, but she had convinced him, she told me she had convinced him she would, in fact, kill (the other victim) if she was released, but then used that as a way to get the phone.”

Also called to the stand were two people who testified that they believed Marquette County Undersheriff Dan Willey and the testifying victim were untrustworthy.

However, the witness testifying against Willey’s trustworthiness had a son in prison because of an investigation that the undersheriff was a part of.

Sadowski’s re–trial continues Monday in Marquette County Circuit Court.

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MARQUETTE — The former head coach for Northern Michigan University’s hockey team was arrested in connection to a fraud and  forgery incident.

Deputies from the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office say Walter Edwin Kyle, 53, was arrested and charged with one count of residential mortgage fraud $100,000 or less and one count of forgery of documents affecting real property.

Marquette County Sherrif Greg Zyburt confirmed with ABC 10 that Kyle is the former head hockey coach at NMU. The university announced early Friday that his contract would not be renewed.

His arrest stems from an eleven month investigation conducted by the department into an incident in which deputies allege that Kyle committed fraud and forgery when obtaining a mortgage from River Valley Bank back in 2014. Kyle has since posted bond and was released from jail. He will be arraigned on April 3 in Marquette County District Court.

Director of Athletics Forrest Karr announced a leadership change in the Northern Michigan hockey program Friday afternoon.

Walt Kyle’s employment agreement will not be renewed, and a comprehensive national search for the third head coach in program history will begin immediately.

“Walt has played a major role in the most significant moments in Northern Michigan hockey history,” said Karr. “I enjoyed working with him, and I am thankful that he always supported every program in the department. I appreciate his work and dedication to the hockey program and wish him well in all future endeavors.”

Kyle compiled an overall record of 265-263-68 during 15 seasons at the helm of the program. He guided the Wildcats to six 20-win seasons and to the 2010 NCAA Tournament. He also coached two Hobey Baker finalists and five All-Americans.

Kyle played two seasons at Northern Michigan after transferring from Boston College and recorded 90 points (31g-59a) in 85 career games. He captained the 1980 and 1981 Wildcat teams that advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four. ​

After graduating from Northern Michigan in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, Kyle became a graduate assistant coach under Rick Comley. He was promoted to assistant coach in 1982 and held that position until 1992. He was the top assistant coach when the Wildcats won the 1991 NCAA Division I national title.

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MARQUETTE — Two men were arrested early Monday morning by the Marquette Police Department on various charges.

At approximately 12:41 a.m., officers responded to the 200 Block of Blemhuber Ave. in reference to a possible fight and a subject with a gun. As a result of their investigation, police arrested Kevin Asgaard, 45, of Caledonia, MI on one count of domestic violence.

Gregory Asgaard, 41, of Marquette, was arrested for possession of a firearm while under the influence. Both men were lodged at the Marquette County Jail.

Injuries were reported at the scene, but not due to the weapon being fired. The incident is still under investigation.

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