Local News

Michigan Technological University and the City of Negaunee, Michigan, are collaborating on a pilot study to determine if abandoned mines can be profitably converted into utility-scale batteries, storing “green” energy for consumers on the electrical grid. Researchers hope the study, funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, will demonstrate a …

Live reindeer will be returning to the Copper Country for this Saturday’s Heikinpäivä celebration after a multi-year hiatus. Dave Maki from the Finnish American Reporter says reindeer are a big deal at this year’s festival.  “We thought for it being the 20th anniversary of the festival, we’d try to do …

HANCOCK — The Heikinpäivä Hymn Sing, slated for 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 27 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock, will be a great way to stay warm both inside and out, as a cadre of talented performers has been assembled to provide a top-notch wrap up to the festival …

IRONWOOD —Gogebic Community College is working on creating a new five-year plan, what officials are calling a “Strategic Agenda,” which they hope will help guide the internal and external operations of the college.  They’re also looking for feedback from the community. A survey will ask respondents to first identify their …

A local power plant is hoping to add to its fuel source in the near future and it has citizens who reside in its general vicinity concerned.  Many turned out at the L’Anse Area School last night for a set of public meetings that could result in permitting the L’Anse …

A proposed project to transform the waterfront in Downtown Houghton recently received an important “thumbs up” from the state.  The Michigan Economic Development Corporation sent the city of Houghton a letter of interest concerning the transformative project to install a boardwalk-style pier between the Portage Lake District Library and the …

You don’t normally think of boats in the middle of winter but a special Finnish-style wooden boat will be on display Saturday during Heikinpäivä. The Finnish-American Reporter’s Dave Maki says the boat-building project was part of the Finnish American Folk School through the Finnish American Heritage Center. “This is something …

A series of deadly snowmobile accidents over the weekend is prompting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to step up its efforts to promote safety. Five snowmobilers were killed in the Upper Peninsula and Lower Northern Peninsula on Friday, bringing the total number of snowmobile-related deaths for the season to …

Many Upper Peninsula communities find ways to embrace the long winter months and fight the seasonal blues amongst its community members.  The Heikinpäivä parade is this weekend in Hancock. Winter Carnival activities continue into the second week of February on the campus of Michigan Tech, and the community of L’Anse …

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Heart attacks strike Americans about once every 34 seconds, and most victims aren’t even aware they’re having one until it’s too late. Each year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke.  It’s important to know how to spot the signs and symptoms so that …