Late Edition, May 22, 2021
New stresses and opportunities for local parks, trails and campgrounds, ATV adventure, Ontonagon updates, and more
BREAK-IN UPDATE: If you haven’t heard already, there was a very large fire in the heart of Calumet Friday night into Saturday. No residents were injured, but three firefighters were hurt fighting the fire. TV6 is doing a good job of keeping updated, collecting photos, and sharing information about how to help. They’re reporting 20-30 people have been displaced, including several children.
Dianne St Amour of the AmericInn Calumet is coordinating donations and dropoffs. She can be reached at 906-337-6463.
Hello everyone!
It’s been a productive week as I prepared the stories below and get ready for a big feature series I’m expecting to start rolling out early in June. I’m really excited to share it with you, but I’m taking the time it requires to get it right.
Local camps and trails face flood of visitors, but opportunity lurks, too
With the recent influx of people to outdoor areas during the pandemic, some local resources have been strained. But the new focus on outdoor activity across the nation is offering some opportunities for development, too.
Plus, there are pictures of dogs.
Meet Wally. He ‘helps’ his owners with some trail maintenance in the Ottawa National Forest.
ATV Waterfall Adventure!
I got to have some fun this week, as I was invited along to the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 ATV Waterfall Adventure. Hundreds of people took to side-by-side and personal ATVs to visit ten waterfalls, Mount Arvon (the highest natural peak in Michigan), and the historic rock cut. And I got photos! (Video pending)
Ontonagon Village approves Syl’s Cafe sidewalk dining, sewer line repair
By Bruce Johanson
Another solid update from Bruce. The Ontonagon Village Council is still recovering from issues that were evidently left behind by the former manager, but things seem to be coming along.
Sunshine Calendar
This past week, the Hancock City Council met. As usual, you can see the video (which I recorded in person this week) and the council information packet on the calendar.
I’d also like to share a couple more specific links in the video, though.
In chronological order, first are some comments surrounding the continued use of Zoom to share meetings online. While the Houghton County Board seems to be content with continuing their Zoom streaming, both Hancock and Houghton cities have expressed some likelihood of discontinuing their digital participation and streaming.
I have every intention of continuing to record and post the meetings of these three bodies, but if you want to be able to digitally participate in your city council meetings (or even watch live), now is the time to let your councilors know. While many people can make it to the meetings in person, those who are homebound, busy caring for kids, or working late could take advantage of streaming meetings where they would be otherwise barred from participation in their government.
The second spot I’d like to share is some discussion about legislation in Lansing concerning the rental property in residentially zoned areas. If you own a rental, live in a rental, or live next to a rental property, this could impact you.
Lastly, I think I’d be a little remiss if I didn’t share Councilor John Haeussler’s “indignation” about cable franchise agreements. Notice of the providers’ ability to essentially approve their own franchise is actually included in the board packet (p. 72). Haeussler is frustrated at the state of affairs, which he says has the city playing a neat-and-tidy role written for them by the cable providers, in exchange for some tax revenue and at cable customer’s expense. It’s interesting, at the least. I could say it’s a lot more, too.
Hey, That’s Neat
A couple of nice videos came out about our area this week. They’re marketing videos, not journalism, but each has some great drone shots of the local area and features local people. I’ve interviewed most of the people in these videos!
Other News (aggregated, not sponsored)
Click on the headlines to read the full story.
Impacts of Dark Store Theory in the Upper Peninsula
by Isabell Karl, Rural Insights
This is the most complete assessment of Dark Store Theory I’ve ever seen. It’s long, but written in an understandable manner and broken up into sections so you can focus on the parts you don’t already understand or have more interest in.
Portage Paddle Sports opens for summer this week
by Jesse Wiederhold, Upper Michigan Source
The title almost says it all, but there are a few more details in the story.
No crowd limits outside June 1, inside July 1
by David Eggert, Associated Press
With vaccinations progressing and CDC guidelines relaxing, Gov. Whitmer’s administration is backing down on some of their previously outlined reopening plans.
Air Force exercises happening in Michigan this month
From TV6
This isn’t much more than a press release, but I thought I should share it after an A-10 buzzed South Range on Thursday. It was low. I can’t estimate height because I don’t know how big an A-10 is up close, but I’d bet it was breaking some FAA rules.
Amid threats to members, House to vote on new security
By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press
“…many members of Congress say they fear for their personal safety more than they did before the siege. Several say they have boosted security measures to protect themselves and their families, money for which will be part of a broad $1.9 billion spending bill that the House will vote on this week…”
That’s all for this week!
Next weekend I’ll be headed out of town for a long weekend, but I plan on lining up the Legislative Action Update in advance so if you’re not busy doing something else for the weekend, you’ll still have something to read on Sunday morning. It will be relatively brief, but I don’t think I can do nothing.
Have a great week!