News

The national 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program has come to the Hancock Public Library. The addition to the library’s offerings is part of the recent arrangement that has turned operation of the Hancock Library over to the Portage Lake District Library. The PLDL has been running the 1,000 Books program …

The unemployment rate in the Upper Peninsula fell in October. The seasonally unadjusted rate dropped to 3.6 percent. That’s down from 4.0 percent in September, and just above the statewide rate of 3.5 percent.  Locally, Houghton County matched the 3.5 percent state average. Keweenaw County’s unemployment rate was 4.0 percent… …

All eggs produced in Michigan will eventually come from cage-free farms. The bill signed into law yesterday by Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist will also require that all eggs sold in the state come from cage-free farms, even if they’re brought in from another state. The new rules take effect in …

Republican State Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey says he’s apologized to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for using a four letter word to describe her and other state Democratic leaders. In a public session at Hillsdale College, Shirkey described the Democrats as being on the “bats**t crazy spectrum.” The comments were reported …

A Hannahville man has drowned in Lake Michigan. Escanaba Public Safety officers pulled the body of 55-year-old Anthony McCullough out of the water just east of the Harbor Master building yesterday afternoon around 1:30. Officials say there’s no evidence of foul play, but they’re still trying to figure out how …

As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home: Alyce Tossava Thorpe, 95 residing at home in Calumet, passed on Friday Nov. 15th. Alyce was born in Toledo, Ohio the end of Feb. 1924, daughter of Emil and Miriam (Hammary) Tossava. Her family moved several times between Ohio and Detroit, …

The City of Hancock has gone on record supporting an effort to repeal a state law that prevents local communities from banning plastic grocery bags. The Michigan law was passed in late 2016, in response to a movement by cities across the country to ban items that aren’t biodegradable. That …

Forty-three Michigan counties have been declared natural disaster areas because of bad farming weather this year. The designation came this week from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Most of the counties are downstate, but Delta, Dickinson, Iron, Marquette and Schoolcraft Counties in the Upper Peninsula made the list. Michigan agriculture …

Sixth and seventh graders from schools across the Copper Country got some hands-on STEM experience yesterday, as the first Copper Country Science and Engineering Festival was held at Hancock High School. The Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers brought an engaging array of displays and activities to inspire the kids’ interest in …

Hancock’s city leadership will remain intact next year. At last night’s meeting, the city council unanimously voted for Paul LaBine to continue as mayor, with Will Lytle as mayor pro tem. One long-time civic leader is stepping down, though. Pete Wickley will retire from the Downtown Development Authority after 39 …