Local News

News that exploratory drilling has begun near the Porcupines Mountains Wilderness State Park has sparked outrage from at least one environmental group. The Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition issued a press release blasting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for issuing the permit for the drilling and then announcing it after …

A South Range man is facing five felony drug charges after being arrested in Houghton County. On Tuesday, detectives from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of 24 year old Charles Lester Knuckles. The suspect was arrested at his residence in South …

Advances in technology can improve the care that veterans receive from the VA. Congressman Jack Bergman took part in a committee hearing entitled “Assessing the VA IT Landscape: Progress and Challenges.” The hearing was designed to explore the major Information Technology modernization projects and programs underway at the Department of …

Western U.P. Health Department, in conjunction with My Community Dental Centers and local dentists, reminds you to give your child a smile that lasts a lifetime. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, which brings an increased focus on the importance of regular dental check-ups and a balanced diet. The …

CALUMET, Mich. – Calumet High School (CHS) and Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital are partnering once again for the Jersey Fund in support of local cancer care. The Jersey Fund is a collaborative effort between CHS students and Aspirus to help bring extra comfort to oncology patients during their care. Funds are …

Music, food, fun and of course plenty of snow, are in store as Michigan Tech’s annual Winter Carnival officially gets underway today with the legendary All-nighter. This year’s theme is “Snow Cascades Across the Decades.” Blue Key Honor Society President Brad Torni says Carnival comes just in time. Events will …

Hancock Public Schools are digging into the numbers–and the trash–to find out how much garbage is being thrown away that could have been recycled. It’s part of a study spearheaded by the Copper Country Recycling Initiative to teach these middle school students about recycling and to share the data with …

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has issued a use permit to Orvana Resources U.S. Corp. – a subsidiary of Highland Copper – to conduct exploratory drilling on a 1-mile-square piece of property situated along the westernmost edge of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Gogebic County. The exploratory drilling began …

One of the suspects in the robbery of Northwoods Sporting Goods in Hancock appeared for a pretrial in Houghton County Circuit Court Monday. 19-year-old Jake Hugall had waived his arraignment in circuit court so a plea of Not Guilty was entered on his behalf. A plea agreement is expected to …

An Atlantic Mine man has two trials scheduled in the coming months. 47-year-old Steven John Ruotsala appeared in Houghton County Circuit Court Monday for a pretrial regarding a felony domestic violence 3rd offense charge. His attorney indicated he may make a motion concerning an evidentiary issue in the case, dealing …