Community rallies for Sanregret; Improving from autoimmune disease

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SHARP SHOOTER–Taylor Sanregret shows off her Sharp Shooter award in the above picture. Taylor has been recovering from a medical condition called autoimmune encephalitis, which led to a prolonged hospital stay at Helen Devos Children’s Hospital.

by Melissa Newland
Taylor Sanregret, an active, athletic 15-year-old L’Anse youth, is now home and recovering from a battle with autoimmune encephalitis, but still has a ways to go to fight off the illness. But with family, friends and community members gathering around her, heading up fundraisers and sending up prayers, Taylor has had much support in her time of need. Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) refers to a group of conditions that occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain cells, leading to inflammation of the brain. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

L’Anse celebrates its solar project

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RIBBON CUTTING–L’Anse celebrated the completion of its Community Solar Project on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. Many entities and organizations came together to make the 340-panel, 110 kw solar project possible. L’Anse electric customers can buy into the project and reduce their electric bills. L-R, Village President Ron Ervast, WPPI Energy board chairman Jeff Feldt, Village Manager Bob LaFave, village council trustees Kerri Sikkila, Christopher Miller, James Hulkonen and council president pro-tem Leanne Davis. People can still purchase remaining panels.

 

by Barry Drue
Citizens, utility representatives and local, state and federal officials gathered Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, to celebrate the L’Anse Community Solar Project. The impressive project was possible through a successful collaboration of numerous entities. Two large arrays of solar panels were erected by Peninsula Solar and the Lambert Road Industrial Park, which is itself a long-sought successful project now that it has full utilities and all-season roads. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Meyers gets 22.5-40 years; Judge follows sentence recommendation

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MURDER SENTENCE–Genevieve Meyers, right, was sentenced to prison in circuit court Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. Seated left is Probation Agent Tanya Etelamaki, standing left is Prosecutor Joseph O’Leary. Seated behind is retired MSP trooper Pat Butler who helped investigate the case. Standing with Meyers is Public Defender David Gemignani.

by Barry Drue
Genevieve Lynn Meyers, 38, of L’Anse, was sentenced to 22.5 to 40 years in prison for the December 2017, death of her then-two year-old nephew, Walker Donald Meyers. Genevieve Meyers pleaded no contest to a count of Second Degree Murder in Baraga County Circuit Court on Aug. 14, 2019. Circuit Judge Charles Goodman handed down the sentence on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. At sentencing Prosecuting Attorney Joseph O’Leary termed the  case the most difficult and emotional he’s had in his career. He spoke of the tragedy involved in Walker’s murder. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Longtime USPS carrier hangs up her bag

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BENEFITS–of delivering the mail included visits with the many dogs Stewart-Wagner met along her way, like this pup who came to visit.

by Nancy Besonen
After 34 1/2 years on the job, Laura Stewart-Wagner has hung up her mail bag. Technically it’s a bin, but Laura was packing leather when she first began her postal career in her hometown of Somerville, N.J. in 1984. She was active from the start in her Letter Carrier’s Union, and is still a proud supporter of the organization that has always had her back. “The Letter Carriers Union is one of the strongest,” she said. “It’s kept postal salaries high, work places safe and great benefits for the letter carriers. I’ve always been proud to be a member.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Perfect day for a cruise!

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SWEET RIDES–The eighth annual Cue Master “Cue Cruise” brought some fine vintage and custom iron to Superior Avenue in Baraga Saturday. The weather was perfect for the display and cruise which attracted 52 registered vehicles. With lots of construction in Baraga the cruise was moved to the L’Anse side. Participants also stopped in the Frostie Freeze for free soft serve cones.

by Barry Drue
Vehicle enthusiasts filled Baraga and L’Anse Saturday, Aug. 17, for the 2019 Cue Master “Cue Cruise”. The eighth annual event, like always, featured a long procession of classics cruising from Baraga to L’Anse. Downtown construction in Baraga forced the cruise to the L’Anse side of the bay this year. After a trip down Whirl- I-Gig the group was treated to free soft serve cones by the Deschaines at the Frostie Freeze–a tradition since the cruise  began. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Sunshine, suds enjoyed at fest

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BEER FEST CROWD–Quite a number of people turned out for the fourth annual Baraga County Beer Fest Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, sponsored by the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce.

by Melissa Newland
Some great Michigan brews were swilled, as well as sipped, at the fourth annual Baraga County Beer Fest. The event, sponsored by the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce (BCC) and organized by the NextGen Group, was held Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019 from 2-6 p.m. at the L’Anse Waterfront Park featuring more than twenty breweries. The mix of brews, wine and sunshine brought in quite a crowd to the park to enjoy a relaxing day of test tasting of the many different Michigan and Wisconsin beers, meads, cider, wine, and seltzer that were offered. This was the first year the NextGen Group has taken over the Beer Fest for the BCC and event coordinator, Jessica Schwab, noted that despite it being the group’s first year, the event went well. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Students explore Germany, Italy, Switzerland

After Friday rain, great weekend drew crowds to Baraga County Fair.

by Melissa Newland/Rebecca Keyes
The L’Anse International Travel Club had a fun-filled 10-day trip for 2019, visiting Germany, Italy and Switzerland. The club partners with Education First (EF), and this was Club Advisor/Group Leader Rebecca Keyes’ fifth trip with the club, with the club having made seven trips thus far. The group set out for the adventure June 18 and returned June 27 and included ten LAS students, Kayla Dakota, Nathaniel Gransell, Camryn Hahn, Ethan Hansen, Kayla Hoffman, Alana Jorgenson, Kayla Kujansuu, Sarah Mills, Alayna Waara and Jessica Wickstrom. One parent chaperone, Jennifer Gransell, and one LAS chaperone/teacher, Holly Belanger, also accompanied the students. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Crowd comes out for Pow Wow

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GRAND ENTRY–The 2019 Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Maawanj’iding (Pow Wow) opened on Friday evening, July 26 with the traditional Grand Entry. All dancers are invited to join in the celebration, followed by an invocation and special recognitions. The 41st Annual Pow Wow ran from July 24-28 and featured four grand entries and free admission at the Ojibwa Campgrounds in Baraga.

by Nancy Besonen
The Ojibwa Campgrounds on US-41 in Baraga resonated this past weekend with the sights, sounds and power of the 41st Annual KBIC Maawanj’iding. The Pow Wow began on a quiet note with the KBIC 6th annual Water Walk starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, with a feast following. A Sunrise Ceremony and Fire Lighting greeted the next day, followed by a ground blessing and feast in preparation for the first Grand Entry Friday at 7 p.m. Crowd control was engaged to handle the sheer volume of traffic at Friday night’s opening. Vehicles were parked from the highway to Sand Point Lighthouse, and visitors still kept pouring in. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Musicians bring crowd to Aura

MUSIC GALORE–Many musicians took the stage at the 43rd annual Aura Jamboree Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20. The weather was perfect for the two-day event, with approximately 1200 people coming out to enjoy the performances. “Rolling Thunder” is pictured above playing for the crowd.

by Melissa Newland
Musicians and spectators alike came out July 19-20, 2019 to enjoy the 43rd annual Aura Jamboree held at the Aura Community Hall. According to Aura Hall Vice President Rene’ Lehto, approximately 1200 people came out to enjoy the event. Current Aura Hall board members, including President Mike Roberts, Vice President Rene’ Lehto, Secretary Darlene VanWert, Treasurer Kate Beer, and trustees Mary Williams, Fred Roberts, Ed Kilpela, Cindy Roberts and Angie Mayo, and many other volunteer community members come together every year to pull this event together. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Tragedy teaches lessons

MAKING THE TRIP–Roth family and friends at Storm King Mountain in Colorado. This is the 25th year since 14 firefighters were lost in a blaze that continues to teach fire managers how to conduct their dangerous jobs more safely. Roger Roth of L’Anse was killed in the South Canyon Fire. L-r, Dan Buckley who worked with Roger, Staci Roth and husband Jim in back, Wally and Carol Roth, center, and Mike Roth at right. Jim has made it his work to design safer firefighting equipment.

by Barry Drue
Twenty-five years has not diminished the loss and grief faced by the family and friends of 14 wild land firefighters killed in a fire blow-up on Storm King Mountain in Colorado. The toll included smoke jumpers from McCall ID, and among those who jumped in and perished on July 6, 1994, was then 30 year-old Roger Roth of L’Anse. That day changed many lives forever, including those of family and friends of the lost firefighters, and the entire wildland fire community. The South Canyon Fire has served as a training tool for firefighters to do their dangerous jobs safer and more effectively. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.