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Governor Whitmer signs legislation funding environmental protection and hazardous waste management

LANSING — Governor Whitmer signed House Bill 5003, which will fund the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) continued efforts to effectively protect Michigan’s environment and natural resources by extending the sunset dates for certain fees collected by EGLE for various water and waste removal applications and services. “Michigan’s natural resources are our state’s greatest treasures,” said Governor Whitmer. “I’m proud to sign this bill today, which ensures that everyone contributes their fair share when accessing these services. It’s ...

Michigan hemp farmers encouraged to participated in first federal Hemp Acreage and Production Survey

LANSING – The U.S Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) mailed its first Hemp Acreage and Production Survey to 20,500 producers across the nation. The hemp survey will collect information on the total planted and harvested area, yield, production, and value of hemp in the United States. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is urging the state’s hemp farming community to log on to the survey portal to help a national benchmark for the nation’s hemp industry. Survey recipients were asked to respond securely online ...

James Spain inducted into honorary academy

Dr. James Spain, 92, of Houghton was recently inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Academy for the College of Sciences and Arts at Michigan Tech. The induction banquet was held in the Rosza Lobby on Oct. 7, and included faculty and department chairs from across the College, as well as friends and family of the inductee. Spain was a 1951 chemistry graduate of the then-named Michigan College of Mining and Technology. Soon after completing his doctorate at Stanford, Dr. Spain returned to Tech in 1956 as an assistant professor of chemistry. In 1962, he became Professor and Head of the ...

Leadership Keweenaw is now accepting application

HOUGHTON – The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications to the 2022 Leadership Keweenaw Program. The program, which offers participants an opportunity to gain valuable leadership skills and networking opportunities, will begin in January and run through June 2022. Enrollees accepted into the program will participate in six full-day sessions or one session per month. Each session will feature topic experts and interactive activities reinforcing key leadership skills in finance, communication & culture, strategic planning, emotional intelligence, community engagement, ...

Celebrate Small Business Saturday with local businesses

HOUGHTON, MI – The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with many in the local business community, has announced it will promote local shopping specials and give away free donuts and refreshments on Small Business Saturday. The event will take place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which is Nov. 27 this year. In 2010, to support local shops that make our communities strong. American Express launched Small Business Saturday on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to Shop Small and bring more holiday shopping to local businesses. “We’re thrilled to be a ...

Drug arrests in Houghton and Baraga Counties

Over the past three weeks, detectives from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) arrested five people from Houghton and Baraga counties involved in selling illegal drugs. The five suspects are involved in separate investigations and are not related. After a month-long investigation, detectives from UPSET arrested Vickie Johnson, a 57-year-old from Hancock, on one count of Delivery of Hydrocodone, a seven-year felony. Johnson was arraigned in 97th District Court, Houghton County, posted $500 bond and was released. After a two-month investigation, detectives from UPSET ...