Local News

Three U.P. Republican state legislators have now responded to Governor Whitmer’s order to shut down the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline. In a joint statement released yesterday afternoon, State Senator Ed McBroom, and Representatives Greg Markkanen and Beau LaFave accused the governor of playing political games by releasing her decision after …

Hancock teachers have a new contract. The two-year deal was ratified by the union and the board of education last week. According to Hancock Superintendent Steve Patchin, teachers will get salary increases of 1.5 percent this year, and next year. There will also be a one-time bonus next December, which …

A cache of guns and illegal drugs has been seized by investigators at a residence near Skanee. Detectives from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at the home on the L’Anse Indian Reservation on Thursday. Officials say the warrant was the result of a five-month investigation. …

The COVID-19 numbers in the Western Upper Peninsula have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Last night’s update from the Western U.P. Health Department includes a whopping 229 new positive cases confirmed across the five-county region since the last report was released late Monday. An additional 50 probable cases …

In the midst of the pandemic, Calumet Electronics Corporation is expanding. The company has purchased the historic Calumet and Hecla Bathhouse, which will be renovated, and serve as the company’s headquarters. Construction is also underway on a 35,000 square foot expansion of the company’s manufacturing facilities. That project should be …

Northern Michigan University has introduced two new scholarship programs designed to help Upper Peninsula students. Both were approved yesterday by the Board of Trustees. The Transfer UP-Winter Awards will provide up to $1,000 for transfer students who wish to enroll for the first time at NMU for the Winter 2021 …

There will be no public skating at Dee Stadium for the foreseeable future. At last night’s Houghton City Council meeting, City Manager Eric Waara explained that they just haven’t figured out a way for COVID-19 guidelines to be enforced in such an unstructured environment… “Most hockey teams are sort of …

The CLK Board of Education made several personnel moves at its meeting this week. Building supervisor Dan LaVergne is retiring. Instructional Coach and District Technology Director Nora Laho has resigned. The board approved a leave of absence for Laurie Rule through the end of the 2020-2021 school year. The board …

Work on the Houghton-Hancock Bridge this winter is expected to cause few traffic challenges. City Manager Eric Waara told the Houghton City Council last night that the Michigan Department of Transportation’s upcoming repair plans will likely include some single lane closures, and a limited number of lifts… “They’re going to …

Paul LaBine will continue to serve as mayor of Hancock. LaBine was elected on a 6-1 vote at that city council’s organizational meeting last night. Former mayor John Haeussler will serve as mayor pro-tem, replacing former mayor pro-tem Will Lytle on a 4-3 vote. The Hancock council conducted no other …