OUTDOOR JAM SESSIONS--Were plentiful for the 34th annual Aura Jamboree held July 16-17 at the Aura Community Hall. In addition to more than 50 on-stage performers inside the hall, great weather both days drew plenty of musicians gathering for informal jam sessions and lots of people sitting around enjoying a variety of music.

   Although the final button count wasn’t complete by press deadline on Tuesday, Glenda Hiltunen said this year’s Aura Jamboree attendance was at least as good as last year’s.
   The popular traditional and ethnic music festival is the primary fundraiser for the historic Aura Hall. Many improvements and renovation projects have been possible because of the support music fans have given the Jamboree over the years. As many as 2,000 people have attended past Jamborees.

   Two defendants were arraigned on home invasion and larceny firearms charges in Baraga County Circuit Court on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. A third defendant alleged to have been involved in the same case was arraigned on July 8.
   The three face charges of home invasion and larceny stemming from a break-in of the home of Rhonda Young on Petticoat Lake Road, Spurr Township, on May 27.

OPEN HOUSE--L’Anse Manufacturing opened its doors to guests on Monday, in celebration of its recent AS 9100 aerospace certification. The company can now work directly with major aircraft manufacturers to secure work. Inspecting a machining process are, l-r, Brian Baccus, Peninsula Powder Coating; LMI employees Jason Ghiotto and Taylor Gagnon; Lisa Risku, Superior Suppliers Network; and Phil Musser, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance.

   L’Anse Manufacturing Co. continues to weather the worldwide economic downturn in good shape. The company at the L’Anse Industrial Park has cautiously expanded and recently added three people, bringing its employment to 18. President and co-owner Mark Massicotte said plans for future expansion and additional space are in place.
   The skilled crew at L’Anse MFG primarily machines foundry-cast parts to very exacting tolerances. Thanks to the fixturing abilities of co-owner Wallace “Buddy” Sweeney and key employees, exotic parts with complicated shapes can be smoothed, polished, drilled, threaded, etc. “Fixturing” is creating ways to hold and rotate parts for complex machining operations.

   Baraga’s school board conducted its official reorganization meeting prior to its regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 12, 2010. At the regular meeting the board took care of some personnel matters, replacing two veteran office secretaries who are retiring.
   The board elected officers at its annual reorganization meeting. Unanimously elected were board President Byron Sailor, Vice President Gail Eilola, Treasurer Brennan Bedner, and Secretary Anni Gregor. The Baraga board will continue holding regular monthly meetings on the second Monday at 7 p.m. at the school library. Board members receive $30 per meeting, with the secretary and treasurer receiving $32.50 per meeting.

   The Village of L’Anse sewer system, which has some of the oldest infrastructure in the county, is receiving an upgrade in a multi-year project. The village allotted $4.5 million for rebuilding of the outdated system, which should be completed sometime next year.
   The construction, which started last Monday, July 12, 2010, is replacing a system of pipes which were installed in the 1920s and 30s. “They’ve reached their life limit,” said Bob LaFave, the L’Anse village manager. “This time we should be able to increase the life of the pipe by 40 or 50 years.”

   Most of the July 13, 2010, regular Baraga Village Council meeting centered around village electric issues including becoming a full voting member in Wisconsin Public Power Incorporated (WPPI).
   According to Village Manager Roy Kemppainen, until just recently, WPPI members outside the state of Wisconsin had input on any decisions made by the public electric wholesaler, but could not officially vote on them. The manager said with a recent change in Wisconsin law, all WPPI members, which includes many in the Western Upper Peninsula, can now vote.

   If everything goes as planned, there will be quite a bit of office moving going on at the Baraga County Courthouse later this week.
   At the Monday, July 12, 2010, regular county board session, commissioners approved a $68,533 partial payment to Menze Construction for work done in the courthouse basement. Since that meeting, several walk-throughs of the refurbished basement have been conducted. Clerk Wendy Goodreau said the county is waiting for completion of some additional touch-up painting and minor finishing work.

   Assinins Baraga Center will be open Saturday, July 24, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center is located in the historic one room school house at Assinins (two miles north of Baraga next to Holy Name Church).
   Visitors will find new and old photos, books, exhibits and answers to historical questions. A short walk on a trail to the nearby historical cemetery is also a must-see. Both locations present views of Keweenaw Bay.

   Plans for the 2010 Baraga County Fair are underway. This year’s fair will be on Aug. 13-15.
   Nathan Froese has been hired to fill the position as fair manager. Froese moved to Keweenaw Bay from downstate Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army for almost 10 years, was deployed to Iraq and then spent the last three years as a recruiter. He has organized and implemented several events and activities in the military--providing the leadership necessary for a successful fair.

   About 75 people visited an interfaith day of prayer and fasting on Sunday, July 18, 2010, near Eagle Rock hosted by residents of the Yellow Dog Watershed who claim their tranquil life in the remote area of north Marquette County has been devastated by mining related activities.
   The sunrise to sunset event in observance of Lake Superior Day 2010 was entitled “Under the Shadow of Eagle Rock: A Day of Prayer and Fasting.” Hourly religious services were held near Eagle Rock on public land along fenced state of Michigan property that is leased to Kennecott Eagle Minerals for a nickel and copper mine

   The Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR) and the Superior Suppliers Network (SSN) have hired Lisa Risku as a business development manager for the SSN. Risku will be responsible for securing new customers for the network.
   Risku, a Covington native, brings with her an in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing industry. She previously worked as a buyer in the purchasing department at Baraga’s Terex Handlers. She also worked as a National Account Pricing Representative for Georgia Pacific Corporation in Green Bay, Wisconsin before returning to the Upper Peninsula in 2007.

   A number of cases came before Judge Charles Goodman in Baraga County Circuit Court on Thursday, July 8, 2010. James Taylor Wood, 45, of Lawton, MI, was sentenced for Operating While Intoxicated stemming from an incident in the Village of L’Anse on Aug. 11, 2009.
   Goodman sentenced Wood to seven months in Baraga County Jail with credit for 32 days already served. He was assessed fines and costs totaling $1,568, and will be on probation for two years following the jail term. Wood is a three-time drunk driving offender.

MEMORIES--The Skanee school houses a century of memories, from horse and buggy days and pioneer farms to the computer age and the internet. At the open house Sunday former students poured through books of photos, class photos and momentos.

   The Arvon Township School board hosted an open house last Sunday, July 11, 2010, marking the 100th year of the Skanee school. A steady stream of graduates of the historic school passed through, remembering enjoyable years spent there.
   “Some of them said the school was smaller than they remembered!” Arvon school board treasurer Mary Rogala said. “We were more than pleased with the turn-out. We had a full house from 1:30 to after 6 p.m.
   “We had a lot of older people who attended the school, and a lot of people who were vacationing in the area and wanted to see the school,” Rogala said.

   The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has adopted a no-tolerance policy towards litter through its Adopt-a-Road program, which, through the help of volunteers, keeps the roadways clean throughout the reservation.
   Susan LaFernier, tribal council secretary and director of the program, stresses the importance of road and highway clean-up projects, not just in Baraga but nationwide. “(Litter. . .) affects wildlife and environmental quality,” she says in a written statement. “Cleaning up litter in the U.S. costs hundreds of dollars per ton, about ten times more than the cost of trash disposal, for a cost totaling about $11 billion per year.”

   As many as 32,000 volunteers will be out on Michigan highways conducting their second clean sweep of the year during a scheduled Adopt-A-Highway pickup July 10-18, 2010.
   The statewide pick-up is likely to yield more than 20,000 bags of trash over the nine-day period.
   “Michigan needs to look its best during our summer months, and we couldn’t accomplish this without the help of thousands of Adopt-A-Highway volunteers,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle.

   Isle Royale National Park is accepting reservations for Keweenaw Waterway cruises. There will be three Thursday afternoon cruises.
   The trips will take passengers from the Ranger III dock in Houghton to South Entry, towards Jacobsville, and back.
   The Ranger III will depart the Houghton dock at 2 p.m. for the two and a half hour cruise leaving July 29, August 12 and August 26. The 165 foot Ranger III is piloted by Captain Bill Hanrahan, with a crew of nine. The boat can carry up to 125 passengers. On each cruise a Park Ranger will be on hand to answer questions and point out areas of interest.

   Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College has received a grant in the amount of $27,000 from USDA Rural Development for an evening child care center. The grant requires matching funds in the amount of $23,000 from the college for a total project cost of $50,000. The funds will be used for equipment, playground equipment, and minor renovation costs for the child care center. The OCC Child Care Center will be housed in the KBOCC Annex building at 325 Superior Avenue, Baraga.
   The center is expected to open for the 2010 Fall semester to provide child care services for those students attending late afternoon/evening courses.

   The third annual UP BAD (Bikers Against Diabetes) Ride will take place on Saturday, July 24, 2010. Motorcycle riders will meet at the Waterfront Restaurant in the Ramada Inn at 8 a.m. departing at 9 a.m. for the Porcupine Mountains.
   The first stop along the way will be at Pat’s IGA in Ontonagon where more riders will be able to join the group. The next stops will include Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine State Park and Presque Isle Waterfalls.
   The final stop will be at the Foothills Restaurant in Silver City for a late lunch. RV support will be available along the way.

   Kennecott Minerals released a statement on Thursday, July 1, 2010, indicating it has received a letter from the federal Environmental Protection Agency stating the company does not need a groundwater discharge permit for the proposed Eagle mine on the Yellow Dog Plains.
   Kennecott plans to produce 300 million pounds of nickel and 250 million pounds of copper from the Eagle mine. The company aims to take about three years to build the mine, and about six years to operate it. Kennecott said 150 people will be employed during operation, and numerous contractors will be involved in construction.

   Baraga’s Lumberjack Days Fourth of July celebration went off without a hitch, despite afternoon and evening rain on Sunday. A weekend full of activities was topped with a huge fireworks display over Keweenaw Bay.
   “We’re so appreciative of the community. It rained on the main parade and people stayed anyway,” said Lumberjack committee president Gayle Isaacson. “Tim and Helen Gerard and Laurie Smith ran the teen and kids games and people were eating watermelon and throwing eggs in the pouring rain. They didn’t want to quit!”

PASSIONATE BUSINESS--Perrow stands next to his lathe, which he uses to make his woodturning creations. He is entirely self-taught and has been developing the craft that he calls his “passion” over the last 14 years.

   The interior of Don and Cookie Perrow’s turquoise-colored house, on Halliday St. in L’Anse, is peppered with beautiful objects made of wood – bowls, vases, and a 6-foot-tall grandfather clock, its gears, pendulum, weight and body made entirely of birds-eye maple and cherry wood. This fact becomes all the more compelling when you learn that most, if not all, of the wooden objects in the house were made by hand, by Perrow himself.
   Perrow began “woodturning” – constructing pieces of wooden art such as bowls and vases – about 14 years ago, when he bought a lathe and set it up in a workroom in his garage.

   Quality produce is always in season at Clarke’s Fruit Basket in Baraga.
   The new fruit and vegetable stand on US-41 across from the DNRE office features a bountiful harvest, seven days a week. From apricots and sweet cherries to vine-ripened tomatoes and Vidalia onions, Clarke’s Fruit Basket brims with nature’s very best.
   Owner/manager Howard Clarke of Keweenaw Bay brings a lifetime of experience to the stand he opened June 3, 2010. Starting at age 15, buying for a grocery store, Clarke would hop on the running boards of farmer’s trucks to cut deals before they even got to market.

   Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) filed a request with the Michigan Public Service Commission to increase its overall electric base rates by 16.8 percent.
   If approved as proposed, a typical residential customer (using 500 kilowatt-hours) in UPPCO’s Integrated System would see a monthly increase of $16.60. Typical residential customers in Iron River would see an increase of about $18.85 monthly.

   The L’Anse Village Council passed several resolutions during meetings on June 28 and July 1, 2010. Resolutions concerned the Falls River bridge construction project and the Phase 1 sewer project, among other business.
   During the July 1 special meeting the council approved Lindberg Construction, of Marquette, as the lowest bidder on the Fall River bridge project, with a bid of $1,547,011.60.
   The next-lowest bidder was Yalmer Mattila Construction, with a bid of $1,647,633.35.

   A 20-year L’Anse woman will serve four years in federal prison for a Dec. 29, 2009, altercation with a 21-year old Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa woman.
   Federal District Court records in Marquette state Rose Anne Marie Brennan and the unnamed defendant met at the corner of McGillan Street and M-38 in Baraga where an altercation involving pushing and slapping between the two women took place.

   The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) handled a very light agenda during it’s July 3, 2010, regular monthly meeting. There were only a few action items during the approximately half-hour meeting.
   Included was the third reading of a proposed amendment to the Tribal Code Title 7 Domestic Relations Custody of Minor Children, Child Support and Visitation Ordinance 2010-15. Also on the agenda was determining a date for the second reading for Proposed Ordinance 2010-01 to amend sections 18B.303-305 of Title 18 Chapter B.

   A full ballot is shaping up for voters in the Aug. 3, 2010, Primary Election. From the Congressional race to the state governor’s race to local offices, voters will pare down lists of candidates in preparation for the November ballot. The primary only includes Democrats and Republicans; no third party candidates will appear on the August ballot.
   Voters will select one party or the other and vote for candidates from one party only. “You can not split your ticket in the August primary,” County Clerk Wendy Goodreau noted.
   The winners from each party will advance to the November General Election.

   Baraga County’s May, 2010, rate remains the highest in Michigan at 24.7 percent. May figures were released by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.
   During May, all 15 Upper Peninsula counties registered jobless rate reductions. May rate cuts were largely seasonal, and ranged from -0.2 percentage points (Houghton County) to a substantial -13.6 percentage points in Mackinac County.

   Model A’s were all the rage but an Overland Whippet took top honors Saturday, June 26, 2010, at Tin Lizzie Day in Alberta.
   A bumper crop of 28 vintage cars was on display for the annual celebration of Henry Ford’s legacy in Baraga County. Jim and Helen Lepola of Watton made Tin Lizzie history when they won the People’s Choice award for their 1928 Overland Whippet–a Jeep!
   Ford Center Director Kari Price said a steady stream of over 200 guests enjoyed the day which also features refreshments, crafts and tours of the Ford Sawmill Museum. Nineteen vintage cars were pre-registered, and another nine were “drive-ins.”

Jim Ballor (l) specializes in breeding Deutsch Kurzhaar (DK) hunting dogs through his Northwoods Frosty Acres kennel. Ryan McIntyre (r) has made training the breed his specialty. Their two dogs “Immo” (l) and “Autumn” recently took top ratings at a Derby event hosted by the North American Deutsch Kurzhaar Club in Muskegon.

   Baraga resident Jim Ballor has been breeding hunting dogs for approximately 30 years and owns Northwoods Frosty Acres.
   L’Anse resident Ryan McIntyre has been training dogs–with a main focus on hunting breeds for around 11. The two men have hooked up to share their passion for a breed not very common to this area–the Deutsch Kurzhaar (DK).
Ballor specializes in the breed and gave McIntyre his second DK.
   “I was getting ready to deploy to Iraq in 2007 and Jim had just had a litter of pups,” McIntyre explained. “I picked one up with the markings I liked and told him ‘if you ever get another like this, I want it’. The day I deployed for Iraq, Jim brought the dog over to my dad’s and told him ‘I want Ryan to have this. When he gets back, he’ll have a hunting dog."

  Baraga’s school board approved a deficit budget for 2010-11, and reviewed unaudited figures for the 2009-2010 budget. The fiscal year ends on June 30, 2010. School districts are required to adopt budgets for the upcoming school year by the end of June, although there are always many unknowns in state revenues, etc.
   Baraga Area Schools approved a budget for next year with a deficit of $595,460. Revenues are set at $4,987,544 and expenditures are $5,583,004.
   “We budget very conservatively. This does not reflect some revenues that we expect to come in, but that we can’t guarantee,” Superintendent Norm McKindles said. “The deficit will probably be lower (at the end of next school year).”

   Jay Loman, the owner of J & R Automotive of L’Anse, has been rebuilding old cars for almost 25 years. Although he parks them next to his shop, clearly visible to any passers by, he makes it clear that his affinity for new fenders and fresh paint is more of a hobby than a vocation.
   “We do them in spare time, around customer work,” he says. “That’s why we can’t really put a definitive time frame on them. We can’t be turning people away. We need to give them their 40 hours.” For this reason, the cars can take anywhere from one to two years to refurbish completely.
   Loman’s current projects, a 1972 Dodge Dart and a 1972 Dodge Charger, sit side by side next to the shop entrance. Another Charger, dark mustard in color, sits to the left, its Oregon plate partially hidden under the car’s large, overhanging front bumper. Unlike the other two Dodges, which will eventually be as good as new, this car’s best days are behind it.

   Three federal grants totaling $110,000 have been awarded to fund business enterprises in Alpena, Baraga, and Ontonagon counties and create and retain jobs in northern Michigan.
   The Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR) and the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) received the grants as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Enterprise Grant program.
   WUPPDR received two grants totaling $70,000 to assist local businesses. The first grant, for $45,000 will be used to implement a business development strategy for manufacturing jobs in Baraga County. The second grant, for $25,000 will provide technical assistance to rural small businesses in Ontonagon County as they adjust to the changing economic climate.

   Army Pvt. Adam F. Steinberg has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, GA. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions.
   Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
   He is the son of Monica Steinberg of L’Anse.

   The L’Anse Warden Electric Company was recognized with a conservation award. Michigan United Conservation Club (MUCC) presented its Industry Conservation Award on June 25, 2010, at the organization’s annual convention in Big Rapids.
   The L’Anse Warden Electric Company (LWEC) is an 18 megawatt, “green” power plant.
   The plant is the first in the UP to supply energy from waste wood supplies from a number of facilities. The plant converted from coal and natural gas to burn waste wood and biomass.

   Baraga Lumberjack Days 2010 Grand Marshal is Irene Pawlowski.
(See page 7 for photos and biographies of the 12 Lumberjack Days queen candidates.)
   Pawlowski was born to Conrad and Sophie Miller in Ann Arbor, MI, in 1939. She lived there for the first 13 years of her life. In 1952, the Miller’s moved to the Baraga area. The family lived on and worked a farm in Baraga for the next three years. In 1955, Pawlowski and her family moved to the Prickett Dam area. Pawlowski graduated from Baraga High School in 1957.
   Pawlowski was happily married to Jim Raymond for nine years. The couple was married from 1959 to 1968. During this time, they had five children: Bill, Jim, Shirley, Scott and Tim. Sadly, Jim passed away in 1968 due to illness. Pawlowski raised the children alone for a while until she met Don Pawlowski in 1970. They were married in 1972.
   In 1980, Irene’s Pizza was established. When Don started the business, he wanted to name it after Pawlowski. Initially she was opposed to the idea, but later relented. Pawlowski has worked the business since its inception. At first, she shared the ownership and managing responsibilities with Don. Upon his death in 2002, Pawlowski’s daughter, Shirley, stepped in to share the management duties. Over the years, Pawlowski has done it all including payroll, cooking, cleaning and every other thing related to the business.

   A man accused of firing shotgun blasts into a Skanee home last winter has been found incompetent to stand trial. Lee Alan Hamari, 47, of Champion, was evaluated by a forensic examiner from the Center for Forensic Psychiatry and determined incompetent.
   Hamari and his attorney, Nels Christopher, appeared in Baraga County Circuit Court on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Circuit Judge Charles Goodman entered the results of Hamari’s examination into the official record. Goodman accepted the recommendation that Hamari be treated at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in an attempt to restore competency to stand trial.

   There was a small bit of good news at the L’Anse Area Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday, June 21, 2010.
   The final 2009-2010 budget deficit was smaller than anticipated by approximately $181,000. However, not everything was rosy as the district’s music and industrial education programs will be cut back next year.
   Budget hearing
   Prior to the start of the regular meeting the board held a public budget hearing to finalize the 2009-2010 budget and pass a 2010-2011 budget. District Business Manager Laura Mathieu broke down the figures for both before the board took action.
   The big picture showed the district’s revenues for 2009-2010 came in at $151,953 more than budgeted. That gave L’Anse revenue of $6,581,750.

   The L’Anse Village Council approved a pared-down budget for the next fiscal year on a 6-0 vote at a council meeting on Monday, June 14, 2010. Village Manager Bob LaFave said the budget attempts to limit supplies costs so the village can continue to offer basic services to residents.
   “We’ve made sure we made cutbacks, like purchasing fewer supplies where we can so if there’s another Revenue Sharing cut we can absorb it. Last year there was a 14 percent cut in state revenue sharing. That was about $24,000 to us,” LaFave said.

   Dr. Dan Benishek decided he had had enough when Congress passed the almost trillion-dollar stimulus bill in the wee hours of the morning. He determined right there he was running for Congress, shocking his wife when he announced his decision. “It was either running for Congress or shouting at the TV set for the rest of my life,” Benishek said with a chuckle.
   He will be on the Republican ballot in the Aug. 3, 2010, primary election to represent the Michigan First District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY--Despite several unresolved legal issues, Kennecott Minerals is proceeding with construction of a sulfide copper and nickel mine on the Yellow Dog Plains. Chauncey Moran took this recent aerial photo from near the vantage point of Eagle Rock. Kennecott’s parent company, Rio Tinto, is investing $469 million in the Eagle mine, the Humboldt Mill, a road linking the two sites, and related facilities.

   Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company announced on June 15, 2010, that its parent company, Rio Tinto, will invest $469 million in the construction of the Eagle nickel and copper mine. The project is located on the Yellow Dog Plains, in western Marquette County, near the Baraga County line.
   Kennecott said funding will enable construction of the new underground mine, associated surface facilities for servicing the mine, rehabilitation of the existing Humboldt Mill, and the development of a multi-use access road. Eagle will be the only primary nickel mine in the U.S.

   As of this month, ownership of the Baraga Cemetery is 100 percent in the hands of Baraga Village.
   At the regular June Baraga village council meeting, Village Manager Roy Kemppainen noted that Baraga Township, which over the years had split maintenance and related costs with the village, indicated it no longer wished to be involved at all with the cemetery. Kemppainen said for several years Baraga Township officials have not budgeted funds to assist with cemetery upkeep.
   Kemppainen said the township signed over the deed of its ownership last week, officially concluding the transaction.

   Foucault Funke American Legion Auxiliary Unit 444 will mark its 62nd year when members appear in the July 4, 2010, Lumberjack Days Parade in Baraga. The unit traditionally marches in the parade. The Auxiliary held its first meeting on July 1, 1948, and its official charter was issued on Jan. 24, 1949. The new unit had 42 members.
   “The mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to serve veterans, their families and their communities,” said President Sandy Pittsley.

   Millage rates are holding in Baraga County for 2010, approved by the Board of Commissioners at its regular monthly meeting Monday, June 14, 2010.
   The millage rate remains the same as it was in 2009, and breaks down accordingly: 8.3527 mills for operating costs, 1.9526 voted-in road mills, .9572 mills for senior citizens, .8787 mills for the jail and 2.5 mills for the hospital. This marks the last year the hospital millage will be levied.
   Ten Summer Youth Program slots were approved by the board for Baraga County. The summer jobs entail working indoors or out for area schools, municipalities, etc. and are funded by the state.

   The Beaumier UP Heritage Center is putting out a call for folk artists to participate in the third annual UP Folklife Festival.
   The application deadline is Thursday, July 1, 2010. Crafters, musicians, dancers, storytellers and others whose talents represent the region’s diverse cultural, ethnic and artistic traditions will be featured.
   The festival runs Sept. 10-11 at Northern Michigan University. Selected presenters will receive an honorarium for their participation and hotel accommodations, if necessary.

   The 2010 Baraga County Lumberjacks Days will be in full swing on Saturday, July 3 through Sunday, July 4. Plans are finalized to bring another fun-filled weekend to Baraga County to commemorate the nation’s independence.
   Saturday, July 3, will kick off the celebration with a cribbage tournament at the Ojibwa Casino where someone could take home up to $1,150. Registration for this tournament begins at 3 p.m. at Guest Services. A log carving demonstration by Bruce Belanger of the Great Lakes Timber Show will take place on the corner of Superior Avenue and Girard Street at 5:30 p.m. ........

   The Michigamme-Spurr Fourth of July committee has several events planned for 2010.
   On Friday, July 2, fireworks are scheduled at dusk at the township park. The park concession will be open from 5 until 10 p.m. A boat parade on Lake Michigamme will take place at 7 p.m. Music will be provided by the Slamtones at 8 p.m. on Friday night.

   Three Imperial Heights residents are in Baraga County Jail facing multiple felony charges following a case involving a home invasion and fire. Three arrests were made on May 28, 2010, by Baraga County Sheriff Department deputies.
   The home of Rhonda Young on Petticoat Lake Drive was burned.
   Arrested were Timothy Coy, 19 years old; Tyler Michael Howard, 17, and Jessica Lea Shumate, 34. They each face seven felony charges, including home invasion, stolen property receiving and concealing, and five weapons charges.

   Baraga County Memorial Hospital’s long term care unit was officially closed on Friday, July 11, 2010. Known for many years as “SNU”, the Skilled Nursing Unit’s planned closure generated controversy among employees who have now lost their jobs.
   Originally the idea of closing SNU and taking long term care out of the hospital was tied to the amount of reimbursement that would be available to fund a new hospital. Since then steadily declining demand for nursing home beds has fueled the closure.

BIGGEST FISH--Joe Bier hoists his 23-plus pound lake trout Saturday at the trout fest. He and the Copper Country Chiropractic crew of Margo and Ted Bier came a tail fin from winning the lake trout category with five fish weighing 53.2 pounds. Veteran anglers Lyberg and Lyberg edged them with five at 53.9 pounds. See back page.

   A cool, misty, drizzly day did nothing to dampen the fishing and fun at the fifth annual Baraga County Lake Trout Festival and Keweenaw Bay Classic fish contest last weekend. L’Anse Waterfront Park filled with people throughout the day for a host of special events.
   And the lake was busy, too, despite some good-sized rollers out by Pt. Abbaye and the Huron Islands. A record registration of 101 boats entered the contest. This year’s five-fish weigh-in for each category (trout and salmon) produced some heavy catches.

   Following action by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s (KBIC) tribal council at its regular June 12, 2010, meeting, the Ojibwa Senior Citizens’ organization will have open use of the Ojibwa Motel’s swimming pool.
   A small group of seniors attended the meeting stating they felt some motel employees and management were disrespectful to tribal elders. Further the group felt seniors should be able to use the facility on their schedule and not only the hours presented by hotel management. Members told the council that if the pool was in use by children or a large group of guests, they would not utilize the facility.

   A jury trial was avoided last week when a child abuse defendant accepted a plea agreement. James Scott Bergerson of L’Anse, age 27, was scheduled for a jury trial on felony count of Child Abuse, 3rd Degree, beginning in Baraga County Circuit Court on Tuesday, June 8, 2010. That trial was cancelled when Bergerson accepted a plea agreement lowering the charge to Child Abuse, 4th Degree.
   The plea agreement reduces the charge from a potential two-year felony to a one-year misdemeanor. As such the case has been remanded back to Baraga County District Court for entry of a plea. Bergerson remains free on bond. Baraga County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph O’Leary and Bergerson’s attorney, James Nancarrow of Marquette arranged the plea agreement.

   Finlandia University announced the university’s Class of 2010. Local graduating students, the degrees each earned, their minor or concentration, their hometowns, and the semester in which they completed their degree requirements are listed below:
   Tyler Lloyd, B.A., Elementary Education-Science/Social Studies, L’Anse; Andrea Mantta, B.A., Rural Human Services, Pelkie; and Marc Marcotte, B.S.N.-Nursing, L’Anse.

   The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s (KBIC) tribal council, cultural committee, Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) and tribal realty office representatives are inviting tribal members to discuss ideas related to the preservation and protection of the Pinery Cemetery.
   Tribal council member Susan LaFernier said current conditions at the cemetery are in need of addressing. To help facilitate discussion, the tribe will hold a public meeting at the cemetery on Indian Cemetery Road Wednesday, June 23, 2010, beginning at 5 p.m.

   Monica Lorene Joshi, daughter of Lynn Forcia and Andrew Joshi and granddaughter of Clarence and Dolores Forcia of L’Anse, graduated from Swarthmore College with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She previously graduated from Washington International High School in Washington, D.C. with a bilingual International Baccalaureate Degree.
   This summer Joshi will be conducting research on dolphin/human interaction through a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-funded university project while preparing for studies toward a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine.

   A guided tour of a working iron ore mine and processing plant will be available to the public again for the 18th year this summer as Cliffs Natural Resources Michigan Operations will open its mining area and processing facility to visitors beginning on June 22. The summer tours are a special program offered by the Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) and Cliffs.
   The tours will begin on Tuesday, June 22 and run through the end of August. One tour per day will be offered Tuesdays through Saturday afternoons and will last approximately three hours.

   UP employers will have an opportunity to learn more about Michigan’s unemployment insurance (UI) tax and benefit programs at any of four free seminars that will be held this summer in the UP.
   “We have scheduled the seminars for Marquette, Houghton and Escanaba in June and a session in St. Ignace in July,” said Stephen Geskey, director of the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA).
   Seminars will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a one hour lunch break for which attendees will be on their own.
   “Interested employers can register online by visiting the specific website listed below for the meeting the employer would like to attend,” he explained.
   The Houghton seminar will be on June 23 at Michigan Tech University, http://houghtonemployerseminar.eventbrite.com

   The fifth annual Baraga County Lake Trout Festival will pack the L’Anse Waterfront Park with people and events on Friday evening, June 11, and all day and evening on Saturday, June 12, 2010.
   A raft of on-shore activities for all ages takes place at the waterfront park on Saturday, while about 100 boats of lake trout and salmon fishermen are expected to be out on Keweenaw and Huron Bays looking for trophy fish for the contest. Thousands of dollars in cash and prizes will be presented to 10 winners in each category on Saturday evening after weigh-in. There’s another $2,000 in raffle prizes for registered fishermen, too.

   After a week no wolf was produced in the DNRE’s effort to trap an animal that snatched and presumably killed a family pet.
   An eight-pound dog was grabbed by the wolf just seconds after Colton Lahti, 13, put “Burban” out on his leash on Wednesday, May 26, 2010. (See June 2 L’Anse Sentinel.) The wolf disappeared into the woods with the dog.
   The incident took place just a few yards from the home of Brian and Cathy Lahti. The dog had been put outside in that spot for six years. Brian Lahti speculated that the wolf was lying in wait very nearby in the woods while his son was attaching the dog’s leash.

CELEBRATING SUPERIOR--Husband and wife Mike Link and Kate Crowley are walking around Lake Superior to remind people of the importance of clean, fresh water. They passed through Baraga County recently, heading east to Big Bay, Marquette, Munising, and by the end of June, the Soo, and into Canada.

   The “Full Circle Superior” tour passed through Baraga County last week. Two committed naturalists in their early 60’s have vowed to walk the shoreline of Lake Superior this summer to raise awareness for water quality, collect data and record the stories of Lake Superior residents.
   Mike Link and Kate Crowley have scheduled educational talks along the way, and they’re generating plenty of media attention focused on the precious water resource of Superior and the Great Lakes.

   Progress on the planned expansion and renovation of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s (KBIC) Donald LaPointe Health Center is moving along as scheduled. The project my be completed several weeks early, according to project manager Bruce LaPointe.
   When completed, the center will be approximately 50 percent larger than the present facility and will include a new reception area, heritage center, much needed additional office space and a covered and canopied area for patient drop-off amongst other things.

    Tom Casperson, a Republican candidate for Michigan State Senate, 38th District, stopped by the Lakeside Inn in Baraga on Wednesday, June 2, 2010, to meet with voters and discuss his views on topics such as the economy, the current state of government in Michigan, and other issues.
   Casperson credits his views on what he sees as out-of-control government to decades with a family business, and six years’ experience in the state House of Representatives.
   “I’m a limited government type of person,” he said. “I sponsored the legislation that would allow the Kennecott mining to go forward. The Eagle Project started the need for legislation. That’s what we do up here – mining, logging, and tourism.”

    Dr. Patrick P. Bulinski, M.D. is joining Baraga County Memorial Hospital Medical-Dental Staff. Bulinski is a general surgeon who will be providing surgical clinics and surgical procedures at BCMH beginning this month.
   Bulinski obtained his bachelors degree from the University of Michigan in 1990, Doctor of Medicine degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in 1994, and completed his general surgical residency at Michigan State University in 2000. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery.

   The L’Anse Education Association presented Helen Stenvig and Marianne Wickstrom awards naming them the “Teacher and Community Person” who made a difference in the L’Anse Area Schools this year. They were honored at the “Celebration of Excellence” at the Ramada Inn in Hancock on May 20, 2010.
   Stenvig, fifth grade science teacher at C.J.Sullivan Elementary School, was recognized for her extra efforts involved with the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative and helping to create the nature trail. She is an advocate for hands-on science and was instrumental in establishing a book club open to staff and community members which promoted the importance of outdoor experience to children.
   Wickstrom is an active parent and member of the C.J. Sullivan Elementary PTO. She was recognized for her extra efforts and countless hours spent to compile the school yearbook.
   Wickstrom coordinated candid and class shots to make the yearbook the exceptional one it turned out to be. Other schools from the Copper Country Education Association awarded community, support personnel and staff members at the annual “Celebration of Excellence”.

Baraga’s class of 2010, just before graduation last Friday

   The Baraga High School class of 2010 marched into its future on Friday, May 28, with considerable acclaim.
   By many accounts this class has posted very high academic standards, and accomplished a number of athletic honors along the way. Half of the 43 graduating seniors maintained a 3.0 or better grade point average. More than 80 percent of this class is moving on to higher education, seven percent is entering the military and 11 percent is joining the workforce. This class has been awarded a record total potential scholarship value of more than $120,000.

   Fifty-one L’Anse High School seniors crossed the stage at the May 27, 2010, commencement exercises, leaving as adults ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.
   After a brief welcome from high school principal Carrie Meyer, Class of 2010 salutatorian Jordan Dix took the podium and thanked his family for their years of support. Dix said he wanted to give thanks “. . .most importantly to my God.”

   Colton Lahti, 13, put his little dog, “Burban” out on his leash in the yard last Wednesday evening. He walked back to the house, heard a yelp and was terrified to see a wolf with the tiny white, eight-pound dog in its mouth. The wolf gave a jerk, snapping open Burban’s collar and trotted off with the dog into the woods.
   Colton chased the wolf, screaming and running through the woods, barefoot, until his mother realized what was happening and called him back. Colton is the son of Brian and Cathy Lahti. The family lives on the Pinery Road, a short way from Dynamite Hill Road. There are several houses in the immediate vicinity.

   “Your limits are imaginary” was the theme for the first annual commencement for the L’Anse-Baraga Community Schools program on May 26, 2010.
   Twelve students met graduation requirements with seven students attending the ceremony at the Baraga School.
   Norm McKindles, Baraga Superintendent, welcomed the audience and introduced the members on the stage. Guest speaker was Linda Kinnunen, a successful direct response marketer. She is a graduate of L’Anse High School and is a trustee on the L’Anse Village Council. She inspired the class by telling them “Your limits are imaginary! Don’t let others’ words take away your power to succeed.”

Danny M. Ojala Scholarship: Bradly Wadaga. Baraga County Convention & Visitors Bureau Scholarship: Bradly Wadaga. Baraga Fire Department Scholarship: Kaitlin Tikkanen. American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship: Jessi DesRochers. Baraga County Chapter of U.P. Whitetails Scholarship: Bradly Wadaga. WPPI Scholarship thru the Village of Baraga: Kelly Shanahan. Baraga Education Support Team Scholarship: Brian Johnson. Sara Drennan Scholarship: Erica Bedner. Aura Arts Scholarship: Jessica Messer. Michigan Tree Farm Scholarship: Paige Maskill. Positive Peer Recognition: Jessica Messer, Brian Johnson. Ottawa Sportsmen’s Club Award: Paige Maskill. Jake Swanson/Jeremy Budreau Memorial Award: Recipient, Paige Maskill; Alternate, Brian Johnson. The Daily Mining Gazette Award: Paige Maskill. Copper Country Mental Health Careers Scholarship Award: Ashley Angle. Kinnunen-Sutinen Post 7646 Ladies Auxiliary: Nathan Eilola. John J. Guay & Jean A. Guay Scholarships: 1 or 2 Yr. Program, James Reynolds; 4 Yr. Program, Paige Maskill. Northern Michigan University – Certificate of Merit: Brian Johnson, Bradly Wadaga. Lake Superior State University Scholarship: Ashley Angle. Michigan Technological University Scholarships: Nathan Eilola, Bradly Wadaga, Brian Johnson, Jessica Messer, Kelly Shanahan. Ferris State University – Kaitlin Tikkanen.

Michigan Competitive Scholarships: Ellyn Hurst, Brian Johnson, Kelly Shanahan, Bradly Wadaga. Josten’s Award: Erica Bedner, Kelly Shanahan. Dr. Tamas A. Lanczy Scholarship: Ashley Angle. Pepsi Cola Bottling of Houghton Co. Scholarship: Recipient, Paige Maskill; Alternate, James Reynolds. Dr. Ruth Moyer Waring Memorial Scholarship: Recipient, Ashley Angle; Alternate, Rebecca Rasanen. Christine H. Jacobson Scholarship: Recipient, Jessica Messer; Alternate Bradly Wadaga. Louis St. John’s Memorial Scholarship: Brian Johnson. Baraga Township Lions Club Scholarship: Recipient, Erica Bedner, Alternate, Jessica Messer. Montana’s Best and Brightest Scholarship: Paige Maskill.Mary Grace Houlberg Scholarship: Paige Maskill. McKindles/Putala Memorial Scholarship: Jessica Messer. Mr. John R. Selkey Memorial Scholaship: Brian Johnson and James Reynolds. Russell J. Osterman Scholarship: Erica Bedner, Rebecca Rasanen, Kelly Shanahan, Bradly Wadaga. The Baraga County Community Foundation Scholarships include: Buckland-Marvin Memorial Book Scholarship, Rebecca Rasanen; Baraga Township Lions Foundation Scholarship,Michael Niemi; Robert Reed Memorial Scholarship, Jessica Messer; Catherine VanErp Scholarship, Paige Maskill.

Michigan Competitive Scholarship: Dylan Cassel, Cody Carter, Gregor Cerne, Jordan Dix, Cassandra Evans, Joseph Fedie, and Isaac Hiltunen. Mary Margaret Higgins National Honor Society Memorial Scholarship: Samantha Tollefson. Franklin St. John Scholarship to Michigan Technological University: Joseph Fedie. RAYMAR Scholarship: Michael A. Williams. BHK Foundation Scholarship: Michael A Williams. Louis and Doris St. John Memorial Scholarship: Jason Hulkonen. Franklin St. John Scholarship Grant: Mitch Fedie. Rice Memorial Clinic Community Mental Health Careers Scholarship: Cassandra Wesner. Roger Roth Memorial Scholarship: Daniel Sterbenz, Alternate: Samantha Tollefson. Peter and Lucille Juntunen Scholarship: Jason Hulkonen. Ted and Shirley Groleau Memorial Scholarship: Parker Miller. L’Anse Lions Club Scholarship: Kelsey Brennan, Cody Carter, Cassandra Evans, Samantha Tollefson. Henry Hendrickson Post 8945 & Ladies Auxiliary VFW Scholarship: Cassandra Wesner, Kelsey Syrjala. Jay and Rebecca Feely Family Scholarship: Samantha Tollefson, Cody Carter. L’Anse Education Association Scholarship: Samantha Tollefson, Daniel Sterbenz, Cassandra Wesner. Laird Education Fund Scholarship: Joseph Fedie, Jason Hulkonen. Hilltop Restaurant Scholarship: Devinne Kent. Dr. Tamas A. Lanczy Scholarship: Samantha Tollefson. Baraga County Convention and Visitors Bureau Scholarship: Samantha Tollefson. Kinnunen-Sutinen Auxiliary to Post No. 7646 Scholarship: Joseph Fedie. United Lutheran Church Women’s Scholarship: Cody Carter. Baraga County Chapter of U.P. Whitetails Scholarship: Michael A. Williams.

Tri Town Lions Club Scholarship: Cassandra Wesner. Midway Telephone Company (Parent Company Hiawatha Communications Inc.) Scholarship: Cassandra Wesner. Baraga County Federal Credit Union Scholarship: Daniel Sterbenz. John J. Guay and Jean A. Guay Scholarship: Cassandra Evans, Kylee Kristo. Baraga Max Employee Club Scholarship: Samantha Tollefson. Grand Valley State University Faculty Scholarship: Cassandra Evans. Grand Valley State University Award for Excellence: Cassandra Evans. Northern Michigan University Certificate of Merit: Cassandra Evans, Patrick Osterman, Samantha Tollefson, Michael A. Williams. Michigan Technological University Presidential Achievement Scholarship: Isaac Hiltunen, Joseph Fedie, Mitch Fedie, Dylan Cassel. Michigan Technological University Presidential Excellence Scholarship: Cody Carter. Michigan Technological University Dean of Business Scholarship: Joshua Johnson. Michigan Technological University Alumni Legacy Scholarship: Dylan Cassel. Finlandia University Dean Scholarship: Samantha Tollefson. Bay College Dr. Mary L. Cretens Memorial: Samantha Nagele. Bay College Disabled American Veterans & Auxiliary: Samantha Nagele. Aura Community Hall Scholarship: Cassandra Evans. Ken Summers Scholarship: Samantha Tollefson. Ida McClintock Olof Been Scholarship: Cassandra Evans. Borghild Heltunen Nurses Scholarship: Samantha Nagele. Ponistus Athletic Scholarship: Parker Miller. TV 6 Special Senior Recognition: Cassandra Evans. Mining Gazette Student of the Year nominee: Jordan Dix. Copper Country Principal’s Round Table Scholarship: Dylan Cassel. Principal’s Scholarship: Samantha Tollefson, Cody Carter.

   The L’Anse Village Council handled some major business items at its regular meeting on Monday, May 24, 2010. The council approved the recommendations of engineer Jim Koskiniemi and approved two “Phase II” contracts for the ongoing sewer improvement project.
   The council also approved purchase of two major pieces of equipment for the DPW, and the sale of four older units. A new backhoe and a multi-use “street skidder” will be purchased.

   The Copper Country Christian School held its annual commencement on Friday, May 28, 2010, at the L’Anse Baptist Church.
   This year’s graduates included Valedictorian Chelsea Goodreau of L’Anse, Valerie MacKrain of Chassell, and Erin Norton of Calumet.
   Goodreau said in her commencement speech, “the Lord has had a hand in each of our lives and I’m excited to see where He takes me.”
   Goodreau will attend Northland International University in the fall to study elementary education. MacKrain is headed to Finlandia University to study nursing, and Norton will attend Michigan Technological University to study liberal arts.
   “Standing here seems surreal to me,” Goodreau continued in her speech. “I feel like I was just sitting in those pews as an elementary student. . .going to school, there was never a dull or boring moment.”

   At the request of Kennecott Eagle Minerals, members of the Michigan State Police/Negaunee Post, Michigan State Police 8th District Hometown Security Team and Marquette County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the movement of protesters off of the Kennecott Eagle Minerals site Thursday, morning, May 27, 2010, in Michigamme Township, Marquette County.
   Upon arrival at the site, officers encountered six protesters camped at the site. Upon being asked to leave the property by both Kennecott officials and officers, four persons voluntarily left the property while two refused to depart.
   The two persons, a male and a female, were subsequently arrested without incident for Tresspassing, transported to and lodged at the Marquette County Jail. Both subjects are now free on Personal Recognizance Bonds.

   Lake Superior State University Dean’s List has been announced for the Spring 2010 semester. To make the Dean’s List, students must be attending full time and achieve a 3.5 grade point average for the semester on a 4.0 scale.
   Ashley Poehls of L’Anse is on the list. She is sophomore studying biology.

   KBOCC held its annual Honors Convocation and Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 1, 2010, at the Niiwin Akeaa Center, with three graduates receiving diplomas.
   Christopher Chosa, a Fall 2009 graduate, received an Associate of Arts, Liberal Studies with Native American Emphasis; Betti Szaroletta, a Spring 2010 graduate, received an Associate of Applied Science, Early Childhood Education; and Ryan Koski, a Summer 2010 graduate, received an Associate of Arts, Liberal Studies.

   Two child abuse cases were addressed in Baraga County Circuit Court recently.
   James Thomas Cribbs III, 27, of Baraga, appeared on Thursday, May 20, 2010. Cribbs had been scheduled for trial on June 16. That jury trial has been rescheduled for Sept. 1, at 9 a.m.
   Cribbs faces a count of Child Abuse, 1st Degree. He is alleged to have knowingly or intentionally caused physical harm to a child. The incident allegedly took place on Sept. 27, 2009, and involved a child who was 17 months old at the time. The child required extensive medical care at multiple facilities.

SAY ‘UNCLE’--Baraga County Gymnasts stretch in preparation for competition, with a little help from their friends and coach. Sandy Fish, standing second from left, coaches the team along with Tammy Clisch, and Lori Tervo helps with fundraising, outfits and much more. Former member Rayann Kaurala, now a college student, helps with coaching as well and will accompany the team to Florida.

   Baraga County Gymnasts are flying high in anticipation of competing nationally in Orlando, FL, June 27-July 4, 2010.
   Friends and fans can lend their support and enjoy a performance by the club June 5 in Calumet. The team will host a pancake breakfast that day, followed by a silent auction and then a demonstration of skills and the club from 1-3 at the Calumet High School.
   The club has outridden considerable adversity on its way to the Nationals. This past winter Baraga County Gymnastics lost its practice gym at the Ojibwa Community College in Baraga. Only seven of its original 75 members survived the move to its new home, the Elks Club in Hancock.

   Many L’Anse Area Schools students were lauded at the May 19, 2010, Honors Convocation.
   Many students in grades 4-12 were noted for their academic achievements throughout the year.
   Additionally, some students were noted for individual achievements. In addtion to class valedictorian Cassandra Evans and salutatorian Jordan Dix, a handful of other individuals were noted.

   A 22-year old L’Anse man, Eugene Walter George Rantanen, was sentenced to 57 months in prison and 10 years supervised release on a federal felony charge of sexual abuse of a minor in U.S. District Court in Marquette May 17.
   Rantanen was convicted on one charge of engaging in a sexual act with a Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) female between 12-16 years of age. Court records indicate the act took place on the reservation in July 2006 and July 2007.
   Rantanen was originally charged on five felony counts involving the female above and another Native American female on the reservation between 12-16 years of age.

   The L’Anse Area Schools’ Board of Education tackled a light agenda at its regular May 17, 2010, meeting acting on a handful of agenda items.
   Trustees approved a resolution to submit one or more millage propositions at a special election scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 3.
   One of those propositions will be a second attempt at having the electorate pass an 18-mill collection on all non-homestead property within the district.

Sentinel summer intern Kate Flynn

   Kate Flynn is a summer editorial intern for the L’Anse Sentinel. She is an ’07 graduate of Hancock Central High and is residing in Houghton for the summer.
   Flynn will be a senior at Beloit College in Beloit, WI, this fall. A creative writing major and journalism minor, Flynn has been both a staff writer and lit/art editor of the Beloit College Round Table, one of the oldest college newspapers in the country. She will be the features editor during the 2010-11 academic year.
   In the fall of 2009 Flynn participated in American University’s Washington Journalism Semester program in Washington, D.C., and interned at The New Republic magazine as part of her experience. She has also written several pieces for the Beloit College magazine, and continues to work as a peer tutor at the Beloit College Writing Center.

   Auto Value of L’Anse owners Ron and Jackie Skytta weren’t looking to make a major business investment this summer. But the customers talked them into it.
   Auto Value has purchased the Husqvarna franchise operated for 20 years by Tim McIntyre on U.S. 41 just south of L’Anse. When word spread that McIntyre was closing his shop a lot of people wondered where they’d go to find a Husky dealer for power saw and other Husqvarna product sales, parts and service.

   The L’Anse Village Council heard positive news involving the L’Anse Warden Electric Co. at its regular council meeting on Monday, May 10, 2010.
   Warden Plant Manager Daryl Koski attended the session. He indicated the Warden biomass electric generating plant is close to signing a 20-year power agreement with an electricity purchaser. That will allow Warden to plan effectively and grow, with a reliable customer to purchase electricity.
   “That’s very good news. They’ll be real busy there for the next 20 years,” said L’Anse Village Manager Bob LaFave. “I think everyone on the council was very pleased to hear that.”

   Thanks to a $382,676 federal grant the Pelkie School will have its 70-plus year old coal-fired heating system replaced with 21st century technology.
   The Pelkie School serves kindergarten, first and second grade students.
   Baraga Area Schools Superintendent Norm McKindles said Baraga was one of 26 successful applicants out of a field of approximately 250 which received funds from the American Recovery and Investment Act. McKindles said because he didn’t hear that Baraga made the cut until last week, he was unsure there would be any funds coming the district’s way.

   The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) has rejected Baraga County’s semi-annual request for a share of its two percent gaming distributions.
   In a letter received May 4, 2010, the tribe informed Baraga County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph O’Leary it has decided to distribute the two percent funds “based on our consent agreement with the state of Michigan.”
   According to that agreement, distribution of funds is based on compensating local units of government for services provided to the tribe, and their share of ad valorem property taxes that would be attributed to the casino if that site were subject to taxation.

Baraga High School’s Phoenix Chapter of the National Honor Society welcomed two new members, Dollcie Webb and Bryant Froberg, May 13, 2010. An induction ceremony was held at the high school. NHS members old and new include back row, l-r, Jessi DesRochers, Ellyn Hurst, Jessica Messer, Paige Maskill, Bryant Froberg, Rebecca Rasanen, Michael Jones and Nathan Eilola. Front row, l-r, are Ashley Angle, Dollcie Webb and Erica Bedner.

   The Baraga High School Class of 2010 will cross the stage at the BHS gym and receive diplomas on Friday, May 28, with commencement beginning at 7 p.m. A total of 44 diplomas are expected to be awarded.
   This year’s valedictorian is Erica Bedner, and the 2010 salutatorian is Kelly Shanahan. Baraga 1991 graduate Dr. Brandon Turunen, a research chemist and forensic specialist, will deliver the address.
   The Class of 2010 is led by President Ariel Gougeon, Vice President Paige Maskill, Secretary Rebecca Rasanen and Treasurer Erica Bedner. Members of the National Honor Society from the class include Bedner, Rasanen, Maskill, Jessi DesRochers, Nathan Eilola, Ellyn Hurst, Michael Jones, Jessica Messer and Ashley Angle.

   L’Anse Area Schools’s will conduct its 2010 commencement exercises Thursday, May 27 at 7 p.m. in the high school gymnasium as 52 seniors cross the stage to receive their diplomas.
   This year’s valedictorian is Cassandra Evans while Jordan Dix holds class salutatorian accolades. This year’s key-note speaker is LHS Class of 1972’s Fred Teddy who was also named L’Anse Area School’s 2010 Alumnus of the Year.
   The Class of 2010 chose red, black and chrome for it’s class colors and the purple rose as class flower. The graduating class was led by Evans who served as class president, Samantha Tollefson as vice-president, Kylee Kristo as secretary and Dix as treasurer. Angela Juntunen served as the 2010 historian and both Cody Carter and Devinne Kent were representatives on the school’s Student Council.

   There will be some major improvements at the Baraga Village Marina this boating season after the Baraga Villge Council passed a resolution accepting a Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) grant.
   Village Manager Roy Kemppainen said the council approved the $50,000 Trust Fund grant at its Tuesday, May 11 regular meeting.
   The manager said plans call for installation of two new skid peers at the launch site along with some new boardwalks over existing old pilings.

   Once again the Aura Community Hall Association sponsored a student art show featuring artwork from Baraga, L’Anse and Sacred Heart schools. Well over 200 artworks were on display for the public to view on Sunday, May 16, 2010.
   “It’s great to see so much variety of medias and creativity by students,” noted this year’s judge, Joyce Koskimaki. “It’s wonderful of the community to promote the arts like this.”
   Koskimaki grew up in the L’Anse area until the age of 14, when she moved away. She received her master of fine arts degree from the University of Iowa and has taught at six colleges and universities. In 1998 she moved back to the area where she taught four years at Finlandia before retiring. She currently has a studio in the E.L. Wright building on US 41 in Hancock. She can be reached by appointment at 370-3183.

   Members of Keweenaw Bay Cub Scouts Pack #219 attended the Hiawathaland Council Centennial Celebration this past weekend in Marquette.
   The youngsters were among approximately 600 Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from throughout the Upper Peninsula who gathered to attend events throughout the weekend celebrating the 100th anniversary of the boy scouts.

COMING THROUGH--Postal customers on L’Anse, Aura, Skanee and Alberta routes set a new record for food donations last Saturday. The annual “Stamp Out Hunger” drive generated 3,150 pounds of food to be donated to St. Vincent de Paul’s food pantry. Seven of the orange hampers were filled. Among postal employees that collected food set out at mailboxes were, l-r, Kevin Loomis, Bob Heikkinen, Paul Poyhonen, Laura Stewart, Dawn Koskinen, Sue McDonald and Kim Koskinen. Missing from photo are Marcia Messer and Frank Dombrowski.

   The L’Anse Post Office’s “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive last Saturday generated more than a ton and a half of food donations.
   The food contributed by postal customers in L’Anse-Aura-Skanee, and Alberta. The crew at the L’Anse Post Office was pleased to see people set a new record with an increase of 500 pounds over last year’s record. A snowy start to the day didn’t dampen donations.
   All the food goes to St. Vincent de Paul’s food pantry.

   L’Anse Area Schools’ voters defeated an 18-mill non-homestead renewal vote 52-48 percent in the May 4 annual school elections. That action resulted in an approximate $1.1 million axe falling on the district’s $7 million-plus budget.
   Superintendent Ray Pasquali said that would be catastrophic. The millage will be put before voters a second time at the August primary election.
   L’Anse schools are already facing an estimated $900,000-plus shortfall at the end of the 2010-2011 school year. Pasquali said if the proposal is not renewed on Aug. 3, (the soonest Michigan law permits for another election) the loss would be unsustainable for the district.

   Three men accepted plea arrangements in larceny and related cases from incidents taking place in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009.
   James Daniel Cadeau, 44, of Baraga, Robert Bruce Cadeau, 42, of Baraga, and Gordon Jason Grentz, 34, of Nisula, appeared in Baraga County Circuit Court before Judge Charles Goodman on Wednesday, May 5, 2010. They each were represented by Marquette attorney James Nancarrow.

   Following a brief regular meeting at the tribal center Saturday, May 8, 2010, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) tribal council reconvened at Eagle Rock, a KBIC sacred site on the Yellow Dog Plains.
   Eagle Rock is part of land leased by the State of Michigan for the development of a sulfide nickel and copper mine by international mining giant Rio Tinto through its subsidiary Kennecott Corporation.
   Kennecott has proposed to blast through Eagle Rock and use it as the portal to its mine.

   Three fire departments responded to a house fire on Dynamite Hill Road early on Friday morning, May 7, 2010. The home owned by Ed Bourdage of L’Anse was pronounced a total loss.
   When the call came in at 4:10 a.m. L’Anse Fire Chief Mike Bianco was already on his way to work at Subway. He was the first to arrive on the scene.
   “When I got within a mile of the building I could smell smoke,” Bianco said.
   The resident of the home, Ed Bourdage, Jr., told Bianco he awoke to the home filled with heavy smoke.

   Michigan DNRE celebrates 40th anniversary of Michigan’s Natural Rivers Program. The Great Lakes form most of its borders. Inland lakes offer outstanding recreational opportunities. But Michigan is also blessed with moving water; its citizens enjoy more than 36,500 miles of rivers and streams, including 12,500 miles of cold-water trout streams.
   Michigan has numerous programs focused on the protection and enhancement of those river resources. One prime example is the Natural Rivers Program, which is administered by the Habitat Management Unit of the Michigan DNRE’s Fisheries Division.

   Pertussis (whooping cough) is continuing to spread throughout Copper Country with cases now identified in Houghton, Baraga and Keweenaw Counties.
   “Over 30 cases have been confirmed to date and it is likely that more people are infected but have not seen a physician or had confirmatory testing,” said Terry Frankovich, MD, of the health department.
   Pertussis spreads easily through droplets released by coughing and sneezing, particularly in the first couple weeks of illness, when most people think they simply have a cold. Because the early cough may be mild, those infected are usually attending school or work and have no idea that they are spreading pertussis—which makes an outbreak hard to contain.

   Local farmers and gardeners are invited to a planning meeting to discuss establishing or expanding farmers markets in Houghton, Hancock and other Copper Country locations.
   The public forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18 at Hancock City Hall. At the meeting representatives of the cities of Hancock and Houghton, Tori Market, and Western UP Health Department will answer questions and solicit feedback from growers about their interest in participating as vendors at Hancock’s Tori Market, a proposed market in Houghton, or at other sites in Houghton, Keweenaw and Baraga counties.

   On April 29, 2010, 19 fourth grade math students from CJ Sullivan Elementary School attended a math tournament at Michigan Technological University called TiViTZ.
   TIVItz is a math and strategy game that uses a space theme to move the TiVitz pieces on a board and then uses a variety of different math computations to obtain the highest score. Students play with partners.

   The Ottawa National Forest staff announced that new office facilities for the Iron River and Watersmeet Ranger Districts are completed.
   The two district offices will be moving to the newly constructed Ranger Station adjacent to the Ottawa Visitor Center in Watersmeet, MI, beginning May 11, 2010. This move and the co-location of the two ranger district offices is the culmination of several years of work described in the Forest’s Facilities Master Plan.

   The 10th annual Tin Lizzie Day will be presented by the Ford Center in Alberta, MI, on Saturday, June 26, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Ford Center is seeking vintage car owners and artist/crafts/people to participate in this year’s event.
   Vehicles need to be at least 30 years old and can be in any stage of restoration. Tractors and other vintage machines are also welcome. There is no charge for participants in the car or craft show.

   The L’Anse Fire Department is helping village residents prepare for wildland fire.
   The department is offering free “Wildland Fire WalkAbouts” for Village of L’Anse residents living in the Tuttle, Shields and Meador streets neighborhoods.
   “Homes in this area of the village may be more prone to the impacts of grass or wildland fires. The L’Anse Fire Department will be in the neighborhood on May 19, 2010, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and will work with neighbors to identify potential wildland fire risks and solutions. To kick off the event, hot dogs will be served at 6 p.m. at Fire Chief Mike Bianco’s residence at the end of Shields street. Everyone is welcomed to enjoy a hot dog and learn about protecting your home from wildland fire,” said Mike Jensen of the L’Anse Fire Department.

   Mel J. Lafernier of L’Anse, a member of 1433rd Engineer Company, Augusta, Michigan Army National Guard, was recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Lafernier, a Combat Engineer, has been a member of the National Guard for eight years. He attended basic training in 2002, at Fort Lenard Wood, MO.
   Lafernier graduated from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI, with a Degree in Health and Fitness Management.

   A team of Hancock High School students and their teacher took first place in the 21st annual Bio-athlon, held May 5 by the Department of Biological Sciences at Michigan Technological University.
   The team from L’Anse High School placed third in the contest, which drew 16 teams from across the Upper Peninsula.
   The Bio-athlon was organized to stimulate interest and problem-solving skills in biology among area youth. The participants tacked four problems involving dissection, testing for protein concentrations, field identification and blood diagnosis. None had taken any biology beyond the traditional high school sophomore course.

   Moyle Construction has completed its assessment of the costs and options of using the existing Baraga County Memorial Hospital building for courthouse functions.
   The Courthouse Improvement Committee requested that Moyle explore the potential scenarios to deal with the aging but historic courthouse, and the deteriorating annex building adjacent. Last Fall Moyle volunteered to invest up to $10,000 for a feasibility study exploring the idea of moving courthouse and annex facilities to the soon-to-be-empty BCMH.

   One of Baraga County’s most historic homes was, quite literally, The Big House.
   Present day residents know the building as the courthouse annex. In a former life it served as the Baraga County Jail, with living quarters included for the Baraga County Sheriff. From 1955 to 1978, Harold Heikkinen and his family called it home.
   “I put 21 years in at the jail,” quipped Glenn Heikkinen, now of Orlando, FL, who was born while his dad was in office and raised on the courthouse hill. “I served a life sentence there!”

   The Village of L’Anse continues to take the necessary steps to get a summer of construction work underway. Phase II of the multi-million dollar sewer system upgrade will bring construction activity around the community as sewer piping, a couple of lift stations and the wastewater treatment plant are upgraded.
   The deteriorating and now-closed 1918 Falls River bridge leading in and out of the CertainTeed Ceiling plant will be replaced this summer. Bid openings on both projects are taking place this week. There’s been a lot of contractor interest in both, according to Village Manager Bob LaFave.

   Copper Country Humane Society (CCHS) President Dr. Todd Ingram and volunteer LeRita Allert said getting and keeping the word out about daily voting propelled the CCHS to the top spot in the first 2010 Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter +/ Petfinder.com Challenge.
   On-line voting ended April 18. Out of more than 12,000 shelters from Canada to Costa Rica, the CCHS received more votes than any to claim the top $10,000 grand prize. The CCHS won another $1,000 in week five of the contest for being one of two shelters receiving the most votes in that time frame.

   The Copper Country Association of School Boards presented staff, student and school service awards at the annual Educational Awards Dinner at MTU on April 28. L’Anse awards included student leadership, Olivia Lohman; school service, Jerry Bugni; and outstanding staff, Mark Smith. Baraga awards were school service, Hedy Capul; outstanding student, Paige Maskill, and outstanding employee, Beth Helminen..

INSTANT POWER--Built in a shipping container, the X3 electricity system generates with a quickly deployable wind generator, solar panels and, inside, a diesel generator that kicks on when needed.

   The VanStraten brothers have been kicking around ideas for the steel shipping containers they’ve been buying–and they’ve been thinking about wind power for a long time.
   During the economic stall and Baraga County’s 25-30 percent unemployment the   Keweenaw Bay and Baraga-based fabricating company has tried to sell shipping containers for storage buildings, wood sheds and even camps.
   But it wasn’t until Peter and George VanStraten came up with rugged, remote and renewable electricity sources did the whole concept come together.

   During the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2009, veterans and their families in Baraga County received $3,965,000 from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
   Benefits in the form of Disability Compensation, Pension, Education, Insurance and indemnities were paid directly to many of the county’s Baraga veterans.
   Linda C. Walker, Director of the VA Regional Office in Detroit, the office that administers benefit payments for Michigan said, “This influx of money into the Baraga County economy was a significant portion of the more than one billion dollars VA expended to serve the 723,368 veterans living throughout the State of Michigan.”

   Candidates for federal, state and local offices must file petitions by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, to qualify for the Aug. 3 primary ballot.
   The deadline applies to partisan candidates for governor, U.S. House, state House and state Senate, and county and township offices. Precinct delegate candidates are also required to file by May 11. It does not include judicial candidates, write-ins, or candidates without political party affiliation, who file under different time frames. Candidates have until 4 p.m. on May 14 to withdraw their names.

   A Saturday afternoon (May 1) fire on Greenhouse Road in Skanee destroyed two out-buildings owned by Tim Elmblad.
   According to Skanee Fire Department spokesman Roger Jordan, Chief Dale Hollon quickly called for mutual aide from L’Anse and Aura fire departments to help battle the blaze.
   The fire is believed to have started near an outdoor wood boiler system. Jordan said wood used to fuel the burner was stacked nearby and caught on fire which eventually spread to two large buildings.
   Jordan said a much larger building was saved but received minor damage.

   On Monday April 26, 2010, the Western UP Michigan Works sponsored a class at the L’Anse High School designed to help workers learn the skills necessary to navigate a computer keyboard, internet basics, and acquire the skills necessary to apply for jobs on-line.
   The class was led by Barbara Knapp, Software Consultant, who has run many such classes for Michigan Works in the past.
   Ron Miaso, Employment Training Supervisor at Michigan Works, said “More and more job seekers are finding that in today’s environment, paper applications are fast becoming a thing of the past. Especially for newly laid off workers who have not been in the job seeking pool for a while, these skills are a very important part of the job search process.”

   “The 2010 wildland fire season has kept local fire departments busy. A key component of every fire department is keeping residents safe,” said Mike Jensen of the L’Anse Fire Department.
   The L’Anse Fire Department is offering free “Wildland Fire WalkAbouts” for Village of L’Anse residents living in the Shields and Meador Streets neighborhoods.
   Homes in this area of the village may be more prone to the impacts of grass or wildland fires. The L’Anse Fire Department will be in the neighborhood on May 19, 2010, from 6-7:30 p.m. and will work with neighbors to identify potential wildland fire risks and solutions.

   A group of more than two dozen seniors citizens met Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at the Baragaland Senior Center and left with a lot of knowledge on scams aimed at senior citizens.
   Dave Remminger of the State of Michigan Attorney General’s Office included a stop in L’Anse during his Western Upper Peninsula tour to provide senior citizens with simple, insightful and beneficial information on how to protect themselves from mail and telephone fraud and theft identity amongst other things.
   Remminger began with identity theft.

FAST PACED--The LHS Drama Club’s presentation of “Switching Principals” was just that as a couple of “bad guys” find themselves in a predicament where one is believed to be an expected new principal and the other his secretary. Both keep the sham going for days before making everything come out much better than expected in the end.

   Take two crooks and mix them together with a wacky high school expecting a new principal and an even wackier school board and what comes out in the end? A two-act comedy play called “Switching Principals”.
   The L’Anse Drama Club, under the direction of Denise Laakko, put on the play April 23-25, 2010, at the school cafetorium.
   The play opens with guidance counselor Agnes Wompers (Stacy Motley), school board member Constance Thrump (Jaclyn Sliger) and her nerdy husband Myron (David Bier), along with school vice-principal Abigail Trotter (Cassandra Evans), talking about the planned arrival of new-hire Principal Darling (Zach Evans). Even though she lacks the courage to speak up to the board, it is a long-time ambition to take over as principal of the school.

   The unemployment rate in the Upper Peninsula increased during March to 15.5 percent, a monthly gain of seven tenths of a percentage point above February’s 14.8 percent.
   The counties with the lowest unemployment rates in the UP during March were Marquette and Menominee Counties at 12.2 and 12.9 percent, respectively, while Mackinac County (30.7 percent) and Baraga County (29.5 percent), recorded the highest jobless rates in Michigan during the month.

   Following marathon voting down the stretch, the Copper Country Humane Society (CCHS) overtook Denison City Pound in Denison, IA, to claim a $10,000 grand prize.
   Votes were cast electronically in the first 2010 Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter+ Challenge together with www.Petfinder.com .
   Supporters of the Copper Country Humane Society, both locally and around the country and globe, rose to the challenge to cast vote after vote on their computers.

   Baraga County’s first Entrepreneurial Fair proved a success at KBIC’s Ojibwa Community College last Friday, April 23, 2010. The gymnasium housed 21 displays of local businesses and organizations telling their story and showing off products and services they provide.
   Classrooms at the community college were used where educational seminars on various aspects of business were offered. Sessions lasted until 4:30 p.m. at the all-day event. A number of speakers opened the E-Fair with encouraging talks in the morning.

   At its April meeting the Baraga Township Lions Club was presented an award from Lions Clubs International by District Governor Don Wojakowski for 55 years of service to the local community.
   Organized in 1954 by Art Kuujansuu Sr., Ben Kinnunen, Onni Koskinen, Paul Martin and others, the club continues to emphasize sight related projects such as providing financial support for eyeglasses for area youth. Long time member and past treasurer, Ken Hammerberg accepted the award on behalf of the Lions Club.

   The UP Made Artist Market will open on Saturday, May 1 for the summer/fall season. The market is sponsored by the non-profit Community Women’s Group and serves artists from the Upper Peninsula and surrounding area. It encompasses an art gallery and market place room in the unique setting of the two- room Historic Covington School in Covington.
   The original blackboards, an old school desk, porcelain drinking fountain and hardwood floors make for a warm, gone back-in-time setting.

   The UP Regional Blood Center, a service of Marquette General Health System, will hold a Blood Mobile blood drive from 10 a.m. until noon on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at the Multi purpose building in Covington. For an appointment, please call Brenda Fesnick at (906) 355-2505.

   The Baraga Lumberjack Days Committee has been holding its monthly meetings to prepare for this year’s county-wide Fourth of July celebration. “Planning is going well and it is our hope to create a safe and memorable holiday for all to enjoy,” said Gayle Isaacson, committee president.
   Once again, the committee is actively seeking to create a special section in the Lumberjack Days booklet to honor those who serve and have served our country. The Fourth of July celebration is truly about our freedom.

   There will be an organizational meeting for the L’Anse Women’s Golf League at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, 2010, at the L’Anse Golf Club.
   New teams are encouraged and partner golf will be played this year.
   All teams need to register by either calling Sue Coffey at 524-7255 or by signing up at the club. New members must golf three matches and turn in their cards to the club by Monday, May 10 to establish teams and handicaps.

   The Friends of the Portage Lake District and Carmelita’s Restaurant invite everyone to a Cinco de Mayo Salsa Contest on May 5, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m.
   To enter the contest, simply make eight cups of your favorite salsa and label it mild, medium, or hot. Bring it to the library before 6 p.m. on May 5 where it will be placed next to bowls of chips for sampling and voting by the public. The winner will receive a gift certificate to Carmelita’s.

   Former Baraga resident John Ellenich is busy in San Jose, CA, working in the quickly-changing world of high technology. A Baraga High School and Michigan State University graduate, Ellenich is remembered locally for his highly accomplished performances as a figure skater.
   Ellenich moved to California shortly after graduating from MSU. He has been working for Element Labs, which develops LED lighting seen on stages. Ellenich works in marketing and is a main designer. He is leaving the company due to the success of a new company he and Henry Balanon started, called “Bickbot”.

   The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for authority to use lethal methods to control problem wolves.
   “The grey wolf has been fully recovered in Michigan, and the state has demonstrated its ability to wisely manage this species,” said DNRE Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. “We are in the position to make informed, wise decisions in handling individual animals that are causing depredation.
   “While it may appear that trapping and relocating problem animals is a solution, research and practice have shown this alternative to be less humane and effective in addressing depredation,” Mason added. “The state is seeking to restore its full authority in addressing wolf depredation, and we strongly encourage the USFWS to move forward with delisting this recovered species.”

   Michigan is presently running at 75 percent participation rate for the 2010 Census. However the Upper Peninsula is running from 35 percent in Keweenaw County to 73 percent in Dickinson County.
   The Census return rate can be viewed by state, county, township or zip code at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/. Most UP residents now realize the importance of their participation, however some of the snowbirds are just now returning home. Most everyone should have received a questionnaire by mail or at their home. “If they did not, I would appreciate a phone call with their complete address,” said Vicki Estes Bruff, Local Census Office Manager.
   Being counted in the 2010 Census is still easy. After April 23, 2010, you can have a census worker fill out a form for you over the phone. Just call 866-872-6868 or 906-464-6236 from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

   L’Anse Area Schools Board of Education voted not to renew L’Anse Middle School Principal Rob Willman’s contract beyond its current expiration date of June 30, 2010.
   At a regular meeting at the Covington Multi-purpose building on Monday, April 19, 2010, Willman was supported by a large contingent of staff, parents and several students.

   Former L’Anse High School Principal Henry Pete Moore is suing L’Anse Area Schools claiming breach of contract.
   A complaint was filed on March 1, 2010, in Baraga County Circuit Court. Moore claims as a result of the defendant’s (L’Anse Area Schools) breach of contract, he was forced to retire from employment with the district.
   In the complaint Moore’s attorney, Frank A. Stupak, Jr, claims the forced retirement (March 1, 2009) resulted in Moore’s loss of income and benefits he would have accrued if he had remained employed through June 30, 2010.

   The building season of 2010 will see the emergence of a new Baraga County Memorial Hospital. The 71,000 square foot, single-story structure will be up and ready for interior work by next winter.
   The $28 million project is expected to be completed by summer, 2011. The hospital is being built on a 39-acre site on U.S. 41 at Mead Road, just south of L’Anse.
   The project is predicted to create an “economic stimulus” of $70.5 million, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD reviewed the financial projections of all phases of hospital operation when approving funding for the hospital. When in operation the new BCMH is predicted to have an annual economic benefit of $2.4 million.

    Local and regional businesses will have a chance to show what they do and what they offer at an Entrepreneurial Fair at KB Ojibwa Community College on Friday, April 23, 2010.
   The fair will also be a place for business people and would-be business people to make contacts and receive development-related information.
   The first annual “E-Fair” is organized by the Baraga County and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community economic development committees and the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce. Businesses ranging from downtown stores to fabricating shops have been invited to register for a free booth and tell people what they do.

BISHOP BARAGA SHRINE--atop the Red Rocks at the head of Keweenaw Bay would become a pilgrimmage destination if efforts to have the “Snowshoe Priest” canonized eventually bear fruit. Photo by Kathy Drue, last summer.

   One of the Catholic church’s most humble servants is poised to take a step toward sainthood–on snowshoes.
   The Diocese of Marquette announced on March 10, 2010, that a medical miracle may be attributed to intercession by Bishop Baraga. If that holds true, Baraga will be better than halfway home in his faithful’s efforts to have the UP bishop canonized.
   The case for Baraga’s canonization was explored in the March 26, 2010, issue of the U.P. Catholic. Bishop Alexander Sample noted that the miracle involved an apparent tumor on a patient’s liver evidenced on a CT scan, ultrasound and in other medical tests.

   The man alleged to have fired rounds of buckshot at a Skanee home last winter appeared in Baraga County Circuit Court on Tuesday, April 13, 2010.
   Lee Alan Hamari, 47, of Champion, pleaded not guilty to a total of seven charges against him in two separate cases. His attorney, Nels Christopherson, of Marquette, is preparing to use an insanity defense.
   Hamari is alleged to have fired five rounds of buckshot into the home of Bill and Sandy Menge on Park Road in Skanee on the night of Feb. 2, 2010. No one was injured but the incident caused the Menges a great deal of anxiety. Michigan State Police responded and conducted a detailed investigation.

   Effective July 1, 2010, Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) offices across the state will begin changing from county extension directors to district coordinators.
   Baraga County MSUE Director Mike Jensen said it is a planned reorganization by MSU that has been in the works for some time. According to the MSUE web site, MSU Extension began an extensive review of its program activities in early 2009. That process was made public in the third quarter of 2009.

   Former physics teachers Hank Ryan and Jack Netland had L’Anse middle and high school students enthralled with physics last Friday, April 16. The Minnesota duo skipped all the formulas and equations and used their blend of slapstick comedy and entertaining experience to bring the visual excitement of a Physics Force Show.
   Students were held spellbound as the two used simple items such as garbage cans, PVC pipes, ping-pong balls a 55-gallon drum and even a leaf blower to help put physics into something that demonstrated the subject in a fun and humorous way.

   Baraga County’s assessed value, up two percent from last year, was accepted by the Baraga County Board of Commissioners at its Tuesday, April 13, 2010, meeting.
   Equalization Director Lora Osterman announced the increase in her annual report to the board. The new assessed value for Baraga County is $356,600,533, up from last year’s sum of $348,818,172.
   The breakdown of newly assessed values for the county’s five townships is: L’Anse, $119,468,600; Baraga, $88,142,451; Arvon, $76,081,572; Covington, $32,619,144 and Spurr, $49,288,766.

   The Baraga school board spent 45 minutes in closed session discussing a very positive evaluation of retiring Superintendent Norm McKindles. At its regular monthly meeting on April 12, 2010, the board also braced for what is expected to be an increasingly more difficult financial picture. Baraga is in relatively good fiscal shape now, but McKindles predicted declining state revenue will take its toll in the next two to three years.
   First, the good news. McKindles was highly evaluated by the board in its annual review of the superintendent. The board spent time in closed session discussing McKindles’ performance in his five years with Baraga Area Schools. He is set to retire this summer.

   Following a brief public hearing prior to the start of the April 13 Baraga Village council meeting, trustees approved a $350,000 revolving loan fund (RLF) to VanStraten Inc.
   Pete, George and Chris VanStraten attended the public hearing to review the proposal with the council. George VanStraten said the new venture will be called X3 Energy and has a patent pending on the unit. The device utilizes large metal storage compartments to house and provide solar, wind and diesel generator power supply as needed.

   A Tuesday afternoon, April 6, incident at L’Anse Area Schools led to a lock-down of the campus. The event resulted in a “real life” run-through of the district’s safety crisis and response plan.
   Superintendent Ray Pasquali said someone driving past the school saw two students entering the building around 3:05 p.m. The individual contacted Michigan State Police (MSP) Regional Dispatch in Negaunee after seeing one of the students carrying what they thought was a long gun of some kind. It was actually a walking stick resembling a cane that was made in shop class.

IT’S OFFICIAL--Hospital and design team officials and board members gathered at the site of the new hospital Monday morning for a ceremonial groundbreaking. Front, l-r, are John Tembreull, Bill Coffey, Bill Menge, Becky D’Agostino, Fran Whitman, Ilene LaPlante, Shirley Younggren, Sally Koskinen and Gail Jestila Peltola. Back, l-r, Scott Frey and Dan Rogers, Skanska (project managers), Phil Ott, Ken Pepin, Joe Siekirk, Plante Moran CRESA (owner’s rep.), Bill Swartz and Greg Koenig, URS Architects. Clearing and foundation work began last summer and fall.

   The ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Baraga County Memorial Hospital drew a crowd on Monday, April 12, 2010, at 9 a.m. The event took place at the construction site at 18341 U.S. 41 south of L’Anse at Mead Road.
   In reviewing and approving funding for the project, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) said construction will support 103 full-time jobs.
   HUD calculated an “economic stimulus” of $70.5 million from the $28 million hospital project. HUD predicted the hospital will generate an annual economic benefit of $2.4 million.

    U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak announced his retirement from Congress last week, on the heels of criticism and even violent threats for his high-profile role in passing the national health care reform legislation.
   Stupak has served the 1st District for 18 years–longer than former congressmen Phil Ruppe, Bob Davis or John Bennett. Stupak will not seek re-election for a tenth term.
   Stupak was being challenged by opponents, including the Tea Party Express which was rolling through Stupak’s district in the UP and Northern Lower Michigan as his decision was announced last Friday (see page 2).

   Due to the reduced number of residents in the Baraga County Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit (SNU), six part time employees received layoff notices last week.
   “These six employees are in the Nursing and Dietary Departments. Two other positions will be reduced in hours. Additional layoffs will be instituted when the unit officially closes,” said BCMH Administrator John Tembreull.
   There are currently eight residents remaining in SNU, which has a capacity of 28. The residents, their families, and state agencies have received notification that the unit will close no later than Sept. 30, 2010.

    The Sentinel took a trip to Bessemer last Thursday afternoon and evening to check out the Tea Party Express III rally. The Express made two more stops in the U.P. Friday in Escanaba and Sault Ste. Marie. The tour started in Searchlight, NV, March 27 and will culminate with a big rally in Washington D.C. Tax Day (April 15).
   The Sentinel reporting staff was tied up Thursday, so a chronologically-challenged retired reporter was recruited out of moth balls and sent to Bessemer with one of those new-fangled digital cameras the oldster had never before used. Sentinel Editor Barry Drue then crossed his fingers the geriatric former newsman would: 1) Not damage his camera; and 2) return with something usable for this week’s Sentinel.

   A prison inmate was sentenced to serve an additional 34 to 120 months for assaulting a corrections officer at Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility. 12th Circuit Judge Charles Goodman imposed the sentence on Tuesday, April 6, 2010.
   Clifford Roger Kennedy, 40, was serving time at Baraga Max on July 8, 2009, when he threw a container of excrement at a prison guard. He was later transferred to the Marquette prison. Kennedy had earlier pleaded guilty to a count of Assault Of Prison Employee, a five-year felony. His maximum additional prison time grew to 10 years because Kennedy is a Habitual Offender, 3rd Notice. The assault sentence must be served after Kennedy’s original sentence has been served.

   Voters in the L’Anse, Baraga and Arvon school districts will head to the polls for the annual school election on Tuesday, May 4, 2010. Only the incumbents have filed for re-election in the three districts. L’Anse voters will also be asked to renew the district’s 18-mill package for five years.
   In Covington Township voters will be asked to renew the one-mill recreation millage for five years.
   L’Anse Area Schools board members Suzette Reilley and Patricia Loosemore have filed to appear on the ballot to retain their board seats for another four years. They are unopposed.

   Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) member Susan LaFernier was recently awarded the 2009 Taimi Hoag Award for Environmental Stewardship at a March ceremony in Chicago.
   LaFernier, who also sits on the KBIC tribal council has taken it upon herself to educate, demonstrate and speak out on behalf of her people and others in the Central Upper Peninsula as it relates to the proposed Kennecott sulfide mine on Baraga and Marquette counties Yellow Dog Plains. She also organized programs designed to help cleanup hazardous waste and focus on the importance of recycling–amongst other projects.

    Over the next several weeks, there will be a lot of tribal office relocations, according to Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) CEO Larry Denomie.
Denomie announced the changes at the Saturday, April 10 regular KBIC Council meeting.
    Tribal Economic Developer Gregg Nominelli will move out of his current office at the Planning and Development building on US-41 and into the Anokii Center located in the KBIC Industrial Park.

   The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community will not be teaming up with Custom Chassis, Inc. to build it’s “PowerPlatform” multi-purpose truck.
   Engineers from Custom Chassis, a Wellington, OH, company, visited Baraga County three times recently, looking for a place to fabricate the heavy duty vehicle they have invented.
   Custom Chassis is now talking with Pettibone officials to see if an arrangement can be negotiated.

   Baraga County’s first Entrepreneurial Fair is set for Friday, April 23, 2010. The event will allow local and regional businesses to showcase their products and services. Numerous businesses have already registered for booths at the all-day event at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College.
   The “E-Fair” is sponsored by the KBIC and Baraga County economic development committees and the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce. It is designed to let businesses tell the good news that’s taking place in the area during a time of severe economic hardship. A number of speakers will also encourage existing and would-be business owners with advice and information.

LONG DISTANCE--State Representative Mike Lahti has filed to run for the 38th District state senate seat being vacated by Mike Prusi. Lahti drives the stretch between his Hancock home and Lansing every weekend. His campaign across 13 UP counties within the 38th District is already underway and adding to the miles. Lahti visited L’Anse recently to talk to the Sentinel editor about his campaign and political viewpoints.

   The jockeying has begun again. It’s the political dance that has become familiar since the implementation of term limits in the Michigan legislature. One guy is term-limited and another is jumping from one chamber to the other to maximize his time in Lansing.
   38th District State Senator Mike Prusi, (D–Ishpeming) will finish his second four-year term, and thus be term-limited with the November election. He previously served three terms in the House of Representatives.
   110th District State Rep. Mike Lahti (D–Hancock) is concluding his second of three possible two-year terms in the House of Representatives. He faced a choice–run for one more two-year House term, or switch over to the senate side and campaign for Prusi’s seat, with the possibility of serving two four-year terms in the senate.

   The Baraga County Road Commission is on unfamiliar turf this Spring: bare ground.
   An uncommonly mild winter has given way to an even balmier spring. With snow already a memory and temperatures hovering in the low 70’s late last week, Road Commission Engineer Doug Mills looked back on a winter that barely was.
   “This was the most mild winter I can imagine,” Mills said. “We target an amount of money for winter maintenance. We’ve got to keep the roads open, and I couldn’t tell without looking into the books, but there’s many different items we saved on.”

   The unemployment rate in the Upper Peninsula declined during February to 14.8 percent, three tenths of a percentage point below January’s 15.1 percent. However, Mackinac County (30.9 percent) and Baraga County (28.3 percent) had the highest jobless rates in Michigan during the month.
   All but two of the Upper Peninsula’s 15 counties reported lower jobless rates in February, as monthly rate declines ranged from -0.1 percentage points (Chippewa County) to -1.6 percentage points (Ontonagon County). The only counties registering a monthly unemployment rate gain were Gogebic County (+0.4 percentage points) and Keweenaw County (+0.3 percentage points).

   The Baraga County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a breaking and entering at the Whirl-I-Gig in L’Anse Township.
   The B&E occurred sometime Saturday morning, April 3, 2010. Several bottles of liquor were taken from the bar.
   The Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 524-6177.

   Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, (OCC), students, Ronald Brunk and Chalsea Smith recently visited Washington DC as part of the college’s student leadership program. The students were accompanied by OCC President Debbie Parrish and board member Robin Chosa. The trip is made annually to meet with Michigan’s representatives to discuss priorities for the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.
   The OCC delegation met with Congressman Bart Stupak’s assistant, Ernesto Falcon; Senator Carl Levin’s senior adviser, Jackie Parker; Debbie Stabenow’s assistant, Patty Readinger and Congressman Dale Kildee and his assistant, Paxton Myers.

   Baraga County is fighting wildfires before they start with a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
   Mike Jensen, volunteer firefighter and MSU Extension Director for Baraga County, provided the L’Anse Village Council with an update on the project at its Monday, March 29, 2010, meeting. Jensen said a half dozen local fire departments are helping formulate the plan.
   Baraga County is a hot spot in Michigan–ranked among the highest for risk of a forest fire. Factors include density and types of trees in the county’s makeup, and also availability of hydrants and water to fight fires, number of fire departments serving the region, etc.

   The Tea Party Express III will be in Bessemer, MI, this Thursday, April 8, 2010, with a rally scheduled for 6:30 p.m Central Daylight Savings Time, at the Bessemer VFW Hall parking lot. The VFW Hall is located at 605 West Hwy. 2 (Lead St.) in Bessemer.
   Drivers from Baraga County will enter Bessemer on Highway 2 from the east side. The VFW Hall is located along Highway 2 a few blocks from the point where one would leave Bessemer going west.
   The Bessemer rally is one of six scheduled in the Michigan First Congressional district, by far the most rallies of any Congressional district in the United States. Ten stops are scheduled in Michigan. The most any other state has is four (Wisconsin). All four stops in Wisconsin are in separate Congressional districts. Bessemer is the closest stop to Baraga County.

   Local and regional businesses will have a chance to show the world what they do and what they offer at an Entrepreneurial Fair at KB Ojibwa Community College on Friday, April 23, 2010. The fair will also be an excellent place for business people and would-be business people to make contacts and receive development-related information.
   The first annual “E-Fair” is organized by the Baraga County and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community economic development committees and the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce. Businesses ranging from downtown stores to fabricating shops are invited to register for a free booth and tell people what they do.

   Think the first three weeks of March were a little on the toasty and dry side? If you answered yes, you’re correct.
   According to the National Weather Service (NWS) at Marquette, its records indicate through March 23, 2010, the month was not only the warmest on record, but also the lowest in precipitation and snowfall since record-keeping began at the Negaunee Township location in 1961.
   Records there show an average of 34.5 degrees through March 23 or 11.6 degrees above normal. Meanwhile, the area collected 0.27 inches of precipitation which includes 2/10th’s of an inch of snow. That compares to a normal precip amount of 2.29 inches and 25.5 inches of snowfall.

HOLDING COURT--The guys gather at Tim’s Saw Shop every morning to chew the news of the day and most any other topic that comes along. Friday just after 8 a.m. the crew included, l-r, Reino Lahti, Paul J. Lahti, Jim Newland, owner Tim McIntyre, Harlan Tollefson, Moose Goodreau, Dan Goodreau and Stu Lahti. There are more regulars, too.

   L’Anse is losing an institution this week. If you need parts or service for your “Husky” power saw, you’ll no longer be able to stop at Tim’s Saw Shop. Tim McIntyre is closing the door after nearly 21 years.
   Loggers and home wood cutters have come to depend on Tim’s. But much of the traffic in the small shop behind Tim and Nancy McIntyre’s home on U.S. 41 and Usimaki Road isn’t there for chains, oil and parts.
   For two decades Tim’s Saw Shop has been the unofficial gathering spot for a robust group of friends. The coffee’s always on and cookies jockey with disassembled power saws for space on Tim’s counter.

IT’S EASY--Signing up on the state organ donor registry is quick and easy. BCMH is pushing to get Baraga County’s 10 percent organ donor statistic (lowest in the state) higher. Michigan ranks 42 in registered organ donors. Becky D’Agostino, right, registered Kim Hendrickson, left, and Paula Roth, center, on Monday.

   Baraga County Memorial Hospital is joining a statewide push to increase the number of registered organ and tissue donors. Michigan ranks 42nd among states in the number of registered organ donors. And locally, the number is even lower.
    The campaign to get a million more donors on the registry is supported by the Michigan Hospital Association, Gift of Life and the Michigan Eye Bank.
    The Michigan Hospital Association issued challenges to hospitals to have their own employees consider registering as organ donors, and to promote efforts in their communities.

   Jamie Lynn Paakala, 30, of Chassell, was sentenced in Baraga County Circuit Court on Thursday, March 18, 2010, for writing bad checks.
   Paakala accepted a plea arrangement earlier and pleaded guilty to a count of Checks Without Account Number, Or Insufficient Funds. In exchange for the guilty plea on one count Prosecuting Attorney Joseph O'Leary agreed to drop numerous other counts in which Paakala wrote a number of bad checks to Northern Oil and Bayshore BP in April of 2008.

   With just a little more than two and a half weeks remaining in the Animal Rescue Site $100,000+/Petfinder.com challenge, the Copper Country Humane Society (CCHS) still sits at number three nationally in the daily vote count.
   The two national organizations sponsored the challenge which began Jan. 18, and allows individuals to vote daily for their favorite animal shelter. Voting continues through midnight, April 18, 2010.
   As of Friday, March 26, CCHS topped the list for Michigan organizations collecting 30.88 percent of total votes cast. That is substantially higher than a Grand Rapids shelter which is in second place with 13.01 percent of the votes.

   The Adopt-A-Highway program began in 1990 with 24 groups and has enjoyed widespread popularity for 20 years.
   According to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), more than 2,800 groups participated last year, hauling away 75,000 bags of litter. More than 1.8 million bags of trash have been cleared since 1990, which would fill approximately 9,500 garbage trucks.
   The collective efforts of these volunteer groups save MDOT about $1.5 million each year. The public involvement program gets Michigan residents picking up litter on state highways from Ironwood to Detroit three times each year. More than 6,400 miles are already adopted, but many more are available.

   Nick Lindemann of Baraga has been named the new Baraga County Road Commissioner.
   The Baraga County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved his nomination at a special board meeting held Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at the Baraga County Courthouse. Lindemann was chosen to finish out the term of the former Tony Selkey.

   The jobless rate in the Upper Peninsula increased seasonally during January to 15.2 percent, seven tenths of a percentage point above December’s 14.5 percent.
   Baraga County again has the highest unemployment in the UP, rising from 27.6 percent in December, 2009, to 28.6 percent in January, 2010.

   “A Skate Through Time” generated memories of 20 years of figure skating shows last weekend at Meadowbrook Arena.
   Large crowds enjoyed the two-hour show Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, March 20-21, 2010. Numbers were performed from every year of the show, beginning with 1990.
   Longtime show emcee Laura Schneider told the crowd, “It’s hard to believe that we are already here celebrating our 20th ice show. We would like to thank the community for their support over the past 20 years. Some of us have been here from the beginning and others are just starting to make their skating memories.”

   Dennis Gast is counting his blessings on both hands after surviving two frigid plunges into Otter Lake on March 13, 2010.
   Gast, a Conservation Officer for the Department of Natural Resources, broke through the ice that night while patrolling on his snowmobile. Steve Nash of Houghton came to his aid, then his sled went down halfway to shore. John and Julie Filpus completed the rescue, ending Gast’s harrowing night on the Otter.
   Gast was following up on complaints and patrolling for set fishing lines when the accident occurred. All things considered: the late hour, his distance from shore when he first went in, his prolonged exposure, and the CO’s survival is just shy of a miracle.

SHOOTING A TRUE CLASSIC--Former Sidnaw resident Jesse Bowers is seen shooting a rare Ford Cobra at one of many car shows he attends near his San Diego home. He shoots 1000’s of photos weekly for his web blog www.justacarguy.blogspot.com

   Most hobby photographers tend to stick to subjects that interest them-things such as sunsets, flowers, people. Former Sidnaw resident Jesse Bowers loves taking pictures of vehicles from the days when their individuality made them unique.
   The 1989 L’Anse High School graduate has taken his love of photography, classic vehicles and hotrods and combined them into one of the most interesting blogs on the internet. He also covers trains, planes, motorcycles, snow machines and race cars with an emphasis on muscle-cars of the late 1960’s. Now residing in San Diego, CA, Bowers stayed in the area after serving two tours in the U.S. Navy’s submarine service.

   Baraga Area Schools will terminate its contract with J & M Custodial of Lake Linden, following approval of the move at a regular monthly school board meeting on Wednesday, March 17, 2010. J & M was hired to clean the Pelkie K-2 building.
   The board voted 6-0 to give Superintendent Norm McKindles approval to sever the contract. J & M was hired for $55 per day to clean the building. Originally the company had two people on the job, but now there is one handling the cleaning.

   A 27-year old Census worker was found safe after spending just over two hours lost in the Menge Creek and Baraga Plains roads area on March 17.
   Troopers from the L’Anse Michigan State Police (MSP) post said James Tierney was reported missing at 9:45 p.m. after failing to return home.
   A search and rescue team consisting of MSP, Baraga County Sheriff Department and Michigan Department of Natural Resource (MDNR) personnel located Tierney’s two-wheel-drive pickup at 12:15 a.m.

   Troopers from the L’Anse Michigan State Police (MSP) post continue their investigation into a breaking and entering at the Keweenaw Veterinary Clinic in Baraga Township.
   Troopers report culprits broke a window to gain entry to the facility sometimes after closing on Monday, March 15 and the following morning when employees discovered the incident.
   Numerous controlled substances were stolen. Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the L’Anse Post at 524-6162.

   Michigan Technological University will receive $650,000 of $2.2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding, allowing the university to support a pilot project to slow the spread of the emerald ash borer and reduce ash tree mortality in the Upper Peninsula.
   Michigan Tech will work with Michigan State University, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on the project.

   A string of legal events was set in motion when Marquette attorney James Nancarrow was ticketed in a traffic stop south of L’Anse on March 14, 2010.
   Nancarrow was stopped by several police agengies on U.S. 41 near Mead Road, at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 14. He was initially pulled over by Michigan State Police from the L’Anse post, and they are heading the investigation. Nancarrow was ticketed for driving on a suspended license, and for an open intoxicant in a motor vehicle.
   Complications have arisen due to Nancarrow’s ongoing representation of defendants in Baraga County courts, and in courts across the UP.

   The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has awarded $192,611 in Coastal Zone Management grants for six projects in the Upper Peninsula designed to address shoreline issues and improve coastal resources.
   “We are very pleased to announce these grants that will help enhance public access to coastal areas, encourage coastal stewardship, provide funding for habitat research and sand dune protection studies,” said DNRE Director Rebecca Humphries. “Michigan’s coastal areas are a source of pride to our citizens and these grants will help local communities better manage these areas.”

   State Representative Mike Lahti announced on Thursday, March 19, 2010, that he is a candidate for the 38th District Senate seat. The district covers Keweenaw County in the north to Menominee County in the south and from Luce County in the east to Gogebic County in the west in the Upper Peninsula (UP). Lahti is seeking to replace Senator Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming), who is term-limited out.
   “As a lifelong Upper Peninsula resident and businessman myself, I am ready to roll up my sleeves and go to work for the people of the UP to create good-paying jobs and protect our way of life,” said Lahti. “We need to continue to support the mining, timber, manufacturing and tourism industries that are part of our UP heritage while also investing in the industries of the future like renewable energy.”

   The Baraga County Board of Commissioners will name a new Road Commissioner at a special meeting Wednesday, March, 17, 2010.
   Fourteen applicants responded to the county’s call to fill the seat held by former commissioner Tony Selkey. The personnel committee, including commissioners Gale Eilola and William Rolof, Jr., halved the list after reviewing letters of interest submitted by interested parties.

LOTS OF INTEREST--Custom Chassis Inc. engineers brought their prototype “PowerPlatform” to a meeting with KBIC and business representatives last Friday. The heavy industrial vehicle is highly versatile and can be used for many applications in industry, mining, agriculture and municipalities. The designers are interested in having the machines built here and are intrigued with the local workforce, facilities, and history of building heavy duty off-road industrial vehicles. They have potential customers and are hoping financial and other details can be worked out soon.

   An effort to attract a potentially major manufacturer to the area is underway. Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and its Economic Developer, Gregg Nominelli, hosted a group of about 25 fabricating shop owners and area business and government leaders to meet with the inventors of the “PowerPlatform”.
   The heavy, industrial truck is highly versatile and can be fitted with dump boxes, plows, liquid tanks, mowers, you name it. Friday, March 12, 2010, engineers Mike Huhn and Matt Tipple of Custom Chassis Inc. in Wellington, OH, met with the local contingent. This was the third time the two have been here, and they like the manufacturing talent and facilities they’ve seen. This time they put their big machine on a semi flatbed and brought it here.

   The Keweenaw Bay Cougars skated to second place last weekend in the state Pee Wee B hockey tournament in Escanaba.
   The Selkey Mfg. Pee Wees were bumped in overtime by host Escanaba, 3-2, in the final game Sunday afternoon.
   It was an emotional ending to a very successful season for the Cougars. While there were tears on the ice (and among parents in the stands!) after an Escanaba shot bounced into the KB net, there were also a lot of life lessons for the young players.

SEEING DOUBLE?--Shirley Younggren of Circle Y Ranch in Covington is seeing double this calving season, thanks to a strong start: among the first 15 cows to give birth, six had twins! Shirley is pictured above with Hailey, Bailey and their proud mama.

   “I had my sixth set of twins this morning!”
   You wouldn’t know it to look at her. Shirley Younggren is five feet of pure energy–trim as a grandkid and quick with a smile. She’s on the go even more than usual this calving season because her cows, quite frankly, are behaving more like bunnies.
   Of the first 15 heifers to “freshen” or give birth at Younggren’s this spring, six produced twins. In a season of change– her husband, Bobby, died suddenly last August–the blessed events are an even greater blessing to Shirley, who loves her cows.

   By the end of this month, Baraga Village will be a member of the Western Upper Peninsula Revolving Loan Fund Consortium (WUPRLFC).
   At the March 9, 2010, regular village council meeting, trustees directed Village Manager Roy Kemppainen to proceed with membership once final details are worked out. For almost two decades, Baraga Village has had it’s own revolving loan fund (RLF) which it successfully applied for from the State of Michigan.

   The L’Anse Village Council has put its stamp of approval on Michigan Department of Transportation projects slated for 2010.
   The action was taken by the council at a brief meeting Monday, March 8, 2010, which featured just that one item of business. The council’s vote paves the way for replacement of the Falls River bridge in L’Anse and turning lanes off US-41 to Certain Teed Manufacturing, Inc.

   Prior to July 1, 2010, offices of L’Anse Area Schools Superintendent Ray Pasquali, Business Manager Laura Mathieu and Superintendent Secretary Rosanne Kuivinen will be relocated to the first floor of the high school.
   At the school board’s Monday evening meeting, the board decided to make the move following an air quality report by Tri-Media Consultants of Marquette from Sept. 17, 2009.
   District payroll clerk Cindy Hubbard spoke before the board at the meeting expressing concerns about a mold issue in the building.

   The fifth annual Baraga County Lake Trout Festival will take place on Saturday, June 12, 2010. The event coincides with Michigan’s free fishing weekend--no fishing license is necessary.
   Baraga County has been named the Lake Trout Capital. The Keweenaw Classic Fishing Tournament has attracted nearly 100 boats in past years.
   The all-day fish tournament combines with the free (no admission charge) Lake Trout Festival at the L’Anse Waterfront Park. The festival is a family-oriented event with activities such as a beach volleyball tournament, pancake breakfast, “ducky river race” and an arts and crafts fair.

   American Legion Post 144 did not work alone on the 1431st Sapper dinner, in honor of National Guard soldiers that served in Afghanistan. The four main organizations that organized the dinner were William McGlue American Legion Post 144, Bishop Baraga Chapter 2734 Knights of Columbus, John C. Sands VFW Post 3897 and Baraga County AMVETS.
   Other organizations contributing financially were Veterans Affairs, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Keweenaw Det. #1016 Marine Corp League, Otter Lake Sportsman Club, Baraga Lions Club, Covington VFW Post 8945 and Ladies Auxiliary, L’Anse Lions Club and Walmart. Jim Hulkkonen also gave a monetary donation.

   A fresh round of rumors about the Baraga prison being targeted for closure swept the community and internet on Sunday, March 7.
   Social networking sites encouraged people to begin a letter writing campaign to convince state officials to keep Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility open.
   The rumor was proved untrue by 110th District State. Rep. Mike Lahti, who’s office received email messages from concerned citizens by early Monday morning.

HONORED--Company leaders received special signs made by Jim Turunen at the American Legion event last Saturday. Mike Roberts, left, presented them to, l-r, 1st Sgt. Jeanotte, 1st Lt. Matthews, 1st. Lt. Harrington, 1st Lt. VanEerden, SFC Battisfore, SFC Yaniskivis, Capt. Tom LaFave, and 1st Lt. June. Missing from photo was SFC Stevens and MSG Rye. Soldiers and families enjoyed a dinner, presentations, and then a dance at the L’Anse American Legion.

   Approximately 114 soldiers from the Calumet-based 1431st Engineer Company, Michigan Army National Guard were honored with a “Freedom Salute” at Baraga High School’s gymnasium on Friday, March 5, 2010.
   The 1431st Engineer Sapper Company deployed in November of 2008 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
   After training they arrived in Eastern Afghanistan in January of 2009. The Company Headquarters and two Sapper Platoons were based at Forward Operating Base Salerno in Khost Province. One platoon was based at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E in Paktika Province.

    David Scott Selden, 23, of L’Anse, received a one-year jail sentence for breaking into Oralie’s department store in L’Anse last Dec. 4. Circuit Judge Charles Goodman accepted the sentence recommendation worked out between Prosecuting Attorney  Joseph O’Leary and Public Defender David Gemignani. Selden’s sentencing was one of several cases handled in Baraga County Circuit Court on Tuesday, March 2, 2010.
   Based on his prior criminal record and the details of the December break-in and larceny, the Michigan sentencing guidelines specified a jail term between five and 23 months. Selden is an Habitual Offender, 3rd Notice.

   At the March 6 Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) regular meeting, tribal CEO Larry Denomie reported that work is moving as quickly as possible on several large projects.
   Projects include renovation and expansion of the Donald A. LaPointe Health Center, the construction of a new Early Childhood Education Center, and the new gas station at the tribe’s property in Marquette County’s Chocolay Township.
   Denomie explained that the tribe currently has four $600,000 grants including one from the American Recovery Act. The CEO said if the tribe does not obligate the funds by required dates, the monies would be redistributed to other tribes.

   L’Anse Village now has an official logo, compliments of artist Kasey Koski of Washington.
   Koski, daughter of Steve and Anne Koski of L’Anse, topped a field of about 30 artists who submitted designs in the contest sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
   The winning logo was announced at the L’Anse Village Council’s Feb. 22, 2010, meeting.
   The logo will appear on village business cards, letterheads and on a flag that will someday fly over the L’Anse Village Hall. The DDA awarded Koski a first place prize of $300 for her winning design.

   Students from the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) L’Anse chapter spent the last several months prepping for participation in the regional conference and competition held Feb. 13, 2010, at Marquette High School.
   Students from six school districts and three intermediate school districts, covering the UP from Ironwood to Sault Ste. Marie and Calumet to Escanaba, competed in 30 different health events, according to L’Anse HOSA Advisor Laura Schneider.

   Village of Baraga and L’Anse electric customers have multiple new ways to save energy and help lower their electric bills. New energy efficiency rebate programs have been introduced this month.
   “Saving energy is one of the most important things we can do to help keep customer bills down, reduce emissions, and control long-term costs,” said Roy Kemppainen, Baraga Village manager. “Our new energy efficiency rebate programs are one way in which we’re working to meet that goal.”

   Three organizations will be hosting an “Entrepreneurial Fair” on Friday, April 23, 2010. The all-day event will feature successful area businesses which will have booths to visit, guest speakers addressing pertinent employment and business-related issues, information on starting a business, etc.
   The job fair is being organized by the Economic Development Corporation, the KBIC Economic Development organization and the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce. It will be hosted at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College.
   The event is free of charge and the public and business representatives are encouraged to attend. Registration information for businesses that wish to participate will be available shortly. The Sentinel is planning a more detailed article on the Entrepreneurial Fair for an upcoming issue.

   A Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility officer is the Michigan Department of Corrections’ top officer.
   Shawn Minerick, a resident unit officer at Baraga, has been named the 2010 Corrections Officer of the Year.
   Minerick’s selection was announced on Feb. 22, 2010, by Corrections Director Patricia Caruso. The State Standards Committee of the Michigan Correctional Training Council is responsible for the selection of the Corrections Officer of the Year among nominees from every state prison and community supervision across the state.

LEHTO’S PLACE--has stood the test of time, and counting, on Gristmill Road west of Baraga. The log building was erected in 1908. It’s seen many improvements since, and plenty of foot traffic by three generations of Lehtos.

   If these walls could only talk!
   They’d still defer to Don Lehto. He’s had 96 years to collect and fine-tune stories of growing up on Gristmill Road west of Baraga, in a house the Peterson brothers built in 1908 and Lehtos have lived in since 1911.
   Lehto and his wife, Esther, 88, raised six children in the sturdy farmhouse and were foster parents to another 56, mostly infants. After nearly 70 years of marriage, what little Don can’t recall, Esther easily fills in.
   “They built the sauna first, in 1890. That’s it, right out that window,” Don said, seated in his living room and pointing to a log building that still gets fired up for duty. “The Petersons built this home in 1908, a log house, four rooms downstairs, and the upstairs was all open.

   Baraga Area Schools has received a $50,100 energy grant to install a solar panel on the school. It will generate a small amount of electricity, but more importantly, will be used as an educational tool for students and staff.
   The project is financed with Renewable Energy Program grant through Energy Works of Michigan. The local match to the project is $7,904–but that won’t cost Baraga Area Schools anything. The match will be paid for by the village’s electric supplier.

REMEMBERED--Bob Johnston and wife Eleanor (Tollefson) married in L’Anse in 1950. Eleanor died on Thanksgiving of 2000. Bob died on Feb. 22, 2010, at the age of 89. He lived at home in the house the couple shared for decades until December, still taking care of autumn leaves and yard work last fall.

   Bob Johnston enjoyed a wealth of L’Anse memories in his 89 years. Many of those stories and tales have become family favorites among the Johnstons. Their L’Anse Furniture Mart business displays a number of historic photos and artifacts from days gone by. His children, Jane, 59, and Jeff, 50, carry on the family legacy at Furniture Mart–and they are happy to show customers photos and glimpses of L’Anse’s past.
   “Bobby” Johnston, as he was known to many, was born on Aug. 27, 1920, in L’Anse. He died on Feb. 22, 2010, having spent almost his entire life here working as a businessman. He graduated from L’Anse High School in 1938 and by then already had the storekeeper’s bug, having worked for his father, Henry A. Johnston, in his grocery. Bob took grocery orders and delivered food to homes all over L’Anse. He was driving around town by the time he was 14 or 15.

   Persons looking for a summer job working in the great outdoors, can apply starting today to become a state worker at one of Michigan’s state parks, visitor centers, harbors, or boating access sites.
   Part- and full-time employment is available, with an opportunity to work up to 1,040 hours during the summer season. Seasonal employees, or state workers, are paid a minimum of $7.65/hour. Candidates should be 18 and older and be willing to work varied shifts including weekends, evenings and holidays.

   Continuing its mission to support the education of youth in Pamida communities, the Pamida Foundation announces its 2009 donation totaling $158,800 to local schools in Pamida communities.
   This donation will be divided, then distributed to schools or organizations in the communities that Pamida serves. Schools and organizations chosen to receive donation dollars were selected by the Pamida stores in their communities. The funds will be used to help maintain quality education.
   L’Anse Area Schools and Baraga Area Schools will each receive a check in the amount of $250. The money is provided to enhance various learning programs for their students.

   Last fall, 82 students, the largest class ever to enroll in the Marquette General Health System School of Emergency Medical Technology, completed a five-month EMT-Basic training program.
   The MGHS School of EMT began in the summer of 2002 to address the decrease in trained EMT personnel, particularly in rural areas of the Upper Peninsula. The program has provided several needed EMTs to the underserved communities of Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette and Ontonagon counties.

   The Copper Country Humane Society (CCHS) continues its substantial move up the scales in the Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter+ and Petfinder.com national and international challenge.
   In late January, almost 1,300 animal shelters, mainly from North America, began the challenge by having individuals vote on-line for their site. As of Monday, March, 1, 2010, the CCHS has moved from 1,280 place nationwide at the program’s start to 11th nationwide and second in the state of Michigan. Also as of Monday, the CCHS was less than one percent behind the number 10 and ninth place shelters on the national level., based on the number of on-line votes of support it has received.

   Baraga Village approved a fiscal year 2010-2011 annual budget of just under $5 million at its Feb. 9 regular meeting.
   According to Village Manager Roy Kemppainen, this year’s general fund is down by almost $1 million at $937,000, compared with $1,020,000 last fiscal year.
   The manager said the biggest reduction comes from having one less police officer on staff, an agreed-to wage freeze by village employees and a fire department grant that was in last year’s budget but not in the new document.

   L’Anse Area Schools Board of Education tackled a very light agenda in a half-hour regular meeting on Feb. 16, 2010.
   There were no old business items and just a handful of new items. Trustees gave new special education teacher Anna Bradfish a one-year probationary contract. The contract started the second semester of the current school year.

   Meadowbrook Arena was packed Sunday afternoon, Feb. 21, to watch the   Keweenaw Bay Cougar Hockey Pee Wees win the UP Finals. They’ll be playing in the 2010 Pee Wee B state championship tournament in Escanaba on March 12-14.
   The unlikely champs of the UP lost to Calumet in their opening game at Meadowbrook last Friday afternoon.
   The Selkey Mfg.-sponsored Pee Wees came fighting back, defeating bigger teams with a combination of determination and what coach Lyndon Ekdahl called “unconventional hockey” that got the job done with a 4-2 victory over Iron Mountain in the championship game.

   Baraga County Memorial Hospital and Baraga County Home Care and Hospice have earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval. The Joint Commission sets national health care standards.
   The Joint Commission’s on-site survey of Baraga County Memorial Hospital occurred in November of 2009. Baraga County Home Care and Hospice’s survey was held in October, 2009.

   Karli Mukka’s lifelong struggle with Juvenile Huntington’s Disease (JHD) ended Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, when she died at her home in L’Anse.
   Karli, 13, was the daughter of Jane and Karl Mervar of L’Anse. Karl has Huntington’s Disease, and the couple’s other two daughters, Erica and Jacey, have been diagnosed with JHD as well. Jane’s oldest daughter, Karisa Mukka, did not inherit the genetic disorder.

   Air Force Airman Gary Gagnier graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. He is the son of Matt Gagnier of L’Anse.
   The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
   Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
   Gagnier earned distinction as an honor graduate. The airman is a 2009 graduate of L’Anse High School.

   With less than a week to go the Copper Country United Way is still some $12,000 short of its $150,000 goal. CCUW President Karin Van Dyke reports contributions of $137,311 or 91% of goal.
   “The campaign concludes Feb. 28 and many additional gifts will be needed to reach goal. Area agencies serving local people are the direct beneficiaries of your gifts and we need your support now,” Van Dyke said.
   Individuals wishing to contribute can send their gifts to the Copper Country United Way, P.O Box 104, Houghton, 49931.

   Shanel LeRue of L’Anse has opened Intention Yoga at 4 N. Main Street in L’Anse.
   Two yoga classes are in session weekly on Tuesday evenings at the recently remodeled yellow building next to Baragaland Senior Citizens.
   LeRue started with a beginning yoga class each Tuesday at 5:30, and follows that one-hour session with an intermediate class at 7 p.m.

   This week marks the half way point for the BCMH Rehab & Fitness Center Weight Loss Challenge. To date, the 62 teams have lost a total of 1228.25 pounds or 4.82 percent of their starting body weight.
   Teams are given a sneak peek at their percentage of body weight lost thus far. This number is important as prizes will be awarded based on percentage of body weight lost. A total of 23 teams have lost greater than 5 percent of their combined baseline weights. The most exciting thing is that no team is out of the running. Although some teams have pulled in big numbers throughout the first six weeks, it is not uncommon for this fast rate of weight loss to slow down. Therefore, teams who have been consistently losing at a slower pace definitely have the opportunity to pull ahead.

HONORED--Receiving Lifesaving Awards for helping save lives during emergencies in the past year were, front, l-r, Chad Soli, Mike LaBerge, Bonny Cotter and Amanda Harju. Back, l-r, Randy Danison, Robert Carter, Ian Diffenderfer and Matt Gagnier. They all came across medical emergencies and responded to give victims a chance to survive.

   In recognition of Heart Awareness Month, a number of Lifesaving Awards were presented to local emergency responders and citizens on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010. The presentations were made at a meeting of the Medical Control Board at Baraga County Memorial Hospital.
   The Medical Control Board is a group that oversees emergency runs provided by Bay Ambulance, Pelkie 1st Responders, Covington Ambulance and Michigamme 1st Responders. Gary Wadaga of Bay Ambulance explained the group’s role.
   “The board oversees the medical part of emergency care provided by emergency services in Baraga County. It’s for quality control, and protocols and procedures.”

   A Baraga County Sheriff deputy arrested a 47 year-old Champion man after a traffic stop at Big Erick’s Bridge, Skanee, at 3:10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010.
   The man was cited for possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. He has not yet been arraigned because he was turned over to Copper Country Mental Health, and is currently in the psychiatric ward at Marquette General Hospital. The man’s name will not be released until he is arraigned.

   Baraga County Courthouse traffic might be a little slower this spring thanks to new software in the Register of Deeds office.
   The Baraga County Board of Commissioners authorized the purchase at its regular monthly meeting held Monday, Feb. 8, 2010. Once installed, the software will allow both title companies and the general public to access records online, instead of coming in to the office.
   “In 2002 or ’03, the state implemented an automation fund for Registers of Deeds,” explained County Clerk Wendy Goodreau. “We used the money to improve how we kept records, and our automation. The next stop is to put our records on the internet for searches.

   The Baraga school board approved a “crosswalk” linking its building trades curriculum to fulfill a fourth year math requirement for students. The three-period building trades curriculum includes many of the Michigan Merit Curriculum math benchmarks, and those have been identified in a year-long effort by teacher John Filpus and Baraga High School Principal Dennis Ruuspakka.
   “They’ve identified all the math benchmarks within the building trades curriculum,” Superintendent Norm McKindles explained. “You have to show where you are teaching the math benchmarks.”

CENTURY OF SCHOOLING--Arvon Township School has weathered a century in Skanee. Recent siding and window trim keep the historic building looking attractive.

   Birthday bells will ring at the Arvon Township School in Skanee when it celebrates 100 years of history this summer.
   The school doors will swing wide for an open house July 11, 2010. The event will feature a display of historic photos and memorabilia, refreshments, and the opportunity to rub elbows (or pass notes) with classmates from yesteryear.

   12th Circuit Judge Charles Goodman sentenced four people on various charges in court on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010.
   Patrick Walwin Collins, 52, of L’Anse, was sentenced to 60 days in Baraga County Jail because he sold half of a narcotic pill in an UPSET case in L’Anse Township on April 19, 2007. Collins has credit for 22 days served. The sentence guidelines recommended jail time of 0-3 months.

   L’Anse Middle School students spent part of the school day on Feb. 11, 2010, learning about gravity, but in a special way.
   Science teacher Curt Anderson had his students construct containers to protect an egg from breaking when dropped.
   The “Egg Drop” experiment was conducted in two phases. Round one involved dropping the containers from the second level bleachers in the old high school gym to the gym floor.

   The L’Anse Village Council tackled an agenda just two issues long last Monday, starting with snowmobiling in the village.
   Council member Chris Miller and other trustees had expressed concerns about snowmobile traffic on Third and Fourth streets in L’Anse. Drivers have reportedly not been riding within the limits of the village ordinance.

   A Baraga house sustained major damage following a Feb. 9, 2010, fire.
   According to Baraga Fire Department (BFD) Assistant Fire Chief Tom Chosa, his department received a call around 9:15 p.m. and responded to 110 Oak Street. Chosa said the house belongs to Ann Stenvig and was in the process of being rented but no one was in the dwelling when it caught fire.

   The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has issued environmental permits for the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company’s proposed use of the Humboldt Mill facility near Marquette. Kennecott plans to reopen the mill and use it to treat ore from its nearby Eagle Project Mine.
   The permits issued today include an Air Use Permit for new sources of air emissions, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for the discharge of treated process water to surface waters, a Nonferrous Metallic Mineral Mining Permit for operation and reclamation of the facility, and an Inland Lakes and Streams Permit for placement of tailings into the Humboldt pit.

   State Police continue investigating the shooting attack of an occupied Skanee home at 4:10 in the morning on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. The home of Bill and Sandy Menge was shot numerous times by shotgun blasts. The house is located on a dead-end road along Huron Bay.
   The Menges were jolted out of bed by the noise, but did not immediately realize what was happening.
   “I thought the wood stove was backfiring or something. I never heard anything so loud in my life,” Bill Menge said. “Sandy said, ‘Oh my god, my dishes are falling. She didn’t know why.’”

   A number of cases came before 12th Circuit Judge Charles Goodman in Baraga County Circuit Court last Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 2-3, 2010.
   James Thomas Cribbs, II, 26, of Baraga, pleaded not guilty to one count of Child Abuse, First Degree, a 15-year felony. The case stems from an incident last September in which a then-17 month old girl received near-fatal injuries. The girl was admitted to Baraga County Memorial Hospital on Sept. 27, 2009, then transferred to Marquette General Hospital, and later to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Green Bay. She was later transferred to Mary Free Bed Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, for long-term recovery and rehabilitation.

   Ralph Sayatovich’s home is just one month older than he is. At age 93, both are aging gracefully.
   The neat little farmhouse down Golf Course Rd. in L’Anse is a log home at heart. The siding, roof and windows are much newer, but inside, plastered walls, homemade cabinets and a timeworn hardwood floor both embrace and reflect the history of the home.
   The sunroom at the front of the house was working its magic on Ralph last week. He was catching a few winks on the settee, daughter Pam Brogan at a writing desk near his side, when a knock at the door popped him up like a sprung jack-in-the-box.

   A fish virus that was detected in the lower Great Lakes several years ago has been found at four locations in Lake Superior. A “preliminary positive” result for Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) was found in Huron Bay by researchers testing fish last June.
   A confirmed case was turned up by the Cornell University researchers at Paradise and Whitefish Point in a perch. The team tested four sites–Huron Bay, and two sites near Duluth, St. Louis Bay and Superior Bay. Preliminary positive results were found in all of the sites.

   Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Tribal Head Start Program students now have a state of the art learning system at their disposal with the Jan. 15 installation of two Teach Smart Learning Systems.
   The units are comprised of a PC hooked into a very large, interactive and nearly indestructible screen which hangs on a wall.
   According to Head Start Director Terri Denomie, the “Smart” system engages children either individually or in groups with different styles of learning whether visual, auditory or kinesthetic (movement).

   Flowers, candles, families and choirs from all three parishes were evident at a Pro-Life Holy Hour and Mass at St. Ann Church in Baraga Jan. 21, 2010.
   The Holy Hour began with a procession into the church, including an Honor Guard provided by the Knights of Columbus, then Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
   Readings, congregational prayer, the Rosary for Life and silent reflections followed.

DISTRICT WINNERS--Pictured back row, l-r, Wyatte Walitalo, Noah Dompier, Sam Dix, David DesRochers, Chris Johnson, Charity Williams, Jaclyn Wadaga, Kelly Bedner. Front row, l-r, Brittany Brown, Natasha Kaster, Cora Stockton, Canyon Delene, Katie King, Jenna Hiltunen, Keanu Wilhelm, Kayla Messer.

   Students from L’Anse and Baraga schools faced off for the UP Community School   District Level Spelling Bee on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010. The bee was hosted by Baraga.
   Baraga will also host the regional competition on Monday, Feb. 22, 2010.
   For the district spell-off each school sent two contestants from grades five through eight. All students received medals for advancing and participating at the district level.

   The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Tribal Council has changed its plans of opening a gas station south of L’Anse to opening a station on it’s property in Marquette County’s Chocolay Township.
   At the regular Feb. 6, 2010, council meeting, council secretary Susan LaFernier noted that the decision to move locations came at a special Jan. 14 council meeting. LaFernier noted that the tribe has secured a $600,000 Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) to develop plans for locating a facility on US-41 south of L’Anse.

   On the request of the USDA Rural Development the L’Anse Village Council voted unanimously to raise the village water rate two to three percent. Rural Development is the bond holder for the village water system.
   Village Manager Bob LaFave said the average residential customer will see an increase in the water bill of about $2 per month. Water, sewer, electric and garbage services are billed by the village together, but customers can see the water rate itemized. The two to three percent increase will apply to residential and commercial rates.

   The unemployment rate in the Upper Peninsula increased during the month of December to 14.5 percent, a gain of 1.6 percentage points over November’s 12.9 percent. Once again Baraga County had the highest unemployment rate in the UP, and State of Michigan, at 27.6 percent.
   All 15 Upper Peninsula counties posted jobless rate increases during December, with monthly rate gains ranging from 0.4 to 6.7 percentage points. Mackinac County recorded the largest increase, as the jobless rate jumped by 6.7 percentage points, due to seasonal job losses.

   At its regular meeting of Jan. 18, 2010, the Baraga County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees moved forward with the scheduled closure of the hospital’s Skilled Nursing Unit (SNU).
   The board discontinued future admissions to SNU with the intent to close the long term care unit by Sept. 30, 2010.

IN HIS ELEMENT--Tony Selkey had a passion for his corn. He was featured in the Sentinel at harvest time in September, 2008. Selkey will be missed by many and rememb ered for his contributions to the community.

   Tony Selkey’s untimely death at age 52 leaves a large hole in the community. The owner and president of Selkey Manufacturing, Inc. was as busy helping people in need as he was leading his metal fabricating business and crew. Selkey died at Marquette General Hospital on Jan. 27, 2010, where he was a patient for two days.
   “Ski” as he was affectionately called by just about everyone, was always willing to help someone in need. That spirit he carried from his parents, the late Robert and Gladys Selkey, founders of the Baraga fabricating shop. They made it a point to give to the community, and Tony made sure that never stopped after he took over at the shop in 1992.

   Each day in L’Anse and Baraga, approximately 35 children are kept after school.
   Disturbing trend in education-slash-society? Nah. It’s time for Great Explorations!
   The after-school program is a boon to parents who work and children who play--after their homework is done of course. Great Explorations, or GE, provides a snack and recess, then tutoring and homework help, rounding out the day with educational clubs that focus on fun.

   On Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, Baraga County Memorial Hospital successfully issued bonds to finance the new hospital project.
   A total of $28.7 million was issued in two taxable bond series. The two bond series consisted of $25.1 million of Build America Bonds and a $3.7 million issue covering refinancing of the current debt and other costs not eligible for Build America Bond financing.
   Build America Bonds were created under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for public entities to complete new construction, acquisition or rehabilitation. Borrowers receive a subsidy of 35 percent of their interest coupon cost for the life of the loans.

   Finlandia University’s Elementary Education program has completed the second of three steps leading to full program accreditation by receiving probationary approval from the Michigan State Board of Education.
   “This is a major step forward for the program and, most importantly, for our students,” said Judith Budd, dean of Finlandia’s Suomi College of Arts & Sciences. “For the last six years, Finlandia faculty members have worked tirelessly to move this program forward toward accreditation.”

   A waiver of arraignment has been entered in Baraga County Circuit Court on behalf of James Scott Bergerson, 27, of L’Anse. A not guilty plea has been recorded in the case charging Bergerson with Child Abuse, Third Degree. The case involves facial injuries to an 18 month old boy having taken place in December, 2009.
   Bergerson had been scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Jan. 27, with his attorney, James Nancarrow of Marquette. Arraignment was waived and the documents sent by mail. A pre-trial hearing before Circuit Judge Charles Goodman is set for Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. Bergerson is free on bond, having posted 10 percent of his $50,000 bond.

   Two separate child abuse cases have recently been bound over to Baraga County Circuit Court. Cases involving defendants James Thomas Cribbs II, 26, of Baraga, and James Scott Bergerson, 27, of L’Anse, have been moved from 97th District  Court to circuit court to be handled as felony cases.
   Cribbs is represented by Public Defender David Gemignani. Bergerson is represented by Marquette attorney James Nancarrow.

LIFESAVER--Michigan State Police Trooper Robert Carter, above, and Baraga Village Police Officer Matt Gagnier used a portable heart defibrillator to save a man who had collapsed in a Baraga bar last summer. They have been honored with lifesaving awards.

   L’Anse Michigan State Police (MSP) Trooper Robert Carter and Baraga Village police officer Matt Gagnier were recently cited for their actions saving the life of a Chassell man.
   Carter received the MSP Lifesaving Award and Gagnier the Officer’s Excellence Award, also issued by the MSP. Because Gagnier is not a state trooper, he was not eligible for the MSP Lifesaving Award.

   The L’Anse office of the Western UP Health Department has both H1N1 and regular seasonal flu vaccine available weekdays by appointment. H1N1 vaccine is free and now available to anyone over six months of age. Seasonal flu shots are $25 or can be billed to current Medicare or Medicaid cards. Call the health department at 524-6142 to schedule an appointment.

   Area schools are doing their homework by formulating a plan in case of crisis.
   Labeled the “County Wide School Safety and Crisis Response Plan,” the 10-plus page guide provides vital information in times of trouble: contacts, floor plans, safe places, etc. On Feb. 1, 2010, the finished product will be presented to local school districts and emergency responders.
   “We’re all just trying to be on the same page,” said Baraga Area Schools Superintendent Norm McKindles, coordinator for the project. “We wanted one plan for all the school districts in the county, so help can flow smoother if there is a crisis.”

   L’Anse Superintendent Ray Pasquali received passing marks in his annual evaluation held at the Jan. 18, 2010, regular school board meeting.
   The evaluation was one of a handful of agenda items in the short meeting.
As is his prerogative, Pasquali asked for closed session to conduct the evaluation.   School board President Jason Ayres said it is the concensus of the board that Pasquali was meeting its expectations in all but one area. Ayres said the superintendent is excelling at business and finances.

   We’ve all heard about the rising epidemic of adult and childhood overweight and obesity. Facts are facts–more children and adults are overweight than ever before. What’s at stake, and what can or should be done about it?
   First, let’s look at the data. Recent national studies find that about one-third of adults are obese (extremely overweight) and another third are in the overweight but not obese category. An estimated 300,000 deaths annually are attributable to obesity, making it roughly even with smoking as the leading underlying causes of death among Americans.

   The Copper Country Intermediate School District Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010.
   In observance of the annual School Board Recognition Month, the board members were presented with certificates and thanked for their untiring dedication to school governance and the children of the Copper Country.

   The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality reported on Jan. 14, 2010, that a final order has been signed to approve permits for the Kennecott Mine project on the Yellow Dog Plains.
   The decision was issued following a contested case hearing that challenged the DEQ’s original decision to issue permits for the proposed mining project.

   Baraga firefighters tested new techniques and equipment for ice rescues last Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010. The lesson came at an opportune time as unseasonably warm temperatures over the weekend threatened the little ice yet formed on Keweenaw Bay, and the ice fishermen gingerly leaving shore. Saturday’s temperature reached 47 degrees.
   The in-water portion of the training took place in the Baraga Marina.

   Baraga Village and its Employees of Teamsters Local 214 have agreed on a one-year contract.
   At the Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, regular council meeting, Village Manager Roy Kemppainen noted that the union ratified a one-year extension of the current contract which expires Feb. 28, 2010. The manager said in effect, it represents a wage freeze as well as a freeze on all other aspects of the contract which will now expire Feb. 28, 2011.

FINDING JOBS--Friend of the Court Employment Specialist Sue Kump is available to help unemployed or underemployed people find work in order to stay current on their child support payments.

   It’s not easy to find a job these days. Baraga County’s most recent 25.6 percent unemployment figure (from November, 2009) once again gives the county the highest jobless rate in Michigan. It’s a distinction the county has carried month after month during the present recession. Baraga County is also near the top of the national county-by-county unemployment list.
   Adding pressure to the search for work for some people is the need to pay court-ordered child support.

   Winter Melt-Down 2010 is now under weigh!
   Sponsored by the BCMH Rehab & Fitness Center in L’Anse, the Melt-Down is a 12-week team weight loss challenge. It promotes a healthier lifestyle, illness prevention and chronic disease management, with a focus on weight control and camaraderie.

   At its regular monthly meeting on Jan. 11, 2010, the Baraga school board paved the path for a change in leadership. Superintendent Norm McKindles is resigning on July 31, the board hired retired Manistique superintendent Ken Groh on a one-year interim basis, and Elementary Principal Jennifer Lynn will mentor in preparation for a shot at the job. (See Jan. 13 L’Anse Sentinel.)
   At the Jan. 11 meeting the board was honored as January is set aside to recognize the contributions of school board members. Superintendent’s Secretary Michele Velmer cooked a meal for the board, which was enjoyed before the meeting began.

   Michigan State Police have released reports of calls and activities at posts across the UP for 2009. The following is information from the L’Anse Post.
   Troopers from the L’Anse Post responded to 934 calls for service in 2009. Two separate calls for medical emergencies resulted in two L’Anse Troopers being awarded the Departmental Lifesaving Citation for administering an AED and performing CPR which saved the life of two Baraga County residents.

   There’s nothing even close to being official yet, but Baraga County’s 911 committee is in the beginning process of looking beyond Michigan State Police Regional Dispatch for services, according to 911 coordinator Donald Takala.
   Takala said nothing more than talk between 911 committee members about seeking additional sources to conduct enhanced-911 (E-911) services for the county has taken place to date. Michigan State Police (MSP) Regional Dispatch out of Negaunee has handled the task for a number of years.

   Baraga Superintendent Norm McKindles announced his retirement at a regular school board meeting on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010.
   The board hired Ken Groh, former Manistique superintendent to a one-year interim position. Groh has done interim superintendencies in Gladstone and North Central since his retirement from Manistique.
   McKindles said state school administrators’ and school board associations have been recommending “growing your own” superintendents from within the district.

AIRING CONCERNS--Local manufacturers and government officials were invited to a meeting with Congressman Bart Stupak in L’Anse on Friday. The brain-storming session was organized by Western UP economic development groups. Standing at left is Mark Massicotte of L’Anse Manufacturing. He had concerns about pending health care reform and told Stupak his business needs to be able to offer health insurance to keep its highly trained employees.

   U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak spent last week listening to constituents, business people, and local officials from Ironwood to Houghton to L’Anse. He held “town hall” style meetings in Ironwood, Ontonagon and Houghton last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
   The 1st District Congressman visited L’Anse Village Hall on Friday morning, Jan. 8, 2010, for a meeting centering on local business. The session was arranged through Kim Stoker of the Western UP Planning and Development Region. Also helping with efforts to promote local business and attending were Phil Musser of Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, and Carlton Crothers, CEO of the Houghton-based business incubator, SmartZone.

   Persons utilizing some Baraga County public access sites may have noticed that getting into those areas is a lot more difficult this year as they are not being cleared of snow as in past years.
   Baraga County Road Commission (BCRC) Engineer Doug Mills said BCRC members have been advised by the State of Michigan that they are not to use State Act 51 funds for anything else other than snow removal on county roads.

   The unemployment rate in the Upper Peninsula rose seasonally during the month of November, 2009, to 12.9 percent, an increase of 1.4 percentage points over October’s 11.5 percent. Once again Baraga County’s unemployment rate of 25.6 percent was highest in the UP, and the state of Michigan.
   All but one of the 15 Upper Peninsula counties reported higher jobless rates during November, with monthly rate gains ranging from 0.1 to 12.9 percentage points. Mackinac County posted the largest increase, as the jobless rate soared by nearly 13 percentage points, due to the typical drop in seasonal tourism-related jobs.

   A group of approximately 20 people was on hand for 110th District Representative Mike Lahti’s Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, visit to the L’Anse Village office complex.
Lahti made a swing through the district last week. At L’Anse he addressed a number of concerns and also received accolades from many in the audience.
   Lahti began by noting that mid-year budget changes for 2010 aren’t expected to be as severe as they were in 2009.

   A L’Anse man was treated and released from Baraga County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) following a Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, house fire on Spruce Street in L’Anse.
   L’Anse Fire Chief Mike Bianco said about a dozen firefighters and two trucks were called to the Joe Bianco, Sr. residence around 3 p.m. Bianco said when he arrived, Bay Ambulance and L’Anse State Police personnel were already on the scene.

   Traxys is a global raw material marketing and sourcing firm specializing in base metals and concentrates, minor and alloying metals, industrial minerals and chemicals, materials for steel mills and foundries, and carbon products.
   Traxys holds investments in various mining operations around the world and operates both coal handling facilities and power generation assets in the U.S. The company has 21 offices worldwide and in 2008 posted revenue of $4.5 billion.

   The U.S. Census Bureau is counting on filling jobs in Baraga County.
   Two representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census stated their case for workers before the Baraga County Board of Commissioners at its regular monthly meeting Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. Jobs being offered pay $11.50 per hour, plus 50 cents per mile.
   “The census is important for representation, and federal dollars,” said Field Operation Supervisor Jonathan Midkiff. “One person missed costs thousands of dollars over a 10-year period. The census brings temporary but decent paying jobs, and we need a lot of people.”

   L’Anse Village is stirring the ashes of last summer’s Pinery Fire, seeking reimbursement for damages done.
   The Village Council approved a draft of a letter on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, calling for payment due. Village Manager Bob LaFave said the letter will be forwarded to individuals responsible for the blaze, as well as insurance companies.
   The fire swept over an estimated 685 acres, also consuming a mobile home and skidder. The village will seek restitution for damaged trees that had to be cut, plus costs incurred by departments that fought the wildfire.

   The L’Anse Village Council continued to handle business related to the ongoing sewer system project and future village projects at its regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 28, 2009.
   A request from Jim Koskineimi of UP Engineers and Architects for payment of $12,800 for sewer system engineering was approved. The engineering work was involved with Phase 1 of the project, which was largely completed in the past summer.

   Warren “Chris” Swartz will continue as president of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s (KBIC) tribal council for another year.
   At the council’s Jan. 2, 2010, reorganization meeting, Swartz was approved to remain at the post on a 9-3 vote. Both he and councilman Fred Dakota were nominated for the position. All voting was done on secret ballots.

RECORDING NATURE--Dan Larson’s matted and framed digital photos tell the story of the deep woods in all its seasons and moods. The outdoorsman often visits remote sites.

   Dan Larson is a very avid outdoorsman, and he’s got the proof. His digital nature photography portrays the rich and rugged landscapes of Baraga County and surrounding region in all seasons and weather. Larson has captured thousands of very high quality images of the backwoods.
   Not many people visit many of the places Larson frequents, and fewer still see the uniqueness of many of those settings. Larson’s photos are often surprisingly mundane, rather than dramatic. They may be rushes piercing calm water reflecting autumn leaves, or a shaft of soothing yellow light reaching the forest floor between large trees.

   The Western Upper Peninsula Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) for the Department of Natural Resources will meet Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at the Ford Center, located at 21030 US Hwy. 41 in Alberta.
   DNR staff will present division reports and answer questions from council members and the public beginning at 6 p.m., followed immediately by the council meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

   Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, a multi-group sponsored event on new ideas in food preparation is planned in the L’Anse Sacred Heart Catholic Church basement.
   The class teaches new ways to put meals and snacks together. Marie Harju is host. The class is free and open to the public. The event is scheduled to run 10 a.m. to noon.