Tribal voters narrow field

Tammy
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High interest–Voters across the nation and certainly, across Baraga County had lots of interest in casting ballots in the General Election on Nov. 6, 2018. Early in the day the polling was not crowded but steady at the L’Anse Township Hall, above. Key races have shaped up there for supervisor and trustee seats. L’Anse and Baraga school districts also had important millage proposals. Results were not in by press deadline.

 

by Melissa Newland
Unofficial results of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) primary election are in. Registered voters now have a choice between 10 candidates from the Baraga District and 8 from the L’Anse District for tribal council and three candidates for the position of chief judge. Votes were cast on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, with 60 percent of registered voters participating in this election. Candidates for Baraga District tribal council seats were Warren “Chris” Swartz, Jr. (incumbent), Elizabeth “Beth” Connor, Marty Curtis, Jr., James “JD” Denomie, Sue Ellen “Suzie” Elmblad, Gerald H. Friisvall, Kim Klopstein, Michael P. Lahti and Jerry Magnant “Mayo.” Candidates for L’Anse District tribal council seats were Susan J. LaFernier (incumbent), Jennifer Misegan (incumbent), Lyndon Ekdahl, Floyd J. Forcia, Jr., Dale F. Goodreau, David Haataja, Jean (Halverson) Jokinen and Chris C. Voakes. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Candidates seek school board seats

Tammy
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Ghastly graveyard–Thrill seekers of all ages enjoyed the annual Howl-O-Scream haunted house held at Meadowbrook Arena in L’Anse the past three weekends every Friday and Saturday. Approximately 900 people attended the three-weekend event, coming from as far as Marquette.

by Nancy Besonen
Electors in the Nov. 6, 2018, election will cast votes for school board of education members for L’Anse Area Schools, Baraga Area Schools, and Arvon Township Schools. The L’Anse Sentinel contacted two new candidates in L’Anse, and three in a contested race in Arvon to request background information, and to allow them to weigh in on issues affecting schools. Their replies follow: L’Anse Area Schools Two candidates are seeking two open  seats for the L’Anse Area Schools Board of Education. Katie Waara and Brooke Osterman, both newcomers, are on the ballot. Stepping down after their six-year terms are Anne Koski and Jason Ayres. The L’Anse candidates were provided the following questionnaire: 1. What is your background? (education, work experience, family) 2. Why are you seeking a seat on the school board? 3. What do you feel are some of the issues currently impacting the schools? 4. Decreasing enrollment is a factor across the UP. How would you deal with the financial impact? To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

FHM moves on petition

Tammy
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INTENT TO PETITION–Bob Kissel, right, a member of the Friends of the Huron Mountains, submits an intent to file petitions to Township Clerk Brian Jentoft. The petition is to seek a referendum regarding amendments to the L’Anse Township Zoning Ordinance. Photo submitted by Burt Mason.

 

by Melissa Newland
A notice of intent to file a petition seeking a referendum regarding amendments to the L’Anse Township zoning ordinance was given to Township Clerk Brian Jentoft by Friends of the Huron Mountains (FHM) member, and township resident, Robert Kissel. FMH has publically voiced its opinion at many meetings regarding the changes to the ordinance and previously stated it would file a petition to block the change if needed. The notice of intent was accomplished by Kissel on Oct. 19, 2018, at the L’Anse Township Hall. The intent to file petition is in regards to the zoning amendments on wind energy made by the L’Anse Township Board on Oct. 11, 2018. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Walkers honor LaFernier

Tammy
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MEMORIAL WALK–A crowd came out for the Chelsey LaFernier Memorial Walk for Domestic Violence in Baraga on Saturday, pictured above on M-38 on its way to the Niiwin Akeaa Facility for a presentation and feast. Support hasn’t flagged in the nine years since LaFernier lost her life to domestic violence. Participants from elders to toddlers commemorated the event last week.

by Nancy Besonen
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) will not let the memory of Chelsey LaFernier die. Nine years after the 23- year-old mother of two was killed in an act of domestic violence, a crowd came out Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Baraga to walk, listen, learn and pay its respects at the annual Chelsey LaFernier Memorial Walk Saturday. Hosted by the KBIC OVW (Office on Violence against Women) Programs & Services, the event began at 9 a.m. with a Water Ceremony at Sand Point. At 11:30 a.m. registration began at the corner of McGillan and Lyons streets in Baraga, where the walk would commence at noon. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

 

Senate bill endangers roads during break-up

Tammy
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Purple power–High school students from L’Anse Area School celebrated homecoming on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. During the week, they celebrated spirit week at LAS with different dress up days and an assembly on Friday, playing games and vying for first place amongst the different classes. The parade went from the Rez Stop on Main Street, through the intersection and back up to LAS, where floats were judged. Trevor Nankervis and Autumn Kahkonen were king and queen.

by Barry Drue
Baraga County Road Commission Engineer Doug Mills is very concerned about a proposed Michigan Senate bill that would exempt log trucks and forestry equipment from spring thaw road restrictions. Term-limited 38th District Senator Tom Casperson introduced Senate bill 396 calling for the removal of road restrictions from logging trucks and forestry equipment. Casperson, R-Escanaba, was a log trucker before he took up state politics. The bill was reported out of the Senate Transportation Committee on Sept. 6. It could face a vote on the Senate floor and move to the House of Representatives and become law. Mills and Road Superintendent Tom “TJ” Clisch are worried about the potential destruction of soft gravel roads throughout the county and UP during spring break-up. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

 

Mt. Shasta reopens with old charm, new tech

Tammy
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NEW OWNER–Businessman Scott Holman has deep ties to Michigamme and takes pride in having brought back a local institution, Mt. Shasta Lodge. Closed these past three years, the restaurant has been returned to its former glory with many renovations and improvements.

by Nancy Besonen
A Michigamme restaurant with a cinematic history is enjoying its own sequel. Mt. Shasta Lodge on US-41 is now open for business. Closed three years ago, the restaurant featured in scenes from the 1959 film, “Anatomy of a Murder” was purchased this past June and has been fully renovated, incorporating state-of-the-art technology while preserving the log building’s built-in charm. Scott Holman is the man behind the restaurant whose rebirth is being celebrated by both the community and an increasing number of happy diners. The Ishpeming native is a founding director of 1st State Bank and Chairman Emeritus of Bay Cast Companies, which he also founded. He is past president of the Steel Founders Society of America, past Chair of the Michigan Chamber as well as Vice Chair and Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Holman also boasts close ties to Michigamme, which fed his interest in bringing back its landmark restaurant, Mt. Shasta.  To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

UPPCO, L’Anse Village in court

Tammy
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WATERSHED CROSSINGS–Friends of the Huron Mountains volunteers sought training on good and bad stream crossings. They will work with Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources and the Michigan DNR to catalog the thousands of stream crossings in Baraga County. This crossing was visited on Menge Creek Road during recent field training. Classroom training was also included.

by Barry Drue
A legal case is moving forward involving a dispute over provision of electrical service between the Village of L’Anse and Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO). At issue is service currently provided by UPPCO to customers in the Dynamite Hill Road Industrial Park. Three customers, Collins Bros. Sawmill, L’Anse Manufacturing and the village water tank are seeking village-supplied electricity which would be less expensive. UPPCO has brought suit seeking a Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary and Permanent Injunction. Legal paperwork was filed with Baraga County Circuit Court on behalf of both parties in August. “On October 24 we have a court date in circuit court,” Village Manager Bob LaFave said. “I believe there will be arguments in front of the judge.” Plaintiff UPPCO is represented by Dykema Gossett PLLC of Lansing and Casselman and Henderson PC of Marquette. The Village of L’Anse is represented by Dickinson Wright PLLC of Lansing.  To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Attorneys respond to ‘Friends’ suit

Tammy
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Super Saturday!–Kids of all ages came to the Baraga State Park to dress up for Harvest Fest 2018. The park campers decorated their campsites for the event, with Cathy Hill taking first place and Thomas Roy taking second. The event went on into the evening with lights flickering and dancing among the campers due to decorations and bonfires being enjoyed by all.

by Barry Drue
Attorneys for L’Anse Township have filed a response in the case challenging building permits and construction of meteorological evaluation towers (MET) for wind testing on Weyerhaueser property. Friends of the Huron Mountains brought the case against the township in August. Attorneys Michael Homier and Laura Genovich of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, Grand Rapids, MI, filed the township’s response in Baraga County Circuit Court on Sept. 11, 2018. Friends of the Huron Mountains, (FHM)a Michigan non-profit corporation, is seeking injunctive relief, claiming L’Anse Township did not follow its ordinances in granting building permits for three MET towers that have been built. The township response claims that FHM lacks legal standing to bring the case against the township.  To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Pelkie: 100 years of Finnishness in North Woods; Filmmaker Loukinen returns to Pelkie for documentary

Tammy
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RETIRED FROM NMU–After 40 years teaching sociology at Northern Michigan University, Michael Loukinen is continuing his “second career” in documentary films. He’s made over a dozen, and is working on a project documenting past life in Pelkie.

 

A note to the reader: I imagined how a reporter would write this story and it morphed into this. Enjoy. –Dr. Michael Loukinen

During the 1971 deer hunting season, Michael Loukinen, a Michigan State University graduate student, was about to begin his doctoral dissertation research on what sociologists call “exchange theory.” He wanted to study how inter-household labor and non-monetary material exchange helps rural communities survive. Funded by a Ford Foundation Fellowship, his advisors: Professors Bo Anderson and Fred Waisanen, a second generation Finnish American from Point Abbaye, advised him to go to the Copper Country. Shortly after shooting a four-pointer in Jacobsville, MI, where he had spent his childhood summers on his uncle’s dairy farm, Loukinen found himself in the Baraga County MSU Extension Service office. Dick Breyer, then the MSU Extension Agent, advised, “Go to Pelkie. There is a lot of cooperation out there….” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

New facility for collaborative pre-K program

Tammy
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STAGE IS SET–KBOCC’s pre-kindergarten program has a new facility featuring an outdoor all-natural classroom. Staff on the kids’ stage are, l-r, Kim Swanson, Early Childhood Education Director Cheryl LaRose and Missy Paulson. Migisiinsag (Lil’Eagles) is for four year-olds.

by Barry Drue
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College’s Migiziinsag (Lil’ Eagles) early childhood program has a new home. The pre-kindergarten program for four year-old children enters its fourth year with its own classroom building and unique natural outdoor classroom in the backyard. It is located at 809 Louis, a short block or so from KBOCC’s Wabanung campus in L’Anse. Having moved from the lower level of the college building, the staff is eager to bring in children for the start of the school year on Sept. 12. An open house was held on Tuesday, Aug. 28, to show off the facility to the community. Cheryl LaRose is KBOCC’s Early Childhood Education director. Kim Swanson is the teacher-director and Missy Paulson is a teacher. Migiziinsag is licensed for 16 children. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

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