News

The Houghton City Council will hold a special meeting tonight. Councilors will interview candidates for an open position on the city’s Planning Commission. The three-month vacancy was expected to have been filled at the council’s September 11th meeting, but 11 applications were received, and councilors decided to winnow down the …

The Hancock City Council will consider a significant hike in city water rates tonight. The increase to $9.05 per 1,000 gallons represents a more than 15 percent jump over the $7.85 rate currently in effect. The Council will hold a public hearing on the increase at 6:00. A vote on …

Scott Leonard is the newest member of the Houghton-Portage Township Board of Education. Leonard’s appointment was confirmed at the board’s regular meeting Tuesday. He replaces Bob Wheeler, who stepped down in August.

The Village of Laurium held two public hearings last night as part of its application to get some federal money. The village is asking for a $19,800 Rural Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help purchase a new police car. The village would add another $16,000 to …

Calumet will allow marijuana businesses to operate within the village limits. The village council passed an ordinance last night to open up sale and distribution for personal use under Michigan law. Permits will be needed. The completed ordinance will be posted soon, and we’ll do a follow-up story.  The village …

Michigan’s emergency rules banning flavored nicotine vaping products have been released. The rules become effective immediately. Retailers and resellers – including online sellers – have 14 days to comply. Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the emergency declaration September 4th, accusing e-cigarette companies of “getting our kids hooked on nicotine by marketing …

There’s another million dollars in flood relief headed to Houghton County. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing $1,057,908 to the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to pay to remove debris that was washed into waterways during the Father’s Day Flood in June, 2018. That money will …

The Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Board of Education has taken the first step toward realizing the improvements voters authorized in August. At its meeting Monday, board members unanimously approved the bond authorizing resolution, which will allow the district to begin moving forward with bond-related projects. Superintendent Christina Norland told us several …

The latest U.P. Honor Flight is scheduled to take 85 veterans to Washington D.C. this morning. The group includes three from World War Two, 13 from the Korean conflict, and 69 from the Viet Nam campaign. The Honor Flight will deliver the veterans to the nation’s capital, give them a …

A group of financial aid experts from the Michigan State Treasury Department will stop at Michigan Tech this morning. Michigan Student Aid Outreach team member Steve Bo says the goal is to help students find and take advantage of financial aid programs offered by the state. They’ll be set up …