In the candidate races for party nominations. Incumbent Representative Greg Markkanen and unchallenged democrat nominee Kim Corcoran will seek the 110th district seat in November. The 109th district had three candidates for each party nomination. Jenn Hill retained the democratic nomination. The incumbent representative from Marquette defeated Randy Girard and Margaret Brumm. On the Republican side of the ballot, local media personality Karl Bohnak earned the nomination ahead of Melody Wagner and Burt Mason. At the federal level, U.S. Representative Jack Bergman will run against democratic nominee Callie Barr. Both defeated challengers in their respective party races.

Houghton County August Election Summary

Ontonagon County August Election Summary

Baraga County August Election Summary

Primary Results:

Michigan House of Representatives District 109 Republican Race:

Karl Bohnak (R) 6,849 – 74.7%

Burt Mason (R) 1,389 – 15.2%

Melody Wagner (R) 927 – 10.1%

Michigan House of Representatives District 109 Democrat Race:

Jenn Hill (D) 9,639 – 80.2%

Randy Girard (D) 1,889 – 15.7%

Margaret Brumm (D) 495 – 4.1%

U.S. House of Representatives – Michigan District 1Democrat Race:

Callie Barr (D) 39,133 – 58.5%

Bob Lorinser (D) 27,715 – 41.5%

U.S. House of Representatives – Michigan District 1Democrat Race:

Jack Bergman (R) 85,779 – 79.3%

Josh Saul (R) 22,389 – 20.7%

U.S. Senate Michigan Democrat Race:

Elissa Slotkin (D) 592,134 – 77.2%

Hill Harper (D) 175,132 – 22.8%

U.S. Senate Michigan Republican Race:

Mike Rogers (R) 486,773 – 62.8%

Justin Amash (R) 125,092 – 16.1%

Sherry O’Donnell (R) 95,706 – 12.3%

Sandy Pensler (R) 68,024 – 8.8%

Houghton County August Results

Houghton County Operating Millage Renewal and Allocation

A request to renew 8 mills for 4 years (2025-2028) for Houghton County, its townships and the intermediate school district

Reporting 100%

Adams Township Road Millage

A request for 1 mill for 20 years (2024-2044) for improvements, repair and maintenance of public roads

Reporting 100%

Adams Township School District Bond Proposal

A request to borrow up to $5.9 million to improve school buildings

Reporting 100%

Portage Lake District Library Operational Millage Proposal

A request for 1.9606 mills for 7 years (2025-2031) for the purpose of providing funds for all district library purposes authorized by law

Reporting 100%

Laird Township Emergency Ambulance Millage Proposal

A request for 1.4896 mills for 7 years (2026-2032) for the purpose of providing and funding emergency ambulance service

Reporting 100%

Laird Township Fire Millage Proposal

A request for 2 mills for 7 years (2026-2032) for operating, equipping, constructing and purchasing for the fire department

Reporting 100%

Laird Township Road Millage Proposal

A request for 1 mill for 7 years (2026-2032) for constructing, preserving, improving, repairing, and maintaining roads and bridges in the township

Reporting 100%

Quincy Township Operations Millage Renewal

A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for general township operating

Reporting 100%

Quincy Township Fire Protection Millage Renewal

A request or 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for the township fire fund

Reporting 100%

Schoolcraft Township Road Millage Renewal

A request for 1 mill for 10 years (2024-2033) for road repair and road improvements in the unincorporated areas of Schoolcraft Township

Reporting 100%

Stanton Township Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

A request for 16.8725 mills for 7 years (2024-2030) to provide funds for district operating purposes

Reporting 100%

Houghton County Mine Inspector

Reporting 100%

Calumet Township Trustee

Open Seats: 4

Reporting 100%

Houghton County Board – District 2

Reporting 100%

Portage Township Supervisor

Reporting 100%

Stanton Township Trustee

Open Seats: 2

Reporting 100%

Baraga County August Results:

Arvon Township Ambulance Service and EMT Fund Renewal Proposal

A request for 0.6 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) to support the ambulance service and the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) fund

Reporting 100%

Arvon Township Road Millage Proposal

A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) for improvements and construction of local roads and primary roads

Reporting 100%

Arvon Township Fire Millage

A request for 1.5 mills for 4 years (2024-2027) for fire operating and equipment

Reporting 100%

Baraga Township Ambulance Millage

A request for 1.5 mills for 4 years (2024-2027) to support ambulance operation and equipment

Reporting 100%

Covington Township Recreation Proposition

A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for recreational purposes

Reporting 100%

Covington Township Ambulance Proposition

A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for ambulance service

Reporting 100%

Covington Township Fire Proposition

A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for fire service

Reporting 100%

L’Anse Township Fire Millage Renewal Proposal

A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for providing and funding a fire service

Reporting 100%

L’Anse Township Emergency Ambulance Millage Proposal

A request for 1.5 mills for 4 years (2025-2028) for providing and funding emergency ambulance service

Reporting 100%

Spurr Township Fire and EMS Service

A request for 2.5 mills for 7 years (2024-2030) for providing fire protection and emergency management services

Reporting 100%

Spurr Township Garbage Millage

A request for 2.25 mills for 4 years (2025-2028) for special service and contracted garbage pickup and removal

Reporting 100%

Spurr Township Road Millage

A request for 2 mills for 6 years (2025-2030) for improvements and maintenance of the current and existing roads

Reporting 100%

Spurr Township Cemetery Millage

A request for 0.35 mill for 5 years (2024-2028) to share expenditures of the Michigamme Lakeview Cemetery for burial of Spurr Township residents

Reporting 100%

Baraga County Board – District 1

Reporting 100%

Ontonagon County August Results

Ontonagon County Public Transit Operating Millage

A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) to fund the Ontonagon County Public Transit System operation

Reporting 100%

Ontonagon County Separate Tax Limitations Proposal

For 4 years, tax limitations would be: County 6.52 mills, Townships 1 mill, Intermediate school district 0.32 mill

Reporting 100%

Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency Senior Millage Renewal

A request for 0.3 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for the operation of the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency Senior Citizens Programs

Reporting 100%

Ontonagon County Ambulance Services Millage

A request for 2 mills for 4 years (2024-2025) that would repeal and replace the existing 1.25 mill levy to provide ambulance services for the county

Reporting 100%

Bergland Township Operations Millage

A request for 2 mills for 10 years (2025-2034) for general operating purposes

Reporting 100%

Bergland Township Roads Millage

A request for 1.5 mills for 10 years (2025-2034) for construction, improvement, and maintenance of public roads and storm sewers

Reporting 100%

Bergland Township Parks and Cemetery Millage

A request for 0.5 mill for 5 years (2025-2029) for operation, improvement, and maintenance of township parks and cemeteries

Reporting 100%

Greenland Township Fire Millage Renewal

A request for 1 mill for 5 years (2024-2028) for major fire department and facilities improvements

Reporting 100%

Greenland Township General Fund Millage Renewal Proposal

A request for 2 mills for 5 years (2024-2028) for operating and facility repairs/improvements

Reporting 100%

Haight Township Proposal for New Fire Protection Services

A request for 0.5 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) for the purpose of contracting with Stannard Township for fire protection and emergency services and operations

Reporting 100%

Interior Township General Fund Millage Renewal

A request for 0.5 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) for the general fund

Reporting 100%

Matchwood Township General Fund Millage Renewal

A request for 2 mills for 2 years (2024-2025) for the township general fund

Reporting 100%

McMillan Township Library Millage Renewal

A request for 0.5 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for providing library services

Reporting 100%

McMillan Township Library Millage Increase Proposal

A request for 0.5 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for providing library services

Reporting 100%

McMillan Township Fire Department Millage Renewal

A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for operating revenue for fire protection and prevention

Reporting 100%

McMillan Township Streets and Roads Millage Renewal

A request for 2 mills for 4 years (2025-2028) to be used for streets and roads

Reporting 100%

McMillan Township Street and Roads Millage Increase

A request for 0.5 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) to be used for streets and roads

Reporting 100%

Ontonagon Township Library Millage Renewal

A request for 0.5 mill for 10 years (2024-2033) for township library services

Reporting 100%

Ontonagon Township Road Millage Renewal

A request for 1 mill for 20 years (2024-2043) for the township road fund

Reporting 100%

Bergland Township Supervisor

Reporting 100%

Ontonagon Township Trustee

Open Seats: 2

Reporting 100%

Gogebic County August Results

Gogebic County Senior Citizens Program Proposal

A request for 0.6 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) for the operation of the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency Senior Citizens Programs

Reporting 100%

Gogebic County Emergency Medical Service Renewal/Restoration Proposal

A request for 0.9943 mill for 3 years (2025-2027) to restore funds to supplement countywide emergency medical care, equipment, training and other related expenses

Reporting 100%

Gogebic County 911 Operation Renewal Surcharge Proposal

A request to charge a monthly operational surcharge of up to $3 on monthly phone bills of county residents to fund 911 emergency call answering and dispatch services

Reporting 100%

Gogebic County Transit Proposal

A request for 0.33 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for the continued operation of the Gogebic County Transit System

Reporting 100%

Ironwood Pat O’Donnell Civic Center Millage Renewal

A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) to be used exclusively for the continued operation, support and maintenance of the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center

Reporting 100%

Gogebic County Board – District 1

Reporting 100%

Marenisco Township Treasurer

Reporting 100%

Watersmeet Township Trustee

Open Seats: 2

Reporting 100%

A Wisconsin man drowned yesterday while SCUBA diving in Lake Superior near Isle Royale. A caller from Isle Royale National Park notified Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office of the incident shortly before 2 p.m. yesterday. 

John Nouisaine, 70, of Superior, Wisconsin was exploring the stern section of the Emperor shipwreck on the north side of the Island when the diving accident occurred. The steel bulk freighter, which sank in 1947, measures at 525 feet and the depth of water where the drowning took place ranges from 100 to 150 feet. 

Nouisaine had been diving from a charter boat. Police are investigating the drowning and ABC 10 will bring you more information as it becomes available. 

A diver has drowned in Keweenaw County. A caller from Isle Royale National Park notified Keweenaw County Sheriff’s Office of the incident shortly before 2 p.m. yesterday. The individual, who police have not named pending notification of family, drowned while diving in Lake Superior waters on the north side of the island. The individual had been diving from a charter boat. Police are investigating the drowning, and ABC 10 will bring you more information as it becomes available. 

The ATV operator suspected of mowing down and critically injuring an 80–year–old Hancock man yesterday has killed himself, according to police.

The older gentleman was struck by the machine while placing a political campaign sign in his yard. He was hospitalized for treatment of serious injuries and remains in critical condition as of Tuesday morning.

Police suspect the attack was politically motivated and that the ATV driver may also be responsible for several instances of property damage that occurred yesterday. The perpetrator appeared to target those supporting former President Donald Trump and law enforcement supporters.

Someone called police from a Samson Street home in Quincy Township yesterday stating that they wanted to confess to a crime involving an ATV driver that took place within the last 24 hours. The caller also asked that the dispatcher send someone to pick him up from the home.

When police arrived at the residence they found a 22-year-old male dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Hancock Police Department in conjunction with Houghton County Sheriff’s Office executed a warrant on the home and seized several electronic devices which will be analyzed by computer forensics specialists.

A spokesperson for both agencies stated that neither department condones violence against any political candidates or supporters of those candidates.

]]> 8461082 https://abc10up.com/2024/07/09/six-berry-farms-in-chassell-provide-the-strawberry-festivals-full-ton-of-strawberries/ Tue, 09 Jul 2024 15:48:23 +0000 https://abc10up.com/?p=8461080 The berry farms in Chassell have provided sweet treats to residents of the Upper Peninsula for many years. Before the rise of California’s agriculture, many of Chassell grown berries would find their way grocers and markets in Chicago and much of the Midwest. There are six farms still in operation today that mainly distribute to areas of the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin.

We still have the niche here where it serves the UP and Northern Wisconsin, even in Minnesota. We have customers that come up from long distances to get these local Copper Country berries. There used to be over 500 acres in production and we’re probably about 20% of that now. But there are some farmers that are growing here again, a little bit in size, so that works out well too. – Dan Crane, Secretary, Chassell Lions Club

This year will mark the 76th year of the Chassell Strawberry Festival. Over the years, while the strawberry festival has gained popularity among residents and visitors, Chassell Lions secretary Dan Crane says that they’ve needed to cut more strawberries. With the festival to the point that last year volunteers helped prepare and cut a whole ton of the sweet treat.

Well on Friday we start selling at 9 a.m. and that’s usually a pretty casual crowd coming in until noon and as the day picks up if the weather is cooperative it just gets busier and busier. The busiest time for shortcakes is right after the parade. That’s probably the hot, then we got lines that are stretching pretty long but otherwise, we’ve got a pretty good kitchen set up here and we can run people through the line pretty quick. – Dan Crane, Secretary, Chassell Lions Club

Ahead of the celebrations on Friday and Saturday the Chassell Lions will ask for volunteers to help cut up strawberries for shortcakes. Volunteer time has become a favorite among residents to catch up with friends while serving the community. Those interested in helping with the strawberries on Thursday night should bring a paring knife and gloves. Organizers also suggest wearing clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty working with juicy berries. Set up for the berry cutting will start at 4pm on Thursday, with most volunteers starting around 5pm. Those interested in learning more about the 76th Chassell Strawberry Festival sponsored by the Chassell Lions Club can find more details and an event schedule here.

“This enabled us to receive a lot of memorabilia, including one of the gold medals from the Anthony Glaza family, which was involved in a rescue, both Portage and Eagle Harbor were involved in a rescue in 1913 of the LC Waldo on Keweenaw Point, where they both arrived at the wreck scene after the survivors of that shipwreck, where I spent like 90 hours in Sub-Zero. Weather and fierce waves on the ship and they all, both stations receive a gold medal for their efforts.” – Mark Rowe, Trustee, Keweenaw County Historical Society

During the weekend the Keweenaw County Historical Society will host an open house at the Eagle Harbor lifesaving station inviting the community to explore the grounds, boats, and wealth of records about the men that served at the station. KCHS Trustee Mark Rowe says that the day will also include tours with the U.S. Coast Guard Station Portage and Keweenaw County Sheriff. As were three presentations sharing the history of the site, what the historical society was been up to lately, and special guest BMC Maria R. Collet from the Portage Station.

Local Portage Coast Guard Station will be sending up a twenty-five foot jet propulsion response boat. They will arrive here approximately around one o’clock, and plan on doing dockside tours for the general public. And then also around one o’clock also we will have three speakers give a short talk. From each of us from the Keweenaw County Historical Society the Coast Guard and the local township supervisor. – Mark Rowe, Trustee, Keweenaw County Historical Society

The Open house at the Eagle Harbor Lifesaving Station with the Keweenaw County Historical Society will begin at 10 am on Saturday. Rowe says that the presentations during the day will begin after 1 pm. The Eagle Harbor lifesaving station is located at 9199 Marina Road in Eagle Harbor near the Eagle Harbor Marina. Learn more about the Keweenaw County Historical Society here. Find more details for the Open House here.

Another nurses’ strike may be on the horizon at MyMichigan Medical Center Sault.

Union nurses at the Sault Ste. Marie hospital voted overwhelmingly to authorize a second unfair labor practice strike as negotiations with hospital administrators fail to produce a contract.

The nurses held a five-day strike in April. They have been working without a contract since Dec. 31.

It is unclear how long a second strike would last.

The nurses will provide a ten-day notice before taking to the picket line again and will receive financial support from a new Michigan Nurses Association strike pay benefit.

“Our union is stronger than ever. We are ready to do whatever it takes to get a fair contract so our hospital has enough nurses to take care of our community safely,” nurse bargaining team member Colleen Wacaush said. “MyMichigan executives need to feel the pressure and be held accountable for their actions.”

The hospital is frequently short staffed, endangering patient safety, according to the nurses.

They argue that recruiting and retaining nurses is difficult because MyMichigan Sault pays nurses below fair market value.

According to information shared by MNA, the top of scale pay rate for registered nurses at MyMichigan Sault is $37 per hour.

The same wage chart indicates that RN wages at MyMichigan Alma top out at just under $49 per hour.

The union has filed multiple unfair labor practice charges against MyMichigan Sault with the National Labor Relations Board.

An 18th bargaining session is scheduled for next Wednesday.

]]> 8461071 https://abc10up.com/2024/05/23/fishing-hall-of-famer-hooks-record-setting-perch/ Thu, 23 May 2024 18:04:48 +0000 https://abc10up.com/?p=8461063 A Fishing Hall–of–Famer who holds 53 world records in the sport hooked a state record...]]>

A Fishing Hall–of–Famer who holds 53 world records in the sport hooked a state record perch on Lake St. Clair.

Adrian dentist Scott Smith and a friend were still fishing with minnow bait on the freshwater basin that connects Lake Huron and Lake Erie last month, when their last catch of the day proved to be a monster.

Smith reeled in a white perch weighing 2 pounds, 5.92 ounces and measuring 16.25 inches.

The whale of a perch bested the previous Michigan record, a 2-pound, 13.57 incher caught by Cindy Cordo of Muskegon County in Bear Lake in 2015.

Smith holds a mix of line–class and all–tackle awards in fly fishing and has participated in fishing tournaments around the globe, but the white perch is smith’s first state–record fish.

The world champion angler and fly-fishing instructor said he has been casting Michigan waters for close to 65 years.

“I grew up fishing the Detroit River. We used to ride our bikes down there as kids, throw in a line with our bait and ‘ride’ the catch home,” Smith said.

The humble fisherman added:

“Sometimes you’re in the right spot at the right time, and sometimes you just get lucky.”

A fisheries biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources verified Smith’s perch.

The search for a Lake Superior kayaker thought to be in peril in the Keweenaw Peninsula resulted in the best possible outcome. 

Keweenaw County Sheriff’s officers were dispatched Monday afternoon to an S.O.S. distress signal located offshore from Horseshoe Trail in Grant Township. 

A search was launched for kayaker Cale Prozen of Minnesota in response to the signal.

Boats and personal watercraft from the Sheriff’s Office, Michigan Parks and Recreation Department and U.S. Coast Guard scoured the water while Copper Harbor Fire and Keweenaw County Search and Rescue searched the area by land. 

Favorable weather conditions aided the search party in quickly locating the kayaker. 

Prozen was located unharmed North of Keystone Bay by an officer operating the KCSO personal watercraft. 

It was determined that Prozen was not in any danger and the distress signal was triggered by a faulty emergency beacon. 

The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to double check their equipment and know their limits before venturing into the outlying landscapes to enjoy Keweenaw County. 

As an Ishpeming nursing home is about to permanently close its doors, other long term healthcare facilities in the area will work together to house 33 displaced residents and offer employment to its staff members.

Mission Point Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Ishpeming will cease operations over the course of the next 60 days.

Mission Point Healthcare Services which operates multiple healthcare centers throughout Michigan cited a financial reason for the closure, stating in a press release that its skilled nursing facility in Ishpeming is no longer economically viable.

Wayne R. Johnson, administrator of Norlite Nursing Center in Marquette and who is also on the board of directors at Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee, wrote in an email to ABC 10 that he anticipates the Mission Point residents will be placed among various reputable facilities in the area including Norlite and Eastwood as well as Marquette County Medical Care Facility, and potentially Medilodge of Munising and Bayside Manor in Lanse.

“In preparation for accommodating residents transferring from Mission Point, each facility is endeavoring to recruit additional staff members from the Mission Point team,” Johnson wrote. “We are committed to maintaining open lines of communication with interested staff members to facilitate a seamless transition to new facilities, ensuring continuity of care for residents and stability for staff members.”

Johnson said these nursing home facilities have a long-standing tradition of collaboration.

Mission Point Ishpeming staff members have been offered pay raises and severance packages to continue working at the facility throughout the transition.