Local News

Denice Swanke’s last stop was Denali National Park in Alaska. She transferred to Isle Royale as superintendent last year and was able to oversee the tail end of seasonal research before the staff returned to the mainland. Swanke says she is still getting her feet wet, sometimes literally (she spent …

Copper Country Strong and the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department have sent their last regularly scheduled COVID update. Only seven new cases have occurred in Houghton, Keweenaw, and Baraga Counties since June 17th, two weeks ago. Vaccination rates have slowed. Houghton County went from 45.1 percent of its residents 16 …

In an update sent Thursday evening, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department says the entire Houghton waterfront, including Kestner Park, is reopened to swimming, boating and other recreational activities. There is no sheen visible when observing from the air using drones, but pockets could remain near the shore. Any sheen, …

The campground at McLain State Park is full, and it will be a similar scene at Fort Wilkins for the holiday weekend. Supervisor Bob Wild says this is always in the running for the busiest time of the year. The fort tries to replicate life as it would have existed …

The International Frisbee Tournament returns July 10-11, with teams coming from as far away as Japan. They’ll be playing guts frisbee at Hancock’s Driving Park, which Wikipedia describes as similar to dodgeball. Longtime player Ron Blau says that is somewhat accurate. Teams of five are lined up across from each …

Hiawatha National Forest in the central Upper Peninsula is easing restrictions put in place earlier this year to safeguard against the threat of wildfires. The measures were originally instituted on June 10th, and had limited where visitors could build campfires. Public Affairs Officer Leah Anderson says guests should still be …

Michigan Republicans have responded to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s request for $25 million to allow for temporary hiring with a proposal of their own. Senate Bills 507-509 would extend the grace period for license renewals, state-issued IDs, and vehicle registrations until September 30th and forbid the department from charging …

Life on campus will be back to normal at Michigan Tech in the fall, and that includes a tuition increase. President Richard Koubek says there is more to the story, as students have many options to help manage the price. So, the Board did vote to have a tuition increase …

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is providing over 90 percent of the cost for needed repairs at Big Traverse Marina. Due to the emergency nature of the application, the agency has the ability to waive the standard agreement for a 100% match by the community. The project is estimated …

For the first time, all motorized vehicle traffic, from trucks to golf carts, will be prohibited on Superior Avenue in the Village of Baraga on the Fourth of July for the Lumberjack Days celebration. The road will close at 8:00 AM on Sunday until after the fireworks display at dusk. …