Local News

Houghton has updated its downtown zoning, although actual changes are minimal. A new downtown zoning overlay ordinance passed by the city council last night brings the city into compliance with Michigan Economic Development Corporation requirements, to facilitate future applications for grant money. City Manager Eric Waara reported that the Downtown …

The Portage Health Foundation is taking applications from qualified non-profits for their Giving Tuesday matching donation program. This year, Giving Tuesday will be December 1st – right after the big Christmas spending days… “We try to put all the capitalism behind us on Giving Tuesday, to celebrate the non-profits that …

The CLK Board of Education expressed its appreciation to the Portage Health Foundation at last night’s meeting. Trustees acknowledged a nearly $90,000 grant that helped to pay for personal protection equipment and supplies to help keep staff and students safe from COVID-19. The board also thanked Daniel and Sue Teare …

A Battle Creek man has died after being shot with a crossbow in Baraga County. In a release issued Tuesday, sheriff’s deputies say they were called to Baraga County Memorial Hospital on October 6th at 8:30 in the morning. They found 61-year-old Ross Leo Fruin undergoing treatment for the injury. …

One of the candidates running for Houghton County Clerk is being accused of harassing the other candidate by phone. At last night’s Houghton County Board of Commissioners meeting, commissioner Glenn Anderson said Republican Justin Kasieta conspired with a Genesee County man to place the call to incumbent Democrat Jennifer Kelly …

Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center is the newest Planet M testing facility partner. Planet M is Michigan’s initiative to spur development of autonomous vehicles. The Great Lakes Research Center is the first partner that will focus on marine vehicles. The designation will help bring development grants to the area. …

A COVID-19 spike at the Marquette Branch Prison has become serious enough that emergency staffers are being brought in. 79 corrections officers have either tested positive, or are being isolated because they’ve been in close contact with someone who is infected, or because they are experiencing symptoms. The Michigan Department …

The Main Street Calumet Farmers Market held its final summer session last Saturday, but participants aren’t ready to give it up. Organizers are planning to extend the market’s run at an indoor location through December 19th. The market will set up at the Drill House Rink, which is used by …

The COVID-19 infection rate has slowed in the Keweenaw. The most recent report from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department includes 44 more confirmed positives in the five-county area since the last report was released late Thursday. 21 of those confirmed cases were in Houghton County, which also reported one …

Northern Michigan University is holding a free juried art competition for Upper Peninsula artists. Between three and five winners will have their work displayed on banners outside the DeVos Art Museum on campus from mid-November through February. Winners will also receive a $250 cash prize. Artists must live and work …