In what could be a major development, Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger says he is open to the idea of a tax increase to fix the roads. Up until now, Bolger has been steadfastly against the idea. There have been two proposals. A senate-passed plan that could double the tax …

Click on the highlighted scores for full stories. High School In high school boys’ basketball tonight… – Houghton plays at L’Anse – our pregame coverage begins around 7:00 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com. – Dollar Bay visits Jeffers. – Chassell tips off at Baraga. – Ontonagon travels to Republic-Michigamme. – …

The Western U.P. Planning and Development Region has created a regional prosperity initiative that will focus on collaboration between multiple organizations and agencies that seem to overlap in terms of the services they provide. WUPPDR was able to partner with many client support services, including Michigan Works!, the MTEC SmartZone …

The Houghton County Board of Commissioners are moving forward on a plan to establish a special dental clinic. A forclosed building in Hancock has become available and much of the equipment needed for a dental clinic is already there. Board chairman Scott Ala says it is a great deal for …

Representative Scott Dianda has introduced legislation in the state House that will give equal weight to several commonly used forestry certification standards in constructing and renovating state-owned buildings. The resolution would encourage the use of wood products in contractors’ efforts to win green building certification. Dianda says the governor needs …

Michigan school leaders are blasting a State House Republican road funding package, charging that it could result in drastic cuts to the school aid fund. William Mayes, the Executive Director of the Michigan Association of School Administrators, says the House plan would shift sales taxes paid on gasoline to the …

Click on the highlighted scores for full stories. High School In high school hockey last night… – Houghton scored the first three goals of the game, then hung on to a 4-2 victory over Kingsford last night. Spencer Donnelly led all scorers with two goals for the Gremlins. – Calumet’s …

An energy optimization implementer based in East Lansing is giving away smart thermostats to Houghton and Keweenaw residence who want to see how much they can save on energy costs this winter season. Efficiency UNITED is offering about 150 smart thermostats that are valued at approximately $250. You must be an …

With Dollar Bay Schools having to close today due to a high number of illnesses, mostly upper respitory and stomach flu, it’s a great time to remind parents about the importance of reducing your child’s risk of catching the seasonal flu virus. Western U.P. Health Department Medical Director Dr. Terry …

For more than three decades, the Baraga County Shelter Home has been providing emergency shelter and counseling services to victims of domestic or sexual violence. Now it’s looking to the community for a little bit of help. State and federal grants provide funding for some of the basics at shelter …