News

The state’s woes regarding unemployment insurance are creating a new problem as tax season kicks into full gear. In a phone call with State Senator Ed McBroom earlier this week, he said a vast majority of people have had no problems, but for those who have slipped through the cracks …

The Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) made a drug related arrest in Houghton County on Tuesday. Charles Knuckles, from South Range, was apprehended for one count of methamphetamine distribution. The 28-year-old was arraigned on the charge Thursday in 97th District Court with bail set at $5,000. The charge is …

Now that the gray wolf population has returned to robust health in the United States, they have been removed from the endangered species list. In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the wolf count has ballooned from 140 in 1998 to over 600 every year for the past decade. It is still a …

The Western UP Health Department updated COVID-19 activity levels across its five-county district Thursday. The release covers new numbers for an entire week dating back to January 21st. Adjusting for that fact shows mostly positive trends again locally. The net number of cases continues to ease downwards led by improving …

State Senator Ed McBroom plans to meet with local and county government officials Friday morning, resurrecting a practice that has been on hold due to COVID-19. McBroom says he likes to engage public officials as those conversations can involve topics separate from what residents are discussing. McBroom likes an informal …

A man and a woman in their early 30’s were arrested earlier this month for dealing crystal methamphetamine out of their Iron Mountain residence. The couple had been under surveillance from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) since late last year. In the weeks following the arrests of 32-year …

Ty Garbin pled guilty in Wednesday to charges of planning to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He is the first to do so, among six men charged in the case. Garbin entered the plea in US federal court for the Western District of Michigan in Grand Rapids. It was accepted …

Houghton has begun the process of restoring the iconic miner statue that watches over the east entrance to the city’s downtown. The 500-pound bronze man was severely damaged when he was hit by a car January 3rd.  At last night’s council meeting, city manager Eric Waara said they’ll take their …

With some modifications to the rental fee schedule debated last week, the Hancock City Council was able to pass two related measures before the new ordinance takes effect on February 1st. That will allow for city employees to finish preparing the application packets for roughly rental properties in the municipality …

A new Reddit community called WallStreetBets is bringing some notable financial experts to their knees and causing chaos in the general market. The anonymous users have combined forces to target heavily shorted stocks. It is a commonplace trading tactic to bet against shares of companies you have doubts about. To …