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Michigan aims to tackle UP clean energy goals

MARQUETTE — Michigan’s new climate laws require utilities to transition to entirely “clean” electricity sources by 2040. As the state’s Public Service Commission figures out what that will look like, it has to pay special attention to the Upper Peninsula and the natural gas plants that went online there just five years ago. The U.P. is a huge area with many rural communities, and power can be unreliable. Over the years, some utility rates have been among the highest in the state and even the country. But Chair Dan Scripps said when it comes to the energy transition, the ...

Mobile food pantry seeks assistance

IRON MOUNTAIN — A coordinator of free food distributions in western Dickinson County is seeking administrative help. Anda Tavonatti told the Dickinson County Board on Monday that the Feeding America West Michigan distributions done monthly at Lodal Park in Kingsford over the summer served ...

Power knocked out by storms

IRON MOUNTAIN — Storms with high winds took down trees and knocked out power in areas of the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin late Monday and early Tuesday. The National Weather Service said Tuesday that thunderstorms were again possible Tuesday night, with another chance for thunderstorms Thursday night into Friday morning. In Florence County, Wis., County Road C in the town of Homestead was temporarily closed to through traffic Tuesday. The closure was to allow repairs to a road washout near Lamon Tangue Creek, said Amanda Mulvery, Florence County Emergency Management ...

Local communities ready to celebrate Labor Day

Local communities throughout the area are hosting Labor Day events and celebrations this holiday weekend. The festivities include: ESCANABA The celebration in Escanaba begins at noon Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, with the parade lining up at the Escanaba Marketplace at 11 a.m. and going down Ludington Street before ending at the Municipal Dock. Festivities turn to the Escanaba Municipal Dock at 1 p.m. for a day full of activities. The event is free and open to the public. There will be a petting zoo, obstacle course and bounce house for children. For those of age, there will be a ...

Baraga Township: Pelkie tanker repair cost lower than expected

BARAGA — Baraga Township held its rescheduled monthly August board meeting Wednesday. The meeting began with a report from Dick Haagsma of the Pelkie Fire Department, who had just repaired its 3,000-gallon tanker which was out of commission since before the Baraga County Fair. The ...

Enrollment looking sharp for local schools

ESCANABA — Youths are heading back to school this week for a new academic year. Parents, teachers, principals, school staff and others are welcoming students back for a new year filled with new curriculum, equipment, meals and even new educators. With a new year comes new students, and according to local principals, enrollment is looking very good. Principal Krista Johnson of Webster Kindergarten Center said enrollment is about the same as previous years. Of that enrollment, roughly 6.5 percent are out-of-district students. “We are unique as a kindergarten-only building, no other ...