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Proper handling can help prevent food poisoning

Bacteria and viruses are the most common causes of food poisoning. With summertime here and backyard barbecues and family picnics on the horizon, Wade Dishaw, environmental health director at the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department, wants to take the opportunity to reinforce proper food handling. Just a few simple steps can help prevent foodborne illness. “Hot, humid weather creates the perfect conditions for the rapid growth of bacteria,” Dishaw said. “Summer also means more people are cooking outside at picnics, barbecues and camping trips, without easy access to ...

Area water levels are down but not out of the woods

Out of sight, out of mind. It’s so much our rule, not the exception, that history often repeats itself. And when it does, memory comes flooding back — flooding being the operative word when it comes to our regional water levels. Not too long ago, historic and beloved family cottages were torn down to avoid tumbling into Lake Michigan. The Boardman River and its tributaries were uninvited guests into basements and boiler rooms, making chumps of sump pumps. Roads and parking lots fell into the water. Traverse City found its limits in its sewer and wastewater systems and ...

Absentee ballots for August primary already available

Michigan’s Aug. 2 primary election is roughly five weeks away, but election officials advise that absentee ballots are available now. Among the statewide races to be decided is which of five Republicans — already whittled down from 10 after another five vying to be the GOP nominee were disqualified over invalid signatures — will take on Democratic incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in November. And on the local level, while no Democrat has filed for the 38th District state senator race after John Braamse of Marquette withdrew, state Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, does face ...

Safe, proper car seat installation can save lives

Safely installing a car seat can save a child’s life, as over 325 children under five are saved by car seats over the course of a single year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, a large portion of new parents don’t realize that they may be installing the car seat incorrectly, which can reduce its effectiveness. To provide further instruction and education on car seat installation, a training event was held Thursday at the Marquette Township Fire and Rescue building. “Up to 90% of new parents are installing their car seats ...

Good advice: Don’t let summer season pass you by

Some may have lamented the recent mini heat wave in which temperatures soared close to triple digits and humidity was high. But we offer this to those complaining: The summer solstice, the longest day and the shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, has already come and gone. That means the days are getting shorter and the summer that just started will be flying by. Which means if you haven’t already, it’s time to get out to enjoy the beautiful Upper Peninsula summer weather before it’s history. There are events like farmers’ markets in many communities ...

Highway hazard: watch out for moose crossing roads

Although many people would like to get a glimpse of a moose, they probably don’t want to see one after they’ve hit it with their vehicle. And the moose wouldn’t like it either. Because of this hazard, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging motorists to exercise caution when traveling after dark. Even though they’re large animals, moose, particularly dark-colored bulls, can be difficult to see at night. Five bull moose recently were struck and killed by vehicles along portions of M-95 and U.S. 141 and U .S. 41 West in Marquette and Baraga counties. The ...