Local News

The tourism industry in the wintertime depends on cold temperatures and a lot of snow, but these last couple of days may have been a case of too much of a good thing. Many snowmobilers, skiers and snow boarders are in town to enjoy the winter recreation but frigid temperatures …

The extreme winter weather is wreaking havoc on air travel throughout the Midwest and the Copper Country is no exception. Houghton County Memorial Airport Manager Dennis Hext said all flights were cancelled today due to the conditions here and at other airports.  “We got hit kind of with a double …

The search for the next president of Gogebic Community College is down to the final four candidates.  The search committee narrowed the short list down from ten candidates last week.  The college plans to announce the next President by the end of February. Gerald (Jay) Edgren, Ph.D., is President of Frontier …

Artists in the Keweenaw will soon be learning some new skills as well as touching up on their existing talents.  Registration is now open for spring art classes taking place February-May at the Copper Country Community Arts Center in Hancock. “The art center has been in downtown Hancock for 26 …

Gas Cards Available for Individuals/Families Battling Cancer [Hancock, MI] For the past seven (7) years, the Portage Health Foundation (PHF) has had a partnership with the Keller Family Community Foundation (KFCF) which supports individuals battling cancer in the four-county community (Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon County). The gas card program …

State Senator Ed McBroom has more than just auto insurance reform in his sights as the 2019 legislative session gets underway.  The Vulcan Republican has helped put forward bills addressing the ongoing dark store issue and revamping the way members of the state board of education are selected. Dark store …

Progress is being made on improvements to the Houghton-Portage Township School District, made possible by a $10.9 million bond passed by voters in May 2017.  School Superintendent Doreen Klingbeil says they were able to get started on interior and exterior projects right away last spring because of favorable weather. The …

An effort is underway from the Finnish American Heritage Center to begin the farming of reindeer in the UP which could lead to commercial farming of the animal.  Over the weekend, a presentation was given at the annual Heikinpäivä celebration regarding the history of reindeer farming from a Finnish reindeer …

The Mushing Club at Michigan Tech has finished its first sled dog race in Minnesota.  Two mushers from the club entered the John Beargrease, the longest sled dog race in the lower 48, over the weekend to face the 20 below temperatures. The Beargrease, which was named after John Beargrease …

Now that the partial government shutdown is over, the Isle Royale National Park and the Keweenaw National Historical Park offices are open again. Also opening is the Calumet Visitor Center, which will resume its winter hours of operation starting this weekend.  The center will be open from 11am to 4pm …