KBOCC students host forum

ZOOM FORUM–Top row l-r, time keeper, Julie Belew, candidates Susan LaFernier and Chris Swartz (Kim Klopstein). Middle l-r, Tyler Larson, Suzie Elmblad and Liz Julio. Bottom l-r, Dale Goodreau, student representative, Brent Waranka and Chris Loonsfoot. Klopstein shared the camera with Chris Swartz, and is not pictured.

 

by Teri Rowe
On Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College presented the  KBIC Tribal Council General Election Candidate Forum via Zoom. Denise M. Cadeau,  Anishinaabe Studies Department Chair Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, hosted the forum and Brent Waranka, representing the student body, asked eight questions. Baraga District Candidates attending the event Liz Julio, Chris Loonsfoot, Dale Goodreau (INC), Susan LaFernier (INC), Suzie Elmblad, Tyler Larson, Kim Klopstein (INC) and Chris Swartz (INC). To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Many hands provide free Thanksgiving dinner

MANY VOLUNTEERS–came together to put together the Free Community Turkey Dinner Thanksgiving Day for those in need. The group put together a total of 312 dinners which were picked up at the L’Anse United Methodist Church or delivered.

by Melissa Newland

Those who received meals during the Free Community Turkey Dinner have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, especially for the huge effort put in not only in the
kitchen, but behind the scenes, by many in the community. “Many months of preparation take place by volunteers, along with generous donations given by businesses, organizations and individuals towards the event. That’s what makes it all come together,” stated longtime volunteer and now organizer Sally Klaasen. She noted about 25 individuals were involved
either in the church packing meals or out delivering meals during the day Thanksgiving. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Van Straten Enterprises wins ‘Best of Show’ in Las Vegas

BEST OF SHOW–Van Straten Enterprises, Inc. has been awarded “Best of Show”, while Ford won ‘Car of the Year’ by Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) in Las Vegas, NV for its X3 Solar Generator/Charging System in the Ford Mustang Mache-E. L-r, George Van Straten, VSE/X3 Energy, LaRon Brown, Ford Motor Company, Neil Tjin, Tjin Edition and Jill Van Straten, VSE/X3 Energy.

by Teri Rowe
Baraga’s own Van Straten Enterprises, Inc. (VSE) has been awarded “Best of Show”, while Ford won ‘Car of the Year’ by Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) in Las Vegas,
NV for its X3 Solar Generator/ Charging System in the Ford Mustang Mache-E. The VSE X3 Solar Generator/Charging System highlights removable solar panels on the hood and  windshield. Solar panels on the roof and rear window can be either permanently fixed or removable. Louvers allow the electric car to operate fully without access to an EV (electric vehicle) charging station. “The SEMA Award celebrates the industry’s unique ability to identify and set trends that influence automotive enthusiasts worldwide,” said Chris Kersting—Sema President and CEO. “Consumers are able to look at SEMA Award winners for guidance on which vehicles offer the greatest opportunities for customization.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Local rally driver takes home championship title

CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER–Al Dantes, Jr., along with his beloved #50 rally car, Rexine. Dantes attended 8 rallies through the year, picking up codrivers and crew along the way. Photo by Al Dantes, Jr.

by Melissa Newland
After 10 years in the making and crossing the finish line at the Show Me Rally in Potosi, MO, Al Dantes of L’Anse officially celebrated his win for the title of 2021 American Rally Association East Division Open 2WD Driver Champion. Dantes and his team were elated to take home the hard-won honor after the event held Nov. 5-6, 2021 that they worked so hard to attain. “This year’s American Rally Association and NASA RallySport season was unbelievable for me,” said Dantes about the season. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

LAS upgrades industrial education equipment

NEW EQUIPMENT–The HAAS CNC minimill, which was added last year to LAS’s IE Building, allows students an opportunity to experience what they use in the industry. Students are able to design parts and create a program associated with it.

by Melissa Newland
The L’Anse Area School’s (LAS) Industrial Education (IE) building has had many new  equipment upgrades to help introduce students into several common local trades. This past summer, LAS hired on new IE Instructor James Oger to teach Machine Woods, Work Based Learning, Metal Fabrications and a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Foudations class. With over 20 years in the industry, Oger brings with him previous experience teaching  welding for the Gogebic – Ontonagon Intermediate School District (GOISD) and also for Southern Technical College in Orlando, FL. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

L’Anse Legion to hold 100th birthday celebration

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A CELEBRATION–will be held at the L’Anse American Legion Post #144 Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 starting at 5 p.m. to commemorate the 100th birthday of its founding and the 50th birthday of the present L’Anse American Legion Post #144.

by Melissa Newland
The American Legion has had a long history here in Baraga County and the L’Anse American Legion Post #144 will be celebrating not only the 100th birthday of its founding, but also the 50th birthday of the present L’Anse American Legion Post #144.
The event will take place Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 at the Post starting with a cocktail hour at 5 p.m. dinner at 6 p.m. and a panel conversation program presented at 7 p.m. A panel of past post commanders and longtime leaders of Post #144 has been assembled for the
event and will lead a conversation about the history of the Post along with their experiences and memories covering the past 50 years. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Covid wastewater monitoring in L’Anse Village

WASTEWATER TESTING–L-r, Erin Sprenkle, Lead Plant Operator and Jim Kempainen, Plant Operator, have been sample collectors for the COVID detection program at L’Anse WWT.

 

by Teri Rowe

Village of L’Anse Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) is taking part in a Covid-19 (SARS-Cov-2 virus) wastewater monitoring program funded by the State of Michigan. The Covid 19 virus goes through the human body and sheds through human waste, which is then treated via the wastewater treatment plant. According to Erin Sprenkle, Lead Operator of the Village of L’Anse WWTP, “Through this program, the virus can be detected (in waste water) 7 days before symptoms of the illness presents itself in a person. It is a great tool to see if the virus is trending before people become ill. “If a spike in Covid is detected, then hospitals,
schools, nursing homes, and colleges can be notified, and can prepare for the illness before confirmed cases show up at their doors”. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

 

All about the ‘Boo’ , ‘Howl’

YOUNGSTERS GATHERED–for Boo on the Bay held Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in downtown L’Anse. Many activities were available to those attending including cider, horse-drawn wagon rides, inflatables and, of course, trick or treating at the local businesses downtown.

 

by Melissa Newland

Witches, zombies and sharks, oh my! Downtown L’Anse was filled with little monsters, along with a lot of pretty princesses, pigs, angels, devils and even a little dinosaur in a cage during Boo on the Bay. Sunny skies along with temps in the 70s made for a great day to hold Boo on the Bay last Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. The event, sponsored by the L’Anse Downtown Development Authority, went from 4-6 p.m. and drew a large assortment of
costumed-clad youngsters who enjoyed the activities. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

‘Virtual walk’ for KBIC’s annual Domestic Violence Awareness event

CLEAR SKIES–were in the forecast for KBIC’s 12th annual Domestic Violence Awareness walk as those attending the event started out at the usual spot at the corner of McGillan and Lyons Street in Baraga, though people could “virtually” and physically walk any time that day.

by Melissa Newland
Walkers took to the pavement during the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s (KBIC) 12th annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month walk in memory of Chelsey LaFernier and had beautiful weather to hasten their stride this past weekend. The walk was held Saturday,  Oct. 8, 2021 and was “virtual” this year, but started out at the usual spot at the corner of McGillan and Lyons Streets, though people could “virtually” and physically walk any time that day. The event is held in memory of Chelsey, a 23- year-old KBIC Tribal member and mother of two from Baraga who lost the battle against domestic violence at the hands of her domestic partner in January of 2009.

Point Abbaye project completes phase II

Large handicap-accessible picnic area within feet of Pt. Abbaye parking lot.

by John Raffel
Baraga County clerk Wendy Goodreau and other county officials have been happy with progress made during the summer and 2021 construction season on bringing more  improvements for the countyowned park at Pt. Abbaye. Efforts continued at the 280 acres the county owns at the tip of the scenic point to provide user-friendly improvements to the rustic park. “The goal of the board is to be good stewards of that property,” Goodreau said.
“We want to make it accessible and user friendly but we have also put in measures to protect the natural resources that we have.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.