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Editorial

Thank you Eric Waara

To the editor: This is Bruce Rundman, owner of Good Times Music. I wanted to thank The City of Houghton, and more specifically, City Manager Eric Waara, for informing businesses about the State of Michigan’s Match on Main grant program. I filled out an application, and with City Manager Waara’s help, I submitted it. I was fortunately awarded one of the grants. The funds gained will help me greatly in my continuing efforts to make Good Times Music the best place it can be. Thanks again!

Thank you!

To the editor: What a wonderful holiday season we enjoyed with families able to share time together. For Copper Country Angel Mission, it started with the Incredible Bank donating 24 Thanksgiving dinners to distribute, followed by the generosity of many lovely people, who took advantage of Portage Health Foundation’s Giving Tuesday. Copper Country Angel Mission thanks all the individuals and businesses, and the foundation itself, for the donations to our programs. We also thank all the sponsors that took “angels,” and filled the Christmas hopes and needs for nearly 200 ...

Michigan’s AG Nessel warns of fake COVID test kits

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is amplifying new warnings related to reports of fake at-home COVID-19 tests being sold online. Both the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau recently released warnings related to fraudulent tests, so Nessel is reissuing her Websites Selling COVID-Related Products That Are Fake or Never Arrive Consumer Alert to highlight important reminders for consumers. “As the pandemic continues to grip our nation, bad actors are finding new ways to take advantage of our current reality,” Nessel said. “Right now, there is a huge demand for ...

Michigan Office of Rural Development should help the UP

With much of the state’s population, resources and industry concentrated in the Lower Peninsula’s urban centers, the strengths and needs of rural communities — especially here in the Upper Peninsula — can sometimes seem to be overlooked by lawmakers in Lansing. However, was some welcome news recently for rural communities: The creation of the Michigan Office of Rural Development was established by an executive directive signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The office plans to focus on all rural matters, provide guidance on pressing issues in rural Michigan and offer insight on how ...

Politicians’ discomfort with redistricting a good sign

In a fair process, nobody gets everything they want. That’s especially true when we’re talking about the process to redraw Michigan’s political district maps. The fact that groups on both tips of the political spectrum appear prepared to sue over the recently-finalized redraw tells us the 13-member panel in charge of the process probably succeeded in its mission. After months of iterations, and a legal battle over transparency problems, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission finalized its inaugural shaping of political boundaries for our state lawmakers ...

Resolve to steer clear in the new year

Michigan roadways saw an increase in fatalities for the third straight year in 2020. According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts (Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning) there were 1,083 lives lost in traffic crashes in 2020 – the most since 2007. AAA – The Auto Club Group urges drivers to make a few New Year’s resolutions that will help keep them – and everyone else – safer on the road in 2022. Drive sober – Don’t get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, using marijuana or taking medications that can cause impairment. Designate a driver or have a plan to get home ...