Sheriff's Dept. apprehends parole absconder
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Lampricide to be applied to local creeks
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.
Michigan Tech study assesses impacts of worst-case oil spill in Straits of Mackinac
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.
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

LSSU breaks ground on Center for Freshwater Research and Education
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:
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Michigan Lighthouse Festival
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Brimley-Bay Mills Farmers Market updates
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Chairman's message for July
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Brimley School Board reports
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Bay Mills Executive Council updates
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Photos from STEM Camp
Reminder: MDOT phone line open for I-75 Business Spur project in Sault Ste. Marie
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.
The phone line for project-related issues has been set up at the project field office. Call 906-259-0776.
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.
This project is expected to improve safety and traffic flow in this area.
Appraiser Mark Moran returns to the EUP
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.
EUP Trails to be added to UpNorthTrails.org
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.
Getting set to leave the nest: Falcons banded at two Upper Peninsula bridges
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
AARP Veterans event to be held July 12
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.
Beach open
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.
Samples were taken by Bay Mills Biology Dept. on July 5, with clear results received on July 6.
Biology will continue to sample the waters each week until Labor Day.
Crews to survey for lamprey
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.
Several events on tap for Friday
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:
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Soo Locks Engineer's Day, opening at 10 a.m.
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Cloverland Electric Open House at the hydroelectric plan, beginning at 9 a.m.
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Re-dedication of Brady Park, with guest speakers from local tribes, beginning at 10 a.m.
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Family Fun and Craft Fair, on the grounds of City Hall, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
State budget includes funding for new health care facility in Bay Mills
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."
LSSU Arts Center announces upcoming concert season
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.
Copies are also available throughout Sault Ste. Marie, including the following locations:
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Woody's One Stop
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U.P. Tire
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Bayliss Public Library
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Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan
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CORA
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Island Books & Crafts
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Pak n Ship
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Tanglewood Golf Course
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The Visitor's Center/Rest Stop by the International Bridge
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Kewadin Casino art gallery entrance

Conservationists toast comeback of the Kirtland’s warbler
June 20, 2018
By NAINA RAO/Capital News Service
LANSING — Environmentalists are celebrating the return of the Kirtland’s warbler in the Northern Lower Peninsula.
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.
The Kirtland’s warbler population has come a long way since then. Read More
Pow Wow is coming up!
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.

Author to visit LSSU
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.
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.
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.
The Marsh King’s Daughter is in stock at the LSSU Barnes & Noble campus bookstore for Marsh to sign, in hardcover and paperback.
Chairman to attend meeting with EPA/DOJ
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.
Newland recently wrote this on the subject.
Cloverland Electric Cooperative announces election results
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.”

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

Pesky forest tent caterpillars again are munching leaves on Michigan trees
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
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.
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.
Baker makes donation to LSSU
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.”
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.
Under the Radar Visits the EUP
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.
State transportation group backs Soo Locks construction
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
"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."
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.
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.
DNR's Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Council to meet in Mackinac County
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.
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.
“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.”
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).
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.
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.
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.
Snyder approves emergency rule mandating no-anchor zone in Straits
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
Exceptions to the rule include:
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Emergency situations;
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Vessels operating under tribal authorities; and
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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.
Grand Island fees updated
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

War Memorial Hospital Flea Market to be held
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.
Line 5 documentary to be shown at LSSU
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.
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.
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.

Click it or Ticket in effect
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning is coordinating the effort, which is supported by dedicated federal traffic safety funds.

Red Cross calls for summer blood donations to prevent a shortage
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).
UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVE
May 23: 12 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 1600 Park Street, Sault Ste. Marie
Fire danger continues to pose a threat to U.P. warns DNR
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.
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.
The remainder of the U.P., east of the line, will experience very high fire danger.
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.

Trail closed at Tahquamenon due to high water
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.

Hazardous Waste Collection to be held
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.
Need to get rid of old tires? Read More

Pike and walleye opener in U.P. kick fishing season into high gear
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.
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.
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.
Visit www.michigan.gov/dnrdigests for more information about seasons and regulations.

Great Michigan Read Author, Kekla Magoon, to visit Bayliss
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.
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.
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.
Experts: EUP could support $60 million in new retail and dining
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

Tick season has arrived
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.
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
Attend the Michigan Lighthouse Festival Aug. 3-5
Brimley Baseball to hold raffle in August
Market vendors wanted
Vendors are needed for a 2018 Farmer’s Market in the Brimley/Bay Mills area starting July 26 to October 25th, every Thursday 4 to 7pm. The space for vendors is free. If needed canopy and table are provided. The goal of this Farmer’s Market is to provide healthy, locally home grown and/or unique natural produce along with Native American Art from tribal members, to the community and the general public. The market is operated and located in Bay Mills Indian Community. It is not regulated by the State of Michigan. The Michigan Cottage Food Law is recommended but not required. For more information contact Connie Watson, cwatson@baymills.org 906.248.8363
Veterans clinic announced
Bay Mills Indian Community will host a “Veterans Claims Clinic” to be held at the Armella Parker Building on Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All Native veterans are invited to sit down with a representative from the Department of Veteran Affairs to see what benefits they are entitled to.Questions may be directed to Sara L. Tadgerson at sltadgerson@baymills.org, located at the Tribal Administration Office.
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Sault MSP post collects 15 pounds of prescriptions on National Drug Take-Back Day
May 08, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE— The Michigan State Police Sault Ste. Marie Post collected 15 pounds of prescription drugs during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day held on Saturday, April 28.
The MSP partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other agencies for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day to provide a safe, convenient and responsible venue for disposing of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.
All 30 MSP posts participated in the one-day effort collecting a total of 966 pounds of prescription drugs.
Anyone who were not able to participate on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day can anonymously surrender their unused and unwanted medications for destruction at any MSP post, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.
Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.
MSP collection sites can be found here. Additional collection sites across the state can be found by going to www.dea.gov.
State publishes "Eat Safe Fish" guide
May 4, 2018
LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has released of the 2018 regional Eat Safe Fish Guides. These guides can help residents plan their fish meals to ensure they are minimizing exposure to chemicals that can build up in fish, while still getting all of the health benefits eating fish provides.
“The guide essentially provides a nutrition label for chemicals in locally-caught fish,” said Nick Lyon, director at MDHHS. “The Eat Safe Fish Guides are easy to use and important resources that help families in Michigan consume fish safely.”
MDHHS only tests the portions of fish that people eat – typically the filets. The results from the state laboratory are used to determine what is safe for people to consume over the long-term. There are many health benefits to eating fish, and the Eat Safe Fish Guides help individuals choose the fish that are best for them and their families.
Unlike the Michigan Department of Natural Resource’s Michigan Fishing Guide, the MDHHS Eat Safe Fish Guides are not laws or regulations and no one is required to use them. Instead, the guides are a free resource for Michigan residents who would like information regarding what fish and how much is healthy to consume from various bodies of water across the state.
Chemicals in fish are a worldwide problem that is not limited to Michigan and other Great Lakes states, but it is important to note that fish from some areas in Michigan are more contaminated than others. By using the Eat Safe Fish Guides, Michigan fish consumers can be confident that they are making informed choices about eating the fish they catch from their local lake or river.
The chemicals most commonly found in fish are mercury and PCBs, however; the State of Michigan is working to address contamination at sites around the state related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). For a complete listing of PFAS contamination in fish, visit Michigan.gov/pfasresponse. All updated guidelines provided to-date are included in the 2018 regional Eat Safe Fish Guides.
Harper to speak at LSSU commencement
May 4, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE — Keith M. Harper, noted Native American attorney and former ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council, will be the featured speaker when Lake Superior State University celebrates its 56th annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 5.
The program begins at 11 a.m. and will feature presentation of a posthumous honorary doctorate to LSSU professor of history emeritus James Moody and words from student respondent Jennifer Wickens. The ceremony will also include an announcement of this year’s recipient of the LSSU Distinguished Teaching Award. The public is welcome to attend.
Nearly 500 students have qualified for degrees over the past year, and although not all of them will participate in Saturday’s program due to new jobs and other commitments, the majority of them will be walking across the stage to receive their diplomas.
Harper was appointed by President Obama as the U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, a position he held from 2014 to 2017. He is the first Native American appointed as US ambassador to such a post.
Harper is best known in legal circles for his work in Cobell v. Salazar, a class-action lawsuit – the largest against the United States in history – brought by individual Native Americans against the United States Departments of Interior and Treasury. The suit, filed in 1996, contended that these agencies mismanaged billions of dollars of income and assets held in trust that belonged to American Indians, dating back to the 1800s. Harper served as class counsel on behalf of upwards of 500,000 individual American Indians and successfully settled the case in 2009 for $3.4 billion.

Iron Mountain VA releases annual report
May 4, 2018
IRON MOUNTAIN — The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain has release their 2017 Annual Report. This report focuses on the 2017 highlights and performance in the five OGJVAMC Pillars: People, Quality, Service Experience, Partnerships, and Stewardship. There are also links to program websites, their Facebook photo albums, and news clips. READ MORE
Crews to assess lamprey
May 3, 2018
CHIPPEWA COUNTY — 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 Gogomain River in Chippewa County, Michigan during May 15 to 23 to estimate the abundance of lampreys in the river. The information gathered will be used to determine the need for sea lamprey control. Read More
Sen. Schmidt to hold coffee hours
April 30, 2018
Sen. Schmidt to host May coffee hours
LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Wayne Schmidt will hold coffee hours with constituents throughout the 37th Senate District during the month of May.
The senator will be available to answer questions and provide information and assistance, as well as take suggestions on issues affecting communities and businesses in the district. No appointment is necessary.
For more information or to contact Schmidt, please visit SenatorWayneSchmidt.com or call 517-373-2413.
Schmidt’s May coffee hours are as follows:
Saturday, May 26
11 a.m. to noon
Lake Superior State University – Kenneth J. Shouldice Library, learning commons
906 Ryan Ave.
Sault Ste. Marie
Restrict outdoor burning Tuesday due to wind, dry conditions
April 30, 2018
Warm temperatures and strong wind combined with dry grass, leaves and pine needles on the ground have prompted the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to ask residents to restrict outdoor burning Tuesday, May 1.
Conditions are dry across the entire Lower Peninsula and in the southern half of the Upper Peninsula from Iron County to Mackinac County.
“We are currently seeing a significant increase in wildfire activity,” said Paul Rogers, fire prevention specialist for the DNR. “We are asking residents to restrict outdoor burning due to dry conditions.” The DNR also has canceled plans for prescribed burns Tuesday.
Temperatures Tuesday are expected to hit 80 degrees in parts of the Lower Peninsula, with winds gusting up to 30 mph in some parts of the state.
Anyone who plans to burn in the northern Lower Peninsula or Upper Peninsula must go online to michigan.gov/burnpermit to see if a burn permit is needed in specific counties and/or townships. People in the southern Lower Peninsula should check with their local municipalities for burning regulations.
Campfires are still allowed, but if you build one, make sure to have a water source and shovel available to extinguish it.
You also can check with the National Weather Service for weather-related burn advisories.
BMIC releases Economic Impact Report
April 27, 2018
BAY MILLS — Bay Mills Executive Council has released the first Economic Impact Report for the tribe. The document illustrates the tribe's impact on the job market and local community. BMIC plans to release a report annually.
You can view the document here.
Mackinac State Historic Parks announce opening date
April 27, 2018
MACKINAW CITY — Mackinac State Historic Parks’ family of living history sites will open for the 2018 season the first week of May.
Colonial Michilimackinac, the colonial fort and fur-trading village located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Mackinaw City will open first on Wednesday, May 2. Visitors will immediately notice that the orientation video, previously shown in the Visitor’s Center under the Mackinac Bridge, is brand new and has been moved to the King’s Storehouse, located within the fort. The building will have the look of a storehouse and will include exhibit panels exploring the history of the building. Read More
A look at current legislative efforts
April 26, 2018
LANSING — Here's a brief look at what state legislators have been up to:
Senate Bill 601, Authorize school safety spending: Passed 35 to 0 in the Senate
To appropriate $18.6 million for various purposes related to school and student safety. This includes $15 million in school safety grants, $3 million for a school "panic button app" emergency notification system, and $650,000 for a student safety hotline. Read More
Treasury offers help to those who missed tax filing deadline
April 26, 2018
LANSING — Michigan taxpayers who missed the Wednesday, April 18, state income tax filing deadline have options for filing a late return, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury).
“Late filers should file all income tax returns that are due,” said Deputy Treasurer Glenn White, head of Treasury’s Tax Administration Group. “If a taxpayer owes tax and cannot make full payment, Treasury will work with them on payment options. We want to help taxpayers avoid interest charges and late payment penalties.”
Treasury recommends past-due tax filers to consider:
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Filing a return to claim an outstanding refund. Taxpayers risk losing their state income tax refund if they don’t file a return four years from the date due of the original return. Go to www.mifastfile.org to learn more about e-filing.
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Filing a return to avoid interest and penalties. File past due returns and pay now to limit interest charges and late payment penalties. Failure to pay could affect a taxpayer’s credit score and the ability to obtain loans.
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Paying as much owed tax as possible. If taxpayers owe but can’t pay in full, they should pay as much as they can when they file their tax return. Payments can be made using Michigan’s e-Payments service. When mailing checks, carefully follow tax form instructions. Treasury will work with taxpayers who cannot pay the full amount of tax they owe.
Taxpayers who receive a final tax bill and are unable to pay the entire amount owed can consider:
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Requesting a penalty waiver. Penalty may be waived on an assessment if a taxpayer can show reasonable cause for their failure to pay on time. Reasonable cause includes serious illness, a fire or natural disaster, or criminal acts against you. Documentation should be submitted to substantiate the reason for a penalty waiver request.
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Making monthly payments through an installment agreement. For Installment Agreements lasting for 24 months or less, taxpayers must complete, sign and return the Installment Agreement (Form 990). The agreement requires a proposed payment amount that will be reviewed for approval by Treasury.
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Filing an Offer in Compromise application. An Offer in Compromise is a request by a taxpayer for the Michigan Department of Treasury to compromise an assessed tax liability for less than the full amount. For more information or an application, visit www.michigan.gov/oic.
The last three options for final tax bills should be filed separately from the state income tax return.
To learn more about Michigan’s income tax, go to www.michigan.gov/incometax or call Treasury’s Income Tax Information Line at 517-636-4486. Taxpayer inquires can also be made online.
Letter Carriers Food Drive to be held May 12
April 24, 2018
BRIMLEY - The National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct its 26th annual national food drive on Saturday, May 12.
The Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive, the country’s largest single-day food drive, provides residents with an easy way to donate food to those in need in the community. Customers simply leave their donation of non-perishable goods next to their mailbox before the delivery of the mail on Saturday, May 12. Letter carriers will collect these food donations on that day as they deliver mail along their postal routes and distribute them to local food agencies. People are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag—paper or plastic—containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, canned meats and fish, pasta, peanut butter, rice or cereal, next to their mailbox before the regular mail delivery on that Saturday. The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is the nation’s largest single-day food drive and is held annually on the second Saturday in May in 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.
With the economic struggles many Americans face, the Letter Carriers’ Food Drive is as critical as ever. Not only do millions of Americans go hungry, organizations that help them are in need of replenishments. Pantry shelves filled up through winter-holiday generosity often are bare by late spring. And, with most school meal programs suspended during summer months, millions of children must find alternate sources of nutrition. Letter carriers see these struggles in the communities they serve, and they believe it’s important to do what they can to help.
Last year 12 local pantries: Central United Methodist Church, Sault Middle School, Diane Peppler Resource Center, First Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church, Great Lakes Recovery Center, CLM Community Action Agency, St. Joseph Church, Salvation Army, Free Methodist Church, New Hope Church & Brimley Baptist Church received 5,086 pounds of food. Several national partners are assisting the NALC in the food drive: the U.S. Postal Service, the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA), the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), Valpak, United Way Worldwide, the AFL-CIO, the AARP Foundation and Valassis.

Sault, Brimley High School teams take top honors at Superior Case Competition
April 20, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE – Lake Superior State University’s Lukenda School of Business hosted 22 Sault Area and Brimley high school students for the inaugural Superior Case Competition on April 6. Sault Area High School fielded four teams; Brimley, two. The top three teams received cash to benefit their schools’ business programs.
Contestants dealt with a real-world decrease in the popularity of Levi's jeans. Each team worked with an LSSU student mentor and Lukenda School of Business faculty to formulate a solution that factored in limited resources. Teams then made oral presentations to a panel of judges, composed of business professionals, including LSSU’s Professional Advisory Board chair Craig Froggett, on how Levi's might reclaim the brand and turn company sales around.
Recommendations focused on Levi's increasing an online presence and better-utilizing social media to attract younger customers.
Taking first-place honors was Sault High’s Team One of Samantha Brand, Alexis Harp, Nicholas Natzke, and Rebekka Ranta. The prize netted SAHS $500 for its business program, plus a $1,000 scholarship to any member of the team who pursues a business degree at Lake State.
Sault High Team Two - Matt McElhinny, Cassidy Mack, Kayla Wilhelms, and Jarid Demolen – took home a second-place $250 award for the SAHS business program, as did Brimley High School’s third-place finisher, Team Six, of Mason Cameron, Danny Anderson, Cory Brown, and Katelin McDonald for the BHS business program.
Follow LSSU’s Lukenda School of Business on Facebook for mention of upcoming business case competitions, open to any Eastern Upper Peninsula, Tip of the Mitt, or Algoma Region high school.
Adult education struggles with stagnant funding
April 20, 2018
By CASEY HULL/Capital News Service
LANSING — Adult education is handcuffed by a stagnant budget that critics say keeps the state from alleviating cycles of poverty amid one of the lowest graduation rates in the nation.
Over 1 million Michigan residents don’t have their high school diploma or equivalent, according to Stepheni Schlinker, a communications specialist for the Michigan Talent Investment Agency. Read More

Mackinac Bridge announces planned closure for maintenance
April 18, 2018
ST. IGNACE — To continue repainting the Mackinac Bridge's north tower, contractors need to hang a pair of custom moveable scaffold platforms above the roadway, requiring a brief closure Saturday morning. Seaway Painting, the contractor for the $6.3 million two-season project, expects to need a 30-minute to one-hour closure to install the new scaffold platforms. The closure is scheduled for 6 a.m. Saturday, April 21, to minimize the effect on traffic and is weather-dependent.
The platforms will be lifted into place and hooked up to hoists connected to the top of the tower, allowing workers to move their work area up the tower as they progress. The system includes safety blocks on the hoists, static safety cables, and a net beneath both platforms.
This project marks the first time in the bridge's 60-year history when one of the iconic ivory towers is being stripped down to bare metal and repainted. In 2017, Seaway worked on stripping and painting within the bridge's interior "cells," as well as the tower legs beneath the roadway.
The project is required to be completed by Dec. 31, 2018. The original paint is lead-based, and Seaway is required to contain 100 percent of the paint as it is removed, test it, and ship it to an appropriate landfill facility. The new paint, which is zinc-based, is expected to last at least 35 years with periodic maintenance. As painting resumes, the outside two lanes of the bridge near the north tower will be closed to stage equipment. Sweeney said closures on the northbound lanes will be lifted on Fridays and on southbound lanes on Sundays during the peak traffic weekends. Lane closures also will be removed as needed for other high traffic volume times, such as holidays.
LSSU to host evening of the arts
April 17, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE - Sault Ste. Marie’s Sunrise Rotary Club and Lake Superior State University’s Arts Center Gallery will feature work donated by regional artists with an April 20 public reception that opens the fifth-annual 5×7 Art Show. The reception is 6 to 8 p.m. in the LSSU Arts Center gallery, and features hors d’oeuvres with wine and musical accompaniment by pianist Elaine Sprague and the cellist groups, Cantus Celli and the Soo Cello Crew.
The reception will offer the first opportunity to view and purchase original works of art for $50. Each artist’s name will be hidden during the reception, to be revealed during an exhibit that runs during May. Submitted canvases on media such as painting, drawing, tile, sculpture, fabric, 3-D artifacts, and photography are variations on this year’s theme, A Slice of Life. A panel of local judges will determine best in show ($300), second place ($200), and third place ($100).
Proceeds benefit the LSSU Arts Center gallery exhibition programming and Sunrise Rotary Club’s literacy initiatives in Sault Area Public Schools. The exhibit is on display April 20 to May 31 in the Arts Center gallery, 12 – 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The LSSU Arts Center Gallery and Sunrise Rotary Club extend appreciation to sponsors that make the 5×7 Show reception possible. Gold Sponsors are Barnes & Noble Book Store, Central Savings Bank, Kevin Cooper DDS, Edward Jones – David Weber, Superior Health Support Systems, and Plaza Motor Motel. Silver Sponsors include Quarter to 5 and Sault Vision Clinic. A special thank you also goes to Don Bentley of The Art Store, who is the 2018 5×7 Show Canvas Sponsor.
Following the 5×7 Art Show reception, the Arts Center will announce an exciting and expanded 2018-2019 concert series. Students in LSSU’s theatre and creative writing programs will also offer a short program in the Black Box Theatre of improv comedy, original writing, songs, and dramatic scene work. Admission is free.
Many area schools closed due to weather
April 15, 2018
Old Man Winter is hanging on with a tight grip, keeping spring from making an appearance. As a result of the storm, numerous local schools are closed for Monday, April 16, including:
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Ojibwe Charter School
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Bay Mills Community College
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Brimley Area Schools
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Sault Area Schools
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Lake Superior State University
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Rudyard Area Schools
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Pickford Public Schools
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Soo Tribe Headstart
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Bay Mills Child Development Center
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Tahquamenon Area
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St. Ignace
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DeTour Area Schools
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Whitefish Township
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Cedarville Headstart
Bay Mills Tribal Government offices are currently on a two-hour delay. If a full closure is announced, it will be done around 9 a.m. Otherwise staff should report at 10 a.m.
DNR’s Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizens’ Advisory Council to meet in Luce County
April 12, 2018
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizens’ Advisory Council is scheduled to discuss cormorant status, firewood movement and meetings on an inventory of U.P. forest roads among its agenda items when the panel meets Thursday, April 19 in Newberry.
The meeting will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. EDT in the lower level conference room at the Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft Health Department, located at 14150 Hamilton Lake Road in Newberry.
Also anticipated are reports on chronic wasting disease public input process and upcoming meetings, discussion of a proposed resolution in support of eastern U.P. trails, and a proposed joint fall meeting with the Western U.P. Citizens’ Advisory Council.
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).
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.
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.
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.
State calls for legal action against shipping company involved in recent pipeline damage
April 12, 2018
LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder is calling on Enbridge to accelerate the identification of anchor strike mitigation measures and the evaluation of alternatives to replace pipelines that are required under the Governor’s November agreement with Enbridge. Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, acting as Governor due to Snyder being out of state, also asked the Attorney General to initiate legal actions against the owners of the ship and other parties who may be responsible for recently damaging pipelines in the Straits. Read More

April 10, 2018
MAKING A PATH — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay has been busy trying to clear the ice for ships to traverse the St. Mary's River. Here the freighter James R. Barker is getting assistance along the Rock Cut. The colder than normal temps have made put the shipping season off to a slow but steady start. — Photo Taken by BMC Nick Gould
Rural bicyclists, mindful of road deaths, look for safer measures
April 10, 2018
By MAXWELL EVANS/Capital News Service
LANSING — For bicyclists, a 2016 crash that killed five and left four injured is still a potent reminder of the importance of protecting non-motorized vehicles that take the road.
“That was an event that has been unprecedented in Michigan history,” said Aneta Kiersnowski, communications director for the League of Michigan Bicyclists. “The attention that the tragedy brought to the issue of bicycling safety really helped bring about positive solutions.”
The crash in rural Cooper Township, north of Kalamazoo, highlighted some of the issues with rural biking that the Legislature and local governments have since aimed to address.
Ten Michigan cities have adopted “complete street” ordinances and resolutions in response to a 2010 law that aimed to make all roads accessible for both motorized and non-motorized traffic. These cities include Manistique, Sault Ste. Marie and Lansing. Read More
Coast Guard provides update on Straits spill
April 09, 2018
MACKINAW CITY,– The Unified Command, comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, a representative of numerous Michigan tribes, and the responsible party, American Transmission Company, continues to oversee response efforts, Monday.
Work to extract the remaining product from two cables continued through the weekend. ATC, a transmission-only electric utility, contracted North Shore Environmental to remove product from the cables. North Shore Environmental is vacuuming the mineral oil from a shoreside facility a through a less than one-inch-diameter void in the cables that stretch three-and-a-half miles across the Straits of Mackinac. Read More

Great Lakes Seaway Partnership announces 2018 Photo Contest
April 05, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE — The inaugural Great Lakes Seaway Partnership Photo Contest opened to entries on March 28. Harness the power of photography and share your stunning photos of vessels across the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System. Gather your best photos of vessels and join the competition, which can put a little extra cash in your pocket.
The contest ends when the St. Lawrence Seaway closes for the 2018 Great Lakes Navigation Season. Winners’ names will be available online at www.greatlakesseaway.org after Jan. 1, 2019.
Learn the full contest rules here: http://greatlakesseaway.org/the-great-lakes-seaway-partnership-2018-photo-contest/
Local talent show is this Friday
April 05, 2018
BRIMLEY — The Brimley High School Music Appreciation class is holding their 2nd Annual "Brimley's Got Talent" show. Performances will showcase a number of Brimley students in grades 6-12, with 1st- 3rd place winners being chosen by a panel of judges. The evening show will be on Friday, April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Middle School Gym. Cost is $5- all proceeds go toward the growing music program at Brimley Area Schools. Concessions will also be available for purchase.

Volunteer to help guard Michigan's sturgeon
April 05, 2018
CHEBOYGAN — The Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow in Cheboygan County is seeking volunteers to join in its effort, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement and Fisheries Divisions, to help protect lake sturgeon from illegal harvest during the annual spawning run.
Every spring, mature lake sturgeon, a fish species that is threatened in Michigan and rare throughout the United States, become vulnerable to poaching as they briefly leave Black Lake for spawning sites upstream in the Black River. Read More
ATC reports fluid has leaked into the Straits
April 03, 2018
ST. IGNACE — On April 3, American Transmission Co. shut down two submarine cables in the Straits of Mackinac that electrically connect the Upper Peninsula to lower Michigan as the result of yet-undetermined damage.
The cables tripped offline about 30 seconds apart Sunday evening, April 1. A patrol of the overhead elements of the system between Point Lebarbe in St. Ignace and the McGulpin Riser Station in Mackinac City showed no damage. The submarine cables, which contain a mineral-based fluid for insulation, were monitored overnight and subsequently determined to be leaking. At least 405 gallons of mineral dielectric compound was released into the Straits. READ MORE
Priest on administrative leave following allegation of sexual misconduct
April 02, 2018
MARQUETTE — Father Frank M. Lenz, a senior (retired) priest of the Diocese of Marquette, has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. This action was taken as the result of a recently-made credible allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor dating back to the 1970s. Lenz has denied the allegation.
In accord with diocesan policy, the allegation has been reported to the Marquette County Prosecutor. Read More
Michigan Tobacco Quitline offering free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges through May 31
March 29, 2018
LANSING — Thinking about quitting tobacco? The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is expanding its telephone coaching and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) program to all Michigan residents through May 31.
During this time, the Michigan Tobacco Quitline will offer a free, two-week supply of nicotine gum, patches or lozenges for all new enrollees who want to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Tobacco users who would like to quit may call the Quitline phone number at 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669). Enrollment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Quitline serves all ages, however, callers seeking NRT must be over 18 and meet basic health requirements. Enrollees will receive a coach who will assist them in setting a quit date, choosing a nicotine replacement product that is right for them and making an individualized quit plan. The coach will provide support with up to four telephone coaching sessions scheduled around the caller's quit date.
"Callers using NRT along with coaching, such as through a telephone-based service like 800-QUIT-NOW, can increase their chances of becoming smoke-free by five times the rate of someone quitting cold turkey," said Dr. Eden Wells, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Providing access to free NRT during this promotion might just be the jump start someone needs to quitting smoking tobacco for good.”
The Michigan Tobacco Quitline is an evidence-based service providing free telephone coaching for the uninsured, pregnant women, residents enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare, veterans, cancer patients and American Indians. More than 100,000 calls have been received since the service was launched in October 2003.
For more information about the Quitline, call 800-QUIT-NOW or visit Michigan.gov/tobacco.
Soo Film Festival open to entries beginning April 3
March 28, 2018
Soo Film Festival marks year five in 2018. The festival is once again headquartered in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, with films screening Sept. 12 to 16 at the historic Soo Theatre and Bayliss Public Library, a Superior District Library.
The festival has issued an open call for entries beginning April 3. Documentary and all genres of fiction, feature and shorts, will be accepted online exclusively through FilmFreeway. The festival committee has set a no-fee early bird deadline of May 11. The regular deadline is June 22 and requires a $10 entry fee. Late entries must be submitted by July 9 with an entry fee of $15. The selected films will be announced the first week of August. Filmmakers will find complete details on the Submit a Film section of the festival’s website, soofilmfestival.org.
“This is our fifth year and it feels like we're just getting started. We are looking forward to seeing more of the fantastic talent from the Great Lakes and around the world and will enjoy in showing it off in September," said Jason Markstrom, festival president.
Soo Film Festival 2018 is open to filmmakers worldwide but will continue to emphasize and showcase work from the Great Lakes region.
The 2018 Soo Film Festival organizing committee membership consists of Jason Markstrom, Allison Youngs, Mark Dobias, Pat Egan, and Susan James.
Soo Film Festival, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and host film and allied arts festivals in the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Soo Film Festival, Inc. seeks to showcase the work of independent and emerging filmmakers, especially from the Great Lakes of North America.
Chippewa County Health Dept. receives grant
March 27, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently issued $500,000 in grants to 25 local health departments to help combat Michigan’s hepatitis A outbreak.
Local health departments were issued $20,000 each to increase vaccination outreach to high-risk populations. Chippewa County Health Dept. was one of those entities selected for the grant.
Those with a history of injection and non-injection drug use, homelessness or transient housing, incarceration and men who have sex with men are thought to be at greater risk of contracting the disease.
“This has been the largest person-to-person hepatitis A outbreak in Michigan’s history, with more than 780 cases,” said Dr. Eden Wells, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Increasing vaccination outreach to high-risk populations across the state is essential to stopping the spread of hepatitis A in Michigan.”
The funding is part of a $7.1 million appropriation approved by the Legislature in late 2017 to address the hepatitis A outbreak. It can be used for staffing to conduct educational and vaccination outreach efforts. Twenty health departments that are part of the outbreak jurisdiction have already been awarded $2.5 million. This latest round of grants covers the remainder of the state’s local health departments. To be considered part of the outbreak jurisdiction a county must have two or more cases of hepatitis A related to the outbreak strain. The 25 health departments receiving this most recent round of funding are not currently part of the outbreak jurisdiction.
Hepatitis A is a serious, highly contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the feces (poop) of people with hepatitis A and spread by eating contaminated food or water, during sex or by living with an infected person.
Hepatitis A symptoms can include:
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Nausea and vomiting
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Belly pain
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Feeling tired
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Fever
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Loss of appetite
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Yellowing of the skin and eyes
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Dark urine
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Pale-colored feces (poop)
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Joint pain
Getting vaccinated, practicing good hand washing and avoiding sex with infected partners are ways to prevent getting infected. The hepatitis A vaccine is available at local pharmacies, through healthcare providers and at local health departments.

Soo Locks open for the season on Sunday
March 23, 2018
DETROIT – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, will open Sunday, March 25, marking the beginning of the 2018 Great Lakes shipping season.
"Although, we have yet to know which ship will be the first through the locks this year, several ships are scheduled to leave their lay-up ports Friday, so we expect a very busy opening day," said Kevin Sprague, area engineer, Soo Area Office. "People can check the district Facebook page for first boat photos and updates through the weekend."
"The Soo Locks are a critical connection in the Great Lakes navigation system and we are dedicated to their reliability," said Lt. Col. Dennis P. Sugrue, district engineer, Detroit District. "Thanks to our talented team at the Soo Locks. We have completed several critical maintenance projects this winter. We are ready for another great navigation season on the Great Lakes."
The locks were officially closed on Jan. 15 and underwent critical repairs and maintenance during the 10 week long winter shutdown. Critical repairs and maintenance to the Poe Lock during the shutdown included replacement of gate anchors, miter blocks, quoin blocks, and cylinder seals. Final work on Poe Lock operating system controls was completed. The MacArthur Lock dewatering bulkheads were sandblasted, repaired and painted. Work on the MacArthur Lock included replacement of gate anchors, bevel gears and filling valve seals. The MacArthur Lock work will continue through April.
OCS bus driver charged over bus incident
March 22, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE — A local bus driver has been charged with lying to police.
On Feb. 19 the Michigan State Police investigated a report that an Ojibwe Charter School bus had bullet holes in it. The driver of the bus, Thomas Bontrager, 40, of Cedarville, reported that the bus was damaged by gun fire while traveling from Brimley to Cedarville on M-129 near 20 Mile Road north of Pickford in Chippewa County. As a result of the report, Pickford Schools placed themselves on temporary lockdown.
An extensive investigation by troopers from the MSP Sault Ste. Marie Post and officers from Bay Mills Law Enforcement has revealed that the damage to the bus did not occur while the bus was traveling near Pickford, and may have occurred while the bus was parked at the Ojibwe Charter School in Brimley.
Further investigation by the MSP resulted in the bus driver, Thomas Bontrager, being charged with False Report of a Felony, and Lying to a Peace Officer. Bontrager turned himself in to police and was arraigned before the presiding district court judge in Chippewa County on Tuesday, March 20.
Bontrager has been placed on administrative leave from OCS at this time.
United Way of the EUP announces vacancy
March 21, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE – United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula has announced their Executive Director, Suzanne Prell, is stepping down from the position. She will be returning to her hometown of Muskegon to care for family matters.
“We’re very sorry to see Suzanne leave. She has done a great job," said United Way of the EUP Board President Greg Rathje. "The entire Board understands why Suzanne wants to focus on her family, and we wish her the very best. The Board is committed to a smooth transition and search for a new director.”
Prell has been the Executive Director since August 2016. Under her management, the organization reached their fundraising goal of $300,000. This was the first year since 2010 that they made goal. During her term, the organization was awarded a multi-year federal grant to recruit retired, senior volunteers age 55 years and older (RSVP). These volunteers are placed in two impact areas of Education. Reading Buddies are volunteers that read to the Head Start 3 to 5-year old children. Youth Mentors are placed working with The Boys and Girls Club at Malcom High School, Brimley, Bay Mills, and Newberry sites.
Board President Rathje said he is confident the current staff will operate the organization efficiently during the changeover. The Board of Directors will immediately begin their search for a new director.
Sen. Schmidt announces April office hours
March 21, 2018
LANSING — State Sen. Wayne Schmidt will hold coffee hours with constituents throughout the 37th Senate District during the month of April.
The senator will be available to answer questions and provide information and assistance, as well as take suggestions on issues affecting communities and businesses in the district. No appointment is necessary.
For more information or to contact Schmidt, please visit SenatorWayneSchmidt.com or call 517-373-2413.
Schmidt’s April coffee hours are as follows:
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Tuesday, April 3, noon to 1 p.m. at Les Cheneaux Distillers, 172 S. Meridian St., Cedarville
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Tuesday, April 3, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Studebaker’s Restaurant and Lounge, 3583 I-75 Business Spur, Sault Ste. Marie
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Tuesday, April 3, 5 to 6 p.m. at Timber Charlie’s, 110 Newberry Ave., Newberry
Coast Guard to begin ice breaking operations in Whitefish Bay
March 20, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE — U.S. and Canadian icebreaking vessels will begin the break out of the upper St Marys River and Whitefish Bay on Wednesday, March 21.
On Wednesday, Canadian Coast Guard Ship Samuel Risley, Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, and Coast Guard Cutter Morro Bay will pass through the Poe Lock. The three icebreakers will depart the Coast Guard base in the morning, stop to disembark passengers at the South West Pier, and then proceed to the western ice edge. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw will begin laying down tracks along charted shipping routes. The other two vessels will travel west to conduct ice breaking in Thunder Bay, Ontario and Marquette, Mich. All of this work is done in preparation for the March 25 opening of the Soo Locks; the official start of the 2018 commercial navigation season.
All snowmobile, all terrain vehicle (ATV) operators, ice fishermen, and other recreational users of the ice should recognize the instability of the ice, plan their activities carefully, and use caution near the ice, especially in proximity to charted navigation areas.
Arts Center juried exhibition pays tribute to Sault's 350th anniversary
March 20, 2018
SAULT STE. MARIE — The Olive Craig Gallery in Alberta House Arts Center has always had an Annual Juried Exhibition but, in a bow to the Sault’s 350th Anniversary Celebration, the show will be different this year. The gallery is looking for work that considers “the past, present or future of the Eastern Upper Peninsula."
This show is non-juried and open to all. All that is required is that the work be original and the artist’s own—not a reproduction or from a pattern or kit. Prints must be hand pulled. All work must be ready to hang or display.
Artists may submit up to two works in any medium, for a $10 fee. Work doesn’t have to be for sale, but if it is, the gallery will take a 30 percent commission. There will be, as usual, multiple awards.
Important dates are:
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May 29 to 31: Work may be dropped off at Alberta House between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ship