Local News

Bridgefest has arrived! The30th annual celebration of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and all things summer begins today. The Bridgefest Parade takes place on the Houghton side of the canal, stepping off at 7pm, starting on College Avenue and heading through downtown. Live music, food and fun is planned for …

A member of the Finnish Foreign Ministry staff in Washington, D.C. has frequently reminisced about her visit to Michigan’s Copper Country during FinnFest USA 2013 and longed for ways to return to the area. So, when she had her choice of official visits on which she could accompany Ambassador Kirsti …

June 15, 2017 — Motorists will see a new traffic pattern at the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) US-41 reconstruction project in Hancock beginning June 19. Beginning Monday, all US-41 (Front Street) traffic will shift to the southbound lanes of the highway, maintaining one lane in each direction on Front …

The Department of Natural Resources asks Michigan residents to help keep the state’s up-north icon a wild animal by keeping bears at a distance. With many people (whether they’re seasonal visitors or year-round residents) outdoors and enjoying northern Michigan in the summer months, removing bird feeders is an easy answer …

You’ll soon have a new way to scope out the Portage Canal. Houghton City Manager Eric Waara says a group is donating a spotting scope, to be installed at the Houghton Waterfront in memory of their friend, Ken Steiner, who passed away last year. The scope will be free to …

The 2017-2018 budget for the city of Houghton is now approved. The Houghton City Council adopted the budget, along with the Capital Improvement Plan, Public Participation Plan and amendments to the property maintenance code. The overall $12 million budget on paper shows a deficit of more than $112,000 in the …

Keep an eye out for fledgling falcons by the bridge. The Portage Lake Lift Bridge has been the home to a nest of Peregrine Falcons the last few years and there is the possibility that people may come across a baby falcon. Houghton City Manager Eric Waara says the city …

Come bike the boulevard! The City of Houghton is calling for all bike enthusiasts to join them on Saturday to celebrate the opening of the Houghton Avenue Bike Boulevard. Mayor Pro-Tem Robert Megowan will lead the ride, starting at 11am at Ray Kestner Waterfront Park. There will be free water …

The new UPSET West team is making a big difference in the area’s fight against drugs. Houghton Police Chief John Donnelly, who was instrumental in getting the local narcotics team formed, gave an update to the city council at their regular meeting Wednesday. Donnelly said there are eight suspects, apprehended …

LANSING — State Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) announced today that the state Department of Natural Resources has agreed to pay for the emergency dredging of Lake Superior’s  Big Traverse Bay Harbor in Schoolcraft Township. Stamp sand has again nearly completely blocked the harbor and stopped boat traffic, potentially harming the …