A $3.1 million Michigan state tax credit is helping CertainTeed Ceilings expand and add jobs to its L’Anse acoustical ceiling tile plant. Long known as “Celotex”, the CertainTeed plant in L’Anse will see additional investment in the plant, and additional employment, particularly after the economy rebounds.
   L’Anse benefits at the cost of a plant closure in Meridian, MS. The company has been operating both the L’Anse and Mississippi plants at well below capacity for some time. Officials had decided to consolidate the plants and looked at their options. Michigan’s state tax credit was one of the factors in the decision to remain in L’Anse.

   The L’Anse Area School district ended the 2008-2009 school year on a much-welcomed positive note, financially speaking. At the board’s June 15 meeting trustees adopted a finalized 2008-09 budget with a surplus of almost $300,000.
   But the news was short-lived because the board also finalized a preliminary 2009-2010 budget which shows an anticipated deficit of more than $400,000 as of June 30, 2010.

ONE OF HER FAVORITES--Dedicated gardener Cecilia Tembreull displays an unusual lenten rose. She loves roses and has a number of them in her gardens. Tembreull and Skanee Road neighbors Kathy Kissel and Mary Fran Menge provide a scenic view for passers-by with their plants.

   Skanee Road travelers enjoy the elaborate gardens at three homes just out of L’Anse. They also love the incredible holiday yard decorating that goes on at two of those places.
   Mary Fran Menge and her husband Tom and, across the street, Cecelia and Dale Tembreull, create complex holiday yard displays that are enjoyed by just about everyone. And their summertime gardens are equally impressive.
   Next door to the Tembreulls, Kathy Kissel is also an avid and accomplished gardener. She jokes that she stays out of the holiday decorating “competition” but her perennial gardens are as beautiful as any. The three master gardeners met last week and displayed the fruits of years of labor.

   Baraga Police Department (BPD) personnel continue their investigation into a break-in at Larry’s Market in Baraga.
   According to BPD Chief Harry Miron, the incident occurred sometime after closing on Thursday, June 18, 2009, and when the store opened the following morning. Miron said an undetermined amount of cash along with several hundred dollars worth of alcohol and cigarettes were taken.

   A bull moose was killed and two men treated at Baraga County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) following a Sunday, June 21, 2009, accident on US 41 south of Alberta in L’Anse Township.
   According to Michigan State Police (MSP) reports, 31-year old Jason Kutchie was driving a 1996 Oldsmobile northbound when it struck an immature bull moose around 10:30 p.m.
   Wayne Oien, 52, was a passenger in the front seat.

   It can be a terrifying thing to see a dog streaking toward you across a field, fast and low to the ground, lips peeled back from a mouth filled with huge white teeth. But for the son of a L’Anse couple, all he can think about, as the 80-pound animal leaps toward his arm, is making sure the dog gets a good bite.
   Army Sgt. Justin Koivu, son of Robert and Phyllis Koivu of L’Anse, is a military working dog trainer with the 341st Training Squadron, the largest canine training center of its kind in the world.

   Three cases were heard in Baraga County Circuit Court by Judge Charles Goodman on Wednesday, June 17, 2009.
   Paul Raymond Getzen, 66, of Livonia, MI, received a suspended jail sentence for an assault/disorderly case that took place last November in Baraga. Getzen was represented by attorney George Hyde.
   Getzen earlier pleaded guilty to Police Officer Assaulting, Restricting and Obstructing, a two-year felony. He also pleaded guilty to Operating While Impaired, a misdemeanor. In the plea agreement Prosecuting Attorney Joseph O’Leary dismissed a count of Police Officer Fleeing, 3rd Degree. The original Operating While Intoxicated count was amended to Operating While Impaired.

   The L’Anse Village Council Monday adopted a three-year charge plan for fueling an Energy Optimization (EO) program.
   The program is mandated by the State of Michigan. It’s part of the state’s “green energy” focus.
   Village Manager Bob LaFave explained that municipalities are required to have Energy Optimization funding that will eventually be used for programs to entice people to conserve energy. The idea is to eliminate the need for another coal-fired power plant to be built in Michigan.

   Anyone in or around Baraga County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) the evening of Wednesday, June 17, 2009, may have thought the hospital was under siege. Actually, the hospital was undergoing one of several disaster drills conducted annually.
   According to BCMH Safety Officer Bonnie Cotter, this drill focused on gunmen entering the hospital, taking hostages and holding them until a “deal” could be made for their release. Two gunmen were bartering for drugs while representatives from all of Baraga County law enforcement departments took part in searching, finding, negotiating and finally capturing the gunmen with a main objective of safe release of all hostages.
   Cotter said this drill was just one of at least two conducted annually.

   The Baraga County Lumberjack Days will be celebrated Friday and Saturday, July 3-4, 2009. This year’s celebration marks the 40th anniversary of Baraga’s Fourth of July celebration. Lumberjack Days committee members and volunteers have been working hard on making this a memorable year.
   This year’s celebration is to be dedicated to the original members of the Baraga County Lumberjack Days committee that organized the first celebration under the name of Lumberjack Days for the 1969 holiday. They incorporated in 1972 giving this event its official name.

   Three defendants allegedly involved in a breaking and entering and theft from the Watton IGA last October appeared in Baraga County Circuit Court on Monday, June 22, 2009.
   Circuit Judge Charles Goodman sentenced Jessica LaHaie, 18, of Lake Linden for her role in the break-in with boyfriend Jordan Paul Aubin, 19, of Calumet. LaHaie earlier pled guilty to Larceny In A Building. She is represented by attorney Nick Daavettila.