Local News

Carnival weekend has become an important time for the Quincy Mine Hoist Association in recent years, says lead guide Thomas Wright. Last year was right before COVID, right? Before the lockdowns and everything. It was phenomenal. Word got around through Michigan Tech, through a parents’ Facebook page apparently. “Hey, this …

A nonprofit that has been operating in Grant Township in northeast Keweenaw County has received a grant from Michigan State’s Regional Economic Innovation Center. Managing Director Melissa Davis says the award will allow New Power to expand its work into the rest of the county. New Power works with remote …

Thursday night’s COVID-19 update from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department contains great data for Houghton County in particular. Since the last report on February 1st, only 13 new cases were reported. That’s a dramatic decline from readings in recent weeks. With only four new cases in Baraga County and …

The Hancock City Council is contemplating asking the City of Houghton to slow down on potential development near Coles Creek, the former site of the Michigan Smelter. It is a former superfund site and has documented issues with mercury, lead, and other toxins. The land has been privately owned for …

Finlandia University held its monthly Community Partners virtual discussion Wednesday at noon. Gathering education officials from local districts in addition to the college, business organizations like KEDA, and health representatives virtually, the goal of the talk was to explore the challenges COVID-19 is creating for all stakeholders. The Hirvonen College …

For the second time in the past week, the State Senate refused to confirm appointees sent up for consent and approval by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Wednesday morning’s action included placing holds on Andrea Dickson to the Michigan Tech Board of Trustees and Jason Morgan at Northern Michigan University. The vote …

Rukkila Negro Accounting’s Christina Smigowski presented the firm’s review of Hancock’s financial statements for Fiscal Year 2020 at Wednesday’s council meeting. Overall, the city was given a passing grade, with one red flag noted. City expenses persistently came in above what was budgeted and that required the council to approve …

The crowds weren’t quite as grand as usual, and there were fewer entertainment options on campus, but the all-nighter still successfully kicked off another Winter Carnival at Michigan Tech. There were plenty of places where snow had been scraped down to the grass but student organizations found enough to help …

Wednesday’s Hancock City Council meeting will have a heavy financial focus. They will review results from the most recent audit. City Manager Mary Babcock says she isn’t expecting any surprises to be revealed. On the agenda for new business, the council is expected to agree to work with Robert W …

Sunday’s Barneløpet ski race has been pushed back to February 21st. Expected high temperatures in the single digits caused race organizers, including the Sons of Norway, the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club, and the City of Hancock to postpone from this Sunday. With the delay, deadlines associated with the event have …