Photo courtesy of Robert LaFave East Falls River Drive in Baraga County was shut down after the flooding that took place in Baraga County last summer.

It was a year local political controversy, reactions to national policies, local protests and rain … a lot of rain. Here’s a look back at stories that made news in 2025, in no particular order.

Here comes the rain again

Heavy rains in June and again in July caused considerable damage to many area streets and roads. While not to the extent of the deadly Father’s Day Flood of 2018, the flooding was extensive enough to prompt Governor Gretchen Whitmer to declare a state of emergency for Houghton and Ontonagon Counties. According to the Governor’s office, “Local resources were deployed diligently after the flooding, and initially those efforts were sufficient. However, as more time has passed, it has now become apparent that state additional resources are needed to assist them in their recovery efforts.”

By declaring a state of emergency, Whitmer made available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts.

Jail gets kicked down the road

The Houghton County Board of Commissioners went back to the drawing board after voters turned down another millage request for a new jail in August. It was the fourth failed attempt at a new jail.

County officials have advocated for a new facility since the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP) released a U.P. Regional Jail and Facility Re-Use Study in January, 2010. That study showed the county jail does not comply with current Michigan Department of Correction standards, and poses serious liabilities to the county. Among the main issues with the current jail, built in 1962-63, which can house up to 28 inmates, it is now too small.

A 2010 millage for a $15 million complex including 110 beds, a district court and sheriff’s department was soundly defeated.

In the fall of 2018, voters narrowly rejected an $11 million proposal for a 55-bed addition behind the courthouse, with work camp beds relocated to the former jail space, which included closing the work camp, located at the airport.

Keweenaw County Controversy

At its May meeting, the Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners approved a motion of renewal of a defeated motion to remove AJ Kern from the County Planning Commission. The action Followed a public hearing held on April 1, concerning the recommendation of the Planning Commission to remove her.

During the public comment period at the meeting, several people as well as Commissioner Mike LaMotte spoke up in favor of Kern.

After discussion a motion was made to renew the vote. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rob DeMarois. The motion passed 3-2 with Eckloff and LaMotte voting against and Piche joining Rajala and DeMarois voting in favor of the motion removing Kern from the Planning Commission.

Still searching for a ‘Super’

After former Superintendent and Middle/High School Principal Brad Codere announced his retirement effective Jun 30. The Lake Linden-Hubbell School District has been without a replacement. Former Superintendent Craig Sundblad was named interim superintendent, effective July 1, while a search for a permanent superintendent began. After interviews an offer was made to a candidate who initially accepted and then declined.

While the search for a permanent superintendent continued, Sundblad announced he would not be able to continue in the role after Fri. Oct. 31. After an early morning school board meeting that day, Jim Rautiola, superintendent of the Copper Country Intermediate School District, was named Lake Linden interim superintendent.

At its regular monthly meeting on Nov. 18, the Lake Linden School Board appointed Michigan Tech alumna and Copper Country Intermediate School District MiSTEM Regional Network Director Emily Geiger as interim superintendent.

Tragic month in Keweenaw County

During the month of June three people lost their lives in separate incidents in Keweenaw county in late June. The first incident was shrouded in mystery on Isle Royale. On June 8, park rangers at Isle Royale received two separate reports of two persons found deceased at a remote backcountry campground within the park.

Two rangers hiked overnight 11 miles to the campground to assess the situation, arriving early Monday morning, the rangers confirmed finding two unidentified persons deceased. The causes of death were initially unknown. News reports eventually called the incident a murder/suicide

On the afternoon of June 21, a man accidentally fell to his death near Manganese Falls. The man, whose name was not released was walking along the path when he fell approximately 25 feet. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

In the early morning hours of Saturday June 28, three people canoeing in the Waters of Lake Superior off of Copper Harbor capsized. One person was able to swim to shore the their companions did not. After a search that lasted until Sunday evening, both bodies had been recovered.

It’s happening in Hancock

In June, the City of Hancock was designated a 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture. The city is the first city to hold the distinction in the United States. The Finno-Ugric peoples come from places such as Finland, Estonia, Hungary, and parts of Sweden, Norway and Russia. Prior designated locations include four Russian villages, three Estonian locations, Iskaszentgyörgy and Veszprém in Hungary and Kuhmo, Finland. The Finns-Uric Capitals of Culture is a program which seeks to raise awareness of Finno-Ugric and Samoyedic peoples and their languages. A year of special activities is expected to take place beginning with this month’s Heikinpäivä celebration.

The People speak

2025 featured more displays of public dissatisfaction than in recent memory. Several “No Kings” rallies were held, voicing displeasure with the current administration in Washington. A new group, Keweenaw Indivisible, organized several rallies to discuss, among other issues, healthcare affordability, and there were weekly displays near the south side of the Portage Life Bridge in support of Ukraine and Palestine. One of the most vocal displays occurred December 9, when more than a 100 residents addressed the Houghton County Board of Commissioner regarding a resolution proposed by Commissioner Joel Keranen declaring there were only two sexes for county business. In addition to those who addressed the board, nearly 100 people gathered outside the courthouse, voicing opposition to the proposal which was defeated 4-1.

Lack of Diversity

In April, in response to executive orders by President Donald Trump, Michigan Tech initiated policy changes related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The University announced all references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have to be removed, and universities cannot be involved in DEI-related activities. Any institution not in compliance will no longer be eligible for federal funding, including research grants. Not willing to risk the loss of federal funds the University’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion was phased out is now the Center for Student Support and Mentorship. There was good news on the Michigan Tech campus during the year, with the University’s designation as an R-1 research institution, the opening of a new residents hall and the announcement of a more than $50M gift to create the Chang K. Park Center for Student Wellness.