2 vessels freed from St. Marys River

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard says ice-breaking ships have freed two vessels that were stuck in the St. Marys River.

Coast Guard officials said Thursday that the cutter Biscayne Bay freed one vessel from the up-bound channel Middle Neebish Channel where it became stuck in the ice on Wednesday.

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley was able to assist a vessel that got stuck in the down-bound channel near Sawmill Point early Thursday.

The Coast Guard says 12 vessels were delayed by the stuck ships. The 140-foot Biscayne Bay also helped free a freighter Tuesday near Neebish Island, southeast of Sault Ste. Marie. The St. Marys River is along the eastern edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

City art awards nominations sought

MARQUETTE — The city of Marquette is welcoming citizens to nominate deserving members of the community to be considered for the 2018 Annual Art Awards. These awards are offered to recognize and thank citizens who have demonstrated artistic excellence and/or have made significant contributions to awareness of arts in the community.

Nominations for the 22nd Annual Art Awards are being accepted for the following categories: Arts Volunteer, Arts Activist, Arts Educator, Youth Award, Visual Artist, Performing Artist, Special Recognition, Community Arts Impact, Art Business Honor Roll and Writer.

Nomination forms and criteria may be picked up at the Marquette Arts and Culture Center, located in the lower level of the Peter White Public Library at 217 N. Front St., or found online at https://goo.gl/1Yniqq. Nominations will be accepted until March 16.

Award recipients will be honored at a public ceremony in May. Nominations for non-residents are welcome as long as the nominee has made contributions to the city of Marquette. A complete list of past award winners can be found at https://goo.gl/3yPsWi. For more information, contact the MACC at arts-culture@marquettemi.gov or 228-0472.