Local News

The Keweenaw Peninsula is nearly COVID-19 free in the month of July. A Western Upper Peninsula Health Department report warned about a small uptick, roughly 12 cases per week in Gogebic County, late Tuesday. That number is nowhere near the activity level seen last fall, but it stands out next …

Update: The July 30th meeting could be the first in a series that will determine the next sheriff. Administrator Ben Larson says that conversations he has had with the members of the committee suggest the search for a replacement for Brian McLean could be a process, rather than a short …

Contrary to earlier estimates, Houghton-Portage Township School District is now expecting more students for the 2021-22 school year. Superintendent Doreen Kramer made the announcement at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. Principals are reporting to me that they have been touring and enrolling new families and students. We’ll have more numbers …

The Michigan Department of Transportation restarted work on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge Monday, and its effects were immediately felt by area commuters. The left lane is closed in both directions. At one point yesterday, backups were seen towards Santori’s Corner in Hancock and Franklin Square in Houghton. The $3.9 …

Following an accident over the weekend, Houghton County Sheriff Brian McLean died Monday night at approximately 8:00 PM. He had been on life support after being airlifted to UP Health Systems – Marquette. The sheriff’s department has not provided many details on the nature of the accident, but McLean’s injuries …

A 17-year-old who will face charges as an adult and a juvenile were arrested related to two break-ins this month at Harter’s Party Store. The Calumet business had several items taken from it during the incidents, including five firearms. Early Monday, deputies from the Houghton County Sheriff’s Department were joined …

Jake Jackovich ran for five miles, running out of breath and grabbing too small water cups at each rest stop. But he kept pushing, around every bend in the road, all five miles starting at High Point Road. Jake was one of the many runners this weekend that participated in …

An accident occurred Saturday night at the home of Houghton County Sheriff Brian McLean, leaving him in critical condition. Life-saving measures had to be implemented by his neighbors following the incident. They were then relieved by medical personnel, once ambulances arrived on scene. McLean has been airlifted to UP Health …

Eight members of the Eagle Harbor Fire Department were forced to lug equipment along the several mile route to Mount Baldy over the weekend. Transportation was only possible to the trail barriers near the parking area at the Helmut and Candis Stern Nature Preserve. The firefighters used the department’s brush …

The Mackinac Bridge shut down for several hours Sunday to allow officers to sweep the five-mile long structure for potential explosives. Michigan State Police put out a statement around 2:30 PM asking commuters to steer clear of the area to allow law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation. No bomb …