by Melissa Newland A joyous ceremony was held last week to celebrate the graduation of 45 seniors and families, friends, and members of the community gathered in the L’Anse Area School gymnasium to honor the achievements of the L’Anse High School (LHS) graduating class of 2025. The evening began Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 7 p.m. with remarks welcoming  from Lisa Cichosz, the high school principal. Reflecting on her unique connection to the students, Cichosz noted, “Today is a day filled with pride, joy and reflection. After all, this was my first fourth grade class. Graduation is more than just the end of a chapter; it is a powerful milestone that marks the beginning of a journey. Today is a reminder that every step forward is built on courage, commitment and the support around us.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland The Baraga Area School (BAS) gymnasium was filled with joy, pride, and anticipation as administration, faculty, staff, family, friends, and community members gathered to attend the 134th Annual Commencement ceremony for the graduating class of 2025. This memorable evening took place on Friday, May 23, 2025, and honored the accomplish ments of 15 Baraga High School (BHS) seniors and 8 Baraga Area Community Schools (BACS) students as they transitioned from high school graduates to the builders of their future. The event began with a processional as the graduates confidently walked into the gymnasium to the iconic strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed with precision by the Baraga High School Band. This was followed by a solemn tribute to honor the students and a performance of the Honor Song by Summer Cloud, encapsulating the pride and cultural essence of the evening. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by John Raffel Heavy and quick rainfall in the county last week resulted in flooding, road closures and heavy destruction to the area, which have various types of impact for quite some time. Some business were forced to close for either a few hours or perhaps a few days depending on the location and circumstances. The Baraga County Road Commission made the following posting late last week outlining various closures. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Baraga Area School elementary students celebrated music last week on Friday, May 9, as family and friends were treated to a Spring Concert in the Baraga School gymnasium. For the last song, students sang “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, a song by John Denver, for retiring teacher Kathi Warner. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.  

by Melissa Newland The air was humming with excitement and pride as administration, faculty, staff, family, friends, and community members gathered to celebrate the 2025 graduates of the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) on Friday. The Honors and Commencement Ceremony was held May 2, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Niiwin Akeea Center gym in Baraga and began with the processional by Summer Cloud, whose drumbeat brought the audience members to their collective feet. It also brought forth the posting of the Colors by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Honor Guard followed by the 17 graduates wearing signature red caps and gowns, taking their place amongst the largest graduating class yet from KBOCC. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.  

by John Raffel There’s nothing more fun than for young, eager Baraga County hunters to have success during the ongoing turkey hunting season. Isaac Berger bagged a tom opening morning (April 19) with an 8 1/2-inch beard and one inch spurs. Aybri Sorenson bagged her first tom ever the day after, just before noon, with a 9 1/4-inch beard and 7/8 inch spurs. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland Families and community members gathered for a delightful performing arts show put on by the Northern Michigan University (NMU) Wildcat Performing Arts Academy (WPAA) at the Skanee Town Hall last week. The academy brought 15 talented students to perform songs, dances, and short acting skits for the audience on Monday, April 14, 2025. Most of the NMU students were pursuing degrees in dance or performing arts or were double majoring with another specialty. The WPAA School Education Expedition began that morning at 9 a.m. when the WPAA team arrived to unload the bus, set up the space, and rehearsed. The house opened at 10 a.m., allowing the audience to arrive, and the show started promptly thereafter. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland Excitement filled the air last week in the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) Great Start Readiness Program’s (GSRP) classroom as the Little Eagles (Migiziinsag) students welcomed Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College’s (KBOCC) Land Grant team on Thursday. Cindy Wiltse, Land Grant Coordinator; Kit Laux, Land Director; and Grant Suzie Kahkonen, Land Grant Assistant, were present from KBOCC and were met with joy and enthusiasm from both the students and teachers for the day’s activity. The fun and educational exercise was designed to connect the children with traditional Ojibwa food practices and involved making yogurt parfaits. The team provided students with an assortment of fresh fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, and bananas, allowing each child to learn the basics of fruit preparation by washing, cutting, and assembling their own parfaits. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.