Local News

Michigan Tech will modify its operating schedule for the holidays. University offices will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas day, and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Some critical areas will remain in operation. Some offices may also be closed, or operating at reduced hours, between Christmas and New …

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed a bill that could have helped small county road commissions afford new facilities. The legislation would have allowed road commissions to finance property purchases over a 30-year term. They are currently limited to 15-year financing. Most other governmental authorities can finance for as much as …

15 local non-profits received nearly $400,000 in community donations yesterday. The Portage Health Foundation delivered the money that was collected during its Giving Tuesday campaign. Supporters of the non-profits donated $248,000. The PHF matched the first $100,000 of that, and then added another $50,000 based on what they called an …

The Copper Country’s only Christmas parade will be held this evening in L’Anse. The parade along Main Street will kick off the Light Up Baraga County celebration. Lighted floats will line up along Division Street next to Meadowbrook Field, and will lead the parade. Decorated big rigs will line up …

A White Pine man is facing drug charges following his arrest on Wednesday. Officials with the Gogebic Iron Area Narcotics Team say they issued a warrant for 45-year-old Jesse Monville Tuesday, following an investigation that began in August after an undercover officer purchased meth and cocaine from him. Monville was …

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees has a new member. Donna Murray-Brown of Detroit is the president and CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, which provides an array of services to non-profit groups around the state. Murray-Brown was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to fill out the unexpired term …

Water and sewer rates could be going up soon in Houghton. Last night, the city council set a public hearing for January 8th to consider the first adjustment in seven years. City Manager Eric Waara said the increase is needed to support a major project coming up, most of which …

A company that’s trying to build recreational marijuana facilities across the state has its eye on Hancock. At last night’s city council meeting, Tranquility Fields Vice-President of Business Development Scott Dianda said the group has taken an option to purchase the former hardware store at 224 Quincy Street. The goal …

The Hancock City Council approved new contracts with the three unions that represent most of the city’s employees last night. Pacts with the Teamsters Union, the Police Officers Association of Michigan, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees differ slightly in their details, but Mayor Paul LaBine …

Hancock Schools Superintendent Steve Patchin wants to put up a sign. Patchin brought his idea to the Hancock City Council last night. He said the digital sign could be as large as three feet by 10 feet. Rotating messages could promote events at the school and in the wider community. …