Weekend rains leave impact

Tammy
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L’ANSE WASHOUT–Heavy rain last weekend led to the washout of Lambert Road, and downstream from that, the railroad grade, above, along U.S. 41 Sunday morning. Although there is scattered washout and culvert damage around the area, Baraga County escaped the many millions of dollars of damage when entire streets were destroyed in Houghton, Hancock, Lake Linden, etc.

by Barry Drue
Baraga County Road Commission crews continued to assess flood damage Monday morning following periods of heavy rain over the weekend, and particularly early Sunday morning, June 17, 2018. “We have lots of small stuff,” Road Engineer Doug Mills said. “The largest we know of was Lambert Road which washed out Sunday morning, and then it took out the railroad (along U.S. 41 near Erickson Lumber). As far as rainfall amounts, “Different areas got hit differently,” Mills said, noting that three to four inches was probably an average amount in parts of Baraga County. “it was nothing like the six to eight inches in Houghton and Hancock. They got an epic flood like the one we got in 1968. It’s not millions of dollars in damage, it’s tens of millions there.” Mills said There were washouts on Tervo Road near Kelsey Creek in Keweenaw Bay, a partial washout on Prickett Dam Road, a two-mile segment of Menge Creek Road adjacent to a logging job has been close, and Shrine Road has washouts. “The Sturgeon River is up. The usual roads and low spots are flooded. We’ll have to wait for the water to go down to assess that,” Mills added. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

L’Anse waterfront packed for Trout Fest

Tammy
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LITTLE MISS SUPERIOR CONTEST–l-r, Lola Chichosz, Lillian Maddux (Little Miss Superior), Mackenzie Dusincki, Ellise Dove (first runner up), and Aaliyah Dantes (Miss Congeniality).

by Melissa Newland
The weather was more accommodating than most years as approximately 46 vendors rented booth space at the 13th annual Baraga County Lake Trout Festival. The event started in the early morning hours with fisherman up and out early for the Keweenaw Classic Fishing Tournament Saturday, June 9, 2018. A Fun Run/Walk also took place, with runners/walkers departing from the Baraga County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) Fitness Center in the morning. The L’Anse Waterfront Park was packed with kids and adults of all ages in the afternoon,enjoying food, looking at crafts for sale, and playing at the kid’s carnival with a bounce house and obstacle course. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources also set up its kid’s fishing pond, which is always a hit with the  young ones at the event. There was also a pie eating contest, a junk art contest and the ducky river contest for those wanting to join in events at the festival. Five young girls participated in the Little Miss Superior Talent contest this year, including Lola Cichosz, Lillian Maddux, Mackenzie Dusincki, Ellise Dove and Aaliyah Dantes. Each contestant performed on stage during the event, showing off their talents. There was also a question/answer period for the youngsters, after which judging of the contest began. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Power plant engines arrive; ‘Palabora’ generates waterfront excitement

Tammy
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FOREIGN FREIGHT–Jim Baker was on hand Thursday, May 31, (and so was half the town!) to capture this photo of the cargo ship Palabora nestled to shore by the tug Helen, right. The heavy-lift cargo ship brought ten 325-ton power plant engines to L’Anse from Trieste, Italy, in a month-long journey. Seven engines will go to a new electrical generating plant in Negaunee, and three to a new plant in Pelkie. The Palabora left L’Anse Monday evening and was locking through at Sault Ste. Marie at 8 a.m. Tuesday, destined for port in Windsor, Ontario.

by Barry Drue
The first of ten 325-ton electric generator engines off-loaded from the cargo ship Palabora in L’Anse has been trucked to the site of a new Upper Michigan Energy Resource Corp. (UMERC) power plant in Negaunee. Under State Police escort the huge generator engine was trucked by Perkins STC transport on Sunday night, June 3, 2018. “They left L’Anse at about 10 p.m. and got to  Negaunee early this morning,” said Dan Weingarten, Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Communications, Ishpeming. “We’re permitting them for Sunday through Thursday. There won’t be any hauls on Fridays or Saturdays.” For the hauls to Negaunee Vic’s is using three trucks and a 192-tire dual-trailer assembly with what amounts to a structural cradle in between. The engine rides in the cradle section. The generators are 46 feet long, 20 feet high and more than 17 feet wide. The tall load will necessitate raising of overhead cables and wires in some places. Ten of the Wartsila natural gas-fired Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE) were shipped from the manufacturing plant in Trieste, Italy, to L’Anse aboard the heavy-lift cargo ship Palabora. The journey took the month of May as the ship arrived at the CertainTeed dock on Thursday afternoon, May 31. A huge crowd of onlookers gathered at the waterfront near the marina to watch two tugs guide the Palabora to the seawall. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

‘First step to adulthood’; Baraga graduated 35 Friday

Tammy
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LAST LOOK–Baraga Principal Tim Marczak climbed on a table in the small gym where the Class of 2018 was preparing for graduation. He got a selfie of himself and the senior class. Baraga graduated 35 at its 127th commencement on Friday evening, May 25, 2018. 1998 Baraga grad John Koskinen delivered the commencement address.

by Barry Drue
Thirty-five seniors received their diplomas at Baraga High School’s 127th commencement on Friday, May 25, 2018. The class was led by Valedictorian Zachary Welch and Salutatorian JeriAnn Lanala-Tervo. Welch characterized the moment as “the first step to adulthood”, and the time when graduates “get to make our own responsibilities”. He noted, “No class complains as much as we do!” but that “each can fend for ourselves”. The valedictorian reminded his classmates how close they are to the people who taught them what they know, their teachers. Welch said students are friends with teachers and thanked the staff for that. Lanala-Tervo said school days have “been a crazy trip, but I’m glad I had you guys with me”. She looked back to events past that seem so important at the time—such as the drama of a couple break-up in sixth grade at Camp Nesbit. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

L’Anse students earn honors

Tammy
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DOUBLE HONORS–Sarah Dix, left, and Erika Tollefson, right, were both honored with the William Jarvey Memorial award at LAS Honors Convocation.

 

by Melissa Newland
L’Anse Area School (LAS) students were recognized at Honors Convocation on Wednesday, May 16, 2017 at a ceremony in the gymnasium at 7 p.m. The seventh through twelfth grade band  directed by Aaron Poniatowski started off the award ceremony with a number by Bob Cotter called “Celebration March.” The student processional was led by the senior class valedictorian Sarah Dix and salutatorian Caleb Hiltunen. LAS Superintendent Susan Tollefson welcomed family, friends, and students to the ceremony, and the LAS band again performed, this time a selection by Michael Sweeney called “Aladdin.” LAS Student Service Director Darrin Voskuhl introduced this year’s speaker at the event. Michael Perrault, a 2000 L’Anse High School (LHS) graduate, was the  honored speaker at the ceremony. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

From Trieste, Italy to L’Anse: Power plant generating engines on the way

Tammy
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HEADING TO L’ANSE–The 440-foot heavy-lift cargo ship “Palabora” left Italy May 1 for its ultimate destination, L’Anse. It is expected at the CertainTeed dock by the end of May. Palabora is bringing 10 generating engines for UMERC power plants in Pelkie and Negaunee. A major operation to truck three engines to Pelkie and seven to Negaunee will take place from L’Anse in July.

by Barry Drue
An international effort is underway to transport 10 huge natural gas electrical generating engines to L’Anse. The 440-foot international heavy lift cargo ship Palabora left Italy May 1, 2018, with the engines and is expected to land at the dredged CertainTeed dock by the end of May. The site marine.traffic. com showed the vessel’s most recent stop was Puerto de Vigo, Spain, last Friday, May 11, 2018. The Wartsila Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE) are destined for two power plants under construction by Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corp (UMERC). Three of the 325-ton engines will be delivered to the A.J. Mihn Generating Station on Sarya Road in Pelkie. The other seven will be trucked from L’Anse to a new UMERC power plant in Negaunee. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Ten new members join L’Anse NHS chapter

Tammy
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LAS INDUCTEES–New National Honor Society members for the 2017-2018 school year are, back l-r, Payton Hulkkonen, Abby LaForest, Samantha Peltola, Anna Menge, Kyle Usimaki, Sarah Mills, Mandy Gransell, Star Edwards, Camryn Hahn and Peyton Holma. The 2017-18 members are, front l-r, Jessica Wickstrom, Vice-President Erika Tollefson, Secretary Kelsey Lindstrom, President Sarah Dix and Public Relations Representative Megan Hendrickson. New members were inducted May, 2, 2018 at LAS.

by Melissa Newland
The L’Anse Excelsior Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) held its annual induction of new members, recognizing students for their scholarship, leadership, character and service with induction into the Society. The event was held at the L’Anse Area School (LAS) cafetorium May 2, 2018 at 7 p.m., with ten new members being inducted this year. The students who earned the honor this spring were Star Edwards, Mandy Gransell, Camryn Hahn, Peyton Holma, Payton Hulkkonen, Abby LaForest, Anna Menge, Sarah Mills, Samantha Peltola, and Kyle Usimaki. NHS is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. The LAS chapter of NHS was chartered in 1975. They began partnering in the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program during the 1991-1992 school year. In 2001, NHS began coordinating the blood drive with the Marquette Regional Blood Center at LAS. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

County supports RES wind farm

Tammy
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COMMENTS, QUESTIONS–The Baraga County Board allowed comments and took questions on the RES Summit wind proposal at a special meeting on Friday, April 27, 2018. The board then voted unanimously in support of the project through a two-page resolution. L’Anse Township has the authority to determine the fate of the project.

by Barry Drue
In a full court room Friday, April 27, 2018, the Baraga County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a two-page resolution supporting the proposed RES Summit Lake Wind Project. To date the county board and L’Anse Area Schools Board of Education have voted to support the wind farm. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Council has voted to oppose it. Ultimately L’Anse Township’s board will determine the fate of the project. L’Anse Township’s Planning and Zoning Commission has voted to remove the possibility of a special use permit for wind turbines in Forestry-zoned areas, which is where they are planned on Weyerhaeuser land. A public hearing on the recommendation to remove the special use permit option will be held before the township board votes, both of which are expected in May. (The scheduled special meeting and public hearing for May 2 has been postponed. It will be rescheduled later in May. See legal advertisement on page 3.) At Friday’s special meeting of the commissioners Chairman Mike Koskinen set the ground rules for discussion of the wind issue prior to the county board’s vote.  He maintained control over the meeting and did not let the discussion devolve into back-and-forth claims between those in the audience. The discussion lasted about 40 minutes. Some mentioned a feeling of “betrayal” on the part of the board, and lack of transparency. When the board was asked if it had data regarding the feasibility of the RES proposal, Koskinen said, “I’m
sure it’s out there or they wouldn’t be pursuing it”. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

‘Annie’ rocks the house!

Tammy
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CURTAIN CALL–The cast and director of “Annie Play Will Do” included front row, l-r, Alexis Aleo, Noah Aleo, Drew Dorsky, Mara Grentz, Callie Frisk, Jayce Forcia, Camryn Hahn and Abbey Nankervis. Middle row, l-r are Darien Francois, Kayla Hoffman, Kyle Usimaki, Chloe LaForest and Rachael Velmer. Top, l-r are Director Denise Laakko, Ethan Hansen and Breanna Hoffman.

by Nancy Besonen
The L’Anse High School Drama club delivered this past weekend with its production of “Annie Play Will Do.” The comedy rocked the house at its Friday, April 20, 2018 opening followed by performances Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Following the Friday night opening, Director Denise Laakko was pleased with a fuller house than usual and its appreciation for the production. “What a great audience!” Laakko said after final bows. “Usually Friday night (attendance) is a little lower. This was a really nice crowd!” Her performers earned high praise as well for hitting their comedic marks. The talented and versatile cast cut loose as players in two separate productions, “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Little Orphan Annie,” accidentally combined into one rollicking comedy that all worked out in the end. Ethan Hansen and Breanna Hoffman played the leads as Paul and Laura, high school sweethearts who open the play by breaking up. Due to a  miscommunication, their flustered drama teacher learns she has just one day to cast, practice and stage the high school play. Of course, she turns to the kids. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

KBOCC Career Fair packed

Tammy
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Bus loads of H.S. juniors, seniors met with employers at job fair last Friday.

by Barry Drue
The first Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College Career Fair was a huge success on Friday, April 6, 2018. The event packed the OCC Wabanung Campus. KBOCC Business Department Chair Megan Haataja and staff organized the career fair. “We had 50 businesses (and organizations) here and over 150 participants came. It was definitely a success,” Haataja said. “We went from a few businesses in a classroom to the whole place. L’Anse High School sent students, Baraga brought two buses of juniors and seniors, Chassell school and Ontonagon also sent students to the career fair. “The majority of the businesses that are here are offering jobs and hiring. Others are more promotional,” Haataja said. Among those looking for employees was Baraga-Houghton-Keweenaw Child Development. Gwen Elmblad and Caroline Penny represented the organization at the Career Fair.  To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

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