Local News

The Houghton County Recreation Authority and Michigan Department of Natural Resources are asking the public to weigh in on a proposed nonmotorized trail that would stretch between Hancock and Lake Linden next Wednesday at 6:30. Buy-in is required of all municipalities affected, so the meeting will be hosted by Franklin …

Hancock City Council heard from Christina Smigowski of Rukkila, Negro, and Associates at Wednesday’s meeting about the audit results for the 2021 fiscal year, which ended last summer. The firm gave an unmodified opinion, the best possible outcome. Most city funds saw a net improvement in their cash positions. Smigowski …

David Maki has spent decades working in the number two position at the Finnish American Heritage Center. It made sense to give him the reins on an interim basis following the retirement of Jim Kurtti last spring. Maki is now simply the director, being awarded the position on a permanent …

Last night Calumet’s village council heard a status update to the situation with the missing ballot petition’s submitted back in August 2021. At a special meeting last week the council took the advice of their legal council to repeal ordinances 157 and 158 that would have the village positions of …

Superior Search and Rescue’s drone program continues to expand thanks to grants from the Portage Health Foundation, Portage Health Auxiliary and Gift Shop, and donations made on Giving Tuesday. The total raised from the efforts is roughly $35,000. President Darian Reed says the new drone has some very practical benefits …

The suspect arrested on charges related to threatening a Baraga business owner with a handgun has been arraigned in 97th District Court. 52-year-old Edward Allen Bonham had yet to post bail, set at $75,000, as of last Friday, the last time an update was provided. Bonham faces several felony charges, …

Houghton County Sheriff’s Department personnel were called to a house fire at 48368 Jefferson Street in Portage Township at 7:45 Tuesday morning. Hurontown Fire and Rescue also responded. By the time emergency crews arrived one of the renters at the residence had already helped to contain much of the flames …

Michigan State Police personnel from the Calumet Post were called out to a structure fire in Laird Township at approximately 11:30 Tuesday morning, where they found one dead. The deceased person remains unidentified and investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Assisting at the scene were MSP Fire …

Rising COVID-19 cases are starting to affect staffing levels locally, including area nonprofits. Copper Country Senior Meals will be closed through Friday due to community spread and positives that are impacting the organization’s administrative ranks and immediate families. Recent guidance changes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest …

Nels Christopherson gaveled in Monday night’s Houghton – Portage Township Board of Education meeting as president and was treasurer when the group adjourned after a tidy, 30-minute session. Christopherson says he always viewed his position as president as just one of seven members of the body. The panel routinely reorganizes …