by Barry Drue
A long-standing local Thanksgiving tradition is returning to the community. For most of the last 20 years the Bethel United Pentecostal Church and a host of volunteers have sponsored a Thanksgiving meal for all who want to participate. Many shut-ins and those alone for the holiday enjoyed a huge turkey meal with all the trimmings, right down to the pumpkin pie. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
by Barry Drue
A huge turnout, thousands of first-time absentee ballots, a long ballot, endlessly long voting lines, a COVID pandemic and all the controversy of this entire national election season couldn’t derail the voting in Baraga County. County Clerk Wendy Goodreau and the county Board of Canvassers met last Thursday and found a remarkably clean election has been conducted. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
by Barry Drue
Baraga County Shelter Home staff and volunteers want the larger community to know all of the shelter’s traditional services are being provided to clients in need. The COVID pandemic drove staff to working remotely when possible, beginning last March. “We pretty-much went remote from the get-go,” said Executive Director Angela Kolehmainen. “We’re still offering all of our services, following health department guidelines. If a client needs face-to-face we’re using masks, sanitizing, distancing.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
by Nancy Besonen
Hunting seasons could take a hit this fall due to a shortage of ammunition. Wilkinson’s Store and Woodland Firearms & Supply in Baraga and Indian Country Sports in L’Anse all report ammunition is becoming an increasingly rare commodity. With the fall hunt winding up, stocks are down, and there’s little relief in sight. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
by Melissa Newland
With the dramatic increase to the number of Absentee Voter (AV) ballots issued county-wide, Township Clerks have had their plates full. “The 2020 election cycle has ushered in a dramatic increase in AV voting” stated Baraga County Clerk Wendy Goodreau. The reason for the increase, Goodreau noted, is partly due to the passage of a constitutional amendment to allow no-reason absentee voting (2018), but noted it was more likely due to the current COVID 19 pandemic. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
by Barry Drue
A public information and comment process is underway in the five-year effort of the L’Anse Warden Electric Co. (LWEC) to secure a Renewable Operating Permit (ROP) through the Air Quality Division, Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The Environmental Protection Agency also reviews the ROP. Warden was sold in January, 2020. Libra Capital US, Inc. is the current owner. The last ROP was issued two owners ago to Traxys Power Group. Convergen Energy had owned LWEC until January.
To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
by Barry Drue and Nancy Besonen
A sudden storm that struck after dark on Friday night, Sept. 25, 2020, ripped through Baraga and L’Anse toppling huge trees and downing power lines throughout the area. Power was out for many hours although it was back on for many people by midday Saturday. The storm hit the area around 10 p.m. The eerie, pitch-black scene and sudden blast of damage was backlit by lightning flashes and parts of Baraga where power remained on. The storm tore through Baraga, littering U.S. 41 with trees and closing the highway from M-38 to The Pines. Baraga Cemetery was hit hard as many trees toppled. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
by Barry Drue
A confirmed COVID-19 case resulted in closure of Baraga Area Schools on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020. Word went out to staff, parents and students via social media and the district’s web site in the early morning hours Monday. School resumed on Tuesday after health department contact tracing. Superintendent Rich Sarau wrote on Monday, “We are working closely with the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department to identify exposures and prevent further cases. The school feels it is in the best interest and safety of the staff, students and community to close the building to students. . .in order to allow for thorough contact tracing.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
Editor’s note: The Arvon Township School board and staff provided the following look at reopening for the 2020-21 school year: Arvon Township School began the new year online in a very unique way. Students and teachers interact with each other throughout the school day and the structure closely mimics spending a day in the classroom. Students meet in whole groups and individually by grade. A morning snack break, lunch time and a “recess” period is incorporated into the day. Families have the option of participating in the school lunch program and meals are delivered to the school for pick up. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
by Barry Drue
L’Anse Fire Department hosted another rope rescue training over two weekends in August. Training involved classroom instruction, rope rescue “elevations” practice off the fire hall tower, and rope technician training at Canyon Falls. LFD Training Officer Cory Frisk and Safety Officer Derek Dougovito took the lead in arranging the class. Five LFD members received their Rope Technician Certificates after the classes. They are Ken Harju, Fabian Kristo, Lyle Olsen, Dougovito and Frisk. Need for rope rescue is growing in this area with popular—and potentially dangerous—attractions. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
