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Treasurer: ‘We need a millage’

[This is the first part in a series that examines the challenges facing Keweenaw County.] KEWEENAW COUNTY — During a special meeting on Friday morning, the Keweenaw County Board unanimously approved a motion for a proposal for a dedicated millage that will appear on the November 2024 ballot. If passed, the 1 mil proposal will support zoning administration. The question of whether zoning should be done by the townships or the county came to a head at the regular July board meeting, when board Chairman Don Piche read a letter of resignation of the most recent zoning commissioner, ...

Houghton sends facade grant list back to DDA

HOUGHTON — A list of facade mini-grants in Houghton’s downtown was sent back to the Downtown Development Authority for review after City Council members objected to a recipient who had sued the city. The DDA has given out grants for smaller projects that might not happen without assistance, City Manager Eric Waara said. The DDA solicited applications from throughout the DDA boundaries, then picked recipients and recommended amounts. Councilor Robert Megowen said the council should send the issue back to the DDA. At issue was the $8,000 grant to EPM LLC for 318 Shelden Ave., ...

Local organizations awarded Copper Shores small grants

The Copper Shores Community Health Foundation has awarded five organizations 2024 Small Grant Awards, meant to help meet the needs of the Copper Country by focusing on health-related events and opportunities. Barkell Elementary School, Equipment Loans of the Keweenaw, CLK Schools, Canterbury ...

Comforting the Keweenaw

The Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital in Laurium will be hosting a Pet Therapy Certification Class on Aug. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The class is the first step handlers take in becoming certified to do pet therapy sessions.  The class, presented by Washington-based Pet Partners, will teach ...

Houghton planners create committee for rebranding, marketing

HOUGHTON — Houghton will look at creating a rebranding and marketing plan for the city. The Houghton Planning Commission voted to create a committee to discuss a rebranding and marketing plan at its meeting Tuesday. City Manager Eric Waara, Chair Tom Merz, and Commissioners Ben ...

ATV assault victim released from hospital

HANCOCK — Police said the victim of a Sunday ATV assault was released from the hospital and is recovering at home. They have also named the suspect in the ATV assault and other vandalism incidents committed the same day. In a release Thursday afternoon, Hancock police identified the suspect as Joshua Kemppainen, 22, of Quincy Township. Kemppainen was found dead at his residence Monday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after notifying police he was responsible for the Sunday incidents and telling them to come get him. Police had also found clothes and a four-wheeler matching the ...