Local News

The first COVID-19 vaccines in the Copper Country were given yesterday to health care workers in the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Native American tribes are being supplied directly from the federal Indian Health Services program. Officials from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department expect that frontline health care workers across …

Two projects recently completed by Career and Technical Education students at the Copper Country Intermediate School District have attracted attention from other parts of the country. At this week’s CCISD board meeting, Superintendent George Stockero reported that schools in Colorado and Florida had contacted him about the tiny house project …

A review of Houghton County’s vote count in the November election came out well. Last week, County Clerk Jennifer Kelly conducted risk limit audits in Calumet Township, Hancock Township and the City of Hancock… “Every single precinct that I did the audit for, everything went through fabulous. We did a …

The Houghton waterfront could someday include a hotel, retail and office space, conference facilities, apartments and condominiums.  The vision for the future of the property currently devoted to parking was unveiled by the Veridea Group of Marquette last night, at a joint meeting of the Houghton city council, planning commission, …

Houghton County sheriff’s deputies and jail employees have a new contract. The three-year deal was approved by the board of commissioners last night. No details were provided, other than that it runs for three years. Union members had already ratified the deal. Commissioners also decided to try to sell the …

The COVID-19 outbreak at the Mission Point of Hancock nursing home continues to grow, and another outbreak is developing at Canal View.  The latest weekly report filed with the State of Michigan by Mission Point includes 39 new resident cases. That raises the pandemic total to 52 at the facility. …

Add another 76 confirmed COVID-19 cases to the growing total in the five counties served by the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department. Their most recent report includes diagnoses from Friday through yesterday.  45 of the confirmed cases are in Houghton County, with 24 in Gogebic County. Ontonagon and Baraga Counties …

There’s a new commander in charge of the Negaunee State Police Post. Matthew LaBonte was recently promoted from Detective Sergeant to First Lieutenant, and given the new assignment. 1st Lt. Matthew LaBonte Along with the Negaunee Post, LaBonte will oversee the Munising Detachment, and administer all Michigan State Police services …

The Hancock School Board gained a member last night. Trustees appointed Steve Koskela to fill the seat left vacant after Charles Paoli resigned last month. Board members welcomed new middle school principal Jesse Kentala, who said he’s been warmly received… “I’m very impressed with the leadership team so far, and, …

The Houghton-Portage Township Board of Education has lost a member. Fellow trustees said “goodbye” last night to Crystal Verran, who is moving out of state. Board president Nels Christopherson said Verran’s 10 years on the board were productive… “She has served on most of our committees over that time, and …