Local News

A new update from the Western UP Health Department shows COVID-19 activity remains centered in Houghton County. Fifty-seven new cases have been confirmed there since Monday, compared to just nine in Baraga (3) and Keweenaw Counties (6) combined. For the three-county area, there was one death since the last report …

A strong summer season is consolidating into lasting economic gains for the area, says Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe. He summarized the findings to wrap up the organization’s virtual breakfast on Thursday morning. Ratcliffe said the positive momentum began with “strong” tourism and construction seasons. He notes …

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has recommitted to provide a grant for the construction of a new pier in Houghton. The project was originally approved in 2019 with construction scheduled for spring 2020. The MEDC redirected those funds towards COVID-19 relief before it could begin.  The new agreement will see …

The Keweenaw Alliance hosted a virtual breakfast Thursday morning, with a significant amount of the discussion dedicated to the COVID-19 vaccine. Most of the news was positive. Western UP Health Director Kate Beer says that Houghton County has nine providers who can distribute the vaccine. The department is looking at …

A press conference at the state capitol Wednesday has bar and restaurant owners feeling nauseous. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Joneigh Kaldun announced an extension to the indoor dining ban which has been in place since November. The prohibition will remain …

President Donald Trump was impeached by the United States House of Representatives for a second time on Wednesday, a first in the nation’s history. Jack Bregman, a Republican who represents Michigan’s first congressional district, opted against the measure. He urged the body to return to an agenda designed to help …

The Lakeshore Drive parking deck was the focus of Houghton’s City Council meeting Wednesday night, both in public discussion and as an agenda item. During the comment period early in the session, developers Jon and Jennifer Julien asked for the panel to consider a proposal that they have been working …

The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors is expanding. At Wednesday’s annual meeting, President Mary Myers introduced three new members. Betsy Smith is a relative fresh face to the area, having called the Keweenaw home for three years now. She owns Baby E’s BBQ with her husband while raising …

On Monday afternoon, Hancock Central High School principal Chris Salani sent a message to district families announcing that midterm exams were optional for this semester. To entice students to participate, the district has modified its policy so that grades cannot be harmed from sitting for the tests. On the flip …

Frustration with the state’s COVID-19 restrictions boiled over at last night’s Houghton County Board of Commissioners meeting. The fireworks began as commissioners considered endorsing a resolution that would have declared the county as a “sanctuary county” for businesses affected by the COVID-19 mandates, and that the sheriff and prosecutor would …