Breaking News

Editorial

Heikinpaiva worth braving the cold, snow

While on the surface, Hancock’s Heikinpaiva appears to be a cheap excuse to eat pie and have a parade in the middle of winter, it is actually a lot more than that. Heikinpaiva is a three-week celebration of Finnish heritage, something that is prevalent throughout the Copper Country, giving that about 40% of the population can trace Finnish ancestry. Named for St. Henrik’s Day, the celebration features a little bit of everything. This year’s events included a showing of “Sirkka: Past and Present” as part of the Nordic Film Series on Thursday, Jan. 9, to kick things off. From ...

Local resident needs a Copper Country assist

With December behind us and a new year to focus on, it is easy to abandon our charity and our goodwill that we build up over the holiday season and get back to focusing on ourselves. This is not a bad thing, by any means, but the reality of the situation is, people around us need help year round, not just during the giving season. One such man in need of help in the Copper Country is Garth Jurgensen. A larger-than-life character of a man who loves his daughter Macy and hockey, Jurgensen was diagnosed last week with a form of cancer called Gastrostoma multiforme. More commonly known ...

Huskies display quality of hockey in Michigan

On Tuesday, the Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team, under head coach Joe Shawhan, did something never seen before in the long, storied history of the program: they defeated both Michigan State and Michigan to win the Great Lakes Invitational. Even if hockey is not an activity you participate in, we at the Daily Mining Gazette feel confident that you, the reader, can appreciate that fact. Not even under the great John MacInnes did the Huskies ever accomplish that feat. The tournament victory marked the first time the Huskies had won the GLI since 2012, when the current Michigan coach ...

Portage Health Foundation delivers checks

On Thursday, the Portage Health Foundation delivered checks to non-profits throughout Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties. A total of 15 non-profits in the area were supported by $217,781 in donations from community members. With a $100,000 match from the foundation, the #GivingTuesday campaign, appropriately labeled “Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is,” that means $317,781 in total funds. That is an incredible number when you think about it. These non-profits, from places like Omega House and Dial Help to Phoenix House and the Ontonagon Cancer Association, all do ...

Absence of loved ones requires special effort during holidays

While the holiday season is a time of joy, food, gifts and reunions with family and friends who are rarely seen but dearly cherished, there are some years where families have a hole in them. Sometimes a death steals someone from a family, sometimes it’s a couple’s troubles splitting a family apart. Sometimes a person just leaves with no explanation.  Whatever causes the person to be gone, when the loss is fresh, the holidays are full of unexpected reminders that someone is missing. Sitting around a table with an empty seat. Going shopping and suddenly realizing there’s no need ...

Finlandia to honor local military

This Saturday, the Finlandia Lions men’s hockey will be hosting MSOE for a NCHA contest at the Houghton County Arena. The game, which is set to start at 4 p.m. is important not just because it is a conference matchup for the Lions, but the team will also be honoring the U.S. Armed Forces throughout the night. The Lions will be wearing a special black-colored jersey with blue trim and camouflage for the game. The jerseys will be auctioned off during the course of the game. Fans will be able to bid on the jerseys until the end of the second period. The winners will be announced after ...