Local News

What comes next after May’s Fifth Street Fire was the focus of Tuesday’s Calumet Village Council meeting. The group discussed fees attached to installing a block perimeter around the site. The quarry stones themselves were free, but a $4,000 charge was assessed to place them as a protective barrier. In …

Coming up on March 3rd [correction: Date was originally written as 3/5], the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, Keweenaw Young Professionals, the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, and the Portage Health Foundation are once again set to host the Sparkplug Awards. The honor is meant to recognize all community members, from individuals …

Contractors for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will continue work requiring closures of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock Wednesday. The contractor anticipates restricting access to the span twice between 9 p.m. and midnight Wednesday. These closures will result in delays for vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle …

The specter of omicron, already hitting hard across the Northeast and down the Atlantic seaboard to Florida, led senior Michigan officials to hold a press briefing Tuesday morning. Included was Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who spoke on the virus in an official capacity for the first time since June. Recently appointed …

Could the covid-19 pandemic be an opportunity? Michigan Tech University students are taking of advantage of an opportunity to learn. Kinesiology Professor and MTU Covid Town Hall host, Steven Elmer challenged students in that field to create a resource hub from trusted sources. The project benefited people on and off …

Lots of kids in Girl and Boy land across the Copper Country could be forgiven if they thought they had been transported to Toyland this past weekend. The Marine Corps League – Keweenaw Detachment made its annual gift distribution tied to the Toys for Tots program. Jim Mattson says this …

The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program is investing millions in the area’s sewer infrastructure. Announced last Thursday, there are four projects across the Upper Peninsula, including in Houghton and Ontonagon County. Torch Lake Sewer Authority is receiving $3 million. Assistance for Carp Lake Sewer Authority totals about …

Christmas is Saturday and that means another holiday meal delivery for Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly throughout the Keweenaw. Program Director Sarah Hoffman says the organization is still accepting registrations from those who would like a dinner. The Houghton location is filled, but Hoffman says there are ways …

There were some major upsets in the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community general election Saturday. In the Baraga District, longtime council president Warren “Chris” Swartz lost his reelection bid. Newcomer Sue Ellen Elmblad was the top vote-getter in the Baraga District, with 233 votes. Incumbent council member Kim Klopstein will continue, …

Michigan Technological University already provides English as a Second Language classes for visiting professors and students, but family members do not have the same opportunities. Many countries require foreign language classes as early as elementary school, a step in the right direction if they want to eventually go abroad. Beth …