Aug. 1, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — On July 10, the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip that was submitted through the Chippewa County Sheriff’s APP. The tip stated that “Lee” Carter was living on Sugar Island in Chippewa County in a 5th wheel RV and was a parole absconder from North Carolina. Lee was on the Island with his wife “Marie Carter” and her two daughters and operating a local business. 

An investigation was initiated by Chippewa County Detectives and valid felony warrants were located for Roger “Lee” Carter II out of North Carolina and Indiana. Detectives also learned that “Marie Carter” was actually Dana Upright Royal.

On July 18, Chippewa County Detectives learned of a case from the Hamburg Township Police Department, in Livingston County. Hamburg Township PD took a report on July 5 that tied Roger “Lee” Carter and Dana Upright Royal to the theft of a 2012 Motorhome valued at $60,000. It was also reported to Hamburg Township PD that Roger and Dana were using a fake business front of RVNow.com.

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On July 19, Chippewa County Detectives found that the 5th Wheel RV on Sugar Island was also stolen by conversion from a couple out of Kentucky. A Search Warrant was executed at the Sugar Island property and the 5th Wheel RV (Valued at more than $60,000) was recovered.

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During the course of the investigation it was learned that Roger “Lee” Carter and Dana Upright Royal fled the Chippewa County area. 

On July 26, Chippewa County Detectives learned of the suspects current location. The Chippewa Co Sheriff’s Office then contacted the Michigan State Police Tri-City Post who were able to locate and arrest both suspects.

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Roger “Lee” Carter was transported back to Chippewa County where he was lodged on the charge of Larceny by Conversion $20,000 or more. Roger was arraigned in the 91st District Court in Chippewa County and is being held on a $5,000 bond and is being held on the warrants out of North Carolina. Dana Upright Royal was lodged in Bay County on an outstanding felony warrant for fraud.

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On July 30, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Detectives gained information on the whereabouts of the stolen 2012 Motorhome. A Deputy Sheriff in lower Michigan was able to locate and recover that Motorhome.

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The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank the MSP Sault Post, MSP Tri-City Post, the Ogemaw County Sheriff’s Office, and Tri-Dent for their help in the investigation.

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The Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, Hamburg Township Police Department and MSP Flint Post are seeking any information from anyone who may have suffered a financial loss while conducting business with RVNow Rentals which was operated out of Owosso.

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Anyone with information regarding RVNow Rentals, please contact the nearest agency listed below:

•Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office-Sault Ste. Marie 
Detective Douglas Mitchell 906-635-6388

•Hamburg Township Police Department-Livingston County
Detective Sergeant Gary Harpe 810-222-1174

•Michigan State Police Flint Post
Detective Sergeant James Moore 810-733-5869

July 28, 2018

CHIPPEWA COUNTY — U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel will apply lampricides to Carlton and Beavertail creeks (Chippewa County) to kill sea lamprey larvae burrowed in the stream bottom.  Applications will be conducted on or about Aug. 7 to  16,  in accordance with State of Michigan permits.  Applications will be complete in about seven days.  Application dates are tentative and may be changed based upon local weather or stream conditions near the time of treatment.


Sea lamprey larvae live in certain Great Lakes tributaries and transform to parasitic adults that migrate to the Great Lakes and kill fish.  Failure to kill the larvae in streams would result in significant damage to the Great Lakes fishery.  Infested tributaries must be treated every three to five years with lampricides to control sea lamprey populations.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency have reviewed human health and environmental safety data for lampricides, and in 2003 concluded that the lampricides (Lampricid and Bayluscide) pose no unreasonable risk to the general population and the environment when applied at concentrations necessary to control larval sea lampreys.  However, as with any pesticide, the public is advised to use discretion and minimize unnecessary exposure.  Lampricides are selectively toxic to sea lampreys, but a few fish, insect, and broadleaf plants are sensitive.  Persons confining bait fish or other organisms in stream water are advised to use an alternate water source because lampricides may cause mortality among aquatic organisms stressed by crowding and handling. Agricultural irrigation must be suspended for 24 hours, during and following treatment.


Extensive preparations are required for a safe and effective stream treatment.  Prior to treatment, personnel collect data on stream water chemistry and discharge.  In addition, they may conduct on-site toxicity tests with lampricides and stream flow studies with dyes that cause stream water to appear red or green.


Lampricides are carefully metered into the stream for approximately 12 hours, and continually analyzed at predetermined sites to assure that proper concentrations are maintained as the lampricides are carried downstream.  Applicators are trained and are certified by Michigan regulatory agencies for aquatic applications of pesticides.

The program is contracted through the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Commission initiated chemical control of sea lampreys in 1958.  Since that time the highly successful program has contributed significantly to the maintenance of the $7 billion Great Lakes sport and commercial fisheries.

For additional information in the U.S. call 1-800-472-9212 and in Canada call 1-800-553-9091.  TTY users may reach the Marquette or Ludington Biological Stations through the Michigan State Relay Service at 1-800-649-3777.
 

July 24, 2018

LANSING – State of Michigan agencies today released for public comment a draft independent analysis of the impacts of a potential oil spill from Enbridge Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac.

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A team led by Michigan Technological University and directed by professor Guy Meadows of Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center submitted the draft report “Independent Risk Analysis for the Straits Pipelines” to state officials on July 16, 2018. Read More

July 23, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — Officials and guests turn the first layer of dirt on Lake Superior State University’s $13.2-million Center for Freshwater Research and Education  on July 20 in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Slated for completion by summer 2020, CFRE is actually two undertakings in one.

A new 17,500 square-foot building will bear the name of Center benefactors Richard and Theresa Barch, and will anchor community, educational and research activities. LSSU’s existing Aquatic Research Laboratory  will remain open while being significantly renovated and expanded into a dedicated hatchery. From left is LSSU President Rodney Hanley; Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Tony Bosbous; Tom Gorenflo of the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority; CFRE Director Ashley Moerke; ARL Lab Manager Roger Greil; major CFRE project backers Richard and Theresa Barch; CFRE childrens’ engagement benefactor Constance Baker; Assistant Director of Research Kevin Kapuscinski; LSSU President Emeritus Peter Mitchell; Cloverland Electrical Cooperative President and CEO Dan Dasho; Congressman Jack Bergman, State Senator Wayne Schmidt; SmithGroup JJR CFRE Senior Project Manager Patrick Westerland; and Dick Posthumus, Chief of Staff for Mich. Gov. Rick Snyder. Stay informed with project details and further updates. 

July 20, 2018

Read more in this issue, including information about:

• Michigan Lighthouse Festival

• Brimley-Bay Mills Farmers Market updates

• Chairman's message for July

• Brimley School Board reports

• Bay Mills Executive Council updates

• Photos from STEM Camp 

July 18, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE — The Michigan Department of Transportation has set up a phone line with voicemail to receive calls from residents, business owners, and the motoring public regarding the 2018-2019 I-75 Business Spur (BS) reconstruction and roundabout project in Sault Ste. Marie.

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The phone line for project-related issues has been set up at the project field office. Call 906-259-0776.

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MDOT and the city of Sault Ste. Marie are investing $11.2 million to reconstruct 2.2 miles of roadway and construct a roundabout combining the intersections of 3 Mile Road/Mackinac Trail and I-75 BS/Mackinac Trail in Sault Ste. Marie. The project is scheduled to be constructed in phases over two years. Work began May 29, 2018, and is expected to be completed in October 2019.

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This project is expected to improve safety and traffic flow in this area.

July 14, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — In August, three Superior District Libraries will be hosting Antique and Collectible Appraisal events with appraiser Mark F. Moran of Iola, WI. Due to the success of the events of the past three years, Moran is making a return visit to the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

Moran has been an appraiser for more than 20 years, a contributing editor to Antique Trader magazine, and co-author of over 25 books on antiques and collectibles. He has also been a guest expert on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow.

He will be at Drummond Island Library on Thursday, Aug. 9, from 3 to 6 p.m.; at Les Cheneaux Community Library in Cedarville on Friday, Aug. 10, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.; and at Bayliss Public Library in Sault Ste. Marie on Saturday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The charge per item to be appraised is $10 (members of the Friends of the Drummond Island Library receive a $5 discount); more than one item may be appraised. Limit two items at Drummond Island Library. To register, visit the library help desks. For more information, you may call (906) 632-9331 (Bayliss); (906) 484-3547 (Cedarville); (906) 493-5243 (Drummond Island). 

Those interested must register and pay in advance at their library of choice; space is limited. No refunds. The appraisals will be verbal, not written. Estimated appraisal times will be provided, but it is best to arrive early.

The community is invited to be part of the audience for the appraisal days and watch Moran in action. He will appraise most items, including: fine art, furniture, ceramics, glassware, vintage photographs, advertising, folk art, assorted toys, metalware, clocks, costume jewelry, musical instruments, vintage lighting, books, sporting memorabilia. He does not appraise weapons, traps, Nazi memorabilia, coins and paper money, fine jewelry, precious gems, or Beanie Babies.

Each library has a more detailed list of categories he can appraise, including some that may need advance preparation.

For a $75 fee, Moran is also available to visit homes to assess collections. There is no mileage charge if those interested live within 10 miles of an appraisal site. For more information, see MarkFMoran.com.

The Friends of Bayliss Library will provide refreshments on Aug. 11. Bayliss Public Library, a Superior District Library, is located at 541 Library Drive in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. For more information, call 906-632-9331 or check Facebook.

Note: attached flyer is for the libraries in Cedarville and Sault Ste. Marie. Please contact Drummond Island for more information about their event.

July 13, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — Hikers, bicyclists, skiers, horseback riders, ORVers, and snowmobile riders can rely on UpNorthTrails.org for information on thousands of miles of trails across the northern Lower Peninsula this summer. This site features detailed information about each trail system and nearby amenities and attractions. However, one question keeps coming up: “Where are the Upper Peninsula trails?”

The Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning Commission, along with Up North Trails Collaborative, and the Central and Western Planning Regions, has announced that by fall 2018, all land-based trails will also be available on UpNorthTrails.org. The Regional Prosperity Initiative has funded the expansion of this resource to the entire Upper Peninsula.

The Up North Trails Collaborative has already brought together 53 organizations to map more than 5,300 miles of trails and points of interest; the number of partners and miles of trails will nearly double over this summer with the addition of the Upper Peninsula. Unlike a one-dimensional map that only shows simple routes, visitors to this website can find all kinds of information, including length, terrain, trail conditions, surface description, points of interest, photos and even near-term weather forecasts. There is also a narrative description that gives even more background for those planning a visit.

“EUPRPDC staff will be working with all trail user groups in our tri-county region to coordinate data collection and learn about local efforts and goals to expand trail systems,” said Jeff Hagan, CEO.

Working on trails is nothing new for EUPRPDC. The organization has worked with multiple groups around the region on trail mapping and development in recent years in an effort to improve amenities and awareness. Most recently, staff worked with partners to develop upwatertrails.org and continues to work on those resources for paddlers and boaters. This newly-announced collaboration with upnorthtrails.org is strictly focused on dry land.

“We know the Upper Peninsula is a premiere destination for people who want to explore our thousands of miles of trails,” said Rebecca Bolen, planner for EUPRPDC. “Sometimes, though, people have trouble learning about all the opportunities that are available and this website will provide one comprehensive resource for all kinds of trails.” 

Data collection and website work is expected to take place over the rest of the summer, followed by a public meeting in the fall to showcase the newly-expanded website.

Anyone wishing to get involved as an individual or a member of a trail group is invited to contact Bolen at 906-635-1581. To learn more about this new trail resource, visit the website atwww.upnorthtrails.org.

July 10, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — It's been a productive summer for Upper Peninsula bridges and their resident raptors, with peregrine falcons at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge successfully raising a chick and the Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock seeing three hatchlings this spring.

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On the eastern end of the U.P., Karl Hansen, bridge engineer for the International Bridge Administration (IBA), reported that a pair of peregrine falcons successfully nested atop the bridge between the U.S. and Canada this spring, hatching two chicks -- one of which died after hatching. 

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Nest boxes for the peregrines have been installed since 2010 on the International Bridge's U.S. and Canadian arches. Last year, the same pair of peregrine falcons successfully nested on the International Bridge, hatching four chicks. The site has hatched 24 falcon chicks since 2010, when the nest box was installed and IBA staff started counting the birds, Hansen said.

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The IBA has a new nest camera, the "FalCam," which has proven very popular. Since the live video stream, viewable at http://www.saultbridge.com/falcam, went online, the IBA has seen website usage increase by 46 percent. The camera came online this spring just in time for the seasonal return of the endangered raptors.

At the other end of the Upper Peninsula, on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) installed two nest boxes in 2012 -- one each on the north and south bridge towers. A pair of falcons discovered the nesting site the next spring and has now raised a total of 15 chicks there. A webcam, viewable at http://pasty.com/nestbox.html, has been installed in cooperation with the Copper Country Audubon Society to allow people to watch nesting activity there.          

The chicks at the Lift Bridge were banded by a Michigan Department of Natural Resources team on June 20, while the International Bridge birds were banded by a team on June 26. Color-coded bands attached to the legs of young birds allow scientists to track the movements, reproductive behavior and population growth of the falcons.

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In addition to their leg bands, the peregrine chicks received names. At the International Bridge, the bridge staff collaborated with the Sault Ste. Marie Michigan Convention and Visitor's Bureau to name their bird in conjunction with the city's 350th anniversary this summer. The chick was named Susan, after Susan Johnston (Ozhaguscodaywayquay in Ojibwe), the wife of a fur trader and a prominent Sault resident in the early 1800s. Around 1820, she helped dissuade Ojibwe leaders from attacking a treaty delegation led by Gov. Lewis Cass.

At the Lift Bridge, DNR and bridge staff named the males Hawkeye and Boden, while the female was dubbed Harmony. The new peregrines at both bridges should be ready to leave the nest in another few weeks.

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Michigan lost its peregrine falcons in the 1960s and 1970s due to the use of DDT and other environmental contaminants. Since conservation efforts started in the mid-1980s, the number of peregrine nests has slowly increased. Now there are about 40 falcon pairs actively trying to nest statewide, with one to two new pairs discovered most years.

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The peregrine falcon has been removed from the federal endangered species list, but is listed as an endangered species in Michigan, protected by state and federal law. Peregrines have adapted to city habitats, nesting on tall buildings, smokestacks and bridges around the world.

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High-speed hunters capable of flying at 200 mph, the peregrines may help keep populations of nuisance pigeons under control. While researchers have found pigeons make up a relatively small portion of the falcon diet, the dangerous predators may play a role in frightening them away from bridges. Keeping pigeons away is seen as potentially saving MDOT and the IBA maintenance money down the line, as pigeon droppings can damage paint on metal bridge surfaces.

July 7, 2018

BAY MILLS —  On Thursday, July 12 from 10 a.m. to noon, AARP is teaming up with local veterans organizations for a resource fair. AARP Michigan will host the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency to learn about benefits veterans earned through their service. There will be representatives from a variety of veterans service providers through the local Veteran Community Action Team to talk about benefits and answer questions. The event will take place at Bay Mills Resort & Casino. Pre-registration is not required, walk-ins are welcome to the event. 

July 6, 2018

BAY MILLS — The Riverview Campground beach area, also known as the ball diamonds, is now open to swimmers. The beach was previously closed on July 3 due to high e.coli levels. 

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Samples were taken by Bay Mills Biology Dept. on July 5, with clear results received on July 6. 

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Biology will continue to sample the waters each week until Labor Day. 

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July 1, 2018

UPPER PENINSULA — The continuing battle against sea lampreys soon will come to locations in the local area.  A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada assessment crew will conduct work on the Tahquemenon River, Pine and Carp rivers, and offshore the Carp River (Mackinac and Chippewa counties),  to kill sea lamprey larvae burrowed in the stream bottom.  Applications will be conducted on or about July 10  to 19, 2018 in accordance with State of Michigan permits.  Applications will be complete in about seven days.  Application dates are tentative and may be changed based upon local weather or stream conditions near the time of treatment. 

A first step in the control of sea lampreys is to survey streams tributary to the Great Lakes to determine the presence of larval sea lampreys.  Sea lampreys invaded the Great Lakes in the 1920s and have been a permanent, destructive element of the fishery ever since.  Sea Lampreys attach to fish with a suction cup mouth, rasp a hole through the fish’s scales and skin, and feed on blood and body fluids.  The average sea lamprey will destroy up to (40 lbs / 20 kg) of fish during its parasitic phase.

Sea lamprey larvae hatch from eggs laid by adult lampreys in gravel nests, and drift into silty bottom areas where they burrow and live for several years.  Also, larvae sometimes drift out of streams and settle in the immediate offshore areas near stream mouths.  Failure to detect and subsequently eliminate larvae allows the lampreys to transform into parasitic adults and kill Great Lakes fish. 

Fish biologists and technicians conduct surveys for sea lamprey larvae in hundreds of Great Lakes streams each year.  Most surveys are conducted by electrofishing, but in deep waters crews use Bayluscide 3.2 percent Granular Sea Lamprey Larvicide, a lampricide approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency.  This lampricide is specially formulated onto sand granules and covered with a time-release coating.  The formulation is sprayed over a measured surface area of water where it sinks to the bottom, rapidly dissolves, and causes the larval sea lampreys to leave their burrows and swim to the surface where they are collected.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency have reviewed human health and environmental safety data for lampricides, and in 2003 concluded that Bayluscide poses no unreasonable risk to the general population and the environment when applied at concentrations necessary to detect larval sea lampreys.  Applications are conducted in accordance with Michigan permits. 

The sea lamprey control program is formulated and implemented by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, in partnership with many groups including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,  U.S. Geological Survey, as well as Native American Tribal authorities and State and local governments.  The Commission initiated chemical control of sea lampreys in 1958.  Since that time the highly successful program has contributed significantly to the maintenance of the $7 billion Great Lakes sport and commercial fisheries.

The Commission is committed to delivering a sea lamprey control program that practices good environmental stewardship.  To support the continued safe use of lampricides the Commission recently conducted a series of studies at a total cost of $6 million to assess the effects of the lampricides on human health and the environment.  In addition to these studies the Commission has implemented a research program to develop alternative control techniques.  The Commission also is developing a strategy to increase the number of barriers on sea lamprey-producing streams, and is conducting research into barrier design, traps, attractants, and biological controls.

For additional information in the U.S. call 1-800-472-9212, and in Canada call 1-800-553-9091.  TTY users may reach the Marquette or Ludington Biological Stations through the Michigan State Relay Service at 1-800-649-3777.  Information about sea lampreys and sea lamprey control is available online at www.glfc.org.

June 26, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — Several events are taking place this Friday, June 29, as part of the annual Engineer's Day. Events begin at 10 a.m. and include:

• Soo Locks Engineer's Day, opening at 10 a.m.

• Cloverland Electric Open House at the hydroelectric plan, beginning at 9 a.m.

• Re-dedication of Brady Park, with guest speakers from local tribes, beginning at 10 a.m.

• Family Fun and Craft Fair, on the grounds of City Hall, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

June 25, 2018

BAY MILLS — Plans to construct a new health care facility in Bay Mills received a boost last week, as Gov. Rick Snyder penned a $1.5 million allocation for the project into the state budget.

The need for a larger health care facility arose after an assessment determined a building nearly three times the size of the current facility would be required to address community needs adequately.  Bay Mills Health Center provides medical, dental, and mental health services to both tribal and non-tribal individuals throughout the county. BMHC is one of the few dental providers that currently accepts Medicaid in Chippewa County.

State Rep. Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, and State Sen. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, played an integral part in the request for funding, advocating for the health care center of behalf of their constituents in Chippewa County. BMHC provides services to 10 percent of the population in the local area.

Officials from Bay Mills Indian Community have been laying the groundwork for the project in recent months, with the assistance of the Indian Health Service. A final cost for the project has yet to be determined, as site selection and utility accessibility will play a large part in that figure.

The overall goal is integrated health care services: preventative care, traditional medicine, medical, dental, and mental health care, as well as substance abuse treatment and pharmacy services all under one roof.

“This funding will provide us the jumpstart we need to get this project done,” said Bryan Newland, Bay Mills tribal chairman. “I'm incredibly grateful for the advocacy of Rep. Chatfield in trying to meet the health care needs of the EUP, and also for the support of Sen. Schmidt. This project signals a strong partnership between Bay Mills and the State."

June 22, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — The Arts Center at Lake Superior State University announces its 2018-19 concert season, with live music ranging from classical piano to Big Band to Michigan humor, through a homage to country music greats Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.

The season opens August 19 with a big band jubilee called Jukebox Saturday Night, a celebration of America’s Swing Era, featuring the hits of Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, and more. Vocal selections include songs by Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, and other vocal idols of that time. The band performs various styles of music including swing, ballads, cha-cha, waltzes, and tangos, all to keep a dancer dancing. Audiences can expect the same quality as the Glenn Miller Orchestra while hearing the biggest and best hits of the Big Band Era. Read More

June 21, 2018

Print copies of the June Summer Quarterly are available throughout Bay Mills offices and Bay Mills Resort & Casino and will be delivered in the afternoon of June 21.

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Copies are also available throughout Sault Ste. Marie, including the following locations:

• Woody's One Stop

• U.P. Tire

• Bayliss Public Library

• Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan

• CORA

• Island Books & Crafts

• Pak n Ship

• Tanglewood Golf Course

• The Visitor's Center/Rest Stop by the International Bridge

• Kewadin Casino art gallery entrance

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June 20, 2018

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By NAINA RAO/Capital News Service

LANSING — Environmentalists are celebrating the return of the Kirtland’s warbler in the Northern Lower Peninsula.

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The small yellow-breasted songbird has been on the brink of extinction since 1973. It was put on the endangered species list that same year.

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The Kirtland’s warbler population has come a long way since then. Read More

June 19, 2018

BAY MILLS —  The Bay Mills 27th Annual “Honoring Our Veterans” Pow Wow will be held from Friday, June 22 to Sunday, June 24. Grand Entry will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and noon on Sunday. Come out for a weekend of dancing, traditional foods, craft vendors, and socialization. All events take place at the Bay Mills ball diamond at 12099 Lakeshore Drive in Brimley. The pow wow is an alcohol and drug-free event. 

June 13, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — Lake Superior State University is hosting bestselling author Karen Dionne from 2 to 6 p.m., June 15, in its Barnes & Noble campus bookstore. Dionne will meet readers and sign her latest best-selling novel, The Marsh King’s Daughter, a psychological thriller set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

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The Marsh King’s Daughterhas appeared on numerous Best of 2017 lists and was released into paperback by Putman on April 13. It was named a 2018 Michigan Notable Book and nominated for both the International Association of Crime Writers annual Hammett Prize and Barry Award. The book is being developed into a motion picture directed by Oscar‐nominated Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game and Passengers) that will star Oscar‐winner Alicia Vikander.

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Dionne is the cofounder of the online writers community Backspace, the organizer of the Salt Cay Writers Retreat, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, where she served on the board of directors. She has been honored by the Michigan Humanities Council as a humanities scholar, and lives with her husband in Detroit’s northern suburbs.

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The Marsh King’s Daughter is in stock at the LSSU Barnes & Noble campus bookstore for Marsh to sign, in hardcover and paperback.

June 11, 2018

BAY MILLS — Bay Mills Indian Community Tribal Chairman Bryan Newland will be attending a meeting on June 19 regarding Enbridge's Line 5. All five of the Chippewa-Ottawa Resource Authority tribes will be taking part in the event, which is to be held in Traverse City. 

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Newland recently wrote this on the subject. 

June 8, 2018

DAFTER — Cloverland Electric Cooperative announced the results of the director elections at its Annual Meeting of the Members on the evening of June 7 at the Dafter Township Hall.

Cloverland is a democratically-controlled, not-for-profit electric co-op that is governed by nine directors elected by and from the members of their respective districts to serve a three-year term in office. One seat is up for election in each district each year.

Voting took place by mail-in ballot which concluded on May 31. Gerald Nettleton of DeTour Village is the newly elected director for District A receiving 1,038 votes. Andrew Brown of St. Ignace received 938 votes. Susan Rutledge of Hessel received 788 votes and Joseph Durm of St. Ignace received 234 votes. District A is also represented by Jason St. Onge of Mackinac Island and William LaLonde of St. Ignace. Jason Oberle of Sault Ste. Marie is the newly elected director for District B receiving 1,436 votes. Charles Litzner of Sault Ste. Marie received 888 votes and Raymond Johnson of Eckerman received 486 votes. District B is also represented by John Sawruk of Sault Ste. Marie and Carmine Bonacci Jr. of Sault Ste. Marie. In District C, Ron Provo of Manistique, was re-elected with 1,014 votes. Allan Ott of Manistique received 828 votes. Wayne Hellerstedt of Germfask received 505 votes and Isaac Swisher of Manistique received 345 votes. District C is also represented by Virgil Monroe of Manistique and Peter Legault of Engadine.

Prior to hearing the election results, members voted to amend the qualifications for a director candidate to include language that reads, “No one who is a registered sex offender or has been convicted of a sex related crime may run for the board of directors.”

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SAULT STE. MARIE—  A pair of peregrine falcons successfully nested on the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge this spring. The International Bridge Administration  webcam showed a pair of chicks hatched at the nest site on May 31.

The IBA "FalCam" can be accessed at http://www.saultbridge.com/falcam

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Archived FalCam video of the chicks hatching is available at http://www.youtube.com/saultbridge.

June 6, 2018

Forest tent caterpillars are making a nuisance of themselves across Michigan, eating leaves from sugar maple, aspen and oak trees and leaving small strands of webbing as they go. 

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The insects, which are native to Michigan, occur in widespread outbreaks every 10 to 15 years. The most recent outbreaks peaked in 2002 and 2010. They’ve been spotted across the Lower Peninsula and in the eastern Upper Peninsula. Outbreaks usually last two or three years; this is the second or third year for outbreaks in some areas. 

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An infestation of forest tent caterpillars rarely is fatal unless a tree has other stresses, said Scott Lint, forest health specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Resources Division.

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“The larvae begin feeding on new leaves in spring, and can strip the leaves from a tree,” Lint said. 

Many people also are seeing “tents” of web in trees, but don’t confuse the forest tent caterpillar with a similar pest, the eastern tent caterpillar. That one creates tents in black cherry, apple and other fruit trees. Eastern tent caterpillars are dark-colored with a light-colored stripe, rather than dots. They create localized silk tents that encase a portion of a tree, but never enclose leaves. 

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“Its impact is minimal, but everybody sees the tents from alongside the road,” Lint said about eastern tent caterpillars. 

Forest tent caterpillars are dark-colored with pale spots. They spin silken threads but do not form an actual tent. They will gather in large colonies on the trunk of the tree when not feeding. Large caterpillars often will wander in search of more food as they completely strip a tree.

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Caterpillars will spin a yellow cocoon in mid-June, and mass flights of moths can occur in late June and early July. Adult moths do not feed, but mate and die within a few weeks, after laying eggs. Eggs overwinter until spring, when they hatch. 

The forest tent caterpillar does have natural diseases, predators and parasites, including the large, slow-moving “friendly fly,” which lays its eggs on caterpillar cocoons, preventing them from developing into adult moths. These natural agents  eventually will respond and bring the outbreak under control.

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Homeowners with trees that have been heavily defoliated should make sure those trees receive at least one inch of water per week during the growing season. Applying a slow-release tree fertilizer in the fall also will help trees recover quickly and prepare them for any defoliation that might occur next summer. 

June 3, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State University received a gift of cash and property totaling $700,000 from Dr. Constance M. Baker, retired nursing dean, to support the Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE) and its outreach and education mission. The gift will fund the Discovery Center at CFRE, which will be named in Baker’s honor.

The Discovery Center will be located at the entrance of the CFRE and includes a two-story area where children and adults can see and experience the importance of being at the nexus of the Great Lakes; the lakes account for 80% of the freshwater in the U.S. and over 20% of the freshwater on the planet.

“The Discovery Center merges my love for children and my affection for the Soo, where generations of Bakers have lived,” said Baker. “The exhibits will highlight the importance of the Great Lakes and provide visitors a tourist destination on the banks of the St. Marys River.”

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Baker received several honors throughout her career including the Alumni Association Award for Nursing Scholarship and Research. She was inducted into the Teacher’s College Hall of Fame at Columbia University.

 LSSU President Emeritus Peter T. Mitchell thanked Baker for her donation.

“How wonderful that one of my last official actions as president is to accept this extraordinarily generous gift,” stated Mitchell. “Connie has become a dear friend to Becky (Mitchell’s wife) and me. Her intellect and keen wit have brought much laughter and joy to us. Her passion for children combined with her love of her hometown make this a very meaningful gift.”

Baker holds a graduate degree in philanthropy, which Mitchell stated, “is a fancy name of fundraising, so she knows the importance of major gifts to a project like CFRE.”

Baker added, “Funding the Discovery Center at CFRE reflects my commitment to investing in projects that have an impact on children’s development and also showcases women’s critical role in philanthropy.”

Baker’s $700,000 donation follows a $1 million gift by Dick and Theresa Barch and brings the fundraising total to over $3.2 million to date. Groundbreaking for the CFRE is scheduled to take place July 20 immediately following the LSSU Board of Trustee’s Meeting.

For more information about LSSU, please contact the LSSU Marketing and Communications Department at 906-635-2315 or visit www.lssu.edu.

May 30, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman, hosts of the popular PBS television show Under the Radar Michigan are coming to Bayliss Public Library on Thursday, June 7, from 6  to 8 p.m.

Their show and books feature the people, places, and things that make Michigan a great place to visit and explore. Several of their shows have featured locations and businesses in the Sault area and beyond. If you haven’t seen their show, look for it on WNMU Channel 13 on Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. and Fridays at 5 p.m. or check their website http://uttrmichigan.com.

Tom Daldin is an Emmy Award-winning producer, actor, and writer, who has created programs that have aired on PBS across Michigan and around the U.S. He grew up in Birmingham, Michigan and graduated from Oakland University with a degree in Journalism. Jim Edelman started out as a radio talk show producer and eventually went to television. He has a love for storytelling, especially off-beat little-known stories. Together they have created a humorous “magazine” about the state they know and love.

Their books The First 50 (2015) and The Next 50 (2018) will be available for sale and signing. They will also have some show “swag” available for purchase.

Our thanks to the Library Network together with the Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) for providing this opportunity for Under the Radar folks to visit several Michigan libraries each year. Bayliss Public Library, a Superior District Library, is honored to have been chosen for a special visit.

Bayliss Public Library is located at 541 Library Drive in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. For more information, check Facebook and baylisslibrary.org or call 906-632-9331.

May 29, 2018

LANSING — The Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials has officially petitioned the U.S. Congress to fund the construction of a new lock at Sault Ste. Marie.

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MAASTO, a group consisting of officials from 10 member state transportation departments, including the Michigan Department of Transportation, unanimously adopted the resolution at its Board of Directors meeting May 24 in Franklin, Tenn.

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In its resolution, the MAASTO board noted the locks "provide a vital link between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes and the rest of the world" with more than 3,000 freighter passages each year, moving in excess of 60 million tons of iron ore, stone, coal, grain, cement, and other cargoes. "The locks are of the utmost importance to the region's economy and play a critical role in our national defense," the resolution stated.

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MAASTO's resolution "urges the U.S. Congress to provide the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers the necessary and appropriate funding to construct a new large lock at Sault Ste. Marie."

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Congress authorized construction of a new lock in 1986 and further authorized full federal funding in 2007, but has not yet appropriated the estimated $600 million to fund construction of the lock.

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"Congress authorized a new lock more than three decades ago, but there is yet to be an appropriation for its construction," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "This is an economic imperative for Michigan, our Great Lakes neighboring states and Canada. We hope this united message will get some attention in Washington, D.C."

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MAASTO works to foster the development, operation, and maintenance of an integrated and balanced transportation system that serves the needs of its 10 member states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

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In another recent recognition of the Soo Locks' crucial role, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Service's report on the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (HR5515), urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies to "expedite necessary reviews, analysis, and approvals in order to speed the required upgrades at the Soo Locks." The Soo Lock language was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-Mich.

May 29, 2018

ST. IGNACE — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizens’ Advisory Council is scheduled to discuss muskellunge regulations, firewood movement and introduce a new DNR forest health specialist among its agenda items when the panel meets Wednesday, June 6 in St. Ignace.

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The meeting will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. EDT at the Little Bear Arena, located at 275 Marquette Street in St. Ignace.

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“For anyone who has never attended one of our informative, engaging council meetings, this is another prime opportunity to do so,” said Stacy Welling Haughey, DNR U.P. coordinator. “Council members discuss a wide range of natural resource issues facing the region as they are provided the latest information available on these important topics. In addition, members of the general public have a chance to offer their comments to the discussion during the public comment portion of the meeting.”

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Also anticipated are reports from the fisheries and legislative subcommittees, updates on chronic wasting disease communication, invasive carp and a public comment options reminder on an ongoing U.P. forest roads inventory.

The Eastern U.P. Citizens’ Advisory Council and its western U.P. counterpart meet alternating months throughout the year.

The public can participate in the session by offering comments to the discussion during two specified periods at the meeting (for instructions on comment procedures, see www.michigan.gov/upcac).

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The DNR’s eastern and western Upper Peninsula citizens’ advisory councils are designed to provide local input to advise the DNR on regional programs and policies, identify areas in which the department can be more effective and responsive and offer insight and guidance from members’ own experiences and constituencies.

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The council members represent a wide variety of natural resource and recreation interests. Agenda items are set by the council members and council recommendations are forwarded to the DNR for consideration.

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Anyone interested in being considered as a future council member should fill out the application form found on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/upcac. For more information, contact the DNR Upper Peninsula regional coordinator’s office at 906-226-1331.

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May 25, 2018

LANSING —  Weeks after an anchoring vessel caused damage to oil and electric lines running under the Straits of Mackinac, Gov. Rick Snyder took action in effort to prevent another incident. On May 24, an emergency rule was put in place signifying the area as a "no- anchor" zone. 

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“Anchoring in the Straits of Mackinac poses a serious threat to the welfare and protection of Michigan and our vital natural resources,” said Snyder.  “Anchoring could cause severe environmental damage and threatens to disrupt critical energy and communication services between the Upper and Lower peninsulas. This emergency rule will help us better protect Michigan waters and residents until a permanent solution is in place.”

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The emergency rule formalizes a previously informal anchor restriction in the Straits of Mackinac by prohibiting anchoring under Michigan state law. Productive discussions are underway with the U.S. Coast Guard on permanent measures that would complement the state’s temporary emergency rule.

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Issued under the Marine Safety sections of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, the emergency rule will remain in place for six months, with the option of an additional six-month renewal.

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The eastern boundary of the no-anchor zone is defined by the Mackinac Bridge. The western boundary is defined by a line beginning at the western edge of McGulpin Point in the Lower Peninsula to the western edge of an unnamed island immediately southwest of Point La Barbe in the Upper Peninsula. Click here to view a map of the boundaries.

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Exceptions to the rule include:

• Emergency situations;

• Vessels operating under tribal authorities; and

• Written requests documenting the location of the proposed anchorage and the reason for the request. These requests will be reviewed and granted at the discretion of the director of the Department of Natural Resources.

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May 25, 2018

GLADSTONE — At a meeting in Baltimore in April 2018, the Eastern Region Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (R9 Recreation RAC) recommended approval of the updated fees for Grand Island National Recreation Area. Regional Forester Kathleen Atkinson subsequently approved the recommended fees. Read More

May 25, 2018

SAULT STE MARIE — The War Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will host the 36th Annual Flea Market on Saturday, June 2. The market will once again be held at Kaine's Rink on Easterday Avenue, operating from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. All proceeds from the sales will go to purchase equipment for the hospital. 

For more information on the market, or donating items, visit this link. 

May 24, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — Immiscible: The Fight Over Line 5, a documentary on the Enbridge pipeline, will be shown on May 24 from 6:30 pm - to 7:30 pm at Lake Superior State University's Crawford Hall, room 207. 

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Every single day, 23 million gallons of oil pump through 64-year-old old pipelines under the largest source of surface freshwater on the planet. The Great Lakes are a delicate ecosystem and a sanctuary to over 40 million citizens who depend on them for their livelihoods, whether they realize it or not. Immiscible: The Fight Over Line 5 explores the growing tension between water activists and big oil companies. The film features interviews from leading organizations in the fight to decommission Enbridge Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac, members of indigenous communities at risk, concerned residents, as well as Enbridge Energy’s public response to this conflict.

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This film was created by four Michigan State University students (Olivia Dimmer, Daniel Stephens, Austin Torres, & Annette Kim) in the College of Communication Arts & Sciences, Department of Media & Information.

A discussion will follow the video.

May 23, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — The annual two-week “Click It or Ticket" campaign began May 22 and local police agencies such as the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Dept., Michigan State Police, and Sault Ste. Marie City Police will be on the look out for those not properly buckled up.

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly half of passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2016 were unrestrained. Among young adults, ages 18 to 34 killed in crashes in 2016, more than half were unrestrained – one of the highest percentages for all age groups.

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As the Memorial Day holiday approaches and the busy summer vacation season kicks off, drivers and passengers are being reminded the easiest way to save a life is to buckle up.

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Michigan law requires drivers, front seat passengers and passengers 15 and younger in any seating position to be buckled up. Children must be in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4’9” tall. Children under 4 years old must be in the back seat.

Last year, During the 2017 Memorial Day holiday period, 10 people died in traffic crashes in Michigan.

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The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning is coordinating the effort, which is supported by dedicated federal traffic safety funds.

May 21, 2018

CHIPPEWA COUNTY — The American Red Cross is counting on volunteer donors to give blood and help ensure patient needs can be met this summer.

Around Memorial Day, the Red Cross sees a steep decline in blood donations. Busy summer schedules, vacations and school breaks also cause a drop in donations. Accidents and medical emergencies don’t take a summer break – patients need blood every minute, every day.

In the summer of 1973, Ramona Johnson was playing at the park when she was injured jumping off the swings. She was bleeding profusely from a 7-inch gash in her leg. By the time she reached the hospital, she needed an emergency transfusion. She credits the donors who took the time to give blood with helping to save her life.

Johnson’s childhood experience receiving blood compelled her to make her first blood donation more than 10 years ago. “A little voice told me that this would be a great way to give back,” she said. “I have been faithfully donating every eight weeks since.”

The public is asked to schedule an appointment to help ensure that hospitals and patients have the blood they need this summer. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVE 

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May 23:  12 p.m.  to  5:45 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 1600 Park Street, Sault Ste. Marie

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May 16, 2018

UPPER PENINSULA — Firefighters with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are reminding the public to be cautious with fire, as predicted weather conditions suitable for wildfires have heightened fire danger across the Upper Peninsula.

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All areas west of a line from the Huron Mountains south to Stephenson are expected to experience extreme fire danger today. Over the next couple of days, very high fire danger is expected at least through Saturday, and possibly beyond, depending upon the significance of rainfall forecast for Saturday night.

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The remainder of the U.P., east of the line, will experience very high fire danger.

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During this time of year, most wildfires are caused by humans burning debris. Be sure to check whether burning is permitted in your area by calling 866-922-BURN or by visiting michigan.gov/burnpermit.

May 15, 2018

LUCE COUNTY — High water from spring runoff has forced park staff at Tahquamenon Falls State Park to temporarily close the popular River Trail between the Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls in northern Luce County.

The spring flows have not subsided and there are several sections of trail which are underwater and have become quite hazardous. 

Park staff will re-open the trail once the water level drops and the trail can be assessed for safety hazards. The latest information on the closure will be available at mi.gov/dnrclosures.

May 15, 2018

BAY MILLS — It’s that time of year again for Household Hazardous Waste collection and electronics collection.

As in previous years, Bay Mills Biology Dept.  will be collecting a wide variety of waste from 8 a.m.  to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday May 18-19 for Bay Mills community members to drop off HHW and e-waste. This will be concurrent with the spring cleanup dumpsters.  The collection will be at BMIC Maintenance (in the parking lot). Check out the attached flyer for more details.

Do you have old paint? We will collect hazardous paints such as oil-based, lead-based paints, polyurethane, and stain. Common latex wall paint may be safely disposed of in regular garbage.

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Need to get rid of old tires? Read More

May 14, 2018

CHIPPEWA COUNTY — The Upper Peninsula’s northern pike and walleye season opener is coming soon! On Tuesday, May 15, the season opens on all U.P. waters, including the Great Lakes, inland waters and the St. Marys River.

Please note, the season opener for muskellunge in the U.P. has changed – in addition to all other waters in Michigan. On all Great Lakes and inland waters, the St. Marys River, the St. Clair River, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair, the season doesn’t open until Saturday, June 2. But catch-and-immediate-release muskellunge fishing now is allowed on all waters all year. 

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Anglers can currently catch and immediately release largemouth and smallmouth bass on most waters statewide. The possession season for bass opens statewide on Saturday, May 26, except for Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River, which open on Saturday, June 16.

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Please note, anglers fishing the Michigan-Wisconsin boundary waters, Big Island Lakes Complex, Sylvania Wilderness Area and Seney National Wildlife Refuge should check the 2018 Michigan Fishing Guide for specific regulations governing those areas.

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Visit www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests for more information about seasons and regulations. 

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May 11, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — Bayliss Public Library will  2017-18 Great Michigan Read author Kekla Magoon, author of X: A Novel (co-written with Ilyasah Shabazz – the third daughter of Malcolm X).   The presentation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 17 in the Library’s Community Room.

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A tale of reinvention and redemption, X: A Novel is a fictionalized account of the early years of Malcolm X.  Malcolm was a young man with boundless potential but with the odds stacked against him. After losing his father under suspicious circumstances and his mother to a mental hospital, Malcolm fell into a life of petty crime and eventually went to prison. Instead of letting prison be his downfall, Malcom found a religion, a voice; and the podium that would eventually make him one of the most prominent figures in the burgeoning Civil Rights movement.  

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Magoon has received a NAACP Image Award, the John Steptoe New Talent Award, two Coretta Scott King Honors, The Walter Award Honor, the In the Margins Award and has been long listed for the National Book Award.  Kekla holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and an M.F.A. in writing from Vermont College in Fine Arts where she now serves on the faculty.  She lives and writes in Vermont, where she is a full-time author, speaker and writing teacher.  At Vermont College of Fine Arts, she mentors other writers who also want to create books for young readers. 

Kekla will be touring the Upper Peninsula while visiting our Library.  The circuit begins on Tuesday, May 15, at Peter White Public Library in Marquette.  From there, she moves on to a morning event with the Munising School Public Library and then to an evening event at the Escanaba Public Library.  From there, she will heads to Bayliss Library and to Petoskey District Library that evening.  Please contact Bayliss Public Library or visit her website at keklamagoon.com for more information.

Her library programs are presented in four parts; the last two are interactive and audience participation is encouraged.

1.       An introduction to Ms. Magoon, and her overall body of works.

2.       A Discussion of X: A Novel specifically including the beginning of the project, the process of writing the story, etc.

3.       Audience members will be asked to participate in a readers theater, bringing the opening chapter of the book to life.

4.       A question and answer session

Kekla will then be available to have a time for book signing, if audience members would like to purchase books or if they have books on hand that they would like her to sign.

May 10, 2018

SAULT STE. MARIE — Anyone who has ever dreamed of a particular new store or other commercial business in the Eastern Upper Peninsula may be intrigued by new expert analysis of the kinds of business that could be supported and sustained in seven EUP communities.

Newly-compiled data on the topic of retail trade is expected to provide a springboard to growth for those seven communities. The seven studied were: Brimley, Clark Township, Mackinac Island, Newberry, Paradise, Soo Township, and St. Ignace. Retail Target Market Analysis was performed for each, thanks to funds from the 2017 Regional Prosperity Initiative awarded to the EUP Regional Planning & Development Commission  for the project. Birmingham-based Gibbs Planning Group performed the analysis, which was complete in early April. Read More

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May 9, 2018

More than 300 cases of Lyme disease reported in 2017

LANSING —  The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is encouraging Michigan residents to protect themselves from ticks as the warm weather approaches. Tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease, are expanding across the state.

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Although ticks can spread multiple illnesses, Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in Michigan. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the blacklegged/deer tick. Read More