Local News

Mail Carriers fight brutal elements all year round, and they are even fighting against hunger. For over 30 years the US Letter Carriers union has held a notional food drive, encouraging local post offices to collect non perishable food items. And donate them to any local food pantry. Tomorrow during …

A stretch of highway in the southern Upper Peninsula will be dedicated to the memory of a fallen Michigan State Police trooper today. The five-mile segment of US-41 and US-2 between Bark River and Hyde, west of Escanaba, will be christened the Darryl M. Rantanen Memorial Highway.  Rantanen was killed …

The latest COVID-19 surge is creeping into the Copper Country. While levels still remain relatively low, the state health department reported 61 new confirmed cases in Houghton, Baraga, Keweenaw and Ontonagon Counties in the past week. That compares to 45 in the previous week. Forty-nine of the new cases were …

The list of farm markets in the Copper Country continues to grow. South Range is the latest municipality to join the club. Their market will be held Tuesdays between 3:00 and 6:00 at the parking lot at the ballfields. It will open May 31st. There is no charge for vendors …

The City of Hancock will hold its annual spring cleanup today and tomorrow. City residents may drop a wide variety of unwanted items off at the Public Works Garage on Tomasi Drive today between 8:30 and 6:30, and tomorrow between 8:00 and 3:00.  Senior citizens and handicapped residents can arrange …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has lifted spring weight restrictions on all state trunk lines in the Upper Peninsula. In our area, that only affects highways with the M- or US- designations. Restrictions remain in effect for all other roads in the Copper Country. Houghton County Road Commission Engineer Kevin …

A growing community of people have been using the tennis courts at Terrace Park for pickleball. As one of the fastest growing sports right now, and with an excited sector of the population, Hancock will have some resurfacing done at the Laurn Grove Park. In order to fill a desire …

One of the Copper Country’s many living legends will be at the Portage Lake District Library tonight to talk about his recent book, Long Exposure. Join Joe Kirkish and the library tonight, as he discusses his adventure-filled quest for identity and independence outside the Upper Peninsula. And his eventual return …

A section of the Bill Nicholas trail between Painesdale and South Range is temporarily closed according to the Keweenaw ATV Club. There is no re-route at this time. The trail is closed in order to protect a water main located near the trail, that could become damaged due to the …

Eric Waara will continue as Houghton’s city manager. At last night’s meeting, city council members extended his contract for two years. It had been set to expire in June. Waara will receive the same three percent raise other city employees are getting. He’ll also get some hazard pay that he …