MARQUETTE — Michigan Tech University called a two-week hiatus of in-person classes as a result of a rise in COVID-19 cases in the region, The Associated Press reported.

Lecture-based classes will be online, no later than Wednesday, and will last at least through Oct. 11, MTU President Rick Koubek said.

“This transition is a targeted effort to mitigate further spread among our community at large by temporarily reducing the density of people on campus,” Koubek said.

Michigan Tech, which has more than 7,000 students, is in Houghton County. Classroom instruction at K-12 schools in the county has also been suspended for two weeks.

The county had a total of 337 virus cases as of last Thursday, with most occurring in the last month, a regional health department said.

Michigan Tech said transmission appeared to be slowing among students and staff. It said last Friday that the number of cases detected in the previous 14 days had dropped to 63 from 92.

“We ask students to remain vigilant in practicing personal safety measures, completing the daily symptom monitoring form and avoiding group gatherings in the larger community — particularly indoors — over the next two weeks,” Koubek said.

Lakeview has positive case

Dan Skewis, superintendent of Negaunee Public Schools, confirmed in an email that over the weekend the district was informed of a probable positive for COVID-19 and a confirmed positive. These two results do not have any connection to each other, he said.

“The probable positive is a student at Negaunee High School,” Skewis said. “Several students at NHS are considered close contacts to this student and were contacted by the health department letting them know of their quarantine requirements. The high school will work with these students to get homework set during the time the students are absent from school.”

The second case, which is a confirmed positive, involves a first-grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary School, Skewis said. The students in this teacher’s classroom are considered close contacts and will have to quarantine for two weeks from school.

Additionally, three first-grade teachers and a junior kindergarten teacher have been identified as close contacts. Due to a lack of substitute teachers, the district has suspended face-to-face learning for first-grade students for two weeks. The return date for face-to-face learning for our first grade will be Oct. 12.

“All other grade levels will continue with face-to-face learning,” he said.

Unlock Michigan investigated

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is opening an investigation into the group Unlock Michigan following allegations that members associated with the group may have engaged in criminal activity in collecting petition signatures to repeal state law.

The attorney general’s office announced it has received complaints from residents who report they were deceived by petition circulators who were gathering signatures to support the efforts of Unlock Michigan, which is trying to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act. Residents said they were told the petitions were to support LGBTQ rights, medical marijuana initiatives or small businesses, among other issues.

Recent media reports have also revealed what appears to be at least one official working for the Unlock Michigan campaign who was training petition circulators and suggested they use deceptive and potentially illegal tactics to gain signatures for the ballot initiative.

The attorney general’s office has also received a letter from the League of Women Voters and another from an experienced election law attorney, John Pirich, calling for an investigation into Unlock Michigan’s signature-collecting efforts.

“Our democracy is firmly rooted in the principles of an informed electorate, which makes decisions at the polls based on reason and beliefs over lies and deception,” Nessel said in a statement. “Our ballot initiative process allows efforts with strong public support to be presented to the ;egislature.

“But that process becomes tainted when petition circulators manipulate and cheat to serve their own agendas. My office will investigate these allegations, and if there is a violation of law, we will prosecute those responsible.”

Any potential charges that might be filed against Unlock Michigan and its members will depend on whether criminal activity took place and the evidence compiled by the attorney general’s office in its investigation. Additional information and details about the investigation might be released at a later date.

Business survey results out

A new survey done last week by the Small Business Association of Michigan indicated that as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, small businesses continue to suffer. For 79% of small businesses, lost sales volume is the biggest concern, with 73% of those surveyed anticipating a reduction in sales in the coming months.

Nearly one in five small businesses are anticipating significant sales losses, with 17% indicating they expect sales to be down by more than half because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SBAM reported.

“At this point, we’re well into our sixth month of a global pandemic that has disrupted nearly every facet of daily life,” said SBAM President Brian Calley in a statement. “It’s no surprise that’s weighing heavily on small businesses throughout the state.

“However, the silver lining here is that despite these challenges, our small business community continues to demonstrate its resilience and adaptability. Businesses are absolutely prepared to protect the safety and health of both their customers and employees.”

A total of 84% of small business owners indicated they have a COVID-19 preparedness-and-response plan in place.

The survey, conducted between Sept. 15 and 24 of nearly 700 Michigan small businesses, also indicated that one in 10 businesses are not confident that they will survive the pandemic. Additionally, 72% of those surveyed received Paycheck Protection Program loans, with 19% saying they may have to reduce staffing without further funding.

“The fact of the matter is that small business owners are at risk of shuttering their doors before this is all over,” said SBAM CEO Rob Fowler in a statement. “That is not that surprising when you consider the challenges these businesses are working to overcome.

“This is why the federal government needs to give serious consideration to approving additional PPP funding for our hardest hit businesses. Their struggles are dire and so are the consequences.”

NMU players test positive

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced in its weekly school-related outbreak report that two Northern Michigan University men’s basketball team members have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Listed in the category of ongoing school outbreaks were Superior Hills Elementary School in Marquette with five students and staff, and the NMU women’s lacrosse team with two students.

Exposure sites identified

The Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department has determined, through case investigation, several possible COVID-19 exposure sites on Shepler’s Ferry in Mackinac County.

The times and sites ID’d are: 7:30 a.m. Thursday from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island and 4 p.m. Thursday from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace, 7:30 a.m. Friday from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island and 11 a.m. Friday from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace, and 7:30 a.m. Saturday from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island and noon Saturday from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace.

The health department urged anyone present at these times and sites who develops COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of exposure contact his or her primary care provider or local health department for further instruction. People also may contact LMAS at 906-643-1100.