Local News

UPDATE POSTED AUGUST 14TH: The Houghton County Sheriff’s Department has revealed that the 12-year-old boy who was originally believed to have been airlifted to the University of Michigan Children’s Hospital while still alive, actually succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the airport. Officials say he was from Commerce, …

The CLK Board of Education approved its COVID-19 plan last evening. Like other districts’ plans, it includes in-person and online learning options. The passage came over the objections of a number of parents who wanted the district to require all staff and students to wear masks. Liz and William Leach’s …

The proposed Houghton County Jail project has been slowed down, but it hasn’t completely stopped. Former undersheriff Roy Britz told his fellow county commissioners last night that one of the reasons for the pause had been concern about the sheriff’s race in the August primary… “We decided to wait for …

The Baraga County Board of Commissioners has heard first-hand about a need for more money for the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department. At last night’s meeting, health officer Kate Beer said reductions in Medicaid reimbursement have reduced revenue. A growing unfunded liability for legacy retirement programs is hogging a larger …

The Lake Linden-Hubbell School District plans to begin classes on September 1st. Superintendent Brad Codere tells us kids will start with a three day week, before the long Labor Day weekend. At last night’s meeting board of education members approved their COVID-19 back-to-school plan. In-class and online learning options will …

The Hancock Board of Education approved several new hires at last night’s meeting. Thomas Hunt will succeed Chris Orlandi as a high school math teacher. Michele Serafin will serve as a guidance counselor, and Diana Langdon was hired as an elementary special education teacher. Contracts for elementary principal Dan Vaara, …

Both the Houghton and Hancock Boards of Education approved their fall school opening plans at their respective meetings last night. Administrators from both districts outlined steps that will be taken to disinfect their facilities, and maintain distancing to protect both students and staff. Both districts will allow students to attend …

A potential exposure site for COVID-19 infection has been identified in Bessemer. The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department says exposure could have occurred at the Pit Stop Bar and Grill between July 31st and August 9th. People who visited the Pit Stop during that period – and those with whom …

The L’Anse Avenue paving project is moving forward. At last night’s meeting, the village council approved a contract with Bacco Construction to resurface the bumpy two-tenths of a mile stretch between US-41 and Broad Street. Village manager Bob LaFave said the cost will be just under $300,000… “It’s an awful …

The identity of the man who died in a traffic crash Friday on US-41 north of Baraga has been released. 56-year-old David Savard of L’Anse was a passenger in a car that was struck by a pickup truck as it turned across the highway to enter the Pines Convenience Store …