News

Gas prices are higher this morning in our region than they were a week ago. The AAA Michigan survey puts the average price of unleaded gas in the central Upper Peninsula at $2.53 per gallon. That’s nine cents higher than a week ago, a penny higher than a month ago, …

For the first time in six years, the number of drug overdose deaths in Michigan fell slightly in 2018. A report released Friday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services indicated 2,599 Michiganders died from overdoses last year – a drop of slightly more than three percent. More …

Houghton and Keweenaw County businesses that wish to take part in the upcoming Small Business Saturday promotion need to be signed up by noon Monday. Small Business Saturday will take place November 30th. The Chamber will host a welcome station at its office in Houghton between 8:00 and noon. Shoppers …

Even though the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday is top of mind, you might spend a few minutes this weekend thinking about another holiday – Memorial Day. Michigan State Parks begin accepting campsite reservations six months ahead of time. Memorial Day 2020 is May 25th. The long weekend will begin on Friday, …

A raid at a business in Menominee on Wednesday netted state police troopers a cache of guns, drugs, cash and business records. The items were seized as evidence after a warranted search of the Hush Lounge. The Hush Lounge’s website describes it as a members-only cannabis club. It has been …

Laurium has set the date for its annual Christmas party. At an otherwise quiet village council meeting this week, it was announced that the Skating with Santa event will be held December 14th from 3:00 until 4:30 at the George Gipp Arena. Admission will be free again this year, and …

The national 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program has come to the Hancock Public Library. The addition to the library’s offerings is part of the recent arrangement that has turned operation of the Hancock Library over to the Portage Lake District Library. The PLDL has been running the 1,000 Books program …

The unemployment rate in the Upper Peninsula fell in October. The seasonally unadjusted rate dropped to 3.6 percent. That’s down from 4.0 percent in September, and just above the statewide rate of 3.5 percent.  Locally, Houghton County matched the 3.5 percent state average. Keweenaw County’s unemployment rate was 4.0 percent… …

All eggs produced in Michigan will eventually come from cage-free farms. The bill signed into law yesterday by Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist will also require that all eggs sold in the state come from cage-free farms, even if they’re brought in from another state. The new rules take effect in …

Republican State Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey says he’s apologized to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for using a four letter word to describe her and other state Democratic leaders. In a public session at Hillsdale College, Shirkey described the Democrats as being on the “bats**t crazy spectrum.” The comments were reported …