by Barry Drue

The second phase of a multi-year plan to improve access and facilities at the county park at Pt. Abbaye is expected to be completed this fall before snow flies. The rugged, rocky shores at the tip of the point are popular with tourists and local residents alike. The largely grant-funded projects were approved by the Pt. Abbaye Planning Committee back in 2011 after significant public input. The committee included Bill Menge, Don Mankee, Doug Mills, Bob Korth, Calvin and Roy Koski. County Clerk Wendy Goodreau noted that Phase 1 was completed in 2018, Phase 2 will be most likely done this fall mainly to improve trails and add some picnic areas, and future trail work will be done in Phase 3. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Nancy Besonen

Business is booming at the Baraga State Park this summer. “I’ve worked here (Baraga State Park) for 20 years, and this is one of the busiest I can remember,” said WOC Unit Supervisor Kelly Somero. “We’re full all the time.” The park opened June 22, 2020. It typically opens at the end of April or beginning of June, Somero said, but the camping season was delayed by restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus. The Baraga State Park usually closes up shop at the end of October. Based on the steady stream of traffic since the season finally started, the camping public would appear to be making up for lost time. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Editor’s note: Next door neighbors Barb and Mark Summersett and Jackie and Joe Treadeau suffered heavy home damage in the July 19, 2020, wind and rain storm. Each couple responded with their stories and sincere thanks to the community.  Summersetts: I wanted to share a few pictures from our home, and a story following the storm on July 19. There are plenty more pictures between ours and our next door neighbors, Joe and Jackie Treadeau. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Nancy Besonen

Areas of Baraga County are still reeling from a blow that caused substantial damage early Sunday morning, July 19, 2020. Pelkie, Pequaming, Alston-Nisula and Keweenaw Bay were the hardest hit by the rainstorm that was accompanied in areas by straight line winds. Buildings were damaged, trees uprooted and snapped and a nursery was flattened at Hulkkonen’s farm in Nisula before the storm moved out before daybreak. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland

Baraga Area School (BAS) is still a  couple of weeks out in determining the start of school, but hopes to have in-person classrooms for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. According to BAS Superintendent Rich Sarau, right now BAS is in the process of making a committee to include members from the school board, community, teachers, and Sarau, which will be deriving a plan for this fall and the return o students to in-person or virtual classrooms. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Barry Drue

Baraga County Memorial Hospital is slowly resuming normal operations, but “normal” is nothing like it was prior to Coronavirus. An abundance of caution is in place to protect staff, patients and the community. Baraga County has recorded only one COVID-19 case, now considered recovered. That person was not treated at BCMH. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.