For the last several weeks, I’ve walked a road deep in a valley, unable to see far ahead down the path. This wasn’t particularly unfamiliar to me, my path has led me to similar places several times before, but having a readership changed things. It meant that my journey was shared. It meant that I wasn’t the only one waiting for me to reach the other side of the valley this time.
I’m happy to share that, while I haven’t crested the hill yet, I can now see the end of this particular valley.
Just yesterday, I accepted an offer for a full-time job. It’s not in any kind of media, but as far as full-time jobs go, it shouldn’t interfere much with my operation of Copper Beacon. I won’t be able to go back to reporting like I was before, but I will be able to pick up some of the things that have been left by the wayside in the last few weeks.
Now that my future in Houghton is secure again, I’ll be focusing my weekly efforts at Copper Beacon on continuing the foundation work and forging agreements with local schools and freelancers for content. These agreements are more than handshakes, our lawyer Alex is helping draft real legal agreements. I’ll be part of the editorial process to make sure we can keep quality up to Copper Beacon standards. The student writers and freelancers will be paid a fair rate for their work.
Copper Beacon is being built to last, brick by brick.
A project I’d like to undertake soon is organizing some local debates among our candidates for county, city, and maybe even state offices. I imagine Copper Beacon as the organizer with all the other local media invited to cover the debates as they see fit. I’d like to hear from you if you have any ideas other than a traditional debate that I might want to investigate before putting things down on paper to propose to people.
One last thing — Thanks for bearing with me through another transition. I really appreciate it.
J. Vissers
Community Calendar
Updated for March 26, 2022
Wednesday’s mobile food pantry in Ontonagon has been moved up to noon, don’t be late!
Other News (aggregated, not sponsored)
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Notice of Availability released for Keweenaw Lower Entrance Light
TV6 News Team
As a non-profit, Copper Beacon could be eligible for this light. It could be our new office. Fitting, right? Not very centrally located, though. The only time I’ve actually seen the light was from onboard the Inland Seas.
WUPHD confirms new Omicron sub-variant is in the Western Upper Peninsula
Thomas Fournier, ABC10UP
“An increasing number of COVID cases in Michigan are comprised of a second sub-variant. Omicron BA.2, as of last week, accounted for 99 new infections in Michigan.”
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week
The Associated Press
False attributions, statistics, and videos; nothing new on the internet this week, just the same old recycled falsehoods. Don’t get fooled with these old tricks!