1. TNC purchases Keweenaw Heartlands

In the penultimate week of 2022, the Nature Conservancy announced that it had finalized the purchase of the full 32,469 acres in the Keweenaw Peninsula known as the Keweenaw Heartlands.

Helen Taylor, state director of TNC in Michigan, said the conservancy has secured agreements to purchase the acreage.

The Keweenaw Heartlands, Taylor said, was divided into four large parcels that were for sale, and on Oct. 27, the Conservancy acquired three of them. Those are the Point, which is the most eastern two blocks, the middle parcel, called Harbor View, and also the most southern parcel, called Little Betsy. The combined price for those, said Taylor, was $27.2 million.

However, The Rohatyn Group and the Conservancy could not reach agreement on the fourth parcel. She said a “conservation-minded buyer” stepped in to purchase the remaining 9,769 acres from TRG and agreed to sell the land to TNC.

With the final land purchase complete, TNC now owns 32,469 acres, including the land’s mineral rights, trails and historical structures. The land will remain open to the public under the Michigan Commercial Forest Program and on community tax rolls.

Dan Eichinger, director of the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) said the transaction is important and one he thinks everyone had been following since the announcement that TRG had listed the property for public sale.

The group held its first meeting earlier this year and will reconvene Jan. 25 and 26. TNC will also hold a community informational meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge to provide an update to the public and answer questions.

TNC states that the region was formed from one-billion-year-old lava flows and shaped by glacial ice and the waves of the largest freshwater lake in the world – Lake Superior – the Keweenaw Peninsula is one of the most unfragmented, climate resilient forested and freshwater areas of the central United States.

2.Mann killed in house explosion

A house fire and explosion killed a woman and injured a man in Hancock Township on the morning of Aug. 30.

Downtown Development Authority Coordinator and community advocate Deb Mann died on the scene, while her husband was treated at a local hospital for his injuries.

Following her death, Mann was remembered throughout the region in multiple events and Facebook tributes.

In a Facebook post, Mann was lauded for her tireless efforts to serve the community through programs, events and volunteering efforts.

“Her legacy lives on throughout the City of Hancock; whether it’s a well-maintained flower garden, a dog park bandana, tents perfectly organized at the Tori Market, or simply a bench placed in just the right spot to stop and appreciate all the beauty this area has to offer – these are the things that Deb did so our community could thrive,” the post said. “For many years to come, we will miss her smile and moxy, but in her memory, we promise to serve the City and this community with the same passion that she always did.”

At a Quincy Green gathering, speakers’ comments sketched out a map of projects that wouldn’t have happened without Mann’s drive and knack for enlisting help: the renovation of Memorial Park, or the pickleball court at Laurn-Grove. For the city dog park that opened this year, Mann helped identify a state problem that would match the dollars raised toward the goal.

“She had an irrepressible spirit,” said John Diebel, who worked with her on the fundraising drive. “If I ever started to get the least bit discouraged, she had an optimistic word that kept me going.”

3.Dantes dead in gas station crash

One person was killed and another was taken to the hospital after a semi-truck crash at the Holiday gas station in L’Anse that sparked an extensive structure fire Thursday night.

The driver of the truck, Dewaun Johnson, 22, of Illinois, was arrested at the scene for operating while intoxicated causing death, the Michigan State Police Calumet Post said in a release. The charge is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. If the person’s blood-alcohol level is above 0.17 and they have had a previous conviction within seven years, it could be up to 20.

Shortly before 11:10 p.m., the semitruck and trailer struck the gas pumps, which fatally wounded Al Dantes Jr., 43, of L’Anse, who was outside filling his vehicle. The station and surrounding vehicles also caught fire, suffering extensive damage. 

Dantes was transported to Baraga County Memorial Hospital, where he was later declared dead. Dantes, a well-known rally driver, had been scheduled to take part in the Lake Superior Pro Rally in early October.

Dantes was also a candidate for the Baraga County Board, seeking election in November, and a member of the L’Anse School Board at the time of his death.

4.City plans to tear down parking deck

Houghton City Council approved a notice of intent for a bond of up to $1.5 million for the removal of the parking deck over Lakeshore Drive.

City Manager Eric Waara said he hoped to leverage that money into other grant opportunities that could go towards improvements of the site.

Commissioner Mike Needham commented on sidewalks shown in recent renderings, which he said would make the street pedestrian-friendly.

“Go down when you have a chance, start down at the Suomi or the other end, and walk under the deck along the street … just look at how easy it is to walk — it’s not,” he said. “The aesthetic of it, the attractiveness of it, how you don’t really ever want to do that again, after you do it. I think there’s incredible opportunity in this drawing.”

Waara said a revamped Lakeshore Drive also had the potential to become a “social district,” including year-round outdoor dining.

“Having those types of elements and being able to offer that amenity takes a little bit of work, but it does pay off for the community at large, for the business community,” he said.

In the best-case scenario, the city would begin the design process, with the parking deck being demolished in spring 2023. Improvements to the street would then follow.

5.Deputy earns Lifesaving Award

Deputy Matthew Eberly received a Lifesaving Award for risking his life and safety to rescue a drowning paddler from Lake Superior in June.

Sheriff Curt Pennala presented Eberly the award at the regular September County Commissioner Board meeting.

At about 2:40 p.m. June 19, the Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Eagle Harbor for a report of a (person) in a canoe out past the bell buoy — a few hundred yards beyond the harbor entrance. It appeared as if they were having difficulty returning to the safety of the harbor.

Pennala said that a few moments later, it was reported that the canoe had sunk and the paddler was in distress.

“Deputy Eberly, who served with the U.S. Marines, and is a retired conservation officer and now a deputy with the Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office,” said Pennala, “was working that day on ATV patrol when he heard the call.”

Eberly returned the ATV and procured the rescue personal water craft owned by the Sheriff’s Office and went to the scene to assist.

“With the help of onlookers in the (Eagle Harbor) Lighthouse, Deputy Eberly, risking his own life, after 45 minutes, was able to locate the paddler,” Pennala said, “who was now laying lifeless in a fetal position.”

Eberly was able to secure the person to the side of the PWC and return him back to the harbor, where additional rescue personnel were able to come to aid. The person was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for severe hypothermia and water intake.

“It is without a doubt that Deputy Eberly saved a life that day,” Pennala said, “thanks to his quick actions and outstanding performance.

“With that I would like to thank Deputy Eberly (for his) service to his country, and county of Keweenaw, and award him with this Lifesaving Award.”

6.Son pleads in mother’s death

The Hancock teen who fatally shot his mother nearly a year ago was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison in Houghton County Circuit Court.

Isaiah Strieter, now 19, was charged with open homicide of Ashlee Harvey, 38, a felony punishable by life in prison in late January 2022.

After undergoing forensic examination to determine competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility, his case resumed in district court in August. Strieter pleaded no contest to manslaughter two months later.

Two other felony charges — homicide-open murder, punishable by up to life in prison, and possessing a firearm while committing a felony, a two-year felony — were dismissed in the plea agreement.

“The defendant committed a heinous act,” said Houghton County Prosecutor Brittany Bulleit. “For public safety, the defendant must use his time in prison to make significant changes in his life and must address his mental health.”

“If I could go back in time, I would,” Strieter said at his initial hearing last January. “I don’t think I can ever repay what I did.”

After reports of gunfire, officers arrived at a home on Quincy Street in Franklin Township Monday afternoon, where they found Harvey’s body. Strieter was arrested several hours later.

n In another 2022 case, Luke Kreider, 19, entered an insanity defense in the death of Caleb Lynum, 24, of L’Anse, who died in September after being assaulted.

Kreider’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 3.

7.MEDC projects target Calumet

The village of Calumet has been making great strides in revitalization in recent years, and the Village and Main Street Calumet have worked hard and invested heavily to make it happen, while at the same time, keeping the historical integrity of the village intact.

A Nov. 21 press release from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office stated that the governor joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce three community revitalization projects that will bring economic growth, housing, and increased vibrancy to two Upper Peninsula communities: Iron Mountain and Calumet, which have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The projects are expected to generate a total capital investment of $2.7 million.

In Calumet, the village is contributing a $10,000 grant for upgrading water service.

Fire Tower Property Group LLC will use a $307,176 Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant to redevelop a historic two-story building at 104 Fifth St. in the downtown area. When completed, the building will house Fire Tower Engineered Timber, retaining five high-wage jobs. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $644,826.

Also in Calumet, Vianis Realty LLC is rehabilitating a historic two-story downtown building located at 201 Fifth Street into a mixed-use development. When completed, the project will include three residential units and two commercial spaces. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $1,212,181, supported by a $574,648 MCRP performance-based grant.

8.Orbion opens rocket factory

Orbion Space Technology launched its new rocket factory in Houghton in October.

The company was founded in 2016 by Michigan Technological University professors Brad King and Jason Sommerville. The company develops plasma propulsion systems for small satellites.

King, the company’s CEO, said Orbion opened up the new factory as its old facilities were unable to keep up with demand. Orbion designed new testing chambers, two of which were manufactured and shipped from Germany over the past 14 months.

The two chambers will enable Orbion to test more than 1,000 thrusters per year, a 20-fold improvement over their current capacity.

The chambers can also maintain internal temperatures of 411 degrees Fahrenheit below zero — contrasted with the xenon plasma thrusters being tested inside it, which exhaust gas at 10,000 degrees — twice the temperature of the sun.

• In other tech industry news, Calumet Electronics opened a 45,000-square-foot expansion.

9.Canal View, Salmi get county support

In front of an overflow crowd in mid-September, the Houghton County Board voted 4-0 for a revised resolution in support of Houghton County – Canal View Administrator Kim Salmi’s advocacy for reduced restrictions for masking and testing requirements when appropriate.

The board also approved a subsequent resolution declaring a vote of confidence in Salmi and her performance.

Days before, the board had voted 3-2 against a similar resolution with different wording. Salmi had submitted her resignation to the county following the original vote. After the seond-round of votes and the outpouring of support from the community, she said she plans to stay.

As for next steps, she said, “Tomorrow is the same as today, except for we have the support of the board, which means a lot.”

10.Change of venue for seaplane operation

After complaints from nearby residents over proposed relocations in Houghton and Portage Township, Isle Royale Seaplanes will move to a new base at the Houghton County Memorial Airport starting in 2024.

After relocating to Ripley, Isle Royale Seaplanes made multiple attempts to move elsewhere. Houghton City Council voted down a request to rezone property near Coles Creek Road for a seaplane base after city residents complained about noise and concern for boaters and swimmers.

The seaplane operator received especially strong pushback after a proposed move to the site of the Onagaming Yacht Club near the Nara Nature Park, after residents complained about the possible noise and the effects on eagles nesting nearby. That pushback led the company to rethink the financials involved in its operation, owner Jon Rector said.

Susan Schwenk, a leader of the protests, said Thursday the news was like “an early Christmas present.”

“I’m ecstatic, because that’s exactly where I wanted them to go,” she said. “I always thought they really need to go there, because what they were doing even by transporting their oil tanks to the canal, that’s not right.”

The company is buying a Cessna Caravan, which can be operated both from water and from land. It can carry eight or nine passengers, as opposed to six or seven passengers on the planes it is replacing. That will enable them to maintain the daily capacity, Rector said.