#it's the camp. its the humor. it's the animation. its the passion the creators have for their own project. its the CHARACTERS!!

[grapefruit185]

he loves those dumb twins sm, the found family aspect of this show makes me go crazy!!!!!!!

(1st pic is referencing this post lol)

[disneytva]

Cricket Green and his sister, Tilly, grew up racing around on their tractor; embarking on wild adventures in the country; and spending time with their dad, Bill. But they’ve never experienced anything as exciting as life in a bustling metropolis, where they’ve just come to live with their Gramma Alice, a force to be reckoned with as well as the most affectionate grandmother you’re likely to meet. The siblings’ adjustment to their new surroundings is at the heart of the new animated comedy Big City Greens, from comic book creators and brothers Chris and Shane Houghton, which debuts on Disney Channel on Monday, June 18 (9:30 a.m. EDT/PDT), as well as on DisneyNOW and Disney Channel VOD

Disney Channel recently announced that a second season of the series is already in the works, a testament, no doubt, to the Houghtons’ determination to create a series with real characters, genuine emotion, and a premise that Disney fans of all ages will relate to. We spoke with Shane and his younger brother, Chris, about putting heart, soul, and even their own childhood into Big City Greens.

The Muppets are a major influence on Big City Greens. “We wanted the look of the show to really represent the fish-out-of-water aspect of the Greens moving to the big city,” Chris says. The Greens, with their signature bright yellow hue, stand out amongst the other city dwellers, who are a rainbow of greens, blues, purples, and more. “There’s something so charming about that Jim Henson design,” Shane emphasizes, and Chris notes that the Muppets’ impact goes beyond Big City Greens’ production design. “There are humor and clear, lovable characters and really unique relationships between them,” says Chris of the similarities between the Muppets and their new series.

The premise of Big City Greens was inspired by the “big city” Houghtons. Chris and Shane Houghton grew up in the rural community of St. Johns, Michigan, and didn’t venture very far from their small town until they left for college. “That was a big, eye-opening experience, and it was kind of a lonely and strange time, but also exciting and full of change,” older brother Shane recalls. Chris made the big move several years later, camping out on his brother’s living room floor for a few weeks while he got situated. “We wanted to explore what that felt like through the Green family. They at least have each other, but everything else is brand new.”

The series’ characters are based on true-life characters the Houghton brothers grew up with. There’s a lot of Chris Houghton in Cricket, the series’ protagonist. “There’s a third Houghton brother,” Chris explains, “and we were always getting into trouble—so a lot of that trouble-making, free-spirited childhood is embodied in Cricket. We try to bring a great, boisterous carefree energy to him. He’s a bit of a rapscallion.”

Cricket’s father, Bill, and sister, Tilly—a passionate advocate for animals—have their roots in the Houghtons’ real-life family members and neighbors from St. Johns. There is, indeed, a real Gramma Alice, who Chris describes as “a cantankerous, sweet-and-sour grandma who could whip back and forth between being the most terrifying grandmother you’ve ever met and a very, very sweet grandmother.”

Big names are in the Big City Greens guest voice cast. Though Big City Greens is a brand-new show, its guest voice cast is filled with huge stars. Emmy® Award-winner Jon Hamm (Mad Men) voices store manager Louis; Emmy Award-nominated Raven-Symoné (Raven’s Home) is set to play news reporter Maria Media; Grammy® Award-nominated Busta Rhymes lends his voice to a wise fish; Danny Trejo (Spy Kids) guests as bodyguard Vasquez; and Academy Award® winner Jim Rash (The Descendants, Community) is waiter Ted, to name just some of the talented voice actors. Chris stresses, “It was a huge vote of confidence for us and the show to have these really talented, funny folks that we all look up to respond to the material of the show.” 

Shane and Chris want Big City Greens to be a series that anyone can jump into at any time. Shane tells D23, “Coming from comic books, we would walk into a comic shop and see, for example, Spider-Man No. 527, and we would ask ourselves, ‘Can I start here? Can I open this up and understand what’s going on? And a lot of times, the answer is no.’” Chris and Shane purposefully structured their hit comic book series, Reed Gunther, so that each issue could stand on its own as a complete story, and that’s what they want audiences to experience with Big City Greens. “We want the show to be two parts funny and one part heart,” says Shane, a lifelong Pixar fan who says that Toy Story changed his life. “Those movies are so funny and so sweet, and I don’t ever want to make anything that doesn’t resonate with somebody on an emotional level.”

[rageagainstthemarine]

Do Not Reach Beyond the Sky (9/?)

Warnings: None Tags: Canon-typical violence, Freeform, Retelling, Original Characters, Additional Tags Pairing: None yet Characters: All of them

Fahleon Lavellan is several things, a Dalish elf, a deserter Warden, but Herald of Andraste is not of them. The Creators have played a cruel trick if anyone is to believe he played some part of the Conclave even if the evidence is a rift-sealing mark on his hand. Where he does fit, he doesn’t know and isn’t fond of finding out.

Previous|Current|Next

Fahleon needed an excuse to start flinging arrows. Between the lack of sleep, Cassandra's constant glares, and Varric's insistent pacing, one was going to miss - accidentally - and hit either of them in the neck. The dwarf paced about the camp another time to rifle though the rations. Fahleon twitched at the sound of leather on leather and he rose to his feet when Varric tossed a wrapped package of salted meats towards him. He let it drop to the ground.

Excuse be damned.

"I'm going hunting." Walking, more like. Away. Far away. Until his head stopped pounding and his teeth stopped grinding. Fahleon shoved his fingers in his mouth, careful of his teeth, and whistled a sharp note over Cassandra's disapproving tone. Ada tore from the branches to climb the winds above the tree tops. He reached for the pouch slung on his belt out of habit and his fingers back back sticky with old blood. Maybe not an entirely, made up reason to leave, he thought, raising his brows.

"Where do you think you are going?"

Fahleon didn't take his eyes off the kite wheeling in the upper winds. "She won't eat that." He waited for Cassandra to protest with a tap of his fingers against his thigh. He tapped his third and laid it flat against his pants when she inhaled.

"I'm sure it will be fine on its own."

His nostrils flared. "She." He felt more than saw Solas coax a bundle of kindling into flame for the mornings...food...as static under his skin and he rubbed his palm along his pants. "I wont lose her. Again," he added with a narrow of his eyes. Solas did something else, brought the flame higher, it didn't matter. It itched, was the truth, and he scratched madly at his hand with a growl.

What was he doing? Cassandra had asked for a leader when she'd thrown his back to the wall, kept in place by a templar, an assassin, and another woman who's words were as sharp as any of their blades. He didn't need to explain himself or make up some story to do what he wished. His whole...job was to do just that. He wished to walk, just for a moment, under the trees and bloody his hands.

The woman was going to demand he stay put, again, and Fahleon pushed past her and her complaints. He let the shade of the wool cool his face and unslung his bow. He wouldn't need it, not when Ada would be doing to hunting herself, but the wood felt good in his grasp and having something to hold kept his hands busy from clawing another wound into his palm as the magic itched along it. He tilted his face to the skies and tracked the bird's movements beyond the glare of the rising sun.

Hunting alongside her was easier than breathing. Just as well, since irritation made his chest tight. Cold, mountain air filled his lungs and froze off what was left of the tension still sitting on his shoulders and cooled his temper. His head stopped aching and his feet steadied their pace through the woods. If he knew nothing about what he was supposed to do when he met with th Chantry mother or even what to do after, he at least understood everything about Ada. The way she paused the split second before a dive, the sudden twist of her body to push the full force of her small talons into her prey. Her screech of victory when it was over. It rang through the trees and Fahleon jogged to catch up.

This was what he was meant for - shadows and silence and a weapon in his hand, the smell of dirt and coming rain and his own, even breathing. He was made for stalking the smaller creatures hidden beneath the trees, to chase them down and turn their skin and bones into something for use for him. Simple pleasures. Selfishness. Isolation. Nowhere did that include leadership. Communication. Thinking of others. Fahleon wrinkled his nose.

If he thought anything, it was that none of them deserved to be saved from whatever threat currently ravaged Thedas. If the Conclave was just the start, Fahleon would stick around for the other fireworks. As a spectator, not a fighter.

As if he had much choice in the matter, but it was a thought that didn't fail to bring a small smile to his lips. He made sure the expression was wiped off his face before he ducked back into the light of the camp clearing, hunt finished after Ada pounced on a squirrel. There wasn't any arrows to shoot off and little left of the creature to bloody his hands with, but his fingertips were stained pink after skinning what was left and pocketing what Ada hadn't finished for her later.

This was all he needed, after all. His bird, his bow, and his privacy. Two out of three wasn't...terrible. Inconvenient, but so long as he could continue ignoring those who took it away from him. Such as Cassandra's narrow eyed look as he dropped his things by a tent and Varric's raised hand of greeting as he circled the fire to warm his hands. The small smile threatened to return at their silence.

Solas emerged from some corner of the camp, and Fahleon thwarted his attempts at conversation by pulling the skin from his pouch and setting it to dry on the stones keeping the flames contained. The scent of blood mingled with the blend of herbs boiling in a pot above them to curl into a mess of unpleasing smells that was good to dissuade both insects and elves. The disgusted noise that left Solas made his lips quirk.

It wasn't so effective with dwarves. Varric inched closer, and Fahleon kept a careful eye on his not so subtle shifting. He paused when Ada flitted to his shoulder and Fahleon rolled his shoulder to make her shriek before lifting a piece of leftover meat to her. She tore at his finger.

"So, you and the bird?"

"No story." Fahleon frowned when he found Varric nearly at his side. At least his smile had dropped from cheery to something normal. His face was pale so close to Ada, eyes flicking between her beak and her talon as if she'd use them to rip out his teeth at any moment. It wasn't the worst idea she'd had. He tossed a second piece towards the woods and the kite lunged after it. Varric filled in the space she left.

Varric was close enough to nudge him, and he did. Fahleon leaned away from the touch and the dwarf hooked his thumbs in the buckles of his pants, instead. "There's always a story, and with the kind of eyes you look at that animal of yours, there's definitely a good one."

He bristled. If this was just a question to ask in a way to pass the time, Varric could busy himself better by coming up with a story of his own than to bother him for an answer he wouldn't give if he wanted to talk about her like that. Even better if he did it somewhere further away from him. Far away.

Fahleon closed his eyes and, in unusual patience, eased out a slow breath. It was easier if he just the conversation over with. "I found her on the ground - probably tried to fly. She was hurt. There weren't any other birds. I took her with me and fed her until she was better. I brought her back but she didn't leave. End of story."

"That can't be the end-" Fahleon shut him up with a sharp look. Varric dutifully closed his mouth and rocked back on his heels. "You're leaving out all the best parts, though."

Fahleon struggled to keep the apprehension off his face. "Humor me," he parroted, with more confusion than Varric had voiced. The dwarf grinned.

"Seems to me you left out all the mystery, all the passion! All the parts that say that the bird of your's wasn't the only one to be saved that day." Fahleon narrowed his eyes, but Varric only settled on the ground in front of him. Fahleon sighed. He was in for the long haul, now. "See, what you're doing is a bluff. Right there," he said, pointing, but Fahleon didn't see anything out of the ordinary. His tunic was a bit more wrinkles and his pants had a new stain...whatever Varric was looking for wasn't there, but he only pointed more insistently. "There. Your eyebrows."

Fahleon rubbed at the space between them with his thumb.

"The mystery is why you brought her home. To fill some hole, right? So let me guess. You lost someone or you got lost yourself. You were scared and someone took you in and-"

Fahleon clenched his jaw until his teeth ached. "Stop."

Varric lifted his hands in surrender. "You can keep your bluff, but your face says it all. Might be easier if you thought about trusting some of us sooner rather than later, too, because if this goes how I see it happening, you're going to need friends - and not just me."

"We're not friends." Even less so after Varric's attempt at not prying. He was further than a stranger, in all areas. Fahleon barely knew him, barely understood him, and after this...had drastically underestimated him.

"Of course we're not, Smiles," he said, and Fahleon backed away from the hand that was stretched out to - what? - pat him? Hit him? Choke him? He snorted at Varric's wilting smile and turned.

Solas met the full force of his sneer but it was Cassandra that earned his bite when she grabbed his arm and spun him around. He gnashed his teeth and growled. She didn't flinch and it made his cheeks warm. Was he so common faced for them to grow used to his ire so quickly?

"Someone was out for the Divine's life and may be out for yours as well," as if that explained the need for her hands on him. Hadn't she wanted his life just days go, too? He jerked his arm but she only curled her fingers tighter around it. "With the mage-templar war spreading we are in more danger of bandits and rogue mages. You cannot run off every time-"

"You care for me now?" he snarled.

"I am warning you that I am watching every move you make," she snapped back, returning every ounce of vehemence Fahleon gave her. It stung harder than the slap she'd hit him with the first time they met and he rubbed at his mouth. Cassandra gave him another pointed glare before releasing him, and Fahleon whirled for the other side of camp.

It was one more night before Harding was back from her rendezvous with the camp in the Hinterlands proper. One more night of the feeling of eyes on his back - Cassandra's eyes, it was confirmed. Not that he hadn't known without her telling him so. He spat. Varric wanted him to trust her? Or any of them? Halla shit. He'd trust them when they started trusting him. Solas would take the first chance his guard was down to cut open his hand to see how it worked and Varric was one second away from sticking a bolt in his back. Cassandra would do it from the front.

Better not to take his chances. Just as in Haven, Fahleon found a reasonably sized tree and wriggled himself up the trunk to wedge himself in the nook of two sturdy branches. He called to Ada with a whistle and she left the bones pecked clean for the limb above him. It made his nerves ease, just a fraction, to have her nearby, even if she'd tucked her beak in the ruff of thick feathers around her neck to sleep. How lucky she was to be oblivious of it all.

"Traitor," he muttered, and she squawked something undignified for a lady at the disturbance. A quick swipe of a talon at his head put a shallow cut above his brow and he wiped away the sting before folding his bands behind his head to cushion it against the bark as he eyed the rest of the camp.

Varric had taken up a spot further from the fire and Solas had retired to his tent. He narrowed his eyes and rolled onto his side when Cassandre met his gaze. He wouldn't sleep, not with her knowing where he was, and it would leave him with more time than he liked to think.

At dawn, they'd travel the rest of the down the Frostbacks following scout Harding's latest report on the mage-templar war and make their way to the horse master's farm. They'd find the Chantry woman and after that...he scowled. He'd do whatever he was told to.

Close the Breach. Find the suspect at the Conclave. Save Thedas. Everything in between was just small talk.

But after all that? Would he be free to leave? To return home? Pretend like none of it ever happened? Would he be the Chantry's dog by then, begging for every scrap of praise and wagging his tail when he was given another job or two? And the anchor - what would happen to that after all that time passed?

Fahleon rubbed at his eyes. Creators, he really should have just ran.

[upperpeninsulabreakingnews]

URGENT URGENT U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 4-21-18 – 7 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

17-year-old Jolene Kim Treml of Kingsford, MI

18-year-old Benjamin James Johnson of Norway, MI

18-year-old Taylor Nicole Bosley of Kingsford, MI

Norway, MI native 22-year-old Krista Marie Urbanc

21-year-old Jacob Weslin of Iron Mountain,

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/#!/Obituary

Jolene Kim Treml, 17, of Kingsford, MI, died on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 (wreck) http://www.ernashfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Jolene-Treml/#!/Obituary

Krista Marie Urbanc, 22, Norway, MI native, died on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 (fire) http://www.ortmanfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Krista-Urbanc/#!/Obituary

Jacob Allen Weslin, 21, Iron Mountain native, died on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 (wreck) http://www.ernashfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Jacob-Weslin/#!/Obituary

Benjamin 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.

21-year-old Austin Keith Mitchell of Iron Mountain

Austin Mitchell

  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

17-year-old Jolene Kim Treml of Kingsford, MI

18-year-old Taylor Nicole Bosley of Kingsford, MI

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:

18-year-old Taylor Nicole Bosley of Kingsford, MI

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:

Krista Urbanic with friend June 2017

Norway, MI native 22-year-old Krista Marie Urbanc

Remembering 22-year-old Krista Urbanc

Krista Urbanc Graduation in August 2014 from Norway High School

Beautiful Krista Urbanc on beach in June 2017

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.

Norway, MI native 22-year-old Krista Marie Urbanc

23-year-old Zachary Johnson 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

21-year-old Jacob Weslin of Iron Mountain,

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.

Now criminal charges: A tragic and painful seven-week period this winter claimed the lives of five Dickinson County youths between the ages of 17 and 22 – and ruined countless others with the latest an American teen tragedy right out of the movies – Because now an Iron Mountain, MI youth may have to go to prison for killing his good friend in an alcohol-related traffic crash URGENT URGENT U.P. Breaking News Bulletin – 4-21-18 – 7 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…