News

Employment increased slightly in the Upper Peninsula last month. The latest report from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget shows that the number of workers on the job grew to 128,800. That’s 700 better than July, and 3,300 better than August of 2021. The raw unemployment rate for …

COVID-19 diagnoses rose in the Copper Country last week, but the numbers remain modest. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 49 new confirmed cases in Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon Counties, up from 33 in the previous week.  Statewide numbers edged downward, with an average daily diagnoses …

Houghton is getting plans ready for the upcoming demolition of the downtown parking deck. While the demo itself has not been scheduled yet, the city has begun pulling together funds. Houghton has agreed to a bond of up to one and a half million dollars for the demolition. “Essentially passed …

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) is investing one point two million dollars in veteran suicide prevention. The funds will help implement new programs and gather data on Michigan’s more than 500,000 veteran. The over a million dollar investment is the largest by the agency since at least 2000. According …

A move to rename the Hancock Beach in honor of former mayor and city manager Barry Givens was tabled last night by the city council. Barry’s widow, Laura, spoke in favor of the idea, which had been proposed by the city’s Recreation Commission… I believe it would be a great …

The Hancock Downtown Development Authority now owns the former Risto’s Hardware building on Quincy Street. At last night’s city council meeting, City Manager Mary Babcock reported that the purchase closed yesterday morning. After some initial cosmetic improvements… We will be looking at what we can do in the storefront that …

A Keweenaw County Sheriff’s deputy has been honored for rescuing a struggling canoeist earlier this summer. At last night’s Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Curt Pennala presented a lifesaving award to Deputy Matt Eberly.  In June, Eberly responded to a water rescue call in Eagle Harbor, where a …

The village of Laurium will coordinate plans for a Halloween celebration October 29th with the village of Calumet. At Tuesday’s Laurium village council meeting, council member Jeff Erickson noted that Calumet’s popular Trunk or Treat event will run from 3 until 5… We’re going to co-opt that same day, and …

Yesterday Michigan Tech university opened the doors on the new Nucor Metrology Center. The center is inside the Mechanical Engineering – Engineer Mechanics building, on the first floor. Yesterday the university held a donor appreciation event in conjunction with the opening of the new center, thanking the Nucor Corporation, Milwaukee …

Hancock Police are investigating a string of vehicle break ins that occurred Sunday evening into Monday morning. On Monday the police department received numerous phone calls from residents who reported items stolen from the car ranging from electronic devices to loose change. Vehicles were broken into on Depot Street, south …