News

Portage Township will begin the process of considering whether to allow recreational marijuana sales and growth. Like many municipalities in Michigan, the township originally opted out of the state’s marijuana program, until officials could review state rules. Those rules were posted a few weeks ago. At last night’s board meeting, …

The Houghton City Council has changed its meeting schedule because of the upcoming holidays. Instead of holding sessions the night before Thanksgiving, and on Christmas night, council will meet on December 4th and December 18th at 5:30 at the City Center. The council also scheduled a joint public meeting with …

The City of Houghton will proceed with purchasing some new equipment. A federal Rural Development loan program is contributing $199,900 toward the cost of a police vehicle, two dump trucks, a wheel loader, a skid steer loader, and an excavator thumb. The grant from the program designed to assist flood-damaged …

As provided by the Mackinac Bridge Authority: The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) has found its new chief bridge engineer: longtime Assistant Bridge Engineer Julie Neph. Neph, who has been with the MBA for the majority of her career, will begin her new role on Nov. 3. “I’m thrilled to see …

As provided by UP Health System: UP Health System – Portage is pleased to welcome Andrea Bouman, MD, MBA, back to the Keweenaw to join it’s Emergency Medicine team. Andrea K. Bouman, MD, MBA UP Health System – Portage Image Dr. Bouman earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of …

The soon-to-be former Evangel Baptist Church building on College Avenue will be converted into apartments. Developer Derek Bradway has purchased the property. He has presented plans to the city of Houghton to renovate it, add a second level to a portion of the structure, and create 40 small efficiency units. …

The potential redevelopment of the parking structure property between downtown Houghton and the waterfront will be known as the Lakeshore Drive Project. The effort had initially been called a “waterfront development.” The committee investigating options wanted to emphasize that there will be, in fact, no actual waterfront property involved in …

Today is World Polio Day. The disease that caused paralysis, forced victims through excruciating therapy, and confined some to iron lungs has nearly been wiped out. The worldwide vaccine effort has been led by Rotary International, and its local clubs – including those in Houghton, Hancock, Calumet and Ontonagon. Houghton …

The L’Anse Area School District finished the last school year with a thin budget surplus. Superintendent Susan Tollfeson said confirmation of the $173,000 surplus came at Monday’s board of education meeting, as the district’s annual audit was successfully completed and approved. Tollefson told us the board also approved the sale …

The Michigan Department of Transportation is shutting down its Upper Peninsula roadside parks for the winter. Keweenaw County parks will close tomorrow. Parks in the rest of the western U.P. will shut down a week from today. Roadside parks are typically reopened in early May, depending on weather.