BCMH awarded grant for patient transport vehicle

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GRANT AWARDED–Baraga County Memorial Hospital has announced Copper Shores Community Health Foundation has awarded BCMH a grant to purchase a dedicated patient transport vehicle. Standing next to the new BCHM vehicle are from left Emily McIntye, Rhona Williams, Inga Johnson and Dr. Piconne.

 

by John Raffel
Baraga County Memorial Hospital has announced Copper Shores Community Health Foundation has awarded BCMH a grant to purchase a dedicated patient transport vehicle.
A hospital spokesman said the vehicle’s main purpose will be to provide support for BCMH’s Senior Life Solutions program, which started senior group therapy sessions and individual counseling last week. The hospital said more information about Senior Life Solutions is available by call (906) 524-3211. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

 

 

Covington gas station building destroyed by fire

COVINGTON FIRE–A fire was reported around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the Covington gas station at the intersection of US-141 and M28. firefighters were credited with preventing the flames from spreading to the pumps and underground tanks.

by John Raffel
A fire destroyed the gas station at the intersection of US-141 and M-28 at Covington, a key focal point of the area. The fire was reported around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, to the
building that also served as a store and office. Firefighters were credited with preventing the flames from spreading to the pumps and underground tanks. “Everything on the Covington fire is preliminary at this point,” Baraga County sheriff Joseph Brogan said. “I’ll know more after the State Fire Marshal Division processes the scene.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

 

Huttema’s goat herdshare is growing in size

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LOOKING RELAXED–Rebecca Huttema milks one of the family goats, with both her and the goat looking very relaxed during the process. Herdshares are available for purchase through the Huttema’s and those interested may contact Rebecca through her Facebook Messenger page.

by Melissa Newland
What started out as a goal of self-sustainability for the Huttema family of Skanee has quickly turned into a resource for friends and community members in the way of goat milk.
Rebecca and Todd along with their daughter Ivy literally have their hands full at their little
cabin in the woods on the Little Huron Road milking goats, feeding pigs, collecting eggs, and delivering goods to local neighbors. When they first started their goat adventure, the
Huttema’s noted they welcomed two goats, though that number has quickly multiplied and are now the happy owners of 12 goats in total, six of which are in milk and get milked to add income to the Huttema household. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

 

Beautiful fair weekend

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WATERMELON WINNER–Winner of the ages 7 to 11 watermelon eating contest Garret Wuornos of Pelkie smiles after eating a massive chunk of watermelon faster than anyone else.

by Porter Davis
The Baraga County Fair, an annual event for everything from cows and horses to mudding and magic. Growing and changing from year to year, the county fair has always been a great way to spend a weekend of entertainment for people near and far. Held in its annual location just before the old Pelkie Schoolhouse in Pelkie between the dates of Aug. 3 and Aug. 6, 2023, the fair brought large crowds and provided quality fun. The fair officially began on Thursday with the arrival of small animals in an animal building where they were judged, followed by an interview of county queen candidates. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Fish tourney numbers up

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KING SALMON–and winner of the sixth annual Women’s Fishing Tournament was team The Struggle is Reel with Captain Curt Pennington (r) and fisherwoman Carrie Wetor (middle), who managed to bring in a whopping 30 pounds 9 ounces of fish total all by herself, also taking the category of Biggest Fish with her catch of this 12-pound 5-ounce King Salmon. Captain’s buddy, Dale Wetor, (l), was also on board to keep the Captain company.

by Melissa Newland
Though the morning was a bit cool on Lake Superior for the start of the 6th annual Women’s Fishing Tournament, the fishing was hot as were the beautiful ladies who were
out in force this year trying to win First Place. The Women’s Tournament was held Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the Whirl-I-Gig and reeled in 51 women (compared to 26 last year)
partnered into 17 teams (eight last year) with an allowance of up to 4- women per boat and one captain and, new this year, a captain’s buddy. Fishing started at an early hour
of 5 a.m., with boats having to be off the water by 3 p.m. Weigh in was held at the Whirl-I-Gig from 3-5 p.m., with prizes awarded for First, Second, and Third places for the highest total weight of five fish and one for the heaviest fish. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Powwow celebrates 45 years

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GRAND ENTRY– The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s (KBIC) Maawanj’iding (Powwow) took place this past weekend at the Ojibwa campgrounds. The grand entry consisted of the presenting of the colors, a presentation of the tribal flags and staffs by veterans, followed by each drum group taking over one after another, and dancers filing into the dance circle.

by Porter Davis

Let’s start out with a bit of history. Long before the United States, the pilgrims, or the settlement of the Americas by the Europeans, the Great Lakes region and the Upper
Peninsula were home a nation of peoples indigenous to the land. In Upper Michigan, the Anishinaabe, or Ojibwa, were the first people to settle around Lake Superior. Stretching into Canada, northern Wisconsin, and Minnesota, the Ojibwa have lived around Lake Superior for at least a thousand years or more. In all this time, the nation’s rich culture and history has grown to encompass many of the modern-day people that live in their ancestral home. Such cultural traditions and celebrations have been extended into a Powwow held by the
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Jamboree draws big crowd

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OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES–were scattered around the grounds of the Aura Community Hall this past weekend with spectators enjoying a variety of music at the 45th Annual Aura Jamboree. An old car/farm equipment display was also set up at the Aura Ball Field.

by Melissa Newland
Aura Hall Board members and many volunteers were kept plenty busy before, during, and after the 45th Annual Aura Jamboree which took place this past weekend and welcomed visitors and musicians both locally and out of state. Both performers and spectators  enjoyed the beautiful weather during the weekend, with performances being done around the grounds and in the hall during the late afternoon on Friday July 15 starting at 5 p.m.
Rain and thunderstorms starting at around 9:30 p.m. didn’t dampen the mood though as it drove outside crowds indoors to listen to the sounds of “Rolling Thunder” and “Chad Borgen and the Collective” playing for the crowd who hit the dance floor from 8 a.m. until midnight. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Lumberjack Days draws crowd

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DEER SEASON–The Lumberjack Days parade took place on the fouth of July. The 1st place float “Deer Season”, was created by Pettibone and it rolled through soaking the crowd in water to cool down and have some fun.

by Porter Davis
Baraga County’s annual Lumberjack Days has been a central part of Independence Day for the area since the early 1970’s, though the tradition began in 1969. The original Lumberjack Days centered around the Lumberjack Dance in which a local queen was crowned and reigned in the festivities. These days, a new queen is crowned and opens the ceremony with a street dance where all are welcome. The 2023 Lumberjack Days began on Monday, July 3, at 6:30 p.m. and the new queen, Kianna Schroeder of Baraga, was crowned shortly. Following the ceremony, the street dance began and lasted until midnight.
The following day, the Fourth of July, was kicked off with a pancake breakfast by Baraga  Lions Club at Baraga Area Schools as well as a 5k run that had great turnout. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Deputies join department

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William Jondreau and Jamas Gustafson.

by John Raffel
Baraga County sheriff Joseph Brogan has announced two new deputy additions to the staff over the past several months. Brogan said Jamas Gustafson was hired by the Sheriff’s Office in September of 2022. Gustafson, according to the release, is a 2016 graduate of LaSalle High School, a 2018 Northern Michigan University graduate with an associates degree in Criminal Justice. It was added that Gustafson was an assistant football coach last fall with the L’Anse Junior High Football team. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Baraga County tests emergency response

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OUT IN FULL FORCE–Baraga County ran drills on emergency response to an active shooter situation on Wednesday, June 21 in L’Anse. Above, four ambulances arrive on the scene, each testing their speed and ability to treat and transport victims.

by Porter Davis

No one wants to think about school shootings, let alone imagine one could happen in a small town like L’Anse, but that is a potential reality we all face. As firearms become the leading cause of death among children in the United States, with gun violence a significant factor, local emergency services must be prepared for the worst. On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, the full Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and law enforcement of Baraga County were drilled on their reactions and proficiencies in dealing with a potential active shooting situation at L’Anse Area Schools (LAS). LAS partially hosted the drill after nonparticipants had left for the day. Several students and staff volunteered to be faux victims of an armed assailant, fit with makeup and prosthetics to make the drill as real as possible. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.