Local News

Today is World Polio Day. The disease that caused paralysis, forced victims through excruciating therapy, and confined some to iron lungs has nearly been wiped out. The worldwide vaccine effort has been led by Rotary International, and its local clubs – including those in Houghton, Hancock, Calumet and Ontonagon. Houghton …

The L’Anse Area School District finished the last school year with a thin budget surplus. Superintendent Susan Tollfeson said confirmation of the $173,000 surplus came at Monday’s board of education meeting, as the district’s annual audit was successfully completed and approved. Tollefson told us the board also approved the sale …

The Michigan Department of Transportation is shutting down its Upper Peninsula roadside parks for the winter. Keweenaw County parks will close tomorrow. Parks in the rest of the western U.P. will shut down a week from today. Roadside parks are typically reopened in early May, depending on weather.

A semi truck driver was arrested early yesterday after his rig jackknifed across US-45 four miles north of Watersmeet. State police troopers who arrived on the scene shortly after 3:00 am found the highway blocked, and the driver drunk. He was taken to the Gogebic County jail. His identity has …

Victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual abuse and human trafficking could keep their addresses secret under legislation approved unanimously by the Michigan Senate yesterday. Participants in the program would receive an identification number. Mail intended for them would be sent to a state government address, and then forwarded. Driver’s licenses …

The Houghton City Council will hold a public hearing tonight about a proposed federal grant. The $199,900 stipend from Rural Development would be used to help purchase a police vehicle, two dump trucks, a wheel loader, a skid steer loader, and an excavator thumb. Public comment is welcome. The hearing …

A controversy has flared up over the logo for Michigan Tech’s upcoming Winter Carnival. In a Facebook post last evening, the Blue Key Society – which organizes Winter Carnival – said the logo was being modified because of complaints that the original contained “controversial content and graphics.” The theme for …

Taxpayers in the Dollar Bay-Tamarack City School District will save a little money on the upcoming projects they authorized in the millage election in August. Monday night, the Board of Education approved a bond purchase bid from BOK Financial Securities. The interest rate is 2.46 percent. That’s lower than expected, …

The Salvation Army will begin its winter coat giveaway today. Families who need winter coats can stop at the Salvation Army building in Hancock between 9:00 and 3:00 today and tomorrow. Yes, it’s just October, but Envoy Brenda DeLacy knows winter’s on its way… Families who need winter gear are …

Main Street Calumet is putting the final touches on Saturday’s Trunk or Treat event… That’s Main Street Calumet’s Leah Polzien, who says the treat side of the event is the crowd of kids who turn out to collect candy from the trunkers, and from participating downtown businesses… They’ll also be …