Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette The Keweenaw County Courthouse is in the middle of a $300,000 security upgrade project that has been overseen by the County Board of Commissioners.

KEWEENAW COUNTY – The Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners has retained the same officers as last year. The Board conducted its annual organizational meeting before its regular January meeting

Don Piche was elected as Chairman in 2025 for two years, 2025-2026. Chairman Piche opened the floor for nominations for vice chairman for 2026. DeMarois nominated Rajala for vice chairman which was supported by Eckloff and there being no further nominations, a unanimous ballot was cast for Rajala as vice chairman for 2026.

Piche, a resident of Lac La Belle, represents District 1. A Keweenaw County native, he was born and raised in Mohawk.

Piche has been a member of the Board of Commissioners for 15 years has been chairman, for 12 or 13 years, he said.

Rajala, who represents District 3, is a retired United States Air Force Combat Communications Maintenance Master Sargent, as well as Gulf War combat veteran, with 21 years of service. Like Piche, Rajala has served on the County Board for about 15 years.

Piche said one of the ongoing projects the Board is overseeing this year is the security upgrades at the Keweenaw County Courthouse.

“The security project going on at the court house is a $300,000 project,” he said, “securing all the offices and the courtroom on the second floor.”

The Board will also begin the process of installing a new generator for the courthouse and the jail, along with cyber security upgrades, said Piche.