L’Anse Robotics hedging bets on ‘Peaches’

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PEACH’S PIT CREW–Left to right are Donnie Paquette, mentor Nathan Taisto and Coach Cara Wightman. Left of robot “Peaches”, standing l-r are team captain Ethan Hansen, Greg Dowd, Corey Fus and Sienna Stein and seated, l-r, are Noah Aleo, Brea Hoffman and Shelby Harrison.

by Nancy Besonen
The L’Anse High School Robotics team is preparing to conquer the world with “Peaches.” Peaches is the robot the team will take to the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics competition this weekend in Escanaba. It will mark L’Anse’s second FIRST after a strong start in competition its rookie season. “We rocked it last year,” said team coach Cara Wightman, who teaches science, physics and chemistry at L’Anse Area Schools. “We were hard to beat. Our ‘bot was bulletproof!” That’s FIRST-speak for success. L’Anse went all the way to statewide competition, which means Peaches has a lot to live up to. It all started the first weekend in January when the team traveled to Houghton High School for the FIRST Launch, a pep rally to help fire up kids from across the Western UP to gear-up for robotics competition. Wightman, who also coached last year, said every competition is a whole new ballgame. Here’s how it works, in L’Anse at least: Wightman said FIRST Robotics provided a kit of parts and the chassis for a robot, paid for by grants the school received from the state. The L’Anse team also recycled (sounds better than “cannibalized”, which the team suggested) parts of last year’s robot for this year’s entry. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Township votes to disband Ambulance

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COVINGTON CREW–Members of the Covington Township Ambulance pictured above included, l-r, Marvin Rajala, Daune Smith, Carole Rajala, Carol Holma, Shirley Younggren, David Besonen and Linda Rajala. Members of the new Covington Township First Responders include the Rajalas, Besonen, Younggren, Holma and Emmy Heikkila. Photo courtesy of Joanne Besonen.

by Nancy Besonen
The Covington Township Ambulance service has officially disbanded. At its regular monthly meeting Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 the Covington Township Board voted 4-1 to end the service effective March 1. The township has contracted with Bay Ambulance of Baraga to provide future emergency response services. The decision was made due to a small and aging ambulance crew. The staff of eight volunteers was required by law to provide around-the-clock ambulance services, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. With runs on the increase, the crew saw the day coming when it couldn’t keep up. “We have eight members, average age 60, which does not bode well,” volunteer Marvin Rajala said at a public meeting in January regarding the future of the service. “We’ve seen a steady increase in runs, maybe a reflection both our ambulance and people are getting older.” David Besonen of Covington has been a member of the ambulance crew from its start. He said a fatal accident on M-28 in Covington, in which two area children were killed and another seriously injured, highlighted the need for a local emergency response team. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Volunteer dads bring positive impact to CJ

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WATCH DOGS—Pete Dove volunteered to serve as a positive male role model at CJ Sullivan last week. Among the classrooms he visited was the second grade taught by Emily Maxson. At the table, l-r, with Dove are his d daughter, Emily, Mayson Thompson, and Arianna Loonsfoot, studying the math lesson her teacher has on the board.

by Barry Drue
C.J. Sullivan Elementary School in L’Anse has gone to the DOGS! As in the WATCH DOGS program. In this case “DOGS” stands for “Dads Of Great Students”. CJ has initiated a growing national program to encourage positive male role models to volunteer to interact with students at school. In 1998 the first WATCH DOGS program launched at Gene George Elementary in Springdale, AR. Now more than 6,450 schools across the country have WATCH DOGS programs. “Each school year hundreds of thousands of fathers and father-figures make a positive impact on millions of  children by volunteering millions of hours in their local schools,” the WATCH DOGS web site (www.fathers.com. watchdogs) explains. Under the guidance of CJ Student Service Director Darrin Voskuhl, the L’Anse school just started the program earlier in February. And so far it’s a huge hit with the dads, students and staff. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Fact finding next for BCMH, union

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CROWD PLEASER–Gwen Apger, right, greets Marcy Franti, left and many others at the MSU Extension booth during the 26th Annual Healthy Heart Fair in the Niiwin Akeaa Center in Baraga Feb. 14, 2018. Crowds come out for free screenings, information on healthy living–and nice giveaways!

 

by Barry Drue
Negotiations between Baraga County Memorial Hospital administration and BCMH’s approximately 50 AFSCME employees continue after stretching for seven months. A three-year contract for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union Local 2088 expired on Sept. 22, 2017. Negotiations began in August, 2017. AFSCME employees work in departments such as dietary, billing, housekeeping, admitting, and serve as ward clerks, lab staff and radiology technologists. BCMH CEO Margie Hale said administration and its attorney, Grant Pecor of Grand Rapids, MI, “met several times before being joined by a State Mediator. Following the parties’ November mediation session the union indicated it was going to take the employer’s proposal back for a vote.” AFSCME Staff Representative Bob Murphy of Ironwood has led the bargaining process for the union. He said it was never the intent of the union to go back to  membership for a vote, but rather to obtain feedback. He said administration left the a Jan. 5 meeting with the mediator and would not return. “They left the room. We had the mediator there and they never came back. One of the things we were prepared to address was the Health Savings Account. We could have had that done,” Murphy said.Hale said, “Instead of resuming our efforts to use a mediator to resolve the parties’ differences the union presented a petition for fact finding at the start of the parties’ January meeting and refused to engage in further mediation efforts. As a result the parties broke after only a few hours.” Hale and Murphy agree that a neutral fact-finding specialist from the Michigan Employment Relations Commission will be brought in to comb through the proposals. Fact finding is nonbinding, meaning neither party is forced to accept the results. Fact finding will likely take place sometime this spring. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Contain Sturgeon fuel spill

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BRUTAL CONDITIONS–Crews and agencies continue response to a spill of 4,000 gallons of gasoline and a quantity to diesel fuel from a fatal crash on the U.S. 41 bridge of the Sturgeon River just south of Chassell. Immediate response to the Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 crash and spill has apparently limited impact to the river. Workers have spent over a week excavating and cleaning up, often in single digit temperatures.

by Barry Drue
A well-coordinated and effective multi-agency response has resulted in the containment of 4,000 gallons of gasoline and an undetermined amount of diesel fuel at the Sturgeon River just south of Chassell. The spill is the result of a fatal, multiple-injury accident on the U.S. 41 bridge at the Sturgeon on Saturday morning, Feb. 3, 2018. A vehicle attempting to pass a Klemm Trucking fuel semi tractor trailer hit an oncoming car and pushed it into the path of the semi, which hit it, killing the driver and toppling the tractor trailer, spilling the fuel. Fuel went downhill at the bridge embankment and was absorbed by snow, ice and soil. Some went onto the ice-covered river. It is believed that little if any made it downriver and to Portage Lake. Ralph Dollhopf has been the Environmental Protection Agency’s On-Scene Coordinator for the Emergency Response Team since 1985. He has helped lead EPA’s responses to clean-up of residential methyl parathion sites in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Mississippi, the World Trade Center, Washington DC anthrax attacks, the Columbia Space Shuttle recovery and Hurricane Katrina. He also coordinated EPA’s  response to the July, 2010, Endridge Line 6B discharge into the Kalamazoo River. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Crowd comes out for music

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SCHOOL CHOIR–The new L’Anse Area Schools choir directed by Courtney Jones took to the stage Saturday night to perform during the 14th Annual L’Anse Variety of Music Show. The show packs the L’Anse cafetorium and features a wide range of local talent. Proceeds from the event benefit the band program, which has purchased uniforms and instruments in the past as well as scholarships for band members. More instruments may come thanks to this past weekend’s event.

by Nancy Besonen
The 14th Annual L’Anse Variety of Music Show hit all the right notes Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 in L’Anse. The L’Anse Area Schools (LAS) set its stage for the event that brings out the best in musicians from throughout the community. Talented music staff and students join in for an evening featuring a wide range of sounds, styles and fun, playing to a most appreciate crowd. Band  Director Aaron Poniatowski helps to bring it all together, for the benefit of the band. Proceeds from the popular event help put gently-used instruments into new band members’ hands–and replace band instruments that are showing some serious age. “Instruments get old, and cost a lot of money,” Poniatowski said. “We need some beginning band instruments– baritones, flutes, trumpets–used but in good shape for students to rent from the school. “We’re also talking about purchasing a marching baritone,” she added, “and we always hope for a tuba, but it’s expensive.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

L’Anse 9th graders March For Life

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FORWARD, MARCH!–left to right, Abby Nankervis, Alayna Waara, Chloe LaForest, Kathleen Tollefson and Rachael Velmer enjoy their bag lunches in preparation to march. Photos courtesy of Jacque Velmer.

by Nancy Besonen
Five Baraga County ninth graders recently took their Faith Formation studies a step further–all way to Washington, D.C. The girls traveled to the nation’s capitol to join in the March For Life, an annual anti-abortion protest held around the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision which legalized abortion in the U.S. This past Sunday they shared the experiences at mass with many who had helped them along their way. The annual exodus from Baraga County started years ago when eighth grader Michaela Velmer of L’Anse wanted to go to the march, and wouldn’t give up. Her mother, Jacque Velmer, said a coordinator agreed to chaperone her daughter with a group going from Escanaba. “The next year she was chaperoned from Marquette, and it started to grow,” Velmer said. “When she was a senior in high school, her and four boys from our parish went! Last year we had nine or 10 high school students from L’Anse.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Consider disbanding Covington Ambulance; ‘We’ve tried to enlist through advertising, the media, cajoling’

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BAY RESPONDS–Gary Wadaga, right, of Bay Ambulance in Baraga fields questions about Bay serving Covington Township in the future. L-r are Covington Township Board members Lisa Karcher, Amy Norback, Township Supervisor Lowella Eskel, Lisa Tarvainen, Laurie Ahola and Marvin Rajala of Covington Ambulance.

by Nancy Besonen
Covington Township Ambulance is in critical condition. The dedicated team of volunteers is still making its runs, serving its community and others in need. But the crew is finding it increasingly difficult to get the job done with only eight active members whose average age is 60. An informational meeting was held Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018 at the multi-purpose building on M-28 in  Covington to explain the ambulance’s plight to the public. The meeting attracted a small crowd from the Tri-Town area (Covington, Watton and Sidnaw) and area emergency medical service personnel. The Covington Township Board hosted the meeting to discuss the future of the service, to answer questions and address concerns. Marvin Rajala, an R.N. and paramedic with the Covington Ambulance Service, led the presentation. “We were established about 1974,” Rajala said. “Our first rig was a Pontiac, from Republic. I remember going on one run–it was awful to sit in! We always enjoyed good support from the township board, and funding. Our last ambulance was bought with a grant. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Raise awareness of human trafficking in UP; KBOCC hosting national speaker at Jan. 25 program

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Measuring up!–These young fishermen braved the bitter cold just like everyone else at the Otter Lake Sportsmen’s Club Fish Derby Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018–and they were rewarded. Blake Messer, back, and Brantley Heikkinen brought Blake’s northern pike to the fish derby measuring board. The fish went 25 5/8 inches and won second place in the Youth Division. Caiden Nutt took first in Youth with the biggest fish of the entire tournament, a 35 3/8-incher.

 

Human trafficking will be brought to attention in a series of events in the UP later this month. Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College will host a U.S. Department of Justice speaker and others on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018. Since 2007 943 human trafficking cases have been reported in Michigan. Law enforcement warns that human trafficking is highly under-reported. It is also closely tied to the trafficking of drugs, drug addiction and the opoid crisis. The Upper Peninsula Human Trafficking Task Force (UPHTTF) has recently been re-established. It has teamed together with the Department of Justice, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, several Upper Peninsula law enforcement agencies, and other local “experts” in the field to bring human  trafficking community awareness to the UP in a week-long event during Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January. Beginning Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, the group will host presentations across the UP at local colleges and universities.  To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Old game ranch fence coming down; Access for animals–and people–will be restored

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EXPENSIVE PROJECT–A Lower Michigan fencing contractor has been hired to remove the game fence on the former Buchan game ranch on Pt. Abbaye. The fence restricts animal movement. Eventually hunters and visitors will be welcome on the 1,245 acre property.

by Barry Drue

Work to remove eight miles of 10-foot tall fence at the former Huron Bay Lodge game ranch on Pt. Abbaye may begin soon, depending on winter conditions. The Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) purchased the 1,245 acre parcel from John and Tamara Buchan and Thomas Buchan in November, 2015, with the aim of opening the forest and wetland area to the public and restoring key habitat. KLT is headquartered in Hancock. The purchase of the property was made possible as the land trust partnered with the Michigan DNR and was awarded a National Coastal Wetland conservation grant administered through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The property was appraised through a lengthy process at $1.365 million. KLT bought it for $1.1 million and the Buchans agreed to take $265,000 off the price and donate that amount as a match for the grant. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

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