Local News

The omicron variant is shattering pandemic records related to COVID-19 cases across the Copper Country. Health officials say the numbers are almost assuredly higher as home testing results are rarely publicized. Western Upper Peninsula Health Department Chief Health Officer Kate Beer says that they should be treated as suspected cases, …

Investigators from the Michigan State Police have made a tragic discovery at the scene of a structure fire in Laird Township. In addition to the one person confirmed as dead already, another body has been uncovered. A positive identification has yet to be made for either of the deceased, but …

May’s special election will see three candidates vying for the Houghton Council seat vacated by Dan Salo. Clerk Ann Vollrath goes through the roster. They are Robyn Johnson, Mike Salmi, and Craig Waddell. Nominating petitions were due by Tuesday. Eligible candidates are not required to pay a filing fee, but …

Beginning at 3:00 PM Wednesday Mont Ripley welcomed the first passengers of the season on its Copper Ski Lift. Elevating along the eastern face of the hill, it services runs like Wipeout, Bonzai, The Plunge, and the backcountry section. Many of those trails are steep, graded expert, or black diamond, …

The Houghton County Recreation Authority and Michigan Department of Natural Resources are asking the public to weigh in on a proposed nonmotorized trail that would stretch between Hancock and Lake Linden next Wednesday at 6:30. Buy-in is required of all municipalities affected, so the meeting will be hosted by Franklin …

Hancock City Council heard from Christina Smigowski of Rukkila, Negro, and Associates at Wednesday’s meeting about the audit results for the 2021 fiscal year, which ended last summer. The firm gave an unmodified opinion, the best possible outcome. Most city funds saw a net improvement in their cash positions. Smigowski …

David Maki has spent decades working in the number two position at the Finnish American Heritage Center. It made sense to give him the reins on an interim basis following the retirement of Jim Kurtti last spring. Maki is now simply the director, being awarded the position on a permanent …

Last night Calumet’s village council heard a status update to the situation with the missing ballot petition’s submitted back in August 2021. At a special meeting last week the council took the advice of their legal council to repeal ordinances 157 and 158 that would have the village positions of …

Superior Search and Rescue’s drone program continues to expand thanks to grants from the Portage Health Foundation, Portage Health Auxiliary and Gift Shop, and donations made on Giving Tuesday. The total raised from the efforts is roughly $35,000. President Darian Reed says the new drone has some very practical benefits …

The suspect arrested on charges related to threatening a Baraga business owner with a handgun has been arraigned in 97th District Court. 52-year-old Edward Allen Bonham had yet to post bail, set at $75,000, as of last Friday, the last time an update was provided. Bonham faces several felony charges, …