School closing info available online

MARQUETTE - For the second year in a row, area residents can check on local school cancellations on the Mining Journal Web site when roads are icy.

Quick links on the Mining Journal home page, provided through Range Telecommunications, make it easy to verify whether or not your child has a snow day.

"We're pleased to be able to offer this service for readers," said Journal Managing Editor Bud Sargent. "It has proven to be helpful, so we've decided to bring it back this year."

Schools that will be posting cancellations on the site span the central U.P., including Autrain-Onota, Burt Township, Engadine, Father Marquette, Gwinn, Ishpeming, Manistique, Marquette, Negaunee, Newberry, NICE Community Schools, North Star, Northern Michigan University, Powell Township, Republic-Michigamme, Superior Central and Wells Township.

Schools who still wish to post closings on the site can do so by contacting Range at 1-800-376-8194.

Convenience is the main reason behind the partnership, said Bonnie Ranta, TAF manager for Range.

"The reason it was done is that we can give as early access as possible to updates when schools are closed. We post them immediately," Ranta said. "When we take information from a caller, with one keystroke it can be up on the Web site."

With the recent snowy weather, the feature is already seeing use, she said.

Ranta also added that the site is good for any updated information on the school closings, as any changes are made immediately.