HEROES’ WELCOME–Veterans are escorted into the gym by students at Baraga Area Schools for the annual Veteran’s Day Program. Preparing to march in from the school library are left to right, Alexxus DeCota, Jim Sheldon, Kayla Szaroletta, Mike Roberts and Alexa Barton.
by Nancy Besonen
Lessons in patriotism were taught by those who know best at last Wednesday’s Veteran’s Day programs in L’Anse and Baraga Area Schools. The Veteran’s Day Observances on both sides of the
bay feature readings, songs and musical selections by the school bands. Veterans provide a main speaker and a riveting focal point in lines of folding chairs, dress ranging from street clothes to full uniform, facing students in the school gyms. The vets are welcomed to the schools with coffee, pastries and cake. In Baraga they’re marched in with a student escort. When the call for more arms went out last Wednesday, students scrambled in the bleachers to claim the honor of bringing a veteran into the gym. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
PACKED GYMNASIUM–L’Anse High School’s gymnasium appeared standing room only at times as hundreds of high school seniors from throughout the Copper Country descended for the fifth L’Anse Career Fair. More than 100 businesses ranging from the FBI to building trades to culinary arts participated with representatives to answer questions about their specialties.
by Chris Ford
Approximately 525 high school students from across the Copper Country gathered at L’Anse High School Thursday, Nov. 8, for the fifth L’Anse Career Fair. Organizer and L’Anse teacher Frank Taddeucci said nine high schools from the tri-county area opted in for an opportunity allowing students a chance to talk with representatives from more than 100 companies, organizations, and other career-related entities…… To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
IT’S COMING–This November, 2014, photo suggests snow is not far off, and residents who for decades have depended on the county road commission for driveway plowing will have to look elsewhere. Service is discontinued for the remaining 138 customers.
by Nancy Besonen
Area residents who formerly contracted with Baraga County Road Commission for driveway snow plowing services are gearing up for a season of change. And most are finding the field of local contractors is mighty thin. Back in 1965 the Baraga County Road Commission (BCRC) adopted Act 387, allowing counties without a voted millage for snow removal to contract with owners of private driveways for snow plowing. The service was well received, peaking at 426 contracts in the winter of 1996. In 2002 the Road Commission quit accepting new contracts due to financial constraints. When regular snow plowing bills arrived in the fall of 2014, Baraga County’s remaining 138 contracting customers were informed the service would be discontinued for the winter of 2015. A committee of contract customers was swiftly assembled and appealed the commission’s decision, but the vote held. Road Commission Engineer Doug Mills cited reduced staff and funding, aging equipment and the desire to not compete with private contractors as contributing factors. Mills also noted the county would compile a list of local private snow plowing contractors which would be available the following spring. Former customers having difficulty finding contractors could request a copy by mail or at the Road Commission office on US-41 in L’Anse … To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
TEA TIME–Carisa LaFernier uses deer antlers to move hot rocks away from a fire and into bowls of water, which were then used to steep cups of tea at a pre-1500’s feast held at the Zeba Hall in L’Anse last Thursday. Food and drink were all locally harvested, and some were prepared beforehand the old-fashioned way.
by Nancy Besonen
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and company enjoyed a taste of the distant past last Thursday at a feast held at Zeba Hall in L’Anse. The meal consisted of foods available to the Ojibwe
tribe in the UP before colonization, which was before 1500. The event was a collaborative effort between the KBIC Natural Resources Department and the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
CHECKING THINGS OUT–Charlie and Char Sliger of Covington were part of a large contingent of area residents who visited Smoky Mountain State Park and surrounding areas earlier this month.
by Chris Ford
Sheila Heikkinen and husband Bob Pascoe have taken their love of travel and are not only sharing it with others, but have turned it into a business. Heikkinen said this month marks three years since her formation of Upper Peninsula Travelers. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
FAIR CONDITION–Francine Cerne, eft, Beth Squires, center and Coral Beach, right, work with LUCAS, an automated chest compression system for administering CPR, during the Nursing Competency Fair at Baraga County Memorial Hospital last Thursday.
by Nancy Besonen
All nursing hands were on deck last week for Baraga County Memorial Hospital’s Nursing Competency Fair. The annual event serves as a review for vital skills needed to do the job. It also allows staff a golden opportunity to gather and exchange ideas for maintaining and enhancing care at the health facility. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
SAMPLING–DEQ Environmental Quality Analyst Ed Lancaster shows his kit for collecting samples of fugitive dust” that may be originating with the Warden biomass plant. Lancaster put out petri dishes to catch any fallout last Friday. A public hearing on the Warden plant will be on Oct. 29, 2015.
by Barry Drue
A Department of Environmental Quality official from Marquette is attempting to collect samples of dust and fall-out from the L’Anse Warden Electrical Co. plant. Ed Lancaster, Environmental Quality Analyst with the DEQ’s Air Quality Division, visited L’Anse on Friday, Oct. 2, to place petri dishes in an effort to collect samples. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
LONG ABANDONED–The buildings at Camp Baraga have seen a lot of inmates pass through, and the walls of some are filled with murals, staff instructions and colorful graphics. The vandalized camp is being razed.
by Barry Drue
The long-abandoned and vandalized Camp Baraga minimum security inmate work camp is being razed. A crew from MD Contracting of Baraga was demolishing buildings at the old camp last week. The tall chain link fence has been taken down, the loops of razor wire carefully removed and coiled, and asbestos materials removed and sealed. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
TOTAL LOSS–A home owned by Dave and Stephanie Pirkola was destroyed in an early morning fire on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. Mark Pirkola and Terri Henderson were living in the home. Pirkola was out of town when the fire took place. Henderson and her dog were able to escape the burning building safely. L’Anse, Baraga and Pelkie fire departments responded, but the home was engulfed upon their arrival.
A 2:30 a.m. fire burned a home on Keranen Road in Herman on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. Marc Pirkola and his girlfriend, Terri Henderson, were living there and taking care of the home for his brother, Dave Pirkola. Pirkola was not home at the time of the blaze. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
UPSET ARREST-Officers from the Michigan State Police Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team made an arrest at the Superior Relief medical marijuana dispensary on U.S. 41 south of L’Anse. A number of state police vehicles and officers were involved in the afternoon arrest on Monday, Sept. 14, 2015. The business opened in July. An official at the Baraga County Jail confirmed that the business owner was being held on Tuesday morning. He had not been arraigned as of the Sentinel deadline.
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An arrest was made at the Superior Relief medical marijuana dispensary on Monday afternoon, Sept. 14, 2015. Baraga County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph O’Leary confirmed that an arrest was made and that officers from the Michigan State Police Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) participated in the arrest. O’Leary said it was an undercover situation that led to the arrest. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
