News

Good weather led to a big increase in attendance at this year’s Houghton County Fair. The Fair Board’s year-end report estimates attendance at 23,790 – more than 4,000 better than the 2018 fair. Admission receipts, carnival rides and livestock sale auction receipts set new records. 230 volunteers contributed 5,100 hours …

Nearly 12 weeks after Michigan’s budget crisis started, the state began a return to normalcy Friday. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bills to enact the bipartisan supplemental package that restored funding to some of the cuts and transfers she made September 30th. Money has been restored for rural hospitals, sheriff’s …

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community unveiled its new Marquette-area casino over the weekend. The new Ojibwa Casino outside of Harvey was built next to the old casino. Along with slot machines and card tables, it includes a café, a bar and lounge, a gift shop, and an entertainment center that …

Michigan Tech will modify its operating schedule for the holidays. University offices will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas day, and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Some critical areas will remain in operation. Some offices may also be closed, or operating at reduced hours, between Christmas and New …

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has vetoed a bill that could have helped small county road commissions afford new facilities. The legislation would have allowed road commissions to finance property purchases over a 30-year term. They are currently limited to 15-year financing. Most other governmental authorities can finance for as much as …

15 local non-profits received nearly $400,000 in community donations yesterday. The Portage Health Foundation delivered the money that was collected during its Giving Tuesday campaign. Supporters of the non-profits donated $248,000. The PHF matched the first $100,000 of that, and then added another $50,000 based on what they called an …

The Copper Country’s only Christmas parade will be held this evening in L’Anse. The parade along Main Street will kick off the Light Up Baraga County celebration. Lighted floats will line up along Division Street next to Meadowbrook Field, and will lead the parade. Decorated big rigs will line up …

A White Pine man is facing drug charges following his arrest on Wednesday. Officials with the Gogebic Iron Area Narcotics Team say they issued a warrant for 45-year-old Jesse Monville Tuesday, following an investigation that began in August after an undercover officer purchased meth and cocaine from him. Monville was …

The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees has a new member. Donna Murray-Brown of Detroit is the president and CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, which provides an array of services to non-profit groups around the state. Murray-Brown was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to fill out the unexpired term …

Water and sewer rates could be going up soon in Houghton. Last night, the city council set a public hearing for January 8th to consider the first adjustment in seven years. City Manager Eric Waara said the increase is needed to support a major project coming up, most of which …