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WUPPDR spearheads regional housing initiative

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between 2010 and 2020, Keweenaw County’s population showed a decline of about 6%. That was before the pandemic. Between 2020 and 2022, the county’s population showed an increase in people moving into the county. That is not counting the increase in visitors to Keweenaw County that have sparked an increase in purchases of residential housing for the purpose of converting them to short term rentals. On Wednesday, Lisa McKenzie, assistant regional planner with the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region told the Keweenaw County ...

Charges authorized in Hancock Twp. homicide

The Houghton County Prosecutor’s office authorized charges against Margaret Kempainen, aged 50 and Jacob Kempainen, aged 20, both of Hartland, Wisc. in the Dec. 18 murder of Alvin Kempainen, aged 87 of Hancock Twp. Both individuals were charged with open murder and conspiracy to commit open murder which are punishable up to life in prison. Jacob was charged with felony firearm, punishable up to 2 consecutive years to underlying conviction. No other individuals have been charged in this incident. Prosecuting attorney Dan Helmer asserted in the release “these charges are merely ...

City of Houghton approves zoning changes

HOUGHTON — The City Council at its regular December meeting on Wednesday approved the proposed rezoning of several East Houghton properties near the edge of the dowtown district of Shelden Avenue. The rezoning of the properties was recommended to the Council by the Houghton Planning Commission. Several factors regarding rezoning were raised for consideration of the members, such as whether the change might create an adverse effect on property values in the adjacent area; will the proposed amendment significantly increase noise in the area; will it satisfy a need in the community; ...

Special deliveries

HANCOCK – A teenaged hand knocks on an apartment door, and the interaction begins with a cheery, youthful announcement: “We’re with Little Brothers.” On Thursday, 59 Career and Technical Education students in the health careers and nurse’s aide classes delivered holiday gifts to ...

Elevator going up soon

EAGLE RIVER — Keweenaw County is set to begin a construction project of installing an elevator in the Courthouse during the second week of January. On Dec. 15, 2023, the Board of Commissioners conducted a special meeting to open bids for the project, which has been a topic of discussion and planning since the beginning of 2023. Two bids were received for the project with Wuebben Construction’s being the lower bid at $171, 380. Lou Meyette from OHM was present at the meeting to assist with the bid opening process. Although the County has discussed the project for a number of ...

New absentee voter law takes effect in January

Planning to vote absentee or early next year? Pay attention. The voting law has changed in Michigan, and if you don’t follow the new guidelines, you may not be able to vote. In 2022, Michigan voters passed a referendum known as Proposal 2. It makes two significant changes to the voting ...