Local News

A sexual misconduct allegation against an Upper Peninsula Catholic priest has ended with the ecclesiastical equivalent of a hung jury. Father Frank M. Lenz was accused of sexual misconduct with a minor. The alleged incident took place in the early 1970s. The charge was levied in 2018. Lenz had retired …

The COVID-19 focus in the Western Upper Peninsula is swinging back to Gogebic County. The latest report released by the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department shows 59 more confirmed positives and 38 more probable positives in the five-county region. 24 of the confirmed positives and 35 of the probables came …

You’ve heard the radio ads. You’ve seen the yard signs, posters and stickers. The local “Stay Safe, Stay Open” campaign is based on the consensus that protecting ourselves and our neighbors from COVID-19 is the best way also to protect our local businesses… “Us, kind of tackling this pandemic and …

Local school districts continue to adapt to the new COVID-19 reality. At last night’s Hancock Board of Education meeting, Barkell Elementary School Principal Dan Vaara said this year’s Halloween celebration will be scaled back, but the traditional costume parade will still take place – outdoors, if Mother Nature cooperates… “Unfortunately, …

The COVID-19 infection rate in Michigan now matches the highest level we experienced last spring. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ rolling seven day average of confirmed infections rose to 1,620 in yesterday’s report. That’s just six below the first pandemic peak in early April. The good news …

The  Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is expanding the number of free COVID-19 testing sites available.  Partnerships with Walgreens and the Michigan Primary Care Association will add 77 new sites, and bring the total number of free testing locations across the state to nearly 100. The Walgreens stores …

Some federal money is heading to the Upper Peninsula to help fight the opioid crisis. Michigan State University will administer the $392,462 United States Department of Agriculture Rural Health and Safety Education grant. MSU will work with 15 coalitions in the U.P. to implement an opioid misuse prevention program, provide …

A Chassell man faces multiple drug charges, following his arrest by officers from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team. Officials say 34-year-old Jon Lister was taken into custody Friday, after a two-month investigation. He was arraigned on five counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine. Bond was set at $5,000.

The much anticipated show by country music star Joe Nichols at the Calumet Theatre has been rescheduled again. Theatre Executive Director Marlin Lee said the November 14th date just became untenable… “We kept hoping that restrictions would ease, because this is a show that is going to be a sellout, …

Northern Michigan University’s budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year will shrink by about one percent. The board of trustees approved the spending plan on Friday. Despite the overall shrinkage, money for scholarships and fellowships will increase by nearly $300,000. The board also ratified a new two-year contract with 130 members …