Bayfield County Public Health Takes Over Beach Monitoring Program Amid Northland College Closure

The Ashland County Health & Human Services Board held a public hearing on June 18, 2025, focusing on service requests and community health programs. A key discussion point was the distribution of service requests across the county, with board members questioning whether certain communities were utilizing available programs more than others. It was noted that the current caseload is higher in the southern part of the county, while there have also been referrals from Madeline Island, indicating a varied demand for services.

Another significant topic addressed was the impact of the Northland College closure on local health services. Elizabeth Franek raised concerns about the Burke Center's ability to continue its beach monitoring program. It was confirmed that due to staffing challenges, the Burke Center would not be able to fulfill this role. Instead, Ashland County will contract with Bayfield County Public Health to manage the beach monitoring and testing, ensuring that necessary health advisories can still be issued.

The meeting concluded with a review of written materials provided to board members, although no further questions were raised on those documents. The discussions highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to health services across diverse communities in Ashland County and the adjustments being made in response to local changes in health service providers.