Local News

A new wave of COVID-19 infection hit the Copper Country in the week ending January 12th, a precursor to the news released by the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department this weekend. Omicron is confirmed in at least one area case and Chief Health Officer Kate Beer says that is assuredly …

Last week the CDC granted funds to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to improve the state’s genome testing for infectious diseases. The 18.5 million dollars will be spread among four top institutions, including Michigan Tech. Dr. Caryn Heldt, the Director for MTU’s Health Research Institute, says the …

Comedian Steve Mazan will take the stage at the Orpheum Theatre Saturday night as part of the Raise the Woof comedy series, benefitting rural animal shelters. Mazan says playing in smaller markets allows facilities with a low profile to get much needed fundraising, and it brings him to audiences who …

November’s record-breaking Giving Tuesday drive held by the Portage Health Foundation helped some of the 22 participating nonprofits more than others. Omega House is the runaway winner. Between donations and a $200,000 match by PHF, over $643,000 was raised for nearly two dozen groups. Roughly one-fifth, or $128,971, went to …

A 52-year-old man was arrested on Thursday by law enforcement personnel in Baraga County following an altercation at an area business the evening prior. The Baraga Township man is accused of pulling a gun after a verbal confrontation with an owner late Wednesday. The man was taken into custody without …

Elections held last year contained some big surprises for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and a new reorganization of the executive ranks of the tribe is helping to reveal their impact. Kim Klopstein was named the new president during a meeting held on January 8th. Susan LaFernier will be Vice …

24-year-old Matthew Smith is sentenced to probation for one year related to an intimidating 2020 phone call he made to Houghton County clerk Jennifer Kelly. Smith had already pled guilty to malicious use of a telecommunication device last fall. Smith is close friends with Justin Kasieta, Kelly’s political opponent at …

Michigan State Police personnel say they are getting closer to naming the two people who died in a house fire last Friday night in Portage Township. Lieutenant Derrick Carroll says the condition of the bodies is too poor to get a conclusive ID via autopsy, which leaves some uncertainty. The …

Houghton’s pier project is moving along into the next phase of work soon. Pile driving work on the north side of the Lakeshore Center looks to finish up sometime during the next couple weeks. Construction should pick back up around March, dependent on the weather. The city has hit a …

A Copper Country native has taken the reins at Upper Peninsula Health System – Portage Hospital. Ryan Heinonen has served in the role on an interim basis since October and the organization made his title permanent this week. Heinonen has been with the facility since 2010. He started out as …