by Teri Rowe
Rich Wickstrom has finally accomplished a goal—to be certified as a
driver’s education instructor. It was something he’d wanted to do for a while, he said in an interview. When he went to Iron Mountain, he was able to observe some of his son’s classes. He observed his son in the
car, driving down there. “I got to student teach down there also,” said
Wickstrom. “That’s how it all got started.” Wickstrom was just  finishing up with a student when he stopped to talk about this new career path. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland
Due to the right conditions, including rain, moist/acidic/rich soil and
decomposing organic matter, blastomycosis has been more prevalent in the UP this year, including Baraga County. According to the CDC
website (www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/blastomycosis), “blastomycosis is a fungal infection which primarily affects the lungs and is caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis.” “The fungus lives in the
environment, particularly in moist soil and in decomposing matter such as wood and leaves,” notes the website. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland
Work is progressing at the old “All Wood” site (formerly owned by the Jacobson family) in the Village of Baraga at the former saw mill. Bean bag boards/bags, donated by Joe Kayramo from Homestead Graphics,
are now set up in the area to the right of the park and ride on US-41 along with a couple of picnic tables for public use. Village Manager  LeAnn LeClaire noted the bean bag boards/picnic table areas have been getting some good use so far, with plans on more to come to
the recreation area. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland
Being welcomed onto the grounds of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s (KBIC) Ojibwa Campgrounds during its annual  Maawanj’iding (Powwow) to join in on the celebration is always an honor and a moving experience for those attending and the 44th annual this past weekend was no exception. With beautiful weather
all three days, 608 registered dancers colorfully dressed in detailed handmade regalia, 11 drums, and more than 40 craft and food vendors, there was much to take in during the festive gathering.
“To learn about the Native American culture is wonderful,” said attendee Rene’ Lehto. “It is always very emotional watching the Grand Entry and an honor to be welcome into the celebration and be involved.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by John Raffel
The District 2 race for the Baraga County Commissioners will have a
contested race for the Republican nomination in the Aug. 2 primary.
It will feature the incumbent Brad Dakota, of Baraga, against former
long-time commissioner Michael Koskinen, of Baraga. The winner will face no Democratic opposition in the November general election. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Teri Rowe
Miss Michigan, Melissa Beyrand formerly Miss Oakland County, visited the Upper Peninsula this week. On Wednesday June 29, she stopped for lunch in Baraga at The Drive In. She visited with owners, Rob and Beth Reynolds, as well as with the wait staff. Beyrand, 22 and of Milford MI, is originally from the Grand Rapids area downstate. She was crowned Miss Michigan on June 18, 2022, during the scholarship competition at Orchard View High School in Muskegon. “This is an opportunity to promote my social impact initiative in a way I’ve never had the platform to do before,” she said after winning her Miss Michigan title. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Teri Rowe
The rain held off for visitors and vendors at the third Annual Alberta Fest Saturday, June 25. Local artists from around the area set up their booths along the sidewalk leading to the old school, and offered  everything from baked goods, tie-dyed clothing, musical instruments, jewelry, and cedar laser cut ornaments. Among the many venders and booths was Jim Leppala of ‘Jim-N-E’s Woodcrafts. He brought split maple baskets for sale. He even pulled out a template and showed a
customer just how he made it. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by John Raffel
Dawn M. Howe is the juvenile caseworker for Baraga County probate and family court and has a heavy agenda. “As the Juvenile Probate caseworker, I do probation work for juveniles involved in delinquency cases in our court as well as other prevention/intervention  programs in the community,” she said. “I’m wrapping up my first year in this position and
have some new and interesting programs I’d like people to know about. I am currently collaborating with local schools and truancy professionals from the ISD on a Truancy Prevention Program. “The probate register and I are also wrapping up our first session of a program we started called Girls on the Move. This is something we decided to pilot  independently, but will become an official Family Court program in the near future.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland
Each year, Michigan Technological University’s (MTU) Parade of Nations Committee invites students from middle and high schools of surrounding districts to design and submit logos appropriate to the theme for the event. “The World is One” is this year’s theme and those entering were tasked with making an original logo to go with it on a plain white background, using solid colors (but no more than 5 colors) and with no shading. The Parade of Nations logo contest deadline was May 15 and many students throughout the area participated including Chiara Rapacci, a 17-year-old junior exchange student from
Italy at Baraga High School, who was the winner of this year’s logo contest. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.