News

Houghton-Portage Township Schools are getting a greenhouse and garden. The Board of Education unanimously voted to support the project, which was proposed by Sarah Geborkoff at Monday’s School Board meeting. Geborkoff, a science teacher at Houghton Middle School, says she had the idea years ago and has been planning it …

Governor Rick Snyder has laid out a new action plan to help Flint recover from its water crisis. Highlights of the plan include a pilot project to replace 30 lead service lines out of the gate and plans to partner with the city to remove more lead service pipes. All …

Michigan’s junior U.S. Senator is optimistic work could begin on a new lock at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste Marie after an Army Corps of Engineers study is released next year. Right now there is one large lock and two small ones, which allow ships to travel from Lake …

Legislative leaders in Lansing reportedly have reached agreement on a $700 million plan to reform Detroit schools by dividing the district in two, and making an entirely new district with a fresh start. The Detroit Free Press reports that a tentative agreement has been reached among leaders, but they must …

The number of children in Michigan living in poverty continues to grow, according to a new Kids Count report. The Kids Count in Michigan Data Book 2016 shows nearly one in four children live in poverty, a 23-percent increase over the six years measured in the report. Alicia Guevara Warren …

Bowl for Kids Sake is a nation-wide fundraiser benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The event held in Houghton directly supports The Big Brothers Big Sisters program in the Copper Country. U.P. Kids Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Director, Maggie Munch, says every penny raised from Copper Country Bowl …

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has awarded a total of $100,000 in deer habitat improvement grants in the Upper Peninsula to be allocated between a dozen recipients. “This grant cycle was extremely competitive,” said Bill Scullon, DNR field operations manager from the Norway Field Office and grant program administrator. …

The Hancock Education Association once again announces its HEA scholarship for Hancock Central High School Alumni.  Former Hancock students who are juniors or seniors in the education program at their university are eligible. Applications are available at www.hancock.k12.mi.us.  Click on the high school tab and scroll down to “HEA Scholarship”. …

While politicians love to say that education is their top priority, a new poll shows that voters don’t believe them. The poll, released by “Your Child,” a new advocacy group, shows 76 percent of respondents do not see our elected officials as making education a top priority. Only 17 percent …

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates in January rose in all of the state’s 17 major labor market areas. State officials say total employment declined in most regions over the month. And labor force levels increased moderately in the majority of Michigan’s major labor market areas. State unemployment market expert Jason Palmer …