Local News

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency website, recently added an online tutorial, to help people file their unemployment claims. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with non-essential businesses being forced to temporarily shut down, Michigan residents filing for unemployment benefits have gone over 1 million, or almost a quarter …

The Upper Peninsula Regional Blood Center is in need of negative blood type donations. Since the COVID-19 pandemic broke loose, Yoopers have used their shutdown time to donate blood, but the need for negative blood types is ongoing.  Blood Collection Coordinator Rachel Heath had this to say. If you have …

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced a new program, aimed at helping small businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Save Small Business Fund offers $5,000 grants to businesses which employ between 3 and 20 people and are meant to help with everyday business expenses. The grants are …

The Upper Peninsula Energy Task Force has submitted the first part of their report to Governor Whitmer on propane availability in the U.P.  The task force submitted 14 recommendations to various state departments including the state legislature, the Department of Technology, Management and Budget, the Public Service Commission and Department …

In an email sent to parents, Hancock School District Superintendent Steve Patchin outlined academic requirements for students, for the final marking period of the year. Students attending Barkell Elementary will be assessed on their engagement in learning activities by teachers. The district is required by the state to track student …

The Portage Lake District Library has won the June B. Mendel Award for Excellence in Rural Library Service from the Library of Michigan. Library Director Dillion Geshel, broke down what the award means. The award, which has been given out bi-annually, since 2016 marks the 1st time an Upper Peninsula …

This past Saturday, approximately 6:50pm, Houghton County Sheriff’s conducted a traffic stop on a passenger vehicle in Hancock. The driver was arrested, having a local warrant, and having committed multiple driving offenses, which initiated the stop. A female passenger was also arrested for having a felony warrant. A search warrant …

Governor Whitmer has signed an executive order temporarily suspending requirements for in person exams for renewing pesticide certifications, until the emergency declaration in Michigan is lifted.  Three year pesticide applicator licenses which expired on December 31st last year, which were due for renewal now, are now good until 60 days …

One of the biggest complaints during the COVID-19 pandemic, is that test results are not coming back quick enough, especially in the Upper Peninsula. Michigan Tech University to the rescue. Working with area healthcare providers, Michigan Tech has begun testing human samples for COVID-19. Their lab can run 80 samples …

Stanton Township School District Superintendent Jim Rautiola checked in, and gave an update on how his district is handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Rautiola also explained how meals are making their way to students. He had this to say about their distance learning program. The district is also offering free wifi …