Local News

Nurses at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital are on their way to becoming union members. In a 35-17 vote this week, staff members decided to join the Michigan Nurses Association, which is an affiliate of National Nurses United. The results will become official when certified within seven days, unless a challenge is …

The Baraga County Commission this evening dropped a proposal that would have provided retirement benefits for some former board members. The plan would have paid a monthly benefit of $10.00 for every year of service for former commissioners who had served at least 20 years on the board. It would …

From the Houghton County Fair Board: The Houghton County Fair Association held their Annual Meeting in December. The following board members were re-elected for three year terms: Taana Blom, Jack Dunstan, Rick Freeman, and Kyle Maki. The officers will be Kathleen Caspary as the President, Rick Freeman as the Vice …

COVID-19 diagnoses have dropped dramatically in the Copper Country. Figures released this morning by the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department show just 32 new confirmed positives across the five-county area since the last update was published Thursday evening. 28 of those are in Houghton County, with two each in Ontonagon …

The Baraga County Chamber of Commerce is looking for candidates for its Board of Directors. Members of the board are obliged to attend monthly Chamber meetings, and some committee meetings. Candidates must be members of the Chamber, either individually, or through the business they own, or for which they work. …

Officials are urging caution as skaters and fishers head out onto the early-winter ice. Videos taken over the weekend showed crowds of people skating on clear, smooth ice on the Portage. At least one person fell through, though. The Hancock Fire Department’s Ice Rescue Team pulled a person out near …

Michigan U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, and First District U.S. Representative Jack Bergman all voted in favor of the compromise budget and COVID-19 relief bill yesterday, but all expressed reservations about the contents, and the process. Peters said the deal does not go far enough to provide relief …

The COVID-19 outbreak at the Mission Point Nursing Home in Hancock may have run its course. With 52 resident cases reported over the past month at the 63-bed facility, no new cases were added last week. The latest report submitted to the state does include five new resident deaths that …

If you’re going through Christmas carol withdrawal, you can enjoy some relief this afternoon in L’Anse. A community Christmas Carol Sing will begin at 4:00, downtown along Main Street. Sing-along music will be piped through the speakers attached to light and utility poles. Singers can gather near the speakers, and …

The Portage Lake District Library is re-opening for limited access by patrons. The modification to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Epidemic Order issued Friday will enable the library to return to Phase Three of its reopening plan. Some indoor activities will resume. Masks will be required. Visits …