L'Anse Sentinel | On guard for more than 130 years.

KBOCC honors 10 graduates, 16 certifications

Tammy

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May 12, 2017

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GRADUATION DAY!–The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College’s Class of 2017 proudly poses for a group shot at commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 6. Left to right are Brittanee Gauthier, Oedith Harris, Jolene DeCota, Michelle Moulden, Cynthia Thierry, Amanda Nordstrom, Keri Williams, Rachel Voakes, Heather Ochoa and Melissa Treadeau. Photo courtesy of KBOCC.

by Nancy Besonen
Ten graduates received their Associates degrees Saturday, May 6, 2017 at the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College’s (KBOCC) commencement exercises. The graduating class was one of KBOCC’s biggest according to Dean of Instruction Lynn Aho. Sixteen Criminal Justice Program graduates also received their certificates at the ceremony held in the Niiwin Akeaa Center Gymnasium in Baraga. KBOCC Board of Regents Chairman Robin Chosa served as Master of Ceremonies for the event which began at noon. Woodlands Drum performed the Processional, and colors were posted by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Honor Guard. The Commencement Address was given by Ron His Horse Is Thunder, former Tribal Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. He has served as president of three different tribal colleges, and is a former president of the American Indian College Fund. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Remember ‘Gar’ for legal career, friendship

Tammy

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May 5, 2017

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GOOD TIMES–Sue and Gar Hood taking it easy at
Bridgefest, 2009. When they retired to Florida Gar
loved his boat and the beach. He died on April 21,
2017, after battling illness in recent years.

by Barry Drue
Longtime area attorney and judge Garfield Hood is remembered by many bar association colleagues and friends for his dedication to his craft, his openness and friendly personality, and certainly for his humor. “Gar”, as he was known to everyone, died at his retirement home in Englewood, FL, after battling several illnesses in recent years. Gar died peacefully in Englewood on April 21, 2017. He was 71. Following his wishes, wife Sue and children Sarah, Lauren and Kristin made the decision to place their husband and dad in hospice following a stroke. Mercifully, Gar was there only one night before the end. Gar wanted to be remembered this way, in his own words: “I loved my family, I tried to be fair, I did the best I could”. As the news arrived in the Copper Country any were saddened and surprised. Sue said she and her daughters and their families had time to adjust. “I’m fine,” Sue said Monday, May 1, a week and a half after her husband’s passing. “It was not a real shock. He was ill for about four years.” Sue noted that she and Gar had owned a place in Florida since 1996 and very much enjoyed time there. When Gar retired after an 18- year career as 12th Circuit Judge in September, 2008, the Hoods purchased a condo in Englewood and spent more and more time there. Those years have proven a godsend to Sue who has developed many friendships to help her through difficult times. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Baraga offers contracts, tenure

Tammy

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April 21, 2017

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front page pic — Spring sightings–Two readers captured moose on their phone cameras recently. Above left, Deb Stouffer found this moose near Tioga Creek a week and a half ago. Michigamme news columnist Virginia Olson sent the photo above, right, showing a moose with scruffy winter hair. She came across the moose along M-95 near Republic. Two young moose were killed near the Herman- Nestoria Road on U.S. 41 in a vehicle accident on Easter Sunday night.

by Barry Drue
The Baraga school board granted tenure to two teachers and extended probationary contracts to numerous others at its regular meeting on Monday, April 10, 2017. History and civics teacher Gregory Markkanen and grade five teacher Mike Aubin were each granted tenure, on separate 4-0 votes. Receiving fifth year probationary contracts were high school and elementary art teacher Viktoria Klein, and HS/JH science teacher Lori Wisniewski, both on a 4-0 vote. Fourth year probationary contracts were extended to Lauren Sheer, HS language arts and Spanish teacher; and Desiree Lauritsen, second grade teacher, on a 4-0 vote. A third year probationary contract was approved, 4-0, for Christina Gallup, HS/JH math and economics teacher. Three teachers were approved, 4-0, for second year probationary contracts. They are Tyrell Peterson, K-12 music teacher; Rachael Lassi, elementary special education teacher; and Elisa Anderson, at-risk counselor. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Army commends firefighter Spc. Cerne

Tammy

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April 14, 2017

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by Barry Drue
Spc. Sara Cerne has been recognized by the United States Army for her role as a firefighter. She was one of the women soldiers who were profiled in honor of Women’s History Month in the base newspaper, the Fort Polk Guardian, at Fort Polk, LA. Cerne is a 12M Army firefighter assigned to the Fort Polk fire station. She serves with six other Army firefighters and several civilian firefighters. She is the only woman. Cerne is a 2013 L’Anse High School graduate who has shown plenty of determination and drive in her life and purpose. She is remembered for having brought together area cancer survivors and raising cancer awareness in her Girl Scout Gold Award project in L’Anse in her senior year. That project earned her an automatic advancement step when she joined the Army. She has gone on to be a leader among her peers in the Army, and is building her skills. The Specialist recently attended Leadership Training. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Welcome 25 new EMT’s; KBOCC grant pays for training

Tammy

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April 7, 2017

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by Barry Drue
An area-wide Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) shortage has been alleviated, at least in the near term, with the certification of 25 people after months of classes and recent testing. As many as 38 began twice-weekly testing last Oct. 4, and met monthly for daylong Saturday classes. They also signed on for clinical hours on ambulance runs and at Baraga County Memorial Hospital throughout the fall and winter. After finding few applicants in recent years the big class was especially appreciated by local EMT services which have been running low on staff. “This is the last huge class since mine in 1989-90,” said Linda Pakkola of Bay Ambulance. “It was about 20 people.” “This was huge for us,” Bay Director Gary Wadaga said. “We are close to crisis in rural EMS. Now we have about 25 spread through Pelkie, Baraga, L’Anse, Aura, Skanee and Covington.” The training was paid through a grant from Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, which made it much easier for many to take the training. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Job fair hit with students

Tammy

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March 31, 2017

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by Barry Drue
L’Anse and Baraga high schoolers wandered among displays from 65 businesses, organizations, colleges and military representatives at the L’Anse Job Fair on Thursday afternoon, March 23, 2017. Displays and tables spilled out of the gym as students visited sites of interest. Teacher Paul Moore and his Current Events class did the organizing, along with some help from Callie Budweg’s Publications Class. “I think it went well. There was a good turn-out of businesses. They made the commitment and almost all of them showed up. My students did most of the calling and emailing to contact them. They helped with set-up and helped people carry their stuff in,” Moore said. In his first year taking over the job fair for the retired Frank Taddeucci, Moore had L’Anse ninth through 12th graders attend, as well as a group of 42 Baraga High School juniors and seniors. Now that Moore has his first job fair behind him he wants to bring in more students next year. Additional schools have been invited in the past. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

LAS robotics team celebrates first FIRST

Tammy

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March 27, 2017

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by Missy Lehto
The L’Anse Area School’s (LAS) Robotics team competed in their “first” FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics competition in Escanaba March 17 and 18. Out of 39 teams, LAS Robotics placed ninth in overall performance ranking and 16th in matches. This is the first year for the L’Anse Robotics team with coach and mentor Cara Wightman, who currently teaches Environmental Earth Science, Chemistry I, Conceptual Physics, and Science 8 at LAS. The robotics competition is designed to help high school-aged students discover how interesting and rewarding the lives of engineers and scientists can be. It is a sport where participants play with and learn from the professionals about designing and building. The game rules are different and are a surprise every year. The challenge is to design your robot to do specific tasks throughout the game to get to the end. To meet a new challenge each year, teams hone teamwork skills, design, build, and program a robot during six weeks to perform tasks against a field of competitors, create a team “brand,” and raise needed funds. Participants use the same tools used by professional engineers. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Sisters, father badly injured in white-out crash; Huge outpouring of support for Peyton, Skarlett, Ryan

Tammy

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March 20, 2017

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by Barry Drue
Lives were forever changed within seconds in a snowy, white-out, three-vehicle crash on U.S. 41 near Canyon Falls south of L’Anse on Wednesday night, March 8, 2017. Skarlett Swartz, 5, and sister Peyton Thomas, 7, from Marquette, were severely injured and were airlifted to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan. The vehicle they were in was driven by Peyton’s father, Ryan Thomas, who was also severely injured. Skarlett is the daughter of 2003 Baraga High School graduate Dave Swartz, now living in Marquette. Swartz and the girls’ mother, Ellexsis (Lexie) Thomas, are in Ann Arbor with the girls. They are staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Baraga County Sheriff ’s Department reported the crash took place about 8:30 p.m. last Wednesday during “complete white-out conditions”. Ryan Thomas, 32, of Marquette was northbound when his vehicle collided with a southbound vehicle driven by James Tricka, 55, of Bessemer. The Tricka vehicle was then struck by a northbound semi driven by Brad Trudell, 39, of Calumet. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Ringer a champion for social justice, wellness

Tammy

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March 13, 2017

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Brialle Ringer has graduated Magna Cum Laude from Eastern Michigan University (EMU) with a Bachelors in Social Work. And that isn’t the half of it! Ringer is the daughter of Kristen Hill of Ypsilanti and Gary Ringer of Detroit, and great-granddaughter of Joan Hill of L’Anse. Her achievements at EMU included publishing three scholarly research articles, winning seven awards for community work, being named a McNair Scholar and much, much more. Ringer coordinated and led local, national and international volunteer trips for college students, including a trip to Haiti. She developed an original action-research project, interviewing 15 students experiencing homelessness at EMU, then provided the university with recommendations for improving on-campus support. She also interned at Student Advocacy Center, that prevents the school-toprison pipeline by advocating for students who face harsh school discipline and criminalization. That commitment in particular hit close to home for the biracial girl who grew up in the UP, yet outside of it. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

LAS gets security grant

Tammy

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March 6, 2017

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by Melissa Lehto

The L’Anse Area School (LAS) district was one of eight in the UP to receive funding through the Michigan State Police Competitive School Security Grant. The funding was discussed at the Feb. 21, 2017 board meeting. LAS has been awarded $25,641 to fund projects such as security film on glass entrance doors, entrance control with remote locking in the library, upgraded radios, updates to interior camera systems and new exterior camera systems. The new camera systems will be internet based. LAS Superintendent Susan Tollefson stated LAS plans to add cameras in the gym and the cafetorium which will allow posting a link to school events such as holiday programs and commencement online. “This will be a nice upgrade for our school and I am thankful to the four local law enforcement agencies who wrote letters of support for our projects,” said Tollefson. The L’Anse Area Schools library was awarded the grant for the digitization of the old L’Anse Sentinels. There is a link to these on the LAS website that will be updated by the Library of Congress as the various years become available. Tollefson remarked, “Thank you to all who sent postcards or tweeted to vote for our library. The Friends of the Library group was instrumental in pursuing this goal over the past two years. CJ Sullivan Elementary second and sixth grade teachers will be piloting the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) the week of Feb. 27, 2017. The NWEA is an assessment which accurately measures student growth and learning needs. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.