Local News

COVID-19 Finds its way into the Hancock School District. This from an email sent to parents. A member of the Hancock education team has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Privacy laws prohibit the individual to be named, but contact tracing and investigation, along with extra deep cleaning of the affected area …

Michigan’s Department of Transportation has released the latest figures, regarding fatalities and seriously injured motorists on Michigan roadways. This past week, 39 people died on Michigan roads, for a year to date total of 434. In addition to the deaths, 136 people were also seriously injured, for a year to …

This year’s Upper Peninsula Fall Beer Festival, hosted by the Michigan Brewers Guild, set for September 12th in Marquette, has been cancelled over concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Guild has also had to cancel two other festivals, both downstate, over COVID-19 concerns. Guild Executive Director Scott Graham, said …

On Monday, Michigan’s DNR will begin much needed work on the Houghton to Chassell rail-trail, which was heavily damaged during 2018’s Father’s Day Flood. Other DNR managed trails in the area also suffered heavy damages, as a result of the flood. The work performed includes brushing, ditching, culvert cleaning, and …

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan’s children are falling behind in routine vaccines, out of postponed doctor visits. Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services has urged families to get their children and adolescents caught up with all needed vaccines as quickly as possible. Decreases in immunization rates puts people …

Beginning Monday, the Salvation Army in Hancock, will be ready to assist area families adversely affected by COVID-19. Help with such things as auto repairs, medical assistance and child care among other things, will be available to families that can prove hardship due to COVID-19. You must be able to …

No blue-green algae in the Portage Lake, Portage Canal or Torch Lake in Houghton County. This from a press release issued by the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department late yesterday. Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy analyzed samples from all three bodies of water, and found none of …

No Houghton County Fair this year, but there will be a Junior Market Livestock Show and Sale,  for beef steers, hogs and lambs. This from the Board’s monthly meeting last night. Concerns over COVID-19 far outweighed the risks of moving ahead with the fair. In addition to the fair being …

Will this year’s Houghton County Fair be cancelled? The decision could be made tonight. The Board holds their monthly meeting at the Houghton County Arena in Hancock, at 7pm, and the public is invited to attend. 

Since early June, certain retailers have been allowed to accept bottles and cans for their $.10 deposit, which consumers were still charged. There was an 11-week suspension returning bottles and cans  during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s estimated during this time, close to $80 million worth of bottles …