Calumet Theatre loses insurance, working toward a new policy

Calumet Village Council, Dec. 7, 2021

In a relatively brief meeting, the Calumet Village Council heard from the Calumet Theatre board about the loss of their insurance underwriter and the search for a new one.

With the theatre board’s support, the village council issued a 45-day notice for breach of their lease. The theatre board’s representative, Daniel Jamison, was optimistic about their work toward a new policy.

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Copper Beacon is very pleased to be able to bring you Speaking with my Stomach, a food column by Chris Jaehnig that he’s been producing for the Daily Mining Gazette for some time.

Chris and I used to work together at the Daily Mining Gazette, and I’m happy to have his work in Copper Beacon now, too.

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Revisiting fluoridation

The Inside Scoop (and a photo of my cat)

This week, Copper Beacon presents an op-ed written by our own Ontonagon reporter, Bruce Johanson.

The Op-Ed section of Copper Beacon is open to paid subscribers only, but has a comment section and usually includes a photo of one of my adorable cats! Copper Beacon is happy to accept reader submissions that adhere to our Editorial Policy, too.

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COVID-19 still spiking in Michigan

I’m going to try not to belabor this too much, but I feel like it’s important to look at this data from time to time.

While we could certainly look at the cases and death counts, I feel like the really important thing to watch right now is the hospital capacity information.

The state reported on Dec. 10 that 54 of the 63 available ICU beds in Region 8 were already occupied. That’s over 85% across the entire Upper Peninsula. Not all of those patients are in the hospital with COVID-19, the data says 25 of them are, or just under half. Ten of those patients are on ventilators.

A little closer to home, UPHS - Portage is at 58% capacity, and Aspirus Keweenaw is reporting that they are at 52%.

Downstate, however, many hospitals are at 100% capacity. This is dangerous not only because of COVID-19, but because people suffering from other ailments and emergencies may not be able to get the care they need as hospitals are already filled with other patients.

It’s been widely reported that at least 3 of 4 COVID-19 patients in hospitals are unvaccinated.

Other News (aggregated, not sponsored)

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Portage Lake District Library temporarily closed

No link for this one, as I got the info through a series of emails. Due to unanticipated staffing shortages (Program Coordinator Michael Stanitis declined to be more specific), the library closed on Dec. 7, including the drop boxes. Stanitis informed me they hoped to reopen by the week of Dec. 20 but has since announced that curbside services will be available starting on Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and regular, indoor services will fully resume on Dec. 15. For more information, call the Portage Lake District Library at (906)482-4570.

EXPLAINER: Why US inflation is so high, and when it may ease

Paul Wiseman, Associated Press

I’m sure you’ve probably heard it blamed on a dozen different things already, but here’s the unvarnished (and kind of boring) truth.

Union workers ‘overwhelmingly’ reject latest Kellogg deal

Laina G. Stebbins, Michigan Advance

Since then, it’s been reported that Kellogg’s has begun firing workers and hiring from outside the union. The internet at large is having none of it.

Michigan prosecutor charges 7 juveniles with school threats

Associated Press

A slew of “copycats” followed the Oxford High School shooting last week, and area prosecutors are taking things very seriously.

How journalists can treat their sources better

Elizabeth Lepro, IJNet

If you’ve interviewed with me, you know I already take the time to explain myself and the story I’m working on. I’m happy to have some reinforcement for that practice.