Local News

New voting equipment will be used in all of Houghton County’s 31 precincts tomorrow. Houghton County Clerk Jennifer Lorenz is asking voters to have patience when visiting the polls as only a few precincts have previously used this equipment. Voters will be asked to use a Sharpie marker that will …

While there are only a handful of local races on tomorrow’s primary ballot, the fate of several key proposals will be decided. In Houghton County, voters will be asked whether or not to support a millage renewal along with a slight increase to support the Houghton County Veteran’s Service Office. …

Now that President Trump has issued a federal disaster declaration for Houghton, Gogebic and Menominee Counties, work to fix the damage caused by the June 17th storm can continue. Friday’s announcement was followed by a series of statements from lawmakers applauding the President’s decision, including both of Michigan’s US Senators …

A teenaged boy was rescued yesterday after he fell off a boat while fishing in Portage Lake. Officials say the boy was in the water for about 25 minutes before he was pulled out by passing boaters. The boy’s boat was under power at the time. The unoccupied craft eventually …

The Portage Health Foundation received almost 500 requests for assistance from their Flood with Love relief fund. Officials continue the process of sorting through and qualifying the applications. For those who need repairs done, contractors will be dispatched to assess the damage, and provide estimates. Officials emphasize that the charitable …

Passenger and baggage screening at Upper Peninsula airports could be eliminated, if a proposal being considered by the Transportation Safety Administration proceeds. CNN reports that funds would be cut for as many as 150 small airports across the country, including those in the U.P. The money saved would be used …

The Baraga County Fair opens today at the fairgrounds in Pelkie. This year’s fair will have a different look, with a carnival providing rides and fair-style food. The Senior Day program begins at 11:00 this morning, in a new location at the Community Hall. Fair queen candidates will be presented …

The company that’s building two new power plants in the region has set an ambitious goal for emissions reductions. Two years ago, WEC Energy Group committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions 40 percent by the year 2030, using 2005 emissions levels as the benchmark. In the company’s most recent Corporate …

The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge has yet another buyer. 4 Lambs Properties of Corpus Christi, Texas, which purchased the financially troubled Lodge at auction last week, has turned its purchase rights over to John Mueller, of Austin, Texas. Mueller was the runner-up in the auction bidding. It’s not known why the …

August has officially been declared Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Michigan. Governor Rick Snyder released the proclamation yesterday, saying that Michigan is committed to reducing infant mortality and improving the health of babies and mothers. There are a couple of related events in the Copper Country over the next several days. …